Locked down to fix the house up at last
IT LOOKS as though many of us have been putting the time we’ve had at home over the last three months to good use. A survey from home interiors specialists Hillarys suggests that collectively we’ve spent more than £5billion on DIY and home renovations since lockdown began. Almost 60 per cent of us have carried out some sort of work on our homes, with kitchens topping the list, closely followed by bedrooms and living rooms. The survey suggests that the person spent £350 on home DIY and renovations during lockdown, and this includes the money we spent on purchasing paint, wallpaper, tiles and small home furnishings. Gardens have also been receiving a lot of love and care, with nearly half of households getting them ready for the summer, hoping to enjoy them during lockdown as long as the weather allows. Two-thirds of those questioned admitted that they wouldn’t have done half as much around the house if it wasn’t for lockdown, while a further one in three admitted they had finished odd jobs they had been putting off. When asked what they are most looking forward to when lockdown and social distancing are fully over, summer garden parties, barbeques, and having friends round for dinner topped the list.
Lucy Askew of Hillarys said: “It’s great that so many people have been using their time during lockdown to renovate and improve their family homes, especially as many DIY stores were considered essential and didn’t close their doors.
“During this stressful time it’s important to go at your own pace, whether that is keeping busy with sprucing up your home or taking time out to process what’s going on.
“With so many budget stores around these days, it’s also a lot easier to do jobs around the home without breaking the bank.
“We hope your friends and family appreciate the hard work you’ve gone to when they’re finally able to visit, if they haven’t already.”