Homes that evolve: how UK homes change over time

While we might think of moving in as the finish line, for many of us it’s just the beginning. A home may work hard through different life stages, routines and priorities. And as life changes, the way we use our space often changes too. A spare room might become an office, a dining room might turn into a playroom, or a quiet corner might become space for a new pet.

Nearly 70% of those surveyed have changed the purpose of a room since moving into their home, according to our survey. And while this repurposing happens more than one and a half times on average, it rises to nearly more than two and a half times among 25 to 34 year olds, who do so roughly every four years. That’s more than twice as often as over-55s, who wait an average of nine years between renovations.

Even among homeowners surveyed who haven’t yet changed a room’s purpose, 1 in 4 plan to do so in the next 12 months. This rises to two in five among 35 to 54 year olds.

More than two in five surveyed UK homeowners say the bedroom is the room they remember most vividly from their childhood home. The living room comes next, followed by the kitchen.

What makes these rooms stand out isn’t always the furniture or décor, but how they made people feel. The top five reasons those surveyed, who have strong memories of their childhood home, remember a room are:

These memories, according to those surveyed, often come from the small, everyday details that made a house feel like home. Nearly half of British homeowners surveyed remember a television set as the focal point of the room, while a similar number remember a landline and its spot in the house. Patterned carpets, a hi-fi system or record player and net curtains also stood out for around a third of respondents.

And for some, those childhood memories and feelings found their way into the homes they own today. Just over one in five UK homeowners say their childhood home has influenced how they set up or decorate their current home. This rises to 44% among 25 to 34 year olds.

For those who can see this influence in their current home, the most common links are:

But not everyone wants to bring parts of their childhood home into their current one. More than a third of UK homeowners say there’s nothing they’d bring with them. For those who would, sentimental items come out on top, followed by a tradition or routine and a specific view from the window.

Home renovations can be exciting, personal and practical all at once. UK homeowners typically redecorate a room every 4 years on average, according to our survey, with just over 1 in 10 saying they redecorate once a year or more. Those over 55 tend to take a little longer, redecorating every 5 years on average.

And while many homes are still evolving, some of those surveyed feel positive about the space they’ve created. Nearly two thirds of UK homeowners agree their home looks and feels the way they want it to, while almost 4 out of 5 say their home feels homely and welcoming. Just over 7 in 10 also agree their home is starting to take shape in the way they want it to look and feel.

But home updates can come with a cost. Nearly half of those who have made changes to their home in the last year spent £5,000 or less, while 14% spent more than £5,000. Just over a fifth were unsure how much they’d spent, which may show how easy it can be for home improvement costs to add up over time or lose track of budgeting.

Budgeting can be a tricky part of improving a home, especially when plans change or costs grow along the way. Among those who spent money on home improvements, renovations or DIY projects in the last year:

And while a small number were unsure whether their project came in on budget, many homeowners feel the money was well spent. A third say their investment was worth every penny and their home is better for it. And more than 1 out of 5 surveyed homeowners think they’ve added value to their home with nearly the same amount saying they’re happy overall, but there are things they wish they’d done differently.

For some, their home reflects memories, things they find comforting and the people they love. 70% agree home is where their most important memories live, while just over two thirds say home is wherever the people they love are, not one specific place.  

The objects British homeowners keep can be part of that feeling too. Just under two thirds of those surveyed have an object in their home that they inherited from a family member or loved one. For many, the value is emotional rather than financial, with more than a third saying the object’s value is entirely sentimental.  

The most common items people keep at home after inheriting them from a family member or loved one are:

So, while renovations can change how a home looks and works, the feeling of home is often shaped by more than paint colours, layouts or new fittings. It’s also built from the memories, objects and everyday details that make a space feel personal. When you’re next thinking of renovating, you may explore our home renovation checklist to help you stay on track. 

Nearly half of those who changed the purpose of a room didn’t update their home insurance afterwards. That matters because every repurposed room, renovation or extension can change what’s inside a home, how it’s used and what it may cost to put right.

And it seems that many surveyed homeowners may not realise DIY can affect their cover:

1. Nearly half of surveyed homeowners who changed a room’s purpose didn’t tell their insurer afterwards.
2. Almost six in ten of those with an unfinished DIY project weren’t aware it could affect their home insurance cover.
3. Almost a quarter of those who spent money on home improvements in the last year went over budget, with some going significantly over.
4. Most recent home improvement spending was under £5,000, but some homeowners spent more than this in the last year.

If you’re not sure whether your DIY work may affect your cover, check out our article detailing the home improvements to tell your insurer about. 

With money, time and effort going into UK homes, it’s worth checking your policy still reflects the home you live in today. If you’ve changed how a room is used, started building work or added more to your home, your insurer may need to know.

You can get an our Signature home insurance quote or use our content insurance calculator to help estimate how much contents cover you may need. And, depending on your needs, you may also explore our buildings insurance.