Thinking about home improvements in 2025? Whether you want to modernise your kitchen, boost energy efficiency, or bring the outdoors in, prospective buyers and savvy renovators are focusing on smarter, greener, and more personalised living spaces. Here's a deep dive into what’s shaping UK upgrades this year.

A Growing Home Improvement Market

The UK home improvement market was valued at around £11.12 billion in 2024, with projections indicating a rise to £16.67 billion by 2033, according to data from Hillarys. That’s nearly a 50% increase over less than ten years, signalling sustained demand for renovations and home upgrades. On average, homeowners spend approximately £14,000 per project, and nearly 7 million individuals plan to remodel before 2027 (Hillarys).

What Trends Are Driving Investment in 2025?

1. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Homeowners and buyers increasingly demand properties with higher EPC ratings, sustainable energy use, and lower carbon footprints. Features like better insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, and smart thermostats are not just optional—they’re becoming standard (KMJ Property).

2. Smart Home Integration

Smart home adoption in the UK is accelerating. By 2025, 87.8% of households are expected to have at least one smart device, and smart lighting alone can save 75%–90% in energy use. The smart home market is projected to reach £8.4 billion in 2023, growing rapidly in the coming years (Future House Store).

3. Biophilic Design

Bringing nature indoors is one of the buzziest trends of 2025. According to design reports, using natural light, plant life, organic textures and earthy finishes is shaping relaxed, restorative homes—and it's both stylish and scientifically proven to boost wellbeing (Inside Ecology, IDSystems).

4. Multifunctional and Flexible Spaces

With hybrid working and lifestyle shifts, living spaces are being reimagined. Homes now feature home offices, convertible dens, split living/dining zones, and built-in storage that adapts—offering functional flexibility across generations and use cases.

5. Smart Materials & Eco-Friendly Choices

Eco-conscious materials like low-VOC paints, recycled flooring, solar glass, and thermal glazing are increasingly popular. They support sustainability goals and may be eligible for government schemes like the Great British Insulation Scheme to cut bills and emissions (ECO+ Scheme).

Why These Trends Matter to You

These trends aren’t random—20% of homeowners say they’ll begin a project in early 2025, indicating a clear desire for improvement, partly to cut costs and increase comfort (USP Research). Unlike the post-pandemic DIY rush, today’s upgrades are less about DIY and more about purpose-built improvements with energy and future living in mind.

As B&Q owner Kingfisher recently noted, while consumer confidence is shaky, demand is shifting from superficial aesthetic upgrades to trade-led, energy-efficient, and smart home projects (The Guardian).

For South-East homeowners, embracing these trends means not just making your home more comfortable and efficient—but also smarter, more saleable, and future-ready.

How Barry Turner & Son Can Help With These Trends

We specialise in smart, sustainable upgrades tailored to homes across South London, East London and Kent, and can bring these big trends to your doorstep:

• Energy efficiency: Installing loft or wall insulation, installing double/triple glazing, heat pump advice, and EPC improvement

• Smart integration: Smart thermostats, sensor lighting, programmable heating and lighting zones

• Biophilic upgrades: Natural finishes, living greenery walls, plant-friendly layouts, daylight maximisation

• Flexible layouts: Built-in Murphy beds, adaptable cabinetry, hybrid workspaces, zoning for dual-use rooms

• Eco-materials: Low-VOC paints, reclaimed wood, recycled-insulation alternatives

Whether it’s a small-scale retrofit or full home renovation, our local team brings design insight, project management and installation expertise—all aligned with current consumer priorities.