Our latest research shows that more women are joining men in undertaking heavier DIY tasks, with women now being just as likely as men to have used a nail gun and a floor sander and over 9 in 10 having made their own home improvements in the last year.

Gen Z women are leading the charge in challenging gendered DIY stereotypes. 80% say they feel empowered when learning new DIY skills and they’re almost as confident as Gen Z men in doing DIY tasks (69% vs 73%). What’s more, almost 2 in 3 (64%) of Gen Z women say they could personally make a piece of furniture.

Men are also challenging stereotypes, as they are just as likely as women to be concerned about their home décor being on trend. We’ve also seen that 40% of Brits switch up their home décor regularly to keep it fresh, in fact 1 in 4 (27%) Brits change their décor to reflect the season. Social media and the growth of how-to videos is providing confidence and boosting skills with 82% of Gen Z women inspired to do more complex DIY themselves by other women on social media.

The high demand for tradespeople is another reason for more people taking on home improvement projects themselves. With 4 in 5 tradespeople booked up in advance, almost half of Brits have chosen to take on simpler tasks themselves.

 

Our report - The Way We Live Now: 2024 – is showing boosted confidence, challenged stereotypes, high demand for tradespeople and seasonal change – how does the way you live compare with the rest of the nation?

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