We are now a couple of months into 2024, and certain home renovation trends have already started to become apparent across the capital. Here are five of the most common property updates London homeowners are choosing this year.
Sustainable and eco-friendly upgrades
The environment remains front and centre in many London property renovations this year. The energy crisis is partially responsible for this change in attitude, but it is also a continuation of a longer-term trend where people are more eco-conscious and want to reduce their impact on the planet.
These green upgrades often include changes to energy production and utilisation, such as adding better insulation, solar panels, and swapping from a combi-boilers to a heat pump. However, it also informs decisions on major construction projects, such as choosing light wells to bring natural light into a basement room instead of relying on electrical lighting 24/7, and the choice of more sustainable materials for the build itself.
Expanding above and below
Few are expecting any major improvements to the housing market this year, which means that many London homeowners are looking to expand their current property instead of moving to something larger.
For those that want to add more space to their property, attic conversions remain one of the most popular options due to their comparatively low cost. However, for those without enough headroom to convert an attic, or for those that have already converted their attic and are looking for the next area of expansion side-returns, rear extensions, and basement conversions remain popular and cost-effective options.
A simple side-return can breathe new life into property by letting you open up the ground floor and connect the sitting room or dining room with the kitchen and bring in floods of natural light. Alternatively, a rear extension can add significant square footage to your ground floor. It can create more space for a multi-functional room for both work and entertaining, and again enjoy the benefits of natural light with the addition of a glass roof. Or combine the two for the best of both worlds.
Meanwhile, a basement conversion can turn what was previously a damp underfloor space into a purpose-built new living area. This could be an extra bedroom, a quiet study, or something more entertaining like a cinema room or wine cellar.
Garden rooms
The alternative to expanding your current building is to add a garden room. These are set apart from the main property and are perfect as an office, studio, or home gym. Many people still think of garden rooms as glorified sheds. However, thanks to innovative companies joining the space in recent years, you can now add a beautifully constructed and fully insulated, electrified, and connected room for a very reasonable sum.
The bottom of the garden is often a neglected space, and it can be transformed by a garden room. Critically the room can also be considered as part of the square footage of your home, which can push up the price when you do eventually decide to sell.
Renovations for the next buyer
The housing market is expected to remain difficult for sellers in 2024, and those who are looking to move this year are choosing to make changes that will appeal to potential future buyers. This has resulted in an uptick in kitchen upgrades, smart home integrations, and bathroom updates.
Few people decide to undergo major renovations such as extensions or basement conversions if they intend to sell in the near future because such upgrades are both expensive and can require families to move out whilst the work is carried out. However, replacing a tired-looking bathroom with something bright and fresh, or installing a new kitchen that is both spacious and on-trend can have a significant impact on a property’s value without the upheaval.
Smart home integrations
The smart home revolution has been a slow burn over the last decade, but a few factors have made 2024 the year that the smart home is expected to really take off.
Part of the change is technological, with manufacturers finally agreeing to a universal protocol (Matter) that means all your home appliances and Internet of Things (IoT) devices can talk to each other no matter where you bought them. Another part of it is price-based, with connected devices now similarly priced to their non-connected counterparts, so connectivity is no longer seen as a luxury when upgrading appliances.
However, the main reason for the switch is that smart devices can mean more efficient energy use. At a time when energy bills remain sky-high, technology that can make your life easier and bring down your monthly bills is more attractive than ever.
Many smart home integrations can be added at any time, but if you have planned a new kitchen, office space, out-house, or garden room this year then the trend is for these renovations to have smart integrations at their heart.
If you would like to discuss how you could best improve your property, then call Good London Builders on 0207 978 5097 or contact us on info@goodlondonbuilders.com.
