When it comes to the work you do for your customers, it’s helpful to have a grasp on what’s popular so that you know what to expect. We’re at a point in the year where there are still some windows of opportunity for exterior jobs, but a majority are indoors. One of the things we keep an eye on is customer trends, so we can react accordingly and meet their needs. That means they can easily get the materials they need from Wickes, before finding a tradesperson to do the job.
Decorative wall panels and other types of wall panelling are ever-present in home interiors, presumably because of the versatility they offer. With the right design and colour scheme, they can be used in any aesthetic from hyper-modern to traditional Victorian. They’re perfect for adding character to your space, and they continue to rise in popularity. Houzz have seen searches for ‘Modern wall panelling’ increase by 116%, while searches for ‘Decorative wall panels’ are up by 132%. Jen Gardner from Jennifer Gardner Interiors says wood panelling is “one of the biggest trends of the last year” because “it adds a sleek and cosy finish to modern homes”.
Painting & decorating
According to a DIY Retailing UK 2023 report from Mintel, decorating has been the top job in the past 12 months. Not just because it can completely transform and freshen up a room, but because it can actually add to the value of a house. In their 2023 home improvement trends report, Rated People listed painting and decorating as the top home improvement job of the year. It’s a quick, easy and cost-effective way to enhance a home, where even a small coat of interior paint can have a huge impact on a space.
Garden landscaping
Garden landscaping is Rated People’s third top job for 2023 and for good reason - there are always jobs to do in the garden, no matter the time of year. The Wickes garden calendar is a great way to find out what you can do this season. It’s a great time to lay turf as long as the weather is suitable - getting in now will have it looking green and glorious next spring and summer. You might also find that customers want to install greenhouses now, to protect their plants before winter sets in.
New bathroom
Fitting a new bathroom is a big job, but it has a huge impact on your home when it’s done. That’s why it’s so popular. Rated People identify a new bathroom as one of the key things potential homebuyers look for when viewing properties, while Houzz found that more than 25% of renovating homeowners renewed their bathrooms last year. The latest annual report on the bathroom sector found that Wickes is the UK’s most prominent brand in 2023, and we have updated our range of bathroom products to reflect market trends.
New & updated storage options
Storage solutions can be important for customers whose homes are lacking things like cupboards, which can often be the case with newer-build properties. The demand for new storage increased by 29% in 2022, and we expect it to be higher this year. It might be a simple case of finding space to install shelving, or modular wardrobe storage for something more heavy duty.
