In an April filled with spring sunshine and home and garden initiatives – the first ever National Home Improvement Month (NHIM) concluded after a successful country-wide initiative to get consumers improving their homes.
Following on from 2018’s National Home Improvement Week when almost three quarters of consumers (69%) across the UK were found not to love their homes, only 21% felt proud of their homes and 10% reported feeling embarrassed by their homes, NHIM organiser, the British Home Enhancement Trade Association, BHETA launched a month long promotion for the first time this year calling upon home-dwellers to #makeonechange – big or small.
Backed by Julia Kendall (DIY SOS, 60 Minute Makeover) and Georgina Burnett (TV presenter, property and DIY interiors expert) as ambassadors, the public were encouraged to get started with home improvements by noting all the benefits home improvements can bring.
As Georgina Burnett comments, “It’s been so rewarding hearing about and seeing the efforts people have made to their flats and houses having been inspired by National Home Improvement Month. They’re still coming in, so hopefully the motivation will last the year!”
In addition, Julia Kendall also notes, “It has been a phenomenal month of DIY and home improvements and I’m thrilled to see so many people pulling their sleeves up and getting stuck-in. National Home Improvement Month has provided a kickstart for people to undertake exciting refurbishment projects and I hope the momentum will continue throughout the year. There is so much to be gained from learning new DIY and decorating skills to produce rooms in your home that support and inspire you. I encourage everyone to consider tackling their own home improvements to achieve a huge sense of satisfaction and create a home they love!”
A total of 17,346,416 people across the country were reached fuelling a national movement. Furthermore, NHIM featured on national radio stations and national publications specialising in homes such as Real Homes, Modern Homes, Ideal Home, Homestyle and the Telegraph’s home edition.
Focusing on four themed weeks of home improvements from gardening to smart home technology, National Home Improvement Month included a competition with the opportunity to win £750 worth of fantastic home improvement goodies from NHIM sponsors L G Harris, Valspar and Schneider Electrics. The competition was won by Caroline Cordery of Birmingham whose prize will help revamp her stairwell.
“We’re delighted that we successfully evolved Home Improvement Week into Home Improvement Month this year and have inspired millions across the UK to make one change to their homes to help them love the home they live in,” said Will Jones, Chief Operating Officer of BHETA. “With house sales in the UK stagnant, the trend to improve rather than move gathers pace as consumers are exercising caution about significant investments. National Home Improvement Month has been a shot in the arm for retailers, persuading homeowners and renters that home improvement can be fulfilling with the right information, knowledge and tools to help them with their tasks.”
For information on how you can improve your home throughout the year visit the National Home Improvement Month website. National Home Improvement Month is supported by BHETA, the leading UK trade association for manufacturers, suppliers and distributors in the home enhancement market, including home improvement (DIY), garden, housewares and small electricals.
More information on the official ambassadors is available via the respective websites for Julia Kendell and Georgina Burnett.
Further information about BHETA’s extensive programme of events and initiatives together with all BHETA member services can be found on the BHETA website or by contacting the BHETA Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130.
Source: BHETA, June 2019