The Big Home Renovation Boom: Why More People Are Buying Fixer-Uppers and Sharing the Journey
A New Generation of Homeowners
Across the UK and beyond, more people are buying older homes with the clear intention of renovating them. Some do it to save money, others to personalise their homes. Many do it for the sheer joy of the transformation. And for a growing number of homeowners, the journey becomes a full-blown social media storyline, complete with dust clouds, mishaps, and jaw-dropping reveals.
Home renovation isn’t just a practical choice anymore. It has become a lifestyle and, for some, even a side career.
Why Renovating Is More Popular Than Ever
A major reason for the renovation boom is the age of the housing stock. Many homes, especially period properties, need updating. But behind the necessity sits something deeper. Buyers want character. They want features you can’t find in new builds. They want the challenge and the reward of shaping a home into something personal.
There’s also the simple truth: a fixer-upper is often more affordable than a move-in-ready dream home. Renovating can be a more achievable route onto the property ladder, especially for younger buyers who want long-term value.
The Social Media Effect
Renovations have always been dramatic, but now people love to broadcast the drama. TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are full of ordinary homeowners documenting every stage. Peeling wallpaper, uncovering fireplaces, discovering questionable 1970s DIY. It all becomes part of a story that thousands or even millions follow.
Social media transforms the lonely nights of sanding floors into something shared and celebrated. Followers cheer when a room finally comes together. They sympathise when a burst pipe ruins a weekend. Some creators even end up earning money through partnerships or product placements, turning their renovation into its own mini business.
A fun fact: according to several creators, “before and after” videos consistently outperform almost all other content. The bigger the contrast, the bigger the views.
Where Homeowners Are Saving Money
Budget remains a central part of every renovation. The clever part is how people are learning to stretch it. Here are a few of the most effective strategies:
1. Buying second-hand or reclaimed materials
Pre-loved kitchens, vintage furniture and reclaimed wood floors are increasingly popular. They cost less, look unique, and are more sustainable.
2. Doing projects in stages
Instead of renovating the whole house at once, many tackle the must-fix items first, then save up for the pretty parts later. It makes budgeting easier and lowers the stress.
3. Learning simple DIY
Painting, stripping wallpaper, restoring floorboards and sanding furniture are some of the easiest ways to save hundreds. Many say that even imperfect DIY feels satisfying because it adds a personal touch.
4. Prioritising high-impact, low-cost changes
Wall panelling, lighting upgrades, statement paint colours and feature walls can transform rooms for a fraction of the cost of full remodels.
The Highs and the Hiccups
For all the glossy reveals, renovations come with surprises. Some are delightful, like discovering original tiles hidden under laminate. Others… not so much. A homeowner might open a wall to find historic charm, or they might find crumbling wiring and a family of spiders.
The emotional rollercoaster is real. Budgeting is tricky. Timeframes stretch. Dust gets everywhere. Yet almost every renovator says the same thing afterward: “The stress was worth it.”
One couple shared a funny anecdote online about accidentally painting their living room three different shades of white because the tins were mislabeled. Their video of the mistake went viral, and the comments section became a debate about how many shades of white can exist in the universe.
Why This Trend Feels So Human
Home renovations tap into something relatable. It’s about creating comfort, building your future and showing the world who you are through the space you live in. The fact that people are sharing the journey online makes the process more connected and supportive.
There is also something deeply optimistic about taking a worn, tired home and breathing life back into it. Renovating says, “This can be better. I can make it better.” And audiences love that kind of story.
The Takeaway
The rise of renovation-focused homebuyers isn’t just a trend. It reflects a shift toward individuality, creativity and financial practicality. Whether people are chasing the thrill of transformation, documenting it for social media or simply trying to make a house feel like a home, renovations have become an experience to share, celebrate and learn from.
And when the dust finally settles and the paint dries, there’s nothing quite like standing in a room you transformed with your own hands.
