According to the 2015 U.S. Houzz Bedroom Trends survey of more than 1,500 U.S. homeowners using Houzz who are in the midst of, are planning or recently completed a bedroom renovation or decoration project, one-third of them want to create a more romantic or intimate environment (32 percent). The top trigger for master bedroom projects is homeowners no longer being able to stand the old one (34 percent for renovators; 39 percent for decorators). Finally having the means (32 percent for renovators; 22 percent for decorators) and a recent home purchase (31 percent for renovators; 25 percent for decorators) are the next most common triggers.
Topping the list for what homeowners want in a desirable master bedroom is a space that is stylish and beautiful (73 percent), feels like a sanctuary (54 percent) and reflects who they are (52 percent). In terms of function, homeowners want a master bedroom that promotes quality sleep (77 percent), is comfortable (75 percent) and is easy to clean (40 percent).
Homeowners are willing to make extensive changes to their master bedrooms – over half of renovating and decorating projects are major in scope (57 and 55 percent, respectively). One in five renovating homeowners is increasing the size of the master bedroom (21 percent), and more than half of those tackling their closets during renovation are increasing square footage (59 percent on average; jumping to 83 percent in the Midwest). One-third of homeowners updating their master bedroom closet are expanding that closet by 50 percent or more (33 percent). Nearly three-quarters of renovating homeowners (71 percent) and half of homeowners updating their décor (49 percent) are hiring professional help for their master bedroom upgrades.
“This study sheds more light on an important link between renovations and decorating,” says Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz. “The findings show that nine in 10 bedroom renovations are followed by redecorating, and nearly half of bedroom decorating comes after a renovation. Even with stand-alone decorating projects, the line between heavy-duty decorating and light renovations is quite blurry with features such as flooring and light being upgraded by many, even during stand-alone decorating projects.”
Additional findings from the report include:
- Decorating projects are highly likely to be driven by inspiration, while renovations are initiated when funds open up. The majority of renovating homeowners (67 percent) reported that their master bedroom was last renovated more than 10 years ago (compared to only 39 percent for decorating). Only one in 10 homeowners renovates within five years of the last renovation, but master bedroom redecorating is far more frequent (29 percent).
- More than half of homeowners surveyed are changing the style of their master bedroom (54 percent). Homeowners describe their old rooms as either traditional in style or “no particular style” (64 percent), while renovated and redecorated bedrooms emerge as contemporary, modern or transitional (45 percent).
- Homeowners gravitate toward shades of white, cream, gray and blue in their updated master bedrooms (33, 31, 31 and 29 percent, respectively). While more than a quarter do not choose to include a strong pattern in the master (27 percent), floral and geometric prints are popular with many (21 and 17 percent).
- For the one in eight decorating homeowners adding electronics to the master bedroom (13 percent), TVs are the top upgrade (87 percent), followed by speakers/stereos (35 percent) and docking stations (21 percent). But not everyone agrees with one in 10 homeowners valuing a bedroom that is “free of media and electronics.”
- A quarter of homeowners are budgeting or spending $10,000 or more on master bedroom renovations (26 percent), and one in five is spending $5,000 or more on decorating projects (19 percent) across all project scopes. More than half of master bedroom renovations are major in scope, such as floor, door and window replacements, and/or moving walls.
- A top coveted luxury among renovating homeowners is a fireplace (9 percent). Among those upgrading lighting in a master bedroom, almost half selected a ceiling fixture with a fan (52 percent) as their top lighting choice; recessed lighting (36 percent) was also a popular selection. Hardwood floors (38 percent) slightly topped carpeting (30 percent) as the top flooring choice for those upgrading flooring in the master bedroom.
The survey was sent to registered Houzz users in the U.S., and fielded in July 2015. Homeowners who completed a bedroom renovation or decorating project in the past 12 months, are currently working on one, or plan to start one in the next three months shared their plans and progress in an online survey. To access the complete U.S. Houzz Bedroom Trends Study, click here.