The cost-of-living crisis has seen many homeowners put a pause on buying non-essential and luxury items and even make changes to their lifestyles. For instance, 39% of Britons admit that they’ve had to cut back on eating out due to the rising costs of living (source). However, what about when it comes to other aspects, such as interior design in the home? Are UK homeowners still interested in home renovation despite the rising costs, and what are Brits looking for when it comes to interior design?
Interior room dividers are rising in popularity in the home, despite the rising inflation in the UK. To find out what interior door trends we can expect to be popular in 2023, Origin conducted a survey asking Brits about what they would look for in an internal room divider in 2023.
Are we still renovating our homes during the cost-of-living crisis?
Although the recent inflation has affected all types of costs, including household items, labouring and other services, Origin’s recent research shows that homeowners still care about the look of their homes. Additionally, 70% of homeowners are still interested in carrying out home renovation to improve their home’s aesthetic:
“Has the cost-of-living crisis made you less interested in undertaking home renovation?”
A 2022 survey has revealed how much we spend on decorating our homes per year in Great Britain. The poll found that London residents spend on average £5,781 a year on decorating and purchasing new furnishings, closely followed by homeowners in the West Midlands. This continuous interest in home renovation may be partly due to many workers still working from home or following hybrid working. Spending more time in the home may mean many of us are eager to work in an aesthetically pleasing environment. A recent study by Origin discovered that 65% of Brits don‘t take the time to go outside during a working day, particularly on days where workload is high. Making our surroundings presentable and aesthetic may therefore go a long way in improving our overall mood, particularly when we are inside for long periods of the day.
How can interior design help us to improve our relationship with our homes?
In addition to renovating the home, keeping up with popular interior design trends is also something that Brits are still prioritising, and almost 60% of homeowners admit that they take an interest in current interior design trends.
“Do you take an interest in current interior design trends?”
2023 will continue to impact our changing relationships with our homes, so it is important to be aware of current design trends. The look of our homes can be a representation of our personal style and aesthetic and is an opportunity for us to create a personal statement. The decoration of our homes may also have an impact on our well-being. A 2022 Origin survey even discovered that Brits are three times more likely to believe that their home is bad for their mental well-being if they have a lack of natural light. Keeping up with current trends may therefore help improve our relationships with our homes and how we perceive our surroundings. As interior designer Timothy Corrigan states in a 2022 interview with Vogue, “there is more and more research that shows the direct influence that our homes have, not only on our moods, but our overall health and well-being”.
Are you looking to increase the natural light in your home working space? Read our expert guide here.
To find out more about what internal room divider trends we can expect in 2023, Origin conducted a survey asking British homeowners about their priorities when looking for an internal room divider and the aesthetic elements and styles they look for.
What interior design trends can we expect to see in 2023?
Back to black: the rise towards minimalism and neutral, classic colours
The aesthetic of using neutral colours such as black and white and combining this with textured wooden floors and furniture seems to be on the rise. Combining black and white with wooden textures can create a modern yet rustic feel in the home. This colour scheme can also provide a simple, contemporary look without appearing too busy.
(Origin’s OI-30 Internal Door)
70% of homeowners would rather stick to classic and go for a black internal room divider
Interestingly, Origin’s research showed that 100% of UK homeowners would be more likely to buy an internal door that is available in neutral colours such as black. We are seeing more social media interior design influencers showing off their minimalistic, modern homes, and this interior design trend seems to be a continuous theme going into 2023. According to Origin’s recent study, 70% of homeowners would rather stick to classic and go for black interior doors over any other colour, followed by white as the second most popular option. This research is evidence that classy, timeless colours and designs never seem to go out of fashion.
“What colour would you typically look for in an internal room divider/internal door frame?”
Modern and sleek internal room dividers are taking the lead
In Origin’s recent survey, over 80% of respondents answered that they’d rather choose a modern, sleek room divider than a traditional-style room divider. The modern, sleek aesthetic often involves slim, classy designs that make a statement in the home as well as dividing a space. “Steel-look” aluminium internal doors can make a lasting impression and provide a home with an elegant, industrial style while also providing the strength and durability that aluminium offers. You can find out more about the benefits of aluminium steel-look internal room dividers here.
View Origin’s range of modern interior doors here.
“What is your preferred style of internal room divider?”
Homeowners are likely to divide the living room to create a separate work or study area
With many of us continuing to work from home or continue hybrid working, it is only natural to feel a need to delineate our work and relaxation spaces within our homes more clearly. An internal room divider is a great way to divide space and create a separate area that may be dedicated to a relaxing area or an area to wind down after work. Origin’s study found that almost 70% of homeowners would be more likely to divide their living room using an internal room divider than any other room in the home.
Dividing the living room space can allow you to enjoy a separate working space that is visually separate from your everyday relaxation space, inspiring us to maintain a healthier work/life balance.
(Origin’s OI-30 Internal Door)
So, what about the quality of the product and brand? Is this something Brits are prioritising?
Although we are seeing continuous inflation in the UK, it has never been more important to prioritise quality and choose a material that is going to stand the test of time. Choosing a poorly designed internal door that will likely need lots of maintenance and perhaps even replacement will only cost more money in the long-term. This is particularly true if you are looking to increase the value of your home. For example, uPVC doors may be a cheaper up-front cost, however, they are not a durable, strong option when it comes to finding a long-term investment.
Despite this, Origin discovered that 50% of UK homeowners admit that they aren’t aware of which materials are the highest quality when it comes to internal doors:
“Are you aware of what makes a high-quality internal door material?”
Despite this lack of education when it comes to choosing a high-quality material for an internal door, UK homeowners remain highly concerned about a brand’s reputation before buying the product. Origin’s research demonstrates just how important a brand’s reputation is for homeowners, with 100% of homeowners admitting that they are more likely to buy from a brand that has a positive reputation:
“How important to you is good brand reputation when purchasing a product?”
In a highly competitive market, this research shows that although costs of living are continuously increasing, buyers are still concerned about brand reputation when it comes to buying an internal door. As we move into 2023, the importance of brand reputation will likely become even more prominent, with a recent study revealing that many consumers still buy based on trust. Brand reputation signifies that a brand is perceived as credible and trustworthy, which are still invaluable assets in a brand, even in a time with ever-increasing costs.
Enjoy a modern, luxurious interior with Origin OI-30 Internal Doors
At Origin, we offer our sleek and luxurious internal room dividers that are available in over 150 RAL colours. Slim and modern, the frames create a décor focal point and seamlessly blend your furniture and interior design style for a visually striking finish.
The Origin Internal Door is also completely bespoke, allowing you to have complete control over choosing your customisation options. Opting for bespoke internal room dividers enables you to choose the doors that truly meet your needs without having to make any compromises. You can pick the most appropriate configuration and specification to match your specific taste and practical demands.
Origin is the UK’s leading specialist manufacturer of bespoke aluminium Bi-folding Doors and Windows. As well as being manufactured with high-quality aluminium, our internal doors also come with an industry-leading warranty of up to 20 years. Aluminium is a much more durable option than other materials, such as timber and solid wood.
Find out more about our range of internal doors here.
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How do Aluminium Room Dividers Compare to Wooden Options?
