Retail insights for home improvement & DIY

Home improvement and DIY trends 2025

Home improvement stores are experiencing a wave of growth. In recent years, homeowners' spending on DIY projects and furniture has grown by 44% (1). Factors such as the rise in working from home, an uncertain financial climate, and long waiting times for tradespeople have all contributed to the painting boom.

Home improvement and DIY trends have recently become popular as homeowners actively create their ideal living spaces. From reimagining rooms with innovative interior design ideas to creating personalized wall art and furniture, the focus has shifted toward hands-on creativity, design trends, and meaningful projects. These DIY projects allow individuals to save money and incorporate thoughtful design trends, home décor, and furniture for a quiet luxury space emphasizing minimalism and elegance.

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Moreover, the growing emphasis on reducing one’s carbon footprint has inspired a movement toward sustainable home improvements, with many opting for eco-friendly materials, crafts, furniture, and energy-efficient upgrades. By blending practicality with aesthetics, today’s home décor trends empower homeowners to create their own space while aligning with their values.

Many DIY businesses are looking for ways to keep up with this high demand, so our retail experts have compiled the top DIY trends to watch out for.

HOME IMPROVEMENT TREND  #1: UNIFIED COMMERCE

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The future of home improvement is unified commerce. This is a huge shift in a sector where brick and mortar has traditionally been the norm. Modern consumers now expect hybrid shopping journeys and flawless brand experiences for their DIY projects.

Case: British multinational DIY and home improvement retailer B&Q launched its online marketplace in 2022 to sell 100,000 new products via third-party sellers and increase its product range by 60%(2).

The future of unified commerce for DIY retailers

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The shopping journey is now hybrid, with customers moving online and offline. DIY stores should be adapting their checkout offering to allow for:

The benefits

Delivering a true omnichannel experience will help home improvement businesses stand out in a competitive marketplace, reduce in-store queues, boost staff productivity, and facilitate better customer service (below…).

HOME IMPROVEMENT TREND #2: STANDOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE

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It's true that DIY and home improvement consumers want flexible checkout options, but that hasn't reduced in-store visits. Most DIYers will shop for products in-store, even if the final purchase is online(3). A recent study by B&Q found that visiting shops is still the most popular way of getting inspiration for home improvement projects(4). Why? The knowledgeable staff is on hand to help.

Case: According to a 2022 YouGov survey, 69% of DIY store visitors say stores must be connected to customers; 71% would rather contact a local manager with a query than a customer service center or HQ. That means store managers are your superpower(5).

The future of customer service for DIY retailers

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A high-quality POS system allows you to smoothly implement and manage promotions, campaigns, and loyalty programs. The system's functionality makes this faster and easier. As previously mentioned, the reduced hands-on work lessens the risk of errors.

Reports and analytics

Despite the rise of e-commerce, customers shopping for home improvement items want to engage with real people to bring their interior design dreams and living spaces to life. This could be in-store, over the phone, via an app, or online chat. Retailers looking to deliver outstanding customer service should:

  • Prioritize personalized experiences by offering the ability to book a consultation with a team member to create a concrete plan

  • Make your stores inviting, with clear navigation and friendly staff available to help

  • Tailor offers and discounts to each customer (based on data such as previous purchase history and demographics)

  • Invest in technology that allows staff to monitor activity in-store and identify customers that need help

  • Give staff and customers access to live, accurate stock levelsThe benefits of customer service

Prioritizing customer service results in loyal customers and a revenue boost. Positive interactions with employees offer opportunities to upsell or cross-sell and ensure that shoppers take home the right product for the job, reducing the number of returns.

HOME IMPROVEMENT TREND #3: COMBATING SHRINK & THEFT

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Shrinkage can be attributed to various activities, with fraud, administrative errors, and theft being the most common. Unfortunately, amid a cost-of-living crisis, DIY stores have experienced an uptick in theft and organized crime.

Case: The NRF reported that small electric appliances, mechanic tools, electrical wire, flooring, hardware, plumbing, and branded appliances are some of the most targeted items in the home improvement sector(6).

The future of combating shrink & theft for DIY retailers

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Customer experience is a big upside to POS systems, but the employees also have much to gain. The system will streamline processes, making everyday tasks more practical and less stressful. You can also use the data to benchmark employee and team performance.

Retailers must implement loss prevention solutions> that safeguard against shrinkage, enable employees to work more efficiently, and allow customers to shop safely and conveniently. Below are some starting points:

  • Onboard a self-service loss prevention solution that uses ML technology to identify fraudulent behavior 

  • Integrate SSLP with existing hardware, such as surveillance cameras

  • Roll out additional security measures such as recoilers, chains, cords, locked glass cases, and electronic tags

  • Give staff access to live, accurate inventory levels and conduct regular audits

The benefits of combating shrink & theft

In addition to the financial benefits of catching theft, staff will feel less stressed, and customers will enjoy smoother shopping journeys.

HOME IMPROVEMENT TREND #4: SUSTAINABILITY

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Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues and adapting their lifestyles, furniture choices, and living spaces to be more sustainable. DIY retailers are seeing more customers shopping for insulation and solar panels to improve their homes' efficiency and a rise in the popularity of natural materials like wood.

Case: According to the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report 2023, the most common reasons consumers made green home improvements were to save money on bills and be environmentally conscious(7).

The future of sustainability for DIY retailers

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Now you know more about the many benefits of POS systems for sustainability, including cloud-based ones. What should you think about when choosing a system for your business?

Green living is here to stay, and retailers can capitalize on this by:

  • Offering a wider variety of products that use low-impact materials

  • Introducing transparency into supply chains

  • Choosing a carbon-neutral POS solution

  • Providing tips and advice on making homes more sustainable

  • Offering carbon-neutral shipping and carbon offsetting

The benefits of sustainability

Sustainability is no longer a trend but a necessity, and home improvement retailers that establish themselves as a green option for consumers will be investing in long-term revenue rewards.

DIY stores: time to spruce up your checkout experiences?

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Another aspect of this is the integration and mobility requirements. The system needs to harmonize with other technical solutions already in place. Many organizations also benefit from having a POS system accessible to co-workers in the field, such as employees on sales calls or conferences.

Budget and scalability

Adaptation is key as technologies, trends, and expectations evolve. With the home improvement sector expected to surpass the trillion-dollar mark by 2027(8), it's more vital than ever to improve checkout experiences.

Introducing Hii Retail

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A smarter solution for DIY retailers

Hii Retail is a cloud-native Unified Commerce platform built to protect retailers against shrinkage and deliver outstanding shopping experiences. Help your customers build their dream living spaces today!

Extenda Retail has been recognized in the 2024 Gartner® Market Guide

Maiken-kallesen

Maiken Kallesen

Client Success Executive

With extensive experience in POS solutions, Maiken Kallesen focuses on enhancing the shopping experience by utilizing the newest technology on the market and driving revenue growth for customers. She has successfully built strong partnerships and increased customer satisfaction by staying ahead of market trends and understanding customer needs. Want to know more? Get in touch!

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