Homeowners Want More Calming Master Bedrooms

Homeowners Want More Calming Master Bedrooms, Houzz Survey Finds

Three-quarters of homeowners renovating or decorating their master bedrooms want to create a more calming environment (72 percent), according to the 2016 Houzz Australia Bedroom Trends survey of more than 5,000 Australian homeowners using Houzz who are in the midst of, are planning, or recently completed a bedroom renovation or decoration project.

Houzz Inc., the world's largest platform for home renovation and design, also found that when it comes to design, the majority strive for a stylish and beautiful master bedroom (75 percent), followed by a room that feels like a sanctuary (54 percent). A room that inspires romance is prioritised by just 15 percent of homeowners updating their master bedroom.

The survey revealed that that the top motivation for master bedroom updates is having recently purchased a new home (36 percent for renovators and 26 percent for decorators). Meanwhile, over a quarter report they were making changes because they could no longer stand their old room (27 percent for renovators and 29 percent for decorators). In fact, when questioned about the style of their room prior to a project commencing, 38 percent claim their room lacked any style. 

Emerging as the most popular master bedroom style for Australian renovators and decorators is contemporary (22 percent); this is echoed in the bedrooms most saved to Houzz ideabooks, in which the style features heavily. Modern, beach and eclectic round out the top four most popular styles (17, 10 and 10 percent respectively).

The majority of master bedroom renovations are considered major in scope (57 percent), with four in five hiring professionals to assist with their master bedroom upgrades (79 percent). The most in demand professionals include carpet/flooring specialists (41 percent), followed by carpenters (35 percent) and painters (25 percent).

Additional findings include:

A Good Night's Sleep: Snoozing is a priority for Aussies, with 81 percent saying they want a bedroom that promotes quality sleep. Of those willing to invest in a new bed during their updates, queen size is the most popular bed for master bedrooms (58 percent) compared to 38 percent who are buying king sized beds. Just four percent will opt for a double bed.

Bigger is Better: One-third of renovating homeowners, plan to increase the size of their master bedroom (32 percent). When it comes to renovating the room's wardrobe, 38 percent will expand the current size by at least 50 percent.

Colour and Pattern: To create a calming and contemporary space, homeowners gravitate toward neutral shades of white (46 percent), grey (30 percent) and blue (20 percent) in their updated master bedrooms. While almost a third avoid strong patterns in the master (29 percent), geometric and florals are the most likely prints to feature (12 and 11 percent, respectively).

The More Pillows, the Merrier: Among the 66 percent of decorating homeowners who are updating bedding, decorative pillows are a popular update for 73 percent. Homeowners will accessorise with three to four decorative pillows on average, with 31 percent having five or more decorative pillows!

Divided on Electronics: For the 15 percent of decorating homeowners adding electronics to the master bedroom, TVs are the top upgrade (59 percent), followed by alarms/clock radios (43 percent), docking stations (31 percent) and speakers/stereos (29 percent). But not everyone agrees, with almost one fifth (18 percent) of homeowners valuing a bedroom that is 'free of media and electronics."

Houzz has over 10 million photos of professionally designed interiors and exteriors, and more than one million active home renovation and design professionals including interior designers, home builders and landscape designers.

Houzz is the leading platform for home renovation and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, browse products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.houzz.com.au.

Image: Designed by Lily Rose Interiors and photographed by Danella Chalmers