TV property programmes strongly influence viewers and the DIY projects they undertake, according to new research carried out by NOP on behalf of Halifax Estate Agents. The research also reveals that although the sitting room is the favourite room in the house it is not the one most people want to change.

Property TV programmes

TV programmes about property are watched by 71% of people. These programmes are most popular with women (80%), the 25 to 44 age group (74%) and those in the North (74%).

• 45% admit to decorating.
• 18% have been influenced to buy abroad.
• 16% have been influenced to buy in the UK.

The 18-24 age group are the most heavily influenced by these TV programmes with people in the Midlands being most influenced by the DIY programmes. These programmes also influence those who do not own their own home with 24% of them stating that they have been influenced to start looking to buy a property of their own.

Those who have considered moving house within the last 12 months have also been influenced by the overseas property programmes with 27% of these respondents looking to buy a property abroad.

Favourite rooms:

• The sitting room is by far the favourite area in the house (53%) - and it's even more popular with those who spend the most time at home, the over 65's (65%).
• Across most age groups the garden or patio is the second favourite area of the house (11%), this rises to 16% for 45-54 year olds.
• Interestingly, the younger age group (18-24) voted the bedroom as their second favourite room.
• The third favourite room across all age groups is the kitchen at 8%.

The room most want to change:

• The kitchen is the room that most people want to change (23%).
• The sitting room is next on the list for change (13%).
• The third most popular room for change is the bathroom at 11%.

The older we get the fewer changes we want to make to our homes. Overall 22% seem 'happy with their lot' and do not want to change any rooms at all in their house. This varies dramatically depending on the age of the person; 18-24 year olds are most likely to want to make changes to their property (94%), whilst only 55% of those aged over 65 want to make any changes.

DIY at home:

• In an effort to improve their homes, 58% of people have undertaken DIY jobs around the house.
• Men do more DIY work than women, but over 50% of women have tackled a DIY project at some stage.
• Almost a third of people have never undertaken, nor plan to undertake any DIY jobs around their current home.

Painting/decorating is top of the DIY list - for those planning DIY jobs, painting and decorating is top of the list (47%), followed by garden improvements (13%).

The Midlands is the DIY centre of Great Britain

Regionally it's those in the Midlands that have undertaken the most DIY and have the most DIY plans for the future whilst those in the North have undertaken the least and have fewer DIY plans for the future.

The survey suggests that compared with other regions, shelving and storage is more popular in the North and garden improvements more popular in the Midlands.

Those people who are considering moving house plan to do more DIY than those who haven't thought about moving, possibly preparing their house for sale. Garden improvements, shelving/storage and flooring/carpeting are all important for this group as well as general painting and decorating.

Commenting on the research, Jane Pridgeon, Managing Director, Halifax Estate Agents, said:

"During the past 5 years there has been a huge increase in the number of property programmes on TV and it's interesting to see the impact they are having on homeowners as well as those people considering entering the market.”

“We have certainly noticed that people seem to be taking inspiration from these programmes to make small improvements and cosmetic changes to their property before putting it on the market."