A study conducted by Wickes for National DIY Awareness
The study of over 2,000 UK adults* shows that beyond the sense of achievement, DIY can also play a role in personal connections. In fact, 47% of Brits believe being skilled at DIY makes someone more attractive, while 38% say completing a DIY project strengthens their relationship.
The mental health benefits are just as striking, with 71% saying DIY helps their mental wellbeing, and 63% say encouraging others to take on projects to feel good. From painting a room to upcycling furniture, hands-on tasks provide a natural mood boost and a sense of pride, making DIY a powerful antidote to help modern stress.
With National DIY Day
Installing new shelving
Adding new shelving can quickly transform any space. A simple floating or bracket shelf can be added to the kitchen, bathroom or living room for decorative touches like showcasing books and accessories as well as freeing up space.
To install a bracket shelf, mark the height and centre point on the wall. Measure and mark the bracket placement on both the shelf and wall, ensuring alignment with a spirit level. To avoid pipes or wires in the wall, make sure to use a stud detector before drilling. Drill holes with the correct bit and wall plugs, using masking tape as a depth guide. Attach the brackets, check they’re level, then secure the shelf to the bracket. Then, finish by styling as desired! Find more details here.
Updating hardware
Updating hardware offers another quick and impactful home refresh. With a wide variety of knobs, handles and hinges available, homeowners can easily create a modern, luxurious look in kitchens and throughout the house.
Bathroom refresh
Bathrooms offer significant potential for quick and impactful design updates. A fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, a custom splashback, or even adding some tongue and groove panelling such as the Cheshire Mouldings Tongue & Groove MDF Wall Panel Kit can dramatically transform the space. Paul Bangs, Wickes Bathroom Category Director, recommends thorough preparation: removing all items, cleaning surfaces to eliminate soap residue and other build-up, patching imperfections, sanding, taping off fixtures, and finally, applying a bathroom-specific paint.
A day in the garden
Finally, embrace the outdoors with simple garden and decking maintenance. Repainting fences, planting flowers, and restoring decking can be rewarding DIY projects. Wickes’ How-to Guides offer helpful advice. Chris Moorhouse, Wickes garden and building director suggests: “Decking can be easily refreshed by clearing off any debris and scrubbing it with a brush and specialised cleaner such as the KilrockPRO Wood, Deck & Fence Cleaner to remove any dirt or tough stains, and rinsing thoroughly with a pressure washer or garden hose.”
The research coincides with the launch of Wickes’ new TV campaign, celebrating Brits feeling as ‘proud as a peacock’ when completing DIY achievements, big or small.
Showing off DIY achievements is great for self-esteem, according to 54% of those polled. As a nation, we’re increasingly focused on creating homes that reflect our personalities and enhance our wellbeing; however, our research suggests that we’re not always keen to shout about our achievements, despite the sense of pride we feel with 35% of people feeling it could be seen as ‘bragging’.
Gary Kibble, chief marketing and digital officer, Wickes, said: “This research highlights the incredible benefits that come with tackling home improvement projects, big or small. It’s not just about the finished product – it’s about the sense of accomplishment, the boost to your wellbeing, and the lasting pride you feel every time you walk through your door or step into your garden.”
