Blinds & Shutters - Issue 1/2024
As we begin 2024 there is some hope that the economy may be turning round. Interest rates look set to fall and we may have just about avoided recession. Will this mean that households will have more to spend on their homes? Let’s hope so. In the next few months the biggest show for the blinds and shutters industry is taking place in Germany. R+T promises to be a great place to see new products and trends for the industry, plus a chance to catch up with colleagues and buyers. It is well worth the hop over to the EU to see what is going on. Good luck and best wishes in 2024, I hope you have a successful year!
As we begin 2024 there is some hope that the economy may be turning round.
Interest rates look set to fall and we may have just about avoided recession. Will this mean that households will have more to spend on their homes? Let’s hope so.
In the next few months the biggest show for the blinds and shutters industry is taking place in Germany. R+T promises to be a great place to see new products and trends for the industry, plus a chance to catch up with colleagues and buyers. It is well worth the hop over to the EU to see what is going on.
Good luck and best wishes in 2024, I hope you have a successful year!
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
SOLAR SHADING<br />
The importance<br />
of outdoor living<br />
The rise in outdoor<br />
living: What is the<br />
driving force<br />
behind this growing<br />
trend?<br />
As a nation, the global pandemic taught us<br />
the importance and value of our outdoor<br />
spaces. For the best part of two years, we<br />
were forced to re-evaluate the role of our homes<br />
and gardens, resulting in many of us choosing to<br />
invest more in our outdoor spaces than ever<br />
before.<br />
For UK homeowners, the multiple lockdowns<br />
reignited our love for the great outdoors, creating<br />
a “holiday at home” culture that’s continued to<br />
flourish over the last couple of years, and shows no<br />
signs of slowing down. This trend has been fuelled<br />
by several factors including the desire for extra<br />
living space, an increased focus on health and<br />
wellbeing and a keen interest in adding to the value<br />
of our properties in the current volatile housing<br />
market.<br />
The importance of green<br />
spaces<br />
According to research, approximately 87% of<br />
British homes have gardens – with 7 out of 8<br />
households having access to either a private or<br />
shared garden – equating to around 23 million<br />
residential outdoor spaces across the UK.<br />
Another survey carried out by Hamptons –<br />
“The Home Experts” – revealed that 61% of<br />
respondents who moved home in the last two<br />
years stated that outdoor space was a very<br />
important factor when choosing a property, while<br />
78% confirmed that they invest financially in their<br />
garden every year.<br />
40 <strong>Blinds</strong> & <strong>Shutters</strong> • ISSUE ONE <strong>2024</strong><br />
continues on page 42
Change language