Abbey National Group

Bomb shelters, balconies and bars - the new home improvements

It's no longer just swimming pools and jacuzzis on the wish list for the ideal home - bomb shelters, balconies and bars rank high now too.
Research from Abbey¹ reveals that when it comes to our ultimate home improvements, one in ten (11 per cent) of us would like a bomb shelter, with both men and women showing equal interest in this ultimate security system. It's the younger generation who are the most keen, with 12 per cent of people aged between 16 -34 adding this to their wish list for home improvements.
Standard home improvements such as double-glazing, new kitchens and new bathrooms, are still popular², but many are also turning their attention to more personal and individual improvements, for example:

Outdoor rooms: one in three (33 per cent) want to have the garden landscaped, create a roof garden or build a balcony.
Cocooning: home comfort is important, with just over half (53 per cent) of us wanting a home cinema and gym, and 39 per cent wanting a wine cellar.
Nouveau naff: home improvements previously considered naff and beyond the pale are making a comeback. Seventy per cent want a jacuzzi, hot tub or sauna, a third (31 per cent) want a snooker room (including a quarter of women) and 30 per cent want a bar.

Home improvements for the dream home

Ranking	Improvements	Men	Women
1	Gadgets- flat screen TVs, automatic lighting	74%	72%
2	Jacuzzi, hot tub or sauna	68%	73%
3	Swimming pool	68%	72%
4	Roof terrace or balcony	55%	60%
5	Gym	49%	57%
6	Home cinema	61%	48%
7	Wine cellar	44%	36%
8	Snooker room	43%	24%
9	Bar	36%	26%
10	Wet room	25%	26%
11	Bomb shelter	11%	11%

¹ Research carried out by Markettiers online from 7 - 13 May 2004 with 1466 respondents
² Number of people who have already carried out the following improvements to their property

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