Millions of adults will be putting their summer holiday plans on hold as the cost-of-living crisis takes its toll. A poll of 2,000 holidaymakers found 36 percent will be staying at home this year, rather than flying overseas.
However, 68 percent of those polled believe it’s possible to get that “holiday feeling” without going abroad.
And one in ten intend to do this by giving their houses a makeover inspired by past trips away – with an average expected spend of £349 in doing so.
A quarter of all those polled have already attempted to do just this – with Mediterranean style the most popular, just ahead of Scandinavian.
Deborah Dolce, of homeware retailer, Homesense, which commissioned the research, said: “The research confirms that customers are really looking for that new Med aesthetic.
“Think maximalist, White Lotus in Sicily vibe – and we’ve absolutely seen that in sales in our Homesense stores up and down the UK this spring.
“The sorts of things that are flying out of the stores are all the bright, decorative items from Italy and Portugal – luxury hotel high thread-count bedding, bold rugs, terracotta platters for al-fresco entertaining, and quality Mediterranean ceramics.”
The study also found putting fairy lights up in the garden is among the ways many of those polled will give their homes a holiday twist.
Replacing crockery sets with ones like those they’ve used in restaurants, investing in outdoor furniture, and getting a paddling pool are also popular options.
And other creative ideas include buying sunbeds for the garden, replicating meals eaten abroad, and listening to music from specific countries or regions.
Making cocktails from around the world is also a popular method for recreating that holiday feeling at home, according to the study, carried out through OnePoll.
Launching this Saturday (June 10), at 9am, golden tickets will be hidden in Homesense stores – and anyone who finds one will win a prize.
Five Mediterranean-inspired home makeovers with a top interior stylist, and 500 £5 gift cards, will be up for grabs.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
