Why Londoners are choosing to improve, not move

Tuesday 16 June 2026

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Interior Designer
Kelly Edwards

Why Londoners are choosing to improve, not move

As part of London Festival of Architecture 2026, Kelly Edwards examines the rise of London's 'stay and improve' culture. From sustainable upgrades and retrofit to AI-enabled design tools, discover what's driving homeowners to invest in the homes they already have.

As London homeowners face changing priorities, sustainability goals and market pressures, many are choosing to improve their existing homes rather than relocate. As part of the London Festival of Architecture, delve into the increasingly popular trend to renovate and retrofit in the UK’s capital.

In 2025, Londoners purchased less than 6% of properties outside the capital - the lowest figure since 2013. While there’s still movement in the city, this speaks to a growing trend to stay put, both in terms of location and property. But why are more Londoners choosing to improve rather than move?

It’s a question we’ve been exploring as part of the London Festival of Architecture. The NLA community has been celebrating the extraordinarily innovative renovations taking place across the city, and uncovering the reasons why so many of our fellow city-livers are more keen to upgrade than to upsticks. Here’s what we’ve found.

Making Room for Sustainable Renovations

As homeowners become increasingly eco-focused, staying put opens the door for innovative sustainable renovations. In fact, 66% of homeowners plan to make sustainable upgrades to their homes in the next 10 years.

While there’s the possibility of moving into pre-built eco homes, renovations create the opportunity to tailor upgrades according to lifestyles and values. A homeowner who prioritises gardening, for instance, might install a rainwater harvesting system specifically to meet the needs of their garden.

By staying put, eco-conscious homeowners have more of a say over suppliers, too. They can work with manufacturers and brands that they trust and that align with their sustainable values, ensuring their home upgrades perfectly match their vision.

Victoria Robinson, product and trend expert at Hillarys Blinds, shared:

“Our property partner TwentyCi has seen a notable rise in withdrawn listings across London in early 2026, with some months up around 25% year on year which really shows more people are choosing to pause their move.

"We’re definitely seeing that shift towards a ‘stay and improve’ mindset, with homeowners focusing on making their current space work harder for them rather than taking on the cost and uncertainty of moving. For some, that might mean bigger, more dramatic changes, but for many it’s also about thoughtful updates that make everyday living feel better like window dressings that can quickly refresh a room, improve energy efficiency and comfort and help a home feel more personal and considered.”

Rather than viewing a property as a stepping stone to the next move, more homeowners are choosing to invest in the spaces they already have, finding new ways to adapt them to changing needs and priorities.

Tech-Enabled Retrofitting

Technology and the AI boom have certainly had an impact on Londoners’ ‘don’t move, improve’ mentality. Modern tech makes reimagining existing spaces a lot simpler, allowing homeowners to play with possibility.

AI software, for instance, is excellent for visualising changes to a room. Homeowners can experiment with different layouts and design concepts before even speaking to an architect, and use these plans to move forward with greater confidence.

There’s also 3D rendering, which is a more advanced (and realistic) approach to visualisation. Accurate scans and high-quality blueprints show exactly how a retrofit will look when finished, and architects can take their clients on a ‘digital walk-through’ of the conceptualised space.

In London, where tech companies aren’t sparse, there’s more choice for tech-enabled home renovations than in other parts of the country. Innovation is on the doorstep of many homes, helping a wider market tap into streamlined renovations.

The Cost Factor

It’s hard to ignore the cost factor of moving, particularly in London. House prices are on a drastic decline in the city, falling by another 2% between March 2025 and March 2026. For homeowners, this could mean putting their property up at less than they bought it for (half of the city’s small flats are currently selling at a loss, for instance).

Home improvements, therefore, are the more financially-savvy option for many. It allows homeowners to create a space that better suits their needs without the financial strains of selling in a poor market.

Final Thoughts

There’s definitely a lot to be said for improving rather than moving when you live in the city. With so many exciting opportunities to rethink layouts, add sustainable upgrades, and create tailor-made concepts specifically designed for your lifestyle, it’s not hard to see why it’s having a moment.

As part of the wonderful London Festival of Architecture, we’ve been exploring innovative, small-scale residential projects taking place across the city. Find out more about what’s going on and get involved in the festival.

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Kelly Edwards

Interior Designer
Kelly Edwards