More than a third of holidaymakers (36%) will opt to stay home instead of going abroad this year, amid the cost-of-living crisis – but will spend up to £350 bringing the "holiday feeling" to their own homes, a study has found.
Some of the top ways to replicate the feeling of going abroad include hanging fairy lights around the garden, replicating meals they have eaten on holiday – and having "themed" nights based around a country.
More than two-thirds (68%), of the 2,000 adults polled, believe it is possible to recreate the "holiday feeling" while staying on home soils – with one in four already having attempted to do so.
And of those who haven't already, one in ten plan to make the effort, by giving their home a makeover inspired by previous trips away – spending an average of £349 in the process.
Buying crockery similar to what they have eaten off abroad, investing in outdoor furniture, and even purchasing new bedsheets to make their home feel like a hotel, are also among top steps Brits have taken to feel more like they are on holiday at home.
And the Mediterranean style proved the most popular to try and recreate – followed by 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 that to give homes a holiday twist include buying sunbeds for the garden, putting up a big paddling pool, 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.
TOP 20 WAYS ADULTS WILL BE TRANSFORMING THEIR HOMES INTO A HOLIDAY HAVEN:
- Replicating meals they have eaten abroad
- Putting fairy lights up in the garden
- Having "themed" nights e.g. Mexican, French, etc.
- Getting some nice cups/plates similar to restaurants
- Buying new bedsheets to make it feel like a hotel
- Listening to a different culture's music
- Investing in outdoor furniture
- Getting a BBQ
- Putting up a big paddling pool
- Opening all the windows to let the sunshine/fresh air in
- Making cocktails from around the world
- Buying sunbeds for the garden/patio
- Updating the lighting in the garden
- Buying in some exotic house/garden plants
- Exclusively wearing your holiday wardrobe at home
- Tying a hammock to your tree to relax in
- Purchasing mezze-style indoor and outdoor tableware
- Serving special "sundowner" cocktails at 7pm
- Putting a colourful rug on the patio or decking
- Updating the lighting in the garden to make it more sophisticated/beach-club vibes
