Should I move house? The decision to move house is a significant one, with financial, emotional and logistical implications. In 2025, the UK housing market is experiencing a period of relative stability with modest growth predicted. However, individual circumstances vary greatly and there’s no perfect answer. Look at factors to consider before making your decision and discover alternatives to moving house you may not have thought about yet…

How do I know when it’s time to move house?

Knowing when it’s time to move house is a personal decision.

Sometimes it’s a natural part of life. Perhaps you’ve outgrow your current space or your needs have changed. Think: a significant job change that makes your current location impractical or a desire for a completely different lifestyle

You may feel unhappy or dissatisfied with your current home or street. Alternatively you might be experiencing a significant life event such as marriage, divorce or retirement. These situations can often necessitate a change in living arrangements.

Occasionally, a house move comes from a spur of the moment decision or rare opportunity. For example, a desire to work on a creative property development project. Imagine embarking on a period property restoration in the countryside or bringing your dream home to life with a self build project.

Ultimately, the decision to move house should be based on your individual circumstances and priorities. So don’t rush the process unless you really need to.

Good Reasons to Move House

But exactly how do you know if you should move or not? Everyone’s different but there are usually a few main factors that spark a desire for change. These include: evolving personal needs and lifestyle changes, financial considerations and local or national housing market conditions. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Personal Needs and Lifestyle

Family changes	Are you starting or growing your family? Are you caring for older family members? Children ready to fly the nest? Ready to move in with a partner?
Career changes	Are you looking to relocate for a new job? Would you prefer a shorter commute? Do you want to explore opportunities in a new city or switch careers altogether?
Lifestyle changes	Are you craving a quieter neighbourhood or a change of scenery? Want to be closer to nature or a bustling city with easy access to amenities? Do you need more or less space?

Financial Considerations

Affordability	Could you comfortably afford a larger mortgage or higher rent in a new location? Are you on top of your finances and budget?
Selling costs	Factor in estate agent fees, legal fees, and potential renovations needed to make your current property more marketable.
Moving costs	Consider removal costs as well costs for unexpected aspects such as temporary accommodation or emergency repairs.

Market Conditions

Local market	Research current property prices and availability in your desired location.
Interest rates	Monitor interest rates and their potential impact on mortgage affordability.
Competition	Be prepared for potential competition from other buyers, especially in popular areas.

Is it better to buy a new build or old house?

The decision between buying a new build or an old house is a personal one with no easy answer. New builds often provide a convenient location, energy efficiency and lower maintenance. Older homes offer character, charm and prestige. Plus, they potentially offer more space, larger gardens and additional wow-factor with original features.

New builds do sometimes come with a premium price tag and (at first glance) limited customisation options. But with your own unique design vision, it’s possible to turn these blank canvases into original, personalised homes. Meanwhile older properties can require significant renovations and may have hidden issues. However, there’s no feeling like successfully completing a restoration project and owning a real piece of history.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs, preferences and budget.

What are the negatives of moving house?

The truth is, moving house can be stressful and disruptive even with a super-detailed plan and budget in place. The process itself can be time-consuming and expensive. Take a moment to think about the costs associated with estate agents, solicitors, removal companies and potential renovations at your new place.

There’s an emotional side too. Imagine leaving familiar surroundings and saying goodbye to friends and neighbours. Adjusting to a new environment can be significant (especially for little ones and pets) and taking the leap can feel overwhelming at first.

Additionally, there’s always the risk of unforeseen issues arising during the moving process, such as unexpected repairs, delays in the chain or the process falling apart completely. Not a great feeling if you don’t have resilient mindset or back up solution ready to go.

Alternatives to Moving House

The best alternatives to moving house often involve improving your existing property. Simple but impactful changes can significantly enhance your daily lifestyle and potentially increase the property’s value without the upheaval of moving.

Create extra room with an extension or conservatory

Renovate key areas such as the kitchen or bathroom

Boost kerb appeal with a new front door and landscaping

Declutter and deep clean for a fresh new feel

Add a garden building or modern shed to extend living space

Install patio doors to make the most of your outdoor area

Typically, mini renovations and home makeover projects can be more cost-effective and less disruptive than moving house, allowing you to stay in your local area and easily maintain established connections. And while it’s always worth double checking the rules, some home improvement projects don’t require planning permission to complete. This means you can get started as soon as you’re ready.

Try the January Home Reset Trend

The January Home Reset is a cleaning and decluttering trend that encourages homeowners to embrace the new year with a fresh start by deep cleaning and organising their homes.

This often involves a thorough decluttering of unwanted items, a deep clean of all surfaces and appliances and a reorganisation of spaces to improve functionality and flow.

The trend usually incorporates elements of minimalism, with a focus on creating a more functional and less stressful living environment. And if you decide to move house, you’ve already set the scene ready for potential buyers to fall in love with. Win.

Declutter Your Home
And see it in a new light

Decluttering your home goes beyond simply tidying up. It’s about creating a more intentional and peaceful living space.

By removing unnecessary items, you free up physical and mental space. A decluttered home can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality and boost your overall sense of wellbeing. It also makes cleaning easier, saves time searching for lost items and can even spark creativity.

And it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small with ideas such as the “20-minute tidy” (set a timer and dedicate that time to decluttering one specific area, like a drawer or shelf). Try the “one in, one out” rule which encourages you to discard one item before bringing a new one into your home.

Regularly review and discard expired items in your pantry, medicine cabinet and refrigerator. This can easily prevent clutter from accumulating. Finally, optimise storage space with shelves, organisers, pocket doors and single bifold doors. This helps keep surfaces clear and creates a streamlined look.

Decluttering is an ongoing process, but the rewards of a more organised and minimalist lifestyle can be significant.

Learn more about living a minimalist lifestyle and find out about the house hushing trend; a way to curate a more peaceful home environment. Introduce elements of calming Japandi design and weave in ‘hygge’ home decor for a cosy touch.

Plan a Home Renovation or Room Makeover

Create extra space for bedrooms, home offices or entertainment areas with a loft conversion. Alternatively, look at updating high-impact areas such as your kitchen or bathroom. You could even add additional bedrooms, ensuite shower rooms or a downstairs toilet to boost functionality within your home.

Another option is to improve energy efficiency and acoustics with additions such as solid core internal doors that establish a calmer, quieter feel. Don’t forget about practical improvements too. Think: fixing those repairs you haven’t got around to yet or replacing that ancient boiler.

Tap into the latest interior design trends to elevate your property with a modern vibe. Feel inspired by timeless interior design movements such as cottage style interiors or Scandinavian design.

Consider switching up the layout of different rooms to create defined zones that flow together seamlessly. Research tiny house ideas for some seriously cute inspiration that proves the size of a property doesn’t matter when trying to achieve a flawless finish.

Explore more budget renovation ideas and property development tips and learn how to enhance kerb appeal with our front door buyer’s guide. Find out how to hire a joiner to remove your old doors and install new ones.

Buy New Doors Online to Update Your Space

Refresh your space with contrasting doors. Add warmth to a new build with rustic wooden doors or modernise a traditional home with industrial style black doors. A striking, contemporary addition to any space.

Open up your layout with French doors, inject design impact with internal barn doors that slide across smoothly or go for custom fire doors to enhance both safety and style.

Don’t forget to ensure a cohesive finish with new entrance doors and matching glass patio doors. The ideal way to spruce things up in one simple step. You may not even recognise your home when you’re finished. It’s all about the power of transformation…

Explore 2025 Door Trends

What doors are in style right now? The year ahead sees a shift in door trends with a focus on style and sustainability. Internal doors are moving away from stark shades towards warmer tones like soft grey, walnut brown and textured oak. Glazed panels remain popular, allowing light to flow between rooms.

Entrance doors are making a statement with bold colours (deep blue, sage green and charcoal grey) often paired with contrasting door hardware such as brass or matte black. Sustainability is key, with many opting for composite doors that mimic the look of solid wood while offering superior insulation and durability.

Patio door trends are embracing minimalist aesthetics with slimmer frames and larger glass panels, maximising natural light and creating an effortless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Modern bifold doors continue to be a popular choice, offering flexibility and creating a more open and airy feel.

Learn more about the different types of interior doors. Discover the wood options and laminate options available. See why white internal doors are a good choice and explore the benefits of oak veneer internal doors.

What are the most popular home improvement projects?

In 2025, popular home improvement projects in the UK prioritise energy efficiency and creating comfortable, multi-functional living spaces. Top trends include kitchen and bathroom renovations with a focus on high-quality appliances and sustainable materials.

Loft conversions and extensions are sought after to increase living space and add value. Improving energy efficiency is a major focus, with homeowners investing in double-glazed patio doors, insulation upgrades and renewable energy sources such as solar panels.

Garden rooms and home offices are also gaining popularity, catering to the rise of remote work and the desire for dedicated workspaces within the home.

Feel inspired by kitchen and bathroom trends and patio door trends. Change the look of any room with the colour drenching technique or update your space with earth tones interior design.

Is it a good idea to extend your house?

Adding an extension or garden building to your home offers tons of benefits.

Firstly, it provides valuable extra space, which can be used for creating a home office, a guest room, a playroom or a gym. Secondly, it could significantly increase the value of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers if you decide to sell in the future.

Thirdly, it allows you to tailor your living space to your specific needs and preferences. This creates a more comfortable and personalised home environment. An added bonus is a feeling of greater connection with the natural world – achieved with the right patio doors which let in natural light and outdoor views.

Finally, it can improve your quality of life by providing a dedicated space for hobbies, relaxation or important work without disrupting the rest of your home.

See how our customers have enhanced their properties with custom garden buildings which feature our doors. Explore our project case studies to find out more.

Should I Move House?
Making your final decision

The housing market is constantly evolving. It’s essential to stay informed about fluctuations and seek professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Take time to reflect on your options and map out a clear action plan with a list of pros and cons.

Consider your current personal and professional situation and explore alternative options such as renovating or extending. Remember, it’s easy to reshape your space with the right door solutions and restyle rooms with the latest interior design trends and innovations.

If you decide to move house this year, be sure to work with a qualified estate agent and seek expert guidance. This will help you navigate the process smoothly and get the most from your investment.

This information is for general guidance only and should not be considered financial or legal advice.