AI has revealed what the UK’s dream home looks like – and it might not be quite what you’d expect. Forget rambling country manors or a state-of-the-art luxury mansion, sensible Brits would rather have a four-bed detached with a decent garden and a utility room…
AI has visualised what the UK’s dream home would look like in real life, inspired by the findings of new research conducted by furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse. The study asked 2,000 people to name the top features and style flourishes that they would look for in their perfect house, and then challenged AI technology to bring these images to life.
The results showed that the UK dreams of a four-bedroom, two-bathroom, detached property with a 500+ sq ft garden. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average cost for a detached property in the UK is £458,707, as reported in September 2023.
The South West of England was the most popular location in the UK for a dream home, as it appears that Brits are craving the picture-perfect idyllic beach and country setting that this area offers – with the popular counties of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset all situated within the region.
Looking inside the house, and if money was no object, the top picks for luxury features included a kitchen island (25 per cent), heated flooring (25 per cent) and a real fireplace (20 per cent).
Asked to pick three additional spaces, sensible Brits again chose practicality over luxury. Top selections included an ensuite (33 per cent), a laundry/utility room (31 per cent) and a walk-in wardrobe (28 per cent). Some respondents were keener to push the boat out – 22 per cent longed for an indoor pool and 14 per cent desired either a games room or home gym.
When it came to style choices, Brits picked a modern and contemporary interior style for their dream home, with a focus on minimalistic design and sleek simplicity. Opulent and extravagant décor took a backseat in the nation’s fantasy abode, with soft neutrals and subtle shades ruling the roost everywhere from the bedroom to the home office and living room.
For furnishings, a divan bed was the most popular choice to have the best night’s sleep (30 per cent), and in the living room Brits would select a corner sofa style (19 per cent) with leather fabric (28 per cent).
Helena Davies, Head of Home Buying at Barker and Stonehouse, commented: “We’ve all had moments of fantasising about what our dream home would be like, and it’s been really interesting to see what the nation would choose. Even if money wasn’t a factor to consider, people are less interested in mansions and more interested in aspiring to have a large but comfortable family home.
“Using AI to visualise what this home would look like and really bring this to life was incredible and shows how AI can be used for interior planning.
“At Barker and Stonehouse, we love helping the UK turn their interior aspirations into a reality and always encourage people to explore their tastes so that they can live in their dream home.”
Richard Hodgkinson, Director at XUL Architecture, commented: “The design industry has the potential to use AI to gain a deeper understanding of homeowners. This integration not only minimises ambiguity but also creates a more cooperative and enjoyable design journey.
“Designers can implement AI and collaborate with homeowners to improve efficiency. AI algorithms can quickly evaluate homeowners’ needs, room specifications and environmental factors, which speed up the initial design phases and provide innovation. The potential applications of AI in the design field are limitless, with the potential to transform our homes.”
Top luxury features in the UK’s dream home:
Kitchen island 25%
Heated flooring 25%
Fireplace 20%
American style fridge freezer 17%
Wooden flooring 17%
Smart technology 15%
Integrated appliances 14%
Luxurious thick carpet 13%
Double shower 11%
Freestanding bathtub 11%
High-tech sound system 10%
Luxury worktops 10%
Hot water tap 10%
Breakfast bar 9%
Professional coffee machine 8%
Towel warmer 8%
Double sink 7%
In-built media unit 6%
Wine cooler 5%
Feature lighting fixtures 5%
Statement artwork 5%
Smart toilet 4%
Glass panelling and partitions 4%
Statement rug 4%
Luxury mirror with integrated lighting 3%
To find out more about the research or for other home inspiration, visit the Barker and Stonehouse website here: https://www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk/yourhouse/ai-home-design
