Brands Back Upskilling & Combat FOMU

Consumer desire for DIY is strong, but many – particularly Gen Zers and millennials – lack confidence: 70% of American DIYers avoid projects due to FOMU (fear of messing up) (BHG, 2024). Smart brands are reducing reluctance and promoting the satisfaction of self-reliance via in-person workshops and DIY-influencer collabs. In the UK alone, more than two-thirds of DIY projects are completed with social media assistance (B&Q, 2024).

Décor & Garden Planning via Upgraded XR Visualisation

Canny brands are solving a key consumer pain point – home and garden improvement and transformation – via evolved visualisation tech fusing extended reality (XR) and spatial mapping technologies (including lidar, which uses laser pulses to measure distances to objects) and artificial intelligence (AI). All-in-one concepts go beyond pure visual ideation, letting users access step-by-step videos and buy supplies.

Partnerships Inspo for Raising up the Renters

While American millennials and Gen Zers are getting on the property ladder (see Key Stats), long-term renting is still a reality for many, especially in Europe, where home ownership is falling – particularly among younger generations – and 31% rent their homes (Eurostat, 2023). Prime candidates for brand partnerships, authors and influencers spotlight how to approach this cohort and get creative despite stricter parameters.

Expert Access for Planning, Design & Mid-Project Mishaps

Other brands are establishing sophisticated project support via access to experts. Key tactics include do-it-with-me formats fusing DIY and DIFM (do-it-for-me) approaches to tackle mid-project regret (experienced by 89% of American DIYers, leading 74% to abandon projects (BHG, 2024)), price-tiered garden design and AI tools for diverse purposes, such as marshalling image recognition for replacement parts and PhD-level horticulture expertise.