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Partial Renovations Surge as Cost-Effective Alternative to Moving Amid Rising Expenses
🇰🇷 South Korea /Economy & Trade

Partial Renovations Surge as Cost-Effective Alternative to Moving Amid Rising Expenses

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Partial interior renovations, focusing on kitchens and bathrooms, are surging in popularity as a cost-effective alternative to moving amid rising housing, material, and labor costs.
  • Sales of partial renovation products like sink bowls and bathroom fans have significantly increased, with sink bowl replacements costing around $380-$760 and taking about two hours to install.
  • This trend reflects a broader slowdown in the real estate market, evidenced by a decrease in domestic population movement, leading consumers to opt for partial upgrades to enhance their living spaces affordably.

Instead of the significant expense of moving, homeowners are increasingly opting for partial interior renovations, focusing on kitchens and bathrooms, to achieve a fresh living space. This trend is driven by the escalating costs associated with moving, coupled with rising prices for construction materials and labor.

Retailers are reporting a surge in demand for these partial renovation products. CJ Onstyle, for example, saw an 181% increase in sales of items like sink bowls and bathroom fans in the first five months of the year compared to the same period last year. Sink bowl replacements, costing between $380 and $760 and taking around two hours to install, offer a cost-effective alternative to a full kitchen remodel.

In a period of high inflation and a slowdown in real estate transactions, a trend of investing in partial interior renovations that can increase perceived satisfaction at a low cost is emerging.

— Lee Young-aeIncheon University Consumer Studies Professor Lee Young-ae commented on the trend of partial renovations.

The growing popularity of partial renovations aligns with a cooling real estate market. In May, the number of domestic movers decreased by 1.5% year-on-year, reaching its lowest point for May since 1974. Conversely, requests for partial renovation services have dramatically increased, with platforms like Soomgo reporting an 88.2% rise in such requests between 2021 and 2025, particularly for sink and bathroom replacements.

Experts note that in an environment of high inflation and sluggish property transactions, consumers are investing in partial renovations to maximize satisfaction with minimal expenditure. Retailers are responding by expanding their offerings and using video content to guide consumers through the renovation process. Companies like KCC Glass and Hanssem have launched modular renovation packages, allowing customers to select specific areas like the entryway, living room, kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom for upgrades, thereby reducing costs.

As customers increasingly seek to handle interior design and home appliances in one stop, we are proposing various linked options to consumers.

— Oh Ho-gilLotte Hi-Mart Jamsil Branch Manager Oh Ho-gil explained the store's strategy of combining appliance purchases with interior design consultations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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