Nearly half of Australian homeowners have delayed a major renovation in the past two years, according to a national survey by Dulux. For most of those who postponed a project, cost was the reason: 71% cited the expense involved.

The findings suggest that Australians still want to improve their homes, but many are choosing projects they can tackle on a smaller budget. While 48% of homeowners surveyed had put off a major renovation, 63% had completed a smaller cosmetic update in the past two years, such as painting, changing fittings or improving an outdoor area.

Angeline Lee, Dulux’s Head of Consumer Marketing, said affordability was driving many of those decisions.

“Affordability appears to be the overwhelming driver of renovation delays including rising interest rates and construction costs,” Ms Lee said.

Younger homeowners were the most likely to report postponing a large project. Among Gen Z and Millennial homeowners, 69% had delayed a major renovation, compared with 52% of Gen X homeowners and 32% of Baby Boomers.

Smaller projects are giving homeowners another way to change how a space looks and feels. Three in five homeowners surveyed said they had repainted walls, cabinets or doors over the past two years. New fittings and outdoor improvements were also among the common cosmetic updates.

Fern Bay mum of two Marlee Terry spent about $300 on paint and rollers to turn a cluttered spare room into an art studio. The room had previously been her home hairdressing set-up when her children were little. She now uses it to create photo-like paintings on skateboards, a side hustle that grew as more people began requesting her work.

“With the cost of living, another renovation just wasn’t realistic for us, but I still wanted a space that worked for what I’m doing now,” Ms Terry said.

“I spent about $300 on paint and rollers to turn the room into an art studio. It’s a small change, but it’s made such a difference.”

“Homeowners are being more considered with their budgets, and a lot are realising they can achieve the same lift in how their home feels without the cost, mess and months of disruption that come with a major reno,” Ms Lee said.

The survey found most homeowners were spending between $1,000 and $5,000 on changes to rooms in their homes. That level of spending points to a different scale of project from a full kitchen or bathroom overhaul, while still allowing people to refresh spaces they use every day.

Painting is one option for homeowners who want a visible change without taking on extensive building work. Repainting a room can alter its colour and feel, while painting a door or cabinets can update existing features.

“You don't need knock down walls to transform a room, sometimes all it takes is a paintbrush,” Ms Lee said.

The interest in smaller projects looks set to continue. Six in 10 homeowners surveyed said they planned a cosmetic renovation in the coming year. Plans were strongest among Gen Z and Millennials, with more than two-thirds intending to make a small upgrade.

The survey captures a shift in how some Australians are approaching home improvements: putting larger plans on hold while making changes they can manage sooner. For homeowners waiting for a more affordable time to take on a major renovation, a fresh coat of paint, updated fittings or an outdoor refresh may offer a way to enjoy their space in the meantime.