Recent survey: home renovation trends are changing in Hungary

An interesting trend is that more than half of Hungarians (51%) decide on colors solely based on their own ideas, without external influencing factors. The opinions of friends and family members also hardly matter – only 3% of respondents consider them important. Younger generations, on the other hand, are much more open to external inspiration: 39% of 16-29 year olds get ideas from social media, which clearly shows that this age group is particularly trend-sensitive in the field of home decoration.

While 30% of respondents still prefer white and 41% prefer cream, beige or grey, there is a growing colour revolution among younger generations. Almost half (46%) of 16-29 year olds would choose colourful walls, and 64% would dare to paint several rooms in a vibrant shade. This exciting trend is perfectly aligned with PPG’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Secret Safari (PPG1110-4), a yellow-green shade that exudes both calm and energy – perfectly in line with the desire for our homes to be both soothing and inspiring.

Expertise and choice – key factors for purchase

An interesting finding of the research is that almost half of respondents (48%) still prefer local paint and DIY stores, which clearly shows that traditional retail still plays a decisive role in home renovation decisions in Hungary. Large DIY store chains are also popular – attracting around 30% of customers – while online paint purchases remain marginal (below 5%) and direct purchases from manufacturers are also rare. The data clearly shows that digital transformation is progressing more slowly in this market, as customers continue to value a personal experience.

When choosing a store, consumers highlighted three factors as the most important:
a wide selection of paints and colors (44%),
favorable prices and promotions (45%),
and the possibility of expert advice in the store (28%).

Most also consider easy access to essential tools and clear, easy-to-understand product information important, but these are secondary considerations. Overall, while online inspiration and digital sources are increasingly popular for brainstorming, purchasing decisions are still primarily made in physical stores, where personal advice, a wide range of products and immediate availability are tangible advantages.

“The autumn home buying wave primarily affects young people, so it is particularly exciting to see how they shape renovation trends and purchasing habits. Our research shows that people’s perception of home is changing: in addition to functionality, it is also increasingly a place for self-expression. Although price sensitivity remains high in Hungary, we are proud that our products are competitive in terms of price-performance ratio, high quality and fit specific needs – and they also have many sustainability benefits,” said Walter György, Managing Director of PPG Hungary’s Construction Business.

When asked which room in their home they consider most important to show their own style, most people chose the living room. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of respondents would like to express their personality through creative wall surfaces here. The bedroom is also a popular choice, especially among young people (21%) and men (18%), who chose this option above average.

How do we choose colors?

Most people (55%) consider harmony and tranquility to be the most important aspects when choosing a paint color for their home. One in five people match the color of the walls to the furniture – among young people, this proportion is almost one in three. Practicality is also an important factor: 19% of respondents – mainly those aged 40-49 – prefer easy-to-clean solutions.
Bolder colour choices are most often hindered by the style and colour scheme of existing furniture, with many people worried that the new shades will not match the decor. However, it is noteworthy that almost a quarter of respondents (23%) say that nothing is stopping them from choosing brighter colours. This proportion is even higher among 50-59 year olds (32%), who are more daring in their choice of colours.