The meaning of the term 'DIY' is in need of a makeover as it is too narrow for today's socially-connected, creative consumer, according to Homebase.
New research by the retailer among over 2,000 householders shows that half of people think that DIY is now about creating a look or style within their home without expert help.

Homebase commercial director Paul Emslie said: "Our research has shown that the consumers' relationship with traditional DIY has evolved from the practical 1950s 'do it yourself' definition that endured for decades to more 'create it yourself' terminology.

"This has emerged as content shifts from the expert-led home improvement TV heyday of the 90s and 00s to online inspiration-sharing sites such as Pinterest, Houzz and Instagram in the 10s."

The research shows that rather than following an expert's advice 55% now get their inspiration from friends both on and off line.

Interior design/home improvement it taking top priority, with almost a quarter of people planning on changing the colour scheme of a room whilst a fifth will restyle an entire room.

For bigger projects, 35% of men said they would avoid professional help, undertaking projects such as restoring floorboards or upgrading fireplaces themselves.

The shift towards a more creatively confident consumer is supported by 43% saying they upcycle old furniture and take on projects that include techniques like stencilling and stressing.

There is still a split in the DIY skills between the sexes, with twice as many women as men saying they use home improvement projects to express their creativity.

However, 37% of women would delegate the realisation of these projects to their partner - and twice as many men as women said they have the ability to carry out these home improvement tasks.

Homebase is now launching a new online Project Centre to help customers find inspiration as well as help and advice on undertaking a project in their home or garden at www.homebase.co.uk/myway.

Tom Dyckhoff, presenter of Great lnterior Design Challenge, commented: "DIY TV is one of the most successful television formats of all time. It's helped the nation learn how to lay tiles, knock through walls, put up shelves and learn about the latest trends, from shabby chic to minimalism.

"Today, though, it's changing. It's not just about doing it yourself; it's about designing it yourself, too, encouraging a new, more confident generation brought up on the internet to be even more creative at home."

The research also found that the top 10 DIY skills the UK deems it's most important to have are:

1 Changing a light bulb

2 Changing a fuse

3 Fitting a plug

4 Painting a room

5 Fixing a leaking tap

6 Unblocking a drain

7 Hanging curtains

8 Hanging a picture

9 Putting up shelves

10 Drilling a hole in the wall

The top 10 list of UK DIY capability is:

1 Changing a light bulb

2 Changing a fuse

3 Hanging a picture

4 Fitting a plug

5 Hanging curtains

6 Painting a room

7 Using a spirit level

8 Putting up flat pack furniture

9 Drilling a hole in the wall

10 Filling a hole in the wall