In the decades between 1930 and 2020, the size of the average living room in newly built houses in Britain has risen from 16 square meters in the 1930s, to 24.9 square meters in the 1970s, before falling to 17.1 square meters in recent years. The reason for the increase in living room size (and house sizes in general) between 1950 and 1980, was due to Britain's economic recovery after the Second World War. However, decreasing family sizes caused the demand for larger houses to drop from the 1980s onwards, and today, newly built living rooms are closer in size to their pre-war levels than their size in the previous decade.

Between 1930 and 2020, the average size of master bedrooms in newly-built houses in Britain has remained relatively consistent throughout the decades. In the 1930s, the average master bedroom was approximately 15.3 square meters, before dropping to 13.7 square meters during the Second World War and the immediate recovery period. By the 1960s, it had risen again above 15 square meters, before gradually dropping over the next five decades to 13.4 square meters in the 2010s. The total fluctuation is just 1.9 meters, which is significantly lower than the that of living room sizes during this time.

This statistic presents the floor space of the one-bedroom flat in England as of 2011, listed for selected house building companies. As of 2011, Persimmon ranked highest with regards to one bedroom or maisonette flat sizes, building spaces that were on average 49 square meters in size.

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify households in England and Wales by household size and by number of rooms. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.

It is inappropriate to measure change in number of rooms from 2011 to 2021, as Census 2021 used Valuation Office Agency data for this variable. Instead use Census 2021 estimates for number of bedrooms for comparisons over time. Read more about this quality notice.

Area type

Census 2021 statistics are published for a number of different geographies. These can be large, for example the whole of England, or small, for example an output area (OA), the lowest level of geography for which statistics are produced.

For higher levels of geography, more detailed statistics can be produced. When a lower level of geography is used, such as output areas (which have a minimum of 100 persons), the statistics produced have less detail. This is to protect the confidentiality of people and ensure that individuals or their characteristics cannot be identified.

Coverage

Census 2021 statistics are published for the whole of England and Wales. Data are also available in these geographic types:

• country - for example, Wales
• region - for example, London
• local authority - for example, Cornwall
• health area – for example, Clinical Commissioning Group
• statistical area - for example, MSOA or LSOA

Number of rooms (Valuation Office Agency)

A room can be any room in a dwelling apart from bathrooms, toilets, halls or landings, kitchens, conservatories or utility rooms. All other rooms, for example, living rooms, studies, bedrooms, separate dining rooms and rooms that can only be used for storage are included. If two rooms have been converted into one, they are counted as one room.

The number of rooms is recorded by address, this means that for households living in a shared dwelling the number of rooms are counted for the whole dwelling and not the individual household.

This definition is based on the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) definition.

Household size

The number of people in the household.

Visitors staying at an address do not count to that household’s size.

In 2019, the average size of both en-suite and studio purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in London was much smaller than in the rest of the United Kingdom (UK). For example, an average student studio in London was 13.4 square meters, while in the rest of UK, it was 20.6 square meters.

Dataset population: Households

Household composition

Household composition classifies households according to the relationships between the household members. Households consisting of one family and no other usual residents are classified according to the type of family (married, same-sex civil partnership or cohabiting couple family, or lone parent family) and the number of dependent children. Other households are classified by the number of people, the number of dependent children, or whether the household consists only of students or only of people aged 65 and over.

Number of bedrooms

The number of bedrooms in a household's accommodation.

A bedroom is defined as any room that was intended to be used as a bedroom when the property was built, or any room that has been permanently converted for use as a bedroom. It also includes all rooms intended for use as a bedroom even if not being used as a bedroom at the time of the census. Bedsits and studio flats are counted as having one bedroom.

The number of bedrooms is not available for household spaces with no usual residents.

Snapshot img

Europe Ready To Assemble Furniture Market Size 2025-2029

The Europe ready to assemble (RTA) furniture market size is forecast to increase by USD 2.57 billion at a CAGR of 2.1% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to several key factors. One major trend driving market growth is the reduction in average urban living space, leading to a higher demand for space-saving furniture solutions and innovative home furnishing designs that maximize functionality without sacrificing style Another factor fueling market growth is the strong expansion of online sales, as consumers increasingly prefer the convenience and affordability of purchasing RTA furniture online. Manufacturing technology advances enable easy handling, precision cutting, and convenient packaging for RTA furniture. However, the market also faces challenges, such as the shortage of high-quality raw materials related to RTA furniture production. Despite these challenges, the market is expected to continue growing, offering opportunities for manufacturers and retailers to innovate and meet the evolving needs of consumers.

What will be the Size of the market During the Forecast Period?

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The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing popularity of flat-pack designs and the convenience they offer consumers. RTA furniture, which includes finished products made from wood, steel, and other materials, allows for efficient space use in both manufacturing and home environments. The market's global sales continue to rise, fueled by the expansion of e-commerce platforms and the availability of user-friendly websites that enable faster delivery and lower logistics costs. Customer service is a key differentiator in the RTA furniture industry, with companies investing in augmented reality technology and straightforward assembly instructions to enhance the customer experience.
The manufacturing process for RTA furniture is becoming more efficient, with the use of computer numerical control and low-VOC finishes reducing production time and environmental impact. The market's trend towards modular furniture and compact packaging is also driving innovation, with companies exploring the use of recycled wood and sustainable materials to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions. The RTA furniture industry is adapting to the needs of busy consumers with rising living costs, offering low-cost furniture solutions that can be easily assembled and rearranged in various spaces. Overall, the market is poised for continued growth, with distribution centers and retail stores expanding their physical presence to meet the increasing customer reach.

How is this market segmented, and which is the largest segment?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Product

  Home RTA furniture
  Office RTA furniture


Distribution Channel

  Offline
  Online


Price Range

  Economy
  Mid-range
  Premium


Geography

  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Sweden
    UK

By Product Insights

The home RTA furniture segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The market encompasses a range of products for various rooms, including living room, bedroom, kitchen, dining room, kids', and garden furniture. Living room furniture, featuring sofa sets, tables, chairs, and entertainment units, dominates the market due to increasing demand for affordable and functional luxury. Bedroom furniture, consisting of beds, sofa sets, dressing tables, wardrobes, and study tables, is witnessing growth through innovative designs and eco-friendly trends. Furniture brands leverage these benefits to build customer loyalty, while furniture e-commerce solutions streamline the shopping experience.
Furniture product development focuses on sustainability, cost optimization, and space-saving solutions. Furniture assembly instructions, furniture industry trends, and DIY furniture assembly services cater to the convenience-driven consumer. Market demand for affordable, functional, and stylish furniture continues to grow, with online furniture sales and rental services expanding the market reach. Furniture logistics optimization and inventory management are crucial for efficient delivery and customer satisfaction. Furniture design trends incorporate eco-friendly, personalized, and multifunctional designs, with a focus on minimalist and urban styles. The market is poised for growth, driven by engineering advancements, furniture customization platforms, and affordable furniture solutions.

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Market Dynamics

Our market researchers analyzed the data w

In 2022, house price growth in the UK slowed, after a period of decade-long increase. Nevertheless, in August 2024, prices reached a new peak, with the average home costing close to 290,000 British pounds. That figure refers to all property types, including detached, semi-detached, terraced houses, and flats and maisonettes. Compared to other European countries, the UK had some of the highest house prices. How have UK house prices increased over the last 10 years? Property prices have risen dramatically over the past decade. According to the UK house price index, the average house price has grown by over 50 percent since 2015. This price development has led to the gap between the cost of buying and renting a property to close. In 2023, buying a three-bedroom house in the UK was no longer more affordable than renting one. Consequently, Brits have become more likely to rent longer and push off making a house purchase until they have saved up enough for a down payment and achieved the financial stability required to make the step. What caused the decline in house prices in 2022? House prices are affected by multiple factors, such as mortgage rates, supply, and demand on the market. For nearly a decade, the UK experienced uninterrupted house price growth as a result of strong demand and a chronic undersupply. Homebuyers who purchased a property at the peak of the housing boom in July 2022 paid 14 percent more compared to what they would have paid a year before. Additionally, 2022 saw the most dramatic increase in mortgage rates in recent history. Between December 2021 and December 2022, the 10-year fixed mortgage rate doubled, adding further strain to prospective homebuyers. As a result, the market cooled, leading to a correction in pricing.

The revenue of the furniture market in the United Kingdom (UK) was forecast to continuously increase between 2022 and 2027. The total revenue of this market is estimated to amount to 27 billion U.S. dollars in 2027. The largest segment in the UK furniture market was living room furniture, which had an estimated value of 5.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.