NEARLY half of homeowners have carried out a DIY project during the past year, with one in 10 people spending up to £20,000, research showed today.

But they are shunning big home improvement projects in favour of smaller jobs that will make an immediate difference to the way their home looks, according to Halifax.

Three-quarters of the 46% who have done some DIY during the past year redecorated, while 52% put in new furnishings such as curtains.

About 36% of people re-carpeted their home and 35% fitted laminate flooring to rooms.

But just 32% tackled the installation of a fitted kitchen.

The group said there had been a marked shift in the DIY projects undertaken during the past 10 years.

Home improvements previously likely to involve putting in central heating, double glazing or insulation had slipped down the popularity chart.

The main reason people gave for carrying out work was to improve the look of their home (30%) while 24% said they did it to improve their standard of living.