How our homes have changed since 1952

A HOUSEBUILDER is taking a look at how things have changed in our homes since Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952.

Miller Homes, who currently have developments in the South including in Silsoe, compared 1952 properties to those in 2012.

One of the most striking differences is the cost of a home – modern day homebuyers in the UK pay an average of £164,134 whereas in 1952 the average price was £1,891 according to Nationwide data.

Miller Homes Southern sales director Amy Crick said: “Over the last 60 years, the world around us has changed massively, and we thought it would be great fun to travel back in time and take a look at how home-related trends have moved on since the beginning of the Queen’s reign.”

In 1952, an average of 4.2 people lived in each property – 2.2 children and a husband and wife.

Nowadays, the average is 2.3 people, with many people living alone, together with friends or as couples living together before marriage.

Only 14 per cent of households had a television in 1952, 33 per cent had a washing machine and only 15 per cent had a fridge freezer.

In 2011, almost £5million was spent on major household appliances in the UK and 77 per cent of UK households have internet access.

Amy said: “It is impossible to know how trends will evolve and how our properties and the ways in which we live in space will continue to change, but we could be living in a very different world by the time the nation celebrates the next Jubilee milestone.”