While the past decade has seen the rise of maker culture - from crafting to hacking - DIY retailers seem to have been left out. And yet, despite a shaky housing market, the desire to improve one’s home has never been stronger. So what’s behind this mismatch, and how can brands transform into buzzing hives for a new generation of DIYers?

With Gen Y much less likely to be able to handle basic DIY tasks than their grandparents, home improvement brands have struggled to get young people enthusiastic about doing it themselves. American retailer Lowe's is now using its social media presence to make DIY accessible to young people.

Three in four Australian homeowners plan to decorate their digs in the next two years, and 41% plan to build an addition or renovate. Tapping into this national obsession, Houzz is a community of home renovators and professionals that's disrupting Australia's $30 billion DIY market.

With the UK’s furniture industry heavily fragmented, online retailer Loaf is looking to take a larger slice of the market by opening its first physical store – The Loaf Shack. The outlet aims to make buying furniture relaxing and hassle-free, but can it replicate the simplicity of shopping online?