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?

Affordable, easy-to-assemble, customisable, design-led and quickly delivered: new online homeware retailer Hem seems to tick every box for the homeware shopper. But it will succeed in its mission to “bring joy to people everywhere” through affordable design?

Home improvement stores are rarely a joy to walk around. Sprawling shop floors packed with rack upon rack of disconnected fixtures make for a pretty miserable Sunday shopping trip. But in a PIRCH showroom, customers can take a shower or cook up a storm, all while they're still in store.

A movement of self-imposed minimalism and moderation is replacing spending sprees and unchecked consumerism. But what’s causing it? And what elements contribute to this new ‘simple life’?