Shoppers across the UK are set to splash out on home and garden essentials with the two bank holiday weekends coming up, according to new data from eBay Advertising. The week following each bank holiday will see consumers turn their attention to freshening up their homes ready for summer.

eBay has revealed that May was the busiest month in the home and garden category last year, racking up more than 15 million searches. And these shoppers fell into two distinct groups; those buying decorative items for a fast fix-up and those embarking on a major makeover.

In the week following the early May bank holiday last year, purchases of cushions rose by 155% compared with the previous week, while mirrors were up by 87%. During the same week, purchases of other cosmetic furnishings rose, and sales of candles and plant pots leapt by 172% and 214% respectively.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the late May bank holiday welcomed in a host of die-hard DIY-ers. Sales of saws and lawnmowers rose by more than 1000%, while purchases of dust sheets and secateurs rose by 38% and 58% respectively. And as consumers focussed their attention on transforming their homes and gardens for the summer, sales of sofas jumped by 194% and trusty garden sheds leapt up by a massive 228%.

eBay head of home and garden business development Chris Gardner said: “Spring is known to be a hugely lucrative time in the Home and Garden category, whether it’s shoppers looking to do a quick fix or a major renovation. And as sales in the category reach their peak, it’s more important than ever for brands and sellers to understand the different mind-sets at play.

“As our data shows, consumers are looking at getting the quick fixes out of the way early in the month before moving onto bigger projects. Brands who tailor their messaging and product offering accordingly will be able to ensure they make the most out of the opportunities as they arise, by having the right inventory in place at the right time.”