Renters are becoming pickier about decor, according to Ideal Home Magazine.

Isabel McKenzie, editorial director of the magazine, said that despite the slowdown in the property market - which has resulted in the loss of a number of housing jobs - renters are becoming more selective and aspirational.

During the past five years consumers looking to rent have been faced with more choices so are becoming pickier about the accommodation they live in, Ms McKenzie said.

She added that this increased awareness is being driven by an addiction "to home makeover shows" and being bombarded by images of "beautiful celebrity homes" while there has also been an increase in people seeking greener properties.

Gordon Brown has promised to create more planning jobs and careers in housing by pledging that by 2016 all new homes will be carbon neutral.

The prime minister has also vowed to build three million new homes by 2020 in an effort to get more people on the housing ladder and to create more jobs in the sector.