Financial constraints are causing many homeowners to lose interest in improving their home such as through kitchen renovations, it has been suggested.Malcolm Pinkerton, senior analyst at Verdict Research, said that although people are still willing to spend small amounts of money to increase their propertys value and make it more inhabitable, many are unwilling to invest heavily in their home.DIY is suffering. Housing related spend is just simply not a priority for many and consumers are just not willing to make those major purchases at the moment, he added.Homeowners aiming to make small but effective upgrades to their home could choose to replace vital fixtures like kitchen sinks and taps with new alternatives.Mr Pinkertons comments come after figures from the British Retail Consortium showed that DIY retail sales grew last month in comparison to a very cold January 2010, but that such growth slowed later in the month.