What makes the perfect home? It seems the answer depends quite a lot on where in the world you live.

A new international survey of almost 5,000 homeowners in 10 countries has uncovered some striking differences in what people want from their homes, how they look after them and what they’re prepared to do when their property no longer suits their needs.

The study, carried out by MyBuilder, compared homeowners in the UK, Canada, the US, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Brazil. The findings reveal plenty of national quirks, from our love of gardens to Germany’s enthusiasm for cottage-style interiors and the Netherlands’ embrace of solar power.

They also paint an interesting picture of British homeowners. We place a particularly high value on outdoor space, but we’re much more likely than some of our European neighbours to move rather than renovate. We’re relatively slow to adopt solar power, worry about unexpected repair bills and are surprisingly conscious of what other people think of our homes.

Our enthusiasm for gardens is one of the clearest findings, though. Almost eight in 10 British homeowners (78%) say outdoor space is essential, second only to Germany, with 72% spending time tending their garden during the past year. The traditional conservatory retains its appeal too, with nearly a quarter (23%) saying they couldn’t live without a conservatory or sunroom in their ideal home.

The survey also uncovers an interesting contrast in different nationalities’ attitudes towards moving house. Four in 10 British homeowners say they would rather move than renovate if their current property no longer met their needs. That compares with just 8% of German homeowners, suggesting people in Germany are far more willing to adapt and improve an existing home than start again elsewhere.

Energy efficiency is another area where we differ. Only 12% of British homeowners have installed solar panels, placing the UK well behind countries such as the Netherlands, where more than half (54%) have embraced solar power, and Germany, where the figure reaches 32%.

Owning a home can bring considerable pressure, too. Nearly half of British homeowners (48%) say unexpected repairs are a major source of stress, and almost one in three (32%) feel burdened by the time and effort required to keep their property in good condition.

Appearance matters to us as well. Fourteen per cent of Britons admit they worry about what other people think of their home, the highest proportion recorded among the European countries surveyed.

Generational differences are equally revealing, especially when it comes to the cost of looking after our homes. Among Baby Boomers, 45% say they can comfortably afford all the repairs their home requires, but that falls to just 20% among Generation Z homeowners.

Homeowners around the globe do, however, share more similarities than differences. In almost every country surveyed, people described their home as a personal sanctuary, with Germany leading the way at 73%. The UK, the US, Australia and the Netherlands all recorded identical figures of 66%.

Interior tastes, in contrast, vary considerably. South Korea, France and the Netherlands favour light, natural interiors with neutral colours and clean lines, whereas Germany bucks the trend with a strong preference for cosy, cottage-inspired homes.

Elsewhere, France emerged as the DIY capital of the survey, with almost two-thirds of homeowners carrying out most repairs themselves. Japan and Canada proved the strictest about removing shoes indoors, with around seven in 10 enforcing no-shoes rules.

So, if you are thinking of moving on, what do you want from your new home?