Ikea Takes a Peek at What It Means to Live in the 21st Century
Since 2014 Ikea has stepped into the lives of its customers looking at their intimate moments through their annual research report. They have covered every detail from morning routines, food and kitchens, and even disagreements at home. This year they delved into how we deal with loneliness, the need to belong and how living in cities affects us.
What they found in their study is that home is not always where the heart is living in the 21st century. For the most part, no matter where we live in the world, we feel our home should provide the following:
- Privacy
- Security
- Comfort
- Ownership
- Belonging
But what is the reality of those expectations?
35% of people who live in cities don’t feel at home in their house or apartment.
53% of young families don’t feel a sense of belonging from their residential home.
57% of people who live with family or alone feel a connection with their home.
34% of those living with friends or strangers feel they can call home, home.
And 45% of Americans escape to their car for a moment to themselves outside their home.
So why are we feeling this way?
Maybe our homes are too small or are uncomfortable. Perhaps we live with others who don’t share our same interests. Another reason is that it seems hard to put down roots when we are moving between homes, cities, and even countries more than ever before. But for a lot of Americans, it’s the fact that they rent over owning and feel less at home.
What can you do to feel more at home?
Buying your own home may not be an option, but we would love to help if it is. There are, however, a few easy things you can do to feel more connected to the space that you live in.
- Make your bed. Yup, believe it or not, this three-minute task has a positive impact on your happiness.
- Make every room show ready. It’s a well-known fact that clutter causes stress. Again, spending just three minutes tidying up a room before you leave it can help improve your overall mood.
- Display the things you love. Make your home a gallery of positive experiences. Photos of friends loved one, and favorite locations will help connect you to the space where you live.