DELFT, NETHERLANDS — According to the annual “Life at Home Report” released by furniture retail company IKEA, the state of the economy and household finances are a greater concern to people across the globe than climate change.
Surveying over 37,000 people globally in 37 countries, the report reveals that 61% of people are worried about their household finances, while two in three (66%) are concerned about the general economy in their country as inflation continues to soar around the world. Financial woes outrank fears around the impact of climate change (56%) as the top concerns in people’s lives.
Given increased living expenses the report points to significant impacts on life at home on the horizon, with one in ten people anticipating the cost-of-living crisis affecting major life moments, such as getting married and having children. Over a third (35%) expect to cancel or postpone home improvement plans, while a fifth (21%) are worried about job security.
The outlook for people’s day-to-day quality of life is equally concerning, with around two in five (43%) of those surveyed expecting their hobbies and interests outside the home to be negatively impacted as wallets become thinner, an indication of a potential “financial lockdown.”
Katie McCrory, who leads the Life at Home Report at IKEA, said, “After years of enforced lockdowns for our health, people will likely feel the need to stay at home once again to save on costs, meaning our spaces need to work harder than ever. Yet worryingly, only half of us (56%) say we experience enjoyment where we live and 4 in 5 people say they regularly feel frustrated by everyday gripes such as mess, household chores, and too much clutter.”
The report shows that 8% of us have worked in the bathroom, while 22% have eaten a meal in bed during the last 12 months, as our homes continue to be multi-functional spaces where we work, rest, and play. Nearly one in four people globally have faked excuses so they can avoid going out to stay at home, increasing to one in three among young people.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. The report also reveals that if your home reflects your personality, you’re almost twice as likely (1.7 times) to see it as a source of mental well-being. Pets and plants continue to be important members of households, and as many as 13% of people say they have talked to their plants in the last 12 months. Overall, around four in ten people say they feel more positive about their home compared to the same time last year.
To help create a better everyday life at home for many people, IKEA offers a range of products, solutions, and programmes:
- As-Is areas acting as circular hubs online and in-store, where customers can buy used products and services to prolong product life.
- Life at Home expertise provided by co-workers in-store, on everything from cost-saving to choosing more sustainable products. Each year IKEA co-workers do hundreds of home visits around the world, and data and insights collected then work as input when new IKEA products and services are developed.
- Buy Back operational in almost all Ingka Group markets, allowing customers to sell back used IKEA furniture in exchange for IKEA in-store credit to refresh their homes.
- Comprehensive warranties of between 10 and 25 years for defects in materials, workmanship, and function across bedroom, living room, bathroom, and kitchen furniture and fittings.
- Suite of sustainable products helping people take climate action every day, including LED lightbulbs, rechargeable batteries, water-efficient taps, and home solar solutions.
“There are tried-and-tested ways that we can showcase our cherished items and optimize our space so that the home we live in reflects us. We know from years of doing the Life at Home Report that the better we feel about a home, the better we feel about ourselves,” added Katie.
The Life at Home Report from IKEA is the biggest report of its kind in the world. Every year it gives a unique snapshot of how people are living and feeling at this moment in time.
Marcus Engman, Chief Creative Officer at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group), said, “The Life at Home Report results are a crucial moment every year at IKEA. They help us to realize our vision to create a better everyday life for many people. The insights influence everything from our product range to initiatives like IKEA Festival, to the social impact campaigns that we run.”
