New IKEA report provides information on how to achieve a better balance at home

IKEA’s “Living at Home” Report this one of the most comprehensive research projects of this type in the world. In the study , the home retailer asked thousands of people from around the world, including in Poland, to share their experiences from the past 12 months. IKEA consulted with experts and carried out extensive background data research in order to best understand what living at home means for all of us. The survey was carried out by YouGov on behalf of Ingka Holding B.V. YouGov interviewed a total of 34,387 adults from 34 countries between June 24 and July 28, 2021 using web panels.

Based on the responses of respondents from around the world, this year’s IKEA Report is a collection of information on feelings and emotions in home life during a difficult time marked by a pandemic. It presents the results collected in several key areas for the respondents, such as: relationships, community, space, habits and the future.

“We already know that a perfect home is a greener, more spacious and comfortable place to live, where we can be close to the people we care about and do what makes us feel good. Balance in home life is important to the mental health of all of us, so at IKEA we encourage people to make small changes and help them create their happy place, “says Marcus Engman, Creative Director at Ingka Group.

Support and a sense of belonging

According to the report, as many as 39% of people in Poland experienced a negative impact on mental health in the past year. In such difficult moments, we place our hope in the people we live with – our relatives. Some of the relationships flourished as a result, and others suffered. Almost half of Poles (46%) claim that their contact with family has improved, while that with friends has deteriorated (29%). This difference is also apparent in the order of those we turn to first to talk about mental health. A partner was chosen by as many as 54% of respondents, and a friend was chosen by almost half as much (26%). In 2021, local communities also played an important role – every 8th person (85%) spent more time in their neighborhood, which influenced the sense of belonging and thus improved well-being.

A good time for change

The pandemic has also been a time of changes in the space we live in. The authors of the report claim that we feel better when we rearrange the interior to adapt it to our needs. In the past, four walls allowed us to isolate ourselves from what we were doing outside of them. Now these lines have blurred. Moreover, taking control of the home was an important element for maintaining a sense of balance – this was appreciated by 84% of respondents globally, and productivity and rest became more important. A quarter (26%) of people around the world say that hobbies or personal projects are important to them because it helps them maintain their well-being in their home.

The improvements made to homes also indicate a change in what people perceive as the most important for maintaining mental balance. The highest places in this category in Poland are sleep (61%) and relaxation (55%). However, for every third person, time spent with a partner (36%) and cooking (27%) are important.

The perfect home

We are clear about what we expect from our homes in the future, and this has been shaped in many ways by our experiences over the past year. Looking to the future, we want to be able to properly arrange our own space. When it comes to the ideal house, according to Poles, the importance of plants & green spaces has increased the most: 37% of people want their place of residence to be close to green areas; 34% – dream of a private garden or balcony. Closeness to family and friends is also important (32%), and when it comes to home – space for privacy (32%).

Globally, every 6th person says that they have already made changes to their apartments. Almost half of the people (47%) who have made significant efforts to reorganize their home now have a more positive view of it, compared to a third (33%) who have made very little or no efforts. Now we all need to be ready to adapt. There is no new normal and the future is constantly changing. As a result, many people began to approach the issue of home decorating more consciously.

Home is more than a place – it’s a feeling. Through research, IKEA tries to find out what people really mean when they talk about “home feeling”. The brand, wanting to respond to the needs of household members around the world, adapts to the rapidly changing expectations of people towards their homes. It offers affordable, quick and simple solutions that will easily help you arrange the space so that you can get the most out of it.

For tips on how to achieve a better balance at home and more about the IKEA Living at Home Report, see IKEA.pl and the dedicated website IKEA.com/en/en/life-at-home/ .

Date of publication: October 14, 2021

Source: https://www.ikea.com/pl/pl/newsroom/corporate-news/rownowaga-zaczyna-sie-w-domu-czyli-najnowszy -report-ikea-life-at-home-2021-pubfe8a73c0