IKEA recently conducted a survey of 4,000 Americans between the ages of 25-54 and who are in a household with an annual income of at least $35,000. Considered as the first of its kind, the survey delved into the daily living habits of the participants and their idea of a great life at home.
The results showed that modern Americans are not too concerned with how their dwelling might reflect their wealth and status in society. Instead, they value “comfort” as the main desirable aspect of their home. Furthermore, according to the participants, comfort is about an environment that promotes relaxation and encourages a strong connection with their household members rather than stemming from a single piece of furniture or household item.
Below are the statistics of how Americans perceive their home:
95% said that relaxation is a major aspect in their home
94% felt that their homes make them safe and secure
78% said that their homes reflect their characters
50% stated that a home should be warm and welcoming
1% said that their home is a reflection of how far they've achieved success.
65% still consider the living room to be the main room in the house
43% enjoy "preparing a meal and eating meals together" as their most favorite home activity
45% enjoy leisure time in the kitchen
The survey on kitchens also showed that most Americans encounter challenges when it comes to kitchen counter space and storage. One third of the respondents, most of whom are from ages 25-34, want to get a king sized bed next year.
Another result in the survey showed that one of the emerging trends in the American home is the presence of outdoor living. 86% of the participants already have an outdoor space, 69% have set-up a private garden, 59% have a porch, 51% have a home patio and 15% have a small balcony. From these, 26% would want to spend a lot of time in their outdoor spaces once spring and summer kicks in.
When it came to the part of sustainable and green living, 72% of the Americans already have recycling practices at home. LED lights are favored by 37% while 28% are keen on developing a way to generate renewable energy by using solar power. With the right opportunity, 98% will be purchasing Energy Star rated appliances for their homes while 86% of the respondents will be switching to water-saving kitchen faucets. If given the chance, 98% of respondents said they are most likely to purchase an Energy Star rated appliance and 86% were willing to buy a water-saving faucet for their kitchen.
