What makes a home truly joyful? According to IKEA’s latest Life at Home Report 2024, more than one-third of people worldwide value joy in their living spaces but don’t experience it as often as they’d like.
Now in its 11th year, the Life at Home Report is one of the most comprehensive studies on modern living, capturing insights from over 38,000 people across 39 countries. This year’s findings highlight that while many struggle to feel joy in their homes daily, it often comes from small moments of self-expression, comfort, and play.
Four Key Elements of Joyful Living
IKEA’s research reveals four essential ingredients for creating a home that fosters happiness:
1. Feeling Good – Wellbeing and Daily Habits
- A tidy and organized space contributes to overall wellbeing for 1 in 3 people.
- Sleep is the top activity for nurturing both physical (53%) and mental (51%) wellbeing at home.
- 63% of those who say their home enables sustainable living also consider it their favorite place to be.
2. Having Fun – Creativity, Play, and Hobbies
- Homes that encourage playfulness and creativity provide a greater sense of safety and mental wellbeing (42% vs. 38% global average).
- Cultural attitudes and household size influence the time people dedicate to play at home.
3. Personalizing a Space
- Homeowners (55%) are more likely to experience enjoyment often compared to renters (47%).
- A well-designed home that reflects personal style strengthens emotional connections to the space.
4. Creating Spaces for Togetherness
- People who see eating as a social activity are more likely to feel a sense of belonging at home.
- Laughter plays a major role—68% of those who enjoy laughing with loved ones report greater home satisfaction (compared to 61% globally).
- Thoughtful design elements that promote conversation and shared experiences enhance the feeling of connection.
Bringing Joy Home: IKEA’s Conceptual Room Designs
To help people embrace joy in their living spaces, IKEA has introduced a series of conceptual, imaginary rooms in collaboration with Ulises Studio, a Valencia-based design firm. Each room reflects a key trend from the 2024 report:
- Bedrotting – A cozy retreat with soft textiles and warm lighting, perfect for ultimate relaxation.
- Kidulting – A playful space designed to embrace fun and nostalgia, proving that joy isn’t just for kids.
- Big Talk – A room designed for deep conversations, featuring inviting seating and warm lighting to encourage meaningful connections.
- Biophilic Design – Bringing nature indoors with greenery, earthy tones, and natural textures—65% of people who connect with nature at home report feeling more positive about their space.
- Smart Home Harmony – Seamlessly integrating smart technology for a stylish, intuitive, and more efficient home. Notably, 21% of Gen Z use music to set the right atmosphere.
- Dopamine Décor – A bold, colorful space that celebrates self-expression and mood-boosting design. 57% of people who feel their home reflects their identity experience joy more often.
The Power of Small Changes
“Home is a joyful place for two-thirds of people globally, but one-third still struggles to experience it,” said Belén Frau, Global Communication and Positioning Manager at IKEA Retail, Ingka Group. “Our Life at Home Report shows that joy comes from small moments—whether it’s self-expression, comfort, or play. Simple, everyday changes can make a big impact.”
By translating emerging home trends into these imaginative rooms, IKEA hopes to inspire new ideas and show that great design doesn’t have to be out of reach.
For more insights from the IKEA Life at Home Report 2024, visit IKEA’s official website.
