Safe space
Although we may feel we’ve spent far too much time at home over the past year, our attachment and sense of connection to our own four walls has deepened. In fact, according to a report by Ikea, 78% of us have come to consider our home a sanctuary during the pandemic.
Secret hideaway
In your house, you may have a favourite spot such as a study or simply a comfy chair in a little-used room. It’s where you go to recharge. One study from a mortgage provider found 88% of us have a favourite room. Interestingly, 16% of women aged between 18 and 55 say their favourite spot was one where they could hide from their family or partner – and they were more likely to say this than any other demographic surveyed.
Good times
You might remember your kitchen as the joyful centre of every party – but why do we gravitate to it? Research from environmental psychologists suggests more intimate activities, such as conversation, are better in smaller spaces resembling the ones our prehistoric ancestors would have felt safest in. The kitchen, warm, informal and generally small, is perfect.
Green rooms
Your garden may be your pride and joy – and it’s no surprise to discover people looking to buy a home feel the same. According to YouGov, 32% of buyers say having a garden is now more important to them than it was at the start of 2020. Time to start searching for a green space of your own?
Putting down roots
Be honest, how many houseplants do you currently have? According to John Lewis, sales of indoor plants climbed by a staggering 419% over the past year. And the best thing about creating a live-in conservatory? You can bring those pots with you when you move.
The first step
Surveys often reveal buying a home is one of life’s most stressful events, up there with divorce and grieving. But according to the Mortgage Advice Bureau, 72% of first-time buyers say the joy outweighs the pain.
Discover how much your home could be worth with an instant online estimate from Zoopla: zoopla.co.uk/my-home
