The Way We Live Now: 2026

Our annual consumer insights report shows that, as the world feels louder and more uncertain, people are using their home more deliberately as a space to relax, recover, and enjoy small moments of joy. Nearly nine in 10 people (87%) say their home is a sanctuary from the world outside, and seven in 10 people say they’re prioritising fun micro-upgrades in the home, ‘just because’.

Now more than ever, the nation views their homes as cocoons of calm to support wellbeing and rest. Nearly three quarters of Brits (71%) use their bedrooms only for rest and sleep - a protected zone for relaxation and recovery. With mental wellbeing becoming a topic of national conversation, the home is no longer seen simply as a place to live, but as an essential influence in how we feel every day.

As a result, people are making more deliberate choices guided by what works best for their emotional wellbeing. They’re redesigning spaces to support reassurance and balance, with a whopping 93% saying the most important factor when making design decisions is creating a home that feels relaxing and calming, with trends (39%) and social media influence (31%) being the least important factors.

Another emerging behaviour revealed by the survey is the concept of ‘JoyMaxxing’, which sees people prioritising fun micro-upgrades that serve little practical purpose, simply because they bring ‘joy’. Nearly three quarters of Brits (70%) enjoy adding playful or quirky touches to their home, with top wish list upgrades including appliance garages (a dedicated kitchen unit for concealing bulky countertop appliances) (61%), hidden rooms (51%) and standalone wine fridges (45%). Over half of Brits (54%) even like the idea of their home responding to them - for example, music playing when they ask, or lights coming on when they clap. 80% say they don’t want their space to look like everyone else’s, as people choose upgrades based on how they make them feel over trends they’ve spotted. This reflects a wider shift towards individuality, with over half (52%) rarely checking what’s trending when decorating.

In these joyful, relaxing spaces, Brits are finding ways to prioritise spending time together as a family - something increasingly important for the vast majority of people (84%). Following the pandemic encouraging the creation of separate spaces for privacy and independence, shared spaces are moving back into focus, with three in five (60%) liking the idea of the kitchen being the main social space in the home. Many children (82%) are encouraged to spend time in these shared spaces rather than in their bedrooms.

The report isn’t just limited to how Brits are living in their homes - it also looks at how spaces are built, and the evolution of the trade industry. The research revealed that increased competition in the trade market means tradespeople are working harder to build trust, as four in five Brits (80%) feel that tradespeople seem more professional than they used to be. And for younger generations, a strong social presence is now key to helping tradespeople build trust and win work - Gen Z and Millennials are three times more likely than Baby Boomers to prioritise a professional online presence when choosing a tradesperson.

The Way We Live Now 2026 report has revealed a transformative evolution in how people across the UK live in their homes and provides an in-depth exploration of the latest trends, attitudes, and behaviours around modern living

You can also read previous reports here:

• The Way We Live Now: 2025

• The Way We Live Now: 2024

• Slice of Home Life: 2023

• Slice of Home Life: 2022