Joyful home, joyful life. Life at Home Report 2023

Life at Home Report is one of the biggest and most distinctive global researches that IKEA conducts every year in order to find out how people are feeling in their lives at home – and how we can help make it better. 

Last year, we surveyed over 37,000 people who live in different homes in as many as 40 countries, including 1005 Latvia’s residents.
 

In a chaotic world, home should be a place to unwind

We asked people in Latvia, what aspects would be the most important for them in an ideal home. For most of us it's being able to unwind (44%) and be our true selves (38%). Home should be the sanctuary where we can easily enjoy ourselves and step back from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

"In today's fast pace, sometimes you one can feel that everything is too much and it is impossible to protect personal borders. That's why we long for the opportunity to be in our homes and in an environment that we can influence and shape according to our needs. Our own space, where we feel calm and good, is also important for our mental health. It serves as a refuge when we feel like everything is too much - we can rest, relax and do other things we like that improve our well-being."

Kristīne Dūdiņa
Psychologist

Wellbeing goes hand in hand with tidiness

Whilst keeping the home tidy is often seen as a chore, it does have its upsides. More than a third (35%) of us say that it adds up to the sense of mental wellbeing, while 46% agree that having a tidy, organised home helps us feel content and at ease.

“Cleaning can be soothing, but it can also feel overwhelming. When tasks pile up, it can lead to feelings of hopelessness. Implementing a cleaning system can make it easier. When the house is organized, it brings a sense of control and satisfaction, making us feel accomplished.”

Kristīne Dūdiņa
Psychologist

Better sleep is all about having the basics in place:

• Right temperature (33%), which can be ensured by choosing the right duvet.
• Darkness (30%), which can be created with darkening curtains.
• Favourite pillow (30%), which is easy to find! Simply follow this guide.

Nature plays a powerful role

Every fifth person in Latvia name connecting with nature as a way to feel content and at ease. Luckily, everyone can have a green oasis at home, even without access to outdoor space.

Togetherness vs. privacy

We all need our own space, and we all need to spend time with our loved ones. However, this year’s research uncovered that only 39% in Latvia say that home provides enough privacy for everyone living in it. This is important to improve as the right amount of privacy is one of the key aspects for feeling content and at ease at home for 41% of us.

“Create your private corner right in the living room – it could be an armchair or a corner sofa with a footstool, a coffee table or a laptop stand for keeping a cup of hot drink and a candle close at hand. Among the simplest solutions to separate such space from the rest of the shared living room or bedroom are room dividers. They can help to create the feeling of a room within a room and provide some privacy. If the divider is well designed and made from natural materials, it can even give extra cosiness.”

Darius Rimkus
IKEA interior designer

Some things are better left private

• 24% sing or dance when no one is around.
• 24% walk around naked at home.
• 4% think that their home might be haunted.