Many consumers feel strongly about which spot in their home is their favorite and they don’t want to share it.
A survey commissioned by Stressless and conducted by Talker Research found the average person has two different spots within their home they claim to as their own, although nearly one-third of Gen Z and Millennials have three to four of these special locations.
The sense of ownership runs deep, with 79% saying their housemates are aware of which spots are theirs, and more than half (54%) acknowledging they would take offense is someone sat in their designated spot.
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For many, these spots foster a sense of peace and are used to relax and unwind (58%), for comfort and familiarity (52%) or for quiet time (41%).
“While there may not be much you can do about stressors at work or elsewhere, establishing your home as your sanctuary is a sure-fire way to leave that stress at the door,” said Peter Bjerregaard, president of Ekornes, maker of Stressless. “Your home should be the place that restores energy, not drains it. When you design your space with spots for comfort and relaxation in mind, you’re not just decorating, you’re investing in your well-being.”
Looking at specific types of furniture, 41% cited a recliner as the favorite type of chair to relax and unwind in, with the armchair a distant second at 14%. When it comes to work, however, the office chair is ranked No. 1, mentioned by 20% of respondents, although 13% said the recliner is also effective for work and productivity.
Two-fifths of those surveyed said they’ve owned their favorite chair between one and four years, while 12% have owned it for more than 10 years. The prime reason a certain chair is a favorite is comfort, cited by 68%. Other positive attributes are its ability to accommodate relaxation (37%), its perfectly worn in state (28%) and that it is adjusted to the user’s body (27%).
Sofas and beds were also named as favorite comfort spots in the home. And when it comes to those pieces of furniture, people tend to sit in a particular spot. The left side of the sofa was favored by 29% vs. 33% who favored the right side. Just 24% opt for the middle seat. The right side of the bed was also the top choice (41%), while 31% sleep on the left and 20% stay in the middle.
Nearly half of respondents (45%) said they go to their bedroom when they want to be alone, while 37% cited it as the best place to get thinking done. The bedroom also ranked highest as a calm and peaceful sanctuary (46%) and the place to relax after a stressful day (43%). The living room was the second choice across the board, followed by the bathroom.
The Talker Research study was conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6 and polled 2,000 people evenly split among Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers.
