NEW YORK — With everything negative going on outside, our homes are becoming the new hotspots for people seeking a fun time in 2020. A new survey finds two in three Americans are the happiest they’ve ever been in their homes this year, much in part to various home improvement projects they’ve taken on amid COVID restrictions.
Between COVID-19 and widespread social unrest, 2020 has provided Americans with the opportunity to spend more time at home than ever before. Two-thirds of homeowners have been making the most of the isolation by investing in home improvements. The OnePoll survey of 2,000 Americans discovered that for 62 percent of respondents, investing in their home is the result of wanting to make their living spaces more comfortable and suitable for their new lifestyles.
The study, commissioned by Thermador, aimed to discover how people are rethinking their home environment and the steps consumers have taken to create more purposeful living spaces.
What type of home improvements are people taking on?
The poll reveals one in four respondents upgraded a kitchen appliance, with another 50 percent elevating their home décor. Additionally, 19 percent of Americans have transformed their entire living space since March 2020.
As remote work increases, 17 percent have purchased new office furniture to make themselves more comfortable as they work from home. People are also taking more time to reimagine and reconfigure their homes as more members of the household are now enjoying the same spaces together. As a result of these upgrades, nearly two-thirds of those surveyed are the happiest they’ve ever been while stuck inside.
The poll finds many will continue to improve their living spaces going into the holiday season. In fact, three in five say they are more likely to change up their interior design during this time.
“Many people are making various enhancements to their homes, such as adding built-in coffee machines in master suites and reworking garages to create in-home exercise rooms. It’s more important than ever that living spaces reflect peoples’ lifestyles, so investing in home improvements and remodels enables them to create a truly customized and functional environment,” a spokesperson for Thermador says in a statement.
Homeowners are going digital
People are also turning to smart appliances to make their homes function better. For example, 46 percent of respondents invested in a smart appliance since March.
Whether it’s using voice control to lend a helpful hand in cooking meals or remotely starting the dishwasher, people are trying to turn their homes into the newest digital playgrounds while in quarantine.
“The way people are integrating smart systems in their homes has evolved so much this year, with comfort and customization taking priority. From incorporating WiFi-enabled appliances in the kitchen, to integrating these appliances with smart devices throughout the home, we expect that consumers will continue to make personalized improvements throughout the home in 2021 and beyond,” the spokesperson adds.