Control through storage

“When there is so much noise in the world,” says IKEA interior designer Abbey Stark, “storage and organising your home can help quiet your mind and create space for joy.”

It’s no coincidence that having the right space for needs and belongings is an important driver of control across every age group. The need is universal: from 18-year-olds to 80-year-olds, the numbers barely shift. Maybe that’s why over a third of people around the world are planning to update their storage in the next six months.

Of course, order doesn’t look the same to everyone. “Storage is personal, and customisation is vital,” Abbey explains, highlighting the benefits of adaptable storage designed to change as people’s needs and priorities evolve. Her colleague Queenie Lee takes it further: “In small or first homes especially, smart storage becomes essential to creating physical order, supporting mental wellbeing, and helping people learn to manage life on their own.”

Storage also matters beyond the feeling of calm it brings. Storing food properly to keep it fresh for longer is one of the most meaningful everyday climate actions people can take^[1], and over eight in ten are already doing it. Perhaps surprisingly, under 30s are playing catch-up here: although they’re generally more concerned about climate change than older age groups, they’re less likely to store food properly or use leftovers. Aspiring to good habits but not always adopting them.

Of course, food storage isn’t just about the tools. “Storage is the tech, but knowledge matters too… People need to know what should go in the fridge, what food needs to sit in water, and what foods should stay separate,” observes Kimberly Nicholas.

Back to the IKEA Life at Home Report 2026