Privacy Crisis: IKEA’s Life at Home Report Finds That Americans Are In Need of Self-Care

An older woman and man sitting on a sofa in a living room with a brown patterned chair in the background.

Corporate newsReports and summaries, Life at home, People and CultureOctober 10, 2019Last edited: September 29, 2021

Privacy affords a positive effect on personal growth by allowing people to be themselves, ultimately contributing to day-to-day success and happiness.

IKEA’s annual Life at Home Report has found that a lack of privacy in the home has a significant impact on well-being

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA (October 10, 2019) – The IKEA 2019 Life at Home Report is out, and the results indicate that Americans may be on the brink of a privacy crisis.

The annual report found that 90% of Americans consider privacy a right, yet 25% shared that they are concerned about not getting enough privacy at home, leaving a privacy gap that could have serious implications for well-being.

The report shows that 79% of people believe privacy is vital to well-being and when people don’t get the privacy they need they experience frustration (63%) and anxiety (55%). In contrast, when privacy at home is possible, the majority feel calm (76%), satisfied (62%) and joyful (43%).

“Privacy is vital to our personal well-being, but for too many people it’s increasingly hard to come by,” shares Katie McCrory, Life at Home Campaign Manager at Ingka Group. ”This points to a worrying impact on physical and mental health, given that many people are struggling to get the rest, focus, intimacy and freedom that only privacy can provide. It’s clear that our homes are often the best place to get privacy, but they can and must do more to become the sanctuaries we need and want.”

This year’s report builds a picture of what privacy at home looks like, how it is best achieved and what it means for home in everyday life. Responders said caregiving responsibilities (59%) and disruptive noises and smells from the outside world and neighbors (20%) topped the barriers for privacy. Despite this, living in small spaces is not widely considered as a privacy barrier and ultimately matters less than relationships when it comes to bridging the privacy gap.

IKEA found that privacy was valued and beneficial for its effect on personal growth by 71% of people. Additionally, 56% shared that being private is where they can truly be themselves and 80% use it to improve relationships.

“It’s a common misconception that privacy at home means being completely alone or having space, but our research reveals that while privacy is sometimes about being alone, it’s always about being yourself,” adds McCrory. ”The good news is that there are lots of ways, and plenty of places, to feel free from judgement – singing in the shower, watching a film with a loved one, or napping on the couch. These may feel like small things, but they help all of us thrive at home and in life.”

The research also shines a light on the difficulties of attaining the privacy we all very deeply need. People feel they either don’t have the right to ask for privacy at home (13%) or they’re afriad of someone taking the request personally (24%), which can hinder their well-being in the long term. However, privacy is not just about being by youself but rather allows everyone to truly be themselves which contributes to day-to-day success and happiness.

To make privacy available to the many people, IKEA developed the Privacy Quiz. This online tool provides a simple but effective privacy diagnosis as well as tips to help people find more privacy where they live. Please visit LifeAtHome.IKEA.com to take the quiz and to learn more about IKEA’s 2019 Life at Home Report.