How privacy boosts our wellbeing

The new normal is here. But how do we navigate it?

In our most recent conversations with 20 households across five countries, the IKEA Life at Home team has uncovered the new stresses that life beyond coronavirus lockdown have created for the many. Liberated from their homes, people have been required to make new choices, face new challenges and accept – or create – new standards for themselves. And as their lives move beyond their homes' four walls, they're reporting a shift in their relationships with what have been their safe spaces and sanctuaries. We share all here – and provide reflection prompts to help with navigating this next phase.

The IKEA Life at Home Pulse Report #1: In the Messy Middle

We’ve created our first special IKEA Life at Home Pulse Report to share our rich pocketful of insights into people’s struggles during this temporary time – and how they’re making the most of it. From our conversations with 20 households across five countries over the past month, we’ve gathered these insights into how people are feeling, coping, surviving and thriving in the current pause between two normals. We’re calling this strange space, in which coronavirus lockdowns are easing yet restrictions remain, ’the messy middle’.

How small joys make a big difference during coronavirus lockdown

Twenty households. Five countries. A global pandemic. One shared experience. This week, people in Italy, Sweden, China, Australia and the USA have reported a shift – and despite some of the countries easing their lockdowns, this shift hasn’t been all positive. However, among worry, financial stress and a lack of freedom, the little things are providing essential fragments of joy.

How to cook mindfully – 'quick, calm cooking' with Anna Jones

It can be hard to find moments of calm, mindfulness or privacy in what for most are are busy, busy days. But simply reframing everyday chores like the making of food as opportunities for time out (think ’mindful cooking’) ensures that we get that 'rebooting' feeling that privacy gives us – even as we get the stuff of life done.

The power of certainty in an uncertain world

For many of us, the world beyond our four walls has become unrecognisable – and home has become, more than ever, the most important place in the world. So, because of our fascination at IKEA with the intricacies of life at home, we’re talking to 20 households across the world each week, to discover the realities of people’s daily existence there.

Simple, private Valentine's Day ideas

Valentine’s Day is all about you and your sweetheart. But if a quiet, candlelit dinner alone isn’t on the cards – either by choice or because you forgot to call a babysitter – here are some tips and tricks for stealing private moments where and when you can.

Behind the doors of the IKEA Open House event

What happens when seven experts come together under one roof to ponder the meaning of privacy? A lot of good ideas, that’s what. In December last year, the second IKEA Open House event explored what privacy means – and how we can help people get more of it.

How to breathe to create more space

Because our mission with the IKEA Life at Home Report 2019, is to ‘open up more breathing space in life at home’…

Sarah’s story

In our film we meet Sarah, in Amsterdam, who shares a home with her son, husband and parents.

Why privacy is a right (and we’re not talking data)

Data privacy is so important, there are laws and regulations to protect us in this area. Yet both as a society and as individuals, we don’t pay as much attention and care to protecting private time in our everyday lives.

Four simple steps to building private moments into your day

Privacy is like oxygen for the soul, and with just a little each day, you recharge, get to know yourself and grow.

Privacy: a goal for 2020 (and whether you’re getting enough)

As we enter 2020, many of us are prioritising our wellbeing in our intentions for this fresh new decade.

Jim and Lynn’s story

In this film we meet Jim and Lynn who have been married for 20 years and live in San Francisco.

Five ways to take playful, private moments at Christmas

Hosting Christmas this year? While the holidays are about bringing loved ones together under one roof, the reality is that festive spirits can wilt under the pressure of a full house.

Help! I need more privacy

Everyone needs breathing space to explore interests, connect with others and grow as people. Privacy is like oxygen for the soul, but it doesn’t grow on trees.

Kids need privacy too. Here's how to help them get it.

In the hustle and bustle of a modern household, it’s easy to forget that children deserve private time too.

Tech: help or hindrance to privacy?

It’s often a love/hate relationship with personal technology. Life admin, travel and pursuing hobbies are made easier with the help of smartphones. Yet, fear of an ‘always on’ mentality gives many of us pause for thought.

Mecca’s Story

In this film we meet Mecca, who lives with flatmates in San Francisco.

Meet... Anna Kövecses

Our illustrator on the Life sat Home Report 2019 describes how she devised the visual themes for this year's report, where her inspiration comes from and explains what ‘home’ and ‘privacy’ mean to her.

Home: social space or sanctuary? It’s both

As we retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and invite our nearest and dearest to join us while we do, one question comes to mind: is home a sanctuary or is it a social space? Can it be both?

How to create a sense of space almost instantly

The need for private time can sneak up on you. It might pop up during a lazy weekend at home with your family. It could become quite urgent at work, or while away on a long weekend with old friends. The important thing to remember is that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Four ways to know you're not getting enough privacy

‘Private time? What’s that?’ It’s a sentiment we hear a lot, and it’s not uncommon from people juggling a job, home life, relationships and a circle of friends.

Wang’s story

In this film we meet Wang and her young daughter, who live in Shanghai with their family.

Breathing space at home? Here’s how we do it.

Let’s bust a privacy myth: you don’t have to escape a busy home, or wait until you’re totally alone, for a bit of ‘me time’. With the right approach, it’s possible to carve out private spaces for private moments - even in a full house.

What does privacy really look like?

At IKEA, we make it a priority to understand what we all need from home, which is why we carry out annual research into how people live all over the world.

Meet… Kate Poulsson Johnson

Find out more about Kate and her life at home.

Sekai’s story

In this film we meet Sekai who lives in Amsterdam with her flatmates.

Planned or spontaneous – how do you take your privacy?

Privacy means different things, depending on who you ask. It can be reading alone at home, hiking in nature or walking down a busy city street plugged into headphones.

Meet... Fredrik Bengtsson

Find out more about Fredrik and his life at home.

Junaid’s story

In this film we meet Junaid who lives alone in Mumbai.

Meet… Maja Vujaskovic Djureinovic

Find out more about Maja and her life at home

Introvert or extrovert, we all need private time

When it comes to personality types, the IKEA Life At Home Report 2019 reveals that, wherever you fall on the spectrum – be it wallflower, life-of-the-party, or somewhere in between – the need for privacy is universal.

Need more privacy? Just ask

It’s not always easy getting privacy at home. Life is busy, and most of us share our homes with family, friends and partners - all of whom have their own needs and wants.

Dave’s story

In this film we meet Dave who lives in London with his wife and two young kids.

How privacy boosts our wellbeing

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