IN BREVE
- The kitchen remains the heart of the home, but eating habits are changing according to IKEA research conducted on over 31,000 people.
- Less than half of people eat dinner at the table, many prefer the sofa or bed; over a third of Italians would like to eat with others more often.
- Dinner takes place on average at 6:44 PM and lasts less than 30 minutes, while screen use is common during meals.
- Only 29% are satisfied with their kitchen, highlighting the need for multifunctional spaces and organizational solutions.
- Despite the challenges, mealtime remains a significant moment for connection and quality of life, according to the IKEA report.
The kitchen remains the heart of the home, but the way we experience meals is changing. This is revealed by global IKEA research conducted by YouGov on 31,689 people across 31 markets between August and September 2025. The report, finalized in January 2026, analyzes where, when, and with whom people eat today, presenting a picture of more fluid habits, reduced time, and increasingly hybrid domestic spaces.
Less than half of respondents (44%) say they regularly eat dinner at the table. 18% prefer the sofa, 4% the bed, and another 4% eat in the kitchen, but standing up. About one in four people say they don’t have a dedicated place for meals. In the United Kingdom, the likelihood of not owning a dining table is nearly three times higher than the global average. In the United States and Hungary, the trend of eating meals in bed is growing.
HOW DINNERTIME IS CHANGING
Dinner remains the most shared meal, but it’s getting shorter and adapting to daily rhythms. Globally, people eat dinner on average at 6:44 PM, with marked differences: in Spain at 8:54 PM, in Finland at 5:17 PM. For most people, it lasts less than 30 minutes. Screens are an integral part of the meal. 77% place no limits on the use of electronic devices while eating. 54% watch TV when the meal is not shared, 40% do so even in company. Doing other things while eating has become the norm.
“Despite the emotional significance of food, the custom of sharing meals is being tested – says Lorena Lourido Gomez, Global Food Manager at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group) –. Daily commitments, reduced living spaces, and different priorities make it more difficult to gather in the same place at the same time.”
CONNECTION SOUGHT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
60% of respondents consider moments of connection experienced at the table important. However, organizational obstacles emerge among Gen Z and Millennials. 38% of Gen Z and 33% of Millennials indicate lack of time as the main difficulty in cooking at home during the week. Those living with children and in urban contexts report space limitations and inadequate equipment.
“Overall, these data highlight how modern life is transforming one of the most deeply rooted rituals of our lives – continues Lourido Gomez –. They reflect a growing concern about loneliness and digital distractions, despite 60% of respondents saying they consider moments of connection experienced at the table important. It’s clear that food remains one of the most powerful love languages across different cultures.”
KITCHENS UNDER PRESSURE
Only 29% of people say they are satisfied with their kitchen as a physical space. The main issues concern the lack of solutions for organizing objects (25%) and counter space (25%). 56% of Gen Z say they don’t have a kitchen that aligns with their lifestyle. Domestic environments are becoming multifunctional. Dining area, living room, and workspace overlap. Informality is consolidating as the prevailing model.
“The way we experience our kitchens is changing. These spaces are no longer used exclusively for cooking, but also for gathering, being together, and creating memories – says Nanette Weisdal, Range Manager for Kitchen and Appliances at Inter IKEA Group –. We know that every inch counts, which is why we’ve focused on solutions that allow people to make the most of available space, without sacrificing a welcoming atmosphere and an environment rich in personality.”
THE NEW ITALIAN DINNER
In Italy too, dinner is changing form. One in three people say they regularly eat in more than one place in the house. The living room is the first choice for over 40%, followed by the kitchen and other areas. During the week, for a significant portion of Italians, dinner lasts less than 30 minutes. Only a minority exceeds 45. More than half watch television while eating. Smartphones and digital devices are widespread even during shared meals.
Solitary dinners are increasing. Over a third of Italians would like to eat together more often with the people they live with, but work and study schedules make it difficult to reconcile commitments. Despite this, the majority associate eating at home with well-being and quality of life. The research confirms that mealtime remains a moment full of meaning, even when it’s brief or accompanied by screens. The kitchen and table are transforming, but continue to represent a space of relationship and identity in domestic life.
