The Rooted Home
Published 09 April 2026
Lauren Morris-Jansen
What makes us feel at home? It’s a practical matter for brands today – and indeed a pressing one, as a third of people worldwide lack consistent enjoyment in their living spaces (Ikea, 2025). Investigating identity, culture and interactivity as “roots” of belonging, we address one of our Look Ahead 2026 themes, charting how to ground design in the unique dynamics of everyday life.
Made, Not Generated
Living with Technology
Growing New Roots
Homes were never meant to be universal. Our personal spaces are just that: personal. Fatigued by algorithm-driven interiors and the creeping sameness of global design, consumers are turning to objects and rituals that carry meaning across generations – leaning into curatorship and DIY (do-it-yourself) in the pursuit of authenticity.
Homes were never meant to be universal. Our personal spaces are just that: personal. Fatigued by algorithm-driven interiors and the creeping sameness of global design, consumers are turning to objects and rituals that carry meaning across generations – leaning into curatorship and DIY (do-it-yourself) in the pursuit of authenticity.
To tech, or not to tech? An answer reveals more about us than we think. The choice between a physical dial or a voice command, digital photo frames or thumbed-through family albums, and a wellness tracker or a dog-eared journal reflects deeply held cultural values about autonomy, privacy and togetherness.
Familiarity doesn’t have to be limiting: traditional techniques and local materials can yield surprisingly modern – and rooted – solutions for the home. By building on ancestral knowledge to bring entirely new products to market, designers and brands are redefining what it means to make something that lasts.
The Rooted Home
Topics
Want to see the full report?
Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.
We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.
We’d love to do the same for you.
Book a demo with us today to discover more.
