Millennials swapped clubbing for cleaning, as 2020 proved a generational leveller for Australians.

Samsung launches latest Australians@HOME research uncovering how the value and relationship with the home changed in 2020, Sydney, Australia

Samsung Electronics Australia has today released the latest Australians@HOME research uncovering consumer insights about how we value home, and the role technology plays in helping make Australians’ lives easier.

The third instalment of the Australians@HOME study by Samsung reveals how the relationship with the home changed throughout 2020. Australians were forced to be at home more and thus their connection with home changed; we became more social with in our household; we upgraded to make our home more comfortable; we used technology to unlock new support functions; and generations were brought closer together in how they used tech and the home.

“With our commitment to understanding Australians since the first report in 2015, we are well placed to share insights about how the role of technology has evolved. Australians have rethought and reshaped how they live their life around the home, whether it’s work, learning, entertaining or connecting. They are spending more time in the home a nd rely on it as a sanctuary to do more and provide solutions to new challenges we face,” explained Jeremy Senior, Head of Consumer Electronics, Samsung Australia.

“This turbulent time has also proved to be a generational leveller with younger and older Australians alike. Baby Boomers flocked online to socialise through platforms like House Party and Zoom, switched to banking and grocery shopping online, and downloaded apps. At the same time, Millennials and Gen Z found peace and enjoyment from preparing m eals and nesting at

home cleaning, reorganising, and making their living spaces their sanctuaries,” continued Mr Senior.

Tech as the home entertainer

In 2020 we danced, cried, binged, worked and learned, through the technology in our home. The TV was at the heart of this as it became part of our refuge and escape from stresses and became a more communal experience with 28% of Australians say ing th eir households watched TV shows together more often in 2020.

To support this entertainment hub, Aussie households average 2.7 TVs in the home and 30% of all TVs are i n the bedroom while it seems size does matter with 70% of main household TVs over 50 inches.

Throughout 2020 the TV wasn’t just our entertainment esca pe; it was our classroom, our fitness studio, our friend in the kitchen at meal time, and we found ourselves watching live stream Penguin Parades and renowned Aussie artists performing for us from their homes. And according to the latest research, Australians spent 37 hours a week (5.3hrs per weekday, and 5hrs on Saturday and Sunday) in front of a TV in 2020 , but surprisingly only average 1.2 streaming subscriptions per household

Aussies turn to cooking

In 2020, many Aussies turned to the kitchen as a hub for in — home entertainment –– revitalising revitalising old baking and cooking hobbies, using food and meal prep to switch off from life/ work, and using the extra time  on their hands to prepare good quality food for their their families themselves.

As such, Australian dining habits changed with 44% of Aussies cooking more from scratch, highest amongst young families (58%) and millennials (49%) who turned to the kitchen most.

Not only a new hobby and a passer of time, meals became a moment to come together –– with 29% of Australians indicating they’re eating more meals together – winding the clockwinding the clock back on family dinner time. This was highest amongst young families (44%) and, understandably, those in Victoria (38%).

Hygiene in the home

While Aussies adapted in how they used their homes for entertainment, work, learning and family time – cleaning and hygiene became a critical focus. This trend was prominent across the board – but mostly so from, Millennials – who were ‘feeling’ their spaces and cleaning in an aim to make the home more of a sanctuary from the outside world.

In 2020, one–in–four Australians spent more time cleaning, while a third of Millennials were cleaning more – on average 7.3 hours a week, higher amongst young families (8.5hrs). Over a quarter of Australians (27%) also confirmed they were doing a deep clean weekly, which was more prominent amongst 18 to 24 year olds (40%) and 25 to 39 year olds (33%) who were out more prominent amongst 18 to 24 year olds (40%) and 25 to 39 year olds (33%) who were out cleaning their parents (16%, 55 to 75 year olds)

While home cleanliness seemed to be the main beneficiary me cleanliness seemed to be the main beneficiary of our new working routine, with of our new working routine, with 53% of young families and of young families and 66% of males aged 18 to 24 confirming  working from home allowed them to catch up on chores.

The research also showed that 18–24  and 25–39 year olds are more concerned about the cleanliness of their homes and clothes, compared with the older generations. 81% of Aussies are concerned about keeping dust and mould out of their home – this is highest amongst 18–24 –– 86%,  25–39  ––87%.

While 79% of Aussies are concerned about keeping surfaces clean (benchtops, floors); this is again highest amongst 18–24 and 25–39 olds (88%), compared with 55–75 years olds (66%).