A survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed that owning a pizza oven, a home gym and stylish garden sculptures are among the top 30 items signifying someone’s success. Sports cars, barista-grade coffee machines and solar panels also made it to the top 30 list, with nearly one-third (31%) of Brits agreeing that solar panels are a symbol of social status in UK neighbourhoods. Interestingly, Gen Z individuals are three times more likely to hold this view compared to Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980.
The study further disclosed that 59% agreed that one’s success can be gauged by the state and quality of their home and furnishings including the awards, trophies and certificates they display on their walls. The research found that Gen Z, those aged up to 27, are most likely to view a walk-in wardrobe as a status symbol.
Conversely, 26% of younger adults would like to brag about owning a wine fridge, a feature that only appeals to 13% of Baby Boomers.
Smart home device experts, Hive, commissioned the study to celebrate the launch of Hive Solar, which integrates solar panels and a battery into an app, enabling people to generate their own solar energy, set budgets and save money on their energy bills.
Susan Wells, from Low Carbon Homes, an organisation dedicated to retrofitting properties to reduce their carbon emissions, stated: “Having status symbols in the home can turn your neighbour’s heads and look at you like the proverbial ‘Jones’ on the street. Whether it’s an electric vehicle, a hot tub or underfloor heating, certain items in and around the home bring attention to the trailblazing owner. With a solar system and battery, customers can save any spare energy for later or even sell what they don’t need back to the grid to make money.”
A recent survey revealed that 45% of respondents believe being environmentally friendly is the ultimate status symbol. Furthermore, 29% brag about having solar panels, discussing the financial benefits with friends, family, and neighbours, as well as highlighting their environmental impact.
Interestingly, 33% of Brits admit to trying to ‘Keep up with the Joneses’, with a candid 42% confessing to their neighbour that they’re envious. In fact, a whopping 71% admit to going out and purchasing an identical item.
Are you keeping up with the Joneses’? Find out in the quiz below.
Almost a quarter (24%) have experienced being trendsetters themselves, with people copying something they had at their home. While 43% felt flattered by the imitation, 17% admitted it annoyed them, according to figures from OnePoll.
Hive has teamed up with psychologist Jo Hemmings to delve into why people are so captivated by status symbols and why some view them as so crucial. Jo stated: “In social psychological terms, it has always been important to show our status it gives us a sense of identity and self-esteem while indicating to others our social standing.”
“Over the years, the items we associate with our status have evolved. Thirty years ago, things which are now commonplace like a dishwasher, a mobile phone and a colour TV were thought of as signs of having money, but today, environmentally conscious consumers are driving the evolution of status symbols. Now, eco-friendly credentials are redefining how people flaunt their status.”
“From electric vehicles and solar panels to compost heaps and vegetable patches, taking care of the environment is now the ultimate status symbol.”
“When people see their neighbours doing things that are green they are inclined to do it themselves, known as the ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ notion. Green envy is spreading, house by house, street by street and neighbourhood by neighbourhood.”
BRITS’ TOP 30 STATUS SYMBOLS:
- Sports car.
- A hot tub in the garden.
- Walk in wardrobe.
- A cinema room.
- Home gym.
- Electric gates.
- Underfloor heating.
- Unique ‘one of a kind’ items like an original art piece.
- Garden room.
- Glass bi-fold doors.
- Boiling water tap.
- Electric vehicle / EV charging point at the front of the house.
- Solar panels.
- A sculpture in the garden.
- Voice or app controlled electronics (such as lighting, TV, heating etc).
- Barista coffee machine.
- Wine cellar.
- Outdoor kitchen.
- Security cameras.
- Pizza oven.
- Trophies, awards, medals and certificates on display.
- Automated blinds and curtains.
- Built in wine fridge.
- ‘His and Hers’ sinks in the bathroom.
- Automated sprinklers.
- Robot lawn mower.
- Outdoor TV.
- A fully stocked bar cart.
- Wearable technology gadgets.
- Outdoor fireplace.