Status symbols house-buyers desperately want - cinemas, hot tubs and more

Research has revealed that wine cellars, home cinemas and outdoor kitchens are among the top 30 modern status symbols in UK homes. A survey of 2,000 UK adults found that owning a pizza oven, a home gym and having stylish garden sculptures also signify that someone is doing well.

The list of top 30 items also included sports cars, barista-quality coffee machines and solar panels, with nearly a third (31 per cent) of Brits agreeing that solar panels are a sign of social standing in UK neighbourhoods. Interestingly, Gen Z individuals are three times more likely to feel this way than those from Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980.

The study also found that 59 per cent of participants agreed that you can gauge someone's success by the state and quality of their home and furnishings including the awards, trophies and certificates they display on their walls. The research further discovered that Gen Z, those aged up to 27, are most likely to view a walk-in wardrobe as a status symbol.

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Conversely, 26 per cent of younger adults would like to boast about owning a wine fridge, a feature that only appeals to 13 per cent of Baby Boomers.

The study was commissioned by smart home device experts, Hive, to celebrate the launch of Hive Solar. This new product integrates solar panels and a battery into an app, allowing users 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 for reduced carbon emissions, commented: "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 significant 45 per cent of those surveyed believe that being eco-friendly and caring for the environment is now the ultimate status symbol.

Moreover, 29 per cent boast about their solar panels to friends, family, and neighbours, not just for the cost savings but also to highlight their environmental benefits. A notable 33 per cent of Brits admit they try to 'Keep up with the Joneses', with a candid 42 per cent confessing their envy to their neighbours.

In fact, a striking 71 per cent have been influenced to buy the same item. Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) have found themselves trendsetters, with others copying something from their home.

While 43 per cent are flattered by this mimicry, 17 per cent find it irritating, as revealed by OnePoll statistics. Hive has teamed up with psychologist Jo Hemmings to delve into the allure of status symbols and why they hold such significance for some.

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:.

1. Sports car.

2. A hot tub in the garden.

3. Walk in wardrobe.

4. A cinema room.

5. Home gym.

6. Electric gates.

7. Underfloor heating.

8. Unique 'one of a kind' items like an original art piece.

9. Garden room.

10. Glass bi-fold doors.

11. Boiling water tap.

12. Electric vehicle / EV charging point at the front of the house.

13. Solar panels.

14. A sculpture in the garden.

15. Voice or app controlled electronics (such as lighting, TV, heating etc).

16. Barista coffee machine.

17. Wine cellar.

18. Outdoor kitchen.

19. Security cameras.

20. Pizza oven.

21. Trophies, awards, medals and certificates on display.

22. Automated blinds and curtains.

23. Built in wine fridge.

24. 'His and Hers' sinks in the bathroom.

25. Automated sprinklers.

26. Robot lawn mower.

27. Outdoor TV.

28. A fully stocked bar cart.

29. Wearable technology gadgets.

30. Outdoor fireplace.