Yahoo News From wine cellars to home gyms: What Brits consider the ultimate status symbols in 2023
A survey of 2,000 UK adults has revealed that owning a pizza oven, a home gym and stylish garden sculptures are among the top 30 items that signify someone is doing well. The list also includes 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 Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980.
The research also found that 59 per cent of respondents agreed that you can gauge someone's success by the state and quality of their home and furnishings, as well as what they display on their walls, such as awards, trophies and certificates. The study further discovered that Gen Z, those aged up to 27, are most likely to view a walk-in wardrobe as a status symbol.
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, an app-integrated solar panel and battery system that allows users to generate their own energy from the sun, set budgets and save money on their energy bills.
Susan Wells, from the company, which focuses on retrofitting properties to lower their 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."
The survey found that nearly half (45 per cent) of all respondents believe being 'green' and caring for the environment is the ultimate status symbol. Furthermore, 29 per cent brag about having solar panels by discussing the financial benefits with friends, family and neighbours, as well as highlighting their environmental advantages.
A significant 33 per cent of the population admit to trying to 'Keep up with the Joneses', with a candid 42 per cent confessing to their neighbour that they're envious. In fact, a whopping 71 per cent admit to going out and buying an identical item.
Are you keeping up with the Joneses'? Find out in the quiz below.
Almost a quarter (24 per cent) have experienced being trendsetters themselves, with people copying something they had at their home. While 43 per cent felt flattered by the imitation, 17 per cent 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 remarked: "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."
THE UK'S TOP 30 STATUS SYMBOLS INCLUDE:
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.
