Defining home as your community

Greta lives in a senior women’s collective in Copenhagen, and loves socialising in person and online. ‘It’s the people who create the environment, not the furniture,’ she says. ‘There’s a place for lunch with many people that I go to nearly every day. Sometimes we have gymnastics, dancing and film club. My family lives abroad, so we use Skype. We’re nearly always in contact.’

Feeling at home in public spaces

Mary is the head of her family household in London. For her, places outside the home are essential for everyday wellbeing. ‘It can either be going to the gym or relaxing in the park. There’s a bench I like to go and sit on, with amazing views. I can contemplate everything and just have two moments to myself with no distraction, no feeling the need to get up and do.’

Finding home wherever family is

Jiaqin lives in Shanghai with his wife Gao and their child. ‘No matter if it’s a house or a flat, if it’s a place I bought or rented, as long as the person I love is there, that is my home,’ he says. ‘We can fish in the river, we can walk in the park, and they can also be seen as home.’

Using parks as an extension of home

Alessandro lives in a small apartment in Rome. ‘The physical space of my home must give me a sense of wellbeing,’ he says. ‘Right now, there’s not much space so I don’t feel great.’ His solution? To look for wellbeing elsewhere. ‘I feel the greatest benefit in the park, where I spend lots of time,’ he explains. ‘It allows me to unplug from any problems and relax.’

Making a neighbourhood your home

William from Jersey City finds a deep sense of belonging in his local area. ‘While I do enjoy being at home and having my space, I feel like being outside, seeing neighbours and even walking down the stairs and out the building is all part of life. Those are all little pieces of outside-the-home that make me feel at home.’

There are more home truths and trends revealed in the full Life at Home 2018 report