Move over, formal dining rooms—the sofa has officially claimed its crown as the new head of the table. According to a global study by IKEA, the way we eat is undergoing a transformation. In a survey of over 31,000 people across 31 countries, the Swedish furniture giant discovered that the traditional sit-down dinner is being swapped for screens, cushions, and a healthy dose of "comfortable chaos." While we still view food as a love language, the setting has moved from the mahogany table to the microfiber sectional.
The Couch is the New Cafeteria
If you’ve spent your evening balancing a bowl of pasta on your knees while catching up on your favorite show, you’re in the majority. In the UK, a staggering 48% of people now eat dinner on the sofa, making Brits three times more likely than the global average to ditch the dining table entirely.
But it isn't just the living room seeing all the action. The "bed-dine" is becoming a staple for younger generations. Globally, 4% of people eat in bed, a figure that nearly doubles among Gen Z. In the U.S. and Hungary, the urge to nest while you snack is even stronger, with 9% of residents opting for a bedroom banquet.
The 6:44 PM Dash: Dinner in Under 30 Minutes
The dinner bell rings at 6:44 PM on average globally, but don't expect a long, drawn-out affair. Most people are finished with their meal in just 27 minutes. The study also revealed a stark "speed gap" tied to economics: lower-income households are twice as likely to finish dinner in under 10 minutes compared to high-earners.
As for what's on the menu? We are creatures of habit. One in five of us cycle through the same 10 dinner meals week after week, while 40% of us eat the exact same breakfast every single day.
Digital Distraction and the ‘Social Pressure Cooker’
The "no phones at the table" rule has officially left the building. Only 7% of households maintain a device-free zone during dinner. For everyone else, screens are the ultimate dinner guests. 40% of people watch TV while eating with family, and 15% keep the television on even when hosting guests.
However, sharing the kitchen isn't always a recipe for harmony. Only 28% of couples enjoy cooking together, and 7% admit that trying to prep a meal as a duo frequently leads to an argument. In India, that "too many cooks" tension more than doubles to 17%.
Sustainability vs. The Sweet Tooth
Despite the chaos, we’re becoming more conscious of our footprint. Europeans are leading the "waste not, want not" charge, with 55% of Germans admitting to eating food past its expiration date to avoid throwing it out.
Meanwhile, our flavor palettes remain deeply personal:
- The Spicy Side: Norwegians are the world's biggest heat-seekers, while Japan—the birthplace of wasabi—actually reports the lowest tolerance for spicy food.
- The Sweet Side: China claims the world’s biggest sweet tooth, with 64% of people favoring sugary flavors.
- The Picky Eaters: Japan takes the top spot for pickiness (21%), while China is the least picky (7%).
Lorena Lourido Gomez of IKEA notes that while our rituals are shifting, the heart of the meal remains the same. "Modern life is reshaping one of our most human rituals," she says. "Food remains one of the strongest love languages across cultures."
