Despite all kinds of futuristic wonders in the modern home, a comfy sofa still rates as people’s number one priority according to a study by Banner Homes.
While good neighbours and a nice front and back garden are priorities to some, neither rate higher than a nice big sofa to snuggle up on during winter nights.
And the enduring importance of soft furnishings doesn’t stop with a sofa, a good bed is the UK’s fourth highest priority.
In fact, this rated above technological perks like fast internet, cable TV, a large fridge and dishwasher.
In fifth spot was off road parking, an increasingly rare commodity on many of the UK’s new housing developments.
A spare room is popular too, while a nice dinner table makes the top ten.
Surprisingly in this digital age of the Kindle a bookshelf still ranks highly, with many people keen to keep their books on display.
A roaring fireplace comes in just outside the top ten, perhaps indicative of the fact that there aren’t nearly as many around now as there might once have been.
The garden appears to be even lower on people’s list of priorities, although a garden shed, trees and a well maintained lawn do sneak on.
Also desirable is a patio and a barbeque, although you’d think that perhaps these would be more important if the same question was asked during the summer months.
An en-suite bathroom is 17th, while fitted wardrobes complete the list at 20th.
The survey also took into account external factors, such as the proximity of neighbours.
Feeling part of the local neighbourhood and having others just a few yards away gives many people a feeling of security, prized above being near to the supermarket or being within five miles of the countryside.
Piers Banfield, director at Banner Homes, said: “As a nation when it comes to home comforts, we like nothing more than a place we can unwind and recuperate at the end of the day and it’s no surprise that we value a good sofa so highly.
“Community spirit and a close bond between neighbours is arguably a little harder to come by these days, but the study proves it’s something we still view as integral to being happy with where we live.”
However six in ten don’t feel this is the case where they live, with many saying they live in an area with no community spirit.
The average UK resident attends just two events in the local community per year and a tenth of respondents went as far as to say they don’t trust a single one of their neighbours.
Here’s the list in full:
1. Comfy sofa
2. Good neighbours
3. Front and back gardens
4. Large bed
5. Off-road parking
6. Fast internet
7. Spare room
8. Bookshelf
9. Nice dinner table
10. Cable TV
11. Fireplace
12. Large fridge
13. Garden shed
14. Dishwasher
15. Trees in garden
16. Well-maintained lawn
17. En-suite bathroom
18. Barbecue
19. Patio
20. Fitted wardrobes
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