Tech gadgets – from TVs to laptops and mobile phones – are making Irish homes happier places, according to new research by technology brand Bush at Argos.

The survey also showed that we are spending more than ever to make our houses and apartments as nice and comfortable as possible with yearly spending of €183 on living rooms and €171 on kitchens.

Independent research carried out for Bush shows that the television (67%) tops the list of people’s favourite tech items within the home. This was closely followed by the laptop (60%); mobile phone (60%); radio (30%) and music player (28%).

It also revealed what people are doing with technology and when they use it within their home:

• 69% use it simultaneously when they’re watching television

• 52% use it simultaneously when they’re working on their laptop

• 51% use it whilst eating food

• 49% use it when they’re lying in bed

• 17% use it when they’re sitting on the toilet

Almost half of those questioned (49%) said that entertainment tech was very important in their homes while a quarter said that their home have become “happier” since the introduction of household technology. Technology was most important in the living room (81%) followed by the kitchen (32%).

The survey also found that most Irish people started thinking about buying homewares as opposed to spending on clothes, entertainment etc around the age of 25 with 24% saying the “switch” took place then.

The research for Bush suggests that over three-quarters of those surveyed say the switch came when they first became a home-owner or were allowed to decorate their home without parental input. Another influencing factor was when people became parents and wanted the home to be the perfect fit for the new arrival.

With an average of five rooms per home, the average person spends €183 a year furnishing their living room; €171 on the kitchen; €157 on the bedroom; €128 on the dining room and €112 on the bathroom.

Irish consumers are also looking for a variety of outlets to help research their homeware decisions with over half saying that they use their gadgets on a daily basis but shop at department stores (53%), high street stores 20% and supermarkets (11%).

People in Ireland have also made some interesting style choices through the years when it comes to decorating their homes with research revealing the top four most embarrassing choices:

Two of the most embarrassing homeware decorating choices are related to technology, showcasing just how much consumers include technology within their homeware choices. Despite some seriously outdated technology 22% of people said they update their technology when it breaks, others only update at Christmas or during the New Year sales.

Andrea Derrick, Bush brand controller, added: “Bush provides great value technology for all ages and all homes, there are fantastic style-led, smart products for the home to suit all tastes from Bush Classic retro radios to the latest 4k HD LED TV. Bush is all about making our homes better and our lives simpler and more enjoyable, helping to take any hassle out of the home and letting you have more time to enjoy it.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact aoife.sweeney@argos.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @ArgosIreland_PR
The research was carried out for Bush by Opinion Matters using a sample of 502 people.

About Sainsbury’s Argos

Sainsbury’s Argos is a leading UK digital retailer and sells more than 60,000 products under the Argos and Habitat brands. It sells through www.argos.co.uk, www.habitat.co.uk, its growing mobile channels, its 845 stores and over the telephone. Argos Digital Stores and Mini Habitats can also be found in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Argos is the UK’s largest high street retailer online and the second most visited website, with nearly a billion website visits a year. More than half of the company’s sales originate online and around 120 million customer transactions take place in its stores each year. Argos offers customers market leading delivery and collection services, including Check & Reserve, Fast Track Delivery and Fast Track Collection which make customers’ lives easier, every day.

Sainsbury’s Argos is part of J Sainsbury plc, a leading retailer of food, clothing and general merchandise and owner of Sainsbury’s Bank. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers live well for less has been at the heart of what the company does since 1869. J Sainsbury plc employs 195,000 colleagues across the UK and Ireland whose strong culture and values are integral to driving its success – now and in the future. Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer where people love to work and shop.