MCLEAN, Va. - A recent survey* revealed that, contrary to the “small-space living” trend, Americans agree that having more space gives them a delightful boost in all aspects of life. In fact, 87 percent believe having extra space to themselves makes them better people, with 55 minutes of “me” time being optimal to recharge. Participants claimed having this alone time made them feel more energized (56%), friendlier (53%), funnier (23%) and smarter (22%). The survey was conducted on behalf of Embassy Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton.
“Studies show that perception of environment can have an impact on our happiness,” said Amy Blankson, positive psychology researcher and co-founder of consulting firm GoodThink. “While there is a push to go small – like mini cars and tiny houses – it’s more important to have spaces that match form and function in our lives. When we align purpose and meaning, there’s a positive uptick in mood and increased productivity.”
But it’s not all about emotional space - having more room to spread out also ranked high on the list according to respondents. A surprising 74 percent of people are unwilling to give up their personal space even if it means spending a day with their celebrity crush – sorry, Ryan Reynolds, they’re just not that into you.
“We have nearly 140,000 sizable and affordable suites globally that provide guests with the space they need,” said Dianna Vaughan, global head and senior vice president, All Suites brands by Hilton. “Whether to practice morning yoga, to have a kid-friendly space for playtime, or to simply find a solo sanctuary, our suites are designed to accommodate every lifestyle.”
Other survey highlights include:
- Space is Good for Business: 89 percent of people believe changing their work environment throughout the day gives them an actual boost. Pay attention employers: more space options equal employees who feel more productive (49%), calmer (40%), happier (34%) and more creative (31%).
- Space is Good for Parenting: 71 percent of parents admit to doing whatever it takes to get alone time, and 69 percent feel renewed, not guilty, when given the space they need. Do these excuses sound familiar? Running a faux errand (28%), feigning sickness (20%), making an imaginary call (16%), or lying about needing to work earlier or later (15%).
- Space is Good for Travel: 70 percent of travelers feel stressed when there isn’t enough space to keep up with their routine. The top mood-breakers that leave people wishing they had more space while on the road: Grouchy companions (40%), being stuck in middle seat (22%), snoring roommates (20%) and road tripping in a small car (18%).
*Wakefield Research surveyed among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 25+, between October 15th and October 22nd, 2018 using an email invitation and an online survey, with an overall margin of error of three percent.
