Ease and efficiency have long been prominent strands in IKEA’s brand DNA. The furniture retailer has built a global empire – valued byForbesat just under $12 billion – off the back of making the task of house furnishing as painless as possible. But things could always be easier, right?

From being accustomed to renting our homes, and that power drill you only need once, we now don’t mind renting a nail polish that someone else has already had their hands on, or not owning our washing machine. But why aren’t people so keen to own material possessions anymore?

Sleep is a big deal – 60% of Americans crave it over sex. But traditionally a good mattress is an investment, costing up to $3,000. Tuft & Needle is changing that. It offers an affordable, high-tech design that means your partner won’t feel you’re there, or that their wallet is a new bed lighter.

In 2013, property prices in the UK increased by over 11%. Living spaces may be getting more expensive (and smaller) but new schemes aim to make houses better connected and personally serviced too. How are people and brands reacting to the changing nature of our homes?