The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a swift evolution of the home. Where it was once a private space, it’s now a pseudo-public, multipurpose area required to fill a range of personal and professional needs. How can brands tap into changing nesting aspirations and address new domestic challenges?

Amid the chaos and unpredictability of 2020, people have stayed in their homes to shield from the virus and protect themselves from any social and political unrest. The home has become an essential safe space, and Americans are maximizing this sense of security with smart tech.

Research into the social roles Australians assign to their smart home devices found that while the majority want the technology to serve them, they’re more likely to want it to take on an ‘assistive’ or interactive role, rather than a ‘manager’ or proactive role, so they can retain control.

The shift to remote working has caused many Australians to rethink their approach to food, affecting not only what they eat, but how and where they prepare it. How can brands accommodate time-pressed workers who want to cook? And how might kitchens evolve in response to the new WFH norm?