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Consumers are increasingly viewing the home as an environment that can support sleep, recovery, comfort, and everyday wellbeing as health becomes more closely woven into daily routines.
PwC’s Voice of the Consumer 2026, based on a survey of 21,808 consumers across 27 countries, found that people are managing their health more continuously and across a wider range of everyday settings. The research found that 55% were interested in devices, equipment, and smart environments, while 48% expressed interest in lifestyle, environmental, and sensory tools.
PwC encourages household and personal care companies to view the home, bedroom, and bathroom as environments that can support sleep, recovery, and daily wellbeing.
Bianca Leonard, Marketing Manager at lifestyle technology specialist Solenco, says the shift is changing what consumers expect from the technology they bring into their homes.
“The products gaining attention are those that improve the experience of everyday life. People want air that feels cleaner, rooms that remain comfortable, humidity that is easier to manage, and technology that works quietly around their routines,” says Leonard. “Smart functions earn attention when they make the home feel better and everyday living easier.”
The trend has particular relevance in South Africa, where homeowners continue to invest in improving their existing properties. The latest Absa Homeowner Sentiment Index recorded renovating sentiment at an all-time high of 82% in the first quarter of 2026. Respondents said renovations were primarily intended to add value, make living spaces more enjoyable, improve safety, and address repairs and maintenance.
For Leonard, the renovation trend brings the indoor environment into the design conversation alongside visible upgrades such as kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and entertainment areas.
“A renovation can change how air moves through a home, how heat is retained, and where moisture collects. When those conditions are considered early, homeowners can choose technology that supports the way the new space is meant to function,” she says.
That can mean managing airborne particles, avoiding persistent damp or overly dry conditions, and keeping temperatures more stable without asking one appliance to compensate for every problem in the room.
Energy efficiency is also becoming inseparable from comfort. As electricity becomes a larger household expense, Leonard says consumers are paying closer attention to wattage, energy ratings, Eco modes, timers, inverter compatibility, and whether an appliance is correctly sized for the room.
“Comfort should not depend on appliances running unnecessarily or consuming more energy than the space requires,” she says. “A well-chosen product uses technology intelligently, whether that means a heater maintaining a target temperature, a humidifier responding to humidity levels, or an air treatment device operating only when needed.”
Solenco says it is seeing growing interest in products that help households manage indoor air quality, humidity, temperature, and everyday comfort more deliberately. These include air purifiers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and smart heaters.
“The home is becoming an active part of how people care for themselves and their families,” says Leonard. “For brands, the responsibility is to offer products that earn their place through useful performance, thoughtful design, and a clear improvement to everyday life.”