The majority of British citizens do not feel they conform to conventional household stereotypes, Legal and General has suggested.

New research from the financial services provider has indicated that 68 per cent of people questioned said they would not describe their familial situation as traditional. Furthermore, of those people who would be categorised as such, 40 per cent do not feel their living circumstances could be labelled as average. The Changing Face of British Homes study identified that while the number of conventional households – defined as a married couple with children – are declining, other living scenarios are on the up. More than three-fifths (62 per cent) of those questioned said the majority of households in their area were constituted by people living alone, while 71 per cent said their neighbourhood was made up mainly of single parent families.

In carrying out the study, Legal and General questioned 3,000 people across the country to obtain a picture of prevalent perceptions regarding a number of cultural and social factors. As well as unveiling that many Britons do not feel they are represented by any notion of an average household, a large number of respondents also expressed a heightened awareness of emerging environmental concerns that affect their home and the community. For example, 96 per cent of those questioned said they had enacted some measures in the home with an aim to reduce their environmental impact.

For those keen to improve the sustainability of their home, taking out a homeowner loan may prove an effective way to make substantial enhancements such as insulation and double-glazing to properties quickly.

However, the study indicated that for 82 per cent of respondents, there was some annoyance at some eco-friendly initiatives which were being thrust upon them by the government and local councils.

Prominent among these was a charge for waste removal – which 54 per cent of people said they were unhappy about – and a reduction in the number of rubbish collections, which 50 per cent of consumers expressed dismay about. Meanwhile, 23 per cent said they were unimpressed about being charged for using plastic carrier bags in shops.

Respondents also identified a substantial change in the overall look and feel of their neighbourhood, with 91 per cent saying their community had transformed significantly in the past five years. Changes inside the home were said to be no less significant.

The group explained: “The role of the kitchen is facing a revolution. As technology and working from home move into the kitchen the traditional use of this food-focused room is changing. In households with young children, homework dominates kitchen table activity … In contrast households of young professionals are using the kitchen to work remotely. Home connectivity is also broadening our leisure horizons with 40 per cent listening to the radio online, 39 per cent using it to download music and 12 per cent making calls over the internet.”

For those looking to make significant improvements to their kitchen or another area of their property, taking out a homeowner loan may allow them to get the job done quickly with minimal disruption to domestic life. Taking out this type of loan may also be of interest to those people identified in a recent Alliance and Leicester study as being unable to afford many household repairs.

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