#Japan #Tokyo #LIXIL #IOT products #Home Equipment

Understanding the Needs in New Housing

In February 2026, LIXIL Housing Research Institute conducted an extensive survey among 600 married men and women, aged 20 to 40, who either built or are planning to build custom single-family homes. This research focused on their preferences regarding home purchases, desired equipment and spaces, and interest in IoT products.

Key Findings from the Survey

The survey offered crucial insights into consumer priorities when purchasing a home. It highlighted the stark contrast between initial costs and ongoing living expenses:

• - Initial Costs vs. Life Costs: When asked about priorities, 34.8% indicated that lower initial costs are essential, while a significant 65.2% emphasized the importance of cheaper living costs, which comprise utilities and other recurring expenses.

Equipment and Space Preferences

1. Current Preferences

The survey categorized responses into four distinct areas regarding home equipment and space needs:

• - Essential Already Owned: The top five home features that respondents currently own and consider essential are:

- Bathtub (72.5%)
- Kitchen (70.7%)
- Stove (69.2%)
- Individual children's rooms (64.2%)
- Dishwasher (59.3%)

2. Future Aspirations

More interestingly, when asked what they wish to have in the future, respondents mentioned:

• - Large pantry (30.8%)
• - Dedicated space for robotic vacuums (27.8%)
• - Efficient workflow for household chores (27.7%)
• - Garden (27.3%)
• - Smart home functionalities (26.8%)

3. Unnecessary Features

Interestingly, the features that some respondents found unnecessary, despite having them, included:

• - Space for robotic vacuums (10.2%)
• - Smart home functions (10.0%)
• - Balconies (9.0%)
• - Kitchen appliances (8.5%)
• - Dishwashers (8.5%)

4. Features Not Desired

Furthermore, when looking at features that respondents felt they would never need, the responses included:

• - Space for robotic vacuums (29.3%)
• - Tatami rooms / Guest rooms (27.2%)
• - Smart home features (26.0%)
• - Solar panels / storage batteries (26.0%)
• - Laundry room (21.3%)

Interest in IoT Products

When it comes to IoT devices, security seems to be the main concern. The top products respondents expressed interest in were:

• - Doorphone monitors (35.3%)
• - Smart locks for entrances (34.3%)
• - Outdoor security cameras (34.0%)
• - Autonomous appliance control (32.0%)
• - Smart delivery boxes (31.5%)

Targeted Participants

This research encompassed two groups:
1. 400 individuals who built custom homes within the last five years.
2. 200 individuals who plan to construct custom homes within the next three years, responding based on their anticipated construction.

Methodology

The survey was conducted online from February 16 to 22, 2026, throughout Japan, by Marketing Research Services Co., Ltd. Their approach ensured a balanced representation across genders.

Conclusion

As a part of the LIXIL Group, which specializes in a wide array of living-related businesses, this survey provides an essential snapshot of modern housing preferences. Understanding these trends can guide future developments in home design and IoT convergence, emphasizing the growing need for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in everyday living.