South Africans have officially been crowned the world's biggest homebodies.
According to a recent global study by UK furniture specialists Sharps, South Africa ranked number one on the Homebody Index, outperforming countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States. The study measured everything from emotional attachment to home and hosting habits to how often people choose a night in over a night out.
For most South Africans, this probably comes as no surprise.
Home has always occupied a special place in our culture. It's where families gather around the television to watch the rugby, where friends come together for a braai, where children build forts in the living room and where life's everyday moments quietly unfold. While many countries associate leisure with going out, South Africans have long understood that some of life's greatest pleasures happen right at home.
The study revealed that 76% of South Africans would rather spend a night at home than go out, while nearly half admitted to regularly declining social invitations in favour of staying in. Even more telling, many respondents said they felt relieved when plans were cancelled because it meant they could spend the evening relaxing at home instead.
And honestly, we understand why.
Why South Africans Love Staying Home
Being a homebody isn't about avoiding the world. It's about creating a space that feels comfortable enough to compete with it.
After a long day navigating traffic, work commitments and the pace of modern life, home offers something increasingly valuable: the opportunity to slow down. It's a place where expectations disappear, where comfort takes priority and where we can spend meaningful time with the people who matter most.
South Africans have always placed a strong emphasis on hospitality, family and connection. Whether it's hosting friends for a casual get-together, sharing a meal with loved ones or simply enjoying a quiet evening on the couch, home remains the backdrop to many of our most treasured experiences.
Perhaps that's why South Africa achieved the highest score on the Homebody Index. We're not staying home because we have to. We're staying home because we've created spaces we genuinely enjoy being in.
The New Luxury Is Comfort
For years, luxury was defined by travel, fine dining and busy social calendars. Today, however, the definition of luxury has shifted.
Increasingly, luxury looks like having nowhere to be. It looks like a slow Saturday morning, a movie marathon with the family or an uninterrupted afternoon spent reading a book. It looks like comfort.
This shift has transformed the way people think about their homes. Instead of treating their living spaces as purely functional, homeowners are investing in environments that support relaxation, connection and wellbeing. The living room has become more than just another room in the house. It's become the heart of the home.
And at the centre of almost every living room sits one piece of furniture that influences how we experience that space more than any other: the sofa.
Why Your Sofa Matters More Than You Think
Think about how much time you spend on your sofa throughout the week.
It's where you unwind after work. It's where you gather with family on weekends. It's where guests naturally gravitate when they visit. It's where movie nights happen, conversations unfold and everyday moments become lasting memories.
A sofa isn't simply a place to sit. It shapes how a home feels.
The right sofa can make a room feel welcoming, comfortable and inviting. It can encourage connection, create opportunities to relax and transform an ordinary living room into a place where people genuinely want to spend their time.
When people talk about creating a home they love, they're often talking about creating a feeling. Comfort. Warmth. Belonging. And few pieces of furniture contribute more to that feeling than a well-designed sofa.
Designed for South Africa's Homebody Lifestyle
At Zorora, we believe that a sofa should do more than complete a room. It should become your favourite place in the house.
Every Zorora sofa is designed around the way South Africans actually live. From family movie nights and weekend gatherings to quiet evenings spent unwinding after a long day, our sofas are crafted to support the moments that matter most. Generous seating, premium cushioning and timeless design come together to create furniture that's built for everyday living.
Because when you're spending more time at home than anywhere else, comfort isn't a luxury. It's essential.
A great sofa becomes the place where children climb up beside their parents, where conversations continue long after dinner and where friends settle in and never seem to want to leave. It's the place you look forward to returning to after a busy day and the reason staying in starts to feel like the best plan of all.
We like to think that's part of the reason South Africans love being at home so much.
Home Is Where Life Happens
The Sharps study confirms something many South Africans have known for years: home is more than a physical space. It's where we feel most comfortable, most connected and most ourselves.
As the world's number one homebody nation, we've learned that some of life's most meaningful moments don't happen at crowded venues or expensive destinations. They happen around the living room. They happen while watching sport with friends, sharing stories with family or simply enjoying the comfort of a quiet evening at home.
In a world that constantly encourages us to go somewhere, do more and stay busy, there's something refreshing about recognising the value of staying in.
At Zorora, we're proud to help South Africans create homes they genuinely love spending time in.
After all, when your sofa is designed for exceptional comfort, staying home doesn't feel like missing out.
It feels exactly where you want to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was South Africa ranked the world's biggest homebody nation?
South Africa achieved the highest score on the Sharps Homebody Index, which measured emotional attachment to home, comfort preferences, hosting habits and attitudes towards staying in versus going out.
What percentage of South Africans prefer staying home?
According to the study, 76% of South Africans said they would rather spend a night at home than go out.
Why do South Africans enjoy spending time at home?
Many South Africans value comfort, family connection and relaxation. Activities such as braais, movie nights, watching sport and spending quality time with loved ones contribute to a strong home-centred culture.
What makes a home feel more comfortable?
Comfortable furniture, warm lighting, soft furnishings and a well-designed living space all contribute to making a home feel more welcoming and enjoyable.
Why is a sofa important in a living room?
A sofa is often the focal point of a living room. It's where families gather, guests relax and everyday moments happen. A comfortable sofa can significantly improve how people experience their homes.
Why choose a Zorora sofa?
Zorora sofas are designed for comfort, quality and everyday living. Whether you're hosting friends, spending time with family or enjoying a quiet evening at home, a Zorora sofa helps make staying in feel like the best seat in the house.
Source: Sharps Homebody Index - Home Is Where the Heart Is: Which Countries Love Staying at Home Most? (2026)
