IKEA Study: In 4 out of 10 Homes in Romania, Clutter Becomes a “Silent Protest”

In 42% of households in Romania, someone leaves things out in the open, hoping someone else will deal with them. IKEA calls this behavior “silent protest” one of the ways clutter turns, day by day, into a quiet negotiation at home. This is one of the findings of the global IKEA Store & Organise Report 2026: Finding Meaning in the Mess, conducted on a sample of over 31,000 people across 31 markets, which shows that clutter can create tension at home and can influence overall mood.

For Romanians, finding the right storage space remains a daily challenge: 80% of respondents say there is at least one area in their home that they find hard to keep clutter-free. Most often, clutter stays hidden behind closed doors. Wardrobes and kitchen cabinets or drawers are each named by 30% of respondents in Romania as the areas hardest to keep tidy, followed by the fridge (20%). Visible spaces, such as kitchen countertops (17%) and living rooms (10%), are seen as less problematic. However, Romanians consider their homes tidier than the global average: 62% say they have an organized or clutter-free home, compared to 54% globally.

When it comes to making the most efficient use of available space, households in Romania combine dedicated storage solutions with a dose of improvisation. Packaging boxes are the most commonly used storage solution, by 48% of respondents, followed by shopping bags (31%) and suitcases (30%).

Organizing a home isn’t just about space, but also about relationships, memories and the stories people choose to keep. Romanians keep many things for emotional reasons: 82% say they keep objects purely for their sentimental value, even if they rarely use them or keep them hidden away. One in four Romanians (24%) hesitates to get rid of inherited items, out of fear that family members might be upset. The way we organize our homes can also be a habit passed down in the family: 18% of Romanians say they organize their home exactly the way their parents did, compared to 12% globally.

In terms of personal style, 54% of Romanians prefer a home where furniture and personal items give it personality and create a welcoming atmosphere, while 26% prefer a more minimalist approach.

“An organized home is always a work in progress. In Romania, people want practical solutions that help them find what they need more easily and make everyday life simpler, without giving up the objects, memories and personal details that turn a house into a home. At IKEA, we want to make organizing simpler and more accessible, so that people spend less time managing clutter and more time with the things that matter to them,” says Malina Iosef-Stoica, Home Furnishing & Retail Design Manager, IKEA Romania.

When guests are about to arrive, many Romanians turn to the “relocation strategy”: 24% move clutter from one room to another before guests arrive, and 21% hide things so visitors won’t see them, a percentage similar to the global average.

September 2026

About Ingka Group
With retail operations in 31 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer, generating 88% of total IKEA sales. It is also a strategic partner in the development and innovation of the IKEA business and contributes to shaping shared strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres.

Organizing the home can even influence social life: 15% of Romanians say that, in the past year, they have cancelled plans because they felt their home was too messy and wanted to tidy up first.

Searching for misplaced items can also affect our mood. 46% of Romanians admit that when they can’t find an object, it affects them to some extent, and for 11% of them, it can ruin their entire day.

10 Key Findings for Romania:

Silent protest: 42% of Romanians say someone leaves things out in the open for someone else to deal with, compared to 38% globally.
Organized, but not perfect: 62% of Romanians describe their home as organized or clutter-free, compared to 54% globally.
Behind closed doors: wardrobes and kitchen cabinets/drawers are the areas hardest to keep tidy, each mentioned by 30% of respondents.
The kitchen, a sensitive spot: 45% say clutter in kitchen cabinets and drawers can spark arguments, compared to 35% globally.
The wardrobe debate: 42% say clutter in the wardrobe can spark arguments, compared to 31% globally; among couples, the figure is 26%, compared to 18%.
The family model: 18% of Romanians say they organize their home exactly the way their parents did, compared to 12% globally.
Improvised storage: 48% use packaging boxes, 31% shopping bags, and 30% suitcases to store things at home.
The relocation strategy: 24% move clutter from one room to another before guests arrive, and 21% hide it from visitors’ eyes.
When the need for order wins: 15% have cancelled plans outside the home because they felt their home was too messy and wanted to tidy up first.
Searching for misplaced items affects our mood: 46% of Romanians say that not being able to find a certain object affects their mood to some degree, and for 11% of them, this can ruin the entire day.

September 2026

Everyday Solutions, More Accessible to More People

The results show that people are not looking for perfect, magazine-style homes, but practical ways to make everyday life simpler, while still leaving room for the things they love. For IKEA, this also means offering as many people as possible practical, well-thought-out solutions at accessible prices.

Starting September 1, IKEA Romania has lowered prices for over 1,200 products, by an average of 20%. These include products from popular ranges such as BESTÅ, KIVIK, KALLAX, VALEVÅG, DRÖNA and IKEA 365+. The new lower prices are available both in IKEA stores and online, helping more people better organize their homes and create space for what truly matters. In addition, until December 31, 2026, an additional selection of products will be available at lower prices exclusively in IKEA stores, and information about these in-store-only offers will also be available online.