Survey: Casual nights and outdoor living reshape home life

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

AMERICANS ARE EMBRACING A MORE RELAXED SPRING AND SUMMER – THINK LESS STRESS, MORE BACKYARD BBQS.

A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 AMERICANS FROM CURRENT FINDS NEARLY HALF WANT THIS SEASON TO FEEL LOW-PRESSURE AND EASYGOING.

MANY ARE PRIORITIZING SIMPLE PLEASURES LIKE PIZZA NIGHTS, SMALL GATHERINGS AND SPENDING MORE TIME OUTDOORS.

CASUAL HANGOUTS AND OUTDOOR COOKING TOP THE LIST, THOUGH MANY SAY TRADITIONAL GRILLING CAN STILL FEEL TOO MESSY OR HASSLE-FILLED.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, SUGGESTS AMERICANS ARE SHIFTING TOWARD EASIER, MORE FLEXIBLE WAYS TO GATHER AT HOME.

SO WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT’S YOUR IDEAL SPRING OR SUMMER VIBE? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans, split evenly between men and women, who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Current and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between April 6–9, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.