House trumps spouse: Brits say home ownership matters more than marriage

Tuesday 21 October 2025

Buying a home ranks above becoming a parent as a key rite of passage into adulthood, chosen by almost half of Brits

New research also reveals the nation's top adulting' moments - from buying their first TV to calling it a night early

TV royalty Larry Lamb and social star Ash Holme bring to life the nation's most relatable adulting moments in a tongue-in-cheek video

Getting a grown-up telly has never been easier, with the Sky Glass Air TV available from just £6 a month

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More Brits consider getting on the property ladder a significant rite of passage into adulthood than tying the knot or changing nappies, according to new research from Sky.

While landing a full-time job does top the list of things Brits consider a significant rite of passage (58%), buying a home (45%) is now seen as a bigger deal than getting married (40%) or becoming a parent (39%).

A whopping 80% of Brits think adulthood looks very different today compared to past generations, with nearly a quarter (24%) admitting they're hitting traditional milestones later in life.

Modern adulting: from flatpack furniture to favourite supermarkets

From feeling flattered when getting ID'd to developing an obsession with their garden, Brits reveal the exact moments they realised they'd become a proper' adult. Over a third (37%) say buying their first big appliance, such as a washing machine or fridge, was the moment they truly felt grown up.

For just over 14.3 million people* (26%), it was buying their first TV, ahead of traditional milestones like setting up a pension (23%) and switching utility providers (10%).

Top 10 things that made Brits realise they had become a grown-up:

1. Buying your first big appliance - 37%

2. Buying your own TV - 26%

3. Setting up a pension - 23%

4. Calling it a night early by choice - 21%

5. Realising you're no longer the youngest at work - 21%

6. Hosting a dinner party - 20%

7. Growing fruit and veg - 18%

8. Treating your parents to a meal - 18%

9. Doing DIY - 17%

10. Hoping for rain for the garden - 16%

Larry Lamb + Ash Holme = friendship goals

To pay homage to the joys of modern adulting, Sky has teamed up with TV legend and much-loved dad Larry Lamb, and TikTok star Ash Holme in a tongue-in-cheek film. It sees the unlikely duo battle flatpacks, bin rotas and discuss what really happened on that fishing trip - before finally sinking into the sofa to enjoy Ash's new Sky Glass Air TV.

Larry said: Truth be told, I'm relieved that being a proper adult' still isn't really about age at all - it's when you start caring about bin day and get excited about a decent cuppa in front of your smart new Sky telly. Ash might be more clued up on TikTok than she is with a toolbox, but between us we nailed the adulting thing eventually.

The power of the TV purchase

We're a nation of proud telly owners, as a quarter of Brits (25%) say buying their first TV was one of their most significant grown-up purchases - more so than investing in home improvements or renovations (23%), getting a pet (12%) or buying an air fryer (6%). For many, it's their first real treat (33%), with 28% of respondents saying they took it as a sign they could afford something they wanted - a further 15% said buying their first TV felt like investing in their joy .

Carli Kerr, Managing Director of Sky TV said, It's clear adulthood can mean everything from bigger milestones like buying your first home, to little wins like tackling the DIY and calling it a night early. With Sky Glass Air available from just £6 a month, we're making one of life's grown-up moments - buying your first TV - simpler, smarter and more affordable.

Sky Glass Air is the stylish new TV from Sky with vibrant 4K picture quality, hands-free voice control, and Sky built in, all streamed over Wi-Fi, with no dish or box required. Available from just £6/month for new and existing customers.

With a Sky Essential TV subscription starting from £15/month for new customers which includes Sky TV, Netflix, and discovery+, telly fans can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment along with the smart Sky Glass Air TV experience from £21/month.

To find out more, visit sky.com/glass.

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