Nearly One in Five People Are Eating Dinner on the Couch Now. Yes, Really.

The classic family dinner table is slowly being replaced by the glow of a TV and the soft embrace of a couch cushion. Progress?

A global survey of 30,000 people found the average dinner happens at 6:44 p.m. and lasts about 27 minutes. Not exactly a long, meaningful gathering… more of a pit stop between scrolling sessions.

Where are people eating?

• 44% at the kitchen table
• 34% in the dining room
• 25% at a table in the living room
• 18% fully committed to couch dining
• 4% standing in the kitchen
• 4% eating in bed like it’s a lifestyle choice

And no, “eating in bed” isn’t just a grandparent situation. Gen Z is about twice as likely to do it, proving the line between “cozy” and “crumb catastrophe” is getting blurrier.

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Screens are basically part of the meal now, too.
40% watch TV while eating with family.
15% keep the TV on even when guests are over.
Only 7% of households say the kitchen table is device-free.

So yes, we’re technically still eating dinner together. We’re just doing it while staring at separate screens, half-listening, and balancing plates on throw pillows.

The future of family dinner has arrived, and it’s wearing sweatpants.