A kitchen island staycation, anyone?

Like the definition of work, the meaning of wealth changes every generation. Once upon a time, it meant having the best weapons, a fancier cave than your neighbour to stay safe from prowling predators. Fast forward a few thousand years, and wealth still involves having the best tools. Only now it's a granite worktop, an essential Birkin bag, and subscription to a luxury spa that needs only membership renewal (not attendance). But according to a new survey by YouGov for HSBC UK, people's idea of wealth in 2025 isn't only about a Trump-stamped 'gold card' or pimped-up Lamborghini. Instead, a healthy 10% of respondents marked having a kitchen island - you know, the 2 m slab of quartz standing proudly in the middle of your home - as the 'right sign'. Perhaps inspired by all those OTT movies and shows, where the family congregates around that slab - instead of a so-passe dining table - we all now need one.

Sure, it's a humble dream. Billionaires have Beyonce perform at their parents' 25th wedding anniversary. But the next trending NBA - Next Big Aspiration - has to be that chunk of counter space big enough to chop onions while you look at the company spreadsheets, while following Adani share prices. If you have a big enough house, you'll have a big enough kitchen-dining room. And if you have that, you gotta have a kitchen island. Zimple.