Here’s What Our Homes Will Look Like in a Post-Pandemic World
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COVID-19’s long tentacles have touched every single area of our lives, and our homes are no exception. We’ve contemplated whether the art on our walls is Zoom-worthy. We’ve bought ergonomic desk chairs. (Crashing on the couch with your laptop is comfortable for only so long.) We’ve made our yards more lounge-worthy to replace those longed-for vacations. The virus has wound up remodeling our homes, both inside and out.
Yet after nearly two years, mask mandates are slowly lifting in some states. And while it’s still too soon to tell what will happen, it begs the question: Once we finally emerge from the pandemic (yes, it will happen!), what shape will our home design take?
We tapped interior designers, architects, and builders for the inside scoop. If you’re thinking of a renovation, picking up stakes to move, or just gazing into the crystal ball of tomorrow, here’s what lies ahead in home design.
The incredible shrinking home office
Many businesses are bringing workers back to their desks at least part time, which means a scaled-down home office is trending right now. And along with a smaller workspace comes a greater focus on compartmentalization.
“Rather than wanting more room to work, a simple physical separation from the communal areas via a wall is the priority now,” says Melanie Turner, director of residential design for Pfau Long Architecture, the residential studio of Perkins and Will.
Not only does a partition between work and home offer the opportunity to leave out your laptop and papers and simply walk away, but it also affords homeowners some acoustic separation from the rest of their family watching TV nearby.
Amp up air circulation
Remember when we’d scrub produce from the store and leave our mail in the garage overnight in the hopes of ridding these goods of COVID-19? Yeah, we’re a lot smarter now, and we’re aware that this virus is spread through airborne particles and droplets. That has launched a demand for serious airflow throughout our homes.
“People will begin to find increased value in larger openings, like windows, sliding doors, and skylights. These will allow us to use our indoor space as if it were outside space,” says Turner.
The rise of hospital-grade air-filtration systems and germ-killing UV lighting might become standard, too.
A lot more color
Say bye-bye to that white and gray “modern farmhouse” interior aesthetic: That’s the verdict from Debra Kling of the eponymous color consultancy.
“Before, we looked to our homes for respite,” she says of this soothing, neutral color scheme. “But we’ve been home long enough that we’re bored. We want to experiment with our surroundings.”
The result? Paint shades that pop and bright new adornments for the walls. (Kling reports that “art sales have been through the roof.”)
“The future’s so bright, you’ve gotta wear shades” is a sentiment for the times we’re living in. Get set—it’s coming!
The return of fine dining
With less working from home and the kids back in school (at last!), you might discover that you own a large piece of furniture in the dining room. Yup, that big ol’ dining table has returned with a vengeance, as “spaces start shifting back to their original use,” notes Turner.
Although you might be excited to light those candles and throw your first dinner party in years, group sizes probably won’t balloon anytime soon, thanks to ever-present variants wafting across the globe.
“People will still opt for cozy gatherings that will stay more intimate,” says Marco Bizzley, interior designer and consultant at HouseGrail. Still, the possibility of setting a formal table with candlesticks and whatnot? Priceless.
Plants and other elements from the outdoors
Photo by Savvy Giving by Design
We can’t stop, won’t stop when it comes to adding succulents, ivy, and other verdant accents to the home. Plant ownership flourished during the pandemic as a way to reconnect with the outside world and reduce stress. This eco trend is going to stick around.
“Live plants will be a staple, and you may even see more natural wood textures in the home,” says Bizzley.
The bottom line: Bringing nature into the home, à la the decor style friluftsliv, is still a red-hot trend.
Take your patio private
Photo by Capital Renovations Group
The pandemic showed many homeowners the fabulousness of a tricked-out backyard. Why fret about the lack of dining out or resort vacations when kitchens, fire pits, movie screens, and inflatable hot tubs beckon right outside your back door?
The twist here, however, is that a bit of privacy will now be built in, says Matt Blashaw, home builder and real estate agent.
Now that we’re past lockdown mode, maybe we don’t want to be quite so up-close and personal with the Joneses.
“Bridging the indoor and outdoor space is key here, so an uptick in decorative screen panels on decks will be seen to create separation from indoor sightlines and especially from the neighbors,” says Blashaw.
The post Here’s What Our Homes Will Look Like in a Post-Pandemic World appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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