Coronavirus having an impact on design trends
If you’re a fan of home improvement shows, you’re accustomed to seeing contractors and homeowners wielding sledgehammers on demolition day as they tear down walls to create openconcept layouts.
But in the wake of COVID19, many are predicting a return to more traditional layouts as we use our homes for work, school, exercise and more.
Many professionals now working from home, for instance, are craving spaces that provide a quiet refuge from the comings and goings of other family members so they can be more productive, including when attending virtual meetings.
As a result, home offices need to be fully equipped, complete with ergonomic seating and comfortable work surfaces and lighting that also contribute to their wellbeing.
Design trends are reactions to social change and needs so it’s a given the way we design our homes will be different post-pandemic, reasons Karl Lohnes, editor at large of Style at Home magazine.
“People will want rooms again and will want privacy, whether they’re working from home more often or spending more time alone, perhaps being entertained by tech or audiovisual,” he predicts.
“I think open-concept spaces will only be popular in small spaces where maybe one or two people live. Openconcept spaces in family-sized homes will probably change,” says Lohnes.
Mobile partitions with acoustical properties could provide a viable solution to existing open-concept spaces. They’re already common in commercial settings but the newest generation have a residential aesthetic thanks to a wider variety of colours and textures.
With many believing restaurants will never be the same again, both kitchens and dining rooms are regaining importance. Once social distancing measures are lifted, imagine inviting friends over for a take-out meal from your favourite restaurant, perhaps with an international theme.
Like countless others, Lohnes has discovered baking during the pandemic and has been taking his culinary journey to the outdoor grill, underscoring the renewed appreciation for outdoor spaces.
He believes people will continue to shop online, making a parcel mailbox that keeps deliveries safe from porch package theft and inclement weather a must-have.
The trend towards ‘less is more’ as homeowners recognized they had too much stuff to function properly in tight quarters and finally had time to declutter is also here to stay, Lohnes predicts.
Jane Lockhart of Jane Lockhart Interior Design in Toronto has gazed into her crystal ball and expects homeowners will want resort-like amenities so they can enjoy their homes even more.
“Travel budgets will be repurposed into our homes,” says the designer, TV personality and author. “Items such as full outdoor living spaces – including kitchens, lounge areas, dining and activity areas – will continue to be important. Homes or apartments with private outdoor space will become most desirable.”
With recent times shining the spotlight on the importance of fully-functional spaces, Lockhart expects kitchenettes with coffee bars and mini fridges will be incorporated into master bedrooms, basements or guest rooms.
The demand for flexibility and function will continue to ramp up.
“Although there may not be designated rooms for office space, permanent and pleasant working areas with storage and proper seating will need to be incorporated in homes,” Lockhart says.
“These will need separation from family and the ability to be closed off, especially in smaller spaces or condos. Closet spaces may now do double duty and become desks and storage behind closed doors.”
Gyms or flexible activity spaces will continue to increase in popularity so staying fit at home is a real possibility.
The demand for smart technology on phones will continue to grow.
“Garages, mudrooms, porches or spaces with a connection to the outdoors will need to incorporate safe drop-off zones for packages,” she says. “This will eliminate direct contact and deter theft.”
Thanks to our newfound commitment to hygiene, Architectural Digest predicts antibacterial and antimicrobial surfaces like porcelain, quartz and granite in kitchens and bathrooms, stainless steel appliances, and touchless faucets and toilets will also be trending.