How the pandemic will change homes
Less open-concept living, easy-to-clean surfaces and return of once well-known ‘milk box’ are among the trends we can expect
Walls will go back up, delivery boxes will be built-in and ultra-hygienic surfaces are among the trends expected in new houses as a result of COVID-19.
As well, health-care workers could play a role in residential architecture and design, say some of the experts — including GTA homebuilders and interior design professionals — who we asked to explain how our homes will be built and outfitted going forward. Here are their thoughts: Return of walls: Toronto interior designer Cheryl Green, of Design in Motion, predicts the days of big, openconcept layouts are numbered.
“I anticipate a few more walls going up going forward and more separation of living spaces,” she said, as people realize they need a designated workspace that can accommodate chairs and desks with proper ergonomics, plus storage for work supplies, technology and accessories. Dedicated home offices: Rob Nicolucci, owner of RN Design, a Vaughan firm specializing in residential home design and community planning, has been conducting business from home since COVID-19 forced the closure of his office. And that has prompted him to rethink the design plans for his own new house.
“Working from home is difficult if you have multiple people there. I have three kids and I didn’t have a dedicated workspace,” Nicolucci said. “I’ve tweaked the new house’s design to add a room for myself and it will be hard-wired for WiFi.”
He anticipates working from home will continue to be common after COVID-19 subsides, thus creating more demand for home offices.
“It’s better for a work and family-time balance, and there will be more acceptance of it — even when it’s not mandatory.
“Social distancing is another reason people will want to work from home, as they won’t want to take a risk (being in contact with a lot of other people).”
Design consultant Yasmine Goodwin, principal at My Design Studio in Vaughan, said home offices will also have to accommodate technology for work stations, as well as good lighting, plus proper acoustics and pleasing background visuals for conducting video conferencing. Storage: As well as cupboards, cabinets and shelving for work-related supplies and home-schooling materials, Goodwin said there will be more pantry-type storage. Proper spaces will be needed to accommodate more tins, jars, packages and dry goods for longer periods of time.
Receptacles for home deliveries: At-home delivery has burgeoned since the start of the pandemic and Nicolucci said while some condo developers have incorporated designs to accommodate this, it’s time for lowrise builders and developers to now do the same.
“Why not try to accommodate where life is going? We have already started putting delivery boxes on porches to receive food and packages as there are a lot of issues with porch pirates.” Nicolucci acknowledged that the boxes can be bulky and unattractive, and may migrate to the garage — or come to resemble “milk box” delivery receptacles from the last century. More functionality and flexibility: Tony Gatti, partner in The Gatti Group homebuilders with his brother Joe, said residential design priorities will shift way from esthetics to focusing on flexibility, functionality and hygiene. Learning — as well as working from home — has to be accommodated for multiple ages of residents.
“This (COVID-19) is not going to end anywhere soon, there are more and more kids with learning disabilities and working at the dining room table might not cut it,” said Gatti. “You have to take all things into consideration when dealing with families and their needs. It’s not just about picking tiles and paint colours.”
His brother Joe said professional health-care workers, such as psychologists and social workers, may be included in the design process. “I think, longterm, we are going to be designing homes to fit all needs.”
They also predict homes will be designed to allow people to spend their entire lives in one residence, from the time they have young families through to their lives as seniors. As well, they see houses designed to accommodate multiple generations. Keeping family members safe if others in the residence are ill, or are exposed to health risks such those faced by frontline workers, the Gattis said home designs may include additional entrances, multiple areas for cooking, and suites that can be self-contained.
But, they added, planning policies and zoning considerations will have to change to allow for those redesigns. Programmed outdoor space: “Everyone is now focused on their backyards and they are spending the money they would have previously used to travel for their yards,” said Green. “They want the connection between indoor and outdoor space.”
Nicolucci concurred. “We’ll be utilizing backyards more. We like our backyard space, but we don’t do a lot with it. Programming of space will become more important — with more pools and other designated outdoor areas. People will become homebodies.”
Goodwin predicts a trend to backyards that allow for communal gathering and with features such as kids’ exercise areas. Finishes that focus on hygiene and health: “Until now, Joe and I heard, ‘Low maintenance, low maintenance, low maintenance,’ when we talked to clients about finishes,” said Gatti. “Now there’s a shift to easy cleaning — and they’re asking, ‘How do I clean this?’ ”
He anticipates a shift away from ornate baseboards and grout lines, and an embracing of flat surface cabinetry, for example.
Goodwin said kitchen and bathroom fixtures such as touchless faucets and countertops with antimicrobial properties will become popular. As well, she anticipates a return to white colour palettes.
“Sparkling white rooms and porcelain fixtures convey a visual sense of health and hygiene,” she said.