There’s no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic has changed our way of life—from the ways we work, eat, educate our children, travel, and entertain, all the way to what we consider “home.” Once the virus subsides, the effects of this experience will be long-lasting, perhaps even permanent. 

“Even as shelter-in-place orders lift, consumers will take a closer look at their homes, how they function, and how they can transform them into a sanctuary.” 

—Dee Schlotter, Senior Marketing Manager, PPG Paints

According to a recent survey by Houzz, 79% of homeowners say they’re now considering major home remodeling and design projects after spending more time at home during the pandemic. 

How exactly the world will change post-pandemic remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: our live-work spaces will be drastically different than the way it was pre-pandemic. “Design is going to be much more personal and, in some ways, technical, as people use their homes for work, school, and beyond,” says designer Christiane Lemieux.

Renovators, architects, and interior designers are beginning to identify the features which will grow in demand to adapt to the lifestyle changes brought about by the pandemic. Homeowners who are considering remodeling projects would be wise to incorporate some of these trends into their plans.

Reimagined Layouts

“We can expect to see a shift back toward a more traditional floorplan style,” says New York designer Daun Curry. “Modern open-plan living is popular for many reasons, but during this period, we are realizing it can be a hindrance when our work lives merge into our living spaces.”

Clearly Defined Spaces

“Moving forward, there will definitely be a trend and acceptance towards more working from home,” says Max Strang, founder of Miami design firm Strang. 

Clearly delineating space will become much more important to establish efficient spaces in which we work, learn, and play under one roof. 

“How do you create a modern home… a modern floor plan for a modern family?” posits Jim Westover, partner-principal at William Duff Architects. “The open-plan concept probably doesn’t work so well if more than one person is working from home or if the kids are being noisy, so that concept may be refined with partitions to dedicate space for working/home office—or some hybrid where the communal spaces are open concept, but they are supplemented by adjacent spaces that can accommodate quiet, focused activities or work.” (Click here for some design ideas.)

Work-From-Home Functionalities

Home offices must now be fully functional with proper seating, work surfaces, lighting, acoustics, and temperature control. “Rather than working from the dining room or family room shared with kids, by differentiating spaces we can empower people to be just as productive from home as they [would be] in an office setting,” San Francisco architect Andrew Mann predicts.

Amy Smith, director of high-performance task seating at Herman Miller, whose brand’s ergonomic task seating sales went up considerably following the shutdown, says, “Ergonomics in all environments has never been more important. People previously could get away with having a subpar chair at their house when they only worked in that chair one day a week, but if they’re going to be working from home, two, three, four days a week, they’re going to need to make sure both working environments, home and work, are fully equipped to support them.”

Working Out At Home

With gyms closed and with limited prospects of reopening permanently any time soon, people have resorted to at-home workout regimens. But where does exercise take place when a partner is on a conference call and the kids are in Zoom classes? “Home gyms have become almost as important as the home office,” Westover says. “While a high percentage of home gyms may not have previously been used, they probably are now that wellness at home has become more of a focus.” Gym equipment sales statistics on Houzz, for example, are nearly eight times higher now compared to the months prior to the pandemic.  

Outdoor Living Options

Outdoor dining and entertainment areas, which before the pandemic were already a “must-have” feature for the new generation of homebuyers, will take on renewed importance post-pandemic. Architects and designers are seeing increased interest from clients wanting to create fresh-air havens on their properties, incorporating unique elements such as pergolas, water fountains, ponds, and fire pits. Click here for some ideas.

Wellness & Health Integration

“As the global community at large has spent much more time at home these days, one thing has certainly come to mind: a home should be a sanctuary,” says Andrew Shead, marketing manager at luxury manufacturer True Residential.

Homeowners are beginning to consider meditation areas and spa-style bathrooms with large soaking tubs, natural light, and expanded views to the outdoors. Kitchens are growing in importance as well. “Kitchens and gathering spaces have always been priorities but will become especially significant in a post-COVID world,” predicts Mann. Beyond functioning as the hub of the home, kitchens have regained importance as people are cooking at home more due to both necessity and enjoyment.

Hygiene products are also trending. Antibacterial and antimicrobial surfaces, such as porcelain tiles, quartz, granite, solid-surfacing like Corian, or laminate countertops like Formica or Wilsonart in kitchens and bathrooms, stainless steel for appliances, and copper and Krion will become more common for countertops and bathroom finishes.

 

Can We Help?

We want you to be as prepared as possible for the post-pandemic world. If you need advice on bettering your home, let Julie and our team know so we can share more of our insight with you.

Please contact Julie at 650.799.8888 or Julie@JulieTsaiLaw.com to schedule a free consultation.