Rethinking Home Design Post-COVID

Even after the lifting of stay-at-home orders, the experience of spending weeks inside our homes will have lasting effects on how we see and use our spaces. Haven’t we all come to see our homes a bit differently? We have become accustomed to doing so much more in our homes. We work at home, home-school our children, and find ways to keep everyone entertained while simultaneously creating space to retreat and relax.  

How will these temporary lifestyle changes have lasting impact on the design of our homes and office spaces? For one thing, we’ll likely see more dedicated spaces in our homes to allow for separate activities that need concentration and quiet. Open plan designs will still be a dominant design trend, however, we’ll see the addition of built-in nooks and other semi-defined areas for home offices and specific activity areas. We may even see the return of smaller, cozy entertainment areas such as the old fashioned den.

For some, having an actual door to maintain separation of work space from home life is crucial. Being able to close off your work activities from the rest of the home can help with your sense of productivity and allow for uninterrupted virtual meetings. To achieve this, you can repurpose an extra bedroom or designate a finished basement as work space for your home office. 

Redesigning a spare bedroom with a Murphy bed and using the closet as storage space is a solution to have both uses, guest bedroom and office space, in one room. Another great option is to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your property.

It’s not just our home interiors that we are seeing in a different light. Outdoor spaces and the connection to nature are incredibly important especially during stressful times. Did you know that simply viewing trees makes us happier and healthier? Homes that have plenty of windows, views of nature and access to outdoor space are homes that will literally improve our mental wellbeing and overall health. 

In addition to calming landscape designs and beautiful gardens, people are thinking of ways to use their outdoor spaces as exterior “rooms”, seeing the outside as an extension of their home. This can manifest as building outdoor kitchens, dining rooms, and furnished courtyards. Another option is a covered outdoor area so as to enjoy the fresh air while being protected from insects and weather. 

Has spending so much more time at home have you reconsidering the design or layout decisions of your current space? Your needs for your home evolve over the years, so the design that worked for years may no longer best serve you now. Perhaps the weeks of stay-at-home orders allowed time for you to dream of a new home custom designed to perfectly fit your lifestyle?