How COVID-19 Is Changing Interior Design
The recent pandemic has changed much about the world we live in, and the way our homes are designed has been no exception.
Here are some of the most prominent design trends that emerged during this period.
3D Image by: Duke Renders
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound worldwide impact on most industries. Some of the most considerable changes came in the way we work, as working from home became a widespread phenomenon.
In fact, remote work became the most viable option for many people, which meant that the interior design needed to go through some transformations as well.
Our homes became more than they used to be. Rather than simple abodes, they turned into our offices, places where we find our entertainment, and even workout spaces.
We've been spending dramatically more time at home, resulting in new trends in interior design that reflect these changes. We’re no longer just looking for a space to spend our afternoons of leisure. Instead, we need a flexible environment to satisfy our personal and professional needs.
Without further ado, let's look at some of the most notable emerging trends that will likely shape our homes in the future.
3D Image by: Duke Renders
10 Interior Design Changes Influenced by COVID-19
1. More Comprehensive Home Offices
As many companies closed their offices, working from home became all but the norm. Suddenly, home offices needed to accommodate everyday work and provide an environment similar to traditional workplaces.
Casual spaces are no longer sufficient for this purpose. Your work surface isn't only where you occasionally come to check your emails or take care of minute tasks - it's where you do your job.
This redefining of home offices has underlined the need for expansive surfaces and storage, as well as more comfortable furniture and plenty of light. Multi-functionality is another crucial element, allowing for greater flexibility within our homes.
2. Antibacterial Materials
The COVID-19 pandemic put health concerns back in the spotlight. Along with the physical distancing rules, the awareness of viral, bacterial, and microbial health hazards has grown. As a result, the choice of materials we use in our homes has started to change.
Bronze, copper, and brass are becoming more prominent in interior design. These metals have a natural resistance to microorganisms and have been in use in medical facilities for some time. Besides the antimicrobial factor, bronze, copper, and brass also have an aesthetic role and can make every space warmer.
When it comes to wood, there are several choices that can prevent harmful microorganisms from spreading. The most prominent among them are oak, bamboo, and cork. Similar to the mentioned metals, these wood materials improve both cleanliness and the appearance of homes.
Finally, surfaces like countertops can accumulate stains and scratch marks that become a breeding ground for various microbes. That's why hard materials such as quartz are proving a more and more popular solution. Quartz is among the hardest stones available, excluding the precious variants.
3. Outdoor Living Rooms
As we spend hours on end indoors and face restrictions on our freedom of movement outside of our homes, every bit of outdoor time is becoming precious.
To that end, outdoor living rooms present an ideal solution. In fact, plenty of people have set up such spaces in their backyards. There's been a focus on making these areas usable for the better part of a year.
Outdoor heating is one of the primary concerns, with specially designed fire pits growing in popularity.
Other elements like windows, walls, screens and furniture need to fit into the backyard environment and still create an atmosphere of a living area. Since even people with relatively small backyards are creating these outdoor living rooms, there's a rising need for new design solutions.
4. Home Spas
As a means of relaxation and stress alleviation, bathrooms have started expanding into genuine home spas. These areas are no longer exclusively used for quick showers and maintaining hygiene. Instead, they're becoming our refuges from daily concerns.
Of course, bathroom equipment is the first element that reflects this change. More people are equipping their showers with additional functions, such as steam. Alternatively, they're replacing the showers with spacious, comfortable bathtubs that provide the ultimate relaxation.
With the bathroom becoming a place that nurtures our mental wellbeing, the interior design is aiming to reflect that purpose. This aspect is especially important in smaller spaces that need to be utilized to the maximum and even more in en suite bathrooms.
5. More Connection with Nature
By spending so much time within our homes during the pandemic, we've become somewhat separated from the natural environment. The upcoming trends in interior design aim to remedy this unfortunate effect.
Floral wallpapers and soothing colors and textures are meant to bridge this gap between our abodes and nature. Sliding doors and bigger windows serve the same purpose, bringing us closer to the outdoors.
Whenever we feel the disconnect from nature, the design of our homes can offer something in the way of comfort. Designs focusing on this crucial aspect of wellbeing are intended more for re-establishing the connection with nature than the appeal of their display.
6. Space Separation
With more time spent indoors, our homes can easily become crowded, restricting privacy and room for individual activities. Separating different spaces within the home is likely the best solution for this issue.
Workspaces are the most important areas that will need to be isolated. In many cases, the initial home offices were no more than converted rooms that might've not been properly separated from the common living space. In the future, floor layouts will need to accommodate remote work and will include genuine office spaces.
The same goes for entertainment and leisure spaces. Time spent during lockdowns has taught us, among other things, that having a dedicated space for various activities is crucial. That's why future interior design will undoubtedly incorporate rooms for media, gyms, and gaming hubs.
7. Expanded Kitchens
The kitchen has become one of the central areas in many homes. A place where the entire family can gather, it will require a change in size and layout, with a particular focus on ventilation and natural light.
More expansive kitchens are already in great demand, with integrated seating becoming a staple of these areas. New design solutions are also introducing multi-functionality to the kitchen space, as they'll become areas for many different activities, from dining to zoom meetings.
Kitchen equipment will likely also change regarding the materials used, with surfaces and appliances made out of antibacterial metals or covered with specialized coatings. On the subject of health concerns, technology might play a crucial role with automated and touch-free solutions based on sensors.
As our kitchens grow, the pantries will go through a transformation of their own. Larger storage spaces will be needed to go along with the more expansive kitchen space. Of course, this will make pantry design a vital part of the overall layout.
8. Home Gyms
Private gyms aren't a new concept in interior design. However, these areas have proven essential for many during the lockdown. Simultaneously, it has become apparent that there was room for improvement in the existing designs.
With the rise of online training, the need for quality screens and speakers has grown. Besides personal sessions, these features can allow for online exercise in the company of friends - a precious element of life in times of physical distancing.
Similar to other spaces in our homes, access to natural ventilation and light is a significant consideration. Plenty of fresh air and sunlight will make for a home gym that's not only pleasant but also provides a healthy workout.
9. Defined Entryways, Hallways, and Foyers
With the rising awareness of sanitary concerns brought on by the pandemic, defining the space that separates the interior of our homes from the outdoors has emerged as a widespread trend.
In terms of design, foyers and entryways will expand both in size and functionality. These will become the areas where guests can remove their shoes after stepping in from the outside, wash their hands, and proceed indoors.
Apart from these areas, secondary entrances will likely become a part of this trend, with spaces for storing new groceries that enter our home.
10. More Storage Options
Many families have experienced the discomfort of spending days, weeks, and months confined to their homes. A lack of ample storage space has mainly contributed to this discomfort, and interior designers and their clients alike have learned much from the experience.
There's a rising demand for storage units such as cabinets and ottomans in various home areas. These storage options are significant for families with young children who need the extra space to store toys and games.
3D Image by: Duke Renders
New Design for a More Functional Home
There's no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new needs and issues to the surface when it comes to our home layout. Luckily, the emerging trends are already discovering ways to introduce changes and improvements that will make everyday life more comfortable and our abodes suitable for work and leisure.
If you want to discover more ways to outfit your home with these latest solutions, you can do just that by booking a strategy call with Duke Renders.
