INDUSTRY INSIGHT
REAL ESTATE
When COVID-19-related closures began in March 2020 , many people hit big-box stores to prepare for a couple of weeks of inconvenience . Instead , they found themselves working from home permanently while supervising virtual classes and trying to safely take a stroll around the neighborhood . The days that followed brought swamped medical resources , a stratospheric real estate market , and a host of generation-defining paradigm shifts , which have created permanent changes in the way we think about our health and our homes .
As we are navigating life in this new era , many homeowners are thinking about ways to make their homes better suited to their new realities . Here are a few of the ways that everyone , from experts to individuals , are rethinking interior and exterior spaces , home design and daily living .
Goodbye open concept , hello flex spaces . For many years , the chopped-up , old-fashioned interior home layout has been out of favor , and the open-concept , free-flowing floor plan has been preferred by home buyers in virtually every category and market . However , the new reality — including working from home for multiple family members , virtual classrooms and the need for privacy when spending every minute of every day under the same roof — means that more homeowners are looking to transition their wide-open spaces into discrete , purpose-driven environments .
For some , this may be as simple as putting up a wall to enclose a little-used formal dining room . For others , it may mean adding walls and sectioning off existing open living spaces into a series of smaller rooms for a variety of uses . If you want to keep the option to have it both ways , consider adding French doors , pocket doors , or sliding barn doors to extra-wide doorways so that you can open up the space as needed .
Create separation between out there and in here . Before the COVID-19 pandemic , many people thought little about the transition between the great outdoors and interior spaces . However , months of wiping down groceries and careful handwashing have made many people more mindful of the guests , objects and germs in our interior environments .
One popular addition to current home styles is the transitional space , either in an existing foyer or as an add-on to a side or rear entrance . These spaces are good for added shoe storage , coat hangers , after-school cubbies and other fixtures to keep more of the outdoors away from the interior of the home . In addition , a handwashing station or a small powder room makes for an ideal space to wash up before interacting with other family members . For families who depend on delivery services more than ever before , small , covered , enclosed porches are increasingly popular . These provide a sheltered spot for grocery or package delivery without compromising home security .
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How COVID-19 Has Changed the Face of Home Design
Air purifying and cleaner living . Like commercial building owners and transportation providers , we ’ ve all started thinking more about the quality of indoor air . There are a variety of ways to ensure that your home ’ s air quality is as good as it can be :
• When possible , take the opportunity to replace the air in your home with fresh outdoor air . Turn off the AC or heat , open windows , and use ceiling and tabletop fans to circulate new air .
• Replace HVAC air filters frequently with the highest-quality filters possible to minimize pollutants .
• Invest in greener products for home building , design , décor and maintenance . Aim for fewer toxic chemicals in cleaning products , low VOC-emitting paints and fabrics , and fewer pesticides .
• Make sure you are up-to-date on maintenance of your HVAC system , or consider replacing it if needed , to make sure it ’ s operating at peak efficiency .
Outdoor spaces take center stage . The large movement from cities to the wide-open spaces of suburban and rural markets was driven by a desire for more outdoor space . After all , with the closure of entertainment and fitness venues , the ability to spread out and enjoy a more active lifestyle was partially dependent on the size of a lot or backyard . Now , many homeowners may prefer a backyard cookout instead of having guests all seated around the same table or milling about in one room of the home . In addition , with families spending the majority of their time in close proximity , there is even more need for outdoor spaces to stretch out , work out , get away and play .
Exterior features and accessory buildings . As more families seek to convert their existing properties into suitable environments for living , working and playing , accessory dwelling units ( ADUs ), guest houses and other exterior buildings have become sought-after options for creating space , privacy , and a delineation between work and home . These structures provide space for separate home offices , rental properties , or living quarters for immediate and extended family members . Storage buildings , pool houses and other recreational facilities are becoming more important as homeowners seek to optimize their outdoor living options . Increasing demand for pools , sport courts and workout facilities promises a similar demand for equipment and storage space to support a more active lifestyle at home .
Preparing for what ’ s next . This new normal is encouraging people to do more from home and rethink the way they live for the long term .
It only makes sense to ensure that your home is prepared to support more conscientious living — both now and in the future .
This Industry Insight was written by Christy Murdock Edgar for Good To Be Home Magazine , Issue 04 .
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