COVID-19 has changed a lot of things, including design habits. Here is how COVID-19 changed design habits in homes and business.
- A Shift of Focus to Cleanliness and Health:
Instead of picking materials that fit a desired look, people are picking materials that are easier to clean or may have contain natural antimicrobial properties, such as copper, brass and bronze. These materials are being used as doorknobs and small, commonly used surfaces, so that way, it’s easier to clean and will stay cleaner longer.
More people are also upgrading to touch-free solutions. With an advance in technology, we can now purchase hands-free sinks, toilets, thermostats, lights and so much more. These devices work by voice and/or motion command, or even through an app on your phone.
Also, consider using paint that sanitizes, such as Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint® with Sanitizing Technology. This paint helps sanitize your walls, keeping your walls safe and helping to keep you healthy.
- A Shift in Color and Room Design Trends
In 2020, the world got so crazy that we didn’t want to think about leaving our homes. While cooped up in our homes, many of us spent time on the web looking up new design trends and rethinking our aesthetic. Color is back! We are seeing a decrease in all black and white designs, and an increase of two other now trendy designs.
Natural colors: Bringing in cozy worth more people are opting for browns and creams to create a more relaxing space that helps them calm down and enjoy life.
Bold colors and designs: Using more dark, moody colors such as an earthy blue or green. Creating a bold space can help you feel more energized and creative! This trend has also brought back wallpaper.
- Quality
We spent a lot of time at home during the pandemic and our furniture and appliances got more use. We realized that the cheap boxed furniture from the big box stores is not always the best. So, sales in higher quality furniture have increased. Furniture that can stand the test of the increase of use. What furniture has seen the most increase? Desk, chairs and storage.
- Multi-Use Spaces/ Using Your Space More Wisely.
We didn’t need that dinning room, guest bedroom, or spare room anymore. So, those got switched over to offices or other needed spaces. And, those non-everyday rooms served a bigger purpose. For example, in my uncle’s house, the formal dinning room got switched to my aunt’s office, the guest bedroom was switched to my uncle’s office and the video game set up in my cousin’s room got switched to a school space (then let’s be honest, it was a video game space after school).
This helped them all focus on the work they needed to get done and added some privacy for those zoom calls. Now, they are using that former dinning room and guest room more then ever. Once they are done with work and school and use the other parts of the house, such as the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms, it feels like they are away from work. It’s better than working from the kitchen counter or the coffee table.
We have also seen a decrease in open concept designs. People want walls to make each space feel different and like it’s serving it’s purpose.
- Prioritized Outdoor Living Spaces.
We see an increase of this everywhere. From restaurants adding outdoor dining, to people upgrading their outdoor spaces. Whether you’re an outside person or not, nature and being outside improves our mental and even physical health. No wonder people wanted to be outside more! From more people going to the parks to more individuals investing in new deck furniture, outside became more of a long-term trend.
We see more people upgrading their decks. However, sales in pools, trampolines, outdoor furniture and even landscaping supplies have also gone up! This is also affecting trends on the inside too. Newer buildings are adding more windows, glass doors and skylights to try to bring the outdoors inside. Other less costly upgrades include more indoor plants and using other design methods such as use of colors and mirrors.
Which post-2020 trend do you like the best? Have you done any of these yourself? If you’re thinking about doing some re:painting or re:modeling, whether it’s to keep up with any trend, or just for a re:fresh, re:fab can help! With over 30 years of experience, we know how and what to do! Contact us today for your free estimate.
Re:sources
4 Ways COVID Has Changed Home Design (forbes.com)
SuperPaint Interior Latex with Sanitizing Technology | SherwinWilliams (sherwin-williams.com)
