The new year is upon us, signifying a time of change and new beginnings. As we enter our third year of the Covid-19 pandemic, the role our homes play in our lives continues to evolve along with the pandemic. Where our homes were simply once a place for sleeping and relaxation, they have now morphed into living spaces, home offices, classrooms, and gyms, all in one house.
This has naturally sparked a change in the desired layout of our homes that can effectively meet all these needs. Spending more time in our homes has led to a quest to make each space multifunctional to maximize what the house is capable of offering. Gone are the days of the open floor plan. It has been replaced with dining rooms that double as offices, and guest units equipped with at-home gyms. Wide-open living rooms have been converted to smaller rooms in an effort to find privacy in a busy house. In an effort to avoid exposure, going out to bars and restaurants has become rare, so why not bring the bar to the safety of your own home? Interior designers are in high demand for design at home bars, built to personal preference.
Even with so much time spent at home, our lives are still hectic and it can be nice to find a place for peaceful refuge. Quiet spaces for reading or meditation have become very popular. Not only are the shapes of the spaces being reimagined, the decor and feeling of design have also begun to change.
Amidst the upheaval and uncertainty of the past two years, we crave a space that is warm and welcoming. The stark edges and all-white Scandinavian look that has been oh so popular has lost its appeal to the ideas of color and soft rounded edges. Design experts anticipate that the white walls will be painted over with dark browns and caramels, accented with the greens and blues of nature. While the color palette will mostly stay near the earth tones, the presence of color will bring so much more life to a room than white. The boxy couches will be replaced with soft curves and ruffles that evoke a feeling of comfort. To enhance this feeling of comfort there is a push to make the space feel lived in and welcoming. Designers are remarking that their clients are craving the old-world charm of antique furniture, reclaimed wood, and the plush comfort of armchair couches.
Being confined to the walls of our houses throughout the pandemic has led to a large amount of time spent walking through nature. This affinity for the outdoors is bound to weave its way into the designs of our homes. Not only will the colors of nature inspire color schemes, but natural materials will find their way into design. Walls will be graced with wallpapers inspired by nature’s botanical beauty. Countertops will be graced with reclaimed wood, terracotta, and stone. Even before the pandemic, plants had begun to appear along walls or in hanging pots as decoration. Not only do they add a natural touch to a room, but studies have shown that plants can improve air quality and reduce stress levels.
Design trends come in waves and now feels like the perfect time for a change. The overall takeaway from what design experts anticipate will emerge in the next year is a functional, inviting, natural, colorful, and comfortable space. If you’re looking for inspiration for a new kitchen or living room remodel hopefully this may give you a few ideas.