Can you believe that it’s almost a year since covid became a thing in the UK? A year in which the way we live and interact with ourselves, our friends and family, and our homes has changed beyond recognition. It’s still hard to comprehend, right? So perhaps it’s time to accept that life as we once knew it is unlikely to return, and that perhaps we need to become OK with living a new normal? And what better place to start than our homes.
Cue this inspiring blog by Zoe Sessums ‘7 Renovation Trends to Look Out For in 2021‘. It says: [2020] saw an incredible shift in the day-to-day operations of the world. Offices shuttered, daily commutes ended, and we tried to do it all – from schooling, to working out, to therapy, to vacations – in our homes. Apparently over a quarter of us will be working remotely permanently by 2025, which is an increase of 87% since the start of the pandemic. It’s no wonder that how we’re thinking about renovation projects has likely changed from previous years. So, what are the big trends for 2021 reno projects?
• Giving rooms a new life: The pandemic continues to teach us new ways to maximise the uses of the space that we’re spending time in. Because of this, many homeowners have maxed out the design opportunities for the most commonly used rooms in their homes and are now seeking expert advice on what rooms or areas in their homes can take on a new lease of life. Basement remodel projects are a great way to create a recreational room. The most fun requests we’ve seen are in-home theatres, indoor bowling lanes, full home bars, indoor golf simulators and climbing walls. Designers have also got creative with garage-to-home gym conversions and guest bedrooms-to-at-home arcade rooms.
• Focusing on work from home sanctuaries: With more and more workers taking up remote positions in a post COVID world, I think we are going to see an even larger increase in demand for live/ work space renovations, whether that’s the transformation of current bedrooms and bonus spaces into offices, or the addition of purpose-built home-office structures, to empty land. The focus will be on creating functional spaces that can double for both live/ work purposes, such as built-in furniture that can be hidden away or used for work and storage, or improving sound insulation…People will spend more time and effort in designing a unique and working space to maximise their concentration, motivation and productivity. Things like location, colours, decorations and furniture have a big effect on your mental and physical state. In fact, bright lighting has been shown to make people happier, and ambient sounds help people focus.
• Making room for multigenerational households: One big trend is the creation of purpose-built multigenerational homes with essentially two separate homes under one roof. This is not just down to the shifting dynamic among families but also because of the ability for homeowners to monetize the extra space for long-term rentals or even Airbnb short-term leasing.
• Extending the indoors into the outdoors: Creating a comfortable living space that is an extension of your indoors will continue to be popular with 2021 home renovations, and not just in warmer climates. Designing so there is a natural flow between the indoors and outdoors, with features like large sliding or folding glass doors allow for the option to let the outside in and vica versa. Drop-down screens on the porch to help with mosquitos, outdoor heating lamps and fire places to create warmth, and cosy couches will extend your relaxation into the cooler months.
• Creating bathroom oases: How often have you escaped to your bathroom recently with the sole purpose of quiet alone time? The experts at Houzz have the same idea, saying that with the right features, a bathroom can help reduce stress. Trends include big tubs and steam showers, to smaller upgrades like aromatherapy shower heads and bathtub fillers that can hold a cup of tea or glass of wine.
Futon Company says: While a lot of these hacks relate to bigger homes where there’s scope to create an at-home theatre, there’s no harm in dreaming, right!! But as with everything in life, there’s always a lesson to be learned. For our part, many of these top tips can be applied to small space living – for example, making the most of the space you have and thinking of new and inventive ways to shake things up, by introducing new furniture, for example. We’ve often talked about bringing the outside in, even if it’s just making the most of a big window or taking a thermos and picnic blanket to the park in your lunch break. After all, sometimes the smallest of gestures make the biggest impact. Happy daydreaming!
Narrow Oak Leaning Ladder Shelves
