If 2020 showed us anything about our homes, it was how important our living space truly is. Due to the pandemic, many of us turned our homes into classrooms, offices, gyms and so much more. The takeaway? Our interiors need some upgrading, updating and changes that we may never even have considered in years past.
Say Goodbye to Open Floor Plans
Once upon a time, before the pandemic forced us all to be home together 24/7, open floor plans were a homeowners obsession. One big space where everyone could congregate, cook, relax and dine. Going forward, more people are looking to close off those big, wide-open areas. It’s not that families don’t love those cozy spaces but this last year showed a lot of homeowners that private, quaint spaces are necessary.
Flexible Kitchen Layouts & Wood-Grain Counters
The once coveted open kitchens that were popular prior to the pandemic are coming to an end. Kitchen design is leaning towards layouts that offer privacy and flexibility. Within the space, “openness” still thrives with open shelving and less built-in cabinetry.
If you already have an open kitchen, talk to your remodeling contractor. The ability to possibly move walls or add a built-in feature can create a more private kitchen area. Get creative with visual separation by adding french doors, an arched doorway or even curtains.
This year, expect to see a more organic look in kitchens for 2021. Gone are the cold marble countertops, painted cabinets and white-on-white kitchens. Homeowners want the warmth and natural-look of wood-grained kitchen counters and cabinets. With so many people cooking more and eating in, the way we feel when we are in our kitchen has changed dramatically over the last year.
Dedicated Home Office Space
Using the kitchen table as your desk, meeting space, dining area and possibly classroom, only works for so long. At some point, having a private room or dedicated corner to work in becomes a priority and more so, a way of life.
As the new year kicks off, many companies are continuing to allow employees to work remotely and taking calls or Zoom meetings in the kitchen is no longer ideal. Your home office remodel or addition will pay off even if you decide to sell – homebuyers are increasingly looking for homes with office space.
Smart Bathroom Upgrades
It’s going to be a while before the great toilet paper shortage of 2020 is forgotten. To that end, many homeowners are opting to revamp their bathrooms with bidets. As we remain hyper-focused on hygiene, touch-less appliances such as motion activated sinks and lighting are popular options for this coming year.
Home Improvement Projects Are Always a Good Choice
Before the pandemic, form may have outweighed function in home design. The trend is now flexibility and functionality. Home design plans are leaning towards carving out private living spaces rather than just wide-open areas. Now that our home environment has become more important than ever, remodeling is aimed at creating versatile and comfortable yet luxurious living, working and entertaining spaces.