HOW OUR HOMES WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
Photos: Highland Home Office Project (view more here)
Our home is often thought of as our ‘castle’ .
Now in these interesting times, home is not only a place to live, but a place of safety, a school, a workplace, a place of entertainment and rest. We are seeing lovely acts of kindness, connections and returns to ‘old ways’ that had been forgotten. Only last week, I posted a handwritten letter. Watching how people have quickly adjusted to the changes in their daily lives has been really interesting, especially now that we are isolated and in lockdown at home. I’m predicting that there are some changes to our home that may outlast the virus.
So here is the crystal ball:
Designated home office – Whether it’s part of a spare bedroom or a designated room, people are now finding these spaces invaluable. And for those that have suddenly swapped a corporate office to a home office, having a place is an important part of adapting to a new way of working. These rooms are now on show with virtual meetings, so a professional backdrop such as a wall with art or a tidy bookshelf (instead of your drying laundry) is important. I’m predicting that post virus, there will be more people working flexibly, so a private home office will be a necessity.
Locally made – Being in lock down has made us realise how much we rely on items from overseas. When there is a disruption to the supply chain, locally made goods become more attractive. Having locally produced furniture provides jobs as well as beautiful quality items which are often made from nearby materials. While we often pay more for locally made goods, we know where they come from and there is usually a story behind them. I think there will be more interest in supporting ‘Australian made’ and buying quality over mass produced.
Mudrooms – The mudroom is something that is often used in climates with well, mud (or snow). It’s a designated place to leave your shoes and jackets before going inside. As this virus has made us more aware of germs and cleanliness, people may be more inclined to remove shoes and jackets before entering homes. So, our entry ways and laundries may become larger to include this space. And hand sanitisers may become part of everyday life so using attractive canisters (instead of the plastic) may also be here to stay.
Storage – With families spending more time together in the one space, storage will be important. It’s amazing how quickly a home can become untidy and cluttered in a day or two. Considered and useful storage can be built in or be baskets and pieces of furniture. In the kitchen, with the bulk buying frenzy that has occurred recently, I’m predicting that pantries will be created larger in new kitchens.
Break out zones – With family spending far more time together, family members will be looking for areas they can retreat to. Many of our homes now are open plan, so finding areas to have some alone time can be tricky. Maybe a spare bedroom may be repurposed as a quiet space or even a playroom. Or a large hallway be used as a desk area or reading nook. Open areas may even be divided into zones by the use of carefully placed furniture or curtains. Maybe, going forward, in new homes, open plan may not be so ‘open’.
Only time will tell what changes we will see from the virus and isolation. I’m hoping that they will be positive. For help on using your home more efficiently and for decorating advice, please contact me. To receive helpful tips and inspiration direct to your email inbox, please sign-up to receive my “All Things Interiors” newsletter.
