The way that we use our homes changed in 2020. Daily activities now can include work, virtual classes, working out, and more. Rooms serve multiple uses, there’s extra people sharing spaces all day long, and families have had time to really think about what we want from our spaces. As a result, it’s beginning to influence design and remodeling trends. Let’s take a look at some of the changes you’ll be seeing in 2021 and beyond!
The new normal for many of us will continue to include working from home. Prior to 2020, many homeowners were happy to spread out their papers, laptops, and more across a dining room table or a workspace carved out of a spare bedroom.
Quickly, we all realized that effective working from home required a layout more like…an office. Room for storage, printers, and even extra equipment for video calls (and hello, flattering lighting!), quickly became a priority.
Converting an existing sunroom, building a room addition, or reconfiguring an open plan space are all popular ways to create a functional home office that’s a pleasure to work in. Adding features that are multi-functional, such as custom cabinets and islands, is also something to consider in any renovation project.
As families spent more time together, and home cooking became more popular, there was a huge uptick in web searches for kitchen design ideas. Homeowners discovered that they simply needed more storage, better traffic flow, and a need for updated, easy-to-clean surfaces. Or, they learned that their existing work areas weren’t in the best location. In other floor plans, there was plenty of room available for a new pantry or larger, updated appliances – but no-one realized it until they were spending more time around the house.
You’ll see plenty of light, bright, and efficient kitchen layouts in the latest home design magazines. Features such as subway tiles and upgraded granite or quartz countertops help to keep everything clean and hygienic while providing a new look. And, if you haven’t seen some of the new ideas for custom kitchen cabinet storage, you’ll be amazed. There’s a way to store absolutely everything neatly and invisibly.
Many homeowners found out that their bathrooms were also overdue for upgrades. The shift to more luxurious amenities and surroundings played out in many different ways, as they decided to enlarge existing spaces, convert shower-tub combinations into larger stand-alone showers, and abandon dated color schemes for something light and neutral.
Once you’ve decided to take the plunge into an enhanced bathing experience, the sky’s the limit. Heated floors? No problem! Waterfall showers and body spray attachments that make you feel like a new person? Endless options are available! If you’ve been craving a more minimalist look that hides away personal toiletries, towels, and other items, a simple cabinet upgrade can completely change the look of an existing bathroom, while keeping things sleek.
Moving social activities outside has helped many of us survive lockdown. It’s also made us rethink our existing patios, decks, and screened porches. Perhaps the extra time outside has made your family decide a screened porch is a great way to relax. Or, you may realize that your outdoor decks and entertaining areas need an expansion, a better layout, or even a new deck.
With increased traffic from the house to the backyard, you’re seeing a lot more of this transition zone between indoors to outdoors. Before warmer weather arrives, winter is the perfect time to sit down and discuss options with a contractor. You can decide on what will go into your new and updated outdoor entertaining areas.
If you’ve been thinking about home upgrades, you can take advantage of virtual consultations and other safe ways to discuss your plans and preview options in the safety of your own home. Here at J&J Construction, for example, we schedule sessions with our design specialists to meet with and go over all the aspects of your project – all while you relax in your own space.
