As the pandemic rages on interminably, repeated lockdowns have ensured that the ‘new normal’ of staying home to stay safe is here to stay……and for the long haul. As more and more people are spending long periods of time indoors, never before has the place called home acquired such importance and attention.
While the prolonged time indoors ensures our physical safety, it also means that going forward, spaces within homes will need to be modified or new spaces created afresh to suit homebound activities and make life at home more comfortable and enriching.
Covid-19 has permanently changed the world and consequently, home interior design trends will mirror that in the foreseeable future. Let’s explore 7 trends that are going to change the way homes are designed.
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Working From Home
One of the major hassles faced by people working from home is the lack of an undisturbed corner to work and attend meetings from.
A clutter-free work desk with some smart storage for essentials like papers and stationery items and easy access to dedicated charging points for laptops, cell phones and printers are must-haves.
Compact and multi-purpose furniture optimising available space will be sought after by customers as will large window panes near workspaces to let in natural ventilation and light.
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Extra Rooms
Futuristic floor plans will include a separate room that serves as a home office and also doubles up as a library or study.
With outdoor movement restricted and people getting wary of shared air spaces, the demand for personal indoor spaces such as home-gyms, home theatres, gaming rooms etc for fitness and entertainment, will rise significantly.
Extra bedrooms will be required to give everyone in the family the much-needed personal space as well as to quarantine sick people.
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Space Separation
If extra rooms are not affordable due to budget constraints, home office cubicles will need to be carved out of spacious living rooms or bedrooms through the use of attractive screens and dividers.
Screens and dividers can also be used to hold photographs, decorative items and indoor plants and add an aesthetic touch to the room decor.
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Kitchen Spaces
Whether it was to make Dalgona coffee, banana bread or immunity boosting kaadhas and turmeric milk, the kitchen regained its place of importance during the pandemic as families found experimenting in the kitchen together, therapeutic.
Store rooms might make a comeback to accommodate bulk buying of groceries and supplies.
Future kitchens will be super functional with easy to maintain interiors. They will become more spacious and the usage of modern equipment like dishwashers and latest kitchen appliances will go up due to the absence of house help.
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Soundproofing
Sharing space at home is not without its pitfalls.
With the whole family thrown in together for days and days, peace and quiet for phone calls, videoconferencing, focus at work and productivity is indispensable.
The popular trend of open plans with spaces such as kitchens opening into other rooms of the house may soon give way to enclosed spaces in the near future.
The home office room or cubicle will need to be made sound proof at an extra cost to ensure a distraction free atmosphere.
Soundproofing of windows too may be seriously considered by those living in densely populated cities.
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Surfaces and Materials
Given the heightened awareness about sanitising surfaces to keep them free of germs, future designs will incorporate water and chemical resistant materials and surfaces that can withstand frequent cleaning and are also low maintenance.
We can therefore expect to see a massive rise in the use of smooth surface materials like laminates, acrylic and lacquer in modern designs.
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Indoor Air Quality
With so much indoor time and the awareness that covid-19 spreads faster through shared air spaces, the concern about maintaining good indoor air quality is very valid.
The prolonged indoor time also leaves people craving for nature. Plants add life and beauty to any space. Having plants in and around the house helps cool and purify the air and promotes a sense of calm and well-being.
Futuristic interior designs will integrate green spaces like balcony gardens, terrace gardens, and even vertical gardens in the form for ‘green’ walls where plants are grown in vertical spaces.
The future holds endless possibilities. These are just some of the immediate trends in interior design, that we foresee in a post covid world.
Not sure where and how to start? Book a free online consultation for customised furniture and interiors on +91 84486 45362 or write to us with your queries on info@shinoindia.com. And don’t forget to check out our project gallery.
