How the Pandemic Is Reshaping Interior Design

(Guest Writer: Tiffany Harper)

The global pandemic took everyone by surprise. All the trends that were predicted for the last year gained little momentum or not at all. And this is because no one could predict that a coronavirus pandemic will affect the whole world and it will change the way we live and work. And it surely changed the way people decorate their houses.

Now that work from home has become the new normal, people were challenged by the remodelling of their houses. Interior design has changed a lot in the last year and all these changes were accelerated by the global pandemic.

There are also remodelling costs involved in the process, so there are a lot of things that changed and will change after the last year. Let’s see what interior designers are saying about the reshaping the pandemic came with.

Photo by Domenico Loia from Unsplash

Dedicated Working Space

One of the changes that the global pandemic accelerated is remote work. If a few years ago companies were advocating against it, the global pandemic showed them that remote employees can indeed be more productive while working from home. But productivity needs to be fostered and nurtured, so a dedicated working space is needed.

This is the first change the global pandemic caused to interior design. People need a working space where they can focus, keep all their tools and materials, have sticky notes, and many more. If they have a space like this, their productivity is increased considerably.

But many of them are living in small apartments or spaces, so arranging a dedicated working space can be challenging and difficult. Before the pandemic, many people had a home office, but they mainly used it to pay the bills or surf the internet.

Nowadays, the pandemic has reshaped interior design and people want working spaces with more storage space, comfortable chairs, and offices that allow them to keep all the essentials in one place. 

Remote Learning Spaces

If adults started working from their own homes, children and students did the same. Schools and universities across the world shut down and shifted to online learning. Even though this is not the happiest decision for children and students, they are now forced to attend online classes from their own homes. And because learning is very important, children and students need a dedicated studying space.

This is another change that was produced by the global pandemic. And because parents are working from home as well, finding a silent space might be difficult. Many families chose to convert some of the rooms into home offices or dedicated learning spaces for children. Natural light, declutter, and a silent space are all essential things for such environments.

To be productive and efficient, there has to be a clear boundary between the learning and the play space. And since the pandemic started, there has been an increased demand for designs for remote learning spaces.

Entryways and Foyers

The global pandemic highlighted once again the importance of having good personal hygiene. To curb the spread of the virus, people need to follow some basic hygiene requirements and use protective equipment. It is important to always wash your hands when you arrive home, leave your shoes at the entrance and keep the clothes you went with outside separated from the indoor ones.

So, the functionality of the foyer or entryway changed drastically during the last year. As the pandemic came, people became more aware of these hygiene measures and tried to change the functionality of the foyer.

They might want to introduce a separate place for clothes. Or, one for shoes. Even though the design of the foyer cannot be drastically changed, interior designers are finding solutions to people’s wishes.

Photo by Alesia Kazantceva on Unsplash

Closer to Nature-Based Interior Designs

The coronavirus pandemic taught us a lot. But most importantly, it showed us the importance nature has on our mood and mental health. During quarantine months when people were not allowed to go out, they understood more the importance of a good and deep connection with nature.

People have now understood how it is like to be confined in a small space, every day waiting for your return to freedom. Just as animals from the zoos do. So, they wanted to bring nature into their homes and every interior design idea is inspired by nature.

People these days do not just want to rearrange their homes, but also to renovate them. The choice of colours says everything about what they really want - to boost their wellbeing, happiness, and feel safe and secure in their own homes.

The world is hectic, especially when the pandemic seems to govern what is happening now. Having a happy place to return to is essential and it can bring the comfort, peace, and tranquillity that we all need during these tough times.

Bonus Rooms

Last but not least, the trend of bonus rooms began to gain more momentum after the lockdown months. Needing to spend all your time in the same place can trigger boredom, or even anxiety and depression.

The year the pandemic started was also a year marked by self-discovery. People took some time to look inward and discover their inner worlds. They discovered new passions and hobbies, so they needed to make room for them.

The trend of bonus rooms is on the rise and interior designers are confirming this. How a bonus room looks depends on each human. Some wanted to have a game room to spend their time in, so diffuse lights, a TV, or a projector could be some of the things you would see there.

At the same time, as people were not allowed to exercise in closed spaces, all gyms got closed. So, maybe that bonus room is like a small gym. Or maybe it is just a room where everyone can unleash their creativity and spend some quality time with themselves.

Conclusion

The global pandemic taught us a lot of things and forced us to become aware of more than these. People have become more aware of the importance of time spent with friends and families. But also about the importance of following hygiene measures. All in all, the pandemic has shaped interior design tremendously.

As it forces people and students to work or study from home, dedicated spaces for these activities are needed. Adding new functionalities to the foyer is another upcoming interior design trend. People also want to be closer to nature even though they are in their own homes, so they were looking to rearrange their spaces.

Choosing colours or patterns that represent peace, comfort, and tranquillity is essential. Last but not least, bonus rooms where people can get creative, exercise, or practise their hobbies represent another interior design trend triggered by the pandemic.

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Author Bio: Tiffany Harper is an experienced freelance writer, who sometimes helps a UK-based essay writing service deliver top-notch services. She also supports professional writers in improving their style and other writing skills. Now she is working on her book on self-motivation and self-growth areas. If Tiffany is not working on another research paper, you can find her walking in the local park or meditating.