In many ways, life has returned to normal, but the home design and renovation ideas inspired by the pandemic promise to have a lasting impact on the modern home. Even after the surges of COVID-19, 92% of people expect to work from home at least one day per week and 80% expect to work at least three days from home per week, according to a survey by Owl Labs.
With many people still working from home, or working from home part time, more and more buyers are looking for a home office. People have also gotten accustomed to the convenience of working out at home. The ability to work and exercise from home has become hugely important to many new buyers in addition to their basic wants and needs. These spaces may come in the form of an unfinished area in their basement that they intend to renovate later or as an existing extra bedroom.
The amount of time people have spent at home has forced them to rethink how they use their home, what works for them, or what can be improved. The idea of a more home-centric life has also spilled over into buyers looking for outdoor space they can utilize to its full potential. Homeowners are looking for a well finished outdoor space, whether it’s a deck, patio or just manicured landscaping.
As homes have become the primary place of work, relaxation and recreation, home design trends have shifted to facilitate more of those activities. It is also underscored the desire many owners/buyers have to support multigenerational living under one roof, with more people looking for a house that can accommodate an in-law suite or in-law apartment as they plan for the lives of their parents, and begin to plan for the future themselves.
