2020 saw an incredible shift in the day-to-day operations of the world. Office shuttered, daily commutes stopped, and we tried to do it all—from schooling to working out to therapy to vacations—in our homes. It’s no wonder that how we’re thinking about renovation projects has likely changed from previous years. So we reached out to those in the world of decorating, landscape design, and home improvement for the scoop on what they think the big trends will be for 2021 reno projects.
GIVING ROOMS NEW LIFE
Entertainment and recreational room design requests have, as of recently, begun to supersede family room makeovers, which were the leading trend for the past eight to nine months. The most fun requests are: in-home theaters, indoor bowling lanes, full home bars, indoor golf simulators, and climbing walls.
The pandemic continues to teach us new ways to maximise the uses of the space that we’re spending time in. Because of this, many homeowners have maxed out the design opportunities for the most commonly used rooms in their homes and are now seeking expert advice on what rooms or areas in their home can take on a new life. Basement or attic remodel projects are a great way to create a recreational room, and they have been in high demand over the last quarter of 2020. We expect this to trend more and more in 2021.
FOCUSING ON WORK-FROM-HOME SANCTUARIES
With more and more workers taking up remote positions in a post-COVID world, I think we are going to see an even larger increase in demand for live/work-space renovation, whether that’s the transformation of current bedrooms and bonus spaces into offices or the addition of purpose-built home-office structures to empty land. The focus will be on creating functional spaces that can double for both [live/work] purposes, such as built-in furniture that can be hidden away or used for work and storage, or improving sound insulation in existing walls and areas to create a calm environment for work.
People will spend more time and effort in designing a unique working space to maximise their concentration, motivation, and productivity. Things like location, colors, decorations, and furniture have a big effect on your mental and physical state. In fact, bright lighting has been shown to make people happier, ambient sounds help people focus, and poor air quality can lead to a drop in productivity.
INCORPORATING GREEN SOLUTIONS
We will see a return to green initiatives. Whether it’s the addition of larger systems like solar power to existing homes or simpler incentives for property owners to undertake insulation upgrades, this new initiative will bring a boon of work for both the commercial and residential renovation industries.
EXTENDING THE INDOORS INTO THE OUTDOORS.
Creating a comfortable outdoor living space that is an extension of your indoors will continue to be popular with 2021 home renovations, and not just in the warmer tropics. Designing so that there is a natural flow between the indoors and outdoors with features like large sliding or folding glass doors allow for the option to let the outside in, and vice versa. Drop-down screens on the porch to help with mosquitos, pavillions and cozy couches will extend your relaxation into the cooler months.”
CREATING A BATHROOM OASIS
How often have you escaped to your bathroom this year with the sole purpose of quiet alone time? With the right features, a bathroom can help reduce stress. According to studies, two in five homeowners (41%) who renovated a master bathroom say they rely on their new space for rest and relaxation. It’s time to start saving up for renos as big as soaking tubs and steam showers, to smaller upgrades like aromatherapy shower heads and bathtub fillers that can hold a cup of tea or glass of wine.
GETTING BIGGER WITH TILES
Since we’re spending all our time at home, making visual upgrades is a big part of the home reno trends. Large-format tiles can help visually expand a small space, so their use is on the rise. Another bonus of the trend: Fewer grout lines means less cleaning and less visual clutter. We’re seeing large tiles used in a variety of classic patterns, such as herringbone, stacked, and bricks. It is recommended if you’re considering large rectangle tiles for an area like the bathroom floor, go with a matte finish, which provides some slip resistance.
*extracted from architectural digest. Images belong to DM Interior Design unless otherwise stated.