Homeowners have seized the days at home to transform their homes into the post-pandemic shelter they need and want. (Photo: Pexels).
Tom Kalinski, RE/MAX of Boulder
Homeowners have seized the days at home to transform their homes into the post-pandemic shelter they need and want.
DIY home improvement is going strong. Retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe’s are now the second-fastest growing retail segment, according to a report from the market research company NPD Group. Lawn and garden, tools, paint, kitchen and bath, and hardware segments each saw double-digit increases in purchases.
The coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly changed the face of how we design and build the spaces we live in. Homeowners want to refresh or reinvent their living spaces, and conserve energy through introspective design and the addition of technology.
“House-bound in March, consumers noticed opportunities to make their personal spaces more livable as they not only provided shelter, but became office space and schoolrooms for many,” said Shay Krafft, NPD Group’s president of U.S. home improvement & major appliances.
The year 2020 has emerged as a major shape-shifter in home design. Here are trends reported by Remodeling Magazine.
Functionality informs aesthetics
As lifestyles have adapted due to the coronavirus pandemic, homes are used for productivity as much as relaxation. Organization and layout are a big focus, as well as “creating spaces that are first and foremost functional – but also aesthetically pleasing,” reports Remodeling Magazine. Every inch of space is being asked to work harder. No longer can a wall just support a stairway, it must also provide a reading nook or organized storage.
Adding-on in new ways
With families staying together longer, building additions where there is room has become a pressing need. As needs for spaces that are for specific functions as well as room for family gatherings and past times emerge, experts suggest thinking changes through carefully. It’s important to take the time to ensure the new space continues to add value after the pressing pandemic needs have passed.
Rethinking open floor plans
One of the most desired designs in homes, the open floorplan, has finally found its limit. As families need to accommodate work, school, and living simultaneously, the open floorplan is being rethought. Living areas are being converted into offices or classrooms.
The kitchen has become even more important in serving a multitude of needs simultaneously. A large island can serve as a space for cooking, working, and gathering.
What demographic group is doing the most remodeling? In 2019, Baby Boomers accounted for over half of renovating homeowners, according to the ninth annual Houzz & Home survey of more than 87,000 U.S. respondents. Gen Xers (ages 40 to 54) make up nearly one-third of home renovators and Millennials (ages 25 to 39) represent 12 percent.
• Read the full article on the future of home design from Remodeling Magazine online at: remodeling.hw.net/business/design/the-future-of-home-design-during-and-after-covid-19.
• NPD Group Data: npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2020/do-it-yourselfers-will-continue-to-fuel-home-improvement-market-post-pandemic-reports-npd.
• 2020 Houzz & Home Study: st.hzcdn.com/static/econ/2020-US-HouzzandHome–Study.pdf.
By Tom Kalinski. Tom is the broker/owner of RE/MAX of Boulder, the local residential real estate company he established in 1977. He was inducted into Boulder County’s Business Hall of Fame in 2016 and has a 40-year background in commercial and residential real estate. For questions, e-mail Tom at [email protected], call 303.441.5620 or visit boulderco.com.
