To say the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live is a vastly understated statement. But the question of exactly how not only sparks curiosity but is what’s actually unique to each of us. 

From where we work, complete school activities or perhaps workout — to how we shop, relax and entertain, the role our home plays in our daily lives is significant. And the necessity for a home designed to promote functionality + wellness for our clients is essential.

Considering how reliant we are on our homes as the place we spend most of our time, let’s dive in + take a look at how the pandemic has changed what people are requesting when it comes to home design — allowing us to truly reconsider how we live our lives.

And for what it’s worth, while things like material shortages, price increases and l-o-n-g lead times have certainly altered the landscape of home design, for now, we’re focused on the shift we’ve seen in our clients :)

Defining Activity Zones + Creating Conducive Layouts

As a design firm that's been helping clients for over a decade, we love an open floor concept for the way that conversation and activities can flow throughout a space. 

However, from the moment the pandemic began, we’ve not only been asked to design more private spaces in clients' homes than ever before but helped clients discover the activity zones + layouts most conducive to separating conversation and entertainment spaces from work + concentration spaces. 

One might say, walls and doors are #trending a bit with Elegant Simplicity clients :)

Biophilic Spaces

If you’re not familiar with Biophilic design, it’s a conscious decision to integrate elements of the natural environment into the places we live in an effort to reconnect us with the positive impacts nature has on our health. 

We’ve written extensively about Incorporating Biophilic Design In Your Home here. But from maximizing views of trees, water, and the mountains to incorporating a lot of greenery — many clients have been drawn to both direct and indirect design selections around nature. 

From the use of more natural materials to incorporating biophilic color schemes, home design has revolved around experiencing nature (even if we’re in doors).

Wellness Spaces

However, we’ve not only seen a desire from our clients to gravitate towards biophilic design but to also create spaces that promote disconnecting from work or their devices.

Some of the factors that have come up in designing these wellness spaces are: is it a quiet space yet also welcoming? Comfortable yet free of distractions? 

These are specific spaces in clients’ homes where most technology is off-limits and the goal rather is to feel encouraged to unwind and focus on the people and the things that matter most to them. 

Wellness spaces are reading nooks, living rooms, or even meditation rooms designed to promote and encourage relaxation, reprieve, and place health + wellness at the forefront of their priorities.

Multipurpose Rooms

When a single activity doesn’t fully maximize the functionality of a particular room, like a guest bedroom that’s used only several times a year… we’ve been asked to design multipurpose spaces like a home office that converts to a guest room or a garage that also houses space for an expansive gym.

Whatever the case may be since the pandemic began clients have really focused their desires on maximizing each space in their home both functionally and aesthetically.

Smart Home Technology

Technology integration has been high on many clients' want + needs lists. Truthfully, this comes as no surprise. Right?!

With technology making us all more connected than ever before, what we want from integrating technology in our homes is to streamline our lives and tailor our focus towards how we want to spend our time leaving automation to do the rest.

Conscientiously incorporating smart home technology from things like front door cams, security systems, automated lights, speakers, window coverings to touchless faucets, smart home appliances and automated vacuums increases efficiency and productivity.

Functional + Easy To Clean Entryways/Mudrooms/Closets

For many of our clients, function takes precedence but especially when it comes to the entryway or mudroom the desire for not only places to remove shoes and take off coats but to also store those away in nearby closets has been high priority.

Home Workspaces 

Have you said this to yourself, “I’ll probably go back to the office in a few weeks.” 

Well, you’re not alone. Fast forward two years later + many of our clients are still working from home. 

While some clients will eventually gravitate back to the office, the necessity for a workspace that’s separate from the rest of your home is likely here, in some capacity, for the long haul. 

And that’s because it comes as no surprise that having work to clean up each day, projects spread across the entire dining table or kitchen counter isn’t likely to be a very productive workflow. 

Not only has the surface area been an increasing pain for clients but the necessity for a professional backdrop with proper lighting for video calls has too.

Nonetheless, home workspaces have certainly been at the forefront of people's minds.

Outdoor Rooms

Interior design has expanded outdoors… even in the Pacific Northwest *wink* 

Spaces designed for cooking + eating (outdoor kitchens and dining rooms) to comfortable outdoor living rooms, the backyard, and quite honestly the side yard have been increasingly popular spaces we’ve designed for clients.

From playing host of small gatherings in those warm months to spending an evening with the kids by the fire. Outdoor rooms have provided yet another way for clients to reimagine their homes. 

Organizing Everything

Along with maximizing functionality, automating aspects of home maintenance + incorporating health + wellness into home design, many clients have expressed a desire to have what they need and get rid of the clutter.

At Elegant Simplicity, we believe that organizing is the foundation to creating home and that part of defining + ultimately maximizing the functionality at home is determining what you need in each area. Hence the philosophy, “everything you need + nothing more.” *wink*

While our homes have literally become sanctuaries as a result of the global pandemic, home design has shifted towards being as intentional about every square foot of our homes as possible. 

Home design for many of our clients has become about investing in not only what they want from an aesthetic perspective from their home but also in making decisions with clarity and intentionality around what they need for each area in their home.

In other words, since the pandemic began home design has revolved around the functional necessity.

Not to worry boo — we’re here. If you haven’t already, check out our4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home and when you’re ready to begin your transformational journey —let’s chat.