In just the past few months of 2020, so much has changed. And for many people, that includes what their perfect “dream house” might look like. Not long ago, home buyers were showing a preference for small homes with designated gathering spaces. However, after being inside for so long, that is no longer as appealing to many people.
According to Barrons, “While the coronavirus still rages on, it’s hard to predict what post-pandemic abodes might look like…Yet, developers around the U.S. are already rethinking projects, anticipating residents’ needs and preferences that Covid-19 would spur. In doing so, they are re-evaluating current in-unit aesthetics and in-demand amenities.”
How has the pandemic influenced our housing preferences? These are some of the design areas where we can expect trends to start shifting:
The Size of the Home
Before the pandemic, homes were getting smaller. However, with everyone having to stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, we all need more personal space. Because of this, you can expect the size of homes to start growing in the next few years.
With larger houses come additional rooms, including….
Increase in Home Offices
Due to the pandemic and social distancing, many people are working remotely instead of in an office building. Home offices will become a necessity for many buyers. A room that was normally left empty or unused will now become essential to working from home.
You can expect to see more new houses adding extra rooms for home offices in the future.
The Closed Floor Plan is Coming Back
Even before the pandemic, the open floor plan was decreasing in popularity. The last couple of months have made this trend spike as the closed floor plan begins making a strong comeback. The reasons why are pretty obvious if you have been cooped up at home for the last few months.
When at home, you want privacy for work, school, hobbies, and exercise. Open floor plans are not suited well to this need. Plus, with meals being made more often at home, an open concept kitchen is louder and busier during the day, which can be bothersome to others who are working or studying.
Homebuilders are expecting to see a rise in demand for closed floor plans with rooms being separated for specific purposes.
More Smart Technology
The trend in smart technology was steadily going up before the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, but it has been escalating much faster since it started. Many people have changed these features on their “dream home” list from “want” to “need.”
Wondering why? Consider that most thermostats and lights can be controlled remotely, meaning they are not being touched frequently by everyone in the house making them no longer gathering spaces for bacteria. Touchless faucets are also inexpensive and help keep your hands clean, leading to their rise in demand as well.
Plus, systems that can filter air and monitor air quality are becoming more common, and therefore more affordable. Because of this, you can expect to see a dramatic increase in the use of smart technology in the home.
Conclusion
The designs of homes are always changing, but the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has had a huge impact on what people want to see in their perfect “dream house.” This is mainly due to families needing to stay inside for longer periods, practicing social distancing effectively, and keeping themselves healthy.
In short, you can continue to expect more changes to happen to the designs of homes. When the pandemic finally comes to an end, then the changes will likely change once again. However, until then, you can anticipate hearing about many new design concepts.
Wendy Gimpel Real Estate
If you’re looking for a home in the Stillwater, Minnesota, or Wisconsin areas, contact Wendy Gimpel Real Estate today. Wendy has the experience and passion to help you find your dream home. Call today to see what’s available!
