El Residente
42 Design Wise by Shelagh Duncan
What’s Trending for Home Design in 2021?
W
e are certainly living in interesting times. Wherever that particular phrase originated, it could not be more accurate as it relates to our world right now. Most of us have spent more time in our homes over these last months than we ever imagined possible.
more than 13 million Americans already worked from home; that was pre-Covid, and we know where that number is going. With the use of movable walls and clever design, these separate areas can be closed off for a specific activity, or opened up to offer extra space for family activities and entertaining, as needed.
Let’s explore some of the key needs and wants that the industry says new home buyers are asking for going forward.
CONCEPT LIVING
Life around us has changed, as has our lifestyle; change that was needed to adapt to the new reality. Home isn’t just home any more. With the crisis and lockdowns, it has become an office, a school, a gym, a play area, a restaurant, a dormitory, and a place to retreat and relax. Our needs are tied to our emotions, which are themselves influenced by our surroundings, and the pandemic we’re living through has intensified certain emotions and shaken up our priorities.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPACES AND FURNITURE The trend for Great Rooms will continue, creating one unique space for entertaining, cooking, dining, and living. The demand, however, is for areas that can also function as a separate studio, office, or workout area when more privacy or less distraction is desired. According to US Census data,
Modular and adaptable elements are the key, and that includes multi-functional furniture. Space-saving and multipurpose pieces, like sofa sleepers and storage ottomans, have been around for a long time, but now, innovative ideas, like combining a wall bed with a dining table or sofa, are in demand. This is a trend with traction. We are seeing a growing movement for smaller homes and simpler living, and simpler living calls for these types of space solutions.
People are asking for homes that echo their personality, their passion. These homes focus on a concept – be it dining and entertaining, health and wellness, work or study, or a restful retreat, these are homes that are designed around the passion and lifestyle of the occupants.
When you move out of a city, out of a country, and venture to pastures new, it is the perfect time to reevaluate and have a home that reflects who you are. Many people tried to do that here in Costa Rica back in the day, but most of the time
