Homes Plus Magazine Issue 128

How COVID-19 is Changing Homes

The way we live & work in our homes has changed rapidly in the last couple of months. More permanent changes are on their way across communities as industries are undergoing huge shifts. We’re likely to see the layout of homes change sooner than later. Here’s a few ways it might play out.

OPEN CONCEPT MAY CLOSE UP

Open concept seemed to be here to stay. We may see that demand shift from the entirely open concept main living area to more traditional closed concept layouts.

Retractable, sliding walls for office use during the day and family living off hours, might be a more frequently requested design option offering the best of both worlds.

OUTDOOR WORKSPACES

Spring means expanded living space outdoors; balconies and decks, gazebos and front porches become a welcome change of scenery during the work day. Grab your laptop and some shade and head outside for your 100th Zoom call while birds are happily chirping in the background.

We may even see tiny house style additions to backyards being used as offices or in-law suites as bylaws change to support more off buildings.

MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS

Being separated from loved ones has been one of the most trying parts of the pandemic. The idea of being away from them, weeks at a time, may instigate the consolidation of families into multi-family, cost-saving dwellings over individual residences.

As an added bonus, mom and dad can have safe, quarantined access to childcare onsite when trying to work during the day!

COMMON SPACES IN CONDOS

Condos have long provided party rooms and common spaces for use by residents for gatherings. Party rooms that used to be used for birthday parties and family gatherings too large for small condos, may now be repurposed into common workspace for residents.

Rooftop terraces will need to be reconfigured for more space between people. We may see more pod-like structures on rooftops allowing for sunny workspaces in the summer.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Grey has been everywhere; floors, walls, cabinets. There may be a return to brighter colours to provide visual distinction between office spaces and to elevate mood. Especially in the winter months when it gets dark so early, and you are home all day and into the night.

The formal dining room used only for holiday gatherings may be converted into a home office for 2. The permanent, 12-seater mahogany table may become extinct. Extendable tables and easily maneuvered furniture with storage will become more common.

WORK ANYWHERE

Living at the cottage all summer was a luxury most of us could only dream of. As companies embrace the work-fromanywhere mantra, more people might spend entire summers up north - or even make their cottages their main residence. This beats fighting the Sunday evening traffic to be back at work on Monday morning.

It will be interesting to observe how the new normal continues to impact our homes and workspaces in the coming months.B