When people have a lot of time to spend, they tend to get creative.
This was certainly the case during the pandemic, when DIY projects became hugely popular and home improvement stores saw sales grow. On-site accommodation has inspired many Long Island homeowners to redefine and improve the look and function of their homes.
Working from home and distance learning has resulted in the need for families to create dedicated spaces in the blink of an eye, while some parents have been busy using rooms, attics, and basements for their adult children who were suddenly leaving college dorms and city blocks and retreating to their homes .
According to a recent survey of nearly 1,000 U.S. homeowners on Houzz, 70 percent said they were thinking about changes that could help them enjoy their homes better. Outdoor, bathroom and kitchen projects were high on the wish list.
Here’s What Design Pros Have Done To Help Home Owners During The Pandemic.
NEW NORMAL
Haley Johnson, communications coordinator at the Zillow real estate market, notes that the pandemic has emphasized the importance of keeping germs out of the main rooms of your home.
“Consider adding a touchless faucet to your bathroom or kitchen to limit the number of areas your family and guests touch,” she suggests. “Plus, a nice new faucet can add style to a bathroom or kitchen.”
Builders are also considering how the coronavirus will influence building decisions in the future.
“Staying at home stressed that there weren’t enough quiet spaces to work in, and we might find that the once popular open floor plans are changing in favor of more privacy and adding more doors to separate rooms,” she explains. “With people now working from home, there needs to be space for housing. However, you can also enjoy the best of both worlds by adding barn door features to provide privacy when needed while maintaining the open space. “
LARGE OUTDOOR AREAS
During the quarantine, people longed to spend time outdoors and quickly learned how to turn any garden or patio area, no matter how small or boring, into a beautiful oasis. And now it’s a hot trend.
“It’s no surprise that the outdoors is the number one reason people consider moving based on social distancing recommendations,” says Haley. “Spend this time beautifying your yard by landscaping, adding a fire pit, and making your outdoor spaces a cozy getaway that you are sure to enjoy.”
Design professionals Jen Fox and Tonia Omeltchenko from Fox + Chenko in LI recently touted some “pandemic-friendly” projects that have changed the lives of their customers. In one instance, a multi-season, screened outdoor living area with direct access to the back yard of a family’s residence in Port Washington added significant space.
Both lounge and dining areas were created through careful room planning and the selection of all-weather performance furniture and lighting. In cooler months, the warmth of the earth stone gas fireplace warms the room, while framed screen windows and an oversized driftwood ceiling fan provide ultimate cooling and air circulation when the weather is nice.
A combination of pendant lights and wall lights gives style and function. Tall outdoor lanterns, patterned decorative pillows, a colorful textured rug, and lush greenery give this nature-inspired retreat a relaxed feel.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL MUST
In another project, a new home office doubles as a guest room for a customer in Great Neck.
“The user not only needs a suitable place for a laptop and a mobile phone, but also other factors such as For example, how quiet the area is for a phone call, how well the space for Wi-Fi is positioned or what background is a zoom call must be taken into account, ”says Omeltchenko.
“The desk area needs to be organized and have storage space,” she adds. “The bed – usually a pull-out sofa – should have a comfortable mattress and be easy to use.”
This story originally appeared in Long Island Press.
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