Last week we had a meeting that turned into a 2-hour crowdsourcing session on how we at EHD think the pandemic has changed interior design. This isn’t a trend post per se–it’s more a reflection on the lifestyle shifts that have made their way into how we view our home spaces, thus changing how we design and even renovate. It’s tough to know how long our lives will be affected by Covid-19 (wear a mask! stay home!) but we are certain that some shifts in the design world are here to stay. When life changes so drastically in a single year, some things are bound to shift permanently in both good and bad ways (but don’t worry, we think all these are good things). Let’s get to it, shall we?
We Are Taking WAY More Risks And Having More “Fun”
We are painting rooms bold colors, mixing patterns, leaning into new styles, and DIYing because why the hell not?? We want excitement in our homes more than ever so we are taking risks and having less company over means design choices aren’t on display right away. We can sit with our ideas without feeling pressure to impress anyone which ultimately helps us figure out what we really love. This might be our favorite because feeling free in your home is how it should have always been. Let’s keep this up…forever.
We Want Our Spaces To Be Multi-Functional
This is a 2020 trope, no question about it. Whether you are working from home, teaching from home, or learning from home there has been a SURGE in home office spaces. All of us at EHD for example will be working from home permanently so we’ve all made considerable efforts to carve out office nooks or sections. I think this is happening with a lot of companies (especially those in the digital media world) and it helps to create zones so you can separate “work mode” and “binge-watching-the-crown-mode”.
We Are Designing More For Ourselves (And Our Families) AKA Severe Comfort
Comfort and function are more of a priority and a lot of us are loving this new shift. We are feeling less pressure to have a “perfect” home and in general, we want to make the most out of the spaces we have. Family rooms should be designed with comfort in mind, but an office or living room could be more bright and eclectic to inspire creativity. It depends on individual needs and we are all paying more attention to those needs now.
Em even mentioned on our call that while she will always visually love her more “special” sculptural chairs, they just aren’t great it sit in for an extended period of time which is a massive no-go when you are spending 99% of your time indoors and every inch is precious. So maybe this seems like common sense but no longer will we be buying pieces we don’t actually want to use. Comfort is king.
We Are Making More Thoughtful Purchases
Ordering furniture or decor online brings up a whole set of anxieties and challenges. Especially with big ticket items such as sofas and coffee tables, we are all REALLY doing our research. We are reading reviews by people who have actually owned or tried out products for a period of time so we can be more confident in our buys. Some of us were already doing that but it’s shocking how many people don’t and then are disappointed when they get it delivered. Whoops. Plus, returns in a pandemic are extra annoying and can even be dangerous. So we all just want to be as confident in our purchases as possible.
We are also collectively paying attention to important things like sustainability and company ethos so we know who and what we are supporting. Particularly, we are making sure that a portion of our purchases are from companies owned by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ people. Unless we make a true effort to diversify our purchases, nothing will change. Thankfully we are starting to make that crucial shift.
In addition, retailers are catering to our needs more by providing more detailed information (one of our favorite examples being how Interior Define has videos of people of different heights sitting on their sofas). This is important info we need to know!!
There Is a Call For Straight To Consumer Custom Products
Custom furniture, or custom anything really, can be so intimidating. It’s almost always worth it, but many people don’t have the time or expertise to figure out how to get what they want. This past year we have noticed a surge in companies who are offering custom straight to consumer products and services due to the fact people can’t go in-store. A few we’ve worked with and love are Wovn Home and Clare paint, which both have super easy to use online services so you can get exactly what you are looking for. I worked with both of them in my living room and I cannot recommend them enough.
We Are Feeling More Confident To DIY (And Saving Contractor Funds For The BIG Jobs)
Confidence to try new things and experiment more is at an all-time high (like I said in the first example). We are seeing a lot of people “go for it” which is so refreshing and exciting. I saw so many DIY art pieces, headboards, murals, and even furniture in 2020 and hope that never ever changes.
But more so, we are seeing people tackle “harder” DIYs like lighting and tile installation because A. we are trying to stay safe and not have unnecessary people in our homes and B. saving money on things we are finding the confidence to be able to do ourselves leaves more money for the projects we need contractors for. Albie is on this train. Her husband is tiling their laundry room floor because well, it’s small and pretty straightforward. Why not, right? It’s pretty empowering to DIY if you haven’t done it yet. The internet has SO many resources. Don’t be afraid.
We Are Shifting Away From Open Concept Layouts
Creating zones is so important when you are home more than ever and for those renovating, an open concept layout may be a lot less appealing than in previous years. It’s simply not practical for stay-at-home life when your home is now an office, classroom, home gym, crafting studio (??), etc etc. The ability to shut a door has likely saved A LOT of relationships this past year. Julie actually already wrote a post about this idea in June. Any new thoughts???
We Are Designing For Actual Wear And Tear
If you follow Emily on Instagram, you know that the lack of mudroom in her mountain house has been a struggle. With two muddy pups and two kids who are home all day, upkeep is constant but this is something she couldn’t have predicted. Before Covid times, when most of us were not home 24/7, the wear and tear on our homes were not as expedited as it is now. It’s pretty simple–we are home twice as much so our homes are getting twice as much wear. That said, we are wanting more durable furniture, fabrics, and if renovating, we are designing more practically based on lifestyle (i.e. if you live in snowy/rainy climates, a good mudroom is KEY).
We Want To Make The Most of Outdoor Spaces (DUH)
Shortly after the stay at home order was put into place, a lot of us were craving functional and beautiful outdoor spaces. We simply missed being outside and for those of us who had backyards and patios, we felt VERY motivated to create an outdoor oasis. Sara pulled together hers in record time and even transformed a storage box into a kiddie pool (as one does).
Now that winter is here and a lot of us are stuck inside, are any of you planning for an epic backyard makeover this spring?? Are you feeling Em on the turf and jacuzzi?? What are your must-haves a year in?
Make Use Of Every Single Room Even If It Goes Against The Flow Or Architectural Integrity Of The Home
This point came up when we were talking about Domino’s new podcast and particularly the episode with Brigette Romanek (someone I am so incredibly inspired by–she’s brilliant and I love her style). Brigette was talking about the historical elements in her home that she wanted to enhance, but also how she dealt with renovating and making the home the most functional and safe for her family. We are also noticing that we are more focused on making the most of our homes and really asking ourselves, “how do I want to use this room? What do I want it to feel like and how can I make that a reality?”. Sometimes this means not adhering 100% to the architectural integrity of a home and that is O.K.
We Are Making More Of An Effort To Use What We Have
A lot of us are buying less but still have the itch to style and play. We are seeing a lot of repurposing antiques, DIY art, and “making things work” which is refreshing and very fun. It makes our homes more unique, personal, and less predictable. I’ve personally been so much more creative by playing around with art and framing things that inspire me so I can display them in my home. There are no rules!
We Are Buying From Small Businesses And Seeking Out New Ones All The Time
Small businesses needed more support than ever in 2020 and I know all of us at EHD discovered so many that we love and will continue to support. With all of us ordering decor online we were nervous that we were going to see all the same pieces over and over, but seeking out small businesses has kept that from happening (thank god) and we are seriously hoping this is a permanent change.
We Are Designing A Mood And Vibe (We Want An Experience)
How do you want your space to feel? This is a question a lot of us are contemplating and trying to execute. I know my living and dining room is 100% based around a mood I want to experience when I walk in. I am already very ~sensitive~ to moods and energy so I try very hard to have my surroundings and environment reflect a positive and comfortable feel. We all agreed we want to feel more of an “experience” in our homes by mixing wallpaper, murals, colors, and generally just taking more risks.
That’s all from team EHD but we’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree? Disagree? Have more to add? Meet me in the comments and let’s chat. xx
Opener Image Credit: Design by Shanty Wijaya of Allprace | Photo by Jenna Peffely | From: The House Tour That Took All Of Our Breaths Away – Shanty’s JAPANDI Style Oasis
Lockdown definitely pushed me from “I don’t think I would mind if my next place doesn’t have an open kitchen” to “I really wish I didn’t have to look at the dirty dishes while working / watching tv / working out”
You had a brainstorming session not crowdsourcing. Brainstorming is gathering thoughts, crowdsourcing is about funding or money.
yeah, the word YOU are describing is actually “crowdfunding,” so maybe relax a little? hope the rest of your Monday isn’t so tough!
CROWDSOURCING
noun
“the practice of obtaining information or input into a task or project by enlisting the services of a large number of people, either paid or unpaid, typically via the internet.”
Yes, there are errors (specific wording, past/present tense) and editing can sometimes be an issue, but let’s not be bitey about it.
Say it respectfully as genuine feedback … IMHO that includes feedback to other readers too. 🧐
crowdsourcing: “the practice of obtaining information or input into a task or project by enlisting the services of a large number of people, either paid or unpaid, typically via the internet.”
crowdfunding: “he practice of funding a project or venture by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people”
It’s always amusing when the cranky, self-appointed Content Police show themselves to be entirely wrong. Hee hee.
Seriously, you need more editing throughout
And honey catches more flies than vinegar
Psssst…What you are reading is being provided to you for free.
I SO feel you on the vibe!
I watched Kelly Wearstler’s masterclass and the idea of telling a story with your design got me thinking I wanted to design my office like an art studio, because I want to feel inspired. My work involves a lot of creative problem solving, so even though it’s not visual or physically tangible those visual and tangible things can be very inspiring
Do you recommend the Masterclass with Kelly W? I watched the Rita Koenig Create Academy class and really enjoyed it! She gave so many good tips on setting up a room and I loved her antique shopping tips.
It was pretty high level but I felt inspired, and that was a good enough takeaway for me. We got the year subscription and have been enjoying other classes as well for the infotainment value 🙂 Great for when there aren’t any new episodes of our shows
That sounds magical!!
I’m amped about revisioning my little house! I’ve nit had things I love out on display, even given treasures away, nit hung art, etc. ,because someone else didn’t like them. I’ve only been courageous enough to take a stand on a few things and py5t things back after I’d found them ‘disappeared’. So, teah, soooo looking forwRpard to creating stories in my home again. I have art that I’ve created at uni and since that I’ve wanted to frame and hang (it’s actually good!) and I’ve connected with an artist at the other end of my street who makes bespoke frames. I especially would love to frame a freehand machine embroidered picture I titked “The Wave of Life” after my mum died when I was 27. It’s peaceful, watery, and after I ‘drew’ with the sewing machine needle and thread, I hand sewed tiny pearly beads onto it for daaaays! I’m scared at the potential cost of one-off framing, byt it’s an irregular size and it’s wrapped over a wooden frame, kinda as canvases are. But … this would tell another story and I’d love it to be available to my eyeballs! People used to comment on how good it… Read more »
Hands are really bad today…sorry bout all the typos … nit nit Hahaha 🤣
I’m looking to buy my first house and my husband and I are firm that we DO NOT want an open concept home. I hate hearing him in the kitchen when I’m watching TV. I had to move my at home work space to our bedroom so I could shut the door. I’m not surprised at all to hear I’m not alone in this!
Thank you for the insights on the moods and all of the other thoughtful observations!
I’ve never been an open concept fan personally. But my last house, from 1922!, was perfection. The living, dining, kitchen were a straight line from the front to back of the house, open to each other with wide cased openings. There was enough “wall” to make each room functional (could put furniture/art on the walls) and differentiate each as it’s own room (the dining room, in the middle, was painted SW Jasper – a dark black/green while the other two were light taupe). Yet it was open enough that you could see and talk to someone in any of the rooms, but divided enough that a tv on in the living room wouldn’t bother you in the kitchen. I LOVED it.
I live in a 1918 bungalow with basically the exact flow you’re describing and LOVE it. My neighbor, who previously had a very similar layout to my home renovated recently to make it open concept and has basically zero dining room walls now (completely open to kitchen on one end, and moved a doorway to a bedroom – now office – from the side wall). I can’t imagine both having that entire space be completely visible AND losing all of that prime wall real estate! Where would my hutch go? Where would my gallery wall go? Ahh!! 🙂
I am mid reno now and we are doing the same thing! I am a little bummer about the lack of wall real estate. We do have other rooms in the house we can hide ourselves away in if we need privacy. The wall between the living room and dining room completely annoys us on a daily basis and it didn’t really make sense to move a wall instead of removing it if it’s always going to annoy us to walk around it. I get it’s not for everyone but we’re looking forward to have no walls!
Yes! This is what I like. Enough wall for wall real estate, but still able to see/chat from area to area.
My house has what call “a roundie” where the rooms link in a circular pattern…so you come in…entry…vestibule (bonus hang out room that used to be the women’s workroom…kitchen…dining room…living room…beck to the entry).
Unfortunately, every now and then, my nearly 10 year old scruffy dawg decides it’s a repace track!!!!
Yikes! Sit!! Drop!! pant….pant….pant….
🤣🐕
Race track…🙄
i wonder if this will bring more companies – WEST ELM, i’m looking at you to actually open up reviews on their website.
Oh yeah! I really hope so too.
I’m thinking that companies like Amazon, which sells everything but makes nothing (or almost nothing)- are served well by product reviews. But West Elm, since it sells only its own brand, doesn’t want to see any reviews other than 5-star on its products!
Haha. I could never understand why everyone jumped on the “open concept” bandwagon so hard. I thought maybe everyone on earth except for me, has a pristine kitchen even immediately after cooking a meal. Yes, home has become everything this past year, hasn’t it? Doors are good! 🙂
On another note- some people seem way too cranky today! Manners- there’s a concept.
Well, it takes a certain amount of space to even have enclosed spaces. If my home were not open concept, it would feel like you were inside a dog kennel. I think if I had much more square footage I’d like an office with a door, but right now I really appreciate the ability to get natural light through the whole space and the fact that it feels bigger despite being small.
I think the open concept idea took off because we used to entertain in our homes. That is tough to do in a small house with just a single, narrow door into a tiny little kitchen.
Now that our living spaces are for the same few occupants doing ALL the things, while the flow of light through a small, but open space still feels great, the work, mess, and piles of supplies – blech.
I believe we will return to kids in school, big (IRL) family gatherings and parties. I absolutely look forward to welcoming friends back to my open floor plan home. (We did have to put a TV in the garage for sports watching 😉 though.)
I had a bit of an open concept (not fancy as it was really a wall that had been removed) when my son was toddling and it was wonderful, I could ALWAYS keep an eye on him, set up large areas for him to play without feeling the claustrophobia of too many toys. When I moved when he was older (6-7 years old to 21 years old!) into a 1929 house (like another reader mentioned) with doors!!! and stairs!! and rooms!!! Privacy but all within reach. It was TERRific!! A giant attic room with a wide staircase and no doors-Mom could still hear it all but not SEE it all. Then an extra full bath and bedroom was put into the finished basement so, as a high schooler, all his buddies had room for hanging out and watching football. I so so appreciated knowing where he was but not having to hear boys compete during video games. I popped down with snacks and it watched him and his best friends grow. Happy Mom! Children’s ages are a BIG part of how a homes layout can drive you bananas or function really well!
American layouts evolved differently from European ones, that’s for sure.
We Euros have way smaller houses and apartments, and we love our designated rooms with walls and doors.
Most definitely prefer a seperate kitchen (although the open concept kitchen/dining/living area) IS catching on).
Probably entertaining is done differently here, too. Usually, the food is prepared in advance and served as soon as guests arrive, so no one feels locked away in the kitchen and missing out on the fun. While kitchens are mostly designed for cooking and doing dishes, our dining rooms or a big entertaining area in the living room are common and perfectly suited for having lots of people over.
Yes to so many of these! We’re embarking on a remodel/addition, and one thing we’re going to focus on is sound, by creating spaces for different family members to escape, changing all doors to solid core vs hollow, installing window treatments…
Another advantage of small businesses is that they’re more likely to have things in stock, especially vintage shops. I’ve cancelled two orders from a major store because the backorder time kept increasing.
Phase I of our outdoor living will be a priority in 2021 for sure!
Thank you for this post, Emily.
At some point in the past, you had written about gallery walls and how they should be done, some “worked” and some didn’t based on aesthetic. I think I remarked that people should display what matters to them personally. This post more effectively supports what I had been trying to convey. It’s all personal, and folks should err on the side of keeping it personal and not on trend. 🙏
I really enjoyed this post. It’s very interesting to see the practical effects of this crazy time that we’re in.
I would like to add that we are investing more in quality pieces! We are finding ourselves considering furniture and rugs that wouldn’t have been in budget previously, but because we haven’t been able to travel or eat out as much, we have more money to invest into our home.
Started baking sooo much more, so took down cabinets in the kitchen to free up counter space:)
(Why would you put cabinets on a counter in the first place?! Makes it totally unusable space). Of course, it took me two years of living in our home to have this epiphany
And about 2 weeks into the pandemic I called the death of open concept. I think semi-open concept will be here to stay. Maybe only two rooms opening to each other, and the rest of the house distinct spaces.
Furnishing my patio is my number one goal this year. It currently has a grill, two plastic adirondack chairs, and a bistro set. I want to swap out the bistro table for a bigger dining table that can fit 4 chairs, and a comfortable reading area (maybe a swing or some sort of lounge chair instead of the adirondack chairs). My patio is fairly small at 18′ x 10′, so I am using the cold months to plan and can hopefully have it ready to use in May. I’d like to see what I can find on Facebook Marketplace. And I will be offering up my current furniture in my local Buy Nothing group!
With multiple family members having to be home at once all the time, I can understand the backlash against the open concept trend, and the increased need for privacy. But I guess I have a somewhat different take on this layout. With public schools having shut down, and working parents being asked to fill in and assist with learning while trying to do their own full time jobs, being able to multitask effectively has never been so important in my life, particularly with younger, less independent kids. That may mean needing to write legal briefs, while assisting with schooling, while providing the umpteenth snack during the day and dealing with the increased cleaning, often ALL at the same time, which is much easier to do in a combined living / kitchen / dining area, rather than having to run back and forth between rooms every 90 seconds. Also, while I don’t deny that you do inevitably end up compromising on privacy a bit with an open concept, to us, all that lovely natural light bouncing around everywhere in a big, open space still makes up for it 🙂
This is a really good point. The only trouble I would have with this is during business calls…
Comfort (pillows and blankets) #1, stress organizing (all the containers) #2, creative designing #3 (wall art), more small business shopping from Etsy to personalize gifts and home products
Ooooh weighted blanket dreams righg here!
Another add would be the uptick of sales in home security cameras, locks, and smart home devices. The need to feel safe in your home is big with me, especially during these tumultuous times.
Thankfully, nit an issue in Australia.
Sending you hugz. xx
This post is making me want to order a peel and stick version of Oh Joy petal pusher wallpaper. I’ve always loved it but I was scared to commit. But now I turned a teeny room into my office since I can’t be in my campus office and … I should just go for it. Why not?!
DO IT!!!!
It’s interesting to read…. I’ve found our open plan space a godsend through lockdown and homeschooling. We all go off to hide in our own spaces (bedrooms, space room/office) but it’s lovely when we all to come back and reconnect in a shared space. It’s strange as we have a separate kids room / living room but no one ever seems to want to go in there much. I think open plan is brilliant if you have alternative escape spaces (we live in rural area where we built ourselves and land costs are much lower so space isn’t such a premium) but I can see that if you have to sacrifice a living room to have one open plan area it might not be worth it. Our open plan space isn’t massive, it’s more important to have nooks or places to perch I think. If space was compromised I would try for a kitchen/diner with a separate living room, maybe with sliding pocket doors. I think kitchens on their own will become less formal, with window seats and more nooks and areas to perch and hang out. I think it’s interesting that in some European countries they are considering making… Read more »
Rural properties are selling on the east coast of Australia in 4 days!!!
My suburb on the west coast is tipped to go up @8 to 10% this year.
Don’t. Want. To. Sell!
I lurve my little house so much…. hanging to give her a makeover on a shoestring. I’m ready to roll!
I love that people have made a bit of a shift to how they want their homes to look and feel vs. what they think others will think of them. That’s a much better place to start any sort of interior design journey! Totally agreed with the thoughts of the EHD team and enjoyed the post. Would love to see future posts from EHD readers on what they did over the past few months or what they are tackling based on staying at home more. I love aspirational posts as much as the next reader, but the more attainable ones are so inspiring.
Being home like ALL THE TIME definitely makes me more cognizant of a mess and I think we just make more mess (more meals at home, more dishes, more bathroom use). I also have a toddler and shedding dog so it never feels clean enough. Definitely struggling to keep up with it all and my cleaner is off for a month because schools are closed and she has kids. So if I had the energy to do anything to my house right now (I don’t!) materials that can withstand wear and tear and are easy to clean would be more important then ever. I’ve also invested in a new vacuum and a high end coffee and espresso machine to make being home so much a bit more user friendly. Allocating money towards items in the house that I never allocated money to before definitely instead of spending it on vacations, concerts etc.
With 4 of us distance learning since March–2 teachers, 2 k-5 kids–I’ve noticed I’ve been gravitating toward a more subdued, neutral palate and traditional vibes. Not sure if this is just a natural style progression for me, or if I’m craving comfort and calm during times of stress.
Yes! I feel the same way. Three boys remote learning and i am craving neutral classic traditional more than ever before
Having a study/office at home is so great! It would be even better if it had a pocket door or something to keep out incessant TV noise! Instead of installing a pocket door myself(not everyone can be the Gold Hive), I bought my dad wireless RF TV headphones. My mental health greatly improved.
I agree with you we stay all the time at home so we need some changes in our decoration. This post gave me some decoration ideas i’m so exciting about this!! Thank you so much
Yours is one of my absolute favorite blogs to read. That’s all. Thanks 🙂
Great post! I would love to hear and see more about Emily’s hot tub and her possible new fencing. I would also love more outdoor living/patio/deck/fire pit inspo before spring is here.
I have been a lonely voice since forever that “open concept” is only great during a large party, or when you have a baby or toddlers you have to keep an eye on 24/7. I miss separate rooms. It was one of my many reasons for wanting an older home. Well, to move in to our low-inventory, very desirable neighborhood, you have to buy what’s on the market when you are looking, so we ended up with a home built in 2004…sadly, very open concept. And. I. HATE. It. We just have a “downstairs.” Because when you are downstairs…that’s where you are. Whether eating, watching TV, doing virtual school, crafting, reading or having friends over (2 or twenty) you are always in the same room. Luckily we have a great yard (in Miami), so we can at least escape out there. But I will be soooooo glad when people stop knocking down walls and “cozy” becomes a thing again…
A few years ago, I purchased an older home. Definitely not the oh so coveted “open” floor plan. I’ve had a multitude of renovation suggestions on how to open it all up. I now sit back with my privacy, my kitchen that can be a hot mess and no one be the wiser, and laugh. There is something to be said for doors when you have three people working from home. Work happens, meetings happen, dinner is cooked, the treadmill is used, tv is watched. And all done concurrently. Sometimes old fashioned isn’t so bad. As for me? I love nothing better than to shut my door and enjoy my peace.
I’d love a post on how to design a room with a mood in mind. I now realize that’s what I’ve been trying to do in my house, but I keep missing the mark.
Thanks for sharing this article. Pandemic has definitely affected the construction industry. But still, lots of creative bloggers like you have made it easy for us to change the design of our home.
Open floor plan seems ideal for apartments and condominiums. We are going through major renovations to knock down walls to make our space seem larger as we downsized from a suburban house to a condo. After reading this I wonder if I will regret not having some privacy specially when it comes to TV sounds and cooking sounds plus work phone calls etc. Not much we can do now since we paid an architect big bucks to come up with these open concept plans… But how does a prep pantry sound? Behind the kitchen where I have my instapot, airfryer,microwave, slowcooker, rice cooker etc. just so all the prep work mess keeps in that area while my serving dishes, flatware and wine glassesstays in real kitchen. Wonder if I will have two spaces to clean then …hmm