Covid has changed many things in our lives.  Some good and some not so good.  If we are to focus on the positives, staying at home has helped us take more interest in our homes and homemaking.  Home improvements are on the rise (as are the prices to do such).  It is difficult, in my community anyway, to get scheduled with repairmen or to get necessary parts.

Since we are all spending more time at home, we are noticing the things that aren’t to our liking.  And maybe due to the loss we have seen around us, we are wanting to make our lives more enjoyable.  No longer choosing to make do with an out-of-date bath or a wall color we don’t care for, we are rolling up our sleeves and doing it ourselves or picking up the phone for help.

I have my own list of projects in the works, from repainting a bath and scraping the remaining popcorn off a few more ceilings, to updating another bathroom.  Thinking about my projects made me also consider some of the trends that will impact my decisions.

My usual design is classic, not trendy.  I don’t enjoy renovations enough to choose to do them often!  Every time I update something, I always say that I don’t want to do it again in this lifetime.   Although I will probably avoid the current wallpaper trend, I will choose to paint the walls with pale neutrals as is popular.  If I want to change the color in five years, it will be a much smaller project than repapering the walls.

Here are the trends we all seem to be enjoying at our homes:

•  Comfort is something we have been longing for this last year, both in clothing and our homes.  Colors that evoke the feeling of comfort are becoming more popular.  Like neutral colors and warm, rich earth tones.  One bathroom I want to paint is currently a terracotta color which I want to make an almond color.  The funny thing is, I keep seeing terracotta walls on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Maybe I should leave it as it is and be ahead of the trend!  Comfortable and plush furnishings are also hot, such as furry rugs and thick crocheted throw blankets.

• Everything old is new again!  As we are seeing in fashions, throw back, nostalgic designs are in vogue.  In fashion, it is called granny chic (have you seen all the cotton, tiered, maxi dresses?) and in interiors it is grandmillennial designs.  Think original hardwood floors, front porches, quilts, gold hardware, wallpaper, vegetable plates and original stained woodwork.  Any décor your grandma had could probably be dusted off and feel right at home today.  Included in that are traditional floor plans with rooms and doors instead of open floor plans.  People working from home have realized the need for separate rooms and the accompanying doors so that each family member can be on Zoom or a call without interrupting the others.

• Gardens.  Gardening (vegetable and flower) has been on the increase during the pandemic.  Because we are mostly at home, it is one activity that we can do to get out of the house.  Gardening always seems to increase when there is a national crisis, and this time is no different.  Adding fuel to the growth was the food insecurities that we experienced.  People want to make sure they have something to put on the table to eat.

• Kitchen revival.  Baking, canning, sourdough, grilling, etc. were other ways we have entertained ourselves, making indoor and outdoor kitchens even more significant to the functionality of our homes than ever before.   Appliances that make home cooked meals even easier to prepare have been best sellers.  Multi-function appliances such as Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi have been invaluable in helping families get dinner on the table.  Retro items such as cast-iron skillets and ball jars (for canning, drinking, flower arranging, and crafting) are still enjoying their revival.

• Cleanliness and sanitization are trends that have impacted what materials we use in our homes.  Floors, counters, and fixtures need to be easy to sanitize and wipe down, and soft goods need to be machine washable.  For that reason, natural materials such as glass, stone, linen, and cotton are popular.

• Antiques, whether mid-century modern or Queen Anne revival, are still inspiring interiors as well as new reproductions.  This also coincides with our desire to recycle and repurpose items.  Instead of buying new, many folks are opting to buy used.  That is another trend we see in fashion, where clothes manufacturers are using recycled fibers in their fabrics.

• Earth friendliness has also impacted our home design choices.  Choices such as bamboo, upcycled woods, and low VOC paints are just a few examples of design elements to consider when building or renovating.  When decorating, natural plants, earth friendly fibers, and upcycled furniture are options to keep in mind.  Earth-sheltered houses (built underground or into a hillside for example) have many eco benefits as well.

• Peacefulness.  Luxurious textiles in both bedrooms and bathrooms are allowing us to enjoy the comforts of a resort or spa at home.  From soothing music and soft lighting to calming scents and enveloping couches, we are all finding a way to design peace within our day-to-day existence.  If we can’t go to a resort, why not design our homes to provide the same comforts?

How has the pandemic influenced your home décor and home habits?  Have you jumped on the redecorating bandwagon?