Home renovations continue to surge during the pandemic.According to surveys conducted by The Harris Poll for Selective Insurance, 44 percent of homeowners were renovating in December 2020. In the July 2021 poll, the number increased to 55 percent. Most renovations are focusing on the new needsbroughtabout by the pandemic.
As the covid-19 vaccines were rolled out and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxed the restrictions for fully vaccinated people, homeowners are also getting their spaces ready forget-togetherswith family and close friends.
Home Gyms
While gyms were closed, people saw the need to continue their fitness regimens to keep their immune systems strong against Covid-19. Even as gyms have reopened, many people are still wary of huffing and puffing in an enclosed space with strangers.
Home gyms have become common additions in renovations. Multipurpose gym equipment saves on space. Those who do not have enough space for a dedicated gym purchase exercise equipment that can be folded and stored in a closet after use.
Spaces for Work and Study
Working from home is the current arrangement for most people. Many students are also doing distance learning. In a household, each person working or studying from home needs a soundproof space for virtual conferencing.
The attic and basement can be maximized for such use. If these are large enough, they can be divided to provide two soundproof rooms each. If there is no basement and the attic is little more than a crawl space, guest rooms can also be converted into work or study areas.
Ifthere is no guest room, bedrooms can be provided with work or study desks. Use a divider behind the chair to hide the bedroom in video calls. There are also portable chair attachments made specially as backdrops for video meetings.
The living room can function as another work or study area. It must be completely closed off from the kitchen and dining room so that other household members can cook and eat without being a bother. Use clear glass for the dividing wall and door so that both spaces will not feel confined.
Ensure that the work desk faces the kitchen so that your background will be the living room during virtual calls. Also, ensure that your background does not include spaces that other household members must cross to get to other parts of the house.
Some build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in their yard. This can provide several work or study rooms. It can likewise have a lavatory and a kitchenette for coffee and snacks. An ADU is a worthwhile investment for people who intend to permanently work from home or those who are putting up their own home-based small business.
Kitchen and Dining Room
Kitchen renovations are popular these days as people are doing more cooking and eating at home. Putting the kitchen and dining room in one space means you can use the dining table as an additional food preparation area. Since cooking has become more of a family activity with everyone mostly staying home, combining the kitchen and dining room space gives everyone enough room to move around.
People who are doing more cooking and eating at home also discover the need for more kitchen appliances. Many are upgrading their stoves, ovens, and refrigerators. They are buying additional appliances like multipurpose cookers that have slow cooking and pressure-cooking functions.
They are getting ice machines for odorless ice because ice cubes from the freezer tend to absorb odors from other food.Scottsmanice machine parts are readily available, so you will not be inconvenienced if you need to replace anything.
Outdoor Entertaining
While a combined kitchen and dining room is a good place to entertain family and friends, it is still safer to do so outdoors. People are also keen on being outdoors after being cooped up indoors for so long. Many homeowners are making the most of their properties by adding outdoor living spaces like patios and gazebos complete with outdoor furniture. They are adding outdoor fireplaces or fire pits in preparation for cold weather.
Some people add fully functional outdoor kitchens, as well. This way, the food can be prepared while entertaining guests and guests can even join in. It becomes much more than just the usual outdoor barbecue.
There is also a high interest in adding pools for warm weather. Since people are not traveling for vacations, a pool in the backyard enables them to have staycations instead. Furthermore, swimming is a good exercise. A pool will also make gatherings more fun.
Because of the pandemic, people have realized that the home can be much more than just a place to return to for sleep after working and having fun outside. With the right modifications, it can serve all its residents’ needs.
