It’s been almost a year since we started to “shelter in place” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year has brought many changes in the way people lead their lives including where and how they work, attend school, stay active and socialize. These changes have profoundly affected design, especially residential design, since people are spending more and more time at home.

Homes have taken on multiple roles. Home is now a school, office, gym, restaurant, and even cinema and park. It’s also a safe haven. Therefore, people are asking more of their homes than ever before and are transforming them to accommodate these extended uses which are expected to continue into the foreseeable future.

Not surprisingly, home-improvement projects have seen a considerable increase since the start of the pandemic. According to a recent Bank of America study, “more than 70% [of people] have decided to tackle home improvement projects, with more planned for 2021.” ⁽¹⁾

Interestingly, home improvement and small fundamental design changes have long been linked to world pandemics. According to Forbes, “it was during the 1918 flu pandemic that homeowners started installing small bathrooms on the main levels of their homes so guests could wash up without traipsing through the entire house.” ⁽²⁾

So, what are the popular home improvement projects people are engaging in, in response to the pandemic?

Entryway

Entryways, foyers and mudrooms have gotten extra attention since the pandemic, which many designers attribute to the cognizance of maintaining sanitary areas and a clear division between indoors and outdoors. ⁽³⁾ This renewed emphasis on the foyer is more functional than aesthetic. Multifunctional storage in the foyer is all the buzz right now. Built-in cabinets to hang coats, shoes, kids’ backpacks, etc., have become more common than ever.

In homes without a dedicated mudroom, designers are creating designated entry spaces. Adding storage cabinets, benches and cubbies near the entry separate and define the entry from the rest of the home.

Space-saving ideas like turning coat closets to storage cabinets and creating a valet area (a small mudroom near the garage entrance) are also becoming common.

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