As we find ourselves spending more time at home amid coronavirus, there’s more demand on our homes than ever before. Our properties now have to double up as offices, term-time classrooms and gyms, while food storage, outside space and interior cleanliness have become vital. From space-savvy storage solutions to touch-free technology, the current crisis has taught us that these home features should be non-negotiable from now on.
One thing that's for sure is that lockdown has proven how valuable freezer space can be. Ideal for bulk cooking family dinners, storing emergency meals and stocking up on frozen veggies in case you can’t make it to the shops, having ample freezer room has become essential. As well as buying into models with ample storage capacity, the key is to make the most of every inch; be clever with your organisation, remove excess ice and minimise unnecessary packaging that might be taking up valuable space.
Before lockdown, many enjoyed regular trips to the gym, yoga studio, or leisure centre, but as soon as measures kicked in, these venues were the first to close. One thing the current situation has taught us is that we all need a place at home where we can let off some steam. Whether you want a cool gym setup or a zen spot for getting your Downward Dog on, at-home workout zones have become non-negotiable.
As well as being more savvy with our storage, many have realised the need for additional space for dried goods. Once a staple in homes as far back as the Middle Ages, food pantries fell out of favour when modern refrigerators and sleek kitchen units began to rise to popularity. Yet as people stocked up on essentials to see them through the crisis, they found that their limited kitchen storage was simply not sufficient, marking a new era for the humble pantry. This incredible design by @rustichomemomma proves that style and practicality can go hand in hand.
As people were confined to their local area and working from home during the worst of the pandemic, many started to question the logic of living in big cities. Not only is it eye-wateringly expensive to live in a major city, but you get much less for your money and may struggle to find homes with outdoor space. UK estate agents reported a surge of interest in the rural homes for sale around London after lockdown, a story that was repeated in many urban hubs around the world including New York.
Many offices and co-working spaces are currently sat empty and it could be a while before these once-bustling environments return to normal. Many believe that in the future, companies will offer their employees the flexibility of regularly working from home and this is where efficient home offices come in. This chic setup from Crown Imperial highlights the importance of balancing style and functionality. A high-quality chair that offers proper back support is essential, while enough desktop space for equipment and paperwork will help people stay focused and motivated.
There’s nothing more vital than creating a home that’s safe for your family. The current climate has shown that if someone becomes ill, it's important that they can isolate from the rest of the house. This need has highlighted the importance of additional bathroom spaces, shifting the ideology that secondary washrooms are just about convenience and adding value.
Coronavirus has taught us all a thing or two about being more self-sufficient. Instead of relying on supermarkets for fresh fruit and vegetables, we can create our own seasonal goodies at home. Growing your own need not be daunting and there are plenty of tips out there to help make your vegetable patch a success. Grow All You Can Eat In Three Square Feet: Inventive Ideas for Growing Food in a Small Space is a fantastic guide for those with a limited outdoor area and proves you don't need endless ground in order to achieve an abundant crop!
Even before coronavirus hit, smart home gadgets were changing the way we live. From waking us up in the mornings to storing our shopping lists, playing our favourite music and reminding us of important events, clever gadgets like the Amazon Echo, Wink Hub 2 and Apple HomePod have become highly useful. Yet they can do so much more. With the ability to automate everything from our heating to our blinds, lighting and coffee machines, smart home gadgets can allow us to live touch-free lives, minimising the spread of germs and encouraging better home hygiene.
Lockdown has proved a challenge for many, as they learn to juggle work and home life while also educating and entertaining the children. While some have created home schooling spaces where they can work side-by-side with their kids, others have opted for separate spaces so each family member can work undisturbed. Either way, creating a fun, cool and inviting work space for your little ones will not only motivate and inspire them, but will be endlessly useful in the years to come.
With an emphasis on minimising the spread of germs and dirt within the home, it's unsurprising that many have realised they need to rethink their hallway layout and storage. Since it's been proven that microbes can live on our coats and shoes, taking them off before entering main living zones will prevent bacteria from being traipsed inside. From now on, it's likely every home will have a designated space at the front door, where exterior garments can be stored neatly and safely.
A recent study by Imperial College London found that fresh air is especially powerful against germs, so by keeping your windows closed you’re actually creating the ideal environment for microbes to thrive. Automatic windows ensure germs are kept to a minimum, improve air quality, increase Vitamin D levels and ventilate our homes at the touch of a button. Some even feature sensors that measure humidity, temperature and CO2 levels, automatically adjusting the windows to suit the need.
As we demand more from our homes, we must also consider the perks of flexible living spaces. If you live in a snug apartment or a tiny home, then you should make convertible furniture your new best friend. Allowing you to make spaces multifunctional, without the need for additional furnishings, convertible items make homes more versatile and efficient. This flip-down desk, which looks like a normal cupboard door when not in use, proves that fold-away furnishings can be both attractive and functional.
Having access to an outdoor living area is perhaps the most important lockdown lesson that we’ve learnt over the last few months. When confined indoors, you crave fresh air and a chance to spend time outside. In cramped cities, outdoor space is limited and highly sought-after, but with a change in priorities for the masses, backyards, balconies and communal gardens may soon become a non-negotiable feature for renters and homeowners the world over.
For years, we've been told to wash at 30°C, in order to cut our energy bills and do our bit to protect the planet. Yet the current climate has shown that while it's important to consider the environmental impact of our actions, it's also essential that we clean our clothing in a hygienic way. This is where washing machines with sanitise cycles can play a vital role. Designed to reduce or remove the germs and bacteria found in our fabrics, this setting uses steam or water, at a much higher temperature, to stop microorganisms in their tracks. The NHS advises washing any high-risk clothing at 60°C.
It might seem like an obvious place to start, but when our homes are full and everyone starts using their own devices, our internet connections inevitably become pushed to their limits. During a time of social distancing, the last thing anyone wants is slow or unreliable Wi-Fi, so it's no surprise that many are now demanding faster broadband speeds and unlimited data allowances as standard. From quicker download times to seamless streaming, inconsistent internet connections will soon be a thing of the past.
If you're lacking any form of outdoor space in which to create a herb or vegetable garden, then an indoor grow-your-own gadget will be indispensable to you and your family. These amazing hydroponics systems take up hardly any space and will help you produce edible goodies inside your house or apartment. Perfect for urban spaces, such gadgets use soil-free cultivation and smart technology, in order to make growing as simple as flicking on a switch. With one to hand, you'll never run low on fresh produce again.
When looking to limit the spread of germs, many have discovered the benefits of touch-free technology. Automated lighting is just one modern invention that has become tempting. Touch-free switches are activated and adjusted via mobile apps, voice commands or motion sensors. Some can even be scheduled to turn on and off at certain times, meaning as well as protecting your family from cross-contamination, you can also increase your home's safety and reduce your energy bills.
It might be hard to believe, but having brass and copper fixtures in your home could help you reduce the spread of germs. According to a study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, brass and copper are scientifically proven to be naturally antimicrobial and can play an important role in complementing traditional methods of disinfection. This stunning kitchen from Blakes London proves how amazing such metals can look, meaning your home will not only be safer, but totally on trend too.
If you have asthma or seasonal allergies and can’t keep your windows open for long periods of time, then an air purifier is the next best thing. Despite not having the power to kill coronavirus, they do have the ability to improve the quality of air inside your home, aiding with ventilation and circulation, and removing some airborne microbes at the same time. The Dyson Pure Cool Me is a great choice for the hotter months, as its purifying system also doubles as a cooling fan.
Our food storage systems have been universally tested over the last few months and there’s more demand on our kitchens than ever before. One thing that's become extremely clear, is that we all need to rethink the way we organise our kitchens, meaning space-savvy storage solutions will be of the upmost importance from now on. From clever gadgets like these slide-on trays that utilise redundant fridge space, to cupboard caddies that allow you to maximise every inch of your units, the way we store food will never be the same again.
For some time, dishwashers have been seen as luxury items, rather than essential household equipment, but in a post-pandemic world, more and more people are starting to see the benefits of having a sterilising machine to hand. As well as ridding homeowners of the burden of having to wash everything manually, dishwashers also have a much more useful purpose. Cleaning items at a much higher temperature than your hands could tolerate, dishwashers kill germs and viruses, meaning you can sterilise your utensils and crockery with the mere touch of a button.
For years, the open-plan concept has been all the rage and for a while, it seemed like an interior design craze that would never fall out of fashion. Yet during lockdown, it's become clear that having separate rooms that can be closed off is actually very handy. While large, flowing spaces are magically modern and perfect for entertaining, self-contained rooms are essential when isolating in the event of illness. There's no need to compromise on style with this layout option, as this gorgeous design proves.
There are plenty of contactless technologies out there that can limit the spread of hidden germs in our homes, but the next one to enter our lives will be touch-free taps. Using infrared technology, hands-free taps start and stop the flow of water with the wave of a hand, meaning you can avoid touching handles that might be contaminated. As well as being great for hygiene purposes, touch-free taps also reduce water, leading to lower utility bills. We don't know about you, but we're sold.
The New England Journal of Medicine published a study that found that the virus was still detectable on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic and steel for up to 72 hours, therefore an exterior mail drop box is a sound investment to avoid bringing germs into the home. Couriers can post letters and parcels into the secure wall-mounted box, which will then move to the secured compartment until you're ready to access them using a unique access key. Another benefit is most boxes also feature a unique barcode which can be used as proof of delivery.
Mudrooms and sealed entrance halls have become highly sought-after in recent months, as new evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that coronavirus can live on the soles of our shoes and be brought into our homes. As well as being useful and stylish, mudrooms and porches have become necessary for quarantining deliveries and keeping exterior garments isolated.