While Covid-19 has impacted home design in more than one positive way , it has also destroyed various aspects of décor and renovations that we used to embrace in the past.
Such changes have occurred in both home and office spaces. They stem from the new ways in which we interact with each other, work, relax and take care of our health.
So, what interior design aspects became obsolete due to the pandemic? Here are a few of the main ones.
Maximalism follows a simple principle – more is more.
Covid-19, however, has pushed home owners and other people in need of design solutions to look for functional, clean and comfortable alternatives.
Reports state that the pandemic has given rise to a new style – warm minimalism. It brings together the best of both worlds – functional design that is also warm and friendly without being excessively ornate or cluttered. Of course, it is also possible to have minimalism with touches of luxury – read about minimal luxury here.
More functional areas have to be fitted inside a residential space than ever before – a home office, a workout zone, a remote learning area for kids, a home spa, etc. Maximalist design relies on numerous decorative elements. It would be impossible to fit so many functional areas and a ton of knickknacks in the same space.
Since the start of lockdowns and social distancing measures, people have been seeking out homes that look great and that are easy to maintain. Unfortunately, maximalism meets only one of these criteria.
Open spaces and layouts have probably dominated the world of office interior design and home interior design for years.
Unfortunately, such floor plans make it much more difficult to control the spread of pathogens. As a result, many companies have decided to go back to cubicles or at least introduce some kind of partition for safety and hygienic purposes.
The death of open floor plans isn’t as obvious in the world of residential design but many home owners are also abandoning this concept (at least to some degree).
We are spending more time than ever before at home. Many services and conveniences we used to enjoy elsewhere now have to be brought inside the flat –a spa, a gym, a wellness centre, a classroom for kids. This is why many functional areas have to be added to a flat and that’s impossible to achieve with an open floor plan.
Singaporean interior designers are starting to use at least some partitions (even if they’re movable) to designate functional areas inside the apartment. While these aren’t necessarily fixed, they do kill the open floor concept when in place.
Imitation materials like faux marble or wood used to be very popular because they’re affordable and they look good.
With the start of the pandemic, interior designers are observing less pronounced use of imitation materials in home and office renovation.
Before Covid-19, we didn’t spend all that much time at home. Hence, imitation materials for certain parts of the house made sense (regardless of the fact these often don’t bring the warmth and the sophistication of the real thing).
The Circuit Breaker period has made many property owners rethink their expenditure on interior design. Since we are often stuck at home, quality and luxury are becoming more important. This is why many are abandoning imitation materials and investing enough in the real thing.
Authentic natural materials like wood, marble, stone and iron bring a lot of elegance and timeless beauty to interior design. They can also have practical benefits like longevity, ease of cleaning and antimicrobial properties. When the world got turned upside down, many reconsidered the characteristics of their residential space, going for upgrades they wouldn’t have fathomed before.
Here’s another trend that has died both at home and in the office.
With Covid-19, we’ve been forced to do more thorough and in-depth cleaning more often than ever before.
Having many small items covering every surface increases the difficulty of maintaining stellar hygiene.
Decorative items are being abandoned and tucked away. Some people are even getting rid of art that will require wiping and dusting on a regular basis.
Streamlined surfaces and clever storage solutions are taking over. These make a home or an office very easy to wipe clean and even sterilise upon necessity. And while the world has made serious progress towards controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, chances are that the current hygienic measures will remain in place for a long time to come.
Here’s one final trend that has decreased in popularity a lot.
Subdued colours like beige, white and pastels allowed the rest of the interior design to shine.
The pandemic, however, has taken its toll on mental health. This is why subdued tones are being abandoned and replaced by brighter, more cheerful colours.
There’s nothing wrong with going bold. An orange wall in the living room will bring the sunshine in the space that a family spends the most time in. Designers are also seeing an increase in the popularity of bright and bold tones like red, purple, gold and yellow.
Cheerfulness can be created and colour psychology stands as evidence of the claim. Subdued tones aren’t doing anything to make a space more inviting and exciting. And while they’ll always be a classic, their use will potentially be minimal (for example, to allow bolder items to shine).
These are some of the design trends that Covid-19 has made difficult or unlikely to be executed in new projects. Speaking of new projects, are you thinking about a home renovation?
Home Guide is a home interior design company that can help you out. We are also a HDB licensed home renovation contractor. We have the experience, the creativity and the personalised approach to make the most of your space. Contact us today to embark on an exciting renovation journey as soon as possible.
