By Gail Whiting ASID, CID
Because of everyone being homebound we have found that they have become more sensitive to their surroundings. They see more clearly than ever before what they need to fix, repair, upgrade and change.
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They want to be able to work from home more efficiently and may need to make a home office and upgrade the kitchen and their bathrooms. Maybe even want an overall freshening of their homes with window treatments, flooring, and finished basements.
We are noticing that people want major upgrades in space allocation: bathrooms, kitchens, finishing basements, media space, and wine rooms.
Basements – In today’s times, basements are more than a workout area or an extra bedroom. They have become entertainment/media, 2nd family room with bars, wine rooms, and a place to have a private office.
Home offices – With the surging need for home offices, some important questions arise.
- Where do we fit them?
- How effective and functional can we make them?
- What are the pros and cons of standing desks? Yes, you lose a few more calories but does it make you more efficient? Standing desks certainly help people with back issues, but we need to look at the big picture of health and wellness for the best outcome – All food for thought!
Bathrooms – The trend is towards a space that is light and airy, has heated flooring, rain showers and vanities with outlets inside for appliances.
Finishes are the circles of life. Brass has made a comeback, but in softer satin finishes, polished nickel is great in any space, and satin nickel is soft & subtle. Chrome is a cooler-looking finish and it is the hardest and longest-lasting and the most maintenance-free.
Toilets – With the shortages of toilet paper, clients are loving the wash & dry features. They are great but expensive. But, once you have one, you don’t want to give it up.
Style – I think the barn doors are on their way out.
Color – I don’t think the neutrals will ever leave. It is really so much about personality and lifestyle. Every client is unique with specific requirements and likes and dislikes and what colors they are comfortable living with. One needs peace and serenity and they work well when a client has a gallery of artwork to display.
Mono-chromatic is probably the most sophisticated look and the color is always cheerful and fun.
An eclectic mixture gives the most long-lasting look. It is old with the new, the straight lines with the curves, and the mixture of textures and patterns. I call it the traveler’s style with an edge.
You do not want to do a trendy look regardless of the style of the day: instead, think out of the box and incorporate timely looks that don’t age. This helps you not tire of your spaces since wherever you look it continues to be refreshing, lovely, and well put together.
If you would like a consultation please contact me. Here’s to making your house feel more like your home.
Gail Whiting ASID, CID gwhiting@designconsultantsnj.com
Design Consultants Ph: 908-781-2092, 262 Route 202 North |Bedminster, NJ 07921