Design Trends Shaped by Covid-19
Updated: Oct 20, 2020
Home Introspection
Everything in the Time of Corona is different and interior design is no exception. For many people, home has suddenly become an office, a school and a restaurant.
I'm sure I'm not alone by the fact that I have now examined every space inside and outside of my home.
Every news outlet is talking about how business is going to be changed forever. But what about design? Specifically interior design? I've been researching what the top forecasters & designers are saying and thinking about the approach to design and building here at dplusb.
What Interior Designers & Architects Are Saying
On a recent Zoom call put on by Designer Inc., some of the designers are loving virtual design. Virtual design makes it so they can meet with more clients in different locations without the hassle of LA traffic.
Like it or not the Covid-19 outbreak has solidified virtual interior design (aka eDesign). It's not for everyone but I believe it will further bridge the design world to regular people.
The San Francisco Chronicle recently interviewed Melanie Turner, the Director of Residential Design for Pfau Long Architecture. She has some interesting insight that I can totally see happening. Residential design might see larger entryways with visual cues to remove layers of outdoor clothing and dirt before coming into the home interior.
Interior Design Trends Past & Future
It was after the last pandemic of 1919 that powder bathrooms on the main level became a thing. Before that guests used the main bathroom of the house. It could be possible that entryways might start including a sink so everyone can wash their hands before coming into the main part of the house. Check out this amazing sink in a box below as inspiration.
I was recently pondering interior textiles and their ease of disinfecting. I love soft and warm textiles and think that will continue to be a trend but think they will be further developed and become easier to wash. For years Quatrine has made high-end custom upholstery pieces with washable covers. I think we're going to see this a lot more with other brands both high-end and retail.
While I don't think that we're going to see homes go full-on industrial for finishes I think things are going to change quote a lot. My friend and I were recently talking about our love for wallpaper. This has been a huge trend in the last few years but I think we are going to see that less now. Wallpaper is often impossible to clean, now more than ever people will want clean surfaces.
I suspect that wallpaper will still be found here and there but doubt you will see a lot of my favorite Cole & Son covering bathrooms like the one pictured left.
However, this makes me think that people with the budget will spring for some hand painted walls like this amazing lapis stone wall done by Caroline Lizarraga.
Handcrafting is a thing. And with distribution at at halt we will continue to see this.
With all the artisans holed up like the rest of us that only means that their craft is going to going to amaze us when we see it in person.
In the March/April issue of Dwell Magazine they had an interview with Li Edelkoort, a renowned trend forecaster. This was likely sent to print before the US was experiencing the full effect of the C-19 outbreak. It made me wonder what her thoughts were now that the whole world is experiencing this virus on varying degrees. In an interview with the design magazine, Dezeen, Li reflects on rebuilding society after the coronavirus.
According to Li, the Coronavirus is "a blank page for a new beginning". I love her thoughts that this time is "a quarantine of consumption". Over the three articles I read about Edelkoort, she discusses the trend that we have all been seeing recently: the blending of handcraft with technology.
What's Next?
Reading all of this and reflecting on the where this takes interior design I think we will see people taking what they have and modifying it. I was reminded that it was during the last major crash in 2008 where people really started to use found materials and reconstructing them into home furnishings.
Recently we were asked to help with a kitchen update. The client was socially conscious and wanted to skip a full renovation to help lower the waste. To achieve this goal we painted the cabinets and updated the hardware. This made a HUGE difference. I can't wait to get back to that project and photograph! Until then, here's a sneak peak of one of the updated cabinets.
Now that production in China is stunted I suspect we will see many more home updates like this. I can also imagine using technology to cut new cabinet faces for existing cases when a full renovation can't happen.
There are already companies that make adhesive panels for Ikea furniture. How fun would it be to be able to make panels like this for existing furniture using 3d printers?
While I was looking around for inspiration for this post, I came across cabinet panels made of porcelain by Artedomus. This is such a great idea and It reinstates that we will continue to see materials used in new applications.
Ok, who wants to collaborate on making furniture panels with me? There's so much inspiration I can hardly stand it!
Home Health Trends
Other trends I've been hearing about is interior air quality. Here in Northern California we had some serious fires over the last few years. So many people have invested in high quality air purifiers because of the smoke.
Now that there's a constant dread caused by a microscopic beast not only will air purifiers be in most homes but new construction and renovated homes most certainly include built-in air purifying systems.
House plants have been super popular over the last year. This ties into not only air purification but also into the prediction by Li Edelkoort that cities and the country will blend together. "Natural space will become very coveted" she says. Houseplants and urban farms are the beginning of this trend and will continue to grow.
What home changes are you making now that you're at home? Let us know in the comments.
Also, do you know someone who might like this post? We love it when you share it.
Here at dplusb, we are so inspired by all of these ideas. We love revamping existing furniture and spaces with thoughtful finishes. We love a good challenge of finding a way to make something beautiful with existing items, no matter if it's building something with reclaimed wood or finding or sprucing up furniture with a bit of paint.
Whether you need a full scale renovation or need some help with a DIY project, dplusb has you covered. Check out our services here and contact us here.
xoxo, dplusb (aka Dorothy & Buck)
