2020 has brought a wave of change in all areas of our lives. We’re spending more time in our homes than ever before, and it’s never been more important to have living spaces that work. With change comes innovation, and a new wave of neater, smarter designs are here in response. Let’s take note of what’s trending right now.
Study Nooks
Study nooks make far more sense than the outdated ‘study’ room, which even in its day was a bad use of space. Why waste an entire room when all you need is a quiet place to put your computer and a few office supplies? With the environmentally friendly push to go paper-free, along with the absolute blessing of cloud software, there’s no need for an endless archive of files, books and stationery.
A study nook can be cleverly hidden in a wardrobe, under a stairwell or fitted neatly into a bedroom or lounge area. But if your house design already includes a study, look on the bright side and improvise. Turn that leftover space into a guest room, bedroom, or yoga or exercise room.
Single Bathroom Vanities
‘His and her’ bathroom vanities are starting to look a little dated. Although they might be a nice indulgence, ask yourself, are you always in the bathroom at the same time? Are they the best use of your valuable space? A single vanity, provided it’s the right size for your bathroom, is probably enough. Keep it simple and use the extra space for always appreciated storage, laundry facilities, or simply a little more leg room!
Wall-to-Wall Wardrobes
One cleverly designed wall of wardrobes and storage space in the bedroom is a wonderful feature, and a far better use of space than a walk-in wardrobe. The truth is, even in their heyday, walk-in wardrobes were never a great use of space. A wall-to-wall wardrobe looks sleek and tidy and can hold a stunning amount of belongings.
Alfresco Areas and Clever Outdoor Spaces
If we look back at bygone decades, you’ll notice that we didn’t use our outdoor space is much as we do today. No longer just a flat block of lawn, today’s homeowners are using the outdoor areas more as an extension of their home. Indoor-outdoor flow is key, even using your outdoor space for conventional indoor activities, such as alfresco eating, or even including an outdoor kitchen or barbecue.
Ugly or dull exterior walls can be camouflaged by attractive laser-print screening, climbing plants, and water features such as fish ponds or fountains can transform a small, nondescript area into a peaceful place of beauty. Think very carefully about your outdoor space. Given our warm and sunny North Texas climate, you may find this will be one of the more lived in areas of your home.
