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When a worldwide health crisis hits, it's bound to cause a few changes. Since virtually everyone was socially distancing at home, the extra time indoors opened people's eyes to what they really wanted in a home.
For the first time ever, lines at home improvement stores were longer than lines at Disneyland.
(Statista reports that 76% of Americans made at least one improvement to their home during the pandemic.)
In less than two years, the landscape of home buying and building has changed dramatically — and possibly for good. Here's how.
Structuring homes differently
Once upon a time, the open floor concept was extremely popular. Since the home was where everyone came to gather after spending almost the entire day away, it made sense to create a space where it was easy to all be together.
But fast forward to 2020 and circumstances are a little different. For a long time, students were engaged in virtual learning at home. Employees teleworked from their laptops at the kitchen table. Everyone was home — and in the same space. Suddenly, people were itching for separate rooms.
But it's not just about convenience and noise control. The pandemic also highlighted a necessary health benefit of having more rooms in a home. The United States Census Bureau found that 38% of American homes didn't have everything they needed to completely isolate one person if someone became ill. They didn't have enough bedrooms or at least two full bathrooms to make a full quarantine possible. It's no surprise then that the Pew Research Center reports that more Americans now prefer bigger homes.
Building lifestyle solutions
In 2020, people's homes became their entire world. Daily trips to the gym, the office, school, and other venues were temporarily on hold, which required a little improvising on the homefront. The living room became the classroom. The basement became the office. The garage became the gym.
Now, people are building and buying homes where these lifestyle solutions are already built-in. Last year, Forbes reported that some homebuilders started offering a "home office concept" to meet the needs of those continuing to work remotely. Even after the pandemic subsides, it's unlikely that things will go back exactly as they were before. Telecommuting and at-home workouts are here to stay — and people want to be prepared for it.
Greater creativity
Aside from addressing practical needs, people have also gotten pretty creative with their home designs and decorations. Architectural Digest notes that this is particularly evident in the colors people choose. Bold designs, bright colors, and unique patterns have become increasingly popular since they add variety to an otherwise drab indoor setting.
A reflection of oneself
With so much focus placed on peoples' living spaces (thanks, in large part, to virtual meetings), homes have become more than just a dwelling place. They've become a reflection of the humans who live inside. There's something innately fascinating about the way people express themselves through their homes — the paint colors, the layout, the decor, etc. Everything tells a story.
Just think about what the world learned about celebrities last year, thanks to virtual interviews. You got to see the books President Barack Obama keeps on his shelves. You caught a glance at Oprah's living room decor. You learned that Martha Stewart's kitchen was — unsurprisingly — extremely organized. (Mashable even ranked the best and worst celebrity homes, as seen on Zoom calls.) Each time you saw inside a person's house, you learned something about them.
German philosopher Martin Heidegger wrote in his essay, "Building Dwelling Thinking," that "to dwell" means more than just taking shelter. It means "to cherish and protect, to preserve and care for." Your home is your sanctuary — and the pandemic reminded everyone of its importance.
Multiple touchpoints in the customer experience
Buyers aren't the only ones who've changed over the past year. A good builder understands the importance of helping customers find or build the home of their dreams — particularly in the wake of the pandemic. That's why Woodside Homes has increased their touchpoints with customers throughout the home buying and building process to ensure they get exactly what they want. Guiding them through the process step by step and conducting surveys before and after purchase are just some of the ways builders are satisfying customers' needs.
Make your home Better By Design
Where you live is an extension of who you are. That's why Woodside Homes is committed to going above and beyond when it comes to designing and building your home. Their motto — "Better By Design" — is also a promise. From carefully selecting land to simplifying the home buying process, they're proud to contribute to the memories that will last for years to come in your beautifully designed home.
As styles and concepts change through the years, Woodside Homes will continue to lead the charge in industry innovation. Find your new home or browse their Inspiration Gallery online so you can design your home, your way.
