The experience of lockdown has had an enormous effect on everyone. Many of us found ourselves stuck at home and stripped of our non-essential conveniences: going to the gym or the office, or a trip to our favorite barbershop or salon. Suddenly, we were forced to do everything from the comfort of our homes.
The world was not prepared for COVID-19, none more so than many homes. Unless we saw this pandemic coming, our homes were not designed for this particular crisis. While we shouldn’t be apocalyptic or survivalist in our mindset, it couldn’t hurt to rethink our plans for a dream home and consider the new world we live in.
Here are some tips and ideas for a pandemic-proof, post-COVID-19 dream home.
Re-consider separate rooms over an open-plan space.
Open-plan floor space has been a favorite for many years as it functions on the premise that any member of the family can enjoy the space for multiple purposes. However, with the current COVID-19 situation, this might not be the best option as it does very little for social distancing. It could also be difficult for family members who have to self-isolate at any point. Separating our living, cooking, and dining spaces can offer privacy and distance in ways that an open floor plan can’t.
Additionally, an open floor plan was designed around the idea of entertaining guests, and having numerous guests is a luxury we cannot afford in a pandemic.
Invest in a home office.
Telecommuting has been on the rise for many years, but even more so this year with the advent of the pandemic. With the majority of the world’s workforce working from home, there has never been a better time to invest in a home office.
A good home office allows you to set boundaries between your work life and personal life, allows for solitude, and is conducive to productivity. When building your dream home, make sure the office area has sufficient power, ventilation, and lighting built into its design.
Dedicate a room for fitness.
One thing the pandemic has taken away from us is the freedom to go to the gym. As you plan your future home, consider dedicating a room for fitness. Having a home gym will not only save you the trouble of risking your health and safety by going to the gym; it may also save you more money in the long run. Building a personal gym may be expensive, but it’s only a one-time investment, whereas going to the gym is a monthly expense that can accumulate over time.
Focus on self-sufficiency.
In the time of corona, high-rise buildings and apartments will be a thing of the past. They were designed and organized to house many people in as little space as possible, with little regard for health and hygiene. If you’re planning on buying a dream home, consider going for a house instead as it can effectively provide social isolation.
The food shortage in supermarkets during the first few months of the pandemic has caused many to re-consider homes that allow for independence and self-reliance. A pandemic-proof home must be self-sufficient, with its water supply and heating. It should also have natural light and access to nature for growing produce. In a world where lockdowns can happen intermittently, living in a self-sufficient home can bring a sense of convenience and eliminate unnecessary stresses and worries.
Consider moving to the suburbs.
A 2018 study revealed that millennials, the generation that represents a bulk of the home-buying population, were more likely to buy their first homes in city centers compared to the generation that came before them, Generation X. But in light of the pandemic, the lure of a large city doesn’t present as much of a sense of comfort and safety as a suburb would. The benefits of living in a big city do not outweigh the anxiety and worry it brings.
Consider investing in a house in the suburbs. Many properties for sale have developers that are considering the pandemic and building communities that are safer and healthier for families.
Dream with the Future in Mind
Many of us were not prepared for a pandemic, especially those who are planning to buy their first home. While we already have to think long-term when we’re building our dream home, the pandemic has brought on an even longer list of things to consider. Homeowners would be smart to rethink the kind of home living they want to live in a post-pandemic world and the big role that their homes would play in this. Your future self, and your family, will thank you for it.
