The Pandemic Effect: How The Home's Role and Needs Have Changed
Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects on day to day life has changed how we design. Not only is there remaining unpredictability in supply chains that can cause large lead times for designers and consumers, but the way we function in our homes has evolved. Many people are still working remotely and spending more time in the home as a family than ever before. The kitchen has long been the heart of the home for many, but it may now also function as a home office, classroom, or children’s activity center as families navigate lifestyles with increased time spent in the home. Custom kitchen design considers options available to families to increase comfort and convenience in one of their most frequented spaces. Home offices, mudrooms, and other custom spaces further enhance comfort and organization. Below are a few options to enhance your home to better suit your family in 2021:
1.Tech Drawers and Outlets
Between phones, tablets, laptops, and an entire litany of modern devices the demand for charging space, and the mess of cables, seems endless. A tech drawer or charging station in the kitchen can provide not only convenience and organization, but also a neater aesthetic in the space. Installing outlets with a USB option near workspaces is also a helpful way to provide better charging access without dedicating an entire drawer or nook to devices.
2. Kid Friendly Areas
Counter seating, at an island or peninsula, allows children to work, play, or help their parents at a designated spot within the kitchen. Integrated appliances and accessories, such a beverage centers or neatly divided snack drawers provide easily accessible items for children throughout the day.
3. Home Offices
A dedicated home office not only offers privacy for conference calls and enhanced concentration, but creates a sense of division between work and home life. Custom cabinetry offers endless storage solutions to organize the various tech, files, and materials required for day to day operations without cluttering the space.
4. Mudrooms
Mudrooms serve as a designated catch-all for the day to day items that may otherwise clutter a home. The many items that come with having children at home, such as outerwear, boots, backpacks, lunch boxes, and sports equipment, can find assigned spots in locker style cabinets and drawers. Usually positioned between the kitchen and garage or most frequented entrance, mudrooms can also house storage spaces for everyday household essentials or pet items.
