Home design trends are always changing - what may have looked good in the 70s looks outdated by today’s standards, and our house, which was built by my parents in 1959 in Mahanagar is definitely antique. It must have looked like the height of style then, when people from their native place Kolkata and Dhaka would come and spend time, sightseeing and catching up at leisurely pace for weeks together. Even the ten rooms appeared all cramped up then, but as children have left home and hardly anybody visits us now, particularly because of the ongoing pandemic our house has lost some of its flair. Our living trends are influenced by overall twists and turns in culture (joint family to nuclear family). Add to this the confusion that was ushered in by the Covid-19 pandemic, our lives have turned topsy turvy and so has our living spaces.
While we have constantly made changes in our home over the years to suit our changing needs, those changes were not really forced upon us. But the pandemic was a different story all together. Work from home, video conferences, webinars, video consultation with patients was all thrust upon us all at once and our open-concept layout turned out to be fairly impractical. Children interrupting webinars and adults poking into e-classes were not uncommon at all. We in our home, quickly spread out and occupied different rooms for the sake of privacy and so that we did not disturb each other.
From our own experience I am in a position to suggest to you a few changes:
An Office Space: With working from home becoming the new normal for many, and with not every home having enough space for a full-sized office, people will be seeking out office spaces anywhere they can, and preferably stylish cozy, and nice-looking ones. If one cannot spare a room then carving out a tiny office is possible nearly anywhere - alcoves, under dormers, or even backyard sheds - and it will be a big trend in the coming years.
Appropriate background: People have had enough with awkward Zoom backgrounds during work or private calls. Creating a stylish background for video meetings is an easy upgrade - artwork, pops of colour, good lighting, a little greenery, and objects of different sizes can create a stylish backdrop for a meeting. Fortunately I have a study with 4 walls – one lined with books, one with paintings, one with indoor plants and the fourth blank. So, depending upon the occasion I can change the background. We have excellent lighting from all sides which need not fall on the camera lens and a phone stand which helps us go hands free.
Changes in kitchen: Even the most reluctant cooks among us probably spent more time in the kitchen since March 2020. Classically the kitchen has a “working triangle” between the stove sink, and fridge for maximum convenience and efficiency. But with people indulging more and more in baking, prepping and chopping, or requiring separate stations for snacks, drinks or homework. I can see a change in the kitchen layout with a “working trapezoid” model, which might include dedicated areas for the newly acquired hobbies and skills.
Changes in bathroom: Now that there is no travel involved the ‘me time’ has increased. So a hasty shower can be replaced by a luxurious bath, steam showers, aroma therapy and true spa experience! If you have the time then why not take care of yourself! A bookrack and a reading light can only add to the new rejuvenation experience!
Garden time: If you are lucky to have an open space then this is the opportunity to turn it into a garden – flowering plants or kitchen garden is your choice but satisfaction is guaranteed. We have all come to understand the importance of spending time outdoors, so those with gardens will seek out to make the most of them. A fountain or a marble statue, some fancy lights and music will only add to the pleasure! And the good news is that Swiggy and Zomato are back in business too!
So, who was telling that we are having a horrible year? We can choose not to make it so! Who knows, when you are again rushing full steam you may be missing these priceless moments of leisure!
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