In 2020, Canadians spent more time at home than ever before. As a result, we have a new appreciation for our homes, how they function and what kind of feelings our spaces evoke on a regular basis. They’re no longer just a place where we relax and unwind after a hard day. Our homes are now functioning as our offices, gyms and classrooms. As the relationship with our home changes, so do our needs and desires for the spaces we frequent. Even if you’re not planning to buy or sell your home, there are plenty of simple updates and approachable changes you can make to help create a more welcoming environment while adding value to your home.
Reimagined Living Spaces
Spaces and nooks we previously overlooked are getting new life in 2021 as we reimagine how we live, work and play at home. Whether it’s a converted closet, backyard cottage or sliding partitions to separate a multiuse room, the days of open space living are falling behind us, and these new trends may impact the way we use our homes in years to come.
Get creative with your spaces and start to think about the purpose each room serves in your life currently. As we spend more time at home, we’re also working to find space for the hobbies and activities we can enjoy in the safety of our own spaces. Meditation and yoga studios, hobby rooms and reading nooks have all increased in popularity over the last year.
If you’re planning to sell your home at some point, think about how you can create neutral and transitional spaces that make it easy for potential buyers to imagine themselves enjoying it. If you’re working with your forever home, then the world is your oyster in terms of how you envision, transition and use all the unique spaces in your home.
Outdoor Upgrades
Our outdoor space is about so much more now than it was before. Often overlooked in terms of potential and upgrades, our outdoor spaces are being used for gardening, exercise, meditation and even a place to host safe, socially distanced gatherings.
Creating a unique outdoor space that you can enjoy all year long (or as long as possible depending where you live) can involve installing a new multilevel deck, adding bistro lighting to improve the ambiance, creating a special fire pit area for late night hangouts or even investing in a pool. Regardless of what budget you’re working with there are plenty of trends you can take advantage of that will breathe new life into your current outdoor space.
If you’re looking to sell your home, consider how specific upgrades can impact the value of your home and what kind of buyer preferences may come into play based on your neighbourhood before you make any big decisions.
Eco-Friendly Modifications
COVID-19 has really brought eco-friendly practices to the surface as we all try to navigate this new normal and reevaluate our impact on the environment in the process. News articles reported on improved air quality with fewer airplanes in the sky and cars on the road which helped spark a bigger conversation about the new habits and routines we’re creating in our own lives.
While our direct contribution to air pollution may have seen a decline, homeowners are now seeing spikes and increases in their utility usage as more activities take place under one roof instead of offsite. Increased internet usage for e-learning and home offices and heating your home 24/7 can cause a huge strain.
Solar panel installation, geothermal systems, energy efficient appliances and smart home technology have all been frequently searched on Google in 2020. While investing in eco-friendly upgrades can improve your home’s resale value, it can also reduce your overall expenditures over time so whether you’re looking to sell down the road or you’re living in your forever home, you can’t go wrong with eco-friendly investments. As we spend more time at home and learn to look at our spaces with fresh perspective, don’t be afraid to upgrade and invest in your home with projects inspired by current trends. Want to learn more about increasing the value of your home? Get in touch with us today!