In a post-pandemic world, the relationship with our homes has changed. Pandemic anxiety has greatly contributed to the constant pull between routine and transformation. Is a new home the answer? Or can you transform your home to suit your ‘new normal’?
Our desire to stick to things we know and are familiar with is obvious inside the household. The first lockdown in 2020 has seen a peak in home improvement projects. Families planned DIY works to transform their interiors, in a conscious effort to break free from the cabin fever feeling.
People are funny. We love our routine, and most of us need a routine to get us through the day. But, we also love to change things and transform our routine. There’s something deeply ironic about a creature of habit whose favourite habit is to introduce change.
Renovation & improvement: A never-ending process
Ultimately, nothing remains static inside your home. As your family grows, your needs change. The former child’s bedroom, for instance, needs to adjust to the interests and tastes of your now teenage child. Goodbye princess or dinosaur wallpaper, hello new grown-up decor with plenty of smart storage functions. Wouldn’t it be easier to move out? The answer depends entirely on your budget and your needs. More often than not, homeowners find it’s more cost-effective to renovate and improve, rather than move into a new property. It’s also a necessary process. The mind is stuck in one place. Your style, taste, and expectations evolve over time. It makes sense to update your home interior to reflect on your family and personal growth.
Is there a situation where moving is the right answer?
It would be unrealistic to pretend that homeowners can remain in the same property as long as they make the necessary improvement works. There’s more to the home than meets the eye.
The home is a location, and when the location stops being relevant or convenient, it makes sense to move out.
The home is a nest. When adult children move out, a lot of empty nesters consider downsizing. It makes sense to live in a smaller property rather than managing empty rooms.
The home is a place of safety. Yet, when it isn’t safe to live in your home, such as for the elderly population, it can be a good idea to move out. Residential care homes are designed for old age independence and health, such as https://eastleighcarehomes.co.uk/locations/somerset-care-homes/. They present a better alternative, as many seniors can get hurt by falling inside their homes.
What’s the next step with our homes?
We’ve already introduced smart technology inside our homes. A lot of properties are equipped to adjust to minor changes in temperatures or humidity levels, for instance. The next step would be for the house to reshape itself accordingly to maximise sunlight, such as this house that transforms to suit the weather.
Similarly, the idea of bringing smart tech at the heart of home decor questions the need for physical alterations. Could the houses of the future upload photos on top of our existing furniture to change the decor? In a dystopian VR-set future, this could be a way of keeping up with our constant need for change.
To move or to stay? That’s the eternal question that technology could answer in the future. A shape-shifting home could adjust to the growing or shrinking needs of the family, as well as external factors too. The introduction of smart devices could also offer an alternative to independent living for a lot of people.
This is a collaborative post.
