A study with a door is preferred to a study nook, so it can be shut off from the rest of the house. Picture: Arden Homes
As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19 — and terms like lockdown, social distancing and self-isolation becoming mainstream — a stronger focus has emerged around how our homes respond to our everyday needs.
Since stay-at-home measures were enforced, Arden Homes general manager of sales Matt Wells has noticed priorities among new-home buyers shift.
“The time we’re going through is uncharted territory, and with it comes uncertainty and stress,” Mr Wells said. “But our home remains our safe place and our sanctuary.”
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Porter Davis new home consultant and knockdown-rebuild specialist Teresa Wright said today’s buyers wanted a flexible floorplan to accommodate some of the lifestyle changes they had needed to embrace.
“They want to futureproof their home for circumstances that may arise like this again,” Ms Wright said.
Built-in desks in children’s rooms are more popular. Picture: Arden Homes
Home work
Requests for studies that can be closed off and soundproofed are on the up, according to Mr Wells. This follows the majority of Victorians working from home and students returning to remote learning under the stage four restrictions.
“A study with a door, rather than an open study, is preferred so they can effectively close the room off to other household activity,” he explained.
A professional-looking backdrop for video conferences is another popular request, either in the form of stylish built-in cabinetry, feature wallpaper, or a simple gallery wall highlighted with a statement artwork.
“Individual study spaces for kids are also now equally important, with a trend towards built-in study nooks with fitted desks for each bedroom,” Mr Wells said.
Ms Wright said many of their buyers thought working from home would be more accessible to them post-coronavirus and wanted to ensure they had the space to do it effectively.
“Having zoned heating and cooling to be able to heat or cool the areas they are working in, not the whole home, forms part of that picture,” she said.
Stacker doors can bring the outside in. Picture: Arden Homes
Light and space
Spending more time together at home has made us crave more space. But Mr Wells said even if you had a small house, there were creative design ideas you could introduce to make it feel bigger.
“If budget permits, stacker sliding doors can really help bring the outdoors in, while a sun court would allow more natural light into the home and make indoor spaces feel airier,” he said.
Ms Wright has seen a growing demand for voids in two-storey homes as another way to emphasise light and spaciousness.
“People are also considering the orientation of their land more than ever, so they can be sure to maximise the best natural light in their new home,” she said.
A theatre or games room, gym or meditation space is a welcome inclusion. Picture: Arden Homes
In the zone
More living zones were also being sought as part of the response to the strict stay-at-home measures, Mr Wells said.
These include a dedicated theatre or games room where people can go and make a bit of noise without disturbing the rest of the family, and a sitting area within the main bedroom to provide parents with a getaway space.
A growing interest in multifunctional rooms was something Ms Wright had observed. Study zones that could be converted to a living space at night and on the weekends, or a guest bedroom, were high on the list.
“This allows us to relax, work and play all within the same room if necessary,” she said.
Mr Wells also found some buyers were choosing floorplans with an extra bedroom to use as a gym, or for yoga, meditation or prayer.
“They want space where they can care for their physical and spiritual wellbeing,” he said.
Home builders are making the most of their outdoor spaces. Picture: Porter Davis
Take it outside
Having some space for outdoor activity has become more valued among new-home buyers, according to Ms Wright.
“People want to maximise their backyard space for kids to play,” she said. “They are also looking for garage extensions to set up a home gym or to accommodate a home gym in undercover outdoor areas.”
Before the home was built, Mr Wells said people were having conversations around how they could make their gardens feel private and calming with features like vertical gardens, fish ponds and vegie gardens. And those with enough backyard space were making provisions for a pool, he added
“The focus is on creating a feeling of escapism, even though there are neighbours all around,” Mr Wells said.
COVID-19 has made us all rethink our lifestyles. Porter Davis
Health and hygiene
Moving forward, Mr Wells felt there would be greater consideration around the type of materials used for high-touch areas.
“I can see this pandemic fostering more thought around things such as handles, tapware and benchtops that get touched a lot, and a move towards surfaces that are easy to wipe down and more hygienic,” he said.
A self-contained section of the home was another idea he floated as an option to cater for family members who may need to self-isolate.
“It would allow the rest of the family to move around the main home more safely and with ease,” he said.
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