The COVID-19 crisis has given the world a whiplash, particularly those who are not home buddies. In the blink of an eye, people all over the globe suddenly have to contend with stay-at-home orders and the adjustments that come with teleworking. Not every home was prepared for these changes, which is why living in quarantine is the perfect excuse for those who have been on the fence about making major upgrades or renovations in their homes.
Whether it’s to improve your living conditions or to add value to a residential property you currently own, it can’t hurt to invest in home improvements that make sense for the times. After all, experts say this might be our new normal for the foreseeable future, and it only makes sense to create living conditions that boost our productivity, protect our overall health and well-being, and keep us safe. Here are some of the best home improvement ideas to upgrade your living conditions during lockdowns.
Tiny house
If you have enough room in your backyard and if your state allows it, consider building a tiny house. True to its name, a tiny house is literally a small home; a residential structure under 400 square feet (37.16 m²). They may be small, but they have everything a person could need—sleeping quarters, bathroom and toilet, kitchen, and in some cases, even a workstation. Not only is tiny-house living incredibly cozy; it can also be cost and energy-effective. Take note though that zoning laws and requirements vary from state-to-state, so check with your lock government if they allow tiny houses.
Separate casita or backyard guest suite
If you live in a state where tiny-house living isn’t allowed yet, then consider building a separate guest suite, or a “casita.” We live in a time when members of our family have to self-isolate in case they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms and want to protect their loved ones. A tiny house or an outside guest suite can help facilitate that new reality. An outside structure can also be ideal for people who are working-from-home and have to meet clients in person because it keeps outsiders from entering your home’s main building, which protects your family members from exposure.
Traditional floor plan
The past few decades have seen the rise of an open floor plan, a home design that allowed communal spaces like the living room, dining room, and kitchen, to exist in an open space. It was the perfect design for homeowners who loved to accommodate many guests at once, and for families who want to spend more time together. But in the time of COVID-19, our homes need to be a place where physical distancing and self-isolating is facilitated, especially since hosting guests isn’t the wisest idea. A traditional floor plan allows for more individual space, privacy, and separation, while still maintaining a convenient flow to the traffic in your house to meet your daily needs.
Self-sustainability upgrades
The pandemic and the other crises the world saw this year has caused many to look towards sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint to help save the planet. Now more than ever, our homes need to be a place that does very little harm to our natural resources, especially if we’re spending the majority of our time in it. Consider installing solar panels into your home to help add clean power to your power grid. Have your backyard landscaped to make room for gardening or growing your own produce.
A well-decorated balcony or deck
At a time when the local government can call for a lockdown at any point, we need to find creative ways to get some fresh air. A well-designed and decorated deck or balcony can be a good place for us to get our daily dose of vitamin D. Consider having a balustrade railing installed, and investing in a cozy couch, house plants, and other design elements that make your balcony or deck feel like home. It can be the perfect place to relax and unwind with a good book after a long day of working from home, or even when you need a breather from your life and work responsibilities.
More versatile spaces
Since residential properties now have to be a home-office-school-gym hybrid, it’s time to consider turning more rooms into double-duty spaces. Create spaces where you can work and exercise, or where your kids can do their homework.
Since the COVID-19 crisis has completely changed the way we live, work, play, and rest, our residences need to be able to facilitate these adjustments. Making these upgrades will not only make our lives easier; it will also add value to your property and would be extremely advantageous if you decide to sell or rent it out one day.
