What Do People Want from a Modern Day Home?

As tastes, trends and technologies develop, so do people’s wants and needs. Changing perceptions impact every industry, but for home designers, these shifting priorities can cause an even bigger transformation.

2020 has undeniably transformed how people view their homes. A thriving housing market is evidence that people are more aware than ever of what they want from their home.

As a result, there are growing opportunities for professional home designers to help people achieve the home of their dreams when they understand these changing expectations. Here at Industville, we’ve worked with many interior designers over the years and understand the transformations that are taking place in the modern home.

Here, we look at some of the latest trends that are shaping expectations when it comes to modern properties.

Connected Homes

Technology continues to shape how we live, providing opportunities for us to live better and spend our time more efficiently.

A decade ago, the thought of being able to control every part of your home with your mobile or voice seemed like the stuff of science fiction. Nowadays, however, it is not just possible but commonplace. Products like Google Home and Amazon Alexa are a popular part of the modern home and only scratch the surface when it comes to the potential of this technology.

People expect convenience from their home now more than ever before, and connected products go a long way to providing that. Home designers need to consider how they can use these technologies to create a more efficient and enjoyable home for their clients.

Statement Spaces

While specific trends come and go, others have slowly built their popularity over the years and are now a mainstay in interior design.

One such trend is the preference for open-planned spaces that allow light and air to flow throughout the home. An open-planned layout remains hugely popular with modern homeowners and provides an excellent canvas for interior designers, with so many different viewpoints available.

One of the significant benefits of open interiors is the ability to create statement designs through eye-catching fixtures, such as retro industrial lighting. Using a statement piece at the core of any interior instantly draws people into an area, creating impact without using too much space.

Modern homeowners want spaces that show their personality and individuality. Using statement pieces to convey this is a great way of putting a unique stamp onto any interior.

Brooklyn Dome Pendant - 13 Inch - Pewter & Copper, by Industville (Image supplied by Claire London)

The Home Office

The coronavirus pandemic has led to more people working from home than ever before. While this may feel like a temporary solution for some, for others, working from home will become more long-term.

In fact, many people are now ambitious about building careers that allow them to work in the comfort of their home. As a result, the demand for working spaces in modern homes is expected to increase over the coming years.

Designing the Perfect Working Space

If working with a large property, you may have a dedicated workspace, such as a study or office. If so, this needs to be designed to provide a space for focus, where people can spend hours in comfort. For smaller properties, it might be a case of creating a space where someone could use their laptop, such as a kitchen island or living room desk.

Regardless of the size of the workspace, the right lighting is essential. These spaces need to be comfortable enough to be used day or night, for many hours at a time. Task lighting is often suggested, but ambient lighting as an offset can help to create a calming space that is comfortable enough for work.

Brooklyn Dome Wall Light - 8 Inch – Brass, by Industville (Image supplied by @redlivingproperty / @Kayleigh_higgs_photography)

Neutral Highlights

There have been so many trends over the last few years, with everything from Scandinavian to Japanese, botanicals to blacks and greys. However, one constant that shows no signs of going out of fashion is neutrals.

There are so many reasons why we favour neutrals when it comes to interior design. For one, they are instantly calming, which is vital for any home. Neutral shades provide some scope for creativity without losing that sense of clam. However, perhaps most importantly, they offer a blank canvas upon which more extravagant designs can be implemented.

If you lean towards neutral colours for an interior, these can be transformed by providing subtle highlights that bring more emotion to a space. The use of metal fixtures like our brass lights can add more vibrancy and depth to a room without overpowering the neutral design, providing a perfect balance between individual energy and calming luxury.

Sleek Edison Wall Light – Brass, by Industville (Image supplied by Rachel Capon)

Emotional Spaces

2020 saw everyone spend more time than ever expected at home, meaning our interiors needed to become much more versatile. While we will return to some normality in the future, many people are expected to continue spending more time at home than before, whether that’s due to work changes or merely recognising the joy of time spent with loved ones.

As a result, people’s expectations from their homes are only going to increase. People don’t just want a space where they can unwind – they want to work, rest and play, and want homes that reflect these emotions.

Interior designers are being asked to create more diverse spaces than ever before. A coherent, house-wide design is being slightly altered to allow for more versatility. This trend is significantly impacting bathroom spaces, where people want a room where they can unwind from the rest of their busy home.

Brooklyn Balloon Cage Pendant - 6 Inch – Pewter, by Industville (Image supplied by Claire Breheny)

Interior design trends come and go. While the last 12 months have transformed how people use their homes, there will again be more shifts when people return to some normality. However, some trends will be here to stay, and it’s up to interior designers to make these new dreams come to life.

If you’re interested in working with us, we offer a bespoke service that can be tailored to your exact needs. Feel free to order our catalogue, or discover our Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn channels for more news and inspiration.

Header image supplied by @theinteriorfox