The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has altered our lives in both big and small ways, including the way we decorate and retro-fit our homes.

No longer just a place to sleep, our homes have become our office, gym, and social space. Will this be our new normal going forward? Homeowners would be wise to prepare by buying or renovating a house with amenities as a reaction to the health crisis and their need for more flexible space.

Re-imagining your home due to COVID-19

Whether selling or buying, here are five home features that, according to realtor.com (https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/coronavirus-is-reshaping-design-home/), you may want to incorporate to make life more bearable.

More bathrooms
A family member who has caught a virus needs his own bathroom to keep germs in one place, so the addition of a second (or third or fourth) bathroom in homes will be important.

Bigger pantries
You weren’t alone if you found your food storage was lacking in the early days of the coronavirus. The solution will be bigger and better pantries. Room for nonperishables is key so you can cut back on the number of grocery store trips you make. No room for a dedicated pantry? Shelving and cabinets in other parts of the home, such as the garage and basement, will also work.

Freezer space
Remember the old-fashioned chest freezer your mother or grandmother had? Look for it again, along with more built-in freezer drawers, in future home design. Panicky pandemic shoppers are snapping up all manner of foods, and the result has been a sold-out stock of freezer units.

Brass and copper fixtures
Adapting to a new, more germ-conscious way of living starts with a return to copper and brass (a copper-zinc combo) for doorknobs and fixtures. In fact, brass kills bacteria more effectively than stainless steel, according to research. Brass and copper are excellent metals for the home because both are naturally antimicrobial and corrosion-resistant.

Nicer home offices and dedicated space
This one is obvious and runs the gamut from a fully equipped workspace in a separate room to smaller iterations like nooks under the stairs or a retrofitted closet. Having a quiet area in which to work will be a must-have, and if you can include the ability to work while standing up or moving, your wellness will be enhanced.

According to RE/MAX Metro realtor, Estelia Mesimer, our homes have been our safe havens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Going forward, the need for multifunctional spaces for living, working, exercising and schooling will be key to home layouts and creating balance in our lives.

Related Links:
Together Again: The Future of Shared Spaces in the Office
Covid-19 will forever change our homes

St. Petersburg Communities

If you’re interested in any of these of communities or live in one of them and are thinking of selling, call Estelia today!

Allendale Terrace
Bahama Shores
Bayway Isles
Coquina Key
Crescent Heights
Crescent Lake
Downtown
Greater Pinellas Point
Historic Kenwood
Historic Old Northeast
Historic Roser Park
Historic Uptown
Isla Del Sol
Old Southeast
Placida Bayou
Snell Isle