8 Ways To Upgrade Your Home For Our New Way Of Living

From conscious consumption to touchless tech and upcycling thrift store finds, scroll down to discover the big (and little) shifts signalling a sea of change in the home this year!

All About Prints

Prints are still huge, but smaller-scale versions are joining the party and being layered with abandon on rugs, upholstery, drapery and lampshades. There’s a sampling of eras that hopscotches through time: a revival of ancient motifs and tattooed walls reminiscent of frescoes look to history, while classic ’60s geo prints and ’80s florals join the mix for an effect that is completely 2021.

House & Home September 2020

Going To The Country

City dwellers often fantasize about ditching the rat race and heading for the country, but the pandemic is making it more of a reality. A shift in mindset doesn’t require physical relocation; it’s possible to conjure a country vibe with battered finishes, humble vernacular furniture, and rustic lighting and barn-like fixtures (even if they’re new).

House & Home October 2019

One Of A Kind

Bolstered by a desire to support local artisans, we’re upcycling and antiquing to keep castoffs out of landfills. DIYers are giving thrift-store finds a new lease on life with coats of paint and fresh upholstery. Vintage blanket boxes and crockery lend a timeless feel in a farmhouse.

House & Home October 2019

Chic Comfort

We’re literally loving our sofas and chairs right now, choosing “huggable” designs loaded with curves and channelling in inviting sunset hues. Since travel is curtailed, we’re seeking an added level of luxury in our homes with enhanced climate and lighting controls to suit our every mood.

Google Store; Shop House & Home; Ikea, Hem

Nest Thermostat, $180, store.google.com; Ludo Quilt Set, $208 (Queen), shophouseandhome.com; Symfonisk Table Lamp with Wi-Fi Speaker, $229, ikea.com; Symfonisk Cover for Table Lamp in Red, $10, ikea.com; Puffy Lounge Chair, from approx. $2,405, hem.com

Architecture First

It’s the age of the architect, and homeowners who are renovating or starting from scratch want wow moments. They’re partnering up with the pros to open up houses with huge steel windows for great street presence, framing windows like art and installing statement staircases that deliver professional polish.

Making Everyday Moments Beautiful

It’s tough to carve out downtime when working from home. Everyday items are getting new attention, as consumers order handmade plates or pairs of mugs (just for them). Sitting in a comfy chair, taking a moment to enjoy a cup of java in a special mug, then washing it with a fragrant dish soap makes home a nicer place to be.

Shop House & Home

Plates, from $15 each, shophouseandhome.com

Clean Takeaways

Touchless tech isn’t just about convenience anymore, it’s a safeguard. Sanitary devices employing ultraviolet light, air purifiers, wall hung toilets and materials with antibacterial properties like copper are delivering an extra level of hygiene and peace of mind. Finishes that can withstand heavy-duty cleaning such as stone and quartz are also emerging as all-stars.

Artemide; Ginger’s; Dyson

Nur Light with Integralis Technology, price available upon request, artemide.com; Duravit SensoWash Starck f Toilet, $4,275, available at Ginger’s; Dyson’s Pure Humidify+Cool Fan, $1,000, dysoncanada.ca

Conscious Consumption

Shopping local got a shot in the arm from Gen Z consumers, who view shopping as entertainment and prefer doing it in person. The scarcity mindset (see toilet paper and Clorox wipes) has subsided, as environmentally friendly signs emerge, like refill and delivery options for staples like water and soap, which reduce plastic packaging. Fair trade is garnering more scrutiny, as buyers want to know where goods come from, and in what kind of working conditions they were made.

Saponetti

Dish Soap, $6/liter, saponetti.ca