I think it’s safe to say we were all eager to see the back of 2020 and walked into 2021 curious and hopeful about what’s in store for the new year.
In REAL TIME Episode 11, we welcome Canadian designer, artist and TV host, Steven Sabados, to lead a discussion about how 2020 has affected the way we look at our homes and what we want from them this year and beyond.
“I think we’re going to be dealing with COVID-19 realities for quite some time and our homes will have to remain flexible to include a multitude of activities. I think we’re going to become less focused on the aesthetics and we’re going to gravitate to function and, the big word: comfort. We’re in our homes, we want to be comfortable,” he said
Other trends to watch for in 2021? Read his responses below.
Defining basement spaces: Basements are the most obvious and perfect place for play areas for kids, gyms and—the big influx right now—home theatres … I personally don’t think a basement is a place for a home office. If you can, have your home office above ground with natural light. But if you have to go to a basement level to work, make sure you have fantastic lighting.
Biophilia: Biophilia started as a trend before 2020 and is going to be of the No. 1 trends for 2021 and moving into 2022. Its basic premise is to connect the natural environment to the built environment through the use of natural materials and nature. Basically, using plants and natural design and décor to energize us.
Recreating travel: Travel is about escaping your everyday routine. That’s why we travel: because we want our senses to be excited. To do that, we need to break down the senses and think about how to inject them into our environment with colours, textures, tastes, sounds and smells.
Technology: Clean technology is going to be just another norm in our homes. We’re not even going to ask for it, it’s going to be included. Touchless faucets were in place years ago and that was just to help us in the kitchen. Now we don’t want to touch the faucet because we don’t want to put germs on it. So, I would say touchless everything, as well as anti-microbial LED lighting and air purification.
Focus on quality: I believe this new importance and respect for home as a sanctuary is definitely here to stay. Comfort is huge because we’re now living in our space and I do hope that we’re going to gravitate less towards disposable things. That we’re going to buy something that was handmade, that’s artisanal and that’s going to be in our homes for hopefully generations to come.
Catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe to REAL TIME on your favourite podcast app. We’ll be launching new episodes with exciting guests every month.
