Covid-19 and Interior Design Points

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Changes Connected With Previous Pandemics
Impact on Interior Spaces
Changing Consumer Trends
Ethical Considerations and Responsibilities
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The world of today has found itself in the midst of an unprecedented turn of events. With the current pandemic having turned out to have a prolonged and profound effect on society, it is important to recognize its effects on the various professional areas. The need to abide by specific regulations, ensure one’s own protection and the safety of their loved ones, and other various considerations have imposed a number of considerations previously not accounted for onto people. The change is especially prominent in design and architecture, where professionals have to find effective ways of integrating change and appealing to their customer-base.

Discussing interior design in particular, it can be noted that the profession has been impacted significantly by the events of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its existence can become the source of a palpable change in the development of this profession. The virus has had an impact on the way interior spaces are shaped, on the desires and needs of the customer-base, as well as the amount of work required for an interior designer. The questions of ethical rightness and proper response to the pandemic cannot be left unanswered, either. To best understand, evaluate, and discuss these changes prompted by Covid-19, this paper will seek to outline the current trajectories in interior design, and offer its own perspective on the matter.

Changes Connected With Previous Pandemics

While the effects and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic are relatively unique in their scope and specificity, previous pandemics have also impacted the way people approach interior design. Multiple choices in design and architecture were made explicitly as an answer to the healthcare challenges of the past. For example, the introduction of closets was a relatively early addition to room design, which served the purpose of making the space more easy to clean.

Closets generally occupy less space than the armories that preceded them, making the task of abiding by cleanliness standards simpler (Yuko). The choices in floor tiling and covering were also in large part influenced by healthcare crises of the past. Seeing stains and grime of the dark colored floors can be a challenge, as the dirt blends into the color of the tiling. This can be especially dangerous when a space needs to be sterile or clean, such as a cooking area or a hospital space. That is why the change to white flooring was an important introduction to the interior design. It allowed people to better react and counteract the accumulation of dirt (Yuko).

Furthermore, a general change in materials used can also be perceived. During the Victorian area, European countries had to deal with the outbreak of typhoid and similar diseases. The fabrics and materials largely used at the time were seen as a part of the issue, as they were textured and capable of harboring germs for a long period of time (Harrison-McAllister, 2020). A shift was then made to more sleek and smooth, preferring such solutions as tiles and linoleum. It can be surmised that interior design has always rose up to the challenge of best addressing the effects of health crises, finding new and improved ways of making people’s lives more comfortable and devising optimal solutions for emerging problems.

Impact on Interior Spaces

Generally speaking, Covid-19 has been both an area for possible development in interior design and a large roadblock for the industry. Like many others, the profession has suffered from the major hit on the economy of every country, and suffered significant losses in its popularity. With many people losing their jobs due to the pandemic, having to pay medical bills, or generally save money, the need and demand for interior designers has dropped significantly, lowering revenues and endangering the field. At the same time, the coming of the relative recovery period signals increased buying power from the population, meaning that many industries are able to quickly recover and continue their operation.

The rise in demand, however, means the professionals have to adjust to the different needs of the current market and find the ability to satisfly their customers, offer them the kinds of services they need. The most notable and radical change coming with the Covid-19 is the increased prominence of people’s homes in their day-to-day life, including social interaction, work, and leisure. A home has practically become a multi-functional environment and a place to do most things from. One of the features that has seen an emergence due to the pandemic is the merging of a home and an office.

With an increasing number of people either having to or finding the ability to work from home, people’s houses are increasingly transformed into working spaces, being used for leisure activities, and work simultaneously. The change means that interior design professionals must find ways of incorporating work spaces into household organically, to best empathise the work-life balance that has become increasingly difficult to keep these days. By efficiently utilizing space, zoning and various kinds of furniture, a designer can make sure that their client is able to keep optimal focus while at work and has the capacity to relax at their house.

Another consideration that many be important to note, is that people need entertainment and enrichment at home more than ever. With the inability to leave their houses in many cases, individuals have to find ways of meaningfully spending their time inside. The creation of multi-purpose rooms, ones that can combine various kinds of psychical activities and entertainment and sport into one space, can be cited as a good way to approach the issue.

An interior designer has to keep this challenge in mind when deciding placements and spacing of a room, since the contemporary home must be able to provide both the convenience and openness needed for a person to be entertained. This also concerns considerations of arranging space for various facilities, making a home feel sectioned in a particular way. The use of dividers to best utilize space can be seen as one of the ways interior designers can adapt to this challenge.

Changing Consumer Trends

When speaking about emerging trends, it is also important to discuss the desires and considerations that can come from the customers themselves, not only those that are justified by circumstance and utility. In terms of more aesthetic changes, a shift towards a more naturalistic designs can be noted. It is a way to feel more connected with the world, see the reminders of the nature and open world in the confines of one’s home. Nature-inspired decorations, the use of houseplants, wallpapers and textures is becoming more prominent, as people are finding ways to make their home more similar to the outside (Squier, 2020).

In terms of coloring, biophilic designs and color choices are predicted to be popular, such as greens, browns, and yellows (Jow). The change extends further into the room design itself, which emphasises open access to the outside environment, use of large windows and doors, natural lighting and sunlight (Brammer). Discussing the importance of safety considerations and hygiene, many more individuals started concerning themselves with the importance of entrance and transitional spaces (Squier, 2020).

Entrance halls, foyers, mudrooms and other various spaces designed to welcome people in have to accommodate the need for increased safety, as well as to provide their owners with a way to maximize both their convenience and utility. A clear distinction must be made between the entrance area and the rest of a person’s home, as a way to minimize the contact between possible infection and an individual.

Another crucial consideration and concern for interior designers that could previously be overlooked is the importance of lighting. Since most people have to go without seeing the outside in prolonged periods of time, the access to sunlight and natural light is limited, forcing people to spend more time with artificial sources instead. Light is vitally important to a person’s mental wellbeing, their ability to work, to interact with others and function on a daily basis. That is why a shift towards a more nuanced lighting system is required, as a way to answer the developing needs of the people. Natural-looking light, light sources that adjust to the time of day and the needs of the home owners are the center of attention here, as in many cases the sources of light chosen are unable to act as a suitable substitute for the sun.

Ethical Considerations and Responsibilities

The ethical side of the discussion is often overshadowed by the more practical everyday considerations, and the need to establish some ground rules for conduct and practice. With the considerations to the health crisis at hand, interior designers must first take their own health and the health of their clients into account. As a job that requires some form of interaction and contact, it is professionally valuable to be responsible for the health of oneself, preventing the possibilities of the virus spreading or being spread.

In one’s practice, in addition, a professional must guarantee that their decisions on the look, feel, aesthetic and functionality of a home will not come to the detriment of health, wellbeing, or safety. With the health crisis about, making sure that this consideration is met becomes more important than ever. In cases where such considerations cannot be met, or have to only be met partially, the client must be notified and fully informed about the possible danger involving the completed project.

In cases where the full disclosure for some reason is not an option, the project should not be brought to completion. An interior designer must provide their clients with reassurance that the choices they make can and will positively improve the sense of comfort and security of a person. Another large point of ethical responsibility is the need to be honest and upfront about one’s professional qualifications and abilities. When working, a person places their integrity on the line by engaging in a cooperative relationship with another person, an interaction built on trust and mutual understanding at its core.

By making sure that the foundation of such an interaction is based on truth, the interior designer can honor the faith put in them by another and fulfil their duty as a professional effectively. Speaking of proper conduct and regulations, a designer must also ensure that their work complies with the legislation of a particular region, and falls in line with other possible restrictions. Discussing other possible ethical hurdles, monetary involvement and financial interest must not come into play when working for another person. An increased investment into a project’s outcome can influence its quality, or the presentation of particular aspects, which is unacceptable on a professional and personal level.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said the field of interior design has been subject to a variety of changes and developments as a result of the recent pandemic. With the perceptions, needs and desires of people gradually shifting, it is becoming increasingly important for professionals to find suitable ways of adapting to the current climate of the world. While the spending power has significantly decreased as a result of the global economic failure, most sources believe that the avenues able to survive the downtime will have the ability to recover and prosper in the recovering economy. Interior design, as one of the professions most suitable for that period, will gain an opportunity to masterfully enrich and improve people’s lives.

Previous cases of public health crises have brought upon radical change to the way personal and group spaces are organized, recognizing the need to address health considerations that were discovered. The introduction of new ways to store clothing, tile floors and produce furniture have made spaces more healthy and easier to clean, facilitating better health standards. The conditions imposed by Covid-19 similarly, have mostly affected the way people interact with their homes, the amount of functions a regular house must fulfill.

A person’s residents now, more than ever, acts a multi-purpose, multi-functional space where leisure and work are combined. An interior designer must have the ability to provide their client with the convenience of working from home, coupled with an opportunity to relax and find entertainment, all in one place. Furthermore, considerations of personal health and safety must also be covered, fulfilling the roles and obligations set upon oneself by their profession.

References

Brammer, M. (n.d.). What COVID-19 Will Mean for Design Trends in 2021. Architectural Digest. Web.

Harrison-McAllister, M. (2020). Interior Design Influenced by a Pandemic. MultiHousing News. Web.

Jow, T. (n.d.). 8 Ways COVID-19 Will Impact the Future of Interior Design. Architectural Digest. Web.

Squier, A. (2020). How the Pandemic Is Reshaping Interior Design So Far. Dwell. Web.

Yuko, E. (n.d.). How Previous Epidemics Impacted Home Design. Architectural Digest. Web.

Click Here To Order Now!