According to The Tennessean, the effects of COVID-19 may already be spilling over into the floor plans of our homes and businesses. A design by Regent Homes in the Nashville area features commercial space on the ground floor and living area above - not exactly a new concept but one that may grow in popularity. "“It’s perfect," said artist and townhome owner Shelly Jack,"the downstairs can be a studio, and you’re in a community of like-minded people,”

Live-works are not the only way design is evolving to fit the changing needs of home owners. Spaces dedicated for home offices and home schooling as well as larger drop zones with hand washing stations and room to change shoes will become part of many floor plans, said Randall Smith, president of Celebration Homes.

Interiors will change in other ways, he said. “Small, more intimate spaces will resurge as more folks stay more at home and some parts of the family need multiple spaces with privacy to do different activities at the same time,” he said.

Tomorrow’s designs will include larger pantries for storage of non-perishables as well as space for additional refrigerated storage. Smith predicts a “resurgence of large separate bonus play areas for media and future home schooling needs as this is becoming more popular now that some parents see they can do this role effectively.”

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