The interesting way COVID-19 changed people’s home life

To say that COVID-19 has made a huge impact on our lives is an understatement. In less than 12 months, so many changes have already happened – not just in one or two countries, but on a worldwide scale. In the past, as adults, we were able to go out of the house anytime we want. This year, the time we spent at home was probably the longest we have had in so many years. We most definitely had some bouts with depression and feelings of anxiety because of the sudden shift in the way we live our lives. It has also changed the way we work and how our businesses operate.

People who were never familiar with working from home suddenly had to get used to Xoom calls and doing tasks indoors. No more lunch outs and dining in. Take outs and deliveries have become the norm. Because of the pandemic, everyone was forced to spend at home, new discoveries were made – whether it’s about their loved ones or about their community, the pandemic certainly made us all much more aware - which is a good thing. We probably even became more aware of our very own homes.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the massive impact it had on construction projects. The lockdown made it difficult for industries to operate, but while it was a good thing that the construction was not ordered to shut down altogether, projects were impossible to complete faster.

The building and construction are vital to the economy’s recovery, which is why the government was convinced to push through with efforts to encourage consumers to build their homes. The HomeBuilder Grant was a success and it actually caused so many Australians to entertain the possibility of building their first house. This year has definitely proven how important housing is. With the way things currently are, working from home could go on for a while longer. Because of this, those who are looking into building their home would most likely demand more.

According to some developers and builders, people have started inquiring about flexible layouts that could be used as both living and home offices, which is not surprising at all. Searches for homes near or accessible to areas such as shops, train stations, and rural areas from April to October this year surged. This is a testament to how much people have suddenly changed their position about what should work for them. Surprisingly, there has been an uptick in searches for properties with gardens, courtyards, home offices, balconies, and even swimming pools.

Multi-generational living

The pandemic changed the way we see our space and assess what we want to do to fulfill our daily tasks, especially when working. Home designs change over the years, but this year, more segregated designs are more desirable. Ever since the lockdowns were imposed, multi-generational living has also become a thing. Families have started to bond and appreciate togetherness even more. According to industry experts, parents and their children buying separate homes but in the same building have occurred recently, with reports of increased sales in eastern suburbs. Other families already moved into apartments on the same level so they can have got together much easier. It is no surprise that mental health challenges were on the rise because of everything that’s been happening. Seems reasonable why so many are wanting to be with their family even more.

Apartments have become a lifestyle choice these days, and with the government's efforts to help others build more properties, 2021 is looking to be such a good year for the building industry.