Home interior design and functionality go hand-in-hand, and hence home design has continually evolved during times of crisis, catering to the need of that moment. The outbreak of cholera in the mid-19th century in London resulted in certain textiles being alleged as germ attracting elements, and hence the materials got modified from textured to smooth.
The Victorian era typhoid crisis marked a shift from carpeted flooring to linoleum surfaces and white subway tiles that could show dust and dirt easily. In the late 19th century, germ theory brought attention to the importance of better indoor air quality, better ventilation, and hygiene. Likewise, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought in many changes in home interior design in major Indian cities – in terms of sanitation, hygiene, artificial and natural lighting, etc.
The buzzing city of Mumbai is no exception to this rule. Mumbai has faced most of the brunt of this pandemic epidemiologically as well as economically. Mumbaikars who love to travel are now forced to stay indoors. Therefore, we like to adopt a more holistic approach to redesigning our home interiors.
A Bird’s Eye View of Possible Post-COVID Mumbai Interiors:
One of the key things to emerge from this pandemic (beyond the focus on hygiene and immunity) was the rise of work-from-home. Given this new normal, homes will be divided into noisy and quiet zones to demarcate, study, work, entertainment, cooking, or relaxation, making it a truly multifunctional space.
Mumbai Home Interior Design Aspects that are Bound to Get Re-defined post-COVID
Here are all the possible changes that have begun popping up in Mumbai homes and will proliferate in the coming times.
Revamped Foyer / Entrance:
The most notable change we can expect will be in the foyer or entrance, serving as a distinct transition zone where people take off their shoes, masks, etc., and sanitise their hands. Space will be allocated at the entrance to hang bags, keys, masks, keep disposable gloves, wipes, disinfectants, sanitisers at the door, and so on. The entrance will focus more on functionality in addition to aesthetics.
Kitchen Innovations:
The lockdown has altered many daily habits. People now prefer to store non–perishable items and groceries for longer than earlier durations. Hence, they will require a convenient and spacious pantry. Plus, as more people have started to cook at home, they are buying the latest kitchen equipment and tools. For instance, there is a rising demand for dishwashers in even medium-income households.
Innovative kitchen tools like kitchen bots, WiFi-enabled instant pots, and other AI-enabled kitchen appliances are expected to gain popularity. People will prefer minimal human interference, safety, hygiene, precision,, and these tools will save the need for appointing a cook and minimise the risk.
All of this will lead to a newer need to accommodate these appliances smartly. For instance, Indian kitchens were never planned to have a dishwasher in them. This will all change now.
Dedicated Office Space
Work from home is the current norm, and people need a functional office space to be more productive. People are finding innovative ways to create a comfortable workspace at home, like converting areas under the staircase (in case of duplex or penthouses), storerooms, half-bedrooms, or even master bedrooms into makeshift office rooms.
With Zoom meetings replacing office conferences, one has to use materials that offer acoustic insulation, take care of lighting, and have an aesthetically pleasing backdrop that lets them have their zoom calls, etc., with confidence. What’s more, the home office will also throw up the need for dedicated storage spaces for all office equipment like printers, scanners, etc.
Indoor Workout:
Decathlon, the sports goods retailer, recorded a 220% rise in the fitness products category after the first lockdown. Amazon India has also witnessed a 2.2 times hike in the fitness area, with the maximum orders placed for yoga mats, bands, etc. This means people are allocating dedicated space for fitness activities within their homes.
Post pandemic, things may not be very different, and most fitness conscious homes, whether big or small, will look to incorporate a separate fitness area within the space they have.
Entertainment Zone:
Various OTT platforms and online entertainment content have seen a considerable increase in their customer base post the first corona wave, proving that homes will also have to turn into entertainment hubs. Home theatres, virtual gaming, and other entertainment equipment will have to be incorporated into home interiors. There will also be a requirement for discreet storage spaces for various related home entertainment gadgets.
The living room will be among the rooms to witness these changes.
Increasing Preference for Open Space
The pandemic has reinforced the need for well ventilated and airy spaces to be included indoors. Areas like a balcony, open terrace are becoming imperative. They offer good access to sunlight and fresh air, both of which are essential now to enhance our well-being. A lot of us are craving to go outdoors. Those who have converted their balcony spaces into rooms earlier perhaps now realise the importance of open spaces. Be it a simple small sit-out or a huge balcony.
All these will redefine the home interiors like for instance. People may want to have dedicated bench-type sit-outs beside their bedroom or living room window.
Bringing Greenery Indoors
At Vriksha nursery, Vile Parle, Mumbai, one can witness people queuing to get rare plants. Many nurseries are also offering live plants at doorsteps, and some are also renting plants where an expert will drop by to take care of plants and water them. Probably staying indoors has led to increased interest in gardening as a hobby. Becoming plant parents, a trend in existence earlier has caught up with the millennials during the pandemic.
Even people residing in small apartments in Mumbai (who do not have the luxury of a spacious balcony garden) are now interested in having small succulents indoors.
Having said that, not everyone has the time to maintain their green friends. However, they would still want to bring greenery into their homes. Wallpapers and botanical prints are trending for interior finishes when it comes to wall treatments. In fact, zoom frames also use a lot of plants.
Probable Mumbai Home Interior Design Trends Post Pandemic:
New and innovative shades of colours may emerge post-pandemic. According to Garry Cohn, colour expert of CURATOR, an Irish-based paint company, people’s colour choice are a kind of response to the world around them.
The pandemic will affect the colours people put on their walls, and this will be based on how people respond or cope with the pandemic. He adds that there may be certain general themes that will be paired with specific themes like a yearning to feel fresh and clean during a pandemic will make people go in for colours like beautiful shades of blue and green.
A want for a conservative home environment and the need to feel safe will demand neutrals and soft shades. Youngsters may also choose bold and fun colours to bring in more optimism.
Based on the Indian trend and responsiveness towards the pandemic, Asian Paints has suggested “Cherish” as the ColourNext’s colour of the year for 2021. Cherish has a combination of mint-green hue, Ivy League and a touch of blue. This is a colour brother too warm or cold and instils a sense of hope that things will be alright.
People may prefer to use furniture that is capable of multi-purpose use. Also, there can be an interest in choosing earthy materials like cane, rattan, and timber to let the vibes of nature flow in.
Technology has already permeated our homes. Smart appliances and devices, right from home assistants like Google Home or Amazon Echo to smart TVs, smart lights, fans, etc., are already a rage. People may choose to rely on technology for better hygiene as well. For instance, touch-free doors [1] using smart locks that use the mobile app to lock doors remotely, motion-sensing taps, lights, etc., may become the new norm.
Conclusion
Architects need to find improved typologies for Mumbai houses to cater to the diverse community of residents and their lifestyles within a small home space. So these trends are likely to prevail in most Mumbai homes and perhaps across India and even globally.
Another key focus for interior designers will be a juxtaposition of isolated areas, better privacy, and shared spaces within the same walls, in addition to better artificial and natural ventilation.
To know more about the latest interior design trends and give your home a dreamy look, get in touch with us.