Parenting Pointers: Maximizing Space in Shared Workspaces

The pandemic has changed nearly every facet of our lives, and this is especially true for parents. The online interior design company Modsy recently published a Covid-Inspired Design Trends Report analyzing how COVID-19 has changed the way parents (and their kiddos) are using and interacting with their homes, how parents’ home design priorities have changed, and the family-friendly home design trends are on the rise. 

The Home Design Pandemic Parenting Trends Report analyzes Modsy’s internal data, a survey of 2,000 US parents, and Google Trends data. Some high-level insights in the report include: 

• The percentage of Modsy customers designing a nursery in June 2020 was 40% higher than the 2020 average. And sales in the baby/kids product category grew 60% from June 2019 to June 2020. Does that mean the COVID-19 baby boom is real?
   
• The pandemic made 60% of parents realize their home was disorganized, and parents were more likely to have undertaken DIY home or room design projects during the quarantine (77%) than non-parents (57%).
   
• At 40%, parents were more likely to choose flex spaces as the biggest factor to consider when designing a room, compared to non-parents (35%). Likewise, parents were also more concerned with hygiene and sanitation (28%) as the main priority in home design compared to non-parents.
   
• In addition to nurseries, Modsy has also seen a rise in designs that incorporate spaces for home learning. According to the survey, 72% of parents said if they redesigned their child’s current bedroom they would incorporate a school/homework space.
   

Alessandra Wood, VP of Style at Modsy, says: “Parents are using their homes in overdrive. The word shelter has never felt more appropriate for our spaces which provide just that while also acting as full-time offices, schoolhouses, movie theaters, and our new favorite restaurants. Because we’re using our homes for nearly every need, and we’re spending much more time in them than usual, we need a lot more from our surroundings. Our spaces must be multi-functional and be able to adapt to changing needs throughout the day.”

As many states and regions continue to face school closures and hybrid learning, Modsy has workshopped four expert, kid-friendly design tips for incorporating a home learning space into any space.

1. Make an open work station. Window nooks are perfect as they can be replaced with a slim desk for a window work workspace. This could be the designated spot for homeschooling, video-chatting for remote lessons, and everyday studying.
2. Partitions make all the difference. For a seamless and functional layout, try a low bookshelf as a separator in open spaces. 
3. The communal classroom. Repurposing a large dining table that lets you and your kids spread out their homework is key.
4. Set up a hallway study zone. Replace your console table with a work area for two in a narrow hallway. Ideal for those that can’t make the living room and dining space work for homeschooling.

For more insights, check out Modsy’s full Covid-Inspired Design Trends Report. You can also learn more in the interview below.

Modsy Contributors: 

• Becky Sturniolo, Modsy Luxe Designer

• Brooke McReynolds, Modsy Senior Luxe Designer

Why can making home design changes now help even after the pandemic?

• Embrace comfort and style for the long term. Before the pandemic, maybe you weren’t spending much time at home. You got home after a long day at work (out in the “real” world) and all you cared about was crashing, not necessarily how your home looked and felt. Now, you may be spending every single moment in your home, surrounded by things that may not feel as comforting as you’d like them to. A small change in your surroundings can make a huge impact on how you feel, and we all need comfort now more than ever. Add a new accent chair in the corner of your bedroom, like Article’s Lento Black Leather Lounge Chair. This can become your new go-to spot for your morning coffee and meditation. And once we move into the “after,” you’ll have an updated space that actually feels like yours… That feels like home. A space that weathered the storm with you. (- Becky Sturniolo, Modsy Luxe Designer)
• Cultivate a clean slate. A lot of us are feeling burnt out these days. Sometimes a total redo is exactly what we need to help liven our spirits. Shaking things up and trying out a new style or color in your space can not only make you feel a bit more cheerful now, through all of the madness, but will help carry that feeling into life after the pandemic. You’ll feel revitalized and ready to take on the new year! (- Becky Sturniolo, Modsy Luxe Designer)
• Take advantage of sales right now. Let’s face it, money is a huge part of home renovations and decor updates, we can’t deny that! Some of us are facing challenges in this area now, while others may not be. Either way, a lot of retailers are hosting large sales to help remedy this. This means now is a great time to snag a deal on the sofa you’ve always wanted, if you can swing it! You’ll be thanking yourself once that price jumps right back up after the pandemic. (- Becky Sturniolo, Modsy Luxe Designer)
• Make cleanliness a long term priority in your design choices. When contemplating whether to go forward with a home improvement project it's crucial to think about how different materials and will affect the cleanliness of a space. Certain materials that go into your home renovation can develop more cleanliness in a home as opposed to others. For example improvements in countertops, plumbing fixtures, and hardware can make your home more sterile. Upgrades such as Quartz countertops bring durability to kitchens and bathrooms. Quartz countertops are not only durable but stain and scratch resistant which makes it one of the most sanitary materials. Usage of materials that are durable and sanitary will definitely continue to become more popular after the pandemic and beyond. Another upgrade to bring cleanliness to a space is the use of copper, brass, or bronze metals due to their natural antimicrobial properties. The use of these metals will become more frequently used in kitchen and bath design by replacing faucets, sinks, or hardware. In conclusion, the benefit of upgrading different surfaces and fixtures can help make your home a sanitary environment for you and your family. Check out one of my favorite farmhouse kitchen copper sinks as well as Cambria’s Brittanicca Quartz countertop! ( - Brooke McReynolds, Modsy Senior Luxe Designer)

How can people make big changes on a small budget if they need to re-do their workspace?

• Wall color. A new wall color can drastically change an entire space and doesn’t cost much to do so! You will need to spend a little more time and labor on this one, but it’s a fairly simple way to bring more drama or color into a space without spending too much. One of my favorite colors this year has been Sherwin William’s Cyberspace. It’s such a good moody blue/grey that will add some beautiful contrast to your space! (- Becky Sturniolo, Modsy Luxe Designer)
• Declutter and organize. This is one of the most budget friendly home office makeover solutions because all you need are a couple of containers and bins. I start by removing everything from the room to start from a clean slate. I use three different bins to separate items to throw away, donate, and keep. I always use the phrase... When in doubt, throw it out! This means if you don't recall the last time you used the item then it's a great time to get rid of it. These are the most useful storage bins for organizing with the bright-colored variety and the ability to stack them! I always find it useful to also use a label maker to categorize each bin as you put them away! Make sure to keep items you access most often easily accessible in the room! Another idea for office supplies such as paper clips, pencils, pushpins, etc. are recycled mason jars or these budget friendly glass jars. ( - Brooke McReynolds, Modsy Senior Luxe Designer)
• Add a great light fixture. With numerous Zoom calls everyday while working from home, adding a light fixture to brighten your workspace is a must. Lighting is so important because it has a huge impact on our moods throughout the day. ( - Brooke McReynolds, Modsy Senior Luxe Designer

How can families maximize small shared spaces?

• Take advantage of vertical space. There is always an opportunity in small spaces to use the walls for shelving storage systems in order to maximize the space. You have the ability to take bookcases or shelving to the ceiling in order to use every inch of wall to keep things stored. You can even use the space above doorways and windows to display home decor or incorporate more storage if needed. ( - Brooke McReynolds, Modsy Senior Luxe Designer)
• Create “zones” in shared spaces. Sharing spaces is something we’re all struggling with right now. Kids barging in on our Zoom calls or your spouse stealing the only quiet room in the house is so common these days. Do your best to find ways to help segment, or zone off, the spaces you have in your home. If there are two of you working in one room, a simple bookcase can be placed in between your work areas to create a touch more privacy without completely closing you off into a cubicle. (- Becky Sturniolo, Modsy Luxe Designer)
• Get creative with your nooks and crannies! One trend I’m seeing is folks converting their reach-in-closets into workspaces. This is a great opportunity to maximize space for a multipurpose use.