"If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

– William Morris

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE FUTURE OF INTERIOR DESIGNING

Recovering from a global pandemic necessitates innovative design thinking, especially in places where people may come into close contact with one another. As our personal bubbles have enabled us to co-exist under testing circumstances, the landscape for interior designing will need to adapt to the ever-changing needs on social distancing in commercial stores and offices.

Plexiglass and non-porous materials, like copper, bronze, and brass, will now get their time to shine as integral elements in safe workspace design. Not only will these germ-resistant surfaces and materials make it easier to clean surfaces, but it will also cause germs to dissolve at an expedited rate. We will need to create smart buildings and offices using AI technology to manage the flow of people as well as mange the operational costs of running a commercial building. I think we will also see a lot of touchless technology, more surfaces and finishes that can be easily disinfected, as well as less dense open plans as we rethink dynamic seating.
Office redesigns aren’t limited to just commercial spaces—residential design ideas may become more similar to commercial design, as more people work from home on a temporary, or even permanent, basis.

With that being said, the focus of commercial office spaces will centre on collaboration and increased social space, as those are two elements that can be difficult to replicate in a work from home environment. Meeting rooms and desk configurations will also be getting makeovers in layout and material (think cubicle, but make it chic).
Speaking of working from home, the way that residential spaces are designed will expand to incorporate not only the physical experience but the virtual experience, too.
Lighting, acoustics, and striking the perfect balance of personal and professional will continue to be front of mind as the necessity of having a flexible, sometimes multi-functional, working space at home has made itself clear.

Current Challenges and the Future of Interior Design

These uncertain times have come with no shortage of challenges: the way we shop and work will never be the same, and as designers, we have a new list of considerations to keep in mind when designing spaces.

What keeps you motivated in this challenging environment?

My upbringing and education experience has made me more resilient and given me the strength and confidence to achieve whatever I set out to do. It also taught me to hold my work to a very high standard. The current global crisis has shown me how to be resilient, have the strength, confidence and continue to develop high standards that are extremely valuable assets to survive and thrive through this pandemic.
Although there is no clear path forward, we can still do work to turn challenges into opportunities. The more diverse I am able to develop my design skill set is, the more well-rounded I could be as a designer to attract new clients.