The pandemic has changed how people think about—and design—their homes. 

The pandemic has changed how people think about—and design—their homes. More time spent at home the past two years has transformed how people think about their living area, with many prioritizing having more space and cultivating an interior that exudes comfort. Now, these preferences are dominating how builders design their floor plans. Builders are adding more, smaller rooms that can function as offices, play rooms, home gyms, etc.; bathrooms are getting a size upgrade due to people spending more time in them; and some homes are starting to feature separate entrances for guests with easy access to a bathroom for hand washing. “People want to be able to customize their home to the way they live,” explains one industry expert, and Millennials in particular want more bedrooms, exercise rooms, and home offices, according to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders that found 36% want larger homes as a result of the pandemic. YPulse’s shopping for the home research shows over half of young consumers say they plan to spend most of their time at home, even after the threat of COVID-19 has passed, and the desire for bigger, functional interiors certainly isn’t going anywhere. (Axios)