As countries across the globe deal with the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effect on society from public health to the economic and social impact, many are pondering what life will look like on the other side of the pandemic. If past is prologue, there will be changes in big and small ways in all aspects of life including design.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), keeping a clean environment is essential in slowing the spread of infectious diseases. Their guidance includes instructions on frequently cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in the home from doorknobs, light switches, computer keyboards, countertops and much more.
According to Architectural Digest, the need to clean rooms more effectively is one reason closet space was incorporated into the design of modern homes. Prior to the 20th century, armoires and other stand-alone furniture constituted "the closet" and home storage. “The switch to closets was to make rooms easier to clean. Bulky furniture items like armoires were difficult to move and therefore collected dust, which was thought to pass along germs,” the article stated. “By the mid-1920s, Le Corbusier was writing about the importance of minimalism, cleanliness, and hygiene in home design, advocating for built-ins throughout the house, which eventually became the norm.”
The need for easier ways to clean was also behind the increased use of white kitchen tiles and linoleum, as well as the design of sleeping porches and powder rooms, according to the article.
If you have thoughts on how the current crisis will impact interior design - home organization and storage in particular - please comment below.
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