Ideal for those looking to respond positively to uncertain times.
Who knows what the future brings? We are living in times which have been called unprecedented with unprecedented frequency, and it’s to our domestic spaces that we’ve been turning to provide comfort and certainty. This only looks set to increase further as times get more turbulent and we’re confined to our houses with corresponding frequency.
If you’re looking to make your property as equipped as possible for whatever the future brings, then read on; here are 4 tips for future-proofing your house, IDEAL for those looking to respond to uncertain times.
IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE
‘’The future is now’’ as the saying goes, and while the world faces many complex challenges, arguably none is more important and impending than the happening-right-now climate catastrophe.
As such, we should all be focusing on domestic design deceleration to do our bit to slow down climate change’s inevitable march. Making sure your home is as close to being carbon positive as possible, sequestering the impact of the climate crisis as much as a single person can, is vital.
Think water-saving gadgets installed in bathrooms and kitchens, high energy-efficient appliances and insulation. Go further; the use of solar technology and anything that protects natural resources and the environment is a worthwhile investment if you can make the numbers work. Check out our tips on the IDEAL things to buy to make your home more energy efficient for more.
DECADES AHEAD
Your home should be as adaptable as possible to accommodate the inevitable yet unpredictable lifestyle changes that the passing of time brings. Should you be playing the long game, then particularly important is to consider the concept of ‘Aging in Place’ and making your home more livable for your golden years.
This is all about investing in design features that will allow you to remain in your home through the course of your life, meeting the demands of ageing adeptly and adaptively. That’s not to say you should install features which cause an eyesore. Fortunately today, even the most functional of items, including handrails and slip-resistant surfaces can become stylish architectural features. Should mobility be an issue about the home, instead of a standard stairlift, many now choose to install a platform lift, which is visually less obtrusive and can be made to look stylish and succinct with the rest of your decor.
If you’re considering ageing in place at a more micro level, then you should consider the location and height of any home appliances, plug sockets, and cupboards when renovating. Having these things positioned higher, preferably at hand or at eye level, will reduce the need to stoop and bend.
Finally, install windows that are easy to manipulate and don’t require physical effort to open. If giving your home a thorough refurbishment, give thought to the positioning and size of your windows, too – windows with a view are so important as you age and offer comfort and reconnection in times of crisis.
UNCERTAIN TIMES
We couldn’t write an article about the future without considering the impact of coronavirus on the way our relationships with ‘home’ look set to be defined in the years ahead.
Indeed, the home itself has played a pivotal role in the pandemic, with so many of us spending more time than ever inside our four walls. Change is afoot on a practical level; the design experts at Dezeen are predicting that “in the future home, form will follow infection”, and that’s a statement which suggests just how seismic the shifts will be because of this turbulent time.
In all likelihood, most new builds will likely be designed with multifunctional spaces and antibacterial surfaces as standard, with extra quirks built with pandemic prevention in mind. From small design incorporations like porches doubling up as a decontamination area with hand sanitiser stations and a place to hang masks, to larger household additions like playrooms, libraries, and other places we’re no longer comfortable visiting, the changes look set to be sweeping.
What’s more, the need for touchless technology like knee operated sinks and handleless doors will surely be ubiquitous for years to come. Which brings us to our next point….
THE FUTURE IS TECH
Ranging from smart home electronics to biometric verification, what was once the realm of science fiction is now easier than ever to envisage, and things are only going to get more techy and futuristic as the years go by. From safety features around the home which rely on the latest technology to devices that help you complete domestic tasks with the greatest efficiency, smart technology is going to revolutionise our relationship with our homes.
If convenience is king, then ‘integration’ will be the omnipresent eye where future-proofing our properties is concerned. Even now, everything from thermostats to washing machines are built-in with voice-controlled capabilities, all managed via a home hub and its related ‘ecosystem’. Alexa currently leads the market, with over 20’000 third-party integrations, but the level of interaction and codependence between items only looks set to increase. The threat of compromise, hacking and overreliance will only likely rise in tandem.