The living room was already a relatively modular space before COVID, but after, it’s the multi-tool of rooms. It’s a place for meals. It’s a place for entertainment. It’s a place for school and for work and for fitness. For those who are working from home, the new 9-to-5 will require creating new routines, setting new boundaries, and juggling work and life in our living rooms.
For many, parts of the living room may be transformed into a space for safely disinfecting before and after work or trips outside the house. For those who have lost their jobs, it may be transformed into an office where they research new opportunities and do virtual job interviews.
Those working from home, meanwhile, will have a different experience. Those with children might see their living rooms transformed into a hybrid space where office meets classroom. People without children may actually have more time for morning activities. From yoga to aerobics to higher-cost options such as Peloton, fitness methods with smaller footprints will lead to designated fitness corners.
Let’s explore what changes we’ve seen so far during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By mid-day, many living rooms will have at least one person occupying them. If you can work from your couch, why wouldn’t you? Expect many people to upgrade their new, hybrid workspaces with such amenities as TVs that switch between music videos and conference calls. Here are some of the changes people are already making.
With fewer commutes and more time spent at home, many families will have more time together. This shared space will be where they enjoy entertainment together. Maybe it’s a weeknight movie, or perhaps it’s designated board-game night with scheduled time to unplug. And if Hollywood can’t keep up with the new demand, we’ll just check out what our favorite influencers posted today — in portrait mode. Here are just a few of the new innovations and technologies many Americans are likely to adopt — and the transformations we’ve already seen.
