Guest blog by: Teresa Bennett

The concept of a perfect home is inherently personal, so one would be hard-pressed to find two people that agree on what that looks like. However, there are some aspects that are universal, like comfort and the happiness and tranquility of being at home. 

This past year has shifted our priorities somewhat and showed us what is really important about being at home, so our idea of the perfect home has changed. Proximity to the city, perfection in décor, or a fancy neighborhood have fallen to the wayside in favor of spacious suburban homes with plenty of outdoor space and comfortable features. Let’s see what the new perfect home looks like. 

A Home Away From The City

If the mass exodus we’ve seen in 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that people want to be as far away from the city as possible. According to USPS data, 15.9 million people have moved during the pandemic, and a large percentage of these moves were out of cities. One could argue that this move was a long time in the making. City life is expensive, cramped, and can be lonely. In this case, it was even dangerous, in such close quarters with groups of other people. 

This year, priorities have shifted, and people have come around to wanting a home that’s further away from the crowded city. Since working remotely has made it possible to still “go to work” from virtually anywhere, demand for suburb homes has exploded, as even younger generations have made their options loud and clear. 

A Bigger Home

Along with the move to the city comes another priority: the perfect home has to be bigger. PRNewswire reports that large home sales have gone up 21% during the pandemic. That most people would want more space is fairly obvious, but it’s for a specific reason. Being at home all day, every day, can understandably create friction and the lack of space can wear on anyone. 

But even besides that, since people have started working from home and studying from home, it’s become apparent that a lot of families are in need of at least an extra bedroom. That can be turned into an office, a playroom, or just some extra living space so that everyone can truly enjoy being at home and have enough room for all their activities. If you’re going to be working from home long-term, you’ll be grateful for that home office.

Outdoor space

And it’s not just the relative safety of being in the suburbs that people are valuing; it’s also the outdoor space, according to Forbes. At the end of the day, it’s become clear that what most of us want is to have a little bit of outdoor space we can call ours to garden, let the dog play, or just get some sun. 

Homes with a porch, a patio, a backyard, and amenities like a pool or a hot tub have become more popular than ever. Shoppers have learned to value this little bit of freedom they can buy, especially after living in a city for years. A patch of grass can feel like a luxury, and one that is worth paying for. 

A More Convenient Home

Being at home for an extended period of time has revealed that we like our creature comforts. Especially when we’re working and studying from home. The new ideal home doesn’t just need to be comfortable, it also needs to be convenient and allow us to carry out activities from home. 

Smart devices like smart thermostats, doorbells, or speakers, a high-speed internet connection and exercise equipment like Peloton bikes are just some of the must-haves for the new generation. Young families are busy, but they’re also homebodies, so being able to do everything from home is very important. 

A Home To Call Our Own

Spending more time at home has also revealed to us that we enjoy making houses our own. DIY projects have gone up majorly in 2020, with People magazine estimating that a whopping 80% of Millennials alone have taken up DIY home projects during the pandemic, and not just because of the need to occupy time.  Most people don’t want a perfect, turn-key property. They prefer a diamond in the rough with some unpolishes aspects that they can work on and put their own personal mark on. 

Fixer-uppers are extremely popular, because they are a more affordable option of having your cake and eating it, too. Buyers get a project they can work on, they can make it resemble their ideal home, and it doesn’t break the bank. For young couples who are not yet established, this can be the perfect compromise. 

Bottom Line

2020 has impacted what we previously thought was the perfect home. For some, it reinforced the idea they already held. For others, it was a realization that they were looking for something completely different. 

The new perfect home has less of an emphasis on “perfect”. It’s more about being comfortable and content being at home and being with your loved ones. From more space for everyone to features that support comfort and convenience and small luxuries like outdoor space, the perfect home is the one where you feel at home in.