Over the past month or so, the COVID-19 outbreak has altered our daily lives in many ways. And even after quarantine ends and stay-at-home orders are lifted, most of us (if not all) expect that the “new normal” may look a little different than what it used to be before. Analyzing sales data and considering how our daily habits and cleaning routines have changed, we're predicting five ways the coronavirus could influence home décor trends in the coming months/years. Here are our guesses for how we might design or redecorate the more hygienic home for the future.

1.       The return of the mudroom

During the times that we are living in, the simple act of walking to the front door after a visit to the outside world has turned from a mundane moment to an involved task. We carefully remove face masks, throw away gloves, take off our shoes, reach for the disinfectant spray or hand sanitizer, or head to the washroom to wash our hands. In the future, even when we ditch the masks and gloves, we may still think a little differently about our entryways.

The mudroom – a space between the front door and the house, provides the ideal spot to remove shoes, leave grocery bags, umbrella, etc. and disinfect everything before stepping inside. And even for homes that don't have the luxury of a separate mudroom, there may be an increased focus on creating a clean and organized entryway "drop zone" so we can leave our germs at the door.

2.       Anti-microbial materials (well hello, copper!)

Some materials are naturally antimicrobial, or they have intrinsic properties to destroy microorganisms. Fortunately for us, some common materials, including copper and its alloys brass and bronze, are antimicrobial. For this reason, we predict that copper, bronze, and brass hardware and fixtures will become very popular in the times to come. These fixtures will help destroy germs and bacteria on doorknobs or kitchen cabinet handles, even if we're not constantly dousing them with disinfecting spray.

NOTE: It is important to know the materials. Just be sure when you're shopping that the hardware is made of real copper or brass – many such commercially manufactured fixtures are actually zinc or steel with a painted gold or copper finish.

3.       No-touch faucets

Recently, as we all wash our hands more often than ever before, we're paying extra attention to our washbasins. We predict that touch-free faucets, like this sleek and affordable Jaguar option or this or this premium range from Kohler, could become more popular as we all try to design a more hygienic home. If you've ever worried about getting your freshly washed hands instantly germy again when you turn off the faucet, this is the solution.

4.       Must-have home offices

A few months ago, a home office was generally considered a nice bonus a few, before we all were forced to be at home and work-from-home became the norm. We foresee that in the post-coronavirus real estate world, it may become a necessity. Now that stay-at-home orders have required many companies to set up systems for remote work, some predict that WFH will remain popular, even when quarantine ends. The home office that was once a luxury may become a must-have.

5.       Air-purifiers

Although there isn't any scientific evidence yet that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can capture the coronavirus, a few studies have shown that air filtration can reduce the transmission of the flu and measles, as noted by Consumer Reports. Even as we await solid scientific evidence, the COVID-19, coupled with more time spent at home, is making many of us rethink our indoor air quality. Investing in air purifiers for homes and apartments may soon become a top priority.