How the Idea of “Home” is Changing

The following contribution is from another author.

Home is where the heart is. It’s where you settle down at the end of the day, relax and unwind but it’s also the place where you feel most secure. Home is where your family is, where life takes place and where the future is made. 

But the idea of what makes a home is also changing. As the climate changes, our social ideologies change and even the way we communicate changes, it’s natural that our home environments are also shifting with the times. 

From new roofing solutions, solar panels and eco-friendly builds to smart home tech and interior design, the home is evolving with us. Here are a few changes you might have noticed. 

Green is the New Beige

Once upon a time, everything was beige. Magnolia was slapped onto every wall, carpets were off-white or cream at best and even the furniture was bland. Now, the home has gone green and plants are a huge fashion trend that transcends mere look and brings cleaner air, healthier living and better mental health too. 

Part of the reason for this change is the urbanization of the vast majority of the population. People want to reconnect with nature and if they can’t see it outside their window, they will bring it inside instead. Sedum roofs are also rising in popularity with self-builders and gardening, particularly growing fruits and vegetables, is also on the up. 

The Future is Tech

People have always loved introducing tech to their homes, from useful white goods like washing machines to fun stuff like TVs, games and gadgets. But how that technology works with our home is changing. We don’t just want to bring tech into our properties anymore, we want it to connect with the physical space to create a smart home.

The Japanese are particularly invested in a technological future and have been for many years. If you want to glimpse into the future of your home, Tokyo, in particular, is a good place to look. If you’re feeling adventurous, a trip to Miraikan, National Museum for Emerging Science and Innovation will show you exactly what robots could be doing for us in the near future. 

The Rise of the Digital Nomad

While technology certainly shapes our homes, it has also begun to release us from the idea of a settled existence. Combined with changing attitudes to work, digitization has freed many people from the practical constraints of being in a particular place. With tech, suddenly the phrase ‘where I lay my head is home’ takes on a much more appealing vibe. 

Digital nomads show us that the idea of home doesn’t necessarily mean bricks and mortar. Sure, most digital nomads don’t pursue this lifestyle forever, but there are plenty of people giving up owning a property in favor of sharing dorms in hostels, pitching tents and sofa surfing. 

The look of our homes is changing with us and it’s fascinating to consider just how much has changed in the last 20 years alone. Makes you wonder what the next 20 years have in store…