Renovation Revolution – A Focus on Trends
Transforming Our Homes into an Oasis
Renovation Revolution –A Focus on Trends
Transforming Our Homes into an Oasis
SPECIES FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE: Beli • Garapa • Sapele
FIND INFORMATION ON THIS AND ADDITIONAL SPECIES AT WWW.IWPAWOOD.ORG
Over the past two years the narrative of what our homes mean to us has been rewritten. Whether you were a self-ascribed “home body” or a perpetual traveler, our relationships with our home surroundings underwent a paradigm shift that will likely never return to what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Families were suddenly forced to re-imagine their homes as spaces that merged living, working, and learning. Many homeowners looked for new ways to make homes fit this new reality.
Left: This Sapele custom table with modern lines lends warmth to a remodeled dining room. Photo supplied by Newman Lumber Company
**Right: Nestled in the mountains, these homeowners created a unique dining space that ties the environment outside with an extraordinarily unique dining table inside, featuring a Beli solid wood slab with inlayed Ipe bowties.**Photographer Anthony Harden • Photo Courtesy of Cormark International
The period of time we were all at home in 2020 led us to tackle do-it-yourself lists and created new needs causing home renovation projects to grow by 15% in 2020 (source: Houzz renovation statistics). The work for many is just getting started. More than half of survey respondents indicated they expected to continue further home renovations through 2022.
The worst of the pandemic may be over, but its impacts continue to influence the way people reimagine their homes. People want to feel at ease at home now more than ever. New trends and home renovation priorities reflect this shift. As we saw with the skyrocketing demand for exterior woods, adding outdoor living space is now trending. Interior projects have centered around creating delineated work space, as well as multi-functional rooms that serve two or even three roles.
**Overlooking the city of Asheville, this dining table features a White Oak split log and Rosewood base with a Guanacaste slab top inlaid with Curly Maple bowties. **Photographer Anthony Harden • Photo Courtesy of Cormark International
Preferred materials have shifted to a desire for natural materials and cozy layered vibes. Homeowners are renovating with warm colors and more wood grain kitchen cabinets and hardwood flooring and adding houseplants, rattan accents, and other natural features. International woods meet many of these needs.
**The dark warm wood tones of African mahogany throughout this one-of-a-kind home office make this an ideal space to work from home.**Special thanks to George Swaner, Swaner Hardwood
Home is the New Office
The home office trend isn’t going away anytime soon. According to a study, 36.2 million Americans (22% of the workforce) will be working remotely by 2025, an 87% increase to pre-pandemic numbers. In addition, many companies, from small employers to Fortune 500 companies, continue to examine a hybrid work model. This has led us to revisit our obsession with open concept floorplans, turning the focus to the development of work from home sanctuaries and delineated workspaces designed for privacy. When designated space is not available, rooms are being designed to double for work and life, tucking work away at the end of the day to leave a space for family time.
Left: Covering this Tigerwood deck area in the St. Louis area creates an outdoor living space similar to a living room. Photo courtesy of Jones Home Improvements. TigerDeck brand decking supplied by K&R Products.
Right: This Garapa deck addition with expansive California views is the perfect way to relax at the end of a long day, even if your commute is only a short walk. Photo courtesy of realtor Francesca Lampert and WPI Investments. Product by Robinson Lumber Company.
Backyard Escapes Expand into the Ultimate Family Room
The backyard had already been redefined into an outdoor entertainment space throughout the past decade. This trend was expanded to include true outdoor living space, as well as next-level play areas and outdoor kitchen and dining areas. When square footage within the home was stretched, homeowners looked outside their door. Outdoor living spaces included new decks, patios, and covered or screened-in porches. Play areas were no longer just swing sets but pools, ziplines, adventures courses, and climbing walls. Outdoor entertainment areas now include outdoor kitchens. Backyards became our escape. ** iw**
**Creating a juxtaposition of outdoor beauty and indoor luxury, this spa-like atmosphere features Garapa wood custom porch flooring.**Photo courtesy of Tropical Forest Products
Frequently asked questions
Which international wood species are highlighted for home renovation projects?+
The article highlights Beli, Garapa, and Sapele as featured species for home renovations. Additional woods mentioned in the projects include African Mahogany, Tigerwood, White Oak with Rosewood bases, Guanacaste, Curly Maple, and Ipe.
How much did home renovation projects grow during the pandemic?+
According to Houzz renovation statistics, home renovation projects grew by 15% in 2020. More than half of survey respondents indicated they expected to continue further home renovations through 2022.
What wood was used for the custom home office featured in the article?+
The one-of-a-kind home office features African Mahogany throughout, whose dark warm wood tones create an ideal space for working from home. The project was completed with Swaner Hardwood.
How many Americans are expected to work remotely by 2025?+
A study cited in the article projects that 36.2 million Americans, or 22% of the workforce, will be working remotely by 2025. This represents an 87% increase over pre-pandemic numbers.
What design trends are homeowners favoring in post-pandemic renovations?+
Homeowners are shifting toward natural materials and cozy, layered vibes, using warm colors, wood grain kitchen cabinets, and hardwood flooring. They are also adding houseplants, rattan accents, and other natural features, with international woods meeting many of these needs.
How are backyards being reimagined as living spaces?+
Backyards have expanded beyond entertainment spaces to include true outdoor living areas with new decks, patios, and covered or screened-in porches. Next-level additions include pools, ziplines, adventure courses, climbing walls, and outdoor kitchens and dining areas.
What wood species was used for the rooftop terrace with a hot tub?+
The spa-like rooftop terrace features Garapa wood custom porch flooring, creating a juxtaposition of outdoor beauty and indoor luxury. The project was supplied by Tropical Forest Products.