Since the beginning of this year, we have all experienced a huge transformation of the “normal” we once took for granted. Our daily rituals of going to the office, sending the kids off to school, sneaking into the gym for a moment of “me time”, dining out with friends, or making a quick run to the grocery store suddenly ceased to exist. In the blink of an eye, our normal just changed. Our homes began morphing into multi-purpose event centers where many activities need to happen simultaneously, and oftentimes, in the same spaces. Few of us had ever heard of Zoom and now we all wish we had invested in it!

Watching the world cope with the challenges that have risen from adopting an instant, uninvited, and unrehearsed lifestyle has been an incredible learning process. Operating a business in an essential part of the home building/renovating industry has given our team and myself great insight into how we can provide real, sustainable solutions for a “new normal” life in your home. I personally believe that many things will go back to the way that they were, but I do not believe that we will easily forget this experience. I think moving forward we will spend a bit more time in the comfort and safety of our homes. I believe a functional home-office will never again be a frill and, instead, become a requirement.  People will take more pride in their homes, and if the space around them doesn’t bring about good feelings, then they will move on to some place that does.

Here’s what we now know to be true: the kitchen remains the heart of the home (and is now the hub of the home, too); everyone needs more storage space; and many rooms must serve double duty. As we emerge into our “new normal”, we are reading and hearing about a new “Life From Home” concept. The idea is centered around a growing sense that our homes are now our safe havens – the place where we gather, nurture our relationships, sustain ourselves, learn in, work from, and invest in. I don’t see this movement in the same light as the doomsday preppers, but I do see the benefits of creating spaces in our homes that allow us to be more prepared, flexible, comfortable, and happy.

Let’s take a look at some of the challenges this new concept can address.

the new home restaurant

First, let me make one thing clear: I still love going out to restaurants. I enjoy celebrating at some of the finest spots in town, whether it’s a special event or a random Tuesday. Piatto Italian off May and NW63rd is a new favorite, B10 is my classic steak go-to, and if you have not tried a famous crab cake or seafood risotto from Rococo, then you have not lived in OKC.

All of that to say that eating at home has gone from the occasional to most of the time. If you have not had the chance to design a custom kitchen with a qualified kitchen designer, then do yourself a favor and make an investment in this all-important room. A great kitchen has zones that coordinate the storage of certain tasks with the areas in which they happen; think a baking zone or a veggie prep station.  There are so many storage and organization ideas that can be incorporated into your new space that will make your work efficient and enjoyable.

home office & school

In today’s world some type of home office is not a foreign concept. But officing from home in the same place, and at the same time school is in session, is. Adding cabinetry to an unused or underutilized room in your home can bring calm to the chaos while providing neat and organized storage options. Think of adding mail slots so that everyone in the family can have a place for their incoming mail, task and chore assignments, or even encouraging notes. Think of how these spaces function for you and how they might work better. Hidden printer and filing cabinets integrated into your cabinetry give the room a clean calm.  Hidden wireless charging hubs, installed below your countertop, allow you to stay connected and also charge as you work. Think of pocket doors designed to properly separate and organize different zones for each person in the house. All of these things and more are possible once you have identified the space you are looking to use…and have enlisted the help of creative professionals.

outdoor

Whether your home is a sprawling estate or a quaint bungalow, expanding out into the great outdoors is the best way to keep you from feeling confined or cramped.  With warm weather arriving in Oklahoma, you’ll be able to enjoy some sun and relaxation outdoors. Winding down on the back patio, or cooking outside for weeknight or weekends dinners, is now more important than ever before. Today’s outdoor kitchens are much more than a stainless insert in a brick or stone wall.  The custom, all-weather cabinetry from Wilshire Cabinet + Co allows you to create a truly functional kitchen outdoors – from built-in trash bins to grill tool organizers and plenty of clean, dry cabinet space for all your outdoor plates and glasses. Enjoying the outdoors in style should be a part of your new normal.

We will survive this new normal and thrive in it, through great design and by surrounding ourselves with the best of what makes us comfortable. Whether you’re investing in a new home build, updating just a room, or planning a whole home remodel, contact your favorite Oklahoma design and construction professionals. And, as always, the talented team at Wilshire Cabinet + Co is here to help.

CHEERS! Travis Morelock
Co-Owner, Wilshire Cabinet + Co