Work-from-home

spaces are more than a home design trend at the moment – they’re essential. However, not every home is equipped with a separate room for an office, which means carving out creative, purposeful work spaces in the home is key. Here, Brian McCourt and Tiffany Pratt found a smart solution for Family Home Overhaul by adding a floating desk (equipped with plenty of storage) and a modular chair to the otherwise-wasted space under the stairs.

Related: How to Take Your Home Office to The Next Level, According to an HGTV Designer

Working on your fitness? Need space to get a little zen? From home gyms to yoga rooms, fitness spaces are one of the biggest home design trends this year. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated room (like this Save My Reno workout wonderland by Sabrina Smelko and Sebastian Clovis) or you’re carving out a corner in your home, it’s important to keep your gear organized – this easy-to-DIY gym shelf can help.

Related: 10 Basement Home Gym Designs You’ll Want to Work out In

Finding ways to help our homes be a little healthier and easier to keep clean is always a good idea, but it’s top of mind for many of us this year in particular. With this in mind, if you’re renovating spaces like the kitchen or bathroom, consider choosing features like touch-free faucets and voice-activated lighting. Of course, you can take steps to improve your home’s air quality without a big renovation – here are a few fresh ideas.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Disinfecting Every Surface of Your House

Why settle for one kitchen island when you can have two? From tiered, two-level kitchen islands to dual sister design, double-function islands are actually an ultra-practical renovation idea. People spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so having one island designated for prep space (with features like a sink, dishwasher or storage) and a second island for casual seating – as the Property Brothers beautifully demonstrate here – makes a lot of sense.

Related: Backsplash, Tile, Cabinetry: The 15 Top Kitchen Trends for 2021

We’ve all been eating in way more, so having space to keep your fave foods organized is key. Enter the return of the kitchen pantry. If you already have a dedicated pantry or cupboard space, #pantrygoals could just mean a day of cleaning and organization. If not, this could be the year that you create a new pantry – like this spacious stunner Hilary Farr created for Love It or List It. If you’re not doing a total reno, you can also convert an underused closet or nook into a practical storage space. Ready to get it together? Be prepared: these dreamy walk-in pantries are worth sighing over.

Related: 10 Kitchen Organizing Tips That Practically Do the Cleaning for You

Fresh air and good food – yes, please! Upgrading our home’s outdoor areas is big on many of our bucket lists this year, and outdoor living isn’t just about lounging. Creating an outdoor dining space (like this stunning covered space that Brian McCourt and Sarah Keenleyside created for Backyard Builds) gives you a comfortable place to enjoy a meal outside. Need more inspo? Brian’s rounded up a few more tasty outdoor dining space ideas here.

Related: We Predict the Biggest Home Design Trends for 2021 (Hello Zen Vibes and Home Offices!)

It’s 2021, and shifting our mindset to be more environmentally conscious is more than a trend. When thinking of renovation ideas and projects, we’re all looking for ways to upgrade our home’s look and feel – while also saving energy and resources. If you’re looking to go big, investing in solar panels or energy-efficient windows makes an impact. Or, you can try your hand at creating your own DIY features, like a rainwater catcher (Brian McCourt shares the details here). Can’t get enough DIY projects? Here are 10 DIY home upgrades to check off your list this season.

There’s a lot of beauty in finding the middle ground – especially when it comes to flooring. While past home and condo flooring trends have oscillated between super-light and ultra-dark wood tones, more people are choosing warm, mid-toned hardwood flooring this year. Medium brown and neutral-hue woods (like the gorgeous flooring Jonathan and Drew Scott used in this modern-meets-transitional Property Brothers: Forever Home design) bring warmth and lasting style to your space.

Related: These Stunning Property Brothers Transformations Will Inspire You to Renovate ASAP

If you can’t get to the spa, why not make your bathroom feel as calming, comfortable and downright blissful as possible with spa-inspired upgrades? If you’re up for a renovation, go for luxe features like heated floors (as Scott McGillivray did with this Scott’s Vacation House Rules bathroom) or a deep stand-alone tub. To get the feel without the demo, you can also curate spa vibes by adding wood accents and chilled-out decor.

Related: 15 Bathroom Design Trends to Watch Out for in 2021

This house remodel idea isn’t exactly pretty, but it’s incredibly practical – and, as the 2020 rush on toilet paper showed us – it could be necessary in the future. As Sebastian Clovis explains, bidets are more eco-friendly and long-term cost effective (ahem, no more flushing money spent on bathroom tissue) than traditional toilets. While swapping out your toilet out is an investment, if you’re planning a bathroom reno this year, consider a bidet.

Related: 10 Reasons Why a Bidet is the Life-Changing Bathroom Accessory You Need