Interior Design Sees Increase in Popularity in Pandemic

With most of us stuck indoors over the past few months, it’s no surprise that some people are spending their time thinking about redoing their homes.

Anastasia Laudermilch, who owns Interior Designs by Anastasia in central Pennsylvania, said that despite Pennsylvanians most often using the hashtag #midcenturymodern to describe their aesthetic, she is more often seeing “an organic modern” look.

“While I do have some clients ask for midcentury modern, it’s usually baby boomers. For most of the younger people, they like a modern farmhouse look. Midcentury is not what I am seeing or what people are using to describe what they want. It makes more sense that baby boomers are interested since it’s from their youth and I have seen a resurgence in that,” she said. “People definitely appreciate it, but I don’t see people going hardcore midcentury modern.”

Today, Laudermilch said she sees a blend of modern and organic, which she described as sleek and clean styling, mixing in warm tones for a more organic feel.

“I think the desire for organic makes it feel homier, more inviting and more livable and not so sterile,” she said. “I think for people who may not want to go full modern farmhouse, adding organic to modern lends to a homier kind of feel.”

Instead of homebuyers wanting to put their touch on their new home, Laudermilch said she has seen more and more people who are established in their homes and want a new look.

“I have seen a real desire for people who want to update what they have and being cooped in makes people want to make their homes the best they can be. I want to take people’s homes to the next level. I want to go beyond just decorating, like new furniture and accessories. Hopefully, you already have that. I think for anyone, you could have the worst home, no architecture and less-than-desirable furniture, but with great accessories, I can make it look good.”

Laudermilch said the most important part in decorating is the accessories, like embellishments for the walls and the ceilings, such as coffered ceiling, a chevron pattern with wood, a brick wall or an interior awning.

“Lighting can also really transition a space,” she added. “It helps with resell value. Variety in kitchen creates interest in the lighting.”

Finally, Laudermilch stressed the importance about curb appeal, as Realtors® often remind their clients.

“If the house doesn’t look good from the start, I don’t care about the inside,” she said. “The question to ask yourself is how much you want to invest. I would rather see people make changes to their home, design it to how they love it, enjoy it and then list it so they aren’t doing it right before they list. I always think about resale. We want to make it better for resale, but also make it better when they live there.”

“Homes that are well-designed and well-cared for stand out among the rest. It just shows. Every house starts with four walls. It’s where you go from there that counts,” added Laudermilch.