We spoke to Rachel Sanders, owner of BoConcept in Canterbury, for her tips about this year’s interior design trends and how lockdown could impact what our homes look and feel like in future.
Q: What impact will coronavirus and time spent in lockdown have on our homes?
I think there will be fundamental changes not only to our homes but also our places of work. We’re already seeing many people in a very reflective mood as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic literally hits home. Lockdown has made us look inwards; at how we feel, how we live, what’s really important and also how we interact with each other.
With increased remote working and digital technologies, we’re craving the connection with nature and the outdoors.
The current trends we’re seeing are right at the heart of what we do at BoConcept. Taking inspiration from the Scandanavian Hygge, which is a way of living at the core of Danish life focused on quality of life and well-being, we bring the best of Danish design to your home.
Q: What advice do you have for families trying to manage the work/life balance in their homes?
More of us are working from home in spaces that were probably never designed to be a working environment. Ideally, where you work should reflect who you are and what you do. If you don’t have the luxury of a dedicated room for your home office set up, the lines of family and work life can easily be blurred. Being able to switch off and walk away from work is important in your home and we have some beautiful furniture and very clever storage solutions to help manage your work/life balance.
Q: Can interior design affect our behaviour or mood and improve our wellbeing?
Design can absolutely affect our behaviour and mood – it can also help to greatly improve our wellbeing.
Decluttering your home, creating a space to get a good night’s sleep, and connecting the outdoor and indoor spaces are all things I’d recommend focusing on right now.
Removing the clutter from your home can reduce anxiety and often set you up for embracing better daily habits to support your overall wellbeing. Useful ways to ensure your room remains uncluttered whilst making the best use of space is, the use of multi-functional furniture and using the full height of walls effectively.
There are lots of ways to connect your indoor and outdoor spaces providing a seamless transition, whether that’s through patio doors, bi-fold doors, or introducing nature to the interior, for example nature inspired art and plants. If you are lucky enough to have outdoor space create a good flow between the indoor and outdoor areas of your home by continuing the design feel outside.
I find there’s no substitute for a good night’s sleep. As well as turning off technology at least 30 minutes before sleeping, consider a mattress upgrade to further enhance your sleep quality. Colours can be used effectively to create a calm environment where you want to go at the end of the day – speak to one of our team about recommended colour palettes for your bedroom.
Q: How has BoConcept in Canterbury adapted to business in lockdown?
While our store is closed during COVID-19 lockdown, we are still able to offer all of our design services through our virtual design service and other digital technologies. Video calls can bring our showroom to you – we can walk you through our design pieces but also see inside your homes and spaces in need of some guidance or help. We can send samples, mood boards, and 3D drawings if needed and our advice can range from questions like ‘what colour should I paint my bedroom’ through to ‘please help me furnish my entire home’.
So much more than a furniture store, visit www.boconcept.com and contact the team at BoConcept in Canterbury on 01227 455585 or email canterbury@boconcept.co.uk to book your virtual design appointment, and follow them on Facebook.
