The world changed with the arrival of COVID-19. 

One of the most important transformations has affected the relationship that we have with our homes and the way that we live in them. We could make the point that during these months of lock-down & distancing, we have transformed our houses into homes. 

Many of us have been forced to rethink the spaces that we have, and the way we use them. Although our homes met our basic need for safety and security, we also had to adapt spaces to suit this unprecedented situation. 

Cooking, working, exercising, schooling or relaxing in these spaces has changed the meaning that they hold for us.

Now is the time to consider what we want post COVID life and architecture to look like.

And in this new scenario, tile will play a key role. 

SPACES THAT ARE MORE FLEXIBLE

Over the past few months, we’ve had to get used to new routines.

Spaces have played an important role in this new reality. We have had to adapt them to suit our new way of life, to serve purposes that they were not initially designed for.  

Corridors have become running tracks, living rooms have become improvised offices, and balconies and terraces that we used to ignore have been vital spaces for us.

The pandemic has changed the way that we use spaces at home.

This is where tile comes in. Its versatility makes it the perfect option, as it is able to adapt, offering the flexibility that homes will need to provide from now on.

A TERRACE IS YOUR SECRET TREASURE

During the months of lock-down, terraces and balconies have provided an alternative to leisure spaces.

We have looked to them for the air and the sun that we could not get out on the street. Terraces, balconies, gardens or patios have been a luxury that those who are more fortunate have been able to enjoy. As a result, many people are now considering looking for a new home; one that will have some sort of outdoor area.

The advantages of installing tile flooring outdoors are undeniable.

Porcelain tiles combine resistance and durability with a great variety of aesthetic finishes, plus an anti-slip finish that reinforces the safety of the space. 

Plus!

The 2CM outdoor porcelain pavers are an ideal, easy-to-install solution for any outdoor space. 

 Our LIMESTONE 2CM is a great option for your outdoor oasis (or soon to be…)

IS IT AN OFFICE, IS IT A GYM… OR A CLASSROOM?

During the long months of lock down & distancing, we have had to adapt spaces in our homes, to allow them to serve different purposes than those for which they were initially designed.  

Bedrooms have become gyms, and living rooms have, depending on the time of day, morphed into offices or games rooms (or classrooms… and the list goes on.)

These new uses require versatile, easy-to-clean and highly resistant materials that can withstand the impact of weights, but also the marker stains left by the little ones.

Again, this brings us back to tile products, for both floor and wall tiles.  Tile is also cosy. It is a good conductor of heat, which means that it guarantees thermal comfort within your home. Both floor and wall tiles can also be combined with radiant heating systems.

And tile lasts much longer than other materials!

THE KITCHEN — THE CROWNING GLORY OF YOUR HOME

This may be the part of the house where we’ve spent the most time.

Many people have taken advantage of the free time we’ve had during the pandemic to get cooking.  

Cakes, bread (… seems like everyone is making sourdough) and family recipes that we have had lying around for a long time. The kitchen has become the central hub of the house, allowing us to experience the warmth of home and gather as a family. 

Everything seems to suggest that this trend is here to stay.

Kitchens have their own special characteristics. They are very busy spaces, which are sensitive to stains and dirt, and exposed to a lot of humidity.

This is why tile is the most suitable option for these spaces. In addition,  tiles come in an infinite number of shades and textures. They can even imitate other natural materials, such as stone or wood.

Tiles are simple to lay, and they always end up creating a uniform space. It is a material which will remain unchanged, regardless of humidity or heat, and which is impervious to dust and fungus. 

HOMES THAT ARE SAFER & ENERGY EFFCIENT

Home has been the place where we’ve been able to shield ourselves from the the virus. A refuge where we can be safe. The materials your house is built from reinforce this safety if they are able to react appropriately when faced with any type of problem.

Tile is fireproof. It will not burn or emit toxic substances or harmful fumes in the event of a fire. It also will not deform or delaminate, making it a ver safe material.

From now on we will be spending more time at home and therefore consuming more resources. It is important to save energy, not only for your bank balance, but also for the sustainability of the planet.

Light coloured tile can lighten and brighten up any room, providing a greater sensation of spaciousness. It is important to remember that the raw materials of tile are basic materials, for example, earth or clay, water and fire. Therefore, tile is a 100% recyclable and reusable material!

THE BATHROOM — YOUR REFUGE

The bathroom has become particularly important for us in recent months.

This is due to the hygiene measures that have been put in place to fight COVID.

For many of us, the bathroom has also been a place where we can take refuge within the house, and maintain some privacy (… a place many moms know well — a quiet space to inhale, exhale).

Taking a long bubble bath has been one of the few luxuries some of us have been able to enjoy.

From now on, the bathroom will be our first port of call when we arrive home.

That is why it must be given the importance it deserves.  

Another characteristic of tile is the fact that it does not require any special maintenance. Tile surfaces can be wiped down using simple methods & cleaning products. This saves time and money.

In addition, tile is hypo-allergenic and odourless.

Our priorities have changed.

This is a time to reuse resources, generate less waste, rethink spaces and find new solutions.

 As we reorganize our values, we are also starting to think about our homes in a new way.

Versatility, safety, functionality and comfort have become fundamental aspects, and we will be taking them into consideration from now on.

As we move into the Fall season and the uncertainties it may bring, lets remember to:

BE KIND, BE CALM, BE SAFE

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Originally posted by Euro Ceramic Tile Distributors – reposted with permission.