If you have been thinking about redesigning your home pre-pandemic, you're in for a ride now! VF Interiors has come a long way since 2020. From lockdowns to getting in the rhythm of our "new normal," we've stayed committed to our love of design and have been hard at work bringing the very best to our clients - no matter our global climate. Since the beginning, the economic changes have impacted the design industry, but we're still pushing through. Like many of you, we've had to make a few adjustments. With all the changes in the past two years, we want you to stay updated on the state of the industry with three major things you can expect if you are taking on a design project.

1.     Longer Wait Times For Projects

It's no secret that shipment delays have affected nearly every industry. These delays and scarcity of labor and resources have resulted in significant extensions for design projects, and it's one major block that no one can get out of. You're likely to hear the same response on backups from contractors and home builders to showrooms and designers like me. This makes the entire design process look different than before. It was a big shocker at first, but now we've learned to adjust areas when needed to accommodate these delays. You can expect to lengthen your project for delays on anything from materials for countertops to furniture installations. We've seen projects extend double their original lead time. Suppose you're thinking of doing an entire home renovation. In that case, it might be wise to make changes room by room due to current circumstances and plan for any time extensive adjustments you'll need to make while renovations are being completed in your home.

2. Rising Expenses

With a drastic change in the supply chain and scarcity of materials, it's not a surprise that purchasing prices have increased. The pandemic has also ignited many to rethink their perspective on their homes and well-being. This awakening has caused the demand for investment in home renovations to increase. Doubled with the additional increased demand in the housing market, you can only imagine how things have drastically shifted. Identifying your project and allocating changes towards your budget may be best so that you are not taken aback by overall expenses.

3. Changing Needs

Maybe you've finally mustered up the courage to make a significant home improvement. Or perhaps you finally got the notification from your job that you'll be working from home indefinitely. Whatever your "why" is, prepare to leave room for any changing needs that may come up during the design process. You may realize that the makeshift desk near the dining room you've been using for your WFH days isn't cutting it anymore. Or maybe you're looking to expand your family and think the kids may need a bigger playroom but are limited on space. During the earlier parts of the pandemic, many were inspired to make an effort to create a home with wellness and flexibility in mind. We've seen many trends emerge focused on functionality-centered products through advanced technology and multi-purpose design. We want you to consider how your home renovations not only serve your needs today but give you and your family that wiggle room to be fluidly comfortable in your home for years to come.

Despite the challenges in the industry, our love for bringing joy through design has remained unwavering, and we hope our three key areas leave you well informed. If you're looking for a home refresh, your dreams of a beautiful renovation are still achievable with the right expectations. With an outlined forecast of your ideal design, budget, and needs, navigating a post-pandemic climate will seem like a breeze.

Are you interested in learning more about the behind-the-scenes of how we navigate the design world? Follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things Veronica Ferro Interiors. Click here to learn more about working with us or if you are ready to begin, simply reach out! If you could use some additional information on why it’s important to hire an interior designer, read our recent blog post on this topic!