The pandemic has caused hundreds of millions of people to spend almost every waking hour at home. As this relates to earning a paycheck, this phenomenon has even earned its own acronym: WFH. 

Why can’t I free your doubtful mind, and melt your cold, cold heart.

~ Hank Williams

In Texas, on Valentine’s day, 2021, there were many cold, cold hearts, not to mention more than a few cold, cold fingers and toes. Unfortunately, the next day it would be worse. A serious electrical failure was coming fast. An epic winter storm would turn the “Lone Star State” into a dangerous deep freeze that would leave residents in their homes for more than a week.

Home renovation projects are an important part of the “new normal” that we’ve all been hearing about in the year of the pandemic. For example, recent research notes that appliance sales and aesthetic upgrades to both indoor and outdoor kitchens have never been this robust. Why? This is because cooking, dining, and entertaining at home haven’t been this popular since President Franklin Roosevelt offered his “Fireside Chats” during the Great Depression. 

Homeowners who have decided that 2021 is a great year for a new look in their residence have an abundance of opportunities, especially as they relate to new designs for both floors and walls. While these two categories may not receive the kind of attention that is given to the most popular paint colors, furnishings, kitchens, and other frequently changed elements of a home, product innovations for these two areas are pushing them to the forefront for both interior designers, homebuilders, and owners. 

While there has always been an influx of seasonal products,  the pandemic has dramatically inspired a new trend that has affected demand like never before: Cooking and entertaining at home and outside has never been as popular as it is now.