The WFH era: Professionals want to set-up a home office, spend more on modern-day décor

As the world went through a lockdown in 2020, people took a good, long look at their homes and introspected. Comfort topped their lists. “People are using their homes far more than ever before. Their expectations of comfort, style, entertainment and technology have grown,” says Sarabjit Singh, founder of the Delhi-based design studio Villa Ortiga.

Customers are also willing to delve into their pockets for comfortable, yet luxe interiors. It’s a lifestyle preference now, according to Sreenivasulu Reddy, MD of the Bengaluru-based Legno Interiors. “Earlier, home décor and furniture were a lifetime affair and a one-time investment. Now, customers are willing to change furniture and replace it every five-six years, which means repeat customers and better business. People don’t have the patience to hunt for varied products in several markets. They want multiple options under one roof. Consumers are inclined towards the luxury comfort segment owing to work from home. Longer hours are being spent on couches, beds and balconies,” says Reddy.

Deferred payments
Anup Agrawal, business head at payment gateway LazyPay, explains the trends seen in pandemic spending and finance in modern-day décor. “We witnessed an uptick in the consumer preference for deferred payments across segments, including home décor and home improvement. Salaried employees opted for ‘buy now, pay later’ checkout options to meet their work from home requirements,” he says.


In comparison, people chose to do bank transfers for big spends, points out Shibani Jain, CEO of BaayaDesign. “Small payments are being done largely through instant online payment platforms. As selling is done digitally, payments are also digital. Credit cards are also being used in retail buying,” she says.

Multi-functional spaces
So what were the types of home décor and furniture that consumers leaned towards? Ayush Baid, founder of the Delhi and Mumbai décor brand Ellementry, says the preference has been red accent pieces that add instant style, like candle stands, vases and lamps. “People also bought bed breakfast tables, peg tables, side tables and benches for WFH scenarios,” he says.

Luxe designers Abu JaniSandeep Khosla feel that consumers are carving out space for offices, even in their holiday homes. The trend of house parties has also taken off, so there are more luxury décor details added to their homes. “The luxury home segment actually witnessed a boom, with many choosing to relocate to the mountains or by the sea. Some invested in holiday homes,” says the designer duo.

Kavitha Rao, country commercial head at furniture brand IKEA India, says the home has become the epicentre of people’s lives. Naturally, those needs are amplified. “People now understand that having the right furniture and accessories at home will help them have a better everyday life in these difficult times. The consumer sentiment is toward creating multifunctional spaces, high on design,” she says.