Life in the wake of coronavirus is very different now from what it was at the beginning of 2020. With restrictions and social distancing still in place for many, it's a worrying time for everyone, however, it’s not all doom and gloom. As we adjust to the new normal, our homes and daily routines have altered drastically – in some cases for the better. Click or scroll through and let's take a look at the positive household changes that we hope are here to stay long after the pandemic has passed...

Periodic shortages in the supermarkets have led to an interest in self-sufficiency. It’s not surprising then that lots of novice gardeners are trying their hand at growing their own produce. Whether you've created your own veg patch or invested in a grow-your-own gadget, we think green-thumbed hobbies are here to stay!

Many of us are limiting our trips to the shops as much as possible and have consequently discovered a new-found appreciation for food. Not only are we making the most out of our leftovers, but we’re also being more inventive with the ingredients we have left in our cupboards. Healthy for the planet and our bank balances, reducing food waste is a great habit to take forward into a post-pandemic world.

While some may have made a tentative return to the office, remote working has opened up a new, flexible option for employees and businesses, and we're certain it'll change the way we work for good. That means more time spent with loved ones, shorter commutes, fewer cars on the road and consequently less pollution, plus a better work-life balance all round.

With many of us still working at home at the moment, every inch of space is being repurposed as hardworking home offices. Whether it’s transforming spare bedrooms into studies or turning a vacant corner into a makeshift office, we can't see our productive workspaces disappearing anytime soon.

We're spending more time than ever at home and our outside spaces in particular have become something of a sanctuary. Whether you have a large, far-reaching garden or a picture-perfect balcony, we're dressing up our outdoor areas with everything from pretty plants to outdoor rugs and furniture, not to mention patio heaters now the colder weather is drawing in. We’re sure that our new-found appreciation for our yards will stick around long after the pandemic ends.

Of course, not everybody has their own outdoor area. It's no surprise then that people are stocking up on plants in order to bring the outdoors in. As well as looking great, hardy indoor houseplants promote relaxation and help to purify the air, which is particularly helpful if you live in a large city!

Some of us perfected the art of the home haircut during those long months of lockdown. While we definitely spotted a few dodgy looks around, with a bit of practice (and plenty of help from YouTube) it's a valuable new skill to add to your repertoire, especially if you're trying to limit your visits to public places. Plus, it'll save you a fortune in the long run!

More free time indoors has resulted in a whole new wave of home bakers, so much so that shortages of flour and yeast were reported during the first few months of the pandemic. Rather than buying shop-bought treats that are sure to go off quickly, people are still whipping their own supply of freshly-baked bread, cakes and goodies whenever they please. Yum!

Handwashing has become a vital part of day-to-day life now, so our bathrooms are now an important hub of the home. We love a well-stocked bathroom with soaps, towels, scrubbing brushes and no end of moisturizers. Let’s hope our bathrooms stay that way!

Coronavirus has shown us that there's plenty of pampering to be had without leaving the house. Candles, diffusers and mood lighting can transform any bathroom into a luxury home spa. We reckon our relaxing (and cost-effective) home beauty treatments are here to stay.

With social distancing and limits on gatherings still in place, video calls are keeping us connected with the people we love – and we think they're here for the long run. We’ve seen virtual Easter and Passover celebrations, birthday parties, pub quizzes and more, with family and friends joining from all over the world. No matter how far apart we are geographically, no-one will ever need to miss a special event again!

Even though video calls are great, sometimes we all just need to see a real human being. So, during the early days of lockdown, lots of us got to know our neighbors from a safe distance – like Sian Cosgrove, who found out the name of her neighbor’s cat by communicating with handwritten signs! Restrictions may have since relaxed in places, but neighborly camaraderie hasn't dwindled, with freshly baked cakes left on doormats and distanced drinks shared over fences.

With more of us working from home and spending more time indoors, the last thing anyone wants is slow internet. It's no surprise then that lots of people are upgrading to faster broadband. From quicker download times to seamless streaming of your favorite TV programs, they'll be no going back.

Schools are back open for most and parents may be glad to see their kids return to the classroom, but we reckon home-schooling setups will be a part of our homes for the foreseeable future. Not only do they offer a productive place to do homework, but a calm zone with plenty of resources is bound to help kids focus when exam season rolls around.

If you can’t go to the gym or simply don't feel comfortable yet, why not bring the gym to you? In a bid to stay fit and healthy during the pandemic, keen exercisers are taking their fitness routines outside, from running in the great outdoors to transforming their backyards into workout spaces. And what better way to save on membership fees?

For many of us, it's way too early to contemplate a return to the studio, so fitness fans are finding new ways to enjoy yoga, Pilates and HIT.  Tons of classes have been moved online using platforms such as Zoom, so that we can get active from the comfort of our living rooms. We reckon online classes will be hanging around for a while, plus they're a great way to squeeze in exercise around a busy schedule.

With most of us still spending a considerable amount of time indoors, it feels like there's suddenly more hours in the day and that means plenty of time to learn a new skill. Whether it’s knitting, sewing, building model airplanes or taking an online screenwriting class, the sky’s the limit – you might just discover a new passion.

There’s only so much TV you can watch, so more of us than ever are turning to more old-fashioned forms of entertainment, like jigsaw puzzles, board games and reading. There’s definitely something wholesome about these traditional pastimes, plus it's good to take a break from screens once in a while.

Shopping for food little and often was once the norm, but with most of us trying to limit our trips out to the supermarket, we’re back to doing a big weekly trip. That means planning meals in advance and putting together a detailed shopping list to make sure nothing gets missed. A great habit to continue after the pandemic, an orderly list will make you less likely to pick up things you don't need, helping you stick to your weekly budget.

Since coronavirus struck, there's been a new focus on cleanliness and keeping our homes sanitary and free of harmful microbes, with plenty of surprising germ hotspots coming to light. While we may not be so fastidious when things return to normal, a more frequent cleaning rota can only be good news for our health and homes in the long-run. 

With more food in the house and more time at home, now is the ideal opportunity to whip your pantry into shape. From perfectly labeled jars to designated shelves for jams and preserves, once you've organized your kitchen storage you'll never look back.

You know all those DIY projects you never got around to doing? Well, now's the time to take them off the back burner. Not only is there more time to take on home improvements these days, but you don’t want to be staring at those annoying half-finished jobs for weeks on end. You never know, by the time the pandemic is over, you might have a new-found love for your home!

Spending at least part of the working week at home can call for some creative uses of space, particularly in small apartments. That’s why we love convertible furniture. This shelving unit folds down into a table – perfect for households that need some extra workspace during the day but still want to maximize their floor space in the evenings.

If you're still working remotely, it’s natural to get a touch of cabin fever – especially if you work in the same area where you relax. Many people are looking to zoning as a solution, using rugs, lighting and furniture to separate areas of their living room that have different designated uses – a healthy hack that'll help you use available space more efficiently in a post-pandemic world.

Our homes have taken on a whole new level of importance this year and families are spending more time together than ever before – a happy silver lining during this difficult time. From brightening up the neighborhood with colorful artwork to learning new skills as a family, this period offers an unexpected opportunity to focus on what really matters, something we'll hopefully remember when normal service eventually resumes...

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