Indonesia’s top interior designers divulge new, emerging home interior trends after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many drastic changes in all aspects of life, including the role of the home. Before the pandemic, many homes in big cities in Indonesia only served as a place to rest and sleep. When the stay-at-home regulation was enforced, many began to realize the importance of a house for their physical and mental well-being. 

“During the pandemic, many people realized that their home was the safest place and the last bastion against viruses,” interior designer Ary Juwono said during the opening of The Colors of Indonesia (TCOI) Chapter V exhibition in Senayan City, Jakarta, on Sept. 19.

The TCOI is the biennial exhibition by ID12, a group of high-profile Indonesian interior designers. In the show, each group member presents a room they have designed creatively. 

“[Pre-pandemic], when people built a house, they’d focus on the architectural structure, leaving minimal budget for their home interior,” interior designer Agam Riadi said. “But during the pandemic, they realized that the interior is important [for them] to live comfortably at home.” 

During the stay-at-home period, many started to notice that their house lacked the facilities and comfort for them and their family members to live, work and study effectively—which led them to renovate their residences. 

“About three months into the onset of the pandemic, commercial projects halted, but projects of residential houses have escalated and we’ve become swamped until now,” Ary added.

Homeowners are willing to spend a certain amount of money to make their houses more livable. 

“Before the pandemic, people spent their money on what’s immediately seen by friends, clients and colleagues, such as cars,” interior designer Yuni Jie said. “But during the pandemic, they realized that their house is their most important possession and they’re now willing to spend money to make it more comfortable.”  

Healthier and more hygienic

Hygiene and cleanliness have become a priority in today’s houses. 

During the exhibition, which lasts until Sept. 30, Yuni Jie presents a foyer with an iconic Japanese-Scandinavian style. The entrance hall features a petite powder room where guests can wash their hands before going further into the house.

“We’ve become more aware of the importance of cleanliness,” Yuni said. “Many homeowners install a handwashing facility in the front of their houses.” 

“These days, in almost every garage, we can find a wash basin and a drop-off area to leave and disinfect jackets, shoes and goods carried from outside,” Ary Juwono said. 

According to Ary, many homeowners have also installed a gym to exercise at home. 

Home offices

Working from home (WFH) has become a trend among many executives in the country. The trend seems to persist until today, as working from home proves to be more effective and cost-efficient for offices and staff.

“But unfortunately, Indonesian houses, either small, medium or big, rarely have a study or home office,” interior designer Sammy Hendramianto said. 

The interior designer offers a solution to this pressing problem. 

“For houses with no home offices, the hallway or balcony can be utilized as a workstation,” he said. 

For instance, in a hallway measuring 4 x 7 meters in the exhibition, Sammy installed an elegant desk and glass cabinet full of books. A chandelier, shaped like a wreath of leaves, looms over the desk. 

“Even though it’s a makeshift workstation, you still have to decorate it nicely to encourage yourself while working,” Sammy said. 

Displaying hobby objects on the desk, such as die-cast cars or crystal figurines, can also help vivify the workstation. 

Creating a home study: For houses without home offices, interior designer Sammy Hendramianto suggests to use and decorate the hallway or balcony as a workstation. (JP/Sylviana Hamdani) (JP/Sylviana Hamdani)

Dining at home

“The dining room used to be a mere display at home,” interior designer Anita Boentarman said. “Families rarely use it as they’re often too busy to dine together. But the pandemic has changed that.”

As many restaurants had closed during the pandemic, families started to dine together at home. Dining rooms have thus evolved to become a place to eat together, play games and have small family meetings. 

“As they’re now actually using [the dining room], many of my clients have chosen to upgrade it,” Anita said. “They buy better quality furniture, lighting and wallpaper and redecorate their entire dining area.” 

Anita further said that many of her clients choose dining chairs made of leather which are easier to clean and maintain. For lighting, many prefer modern-style frosted chandeliers that give a warm ambiance.

But will the trend of dining together end as the pandemic subsides? 

“Not at all,” Anita said. “There’s now a trend among friends, families and colleagues to invite one another for lunch or dinner at their place. This trend is perhaps because they’re proud of their newly renovated house and want to show it off, or they now feel safer and more comfortable at home than anywhere else.” 

Family time: According to interior designer Anita Boentarman, many of her clients redesign their dining rooms with leather chairs and modern-style frosted chandelier, as the pandemic brings families to dine together at home. (JP/Sylviana Hamdani) (JP/Sylviana Hamdani)

Kitchen as the new center

Besides the dining room, families often gather together in the kitchen these days. 

“The kitchen is the new center of the house,” Agam said. “Many men and women discovered their passion for cooking during the pandemic. In their spare time, they love trying out new recipes with their spouse and children.” 

At the exhibition, Agam presents an elegant open kitchen with an Indochina influence. Round lantern-style lamps hover over the kitchen top, while pots, pans and plates are neatly arranged in the lighted glass cabinets. 

The kitchen opens through a sliding glass door to a terrace adorned with leafy potted plants. 

“During the pandemic, many of my clients also discovered that their houses were too closed off and stuffy,” Agam said. “They’ve then asked me to break the walls to create more windows and glass doors to allow more sunlight into the house.” 

Terraces have also become increasingly important. Many of Agam’s clients have expanded their balconies and installed beautiful outdoor furniture, artwork and verdant vegetation. 

“Since we’re all cooped up at home, terraces were the only place where we could enjoy the outside world from the safety of our homes,” Agam said. “Terraces are also a favorite place for having me-time and exercise these days.” 

Resort-style bedroom

Bedrooms, though, remain private and very personal. 

“[The bedroom] is where we truly relax and release all pressures from the outside world,” interior designer Roland Adam said. 

Roland stated that a resort-style boudoir, which exudes peace and tranquility, is currently trending. 

To create such a relaxing bedroom, first of all, it needs to be free from all unnecessary clutter and serves only for resting. To evoke a calm energy, a resort-style bedroom should also feature soft, neutral tones, clean lines and tropical greenery. A vibrant family photo or painting will work as a focal point.

An open floor plan would be ideal for a bedroom that adjoins the bathroom as it creates an illusion of a bigger space. 

“Privacy can be maintained by placing opera-style curtains in between [the bedroom and bathroom],” Roland said. 

As for the bathing facility, Roland predicts that vintage European-style soaking tubs will be making a comeback. Its slightly slanted silhouette is ideal for leaning back and relaxing while bathing. 

“You see, the home has become a sweet home after the pandemic,” Roland said with a smile.