COVID-19 has prompted huge shifts in the US interior design industry – suddenly, outdoor spaces, privacy hubs, and colors that boost emotional wellbeing are paramount. How do these demands reflect people’s priorities during the pandemic? And what might they expect at home in the ‘new normal’?

Between 2019 and 2028, nearly 45 million Americans could potentially become first-time home-owners, but mortgage applications are still stuck in the past. A new wave of digital lenders is looking to disrupt the sector, with Better.com letting users get quotes and approval in minutes, not months.

Home ownership is an aspiration shared by many but it’s beginning to look like a pipe dream for a number of young people in the face of a grim financial future. Amid widespread economic uncertainty, Nude is stepping in to help take some of the pain out of saving for first-time buyers.

Home improvement brand Lowe’s has released a commercial that highlights the joy and satisfaction of redecorating in the time of COVID-19. With many homeowners interested in upgrading their abodes, the ad shows how changing up your surroundings can boost happiness and wellbeing.