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Things are about to get a whole light brighter. IKEA just released its global Life at Home Report for 2020, the company’s annual in-depth look at how people are living right now, and naturally it reflects all the ways we’re altering our homes in the face of the pandemic. The Swedish superstore studied 20 households around the world (from the U.S. to Italy to Hong Kong) for more than eight weeks, and one persistent request kept coming up: People want more access to nature, inside and out. “It’s become obvious that homes haven’t been designed, as a fundamental principle, with our well-being in mind,” IKEA reports. 

The research found that most respondents wished for more greenery in their living spaces even before the pandemic, but now it’s become a major must-have for mental health. Thirty-five percent of those surveyed said they would like a private garden or outdoor space, and the younger the respondent, the more likely they were to depend on spaces beyond their home to fulfill their emotional needs. 

As a result, IKEA predicts that homes will start becoming lighter and greener—in other words, everyone’s going to start looking for (or adding to) houses with large windows (may we suggest the round variety?), shared gardens, balconies, and rooftop terraces. The brand also reports that people will prioritize materials that have hygienic qualities, like antimicrobial copper faucets, as well as fresh airflow.

But you don’t need to do a full demo to incorporate earthy elements in your space. This weekend IKEA is hosting an online Virtual Greenhouse event, with videos on a variety of greenery-infused wellness topics, from a master class on the meditative Japanese craft of kokedama (dubbed “the poor man’s bonsai”) to instructions on building your own at-home terrarium. The free classes will be posted October 17 to 25, giving you plenty of opportunities to go green. 

Our Fall Style issue has arrived! Subscribe now to get an exclusive first look at Ayesha Curry’s Bay Area home—and discover how design can shape our world.