Versatile and Functional Spaces Trending in 2022

In 2022, trends in remodeling include spaces to relax and entertain. Spa bathrooms that give homeowners a place to unwind after a long day’s work are growing in popularity. Outdoor spaces that are as comfortable as one’s living room have also become popular choices in home design, the outdoor kitchen with extensive seating topping the list of installations.

While many want comfortable spaces, they are also investing in creating versatile and functional spaces. One trend in 2022 involves making spaces more multi-functional. With many families adjusting to remote work and school, homeowners have realized a range of uses for rooms within their home, whether turning an office and living space into a school and play space for children or converting living space to be used for zoom meetings.

One of the best examples of how this multi-functionality appears is the home office, a staple space of many homes today. For example, a home office with more than one function has appeared in several home design publications as one of the most popular choices for home remodeling projects.

In this incarnation, homeowners are not only taking advantage of unused space or rooms, but also creating rooms with dual purposes. For example, creating a home office space that doubles as a breakfast room or converting kitchen countertops for use as office space is one of the many home office ideas appearing this year. Some homeowners have converted these spaces into home offices with decor that provides functionality. For example, they have created office space containing a sleeper and desk.

Homeowners are not only aiming for multi-functionality, but are also looking to create work spaces that offer the optimal work experience by focusing on aesthetically pleasing designs that promote energy and productivity, such as minimalist spaces. The minimalist office space includes only the primarily elements (furnishings) essential to work.

Another design concept that promotes productivity is the Scandinavian-style home office, which uses black and white walls, natural paint colors, and plants. This design gives the space a clean and organized look and sets the stage for productivity.

Outside of the versatile home office, the kitchen space is also being converted to have multiple uses, for example, the kitchen island. While the kitchen island has waned in popularity in the last few years, in 2022, many homeowners are taking this once popular kitchen element and improving upon it.

In the past, the kitchen island has been a way to add countertop and storage space to the kitchen area, but newer kitchen island versions incorporate dishwashing capabilities (sink or dishwasher, or both) and a pull-out drawer for a trash can. Moreover, designers have added seating around the island, making it a favorite place for family members to gather.

In addition to creating more multi-purpose spaces in the kitchen, homeowners are turning spaces typically designated as laundry rooms into mud rooms. Today’s mudrooms are being transformed into transitional spaces where family members can take off their shoes, hats, and other accessories in a place separate from the living room or kitchen, making it possible to keep these areas tidy. These drop zones not only include shoe and coat racks, but can also include a wash-up area.

This optimal use of space includes creating additional storage wherever possible in the home. Some of the installations that homeowners are adding include pullout shelving in various nooks and crannies, and open shelving in the bedroom, bathroom, and mudroom.

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Surfing – The Whole Body Workout

 One can visit any beach to see surfers effortlessly gliding across the water while enjoying themselves. A January 2022 article from the online publication, The Wave, discussed the advantages of surfing therapy, including mental health advantages. This article was a part of a report studying the impacts of blue health or activities occurring near a body of water, including surfing.

In addition to its mental health impacts, the activity has fitness advantages because it is a whole-body workout. Some of the direct benefits of surfing include promoting heart health because of the different activities a person must do as a part of the activity.

Another positive impact of the sport includes increased balance and coordination. Surfers must stand on the board requiring balance, which, if practiced over time, improves both balance and coordination. An Australian study found that people who participated in surfing over an extended period maintained or improved their balance, control, and coordination.

According to some experts, surfing is a way to burn calories. The activity is on par with playing football, rock climbing, or one workout session in the gym in terms of burning calories, and much of this is because the activity requires the person to use every part of their body.

Similar to other vigorous forms of exercise, surfing also feeds into better sleep. Surfing’s impacts on cardiovascular fitness also extend to improved sleep patterns.

For one, surfers usually have buns of steel and toned legs because the activity requires the person to squat and balance, which works out the gluteus muscles and gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles. Furthermore, the surfer uses quadriceps and hamstring muscles in standing. When the person performs aerial moves, they are working muscles in the hips, which slims the hips to the waistline.

The exercise works muscles in the upper body as well. Some of the muscles in the upper body used in surfing are in the arms, back, and shoulder, namely the triceps, deltoids, and biceps. As the person lifts off the board to stand, They use pectoral (chest) muscles combined with other arm muscles. The pop-up technique, for example, is one instance when the chest muscles and the triceps play a role in pushing the person off the board to stand up.

These muscles are used when paddling out on the water as well. Surfers spend 60 percent of the time in the water paddling, and having strength in these muscles is an important part of being able to paddle for a long time. Paddling also requires the surfer to have a good range of motion in the shoulders, which is primarily the work of the rotator cuff muscles.

Additionally, core muscles (latissimus dorsi, obliques, rectus abdominis, and trapezius muscles) play a role in navigating the waves. Finally, core muscles have to be used to remain standing while riding the waves.

Finally, ligaments and tendons play a role in the more high-impact moments of surfing. The body’s tendons make it possible for the bones to move, and connective tissue (ligaments) attached to the bone are involved in providing stability, both of which are used in every action a surfer takes while out on the water.

Ultimately, surfing is an activity that many do without thinking about its workout impacts because it is enjoyable. While surfing, the person uses just about every muscle in the body while enjoying a low-impact activity.