In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed how we worshipped. COVID will continue to have an influence on many aspects of church through 2021, including design. Here are some of the biggest church design trends for the year.
1. Utilization of Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor areas have often been overlooked in regards to church design, but many churches are now expanding beyond four walls. Transforming unused land into appealing outdoor environments is a growing trend. COVID-19 has been largely driving this. Churchgoers are eager to return to pre-COVID activities, but they want to do so safely. Outdoor spaces are the perfect place to gather while maintaining social distancing.
2. Children’s Spaces That Are Easy to Sanitize
Children’s spaces will also receive an overhaul in 2021. Parents used to look for exciting ministry spaces for their kids, but now their highest priority is cleanliness. Churches need to create children’s ministry areas that are more minimalist and easy to sanitize to protect against COVID-19. For some churches, this may require a complete remodel of current play areas.
An added benefit of minimalist spaces is that they are easier to decorate, so you can update your children’s ministry space more often to keep it engaging.
3. Additional Spacing Between Seats
Traditionally, seats in churches have been placed relatively close together to maximize seating capacity. This also provided a feeling of warmth and community. However, congregations now appreciate having more space due to COVID concerns. A trend for 2021 will be to keep seats spaced out to allow for social distancing. This will put many members at ease and encourage them to come back to in-person worship services.
4. Flexible Work Environments
Many companies shifted to remote work during the pandemic. Religious organizations were no exception. Church staff needed to learn how to communicate and collaborate remotely. In the process, many discovered that they even preferred this setup.
In the future, we may see a rise in the number of flexible working environments that allow employees to work from home as desired. More video conferencing technology, such as Zoom, will be utilized to keep everyone connected.
5. Bright, Open Design Concepts
Churches are increasingly opting for bright colors and open spaces. This gives the illusion of spaciousness, even in smaller worship areas. If your church building is on the smaller side with no room to expand, an open design plan with brighter colors may be just what you need.
Many people are looking for a fresh start after the COVID-19 pandemic. Updating your church interior can give your congregation a feeling of renewal. If you are ready to remodel your church for 2021, keep these major trends in mind.
If you are in need of any new seating or church furniture, browse ChurchPlaza’s selection. We have flexible church chairs that can accommodate social distancing, as well as pulpits, communion tables, and a variety of other sanctuary furniture.
