Cue the fireplaces, the plush throw blankets and the warm, soft lighting. As temperatures go down, it seems everyone is looking for ways to make their homes warm and cozy. Whether it involves well-loved items candles and electric blankets, or incorporating the recent trend of textured walls, shoppers are sure to appreciate new products and inspiration.
Science and Emotion
Like squirrels who build and repair their leafy nests in trees in the fall, we humans have an almost instinctive desire to ready our homes for winter once it starts to get cooler.
And while humans may not need leafy insulation to survive, making our homes warms and cozy makes us feel more comfortable, more relaxed and both physically and mentally well.
“No matter what type of home I’m working on, whether it skews more contemporary or more traditional, my goal is always to create something that’s cozy, warm and inviting,” interior designer Shawn Henderson told the New York Times earlier this year. “Most people seek that sense of comfort and security.”
A sense of comfort is important when temperatures go down, but also any time people are feeling uncertain or ungrounded— which is not all that uncommon right now. After all, it’s been said that the current nostalgia trend is rooted in consumers’ desire for comfort and security.
Tips and Trends
So, what are some timely ideas and inspirations?
Real Simple recommends “pouring a little love into the focal point of your living room or family room with thoughtful fireplace accents—like a vintage wood bin, tools or fireplace fender—which are having a moment in the design world.”
Another suggestion is to play up window seats or any view from your home of the natural world outside. “Somehow seeing how cold it is outside makes it feel even warmer and cozier inside,” explains designer Madelaine Mayer.
Other ideas include changing up lighting, incorporating area rugs, and layering walls with textures, artwork and treasured objects. When it comes to design techniques like these, retailers might consider partnering with a local design team on education sessions or offering one-on-one consultations.
Soft and Comfy
And of course, make sure to offer a wide assortment of home and housewares products that can help consumers feel warm and cozy.
This includes tried-and-true products like space heaters, flannel sheets, electric blankets, candles and plush throw blankets like these Mermaid Sherpa Throws from Plazatex Textile Import Export Corp.
But make sure to leave room for unique products that shoppers might not have considered. For example, the Modern Lux Towel Warmer Bucket by Zadro allows the luxury of a warm bath towel (or robe or socks) with the convenience of a secure timer. Likewise, a Comfort Glow Electric Stove by World Marketing of America offers the visual of crackling fire and the comfort of electric heat all in one; in fact, it can be used with and without heat.
In general, look for products in wood—for the feelings of warmth and grounding in nature that they provide, as well as materials that are soft, plush and textured—whether furry, knit or patterned.