What goes around, comes around: Making the case for ‘cozy’ | Cindy W. Hodnett
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — the time when red turns to black, brick-and-mortar stores have increased shopper traffic and American consumers are unified in their pursuit of the perfect gift.
But all that glitters is not gold in 2025. Instead, it’s plaid, floral and decidedly familiar to many of us.
Nostalgia anyone?
During the recent High Point Market, the biggest buzzword in many showrooms was “cozy,” and the accompanying upholstery launches embraced a nostalgic vibe via floral prints, snug textures and an undercurrent of grandma core.
A nod to the security felt in childhood homes, the design ode to years past is warm, welcoming and the exact opposite of stark contemporary or adherence to minimalism. As Home Town’s Erin Napier said during the Ben & Erin collection launch at Best Home Furnishings, it’s evocative of childhood memories that inspire nights at home with her own girls, watching movies in favorite pajamas, all against the backdrop of a toasty fire in the fireplace.
The floral fabrics might prompt sly smiles from those who experienced them the first time around in grandma’s house or even as hand-me-down furniture for a basement hangout. But for many consumers, this new take on nostalgia, updated for today’s living spaces, is a furniture hug of sorts, comfortable and comforting and a strong incentive to update furnishings.
See also:
- A match made in America: Napiers say domestic manufacturing is a must
- Upholstery furniture suppliers reimagine home theater and gaming with immersive sound
Movie night must-have?
As the negative consequences of too much doomscrolling continue to surface in psychological circles, many families are putting down the phones and revisiting time-honored pastimes like playing board games, reading physical books vs. tablets and family movie night.
The shift away from phones, even on a small scale, supports additional product developments seen in High Point, notably immersive sound. Now available at every price point — from promotional to high-end — immersive sound ups the movie game for at-home viewers, bringing the multisensorial experience of the theater to the family room.
When considering what might be perceived as “must have” by consumers, anyone choosing what to put on a retail floor has a built-in story to tell with immersive sound furniture. It partners technology with nostalgia in an easy-to-understand format and compelling product package.
No place like home
Budgets might be smaller this year, but American consumers always find a way to celebrate at year’s end. Furniture that supports a warm, cozy feeling — whether in design or function — aligns with the “home for the holidays” theme and might just inspire a furniture purchase for under, or around, the tree.
