The changing of the seasons often triggers an emotional response for consumers, and they react by refreshing their homes with décor that reflects the new time of year. The start of fall is met with gourmet-scented candles, warm earth-toned textiles and pumpkins aplenty. Winter calls for berry or woodsy fragrances, traditional holiday color palettes or jewel tones, and holiday décor. Spring and summer call for décor that is fresh, light and signifies renewal, or for items that reflect the joy that comes from warm weather.
According to the 2024 Gift Book Consumer Survey, consumers interested in purchasing seasonal home décor in the next 12 months are most likely to buy for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween, but there is a steady group of spring and summer-loving consumers who plan to celebrate accordingly and fill their homes with the love they feel for their favorite seasons.
Additionally, consumers are looking to continuously spruce up their outdoor living areas that many of them started utilizing more during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Call it the great spring reawakening, if you will, as consumers pay closer attention to how they can outfit their porches, decks and yards to reflect their personal styles as the seasons change from chilly to warm and inviting.
Here are a few things to watch for in these trend categories as you plan for 2024:
Pride in the Outside
Enhancing outdoor living spaces means investing in decorative elements that can add pop and polish to existing set-ups. According to the 2024 Gift Book Consumer Survey, decorative accents are the most popular home furnishings category consumers plan to purchase in the coming year — and that includes both indoors and outdoors.
Garden-themed pieces are long-time bestsellers, both for those cultivating a green thumb in expansive yards and those who relish green living as a general practice. Distressed planters, terra cotta pots and metal watering cans take center stage, exuding a rustic vibe that fits casual lifestyles. Barefaced and unpainted vessels are favored not only for their unfussy appearance, but because they complement existing décor.
Minimalist décor is also evident via metal bird cages and lanterns in simple canisters. Bird figurines in natural weathered finishes can standalone or work well as cage companions — perfect for the city dweller longing for the great outdoors. Cement is another on-trend medium popping up on planters and candle holders and is touted for its sturdy structure that holds up to outdoor wear and tear.
To soften the outdoor décor experience, bunnies are the star of the show when it comes to garden figures. These creatures, along with frogs, turtles and birds, are universal outdoor symbols that take the form of planters and baskets. Stylish outdoor pillows is another soft touch that adds a splash of personality to porch swings, rocking chairs and outdoor lounge furniture.
Easy to merchandise are garden flags, which retailers can showcase in their store’s entryway. Popular design themes include Americana — with vintage red, white and blue — cheerful floral patterns and family pets, allowing homeowners to proudly personalize their front porches with a playful nod to their furry friends.
Warm weather décor
Styling the home for the seasons is so much more than knickknacks and holiday-related items. For home décor in general, the 2024 Gift Book Consumer Survey found that wall art, soft home accessories, decorative accents, lighting and outdoor living accessories are all highly sought-after items for the coming year.
To prepare your store for the spring and summer decorating seasons, be sure to keep each of these categories in stock. For example, throw pillows with bunnies printed on them for spring or a pineapple for summer (pineapples are a bonus trend; they double as a symbol of hospitality) are easy to display and are an even easier way for your customers to refresh their living rooms for the spring and summertime vibes.
For wall art, signage with a seasonal phrase is a popular choice as are prints with a beautiful outdoor summer scene. For decorative accents, seasonal figurines or sculptures and useful coasters are top of mind. If seasonal items make you nervous because of their timely nature, carrying décor in a vibrant color scheme also works well to usher in the warmer seasons.
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