Woven Ivory and Indigo Pillow. Sullivans.

As consumers have spent more time at home, they have put an emphasis on making the space more their own. What used to be driven by personality expression has switched gears to a more casually comfortable vibe.

“In 2020, consumers said they wanted to express their personality through their home décor,” Tawni Buhler, marketing director of Sullivans, said. “However, in the post-pandemic world, consumers want to create a feel-good space that is comfortable.”

Creating that comfort is something smaller businesses can capitalize on. As big-box stores continue to miss the mark on carrying home products, small businesses can fill the gap for consumers who are looking for items that can boost their mood and create “a cozy, warm environment,” Buhler said. Rattan and woven baskets have been a highlight of this new wave of décor inspiration, especially with the versatility of being practical for storage or used solely as art.

Janet Blair, marketing manager for Melrose International, said nowadays it’s more about the feeling rather than just the look. A popular example is the farmhouse style – featuring natural wood, rustic lanterns and warm colors.

“The aesthetic is warm, approachable and comfortable,” Blair said.

Sullivans’ Vice President of Product Design Nathan Skrove echoed Blair’s observations, saying consumers are leaning more toward warm earth tones like clay, taupe, muted greens and dusty mauves.

“These colors work well throughout the home, but especially in the kitchen and family room areas,” he said.

The bump in popularity was reflected at the Inspired Home Show 2022, where these nature-inspired tones and natural wood accents were on full display. Retailers can expect these color trends to continue in 2023, as predicted by the Pantone Institute’s PantoneView Home + Interiors report.

Lee Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, described Pantone’s predicted trends as “down-to-earth artisanal tones to highly digitized vibrant hues to intensely robust colors.”

The warm tones of nature aren’t the only ones seeping into design trends, though. Natural yet neutral tones inspired by land and sea are also seeing spikes. Blair pointed to Melrose International’s Waterfront line that brings in different blues to add to growing popularity of coastal vibes.

“A new coat tree, clocks and photo frames all showcase the natural feel of the coast,” she said. The new line also features light blue lamps that add a cooler, softer feel to a room’s lighting.

And while the colors of nature continue to expand into the home, the idea of fun pops of color isn’t taking a back seat.

“Bright, happy colors always do well for us,” says Ann Nensel, specialty channel sales manager for Peking Handicraft. “We always have done well with shades of pink and that continues to be strong across all categories.”

Vivid purples, magentas and other bright, warm tones are having their moment. But another noteworthy, albeit slightly unconventional, pairing commanding attention? According to Mud Pie Vice President of Merchandise Lauren Brekke: green and black.

“I think both colors are great when paired with neutrals in kitchens, living rooms and any outdoor living space,” Brekke said.

A journalism graduate from Southern Illinois University, Amanda Erd has worked as writer and copy editor for daily newspapers in the Chicago area. She has won numerous awards from the Illinois Women’s Press Assn. for her headlines, page designs and infographics.

Pamela Brill has been published in American Baby, Babble.com, FamilyFun, Fit Pregnancy, Parents and Time Out New York Kids, and regularly writes her blog, Talking Walnut, where she tracks which kids’ products and toys are turning parents’ and kids’ heads.

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