A Touch of Home

With January right around the corner, everyone has their eyes on 2008. What will the New Year bring for retail design? During the month of December, The Dadson Diaries will devote its entries to five trends we think will help shape the retail landscape in the coming year.

#5: There’s no place like home.

How furniture found its way into the retail environment is a mystery to me. It might have started with people needing a place to sit while waiting for something. Maybe it grew in response to customers’ increasing demand for comfort during the shopping process. Perhaps it continues to grow because it can exude luxury, keep the uninterested shopping companion entertained, or maybe some products just look better when displayed in an armoire (or entire bedroom setting). Whatever the reason, retailers will continue to bring a little bit of home to the store in 2008.

I’ve experienced lounge areas complete with leather couches and plasma screens. I’ve even seen entire selling areas designed around certain rooms of the house (Tom Ford’s Madison Avenue store anyone?) Wood finishes, designer fabrics, crown molding, and other home accents set the tone for a relaxed shopping experience. Just remember to keep your shoes on!

What do you think will be the big trends in ’08? We’d love to hear them.