Main Street Business

Although we are already a few months into a new year, the “new year-new you” ideology still resonates with many people who yearn to shake things up a bit. Whether it’s redecorating, refreshening home accents and switching up color palettes, or remodeling, many home dwellers are seeking a fresh start – a blank page waiting to be filled up. It’s all about transformation, new beginnings, and possibilities. 

A new color palette or style – such as minimalist, bohemian, farmhouse, rustic, or Scandinavian – can really transform a space and usher a different vibe into the home. People who want to create more serenity and balance may opt for a more minimalist décor, but those who want to feel more grounded may want to splash some deeper colors onto their walls. 

For example, I love an airy aesthetic and live comfortably with lots of open space, white walls, and pops of color throughout my home. On the other hand, my friend Christina, a former interior designer, “grounds” herself with saturated hues of orange and yellow in her dining space and kitchen. Selecting a style and palette is all about what resonates and what we feel at home with. With that said, here are a few personalities to play for those who want to explore. 

The forecast

Classic design elements are always a go-to for interior design projects handled by Hudson Home, an interior design studio and boutique in Hudson, NY. The company’s greatest source of inspiration? Globetrotting.

“Travel is and will continue to be our major source of inspiration. We attend trade shows every year, including Maison & Objet and Paris Deco Off in Paris, 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, and Decorex in London. These events, along with travel to new destinations, allows us to discover new sources, gain new perspectives, and find fresh inspiration,” says Greg Feller, co-owner of Hudson Home.

Feller and his co-owner Richard Bodin create interest by adding touches of humor to their projects. They like to include unexpected touches like a pop of color or contrasts of different textures. Wherever possible, they incorporate antiques to add some history and depth, but at the same time, they describe themselves as “big fans” of classic mid-century design.

Color direction

Although every renter or owner is encouraged to dress their home up in whatever colors suit their style, in a consumer-driven marketplace, new colors and materials are always emerging. Right now, rich and earthy hues are trending.

The palette includes everything from cognac to amber, saffron, persimmon, clay, and cordovan. “We are also seeing greens that range from olive to eucalyptus and the deepest of greens, which are almost black. All these colors mix very well with the neutral shades that are still dominating the marketplace,” said Feller. 

Bold textures such as boucles, natural linens, and wool are also very much in demand, and performance textiles are quite popular, providing customers with the style they want combined with practical longevity. Of course, the use of wallcovering has exploded in recent years. Top brands for Hudson Home include Trudon, Lee Industries, STARK Carpet, and Simon Pearce. 

Mocha madness

Every year, Pantone, an internationally recognized leading source of color expertise, announces its Color of the Year. This hot hue captures the global zeitgeist, expressing an international mood and attitude. The Pantone Color of the Year program engages the design community and color enthusiasts in a conversation around color, highlighting the relationship between color and culture. In essence, it reflects a collective desire in the form of a single, distinct hue. 

For 2025, Mocha Mousse is enjoying its place in the limelight. The color captures that global feeling of connection, comfort, and harmony. Many shops have incorporated Pantone’s celebrated color into their assortments, store windows, and displays, and many designers have brought the color into their collections. 

“The color exudes a rich, sophisticated fusion of warm browns and subtle taupes that evoke comfort, elegance, and timeless appeal. We are not personally fans of Mocha Mousse on its own, however, with the proliferation of neutrals, browns, and pinkish tones, it is not a big surprise that this color was chosen. We are seeing many variations on the Mocha Mousse theme. Since many of our core offerings already pair well with this palette, a change in direction (for the shop and its clientele) wasn’t necessary,” says Bodin.

Richard Davis, vice president and director of design, Remodeling Consultants, a family-owned design and build home-remodeling company with 60 years of expertise, agrees. “After years of neutrals dominating home renovations, vibrant colors and rich textures are making a comeback.” The company, which has offices in Mamaroneck, NY, and Stamford, CT, caters to clients in the lower Hudson Valley as well as in Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

“Mocha Mousse is an influence for me. It’s a beautiful color and I’m inspired by it,” said Delyse Berry, CEO, interior designer, and pincipal broker, Upstate Down, a real estate brokerage, interior design studio, and home décor shop located in Rhinebeck, NY. “It’s a café-creamy color that works into all the other colors that are trending.” 

She said that beyond the mocha trend, saturated colors are still in. That mix includes everything from mustard to dusty rose, and olive. Even the warm blues are a continuation of that aesthetic, but now they have olive undertones.

There’s also an old meets new aesthetic happening. Berry is seeing a lot of elements that have been around for a few years but are now maturing and joining newer elements. “For example, we will still be seeing lots of wall textures – plaster, wallpaper, limewash, and clay – and handmade tiles, but we will see them more infused with dark wood, polished nickel, and curved finishes,” said Berry. 

Many homeowners are also opting for sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and low-VOC paints. 

Shifting lifestyles 

After the pandemic, many people have altered their lifestyles, and that, of course, makes an impact on home styles. It has affected how we live and work. Between remote work and more at-home entertaining, people have been spending much more time in their home environments. 

“When it comes to lifestyle trends, the biggest thing I’ve seen is related to home layouts and how people are utilizing their spaces. Post COVID-19, people have realized that their home layouts need to shift so there’s more space to work, relax, and socialize,” said Upstate Down’s Berry. 

The demand for outdoor space is also still going strong. “Since the pandemic, we have seen an explosion in outdoor furniture and entertaining. Virtually every major home furnishing manufacturer has at least one outdoor collection. We expanded our outdoor offerings early in the pandemic when traditional indoor products became unavailable,” said Hudson Home’s Feller.

Remodeling Consultants has also seen an uptick in remodeling projects that relate to outdoor living. “Many homeowners yearn for outdoor living and are investing in outdoor kitchens, patios, and gardens that create enjoyable environments for entertaining and relaxing,” said Davis. 

According to Hudson Home’s Feller, fabric manufacturers have also greatly expanded the offerings in their outdoor collections. As a result, designers and consumers have greater flexibility and variety. He expects to see continued interest and growth in this category and plans to continue to extend the company’s outdoor offerings. 

Focal points

When it comes to home décor and furniture, the focus is on couches and dining room tables. Comfort is king, but style is also high on people’s wish lists. “Couches are a mesh of good looking and comfortable. If people are ordering a custom piece, they’re investing in a dining room table, an  heirloom piece that they’ll have forever,” said Berry. 

Since these items can be costly, Berry advises people to get creative and invest in accents. “Allow the fine details to create personality so you don’t have to re-invest in everything. You can change the space with accents so you’re not spending large amounts of money every time you want a new look,” she said.

Cordless lighting is another category that is trending. “We predict an explosion in terms of quality and variety in this new segment of home decor. The flexibility offered by uncorded options is bringing light to spaces where it was previously unavailable or unaffordable. We have already seen strong response to our cordless outdoor offerings and look for continued growth in this exciting category both indoors and out,” said Feller. 

Renovations

When it comes to revamps and renos, people are going for a sense of openness. Open-concept living spaces continue to be popular and promote social interaction and a sense of spaciousness, regardless of the size of the digs. The “Aging in Place” lifestyle trend (seniors staying in their own homes) also drives home remodeling because there is a demand for homes that adapt to changing needs. 

And with the continuation of remote work, multifunctional spaces are more common than ever. Homeowners prefer optimizing their spaces with renovations that include home offices, gym areas, and leisurely hang-out spaces that can easily transition from one function to another. WHO is also seeing a boost in smart home integrations, including lighting, thermostats, security systems, and kitchen appliances that enhance energy efficiency.

It’s all about living stylishly, comfortably, and utilizing our spaces in a way that suits our own unique lifestyles. Happy revamping! •