Will 'Staycation" create the next furniture boom?

Air travel is guilt-ridden, the dollar is weak and the recession shows no sign of abating. It’s all about the "staycation" this year; a growing number of Americans are canceling trips abroad and deciding to spend their summer vacation at home.

Furniture and accessory designers are capitalizing on this trend with new products aimed at home vacations and home entertainement. The slumping travel industry is offering home brands and retailers a big opportunity. The ‘"staycation" trend is proving to be a very welcome marketing demon.

New deck chairs, indoor-outdoor dining chairs and dining tables, the new shiny BBQ are all products being touted as the cornerstone of the "staycation" economy.

The poly chair by designer Karim Rashid is a great indoor-outdoor dinng chair

Home picnic products, like baskets, fun outdoor plates, blown-glass marguerita pitchers and glasses lead the accessory market as well. Anything that introduces the concept of vacation at home. "Why fly first class to an expensive resort when you can create vacation-style on your doorstep?" After all, you can upgrade your entire dining room for less than a stay at a resort and for once, you can enjoy it.

The global recession may have suppressed our readiness to spend but it hasn’t removed our creativity. Americans would rather give-up their trips abroad and spend on their garden and living room - which is only good news for interior and garden retailers. As a great designer puts it in his summer campaign, "Staying at home is the new going abroad - without the hotel bill at the end."

Visit the ChezMoi website and enjoy several "staycation" products and have a safe journey.