• by Sarah Mahoney , June 8, 2021

It may have been the demands of working and learning from home that fueled home furnishing sales last year. But major retailers are betting that America’s not done decorating and still plan to keep prettying up their nests even as they venture back to work and school.

Both Target, Walmart and Gap have major new offers.

Target announced a collaboration between its Opalhouse home-furnishings brand with designer Justina Blakeney, founder of Jungalow, best known for her boho style.

The announcement follows its quarterly financial report, which saw sales of home décor items surge well over 30% in its most recent quarter.

The Minneapolis-based retailer says those quarterly gains are the most robust performance ever in its decorative home and seasonal businesses. Christina Hennington, executive vice president and chief growth officer, promises the company will intensify its focus on the home. “We’ll keep our foot on the gas, based on our guests’ desire to bring rejuvenated life and energy to their homes,” she said in an earnings call webcast for investors.

The 300-piece collection bows later this month. With some items priced as low as $10, and most around $30, it’s aiming for value shoppers.

The multiyear deal focuses on consumers’ growing passion for putting their own style signature on their digs instead of following some designer. “Once we understand what lights us up, we can invite more of it into our lives and our homes,” Blakeney writes in her blog announcing the collaboration. “At Jungalow, our hope is that our designs inspire you to tap into your creativity and make your homes a bit more colorful, patternful and jungalicious — but most importantly ... a bit more you!”

The retailer also introduced the Hilton Carter for Target collection, offering live and faux plants and accessories, earlier this year.

Walmart and Gap say they are teaming up to create Gap Home, a bedding, bath and décor line set to launch on Walmart’s website later this month, then roll out to stores. The 400-item collection includes some made from organic or recycled materials.

And in recent earnings reports, Lowe’s and Home Depot say home furnishings and outdoor living products continue to be strong sellers. Ecommerce site Wayfair continues to post massive quarterly gains, up 49% in its most recent quarter.