16 Jan Take 5 | January 2025

1. Cluttered, Creative, Confused?

The New Yorker recently delved into the evolution of home organization products and professional services in “What Professional Organizers Know About Our Lives.” The variable meaning of clutter is explored, raising important questions about personal preferences and the meaning behind clutter.

2. Hotel Hits the Outdoors

Skift reported that Marriott entered the outdoor hospitality market with the acquisition of 1200 cabins. “Marriott Buys Startup Postcard Cabins to Help Create Outdoor Lodging Brand” describes the organization’s strategy to build a brand focused on nature-based, immersive outdoor experiences.

3. Glamping Goes Mainstream

“Your next Marriott hotel room might be a cabin in the woods” also covers the story in a Fortune podcast. With Marriott’s acquisition, glamping has gone mainstream marking the growing popularity of rustic options.

4. Barndominiums Gain Popularity

The New York Times discussed the rise of interest in barndominiums in “The Design Trend Taking Over Rural America.” Dubbed as barndos, these large, open-plan structures are surging in popularity as the urban exodus continues.

5. Living Large in McMansions

Stewart Hicks, a professor from University of Illinois Chicago and popular podcast host, traces the origin of McMansions in “The Invention that Accidentally Made McMansions.”