It happened slowly, then all at once. When we first revealed the pantry, we barely lived in the house, and I had no idea how much I’d cook or entertain here. Turns out it’s a lot (which is wonderful), and therefore the needs of “the hardest working room” expanded quickly (and messily). It is not only a dumping ground for school stuff (piles of notebooks) or hiding quick mess during parties, but Brian and I have become quite the collectors of counter appliances that we actually use. And while putting them on the stairs down to the basement seemed like a fine idea at first (“we barely use this!” we said), not when you actually use it 1-2 times a week. So slowly, I’ve removed the pretty things to make room for what we need – food, my ever-growing supplement library, and appliances.

Styled – 2023

When I saw this shot recently as the opener to a blog post about staying organized, even I was like, “Whoa, this is not a real person’s pantry”. But at the time (3 years ago), we didn’t have the inventory we have now. First, the tall oils needed a home, then the bags of vitamins, then the larger platters and bowls we pull out for most parties. Every few months, I would reorganize (always so messy) and take pretty but rarely used stuff out to the prop garage, making room for actual life.

Real Life – 2026

TOP SHELF: Let me walk you through the changes. Top left is random stuff (including some Brez, which I order online – a 2.5 mg THC drink that is a great weekend wine replacement and super light), then all my protein, creatine, and Gruns vitamins (spoiler, some kids love these, mine do not, but I like them). My slow cooker (love), and platters we pull for parties.
LOWER SHELF: Peanut butters/honey/syrup, dog treats, panini press (kids love these sandwiches), basket for some treats out of reach of kids. Then the air fryer (weeknight chicken strips), which we can plug in below and not even move it down, and the Instant Pot (weekly hard-boiled eggs).
COUNTER: We try to keep this as clear as possible. It has our house alarm keypad, a couple of cutting boards, our bread box (which indeed has our bagels and bread in it), and our $18 toaster that could probably use an upgrade, but we’ll use it til it breaks.

What We Didn’t Change: Three Years Ago

This wall has remained very similar to how we styled it originally, mostly because it’s a sightline that you see from entering the house and while in the kitchen, so it has to look really pretty, or it would bum me out on a daily basis. I love our decanted jars (and for the most part keep up with them). Naturally, the pretty apron and broom were crowded out by the one billion coats that you need in Oregon. Here’s what it looks like now:

I obviously needed a place for that incredible vintage still life painting of pears and figs (on that red and white tablecloth? SHUT UP). That pitcher full of pretty wood spoons is for my own visual pleasure, which I’m comfortable with admitting in public 🙂 I added more jars of decanted beans and lentils (hot tip: keep the bag folded up inside of it so you know what it is and how to make it), and then there are more bowls and cookbooks as I add to my collection.

This is the exact sight line from the kitchen door where almost everyone enters through our house, so while the walls on the left and right can be totally disgusting, the back wall has to remain clean and pretty (Or I need to put a door on this room, which is not on my five-year plan).

What About The Drawers??

These drawers look far more real than they did. I originally designed them to have that gap so that we could put potatoes and onions in them, or just have them easy to access. But it’s just bags of popcorn and chips. The gap doesn’t bother me, but would I do it again? Dunno. This is the first time I’ve thought about it 🙂

Coffee Bar Side – Styled 3 Years Ago

Now good news is that while I haven’t used one scoop of that fancy ass tea I bought to style out this shoot, this side is pretty much the same. Sure, we have more to-go coffees and the plant is now dead (RIP), but it’s almost exactly the same (sorry, we didn’t re-shoot it).

A quick shout-out to the hidden cheap microwave – if you are designing a kitchen soon, I highly suggest this instead of something more built-in. I’ve heard too many stories about the microwave breaking, and then what? This allows us to have a mediocre microwave that works just fine (mostly to reheat coffee and make popcorn).

While there are some rooms I do like to keep looking pretty, this one just stopped making sense, and once I started the transformation, I let her rip. It’s wildly more functional (especially using the appliances actually in the pantry and not even needing to bring them out). I suppose a door on this pantry would make a massive difference, but I know what would happen – I would use it even more as a dumping ground when people come over, a “don’t even look in here” room of shame. 🙂

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

It’s the last reveal in my apartment before I move you guys!! If you want to see the rest of the space, I already revealed the kitchen, living room, dining room, and of course, the famous closet speakeasy. I’ve done A LOT to this space as a renter, and yes, I’ll have to reverse some of these DIYs when I move out (which is sad but also expected). To me, I’ve gotten to live in such an incredible space that healed me and truly felt like home. That was my one goal when moving in here: to make the space feel like home.

As someone who’s moved a ton of times throughout their life, I know it can take a lot to finally feel settled in a new space (months, years, even). Growing up, I moved all around Orange County because my middle/high school was a charter school, so you didn’t need to live in a specific city to attend (shout out to Orange County School of the Arts). So my parents took that as an opportunity to move around and try out some different cities. I always tried to make my room feel like “me” wherever we went – even if it was just for a year or two. I think this really helped me get into decorating because I had so many fresh, blank slates. Then I went to college, and we all know how that goes – you move pretty much every single year, and your furniture is just a hodgepodge of things you can scrounge together. So I set up and decorated what I could, but I can’t say any of my college apartments were homey (or even cute…)

Once I graduated, I sublet month-to-month in New York while job/career searching, and then I eventually landed this EHD job in LA and moved into my first studio apartment in Hollywood, and that was the first time I was really able to make my own space feel like home. It took a solid 3 years before it stopped feeling like a barebones Airbnb and actually felt like mine. But right as I dialed it in, life threw me for a loop, and I moved to New York (again) only to break up with my ex and come straight back to California, and a few months after that debacle, I moved into this apartment in Los Feliz. So that’s my life story: home edition. Moving into this space – I really just craved the feeling I had in my Hollywood apartment, where I would walk in, and every muscle would relax, and I felt like I could just breathe. Home can give you the feeling of peace and safety when the world outside lacks so much of it. So yeah, I did a lot to this apartment (especially in those other room reveals you saw) – but I FINALLY got it to feel like home, so I was really happy to accomplish that goal.

On the flip side of things, as a renter, it’s important to know what upgrades are going to be the most high-impact to you and then do those things. This is your permission the leave the rest behind. It’s important to remember in the world of picture perfect homes, sometimes, ‘good enough’ is totally fine – ESPECIALLY in a rental. In my bathroom, I was originally considering wallpapering (which I still think would’ve been awesome) but once I realized that my dining room was the room that needed wallpaper more (this wallpaper, to be exact), I invested my time and resources there instead. Had I been here for longer, I would have considered wallpapering, but I really didn’t want to add to my plate of taking even more wallpaper down when I move out (it’s a thing, trust me), and this bathroom was already pretty dang cute. So I decided to just elevate and swap a few small things to make it shine a bit brighter. Let me show you…

BEFORE

That tile!! The little shelf!! THE TUB! It’s all so adorable. The only wonky thing is the fact that that cabinet just doesn’t close all the way (maybe a new 2026 design trend??) The green vintage tile really just sings – I actually found the perfect wallpaper I was going to install but like I said, it ultimately just ended up not being worth it for the cost, effort and removal. So I cut my losses, and instead came up with some affordable, easy swaps that would make the space feel like mine without breaking the bank or having to spend hours undoing it upon move out. And they were all totally worth it.

So I was looking for design ideas other than expensive (but awesome) wallpaper, and I saw this inspo photo and immediately knew I wanted to do something similar.

I loved the idea of doing a “painted crown moulding” to draw your eye upward (and knew I could figure out an even easier renter-friendly way to do it)…

Bath Mat | Towel Holder | Towel | Toothbrush Holder | Vase (Similar) | Stackable Wooden Bowls | Mirror

So this is the new view into the bathroom after my simple renter-friendly upgrades!! The space has so much more personality now, and I can take almost everything with me when I move out, which I love.

I loved the look of that inspo photo so much – so I used this washi tape in two different colors (I could only find this variety pack, so I ended up ordering 3 sets – so I used 6 rolls total, and it covered the whole room). Now, washi tape notoriously doesn’t stick well to dusty surfaces, so I was wary that this would hold up since my apartment can collect a lot of dust being in a city, but I just thoroughly cleaned the wall before I applied it, and it stuck on – no problem. And now it’s held up great for over 6 months! It genuinely worked so well for this space and will be so easy to remove when I have to leave.

Washi Tape | Towels | Bath Mat | Towel Holder

Those towels are so good, I bought a second set for my boyfriend’s house that I’m moving into next month!! They’re the Parachute x Target collab, so the quality for the price is awesome (Parachute’s towels are normally $60-$70+) and I think they’ll last a fairly long time since they’re so forgiving (and are so so soft).

Mirror | Pulls | Knobs | Outlet Cover | Towel Holder | Towel | Trash Can | Mirror | Toothbrush Holder | Window Film

These were truly the easiest swaps – my goal here is to show you that not every space needs a complete overhaul or remodel to look and feel better. The very first thing I did was swap the hand towel holder to this one – it’s from Anthropologie and I had my eye on it for a LONG time. Then, I changed out the boring circular mirror to my DREAM mirror from Soho Home (which I can’t wait to take with me to my boyfriend’s place), then added new hardware (the old ones were crumbling in my hands which was cool, so I didn’t buy super expensive ones because I’ll likely be leaving these), and then added this pretty window film to add some more pizzazz.

OH, and upon moving in, I swapped every single outlet and light switch cover in the apartment to these fun brass ones. They were super affordable but made such a big impact to my everyday.

Wooden Bath Caddy

I’m a firm believer that a bath is basically the same as having a hot tub inside your house. Taking a bath here is actually magical. This tub is so perfect, and if you light a few candles, get your dirty martini and bubbles going, it is DIVINE.

I usually read on my iPad or Kindle (my sister got me into the fairy smut genre, and I cannot get enough…My Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, and Throne of Glass fans RISE UP!), so when it came to styling I only had a few physical books, so please enjoy this photo of My Body by Emily Ratajkowski, hahaha.

The art pieces above the tub are some of my absolute favorites. The skateboard guy I found at Market Market in Palm Springs (if you haven’t been – GO!), the top right is by Mucci (who I found at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival and have now put his artwork in 3 of the rooms in my apartment!), and then the top left is actually from my Hollywood studio (it’s a sketch of the view of the Chateau Marmont by the Max Gooding Co).

Light Fixture | Tassel

We didn’t get a good photo of the no-electrical-required light fixture swap (this bathroom is pretty small and hard to shoot, so shoutout to Lyle for doing an amazing job with the photos regardless!!) But I wanted to chat about this boob light upgrade that required NO ELECTRICAL! It was super easy – I just took off the boob light shade, then put the light fixture through the long screw from the original boob light, then secured the same hardware back on and covered it with a tassel. I made a video on it here, so it’ll make a bit more sense, but it was the easiest DIY ever. Someone joked that it went from boob light to nipple tassel, and I’ve never laughed harder. But yes, I highly encourage you to add a nipple tassel to your boob light!! It looks so much better.

This will always be our girly little apartment that helped us heal and grow, and I’ll forever be grateful for this space. I hope whoever moves in next loves every bit of it the way we did. Thank you for reading and checking out all of these makeovers – it means the world!!

*Design by Mallory Wackerman
**Photography by Lyle Nelson

Bathroom trends (much like kitchen trends) are a funny thing to evaluate on a year-to-year basis because they simply do not move that quickly. If they did, by the time you got through the design process, material selection, permitting, contingencies and snafus, and then final install, your spaces would already be obsolete. That would simply be a ridiculous and wasteful way to live in our homes.

That is not to say there isn’t anything to talk about, though, because there’s always a new idea, color trend (like these I wrote up recently for 2026), or material popping onto our radar that makes us scream YESSSSS, including the six concepts below I’ve been noticing more and more in beautiful, finished bathrooms. Like many renovation-required trends, they tend to begin in luxury spaces, so you’ll see a lot of aspirational homes here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t borrow inspiration for your own homes from them. That, or just sit back and enjoy the show for the sake of design entertainment.

Amber-Colored Tile

Last year was all about burgundy zellige tiles, but this year? Amber, caramel, and earthy mustard reign supreme. This color tile is absolutely everywhere right now and is so adaptable to many styles. Take a look above at the killer shower stall our friend Brady Tolbert designed in his home; in true Brady style, it’s cool, contemporary, yet warm and graphically neutral.

However, here, designed by the team at Dunham Robinson, you can see a more traditional aesthetic with the chrome and stone sink, floral wallpaper, and wavy wood mirror. The turmeric-like hue works well to draw attention away from the white fixtures, which could otherwise appear somewhat sterile.

These tiles, in a bathroom by Annie Downing Interiors, are certainly more terracotta than they are amber, but the vibes still hit the same. To me, the takeaway here is how well they play with other jewel tones and saturated shades, such as the deep, chalky blue in the other tile design.

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Tiles aren’t getting all the burnt caramel love; designers like Reath Design (who collaborated with Emily Farnham Architecture on this space, shot by Laure Joliet), are using the color in bathrooms via paint, as well. How marvelous does it look here with the oxblood marble on the vanity and shower stall?

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So far, we’ve seen amber tiles marry beautifully with mustard, black-and-white, denim blue, and deep red. Next up, courtesy of Pierce & Ward (shot by Michael Clifford Photography), is olive green and aqua. What a stunning way to bring new life to vintage pieces such as that sink.

Colored Fixtures

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Two years ago, Caitlin wrote a piece about colored plumbing fixtures in the bathroom as something to keep our eye on (thanks Kohler for bringing these back around more accessibly!), and she was 100-percent right. And look, I know this is fairly niche, but who decided that white porcelain had to be the standard of “safe” choices in a bathroom’s design? “But you might get tired of that pistachio green toilet, Arlyn!” Well, who is to say I wouldn’t get tired of white? We can use the same logic here. If you’re designing a bathroom for home resale, it’s not worth the effort of getting it right, design-wise, but if it’s for you, and you are a fellow color lover, I say GO FOR IT.

It doesn’t have to be something as large or prominent as a toilet, either. Faucets and faucet handles can do the trick, too. Hannah Go of Studio Hanego selected candy-coated red Fantini fixtures for her client’s bathroom. The slap of color is just the right amount of unexpected pigment to break through the beige-and-white color palette, making it feel playful and youthful instead of overly serene.

Here’s another angle of the same space, where Go carried the Fantini faucet into the sink area for a cohesive design story. (That sculptural floral arrangement is by Gentle Offerings out of LA, in case anyone is wondering.)

Another tip-toe entrance into the world of lively fixtures is with a partially-colored item, like this cast-iron farmhouse basin in a room by Hendricks Churchill. And the beauty of a sink like this (or anything cast iron, for that matter) is that it can be reglazed should you need to change the color down the line.

This bathroom by Jamie Haller—shot by Jenna Ohnemus Peffley—highlights two of our favorite bathroom trends so far: amber zellige tiles and a butter yellow vintage sink. The room looks both like a perfectly preserved time capsule from the 1970s but also something that very much could have been designed and installed today (because it was). Good design can be appreciated no matter the decade, in my opinion.

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Giving very different vibes, but the same design backbone is this happy little spot by, yet again, Reath Design. Not only is the sink itself an azure I can barely look away from, but the cross handles on the sink are a sky blue.

Built-In Tub Surrounds

The freestanding tub became the calling card of a luxury bathroom a decade or so ago, but as things happen, that quickly got tired, thanks in great part to property flippers and developers who would shove one into a space even when it didn’t make much sense.

And while a stand-alone tub can still be a wonderful hallmark of a bathing space, of course, don’t underestimate a built-in tub surround. No longer relegated to the second-tier guest bath, they are now being used more and more in primary suites. They have their merits, too: The overhang surface is great storage for bathing supplies, and even decor items like art and candles, as seen above by Heather Peterson Design.

For a bathtub surround worthy of a primary suite, it’s important to be mindful that the surround itself elevates the design, rather than drags it down. Here, designer Nicole Dohmen for Atelier ND Interior brought the large-format stone from the floor up around the tub to create a seamless visual transition.

Here, in a bathroom transformed by Trouthouse, the small square yellow tile of the shower walls comes down around the tub insert, as well. This could have easily been a standard white porcelain tub, but the tile surround creates a more intentional design moment.

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Would I be nervous to have a wooden top and sides to my bathtub? Yes, but certainly, there’s a way to make it work. Either way, it sure does look serene and spa-like thanks to the minds at Honeyedfigs that dreamt up this muted space.

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On the opposite end of muted is this glitz and glam bathroom by Gregory Rockwell. I love how the red marble continues from the bathroom sink basin, tub wall, and floor, and baseboard detailing.

Fluted Glass

Shower details always make our bathroom trends roundup, and this year, we’re covering glass specifics. Fluted details in general have been everywhere for five-plus years, and now they’re frequently being used in contemporary bathroom spaces. Advantages include moderate privacy while allowing light diffusion, added texture, and limiting the visibility of water spots. Bonus points for a cool red frame to make the wall of glass the protagonist of the room’s design, as Megowan Architectural did here.

I’m partial to how youthful ribbed glass can come off looking with a colored door frame like in the previous project. Here, the mauve-lilac Butterfly Studio used here is quite eye-catching, don’t you think?

The international design and property acquisition firm Banda Studio kept things sleek and luxurious in this outrageously covetable bathroom with a frameless fluted shower wall. The vertical lines of the glass texture add a nice rigidity to the more organic veining of the marble and Roman clay or limewash walls and floors.

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Stop. Scroll to the fourth photo. Okay, now we can talk. I really wanted to show this bathroom, in the home of celeb Rita Ora, designed by Joanna Plant, for anyone thinking fluted glass is simply for contemporary bathrooms. It’s not, and certainly has a place in more traditionally minded areas, too.

Stone Basin Sinks

Last year, I presented the idea of raw-edge stone sinks as a trend, and this year, it’s similar but more refined and polished. Full stone sink basins are very popular right now as they strike a balance between simple, clean lines, luxury, and an impactful visual story through dramatic natural stone.

There’s a lot to take note of in this bathroom by Marie Flanigan, including the gorgeous pinkish stone for the sink basin and vanity. The side wall-mounted faucet is a unique approach that, to my eye, keeps the focus on the stone; the pendant light on the left beautifully echoes and balances the small window at right.

Cannes-based firm Caprini & Pellerin designed this elegant luxury bathroom, complete with a deep teal stone basin and countertop. I very much appreciate the slight lip detail (also seen in the Marie Flanigan sink) to limit water spill and run off. The coordinated marble frame around the mirror and lights is a nice touch to mimic the lines of the cabinet and tub in the foreground.

Raw-edge stone is still absolutely appropriate; Ursino Interiors masterfully uses the boulder effect to bring a rustic quality to a luxury space, juxtaposing polished brass and a metal window-frame shower stall.

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Another beautiful example of the visual power of the stone basin vanity, this time in a refreshing spearmint, by Benjamin Vandiver.

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Wall-to-wall installs don’t get to have all the fun. What a compact yet powerful statement this stone sink makes in a bathroom by Zoe Feldman.

Bathroom “Islands”

Bringing up the rear of our trends list today is what I’m affectionately coining the bathroom “island.” Perhaps there is a more technical and accurate name for this, but I haven’t found it. Basically, what I mean by bathroom island is a freestanding unit that houses a key bathroom fixture, such as sinks or a shower.

Case in point, this floating vanity (note the fluted glass! and the stone basins!) in a space by Australian firm Se Déa. In these types of installations, the mirror is most often supported by a metal structure attached to both the island and the ceiling, which can free up valuable wall space and take advantage of positioning that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Of course, you’d need to run plumbing through the middle of the room rather than along the perimeter.

Another one by Caprini & Pellerin that this time showcases an unusual shower island. It’s quite a cool concept, and the center placement in the room opens up the walls to added storage, display space, and a separate vanity space.

I found this opulent bathroom design via Belgian interior architect Wouter Tousseyn. I’m fairly certain it’s a rendering, but I wanted to include it as another visual study of the sink island, as this angle helps you to see the practicality of a double-sided floating vanity, which can be used from either side by multiple people.

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Pierce & Ward show that the use of a floating bathroom fixture doesn’t have to be one-note, either. Here, they’ve adjoined the sinks and cabinetry to a large soaking tub.

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And finally, proof that it doesn’t have to be this grand thing, either. By LA. M Studio, back-to-back sinks in a narrow cube-like island turn open floor space into a memorable design moment.

—

So now we’ve reached the end, and I have fully exhausted my ability to say another word about a bathroom. After all, how many synonyms can one find for the words sink, bathroom, tub, tile, and the like? I may have gone against my journalist instincts to say the same thing over and over again, but I hope you’ll forgive me and were too focused on the expertly designed bathing spaces to notice.

Any that stood out to you? Any others you’ve taken note of recently that you want to add to the list? Feel free to party on in the comments. I’ll be there responding.

Until next time, friends…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Ursino Interiors, styling by Brittany Albert, photo by Nicole Franzen

Yes, I’m/the whole EHD team is still in a hardcore “let’s make life feel and look better” mindset. For me, it’s been everything from health to beauty to home organization. I’m slowly chipping away at things that have been on my list of to-dos for a while, and wow, wow, wow, it just feels really good to check those babies off. So, in the spirit of January, this is a post filled with mostly decor pieces that are both great looking as they are practical (aka will make your life better). Oh, and it’s all from Wayfair, so you know the prices are great, and that shipping is FAST. I promise that there is so much power in making just one small positive change, even if we think it’s a waste of time if we can’t get everything we have on our lists done all at once. It’s not a waste, and it really helps…I know from experience. So let’s dive in, shall we?

Shoe Storage

I know I talked about shoe storage in my post last week about organizing products, but there were only two options (both great if I do say so myself), but I felt we needed more, and with some variety. These will only focus on shoe storage for entryways or mudrooms (aka the kind you see and want to look beautiful).

What a stunner! Modern traditional style, great looking hardware, holds up to 12 pairs of shoes (at least that’s what it says in the description, AND has a drawer! Oh, sorry, it’s also under $150:)) I just think it’s so chic and offers so much function, even beyond the shoe storage. It does come in a few other colors if black doesn’t work with the rest of your decor.

But you might prefer more of a bench style (it’s nice to have a place to sit when you’re putting on or taking off your shoes), and that’s where this wonderful piece comes in. The perfect amount of detail to make it feel special but not “too much,” holds eight pairs of shoes, and is only $120.

This one I LOVE visually, but clearly it doesn’t have the same storage capacity as the others. I see this one more for the person, couple, family, etc, that doesn’t have a shoe storage problem but does need a bench. Then let’s say if a pair of shoes needs a quick temporary home or if guests come over, then this is a perfect fit. The curves of the arms are so good, too.

Boot Trays

The Portland team made sure I included boot trays because they are well acquainted with wanting a nice-looking place to put their wet and/or dirty shoes. I thought this one was pretty ideal! It has a great MCM style, beautiful stain (there are two other options as well), and two tiers! Double the shoes, double the fun, they say:)

However, if you don’t need two tiers and prefer a tray that’s easy to wipe down, either of these are great looking and work with a ton of styles. The galvanized steel one is $40 and wonderfully classic, and the copper one is $46 with that chic and quiet square pattern on the base. Can’t miss with either.

Weather-Proof Mats

If you need a boot tray, you probably need an indoor weather mat, right? We like ones that are simple, have a nice neutral color, and a subtle pattern. This one is great because it really checks those boxes, and if you read about it, this puppy is durable. This slender size is great too for smaller or more narrower spaces.

Two more options! The blue one reminds me of the one in Em’s mudroom, but it also comes in a variety of other colors, and I LOVE the dot pattern on the brown one (which also reminds me of the one in Em’s mudroom:)).

Memory Foam Rug Pad

Em has been using this exact rug pad since her LA days, and as someone who has had the pleasure of walking on it, it’s soooooo nice. I’ve wanted one for a long time, and 2026 may be the year. Here’s what she said about it in 2020:

“With what feels like 1/2″ of memory foam, this rug pad (combined with this comfy rug) is SO COMFY. We originally bought it because our first Persian rug was pretty thin and I wanted concussion-free wrestling periods. It isn’t just non-slip, it adds at least 1/2″ of underfoot serious memory foam comfort. The only downside is that if you get it EXACTLY the size of your rug then you can see the edge of it, but if you get it too much smaller then you can see the line underneath where it ends. So I ended up cutting an inch or two off so the rug just slightly goes over it. Not everyone is as into comfort as I am but I think these little things are subconscious signals that say, ‘come in, sit, relax, stay awhile,’ which is how I want us to feel in our home.”

Pillow Inserts

I just recently replaced my pillow inserts, and wow, do I notice a difference! If you are in the market, one of the reviewers said this about these ones:

“You know those hotel pillows that we all love so much. Well, these are those pillows. They aren’t too soft to where your head sinks down into the pillow, and you wake up with a crook in your neck, and they aren’t too firm when you feel like you slept on a brick all night and wake up with a stiff neck…”

Sold? Ya, me too.

Nightstands With Charging Stations

Why not have your nightstands work even better for you and have a built-in charging station? If you are someone who leaves their phone in another room while you sleep, you are my hero. But for the rest of us, the idea of having the easiest access to a charging port for one of our many devices sounds pretty amazing. But basic and overly modern nightstands are not really our preference. Instead, look at how great these modern traditional ones are. The black ones have cleaner lines and that cute open nook over their two drawers, while the light toned ones have those wonderful rounded feet. No losing with either of these options.

Here are some more modern options. The fluting on the MCM-inspired one is the perfect detail for just enough visual texture (also only $130). Then how cool is the more postmodern one! Its shape is modern, and the wood texture is so organic-looking and beautiful. Just a great option for a beautiful but unexpected piece (and at the great price of $165).

Storage End Of Bed Benches

As I am sure many of you know, EHD LOVES an end-of-bed bench. Make it a storage bench?? Chef’s kiss. So when I saw this one I knew I had to include it. So pretty, elegant, AND practical.

This bench (as proven by these photos) is perfect for either an entry, hallway, or end of the bed, etc. The colors are great, the style is classic, and from the looks of it, it has a decent amount of storage. No notes.

I feel like this one is a sneaky storage bench. When you look at it, you don’t immediately think “storage bench.” The style is versatile, the color is neutral but fun, and because it’s 100% upholstered, it looks cozy too:) All of the benches are around $200, which isn’t bad at all.

Jewelry Organization

Let’s just say most of my costume jewelry is in a very pretty pink Intentionally Blank shoe box. Not a terrible solution, but it’s not a great one or one I want to display. These two, on the other hand, are a different story. If you read any trend posts from last year or Arlyn’s 2026 color trend post from Wednesday, then you know light blue is one of THE colors currently. It took me by surprise last year, too, and I couldn’t love it more. So if you want to dip your toe into the icy blue world, this light blue jewelry box is perfect. But you are more of a classic natural wood tone person and have the budget to go a little over $100, this walnut beauty is a no-brainer. If I were further along in my bathroom design, I would be having a VERY hard time choosing between these two.

But maybe you’re like, “Jess, aren’t you cute with your three little drawers, but that is NOT going to cut it for my jewelry collection.” Fair! So then here is an option that can be wall-mounted or hung over a door. And not only do you get a significant amount of jewelry storage, but you get a wall mirror too! They also come in other fun colors if black doesn’t work with your overall style.

Now this jewelry armoire says to all of these previous options, “hold my beer” when it opens up and reveals SEVEN drawers, two doors for hanging pieces, AND a top compartment with a mirror. I think the next step up from this would be a jewelry closet. It’s simple, stylish, and gives you so much incredible storage!

Cord Management

It’s 2026, and if you somehow don’t have a lot of cords to manage, then I am very impressed! I feel that most of us there’s at least one area in our home where the cords are out of control, and these cute little boxes can help manage the cord chaos. The white one is meant to sort of camouflage into the background with its simple, sleek lines. The green one is more of a “show me off” gal with that fun color and cool texture. Something for everyone…

…unless you prefer a natural material like this wonderful woven basket option! Again, you can’t go wrong.

If nothing else, I hope this post was a little extra encouragement to keep going with those little improvements in whatever way you wish. Wayfair is, of course, just such an incredible resource that we think should always be a place to look for great pieces that make your home and life better…at great prices. Hope you all have a good and safe weekend.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: The Mudroom Dog Washing Station: Measurements, How It’s Working + Some Practical Dog Products

Over the holidays, anything “non-urgent” got moved to the back burner (or just put in the freezer, out of sight/mind). So, outside of partnership deadlines and timely end of year admin, I let myself indulge in my family and totally forgot that I had this adorably run-down house that needed my attention. But I’m back and so excited to keep this project moving (but don’t worry, you haven’t missed anything since this post). Today I want to walk you through a few bathroom ideas I’m VERY excited by, that are more fantasy than practical. It’s a big room, 12×16, so it’s going to be perhaps an oddly large bathroom with vaulted ceilings…and a urinal. Just having the basics (toilet, sink, shower) felt dinky and weird. So I’ve got some fun guest cottage bathroom ideas, and I wanted to share them…

Hoping to keep the paneling on one wall and find reclaimed wood to go around the rest of the room. I need 600 square feet (3 walls and ceiling). I have the vision of it clear in my head, but it’s hard to explain. It’s going to be rustic (but cohesive), with a side of “summer camp” due to the amount of wood, but with a cohesive color palette and fun tile and fabric. More to come on the materials.

Ok, so since the room is big and has high ceilings, I want to divide it up and do a “room within the room”. And since I’ve promised Brian a urinal, I want to put that and the toilet in its own room. There are, I’m sure, many ways that I can do this, but I have two main ideas that I love almost equally.

Toilet Room Idea #1: The “Outhouse”

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Ok, so picture this – a small, roofed room inside the paneled bathroom. It would be almost free-standing (grounded against the back wall) with double doors going into it. It could be shaped like an outhouse (but stretched out wide, for double doors and to fit the urinal). I can 100% picture it, and I have zero doubts about this, as odd as the idea sounds. It could be paneled and painted so it fits in the same world but pops off the wood walls (which we hope to match and keep).

I was heavily inspired by this bathroom, below, with the tiled toilet room and shower.

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A post shared by BUCHANAN STUDIO®️ (@buchanan.studio)

What a totally delightful (and ballsy) design. This designer put two tiled rooms (with glass blocks, no less!) inside what seems to be more of an old-world bathroom.

One room is for the toilet and one for the shower. Now, while a tiled version of my “outhouse” would be incredible, I think the tile budget might be totally out of control if we did this. But I think it’s the best representation of this out-of-the-box, fantastical idea. Well done, Buchanan Studio! When we first saw it a few years ago, our “Watercooler” Slack channel was a-BUZZ. I know it’s controversial, but we all thought it was just a totally fascinating idea, executed so well.

Toilet Room Idea #2 – The “Through A Secret Armoire”

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I mean, I’ve always wanted to do this (who hasn’t). You walk in, and it’s just an unsuspectingly large armoire (flat roof, not pitched), and then you open it, and it has a toilet and urinal. What a delight! The only caveat with this is that in order for the toilet to fit with the right clearances, it needs to be pretty deep, which, from the side, would give itself away (no armoire is that deep). Most of the ones that I’ve found online steal space from the adjoining room, which we don’t want to do here. So while this idea is a 12 on the fun scale, I fear that the execution of it is more challenging. Not only do I need to either find a massive, beautiful armoire, OR make one, but I need to build it out to be at least 4′ deep, and I think it would stick so far out that it would look dumb.

Our First Renders…

My team is having so much fun using Spoak, so we created some elevations here to show you. Now it’s rough, but it hopefully demonstrates what I’m talking about enough to visualize it and either agree with me or not. Depending on the size of the fixtures we go with (toilet, urinal, sink), we might not be able to bump the structure out from the side wall like this, but I like how it looks with some breathing room if the spacing works out. The sink would likely be vintage (and possibly wall hung), and the water heater location is still TBD (and would have to be small), but we wanted to account for it (it’d likely be hidden within a faux cabinet).

When I was in the space, I mocked up the depth of the outhouse to be a lot more, but now I’m realizing it could be a lot less deep (toilets are about 30″ and front clearance needs to be 15″). But you have to account for framing, so I think we are at least at 60″ from the wall. There are a lot of things to troubleshoot (and build), and this whole idea might not work. But picture this – you are over in our yard at a big outdoor party, and you are told the bathroom is through “that door over there”. Then, when you walk in, you see this quirky room that says “restroom” or “toilet room” on impossibly cute stained glass doors. Then you open them and inside is your own private toilet and urinal (might need to figure out a privacy situation for the stained glass doors, lol…). Maybe it’s a tiled wall inside (or the OG paneling). Maybe a little sconce, too. How cute does that sound???

And Where Does One Shower?

Ok, we’ve got our toilet/urinal and sink covered, so where should the shower go? And what does it look like? Now this might not be a heavily used shower (at least not for many years), so again we can be more creative with it. I had two ideas bouncing around…

The “Floating” Circular Shower Pan

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How fun is this?? I found this as I was researching how to do a shower without having to do all the hot mop shower pan waterproofing stuff (I was trying to avoid hiring out for that). What’s the least amount of “work” to get a shower without using a plastic insert (which I totally considered BTW and might be worth a blog post). So I found these images on Pinterest, which show exposed plumbing with shower curtains all the way around (no tile, no waterproofing walls) and what seems to be just a marble round shower pan on the floor (there are also cast iron claw foot versions). Now, would this possibly pass US bathroom code or inspections? I have no idea, but I’d bet not? But that didn’t stop me from spending no less than 5 hours planning out the bathroom with this in mind. Ultimately, I decided that future-proofing the bathroom by putting in a tub would be smart, which would shift this floating circular shower into the corner, in which case having it be round made less and less sense (I did find some corner quarter-round showers that were really fun, but started to feel a little too complicated).

Corner Shower With Chest Height Pony Wall

Ok then, I pivoted to doing a square or rectangular shower in the corner, but making it look more analog with a chest-height pony wall for privacy (and because I like the idea of a higher wall). And then above the wall, a super cute hanging curtain (almost like a cafe curtain, but that goes from the ceiling to the top of the pony wall), which gives me an opportunity to add a fun pattern/print and texture/softness. Fabric and tile are two of my favorite design elements, so I want to add them in as much as possible. I also love the idea of a column or some sort of decorative (and seemingly load-bearing) post or newel to add some architectural grounding (and for the paneling to butt into).

Here’s the birdseye view, which is not necessarily accurate yet but gives you a better idea of where everything is going to go. We might make the shower a rectangle, and we might do a floor-mounted faucet for the tub, etc (and pretend the sink inside the outhouse is a urinal). But I think it’s super helpful to see where we are headed.

Here’s where we left off. Since then, the framed floor has been started so that we can attach pipes to it for plumbing. But a lot left to consider:

1. Flooring – If all the walls and ceiling are wood paneling, then a tiled floor sure would be nice, but at 12×16, that’s a big floor, and tile is substantially more expensive to install than wood flooring. And we are planning on painting a pattern on the wood floor of the living/kitchen, so I don’t want to do the same in here, or it will be a circus house. We also might need to do under-floor heating in here, as we aren’t putting a Quilt mini split in this room. More to come.
2. Walls – So my goal is to find reclaimed wood that matches the tone of the wall that has beautiful existing paneling on it already (the wall where the outhouse would be). So far, I haven’t found it. It doesn’t need to be exact, and I don’t even mind if the width or profile is slightly different – it can look a bit hodgepodge, but I want the tone of the wood to be similar.
3. Windows – I think we are getting rid of the one on the far wall since it looks out to a fence and is frosted. I think we are going to put skylights in here anyway. We’ll keep the big picture window.
4. Framing – We have to frame the floor to be higher, so I’ll need to troubleshoot raising the door and creating some sort of step-up on the outside.

It’s pretty exciting, and now that my head is fully back on straight (dude, that holiday break killed me this year), I’m extremely excited to keep moving. Just need to get the plumber to respond to me 🙂

*Photos by Kailtin Green

If you love color as much as I do, buckle up, because today, we’re talking color trends 2026 in interior design. Spoiler: There aren’t many drastic moves from the last time we talked about this, really. Millennial gray isn’t back (yet), cool whites haven’t taken over, and orange is still a bit fringe. But many of the shades we talked about last year are still very much on trend for this year…with a few additional surprises.

After consulting fashion trends, trend authorities such as WGSN and Pantone—yeah, even after that Cloud Dancer debacle—and digging deep into my own intuition based on my observations of designers’ work and retail product offerings, I’ve come up with seven colors I feel strongly are already impacting or about to impact how we decorate our homes.

Before diving in, you know I always have an aside. Scrolling through the images I collected made me stop and admire in total awe the absolute treasure trove of beauty we have at our constant disposal. Trendy or not, it’s like…WOW. There is so much to take in all the time that it’s easy to take it for granted, but for just a moment, let’s pause and be in wonder of just how many gorgeous and unique homes and rooms we get to peer into on the daily.

::pauses:: ::wonders:: ::awes::

Alright! Time to admire some colors, shall we?

Color Trend #1: Ice Blue

Let’s start this list off with a color family that is as dependable as water boiling at 212 degrees Fahrenheit: Blue. This cool hue manages to present itself over and over again in different iterations with every new trend wave; last year, it showed up as an icy iteration, and that same ice blue is still ahead of the pack. I personally think it’s a fantastic palate (and palette) cleanser as an addition to all those deep, moody reds and browns we’ve been seeing, but more on that later on the list, so keep scrolling. Icy blue isn’t overly milky or saturated like other denim or Swedish blues that have been popular for the last decade. It’s crisp, clear, frosty, and pale.

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James Huniford used an icy blue velvet sofa as the bright point in the otherwise earthy room he designed for the Kids Bay Showhouse last year, featured on Domino. If you leaned hard into the warm neutral trend and want to inject a little extra oomph now, misty blue is a great way to do that without things feeling overly colorful.

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A post shared by Анастасия Брандт | Дизайнер Интерьера (@anastasiia.brandt)

Case in point: This large room-scaled cabinet unit in a fairly neutral room. It’s such a wonderful way to use a color in a very large way that doesn’t feel overly burdensome or heavy.

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A post shared by KERV Interiors & KERV Installs (@kerv_interiors)

Over a decade ago, I painted my bedroom a similar barely-there blue (with enough depth that it doesn’t feel like it belongs in a toddler’s nursery) and proceeded to recommend it to everyone close to me to the point that I made them feel like there was no other choice. As it happens, I moved on from the color, but it’s back, baby, as seen in this lovely and fresh space by Kerv Interiors. (Be sure to scroll through to get to more images of the bedroom it was used in and all the fun colors paired with it!)

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A post shared by Alice Grace (@by_alicegrace)

First, scroll to the second image. Okay, now I can talk. Using ice blue in small but punchy moments like a pendant, sconce, or even piping on upholstery or soft goods is a fun and unexpected way to bring in this color. Another inspiring takeaway from this project by Alice Grace is how utterly delightful this cool blue looks with cherry red (and khaki, which is a trend further down on our list!).

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A post shared by Amanda Moore | Interior Decor • Design (@houseofmooredesign)

Icy blue has been increasingly paired with burgundy; in fact, that combo is absolutely everywhere right now, like the previous one I mentioned, but with some more gravitas. It really does a great job of lifting up dense shades, not to mention it feels retro (like the vintage bathroom above shared by House of Moore Design) yet timeless.

Color Trend #2: Teal

This is not the first time I’ve called out teal as a color to watch (you might recall this article, and even here where I mentioned it, as well), so you know I’m serious about it. I’m not the only one, either. WGNS, an international trend forecasting company, named “Transformative Teal” the color of the year for 2026. I personally think, after years of milky and cottage-y versions of blue and green, we’re open again to move complex shades of those colors. Like both blue and green? Then BOOM, Teal knocks them out in one single dramatic punch.

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A post shared by Bright Designlab | Interior Designer (@brightdesignlab)

The more I see designers use a color in more permanent applications, such as tile, the more I know it’s going to have lasting power. Case in point, this sweet little bathroom above by Bright Design Lab.

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A post shared by Architectural Digest (@archdigest)

Designer Robert Stilin celebrated the color in this beautiful home that was featured in Architectural Digest. Something in this first photo that I want to call out is how radiant teal looks in natural light. It’s one of those hues that plays as nicely in a light and airy space as it does in something moody with limited lighting. And it practically begs to be on a material or surface that has some sheen.

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A post shared by Mimi Shin (@mimishindesign)

When I worked at a furniture company after my EHD days, I was shocked that a peacock blue similar to the beautiful velvet above (a space by designer Mimi Shin) was one of our most selected fabrics. It held rank in the top three, sometimes even right at the apex of the list, along with gray and beige. Which makes me think, perhaps teal is just one of those colors that is always with us, whether it’s part of the zeitgeist or not. That said, it’s definitely part of it now and will be for the foreseeable future, IMHO.

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A post shared by Sophie Rowell (@cotedefolk)

A bathroom fixture such as this sink above in a bathroom by Sophie Rowell of Cote de Folk feels like a firmly cemented approval of teal. Could you swap it out? Sure, but chances are, you’re in it for the long haul with this. It’s a good thing, it’s absolutely marvelous and would make anyone stop and stare for a moment when they entered the space.

Color Trend #3: Amber (A.K.A. Burnt Caramel)

I may have amber down at number three, but TBH, it’s one of the top color trends I’m seeing, especially in bathroom design—which I’ll be covering more in depth next week, so stay tuned for that. But yes, amber, or burnt caramel as I’ve been seeing it called in some places, is absolutely everywhere. It’s a rich, unctuous throuple marriage between rust and mustard (which both had their heyday a few years ago), as well as brown. Some iterations of amber are a bit more yellow, while others are a bit more terracotta brown, but anywhere it lands, it’s earthy but fashionable.

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As mentioned, amber bathroom tiles are *the* material choice of the moment in that space, specifically of the zellige variety. I love how designer Alisa MacConnell paired it with buttery yellow walls and bright brass to keep the jewel tone feeling fresh instead of dour.

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A post shared by AD Polska (@archdigestpolska)

I think the color of this sofa and the walls (in a room by designer Hugo Toro) are kiiiind of up for debate, but I’m including it in the burnt caramel camp anyway. The beauty of this color is that it’s very much a warm neutral but still feels like a color-color. If you’re scared of color or don’t really know how to use it, amber or burnt caramel is a great gateway.

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A post shared by studio mountain (@studio__mountain)

I just need a moment to take in this gorgeous tile backdrop in a space by Studio Mountain (the tile is by BDDW, a favorite of mine and EHD as a whole). I’m a sucker for a scenic tile, which we normally see in Delft blue and white, but in mustardy amber, it’s so unusual and special.

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A post shared by Katie Harbison (@katie_harbison)

Chocolate brown upholstery was all the rage last year, and while it’s still very much trending, a less dense or heavy option is a deeper amber. Isn’t it just delicious on this sofa and basically on every surface of this room by Katie Harbison?

Color Trend #4: Chartreuse

Slap my knee and call me surprised because chartreuse snuck up on me. Really, it shouldn’t have, being that both yellow and warm-toned grassy greens have been climbing the popularity charts over the last year. But chartreuse? That one snuck up on me. Like a new word you’re hearing for the first time, you start to hear it everywhere; this acid greenish yellow has been very much the same for me.

What’s funny, though, is the last time icy blue and chocolate brown were on trend for our homes, chartreuse was also popping off. Curious how that happens, but also, everything has a season and a cycle, and nothing is new under the sun.

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A post shared by Heidi Caillier Design (@heidicaillierdesign)

Kendall Jenner’s home by Heidi Caillier was the home tour heard around the internet. If you haven’t seen it, you probably have and just haven’t realized. The image above shows Jenner’s camper, which Caillier also designed. You’ll see this limey chartreuse here as a call back to other spaces inside the actual home, such as the bathroom below:

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A post shared by JFGS (@salt.aire)

Caillier used a chartreuse Zia Tile zellige to wake up all the dark, natural wood tones in the cabin-like bathroom above. A soft neutral or even a burgundy or blue would have been beautiful, but the tart green takes on a whole new life and flavor, similar to squeezing a lime over your tacos. They’d be delicious without it, but with it, they’re exactly as they should be.

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A post shared by The Expert (@theexpert)

I contemplated not including this photo because the upholstery isn’t necessarily as punchy as chartreuse, but the olive green and golden yellows come together in a similar way for my eye, so here it is for your enjoyment. Cortney Bishop masterfully brings the warm palette together with cognacs, bronze-like wood tones, and natural materials.

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A post shared by Laure Joliet (@laurejoliet)

Electric Bowery, shot by Laure Joliet, is quickly becoming one of my newest sources for fresh inspiration. They use color in a way that feels natural, though, like you’ll see in the next project, they also totally go for it. But here, a just-barely chartreuse sofa is absolutely wonderful paired with ambers, caramels, browns, and a hit of cobalt blue.

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A post shared by Electric Bowery (@electricbowery)

Speaking of Electric Bowery, this dining room showcases my favorite way to use color: pick complementary hues but shift them a bit. Instead of traditional red and green, the chartreuse curtains and wall check the green box, while the brick-toned leather chairs carry the weight for red. It works because that’s simply the science of color, but also looks interesting and unexpected because there are some liberties being taken.

Color Trend #5: Burgundy/Oxblood

Chartreuse may have crept up on me, but oxblood (or burgundy or maroon) sure didn’t. It’s been one of the hottest colors in both home and fashion for the better part of last year, and for me personally, it’s a long-held favorite of mine. It’s such a statement when you use it to paint cabinetry, unapologetic on soft goods and walls, and downright luxurious on stone surfaces for kitchens and bathrooms. If we’re lucky, this one will be around for some time.

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A post shared by Electric Bowery (@electricbowery)

Electric Bowery, I just can’t quit you! Pairing a deep red with dark wood tones is such a gorgeous way of bringing down the visual noise of a burgundy. Keep the contrast low with creamy highlights instead of going for something overly white as a paint companion.

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A post shared by Ainsley Brookins Stewart (@ainsleybrookinsdesign)

Daring to use a dramatic color in a small bathroom—such as the one above by Ainsley Brookins Design—is the design tale as old as time, and burgundy really shines in this application. On the walls, on fixtures, in tiles, with stone…it doesn’t matter how you bring it in, the result is always going to be lush, sumptuous, and grandiose, no matter the scale.

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Dabito of Old Brand New is a master of #sorrynotsorry color use. This amount of non-neutrals is not for everyone, or even most, but it’s so fun to study and pull from to use in a way you feel most comfortable. I’d never think to pair maroon walls with a rusty brown rug, but it totally works, with a soft green as the bridge.

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A post shared by Nuova Home | студия дизайна интерьера (@nuova_home)

Using oxblood in conjunction with neutral woods, and black and white—like Nuova Home did above—renders something very high-end and easy to digest. A big thumbs up for the color drench on the desk area (between the desk, chair, and lamp).

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A post shared by Marie Flanigan Interiors (@marieflaniganinteriors)

Give me a home library or den, and I’ll dive headfirst into a color like this on all surfaces, as Marie Flanigan Interiors did here. Note her use of sheens to really bring out the character of the wine-like shade.

Color Trend #6: Plum

A hop, skip, and (short) jump on the color wheel from burgundy will give you plum. This cooler-toned cousin of red (or warmer-toned cousin of purple, depending on how you’re looking at it) is more playful and youthful than oxblood, but just as impactful. There’s something about aubergine that always feels like such a risk, but when you pull it off, it has huge rewards. And now that I think about it, plum is kind of like the teal of this side of the color wheel—a hybrid of two colors with its own very distinct personality.

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A post shared by Jase Sullivan (@jasesullivan)

Jase Sullivan, I applaud you. The use of plum on this dresser (and the wallpaper) is remarkable, particularly when used in tandem with the cobalt blue lamp and the earthy green door. And like any other jewel tone, just add neutrals and natural textures to keep things feeling grounded.

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A post shared by Zoe Feldman (@zoefeldmandesign)

An oldie by a goodie from designer Zoe Feldman. I’ve admired this dining room for years, stopping every time it hits my feed. It strikes this very difficult balance of being elegant and “fancy” but still casual, welcoming, and interesting. I think the plum color on the walls, trim, and wallpaper plays a big role in that successful balance.

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A post shared by Zoe Feldman (@zoefeldmandesign)

Another one from Zoe Feldman Design. As you can see, plum is hugely successful with a variety of green and other warm neutrals. Throw in some pink or fuchsia, and you have a well-rounded palate that’s full of intrigue, friendliness, and fun.

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A post shared by domino (@dominomag)

Duelle Studio via Domino shows how plum can transform from grounded and serious to joyful and springy with the addition of lilac, blush, and peach.

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A post shared by AM Interior Design | Seattle/Tacoma Interior Design Studio (@aminterior_design)

I mean, what’s not to love about this bathroom by AM Interior Design? A plum toile? Yes, please!

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A post shared by Natalie Myers (@nataliemyers)

Natalie Myers is so good at modern California cool, using color in a very deliberate way. Mixing that plum hex ground with a chalky mauve-meets-lilac cabinet feels contemporary and unexpected.

Color Trend #7: Khaki

For anyone reading here waiting for something less in-your-face, I’m happy to tell you that we’re rounding out our list with khaki. Look, I wasn’t that excited about it when I first read about it, probably just because the name “khaki” itself is so blah, but khaki is here, and honestly, it’s the absolutely perfect companion to almost every other saturated shade in our lineup. It’s the color that’s quietly been in the background for a while, often being confused with mushroom, or taupe, or beige, or cream. But no, khaki has a depth to it that all those others fall just short of. It’s all those colors combined with just enough yellow and green in it to make it interesting.

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A post shared by Heidi Caillier Design (@heidicaillierdesign)

Heidi Caillier Design has been on this khaki game for years. It’s her base for almost everything if you go back and look through her work. And now I understand why. It gives brown without the heaviness, cream but with more personality, and whispers while taking up space. Honestly, it may be the ideal neutral.

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A post shared by Mieke ten Have (@mieketenhave)

Another one by Heidi Cailier, styled by Mieke Ten Have. The khaki print of the wallpaper works so well with the putty gray-green trim and all the rich wood tones and limestone floor.

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A post shared by Alice Grace (@by_alicegrace)

And finally, I showed this space by Alice Grace as an example of icy blue, but it’s coming back around for its khaki-colored cabinetry. Bonus points for its surprise blue interior (you can see on the eighth slide!).

—

Raise your hand if you’re feeling alive after all that glorious color! Raise your hand if you’re thinking, “You do you, but not for me!” Both opinions are welcome here, because I am an equal opportunity color lover. And honestly, my mantra, which I share often, is that there are no bad colors, just bad uses of color, so on-trend or not, it’s all good.

Take care, design friends. Until next time…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Jess Bunge | Styled by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Makeover Takeover: Jess’ Colorful Yet Calm Bedroom Reveal

It’s clear. The mood for January is: declutter and reset. I just spent all weekend assessing countless piles of accumulated clutter and the bountiful re-organization needs of my house. How ’bout you? If you’re following Em over on Instagram, there’s a good chance you saw her doing just the same, and I’m impressed. She’s been crossing off one cluttered area at a time (nightstands, kitchen drawers, kids’ closets), slaying the chaos with vigor and determination. Maybe you caught the awesome storage round-up Jess just shared last week, highlighting some of the best organization solutions out there for just about every spot in your home (my personal faves being the over-the-door storage and this perfectly narrow shoe cabinet).

In many cases, buying new, specific solutions for your organizing needs makes perfect sense. This post isn’t meant to discourage you from seeking out a ready-made system to get you going. If your linen cabinet is exploding and your sheets refuse to stick together, I think these sheet organizers are an incredible, affordable, EASY solve. But this weekend, as I began to take down my Christmas decorations (yeahhh I’ve been procrastinating that one), piling it all next to my “must take to recycling” heap of cardboard boxes, I wondered about what I needed to buy in order to properly store it all ’til next year…and then a lightbulb went off. Did I really need to purchase a new, plastic tote to keep it all together? Or could I just make the most of the Amazon boxes in front of me? I DIY’d my Christmas decorations from brown paper bags and old magazines; what was stopping me from giving these boxes a similar facelift? And what other items do I (or you) have at home already that could be repurposed or reimagined for storage? Well, here are a few organization DIY-deas that I (and the internet) came up with:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reorganize With Cardboard:

Cardboard, to me, is such an underrated material. And it’s one I know we ALL have in our homes. My plan for my big pile of empty boxes is to paint or cover them in patterned paper or fabric to give them a new, slightly more aesthetic life. Painting feels like the easiest and most playful method for me, but how cute are these fabric boxes if you wanted to spend a little more time? I’ll store my holiday decorations in them, so I think I’ll paint them to reflect what’s inside, with big snowflakes or little collections of trees and stars. Are they going to be perfect? Probably not! And that’s fine with me.

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Boxes of smaller sizes could be decorated similarly (or not, just leave ’em as is!) to be used as drawer organizers. Are you one of those people that holds onto their iPhone box for years and years just in case? Use that perfect box in your bathroom drawer to store your hair ties or bobby pins! OR you can follow this tutorial (so easy) to make a custom cardboard drawer divider, just by cutting strips of cardboard to interlock with one another, adding tape to finish the edges. Totally customizable to fit whatever you like 🙂

@thecardboardqueen My Top 5 tips for Cardboard crafting!! 📦📦📦🤎🤎👸 #cardboardboxes #cardboard #crafting #crafts #crafttutorial #craftvideos ♬ original sound – Sherri Madison

More easy cardboard ideas? Use toilet paper rolls to group and organize loose cords. Take cereal boxes, cut them diagonally, and cover them to make magazine holders. OR cut out one side, stack, adhere, and decorate to make a paper organizer. A milk carton can be cut down and decorated to make a great pencil holder (or use a tin can or glass jar wrapped in fun paper, or not!). An empty tissue box is a great way to store loose plastic bags that can be easily pulled from the top. A shoe box is lidded storage just waiting to be customized! Cut a hole in the side, and you have a cable/cord organizer. You can really let your imagination run wild. This woman’s video has some great tips to keep in mind when working with cardboard. I think I’ll try the inside-out method for my Christmas storage to avoid all the labels!

Level Up With Wood Crafts:

@paige.falk I love a good shelf 🫶🏼 #diy #shelvesdecor #shelvesidea #roomdecor #newhomeSLAY ♬ Let's Have Some Fun Alt – The Desperados

I hope I’m not the only one with random wood scraps scattered around. If you’re like me in this way and you’re not afraid of a little sawing, there are plenty of easy DIY storage builds to make. I’ve made a “floating shelf” like this before. A little paint or stain could take this to the next level, but a narrow plank of wood and a few L brackets/screws make a perfect little storage ledge.

@allstylelife My thermostat just got promoted to wall art 🖼️🙌🏼. I love this easy DIY for hiding those little eyesores around the home. All you need are two @IKEA Rödalm picture frames, a couple of hinges, and magnets to keep the frames closed. I used @Command Brand strips to hang mine—so simple! Would you try this DIY? #ikeahack #diypictureframe #torontolife #torontocreator #diypictureframehack ♬ Man I Need – Olivia Dean

This fun idea takes a couple of simple picture frames and some small hinges to create hidden wall storage! A great place to hang up your keys or the perfect way to hide an ugly wall electronic behind a nice piece of “art”. Take it up a notch using a vintage frame and some scrap wood to build it out from the wall a bit and hide shelves inside, like this girl did here.

@tinalemac After moving into this apartment from living in a house, I quickly realized that I needed to add more storage. I got creative with these DIYs and hacks to maximize these small spaces and they are still some of my fave projects to this day ☺️ Can’t wait to see what else we will create in the new place!! #diyideas #diyhome #diyproject #apartmentideas #apartmenthacks #renterfriendly #kitchenideas #diyhomeprojects ♬ After Midnight – Chappell Roan

This girl is making DIYs that are a little more advanced, but I TOTALLY want to steal the sofa sleeve/table idea! Essentially, just attaching three pieces of wood with either L brackets again or pocket holes if you have a jig, then decorating how you like! If you can build that, you could easily build some custom shelf risers using the same method. Or, similar to the cardboard drawer dividers, you could make an interlocking X-shaped, wooden organizer (great for magazines or books), and this tutorial shows you just how easy it is to build. Even easier? Cut small boards to the depth of your dresser drawers to create sturdy dividers to be attached with wood glue, nails, or little screws.

Re-Imagine Existing Storage Solutions:

@purrfecthomee Ikea hack #home #kitchen #organize #homeimprovement #favourite #ikea #organization #decoration ♬ Come Inside Of My Heart – IV Of Spades

Now, let’s say you don’t want permanent drawer dividers, and you’d rather not spend the money on the classic expandable drawer dividers. One of the most versatile, pre-existing storage solutions is this plate holder from IKEA. Look how this person uses them to organize a drawer! So clever. You could also place them out on your desk and store mail, loose papers, art, or, of course, use them as they were intended–for organizing plates (or pans, etc) in the kitchen!

@kylenct At $10 per rack (I got 2!), this is a super affordable and beautiful way to display your books! I’m also downsizing my book collection bc I am not really a maximalist in that way, so it’s fun to highlight a more curated selection in a way that doubles as decor. Original idea by @Grillodesigns ! #diybookshelf #bookshelfhack #livingroomdecor #bookstorageideas ♬ RUNAWAY – pluko

But did you know you could ALSO hang these on your wall as a floating bookshelf?? How cool is this? And again, your creative options are endless with paint or stain. Alternatively, you could take the pieces apart, turn them 90 degrees, and only hang up the doweled sides to function as a peg rail to hang jewelry, hats, scarves–you name it!

@thedoerandthedreamer I have a full blog post about the mudroom too if you want more details! . This is the easier DIY though and can be so customizable! #diyproject #organizationhacks #mudroomideas #shoestorage ♬ original sound – Tara – slow DIY & home ideas

Speaking of wooden dowels, another great idea I came across was using a closet rod as shoe storage! This girl installs it just as you would a normal closet rod, but super low, so you can tuck shoes in between it and the wall. But if you don’t have two walls to hang between, you could always hang a curtain rod low to the ground to use in the same way. An easy way to get your shoes off the ground (but maybe put some contact paper or a back it with a piece of wood to protect your walls from excess dirt).

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We can’t talk rods without talking hangers. You might already have some of your kid’s hangers hanging around, and if you do, they’re perfect for hanging pants or jeans in the closet because they’re a way more efficient size for draping clothing over the bottom. Great for slinky tops or skirts too! Another great idea for jeans is to hang them in your closet using S hooks on the rod. Just hook the belt loops onto the S hooks and you have a super simple way to store your pants.

I’m having a bit of a jean storage issue at the moment, and have actually been thinking about using the shoe rod storage technique on the wall behind my bedroom door, but for pants. Think about it, a few small rods stacked and hung up on the wall with just enough space between them to fold and drape my jeans along them? I’m still workshopping this idea, but for now, I don’t hate it.

There are SOOOO many more DIYs I have saved and could share here, but I’m running out of time and don’t want to keep dragging on. So I’ll end with this. Storage is something I think we alllll have to deal with, some more aesthetically than others. In the past, I found it absolutely necessary to buy all matching bins and boxes from IKEA or The Container Store and would go HAM on the plastic drawer organizers. And if that’s your jam, more power to you! But as I take this time to sort through and declutter, I realize just how much STUFF I have lying around. Stuff I need to purge, stuff I need to store, stuff I could repurpose to stuff my stuff away. Of course, it’s so tempting to just buy it fresh and new, and for some things, I still do. If you’re less DIY-inclined, I highly encourage you to check out your local thrift store or Facebook Marketplace for storage solutions. There are so many baskets and bins out there already that might just be the perfect fit for your space. But if you have the time and are craving the creative flex, maybe give one of these storage ideas a try or let one of them inspire a completely new solution! And if it does, please, feel free to share your clever ideas in the comments 🙂

Sincerely, Gretch

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Finally Organizing Four Huge Problem Areas (…And My Case For Loving January)

Sure, it’s a little cliché to talk about really good/helpful storage and organizing products the first week back of a new year. However, I’d say 80% of my friends and family are deep in a purge and organizing mode…myself included. The other day, my best friend said, “Jess, you’d be so proud of me. I’ve gotten rid of so much, and I’ve already gone to the store to get containers and bins for what we’re keeping.” It’s such an exhilarating feeling!! I do want to make it clear that I’m not going around to my friends’ homes, telling them to “organize or else”. However, I do have a reputation for getting fairly obsessed with getting rid of what I no longer need or want in my own home. But did I help purge and organize many of my friends’ rooms growing up? Yes. Did I read and love every word of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in 2014? Yes. Did I then consider a career in organizational design after that? You bet. So while I’m not an actual organizing professional, I am an enthusiast and hope that if you’ve been looking for a nudge to purge, organize what you already have, or both, that this post inspires you. Let’s start where most of us do…the closets.

The Closets

Bed Sheet Organizer (Pack of 6) | Storage Bag

If I didn’t already have a perfectly good bin for my one extra bed linen set and some towels (or had more bedrooms in my home), I would instantly purchase these bed sheet organizers. How nice to just be able to pull an organizer for a certain bed you’re changing and know you have all the matching items ready to go. No more “wait, why is this queen flat sheet with the king fitted sheet?” It’s all in one beautiful container. But for bigger and bulkier items like comforters, extra pillows, etc, this large storage bag $5 from IKEA, is perfect.

Expandable Blanket Storage Bags (Pack of 3) | Clothes Storage Bins (Pack of 2)

More options! These expandable blanket storage bags are a mix of the two products above. They can be for just sheets, but can also expand larger for your bulkier linens. The more structured bins are for clothes. It’s so important to be able to see what you have (especially if they are sweaters you haven’t worn in a year). These bins are chic, clean, and seemingly not annoying to use!

Clear Shelf Divider (Set of 8) | Purse Organizer/Bag Divider

But maybe a simple shelf divider is more your style. Mallory had loved these clear shelf dividers in her last studio apartment. Emily is also a fan. Anything to help keep those open closet shelves more organized! I also love the idea of getting to clearly see all of your bags with this divider while keeping them nice. Maybe as I continue to get rid of stuff, I’ll make space for one. I want to have easier access to all of my bags, so I don’t forget to use them for 5 years! Out of sight, out of mind, especially when it comes to clothes and accessories.

Over-the-Door Hanging Coat Rack | Non-Slip Hangers

Hooks and hangers are definitely important in a closet reorg. I’m a sucker for these slim non-slip hangers. I can hang SO much more and have it look uniform, my dream:) And that over-the-door hanging coat rack is so cute and versatile. You could use it in any space that needs some extra hooks.

Purse Hanger Organizer (Pack of 2) | Shoe Organizer Box

If you don’t have space on the back of your door or on a shelf with a divider, this purse hanger is a great option. And if you are a shoe organizer box person (also my dream to be one), I love this chic little one. Should organization products be beautiful too if that’s what you want??

Lenia Underbed Storage Drawer (Pack of 2) | Bamboo Under Bed Storage Containers (Pack of 2)

I’m not against plastic or fabric long bins under beds (I’ve owned many), but if I had storage space under my current bed, I would get a wooden one like either of these. This one from Article is so beautiful, also comes in white oak, and Sara can attest to how beautiful they are since she owns them:) If you need to keep the budget lower, these bamboo ones are awesome AND have a zippable fabric protector. The best of all the worlds.

Wrapping Paper Storage Case

I love a good gift wrapping storage option, and this solid, simple one looks great, is from IKEA (also great), and is under $15 (the best). I promise that the feeling of knowing where all of your gift wrapping supplies are and having them organized is thrilling.

Now, let me show you some great decorative bins I found:)

Pretty Bins

MÄVINN | Large Solid Canvas Storage Basket

First off, both of these are under $20 and are clearly very cute. If bins are visible in a room, it’s a great opportunity to add color and/or pattern. The solid canvas one comes in two different sizes.

Canvas Basket | GJÄTTA

If you prefer a more structured bin look but still want them to be fabric, I really love both of these. The blue velvet one also comes in dark green!

Coiled Basket | Chunky Weave Basket

Both of these are larger, affordable, and would be great for shoes in an entry, blankets in the living room, or any other thing you can dream up. Plus, the different textures on both of them are so pretty and would add a lot to a room.

Braided Water Hyacinth Basket | Large Rattan Storage Basket with Lid

Two more! But rectangles:) I love the handles and stripes of the braided water hyacinth basket, but I also realllly appreciate the lid on the rattan storage basket. You can’t go wrong.

KNAGGLIG | Open Front Wood Bin

For shelf bins, I love the look of these. The slate wood crate is so classic and could easily be painted for more personality. Dark burgundy, anyone? The fluted open front is so cute and could effortlessly look great with a lot of styles. It’s the small details that get us every time.

Wire Natural Wood Handles Milk Crate | Rectangular Wire Natural Wood Handles Basket

We couldn’t have this post not include these very good wire baskets. They come in a bunch of sizes and would be great for a bedroom, bathroom, or food org in the kitchen. It’s simply because they are VERY pretty, are special without being loud, and are versatile.

Onto the bathroom, officially:)

The Bathroom

NÅLBLECKA | VISSLAÅN

Maximizing counterspace and keeping all of our little bathroom things organized is a top priority for most of us, right?? IKEA has so many useful and pretty things, and these two products are just that. That two-tier counter shelf is simple and cute and would be a great skincare display:) It can also be great in a kitchen. Then maybe if you want something different than the standard plain, clear drawer or counter organizers, I LOVE these chic dark gray boxes as an alternative.

Bamboo Under Sink Organizer | 2 Tier Slide Out Sink Shelf Cabinet Storage Shelves

How good are these slide-out shelves?? Under-sink plumbing can take up a lot of space in the center, making it hard to maximize the more standard options (like the ones below I’ll talk about in a second). So the fact that these have a design that takes that into account is a dream. Plus, both of these are so pretty.

Two-Tier Cabinet Storage Basket | 2-Tier Multi-Purpose Bathroom Under Sink Organizer

So, depending on what plumbing setup you have under your sink, these two could also be really great options. I chose the black metal one because it was more slender and the white/clear one because it’s wider, so it can hold more. Something for everyone (I hope:))!

Bamboo Hair Tools Organizer | Wall Mount Hair Tool Organizer

If I have the space, I would grab one of these hot tools organizers! I need to come up with a system for myself because having to haphazardly stack my hot tools into my cabinet isn’t working out that well, ha. Don’t be like me if these can work in your bathroom. I think you’ll feel like you’re the most put-together person in the world! Or at least that’s how I imagine it.

Waterproof Wicker Shower Rack (Set of 2) | No-Drill Bathroom Organizers (Set of 2)

Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of the “floor to ceiling” corner shower caddies. Of course, that doesn’t make them bad, and I’m sure there are great ones I’d like, but if you need more shower storage, consider wall shelves like these. The wicker one is pretty freaking cute and totally waterproof! No drilling required.

Shall we move on to the kitchen??

The Kitchen

Reds Wood Design Stove Top Shelf Riser | Reds Wood Design Kitchen Shelf Riser

Risers are SO underrated. We can take advantage of vertical space in any space, including the kitchen. These risers, in particular, are very beautiful and on the pricer side, but they really add to the design in a very intentional way. Just a suggestion:)

Glass Storage Jars with Airtight Lids | Cylindrical Jar | Antiqued Wood Ribbed Glass Canister

What better way to free up some cabinet space than to decant some of your dry goods in a beautiful canister?? Of course, this is not something anyone needs to do! Just an idea, and here to show you options we like. I have the glass storage jars, and since I don’t cook that much (which I’m REALLY working on this year), they’ve been really fun/pretty decor. Emily has the Weck jars in her pantry, and she loves them (and they come in so many sizes)

Expandable Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Organizer | Drawer Organizer (Set of 7)

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the power of a kitchen drawer organizer. I have oddly large and deep kitchen drawers and once I truly created a great system, every day thereafter was better:) Both of these products are great and give you a lot of options.

In-Drawer Knife Block Organizer | Heavy-Duty Kitchenware Pan Divider

I own this in-drawer knife block organizer, and it’s awesome. Then this pan divider is simple, but it’s great that it can actually handle heavy pieces.

Glass Spice Jar Set with Labels (Set of 36) | Expandable Spice Drawer Organizer

Again, no pressure from us to decant all of our spices (I only do a handful and then display them on my countertop), but if you want to, this huge set is under $35. But whether you want to decant or not, having a spice drawer organizer is another thing I dream of and will have space for one day!

Stackable Utensil Organizer | Ziplock Bag Organizer with Wrap Dispenser

I also have these stackable utensil organizers in my silverware drawer, and they work great and still look new after a few years of use. I sadly don’t have this Ziplock bag organizer, but again, if you are the “decanting” type, it’s a nice addition to the removal of visual clutter in your drawers.

Zaina Drawer Organizer Set | Over-Door Hanging Organizer

Ever wanted Em’s mountain house plate drawer organizers? Well, this one is a spitting image! If you keep your plates and bowls in a drawer, using this set will not only make it more organized but wat more beautiful. And for my small space dwellers, that’s a pretty cute and large over-the-door organizer. Jussst saying:)

Cabinet Organizer Shelf (Set of 4) | Two Tier Countertop Rack

One thing my best friend wanted was an affordable riser/shelf…enter those white and wood ones. Simple, pretty, and they will double the storage for under $35. Or maybe you just need a super useful two tier countertop rack to save on some space. Yamazaki just makes the prettiest, simplest, and modern organization products.

Countertop Organizer Appliance Stand With Drawer And Pull-Out Shelf | BLOMNING

Here are some cuuute closed storage options. My fellow small spacers will understand the helpfulness of a drawer under a microwave! And while I like the pink a lot, I’m in love with the maroon metal canister (perfect for tea:)).

KORALLVIPPA (Set of 6)

These are food containers that are less for display and more for inside the pantry/cabinet:) This price is perfect at $15, and the design is really good!

Tall Plastic Stackable Pantry Bin (Set of 4) | Short Plastic Stackable Pantry Bin (Set of 2)

Bins, bins, bins! You have to see what sizes are best for your home, but these are great!

Refrigerator Organizer Drink Bin | Freezer Bin

The same goes for the fridge-specific ones. Measure, see, use, and get that accomplishment feeling that you feel your life is under control!

Kaloh Storage Cart

And sometimes a kitchen just needs a cart, you know? There are a lot of great ones out there, but I really liked the look and size of this one🙂

The Garage

Garage Tool Organizer Wall Mount | DIY Garage Wall Shelves (Set of 4)

When organizing your garage, absolutely USE THE WALLS. It frees up space on the floor, and as you can see from these cool organization products, it really makes of difference, and they can hold A LOT.

Stack-up Container | DAMMÄNG

Now, I might get some pushback for recommending pretty bins first. But hey! I love pretty things, and these bins look great, with good reviews. That added fluting detail adds so much.

WeatherPro Heavy-Duty Latching Utility Tote Set (Set of 4) | Christmas Storage Bin (Set of 4)

Here are the heavy-duty ones. I love the simplicity of the black ones (great for standard storage). But one hack that you’ve likely heard (and my bestie just did) is to buy color-coded bins for at least the bigger holidays, like Christmas and Halloween. That way, when you’re going through your garage or attic, there are zero questions on which bins you need to pull.

Power Tool Organizer Wall Mount | Battery Organizer Storage Box

Good tool storage is super underrated and will massively improve your life (and garage) if that’s something on your list. This one is only $40!! Then you may have heard me talk about my wall-mounted battery organizer storage box before because I LOVE IT. I know where all of my batteries are at all times, and that makes me feel a little more put together.

The Office

File Storage Box | Portable File Box with Lid Organizer

This blue file box is another piece I personally own. It holds a shocking amount of paperwork, and it’s held up great for the past couple of years. 10/10 if you don’t have space for an actual cabinet. If you want something a little more grab-and-go, this portable file box with lid organizer is perfect for that, with its top handle (and the fact that it’s slimmer).

Wooden Desk Drawer Organizer Set | HARVMATTA

Desk organization products often get ignored in the big storage convo at the beginning of the year, but they shouldn’t! Of course, having a cute pencil cup is awesome, but having these little trays in a drawer will really help keep things in place. I also love this modern desk box that can kinda hold anything. On the site, they have a couple stacked on a shelf, and it looks beautiful.

Last but not least, the shoe/entry problem.

The Entry

Fluted Hidden Shoe Storage Cabinet | Wood Shoes Storage Cabinet

You can always do a big basket by the door (great for kids), but if I can help it, I don’t want to have to see a pile of my shoes by the front door. These two cabinets are really great versions of the IKEA one that Sara used in her living room above. They have texture and color, and of course, versatile.

That’s it for this big ole organization products post! Hope it sparked any needed motivation, and just remember to purge before you start organizing. It’s the main way to truly feel like your home is refreshed and fully put together.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Farmhouse Pantry Reveal

We thought that it was only right to have our first official post of the year be one of the most beloved…our annual kitchen trends post. I’m getting chills as I type these words! It’s a new year, a renewed sense that things can be better and hopefully more beautiful. And for some of you lucky readers, a bit of that beauty may be coming from a kitchen remodel or even a light refresh. That’s where this post can actually be helpful. Though, if you are simply looking for general design news, that’s just as valid:) Everyone is welcome. I also feel inclined to say that while this is labeled as a “trend post,” we focus on design ideas that we love and don’t think will be “out” in a few years. Plus, regardless of how “2026” something may be, if it’s done well, it will look awesome forever. So without further ado, welcome to EHD’s 2026 Kitchen Trends Picks…

Stainless Steel Kitchens (And Accents)

We have talked about this one in the past, but now more than ever, I am CONVINCED we will see stainless steel kitchens everywhere this year and beyond. And as you can see above and below, these kitchens are not cold, sterile designs. They are chic, fresh, and mixed with beautiful materials. I mean, burlwood walls, matte stainless steel cabinets, and marble tiled checkered floors??! Not to mention that incredible chandelier, which may be a new goal for my kitchen. LA.M Studio created such a stunning space.

This unreal kitchen by Keep Studio completely flips the “hide your appliances” on its head and takes it a step further. All of the appliances are stainless steel, which then match all of the stainless steel drawers. The mix of cool-toned wood and steel feels both unique and effortless. It’s impossible for this design not to crack open your brain and think of the possibilities of incorporating stainless steel in really unexpected ways.

Here’s another angle and a closer look at that incredible window. Wow, wow, wow. I also adore the curve of the corner cabinet and how it talks to the curve of the wall and high shelf.

Now, the great Sophie Rowell whose designs are cozy, unexpected, a little traditional yet playful, designed this wonderful kitchen above. She didn’t lean hard into the stainless steel vibe but did add that awesome modern backsplash. It adds a juicy amount of contrast to the overall style of the space, but also balances with the appliances. Maybe an additional “kitchen trend” is that stainless steel appliances are back!

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This kitchen, which belonged to stylist Colin King, is now The Loft, Beni Rugs’ new space. The stainless steel really just comes in with the sink and appliances, but it shows how truly elevated and cozy it can look in a kitchen with the right materials designed with it. All that wood paneling is a beautiful contrast.

Tiled Cabana Stripes

This one may feel a little risky for some, but in the right home with the right design, it’s everything! Case in point, Leah Bradley’s California coastal home. Without the stripe pattern, this is a beautiful, very neutral kitchen. But WITH the tile, a bold yet soft injection of energy is instantly felt.

Color and tone are major factors in this design working. The soft colors not only flow with the tones of the rest of the kitchen but also with the vibe of the area. Coastal, beachy, and fun. This was a risk that couldn’t have paid off more.

I LOVE this kitchen. I also know I’m stretching it a little with the definition of cabana stripes, but it’s what I immediately thought when I saw this photo. I also love that you still get the impact of the look without needing to go for longer stripes.

So, as opposed to the lighter colors with long stripes of the first kitchen, here, White Studio & Co Interior Design used darker colors with a “short stripe” (or so that’s how it feels to me:)). Oh, and did you notice the stainless steel sink and chrome stools??

Another one for the short stripes! I love this small but massively impactful design choice Abbie Naber made in this kitchen. It just takes it to the next level visually. It’s also a great reminder that tile accents can be taken into dining spaces, especially in an open concept.

Here’s a closer look at the detailing on the island. It’s not a classic, two solid colored tile combo. See that little diagonal? Just so special.

Now, look at this kitchen render! That short backsplash is another great way to have that pop of pattern, even if you don’t want to go all the way up the wall. It’s so cool and fresh, and with that blue cabinet and shelf, I couldn’t love it more. Also, while this isn’t a completed, photographed space, I do think renders are a VERY good indicator of trends. It’s what designers are imagining in their ideal scenario:)

I had to include this one because it was a different take and looks beautiful. Vaughan Design & Development designed a perfect kitchen and then made it even better with that horizontal stripe on the backsplash. What makes it great (and all of these stripes in this section) is that they are made with larger tiles and not those mini ones (you know which ones I mean). These are intentional and special, and I’m excited to see more of them this year!

Tonal Wood Hardware

Tonal wood hardware is making itself known, even if it matches perfectly with the wood cabinets:) Workstead can do no wrong in my book, and this kitchen is yet another example. There are a million details I love, but a big one is those round wood knobs. So simple but (say it with me), so special.

See?! It doesn’t hurt that the wood is insanely gorgeous.

I believe there has yet to be a January kitchen trends post (at least that I have done) that hasn’t included Shapeless Studio. Their work is, well, always inspiring, and these wooden custom-designed handles are just that. White oak, like the cabinets, and strong enough to be appliance pulls too!

Want to know a really fun fact? Those wood cabinets you’re looking at are actually covered with contact paper! Drew is an unbelievably designer/DIYer, so no shock that it turned out beautiful. But what I also loved was that he used real wood DIY handles to really sell the whole “real” wood look.

So this kitchen went from a bit cold and without a ton of personality to a beautiful, warm, renter-friendly dream. The wood on wood look really takes the space to a very elevated level:)

I also think this is a trend that’s extremely possible to easily incorporate into your existing wood cabinet kitchen. No reno necessary! Just find the right wood match hardware, and you are set.

Flat Panel Cabinet Fronts

Shaker and micro Shaker cabinet fronts have been king for years now, but I think that flat panels are about to officially take over. That’s not to say we still don’t LOVE shakers and think they are beautiful (because they are). But baby, things are shifting. Let’s take this unreal kitchen by Katy Popple Design. Flat panel fronts with a mix of really awesome hardware. It’s clean, lets the materials and colors shine, and feels modern in the best way. Actually, if you look at all of the kitchens in this post, almost all of them have flat panel cabinet fronts. Jussssst saying.

Here is another dream kitchen by Rebecca Zajac that’s more modern organic, and those flat fronts are perfect. It’s so clean to the eye and lets the materials really sing. I mean that stone is unreal!

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In case you wanted more proof of how beautiful they are…

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…and another. But this example shows a more modern traditional look (love the two tones!). It’s also proof that Shaker isn’t the only “traditional” option.

For my final example in this category, this one offers a slight twist. From what I’ve seen, most flat fronts are flush to the framing. The wood ones in this space are slightly set back, which I also love. A teeny detail that makes them a little different from the stainless steel ones. Intentional and interesting. No notes, this kitchen by Monika Michalowska is perfect.

Creamy Tiles

Another designer that I always look to for trends, Nina Farmer. Her style is so classic, but is always special and layered. So much soul in every space. But with this space, we are focusing our attention on those creamy wall tiles. We love an all-bright-white in the right space, but the softness of a cream or warm beige is like a hug for the eyes. This kitchen feels just like that – warm, beautiful, and just the right amount of color.

Now, the great Mandy Cheng used very similar, if not the same, Zellige tiles as Nina, and it’s just as warm but in a completely different way. The power of design!! Along with the live-edge wood shelves, the tiles soften the white cabinets, stainless steel accents (another example!), and the black stone island.

It’s that seemingly small choice of choosing white versus cream/beige that can make the biggest impact.

While Zellige is still one of the major players in home tile, this cream-toned brick that Ome Dezin chose for this kitchen is so awesome. Almost a warm brutalism style that’s warmed up even more by that unreal dark cabinetry and modern island. Their work is always so exciting and beautiful.

Green Countertops

It can feel a little strange using our own work in a trend post, but hey, green stone countertops are absolutely going to be a major player in 2026. I mean, it’s already happening! Choosing a colorful stone can feel like a huge risk because stone and fabrication aren’t cheap (or returnable). But green is a color that’s also more or less a neutral depending on the tone chosen. It goes with so much and is visually calming. Would this kitchen have been pretty with a white stone? Yes. Is it far more interesting and beautiful with the green? I think, YES.

Here is a render by Finch studio that I really love. It’s very modern, and at first glance, the blue tiled island is what you notice. But then your eyes move to the green countertop, and it’s a wow. So interesting but quiet, and that light green with the mid-toned warm wood is perfection.

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But you can also go much darker, as a slight alternative to black, like Electric Bowery beautifully did.

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Or go for a tonal style like the great Heidi Caillier chose to do. I just love the green on green look.

There was a debate on whether Rosso Levanto marble(red marble) was on trend, and I couldn’t find it in enough kitchens. I absolutely think yes for smaller areas like bathrooms and pieces of furniture like accent tables, but for kitchens, I’m not totally convinced yet. I feel sure about green, but will happily be wrong for red:) I guess only time will tell. Oh, and we’re definitely keeping our eyes on butler pantries, too. We’ll check back in for our midyear kitchen trends report.

Thank you for reading, and hope it was fun! Any thoughts??

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Keep Studio | Photo by Alexander William

Y’all. I don’t know how to describe it, but the design of this house is FLOWING out of me. My ideas are coming fast, and they are so fun, and I can barely contain my excitement. The other weekend, our kids were gone all day, and Brian was watching college football, so I tucked myself into my bed, threw on Sullivan’s Crossing (you don’t really need to pay attention, but it feels warm), poured myself a glass of white wine, and designed the hell out of the kitchen and bathroom. By 10 pm, I was almost done with the general look and feel and materials. I was almost sad that I was done because it was so unbelievably fun, and yet I loved my ideas so much that I really don’t need/want to rethink them. Everything clicked so fast, and I was in such a flow state. I always love the beginnings of a big project – the dreaming stage is full of possibilities and novelty. But the most fun ideas are usually nixed due to cost and practicality. So what makes this one different???

1. No one has to live here full-time. Therefore, I don’t need to think about where my kids will put their shoes, how well lit the kitchen needs to be during the winter, where we’ll watch TV, or how annoying it might be to not have big closets or a pantry. THIS HOUSE DOES NOT NEED TO BE PRACTICAL. 

My goodness, how much fun is that? I’m not saying I’m going to intentionally make it impractical, but I feel like I “practicalled” my way into having some less exciting rooms in my house (which I love and living in our house is a dream, honestly). Let me be clear – I BELIEVE strongly in practicality, especially for families and even more when you are spending your life savings on a renovation. I designed our home to function well for our family and dogs for decades (because if it doesn’t, the collective frustration is on me). I still tried to do a lot of special things (an impractical kitchen island, a repurposed dresser as a vanity, vintage doors with antique doorknobs that fall out constantly), real marble everywhere, but I really did think about practicality for our family ad nauseam. WELL NOT HERE!!! 

2. I can make more exciting choices. One of the reasons I often stay safe isn’t just because I don’t want to have to rip things out when they get dated (which I don’t), it’s that I can tire of looking at something bold (it’s an occupational hazard), and I’m fearful of acting on trends that I’ll regret. So in my own home or my brother’s, I didn’t want to do anything WILD that I would eventually wish was more timeless (for the hard finishes). I also avoid chaos at all times, including visual chaos, so keeping the color palette safe and quiet really helps. My approach has always been to play it timeless and more practical on hard finishes, go nuts with furniture/decor. Not saying that this should be yours, and certainly some of my favorite designers go nuts with tile in a way that I think is so inspiring, but hold back for whatever reason. 

For this house, I’m treating this more like a restaurant or hotel – it’s a place that we’ll experience, but not live 100% of our time inside. More novelty, surprise, boldness, excitement, because we won’t be in here all day, every day. 

Since we are DIY-ing a lot of the easier-to-do projects (painting, tiling, cabinet-making), I am giving myself permission to do the weirder, more custom thing (if I can actually do it, lol). For instance, typically an intricate tile configuration gets you in trouble with your tiler and a much higher quote/cost. This time I’m going to do it, which feels really freeing – I’ll be the one annoyed that I chose something hard, but that’s on me. It oddly feels less stressful than trying to convey to a contractor and then to a subcontractor that I want to do this weird thing. Maybe I’ll fail at it, but again, that’s all on me. 

3. There are no time constraints. No deadlines. No rush. Ironically, I think it’s going to go faster than I originally thought, but that’s because I’m excited, not because I’m being externally pressured to do things quickly. 

4. There is no general contractor that will understandably charge a lot, and likely tell me my idea is odd and expensive to execute (it might very well be, and I might be my own worst enemy). No invoices that make me nauseous and make me wonder if this was the right life choice. I’m forcing my brother to be my personal consultant, but that’s different than hiring a full-time contractor. Of course, I’ll be paying subs and buying materials, but it’s more on my terms, there is no markup, and it’s spread out over time. I can find the least expensive roofer in Portland if I want to (I won’t), and if they don’t do a great job, it’s on me.

5. There is no disruption to our family – it’s simply added value to our lives. My risks and mistakes will annoy or affect no one but me. If the kids don’t love their band room? They’ll live and have more grit (LOL). If Brian doesn’t love the tile behind his urinal? Pretty sure our marriage will survive.

6. We aren’t opening up or moving walls, which means I don’t have to decide the perfect electrical plan or miss an opportunity to plumb for a pebble ice maker or pot filler. The constraints of the remodel mean I don’t have as many annoying decisions to make. 

7. Brian has given me full creative control. I did have to promise that I wasn’t going to do totally weird things that I know he wouldn’t like (and remember, he is getting his precious urinal). I promised him he could help choose anything for the kids’ band/game room (pretty sure he just wants to pick out a pinball machine). And listen, designing your own home with your partner when you are a designer, and he is, well, a man, is never not challenging. We’ve tried different levels of involvement in different homes, and they’ve all led to a healthy amount of frustrations and celebrations on both sides. I love collaborating with him on life (25 years in and we’ve never been better), but no, not on design projects. So I begged for creative freedom on this one, and he hesitatingly granted it. He’s nervous. When I had the epiphany that things don’t need to be practical, I came out of my room screaming with excitement, which I think understandably scared the crap out of him that I might do some highly wack things…I promised him that yes, some will be unconventional, but they’ll be cool. And don’t come at me with the “you give him too much power, shouldn’t you have the right to do what you want as the designer?” No! I mean, I get that some of you might want me to be all-powerful but we are a 50/50 partnership, and I don’t tell him what to do or how things are going to go, and neither does he. It’s far more fun to communicate, compromise, and, plus, it avoids all the pitfalls of a power imbalance, even though, yes, I am the financial supporter. Just because I make the money does not mean I get to make more decisions – imagine if that were the opposite. When it comes to our home, we have mostly done them together, and I’m also really excited to have some creative freedom in this space. Watch out, Brian! This might end up being your favorite yet!!!

What Does This All Add Up To?????

LOW PRESSURE. 

It’s incredibly freeing. Of course, I still have the whole internet watching, but I don’t know – I’ve gotten so used to that part and have released the expectations from people that don’t know me. Of course, I want you guys to like it (I don’t consider you the “internet” – that’s Instagram). And I know that having a well-designed space is simply best for business (good design = more partnerships + more traffic), so I can’t just do weird things that look bad on camera or fail in a few months. I’m really hoping I can bring you into it in a way where you’ll feel invested. This just feels like a creative laboratory and is worthy of some mother-loving fun. 

I’m also fearful that my optimism right now might change, either due to internal or external forces. I’ve learned that anything can happen in this game, and we can’t predict anything. So I’m moving forward with the designs and feeling really, really excited.

I’m Using A New Design Program!

Oh, and I’m using this new design program that I can’t wait to show you, but it’s making this all sooooo much easier. As you know, I don’t have the rendering skills that most designers do (SketchUp, AutoCAD, even Photoshop), but I signed up for Spoak, and I’m having a BLAST. More to come, but it’s so freeing to be able to play with layout, materials, and even plumbing and electrical placement on my own, without having to rely on my team (or an outside contractor) to make tweaks. Highly recommend it if you have a design project, especially if you want things to be accurate and, like me, don’t have fancy rendering skills. It’s also very fun.

So What’s Next?

Well, I want to dial in the design some more, using the Spoak AI programs to flesh things out. But meanwhile, I’m finding local artists to teach me how to do their craft – not so that I can actually do it, but just because I think it will be so fun to learn and show you the process. So I’ll be making our tile (working with a local ceramicist), making the stained glass doors to a special room (with a stained glass expert), and get this, constructing some really basic kitchen cabinetry (I need a carpenter to help me on that for sure). I’m basically doing things the most complicated way possible, in the name of learning. So no more “simple but special”. This house is going to be “complicated and exciting” (but not like a circus house, I promise).

Opening Image Credit: Photo by Kailtin Green