Anthropologie’s antique-inspired Eloise lighting collection has amassed well over 100,000 favorites. Gangbusters, Kardashian-caliber numbers. Most of us on the Homes & Gardens team actually already own one because, while we love a flea market find, rewiring old lighting is a nightmare. Between its Art Nouveau-style scalloped glass and raised acanthus medallion, the Eloise has consistently been one of the most convincing imposters on the market. Which is why we’re thrilled it’s finally headed outdoors.

Yes, phone the chicest friend you know: Anthropologie has expanded the range to include its first-ever indoor/outdoor Eloise semi-flush mount (!). For the nearly 20,000 shoppers who have already favorited the indoor version, it’s exactly the outdoor lighting you’d hope for – the same hand-finished details, the same old-world charm – now, at long last, damp-rated for patios, exterior walls, and even bathrooms.

As a style editor who sees more garden lights than I care to share, this is genuinely a big deal. Good vintage-inspired fixtures are surprisingly hard to come by when everything else on the market looks so… industrial. Where’s the romance? Where’s the drama? While a lucky few may inhabit estates illuminated by century-old lanterns, the rest of us are left to fake it. Fortuitously, Anthropologie has just made that much easier.

If you’re here, I probably don’t need to explain why I love the iconic Eloise. (One reviewer notes that this outdoor version marks their sixth purchase from the collection.) But I’ll do it anyway because it’s particularly well-suited to outdoor spaces. Anyone familiar with Eloise at The Plaza (1955) will understand the reference immediately: all the old-timey hotel glamour, charm, and mischievous elegance of a child growing up in one of New York’s grandest hotels.

Others try, but that sense of story is what makes the Eloise specifically so special. It gives context to the antique-inspired bistro set, the fringed patio umbrella, and every other nostalgic outdoor purchase we already know you’ve made this season.

Stick-on lighting is fine in a pinch. But if you’re planning to stay awhile – and harbor even the faintest fantasy of a bygone suite life complete with room service – I have a sneaking suspicion that this is the missing piece.

More Vintage-Style Outdoor Lights

Shop three additional shortcuts to an established, expensive-looking outdoor space.

Attention: Anthropologie has quietly been expanding the Eloise collection indoors, too, recently introducing a new blue finish across its wall lights, table lamps, and ceiling fixtures. Think La Piscine (1969) meets Park Avenue.

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Some people celebrate Memorial Day by hosting barbecues, afternoon pool parties, or traveling to the beach. But as a Style Editor, one way I always celebrate the holiday is by shopping the sales. And this year, I've got my attention on one in particular – Anthropologie's Memorial Day sale.

With up to 30% off select furniture and decor, Anthropologie's Memorial Day sale is your chance to spruce up your home for summer with deep discounts on best selling pieces. If you could use new plates and serving platters ahead of the summer hosting season, this sale has plenty of picks available with whimsical motifs and fun colors. Or perhaps your living room rug has seen better days – if so, this sale has loads of chic styles that can elevate your space. And if you've been eyeing some of Anthropologie's premium furniture, there's a good chance it's on sale for the occasion – like the Hale Dresser, the Joanie Accent Chair, and the Bowen Sofa.

But what makes this sale truly worthwhile is that it doesn't just include picks for inside the home – it includes outdoor furniture and decor, too. Those fan-favorite ceramic side tables? They're on sale. Even the whimsical Lillie collection – which features the Lillie Bar Table and the Lillie Dining Chair – is discounted right now. If you've been holding off on updating your patio, now just might be the time to do it to get the chicest styles of the season for a fraction of the price.

Ahead, find my curated collection of the best things to shop while the sales are hot. And if you're eager for more, check out our comprehensive list of the best Memorial Day sales to shop this weekend.

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When Anthropologie first launched their Bistro Tile designs, it went totally viral. The black and white mosaic designs brought personality to kitchenware, from mugs to plates and even charming platters. It's an Anthro Home staple.

And the brand has just launched The Bistro Tile Collection: Italia Edition, an instant elevation of the iconic range, offering summery blue and white designs that bring a heavy dose of Amalfi Coast style to your kitchen.

And, honestly? I'm ready to totally redesign my kitchen around these dopamine designs. They're exactly the thing to bring a brighter, fresher look to kitchens this summer.

This Bistro Tile range is undeniably one of Anthropologie's most iconic collections, so a new iteration or colorway can feel like a make-or-break moment. But the Italia Collection is perhaps the best yet.

The OG black, white, and gold colorway has been swapped for a coastal-inspired blue, white, yellow, and hints of red, a brighter yet not overwhelming palette that invites the essence of summer into your cooking space.

Think stoneware platters adorned with blue and white striped borders, Buon Appetito slogans, and charming lemon motifs, dessert plates covered in La Dolce Vita and vine tomatoes, and (perhaps my favorite) an oil cruet in the same mosaic style with charming olives and hand-painted details.

And it's not just dinnerware that's made the collection; stoneware vases for seasonal blooms, trinket dishes for your keys or jewelry, and dish towels and napkins in that same Italian-inspired style.

As beautiful as some of these pieces may look as part of a summer tablescape, it's the impact they will have on the kitchen decor that's got me most excited. The towel draped over a brass rail, the platter displayed on open shelving, and the cruet styled beside the cooktop, alongside my favorite recipe books for the season.

These designs are as practical as they are beautiful – you could even display the plates on your kitchen walls as decor, rather than using them as dinnerware.

Yes, these designs are pretty and playful, and feel just right for the kitchen trends of 2026, but they are also incredibly timeless. It's a classic color palette, and the designs feel perfectly traditional with the mosaic design and charming product depictions.

Shop The Bistro Tile Collection: Italia Edition

The reimagined color palette and design style of this iconic Anthropologie range prove that this year's summer trends are all about playful, personality-led designs that feel fun and vibrant, yet still truly timeless in style. And if you like the idea of using dinnerware as decor, our edit of decorative plates will take your kitchen wall decor to the next level.

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If you’re drawn to the expressive, slightly exploratory world of Anthropologie, chances are you’re already familiar with the bold, nature-forward prints of FARM Rio. The two have been collaborating for nearly a decade on clothing, but with ‘FARM Rio’ becoming one of Anthropologie’s most-searched terms, the ask was clear: more Rio. This time, for the home.

Rooted in the brand’s Rio de Janeiro origins, the new collection debuts as a visual vacation, bursting with vibrant textiles, tabletop essentials, and summer-ready statements perfect for your indoor and outdoor living room.

Those familiar with FARM's archive will recognize the same fashion spirit running straight through the vein of every bold detail: including a banana-leaf–printed rug, toucan-and-botanically-clad juice glass, and – because the brand is on perpetual holiday – a fully functional surfboard that doubles as wall decor.

‘We believe in homes with soul. Spaces where every object tells a story and every corner reflects personality,’ says Mariana Leal, Head of Collaborations and Partnerships at FARM Rio. ‘This collaboration with Anthropologie is about more than just products, it is about creating a way of living that feels warm, effortless, and full of meaning. We wanted to bring that spirit to life through pieces that welcome people in to gather with friends, bring family together, and celebrate everyday moments with warmth and soul.’

Indeed, the lineup, by its very DNA, is built for warm-weather entertaining – indoors or alfresco – greeting guests with sculptural pitchers and banana-embroidered linens (we’d wear them, if that were an option) at the door, before moving them into a color-packed patio dinner, grounded by carved wooden serving pieces and a leaf-border tablecloth that does the lion's share of the hosting.

Ahead, a slice of Brazil we wouldn’t mind summering with.

As Rachel Zoe would say: it’s bananas this didn’t happen sooner. Now that a FARM Rio x Anthropologie home collection exists, it might be time to revisit your summer living room ideas and set the right stage.

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Every year, patio furniture becomes more and more like interior furniture. The sofas? Softer. The rugs? As chic as the ones inside. Even outdoor lighting has made a turn from totally utilitarian to tasteful.

The case for non-traditional patio furniture (read, furniture that's more than just outdoor-proof) is stronger than ever, and after seeing the range of ceramic side tables from Anthropologie's new outdoor collection, I'm convinced that patio spaces will continue to become just as design-oriented as our interior spaces this spring and summer.

Playful by design and bursting with expression, these ceramic side tables are exciting pieces of outdoor furniture that can help define your patio space. Just like a statement-making side table in your living room, these outdoor styles act as decorative necessities that can energize your patio space, turning it into an outdoor living room that you'd never want to leave.

There are so many reasons to love these little side tables. Of course, you can't ignore their vibrant colors and whimsical designs – the details that make them stand out. Like the pastel tones and the hand-drawn ocean scene on the Al Mare Ceramic Side Table, these artful tables ooze playful energy, and they can give your patio a strong sense of character. If the rest of your patio is pared-back by design, let one of these tables give it that pop of personality it desperately needs.

Looks aside, these side tables are pretty practical pieces of outdoor furniture, too. Perfect to place beside an outdoor accent chair or sofa, they can conveniently hold drinks, snacks, or anything else you need to keep at arm's length. And since these models are designed with handles on either side, they're incredibly easy to move around your patio. While they can add stylistic appeal to a large outdoor space, they can just as easily transform a small backyard or terrace with playful flair.

Recent outdoor trends have us blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces, and these ceramic side tables can help you do just that. Stylish, functional, and full of personality, they can transform your outdoor space from a dull, uninteresting scene to a room in which you'd never want to leave. Shop all of Anthropologie's ceramic side tables, below.

Shop the Playful Designs

I'm convinced that these ceramic side tables from Anthropologie are the key to making your backyard as stylish as it can be come spring and summer. But you know what else can work wonders in elevating your space? Lighting. Check out our editor-approved list of the best portable lamps for indoor and outdoor use to light up your patio with an ambient glow this season.

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There's a strong chance that London-based fashion brand Damson Madder has already secured a spot in your closet with its vibrant palette of playful styles. Now, thanks to the brand's new homewares collection with Anthropologie, it's ready to amplify its presence in the rest of your home, too.

The new collection is nothing short of joyful, the perfect antidote to winter blues, it's whimsical, colorful, unique, and taps into some of the top design trends of the moment. There's a piece for every room too, from ruffled throw pillows and the most adorable towels to plates and butter dishes. Consider it a collection made in heaven for playful design devotees.

The collection feels rather zeitgeist-y, between its vibrant color schemes and its whimsical motifs. Remember the tomato obsession that captivated the design world last summer? Damson Madder is bringing it back, with the Tomato Candle Holder and the Tomato Sugar Bowl and Spoon – two tasteful features that prove that fruit is even better in the form of decor.

Even the whimsically, hand-drawn motifs that pop up in pieces like the Cotton Printed Pillow and the House Dish Towel feel so right for this moment in design – it's like Damson Madder's playful take on cottagecore's beloved Toile print. These sketched-out scenes look so familiar, yet they're enhanced with lively colors and whimsical motifs – perfect for channeling upbeat bistro vibes anywhere in your home.

If your home needs a boost of dopamine decor, this collection was made to deliver. And with designs as fun as these, it certainly won't be in stock for long. So don't wait and miss out. Shop 24 of our favorite finds, below.

Shop Anthropologie x Damson Madder

Just as whimsically wonderful as this collaboration are the rest of the new arrivals from Anthropologie – brimming with colorful finds, patterned details, and home decor that'll revamp your interiors with joyful energy.

2026 is here, and if your feed is already crowded with prescriptive ‘do this, not that’ interiors advice, Anthropologie's latest decor drop offers a far more streamlined foray. It’s essentially an edit that mirrors the current state of design trends – and nearly every style you’ve saved since the top of this year.

Front and center is the new collaboration with London darling Damson Madder, which radiates playful energy from every stripe, swiggle, and sardine-tin trinket dish. Other highlights include stoneware egg cups painted like dolls donning tiny tie-front scarves (because, aren’t we all these days?), butter dishes shaped like storefronts, and tomato motifs in nearly every conceivable form. Expect joy, creativity, and ultimately, the unexpected – a mood that carries throughout the wider drop.

Lighting, for one, is clearly partaking in the fun. Wall lights arrive wavy and rendered in milky blue glass, while Francophile table lamps remind us not to take life so seriously.

And with spring on the horizon, ginghams, natural weaves, florals, and organizational staples follow suit – but with a twist. Block-printed botanical quilts are delivered with a side of scallops, while the ever-iconic Lazy Susan gets a facelift of her own, reimagined in swirling, marble-look resin – a material moment Homes & Gardens believes will dominate 2026. Turns out Susan isn’t so tired after all.

For early planners (or the chronically romantic) there’s even a sprinkling of Valentine’s decor designed to live beyond the occasion. Cupid-clad collectible matchboxes on the coffee table? We’ll take them any month of the year.

So stop scrolling. Shop every style and sensibility that matters most in 2026, ahead.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

In the hope of staving off the winter blues, I've been searching for ways to welcome some color and joy into my home, and I always start with tableware. Adding a few whimsical pieces to my dining setup is one of the simplest ways to brighten up my daily routine – and Anthropologie's new kitchen and dining pieces are bringing my maximalist dinnerware dreams to life.

While the weather remains chilly, it seems that many of my favorite brands are channeling springtime cheer. It didn't take me long to spot Joanna Gaines' pastel tableware at Target, which is perfect for a New Year refresh, but Anthropologie is offering up a more maximalist take.

The brand's signature Icon glassware is back with a range of playful motifs (the limited edition Anthropologie Patina Star Juice Glass is my personal favorite), but you'll also spot plenty of fabulous dinnerware, from the Anthropologie Chintzware Leopard Dinner Plates to the Anthropologie Tomato Dolomite Pasta Bowls.

As always, Anthropologie has nailed the kitschy look – and this year, botanical-inspired pieces are taking center stage. I don't simply mean florals, however, at the heart of the collection is a range of lilypad-themed table decor, including the Anthropologie Floating Cocktail Napkins and the Anthropologie Lilypad Coupe Glasses.

Combining vibrant green hues with whimsical silhouettes, these pieces are maximalist perfection – and they're also a brilliant way to lean into the 'modern eclecticism' look, which experts say is one of the biggest table decor trends for 2026. Incorporating a few unexpected elements into your tablescapes will really tap into that eclectic feel, while bringing instant vibrancy to any setup.

Shop Anthropologie's New Kitchen and Dining Collection

I've been determined to bring a joyful, breezy feeling into my January tablescapes, and it seems that Anthropologie has read my mind. We may be only a few days into the New Year, but there's nothing wrong with looking ahead to warmer days – and it provides the perfect excuse to invest in some new tableware.

Looking for more ways to create mood-boosting interiors this winter? We asked experts exactly how to create a 'dopamine menu' for the home.

Hanukkah might be less than a week away, but if you're still on the hunt for stylish decorations, don't give up yet. I'd say now is the perfect time to add to your collection, since a huge selection of pieces in Anthropologie's Hanukkah collection has just been discounted.

Whether you want to stick to traditional colors or put a modern spin on your proceedings, there are plenty of elegant ways to decorate your house for Hanukkah this year. At Anthropologie, you can expect classic pieces (think charming velvet Hanukkah garlands and menorah wall art) with a delightful dash of retro charm (the Hanukkah dolomite mug is a personal favorite of mine).

While Anthropologie's Hanukkah decorations lean into a time-honored color palette of blue, silver, and white, they also showcase a few bolder designs – following on from Anthropologie's kitsch holiday decor collection for 2025. Take the gold heart Hanukkah menorah (which is sure to bring a sense of joyful nostalgia to any celebration), or the Dreidel salt and pepper shakers designed by Leah Reena Goren, which add vibrant botanical motifs into the mix.

To me, Anthropologie’s Hanukkah collection captures what designer Sarah Tract calls 'the perfect balance of magic and meaning' – a cornerstone of her favorite holiday hosting traditions, especially during the Festival of Lights.

Whether you’re searching for a new menorah or just a few elegant decorative touches, Anthropologie has everything you need to create a warm, festive atmosphere. Just be quick – these discounts won’t last, and you’ll want everything in place before the first candle is lit.

Shop Anthropologie's Hanukkah Decor

Looking to elevate your Hanukkah celebrations this year? A thoughtfully chosen Hanukkah centerpiece can transform your tablescape, adding both style and festive spirit. Whether you opt for a striking menorah, a decorative platter, or a charming arrangement of candles, it’s sure to catch your guests’ eyes and make your holiday gathering feel extra special.

Bows may not be new, but recently, this timelessly chic motif has been popping up everywhere in the world of interiors. It was spotting some beautiful bow-adorned tableware in Homes & Gardens' How I Host with Skye McAlpine video that really piqued my interest. Soon after, I discovered the stunning Benedita Bow dinnerware collection at Anthropologie, which includes festive red and luxe gold bow motifs on classic white stoneware, and it was love at first sight.

I've been thinking about this beautiful range ever since, but I've also just discovered there's a rather nice early Christmas present of 30% off. Thank goodness for my inability to make decisions – it's finally paid off. However, now I'm struck with yet another choice, as since it's discounted, I can add even more to my cart.

One thing's for sure, I won't be missing out on the cherry red bow border dinner plates, as I think they'll set the tone for my nostalgic, yet subtly kitsch Christmas table decor ideas. A couple of statement gold bow plates in the mix will really certainly help to make my Christmas table look expensive without costing me a fortune. And if I want to pare things back a little I'll opt for the white ceramic stoneware platter.

But it's not only plates and serveware that are being adorned with bow motifs. These gold bow candle holders will take pride of place in the center of my table, and this Jolly icon stemless glass is just irresistible.

When it comes to the bow trend, though, be wary, as less is more. A subtle touch here and there to tie the look together works perfectly with some plain linens and mixed and matched with classic, unadorned pieces. More subtle touches like these Benedita bow wine glasses can make a real impact if you keep the rest of the scheme simple and elegant.

Consider what you will be serving, too. A showstopping Christmas dessert will make an effortlessly elevated centerpiece on the Benedita Bow cakestand in white and served with the stainless steel bow cake serve set. Or you could lean into the Anthopologie pearl holiday collection, and opt for dainty pearl bow details like these Perla bow napkin rings.

Whatever your preference I think it's safe to say that the bow tableware trend isn't going anwhere and the holiday season is the perfect time to embrace it, with gifting and hosting in mind. Here's my pick of the pieces to add to your cart now, before the sale ends.

Shop Anthropologie's Bow Tableware

The 30% off discount is applied on these products when you add them to your cart. How's that for an early Christmas present, all wrapped up in a pretty bow?

If you're looking for more festive tableware, Pottery Barn's joyful dinnerware is guaranteed to include something will work with your festive dinner party themes.

Coastal chic? For Christmas? It might sound puzzling, but if it's lining the shelves of Anthropologie, this decor is about to make waves.

When it comes to Christmas decorating ideas, there's endless inspiration to be found in Anthropologie's 2025 holiday decor collection. (I'm still swooning over the kitsch Christmas holiday collection from Anthropologie.) Recently, however, the beloved brand has unveiled a different kind of aesthetic thanks to its coastal-inspired pearl holiday decor collection. And while my own festive interiors usually count on color, whimsy, and nostalgia, I've been totally won over by this glamorous iridescent tableware.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that a coastal-inspired Christmas tablescape feels surprising – particularly one festooned with pearls. Traditional aesthetics call for plaid, bows and jewel tones: just take a look at the Ralph Lauren Christmas decor trend, which is more popular than ever before. But if, like me, you're after something a little unexpected, this could be the answer.

From pearl stoneware side plates to gold and pearl bow candle holders , Anthropologie's latest collection strikes a frankly masterful balance between elegance and playfulness. Pieces like the Perla Stoneware Oyster Plate and peach-hued Perla Napkins bring a breath of fresh air to your festive table, proving that seaside style isn't just for the summertime.

Whether you style these pieces with ocean blue linens and gold serveware or a classic white tablecloth and crystal glasses, Anthropologie's pearl holiday decor collection is unique, versatile, and subtly glamorous. Check out my favorite pieces below.

Shop Coastal-Inspired Pearl Decor at Anthropologie

Speaking of bows, there's another crucial item on my homeware wish list this year: Anthropologie's satin bow tree topper. I'm envisioning a tree drenched in pearl garlands and finished off with an oversized red bow for a gloriously opulent look.

I can always count on Anthropologie to serve up statement decor and playful pieces, but it's easy to forget that the brand can also really nail a traditional look.

As a self-confessed Anthro addict, I thought I knew what to expect from the Anthropologie Thanksgiving kitchen and dinnerware edit – but happily, I was wrong. While the collection boasts plenty of the whimsical pieces I know and love, it's tied together by some classic and elegantly nostalgic tableware that I just can't stop thinking about.

Naturally, I'll always be won over by Anthropologie's kitsch decor; I'm still swooning over the Anthropologie X New York City Ballet collection, not to mention Anthropologie's 'kitsch Christmas' holiday collection. Yet somehow, it's the more traditional tableware in the brand's Thanksgiving kitchen and dinnerware edit that has won me over.

Perhaps it's because Anthropologie's oak leaf stoneware serve bowl reminds me of my grandmother's heirloom serveware, or because I haven't spotted anything quite like the garlic garden vase before, but either way, it looks like my Thanksgiving table decor ideas will be firmly rooted in tradition this year: think rich autumnal hues, harvest-inspired motifs, and ornate platters.

Whether you're devoted to the minimalist look or you're keen to experiment, I'd say that Anthropologie's Thanksgiving kitchen and dinnerware edit is a brilliant place to start. Below, I've pulled together pieces that celebrate all the warmth and nostalgia of the season.

Shop Anthropologie's Thanksgiving Dinnerware

I should have known that Anthropologie's Thanksgiving kitchen and dinnerware edit would be full of surprises; it was a set of clear candleholders that unexpectedly stole the show in Anthropologie's 2025 fall collection, and I'll definitely be using them for my Thanksgiving table settings, too.

Avid hosts will know that in an ideal world, Halloween preparations begin early. I've been sitting on Halloween decorating ideas since the early days of summer, which is why I could hardly contain myself when I spotted Anthropologie's Halloween trend shop sale.

Whether you're on the lookout for serveware, table decor, or Halloween ornaments, these discounts are frightfully good. Even the viral Anthropologie Icon glassware is on sale – I've already added a few mystic confetti icon juice glasses and a spooky icon confetti glass vase to my cart, but I have a feeling that they'll sell out fast. After all, colored glassware is a popular trend right now.

Anthropologie is my go-to destination for chic seasonal decor; the Anthropologie Halloween bistro tile collection has been on my radar for months, while Catherine Martin's collection with Anthropologie is a recent obsession.

Having spent so long planning for spooky season, I've compiled quite the wish list when it comes to Halloween accessories, but I haven't finished shopping yet – so Anthropologie's Halloween trend shop sale has arrived at the perfect time. Check out my favorite pieces below.

Shop Anthropologie's Halloween Sale

If you're in the mood to shop even more Halloween decor, you'll be thrilled to hear that Anthropologie isn't the only brand with a spooky sale on right now: Terrain's 2025 Halloween sale is officially underway, and it's full of gems.

No matter how meticulously I usually arrange a tablescape or plan out a color scheme, I adopt a different approach to the holiday season. When it comes to Christmas decorating ideas, I take the utmost joy in abandoning every ounce of restraint in favor of glorious, kitschy maximalism. My latest obsession? The retro-inspired, utterly charming holiday kitchen and dining collection from Anthropologie.

I can't imagine Christmas without whimsical decor and mismatched ornaments; too much regularity and suddenly the fun festive spirit starts to waver. As soon as I spotted Anthropologie's 2025 holiday decor, I was desperate to fill my home with every playful piece. And now that their holiday dining collection has officially arrived, I can finally create the kitschy, merry tablescape I've been dreaming of.

There's something about Anthropologie that really does make me want to rip up the rulebook; I've already started using my Anthropologie Christmas decorations for fall, but now I'm ready to take the festivities up a notch. You can't blame me – what else can I do when I spot a beaded plaid holiday placemat or a gingebread stoneware cake stand?

If, like me, you're dreaming of a kitschy Christmas, you want to add some of these pieces to your table. It was difficult to choose my favorites, but I've pulled together a selection below.

Shop Anthropologie's Holiday Dining Collection

Looking for more kitschy table decor? I have a feeling that you'll love Gustaf Westman's IKEA tableware collection. Expect bold colors, playful silhouettes, and plenty of statement pieces that are guaranteed to wow your guests.

From Practical Magic to The Witches of Eastwick, there's nothing like a good nostalgic witch story to create a bit of gothic atmosphere, and with Halloween around the corner, I'm lining these movies up for my watch list as I type. So, when I spotted the Catherine Martin's Midnight Creatures collection for Anthropologie, it instantly brought my movie-inspired Halloween decor ideas to life. Catherine is an Oscar-winning costumier and set designer, so the connection tracks.

What's more, it is currently on sale, with some really good discounts. The glazed stoneware pitcher is a real statement piece and has over $25 off, while there's 30% off barware such as this cobweb tray - both would be wonderful additions to a sophisticated Halloween bar set up. However it is only on sale for a limited time, so I'm getting my hands on my favorite pieces before they go up in a puff of smoke, like something from one of those classic Halloween movies.

As a costume designer, Catherine has incorporated a hefty dose of gothic glamor into her Midnight Creatures Collection. Motifs, inspired by 19th century illustrations, such as feathers (the decaled goblet glass is so chic), moths, and spiders, tap into the witchy aesthetic. This is set off by mix of metallics and sophisticated matte black stoneware, that ooze Morticia Addams-style luxe.

There's a big focus on barware in the Catherine Martin collection and I can see myself using lots of the pieces for hosting all year round, from the stunning brass moth cocktail shaker to the feather glazed stoneware serving platter, which would look perfect on a coffee table or mantel when not in use for serving appetizers.

The Catherine Martin Midnight Creatures collection is a stunning and versatile range that will turn heads for Halloween and serve you well long after, as well, making it a good investment – especially while it's discounted. Here are my must-haves:

Shop Catherine Martin x Anthropologie tableware

Looking for fall table decor ideas that are less spooky and more seasonal? I've compiled lots of ideas and where to find pieces to get the look for a dedicated feature.

Of all the seasons, fall always feels like it holds the most promise. Yes, the leaves are turning and the sun is setting early, but there's so much to look forward to: cozy nights in; gathering for hearty meals; and a whole lot to celebrate. I'll be hosting my very first Thanksgiving this year, so I've been busy mentally moodboarding – and Anthropologie's Thanksgiving dinnerware collection is just so beautiful, it definitely deserves a place at my table.

We're big fans of the brand at H&G, and Anthropologie's fall 2025 collection did not disappoint. It's positively brimming with chic decor, and I'm even planning on picking up a few Anthropologie Christmas decorations for fall. And, since I'm determined to perfect my Thanksgiving table setting ideas in plenty of time before the big day, Anthropologie's Thanksgiving dinnerware couldn't have arrived at a better time.

With so many ways to decorate for Thanksgiving, it can be hard to know where to start. It can be as simple as picking one signature piece though, that kicks off a whole look. One look at Anthropologie's Galley & Fen Ruffled Gingham Tablecloth, and I could suddenly envision a stunning tablescape finished with Oak Leaf Stoneware Dinner Plates and Forest Mushroom Napkins, for a rustic take on the harvest theme.

If you're after something more traditional, you'll love the Autumn Botanical Linen Table Runner and the Autumn Bounty Linen Placemats – not to mention the charming Marble Pumpkin Coasters. No matter what kind of tablescape I choose, I'll be pairing classic seasonal decor with a few of Anthropologie's statement pieces for a truly unique look. Check out what's in my cart below.

Shop Anthropologie's Thanksgiving dinnerware

Anthropologie's Thanksgiving dinnerware might be all about boho chic, but there are so many different decor styles to try this season. I have a feeling that I'll be looking to Pottery Barn's 2025 Thanksgiving tableware collection for some more inspiration – the deep yellow color palette has really caught my eye.

For many, the joy of Christmas exists in its fleetingness – that special feeling when the lights flicker to life, trees adorn the front windows along the streets, and the countdown begins. But when you invest in gorgeous Christmas decorating ideas it seems a shame to only display them for a short time.

I prefer to build my decorations up gradually, starting with some more neutral pieces that feel celebratory, but not too festive to display in the fall, before layering up with more traditional decorations closer to the main event. I think I've hit the jackpot with Anthropologie's holiday decor collection as there are some utterly gorgeous pieces that I'd be very happy to show off right now – and maybe even leave up after Christmas has passed.

I think options like this Strawflowers Iron Garland and this Gingham Bow would make beautiful additions to any interior scheme – at any time of year.

I wasted no time picking out my favorite festive pieces from Anthropologie's 2025 holiday decor, but I also noted that this collection feels impressively versatile. I have a feeling that even those who don't believe in early decorating will be tempted by these elegant pieces, and hey, why not get your money's worth and use them now, rather than storing them away for most of the year?

From garlands to string lights, Anthropologie's holiday decor collection proves that festive decor is absolutely fit for the autumn season, too. As the nights draw in and the weather turns, a few hand-picked Anthropologie decorations will add some joy and sparkle to the fall. Why wait until December?

Plus, investing in adaptable pieces like these offers plenty of timeless Christmas decorating ideas if you prefer traditional looks as opposed to buying into trends. Below, I've pulled together some of the very best Anthropologie Christmas ornaments for the fall.

Shop our pick of Anthropologie's Christmas decorations to display right now

Feeling festive? Anthropologie's holiday decor collection isn't the only thing on my mind right now – I'm also lusting after plenty of pieces from the McGee & Co Christmas 2025 drop. It's full of similarly subtle takes on festive decor, and I can't wait to dive in.

Since becoming an 'adult' with my own home, the cost of window treatments was one of the biggest shocks I've come up against when trying to source charming details for my rooms.

As someone who is mid-renovation and constantly looking for ways to elevate my home without breaking the budget, I thought I was priced out of the cafe curtain trend.

The problem is, I assumed achieving that kind of whimsical look would mean going fully bespoke, with custom fabric, fittings, and a hefty price tag to match. I was determined, however, to achieve that soft, European bistro vibe in my living room – and I am unnaturally stubborn when it comes to a design detail I absolutely must have in my home. So thankfully for my wallet, I stumbled upon Anthropologie's ready-made cafe curtain collection.

The lovely thing about this charming curtain idea is that it isn't just super pretty, but also a practical styling trick.

I'm big on maximizing natural light in all rooms of my home, and once learned that most of the light that comes in through your window enters via the top third. So to block that up with a window blind or shutters feels counterintuitive to that mission.

A cafe curtain, however, sits beautifully at the bottom of your window and dresses a window while providing privacy without completely blocking light. They soften a room and create that layered, lived-in feel we all crave.

Whether you’re looking to frame a kitchen window, bring softness to a bathroom, or add a pop of print to your bedroom, they’re an easy way to transform a window. They’re the kind of small change that makes a big difference, and once you see the styles Anthropologie has on offer, you’ll understand just why I'm so excited.

From delicate sheers to storybook prints, each style of Anthropologie’s cafe curtain collection has its own personality – whether you’re after something cottagecore, coastal, or chicly tailored – and they’re all surprisingly affordable. Here are the 9 styles I've bookmarked.

Shop Anthropologie's best cafe curtains

After trying these out for myself, I can confidently say that cafe curtains are one of those small but impactful design choices that can instantly change the mood of any room.

What I love most about Anthropologie’s collection is how easily (and affordably) they can be added to your home and paired with drapes or blinds to a stylish effect. Whether you lean toward bold florals, delicate embroidery, or classic stripes, there’s a style here that will slip seamlessly into your home.

See are dedicated guide on how to layer window treatments, according to experts here.

Like most New Yorkers, I’ve learned to live with my apartment’s quirks – namely, that two out of three of my closets have no doors. In a studio, this means my entire wardrobe is essentially part of my living room’s decor, and keeping it presentable is… a challenge.

Since installing real doors isn’t feasible (my couch quite literally blocks the swing radius), I’ve relied on extra-long window treatment ideas to conceal the chaos. It’s not ideal – but with the right curtains, it can actually work.

I’d been ogling Anthropologie’s Harlowe Embroidered Velvet Curtains for months. Online, the fanciful French chateau florals held my attention through the full emotional arc of a restock: arriving, selling out, teasing hope, vanishing again. So when the day finally came that they were in stock and my old curtain closet ideas had officially given up (more on that unconventional setup in a moment), I took it as a sign.

Which brings me to my two curtain non-negotiables. First, they have to be durable. These aren't some accents I open once a day for kicks. I’m pulling these panels open and closed constantly – every outfit change, every laundry day, every frenzied last-minute closet reshuffle. Second, they have to look good. This is my living room, after all. These curtain ideas need to soften the space, add richness, and make a statement without competing for attention.

So, after living with the Harlowe Embroidered Velvet Curtains for over a month – seeing them in every kind of light, brushing past them every morning and night – are they worth their premium price tag?

Here’s what I really think.

First impressions

It was a tough call between the Ivory, Mauve, and Duck Egg – but the moment I unboxed the Ivory, I knew I’d made the right choice. ‘Ivory’ reads as a barely-there beige – just enough warmth to cozy up the space without skewing too yellow. Up close, the embroidery was even better than expected – so good, in fact, I briefly considered turning the panels into a fabulous coat. (I didn’t. I kept my eyes on the price.)

Anthropologie didn’t skimp on the details. The panels are dual-tab constructed, which means you can hang them one of two ways – either sliding the rod through the tunnel pocket for a soft, gathered effect, or through the hidden back tabs for something more tailored and pleated. I opted for the former, but it’s nice to know I can switch things up down the line.

Once the curtains were up, I realized they needed a good steam. In hindsight, that may have been a little risky – the care tag does say spot or dry clean only, so moisture isn’t exactly encouraged. Still, I held the steamer at a distance, took my chances, and it worked out. (Your mileage may vary.)

With the wrinkles gone, the panels looked exactly how I hoped they would – airy, thanks to the Ivory color and light-filtering fabric, but still rich and dimensional. They felt right at home in my pre-war apartment, which is to say: soft, sophisticated, and a little bit storied.

How did the Harlowe curtains wear over time?

I’ve used other curtains as closet doors before – all of which, without fail, showed wear early: snagging, dulling, collecting dust in the most unforgiving ways. Not so with the Harlowe Embroidered Velvet Curtains. Despite heavy daily use, they still look just as they did the day I hung them up. No fading, no grime, no pilling.

Visually, they’ve held onto that barely-there brilliance I wanted. The embroidery, in particular, gives them the gravitas of a tonal wall tapestry – minimal, but with just enough intricacy to catch the eye. They’ve earned me quite a few compliments, including one from the unlikeliest of sources: my father, who rarely comments on decorating ideas, paused during a visit to run his fingers over the panels and declared, with quiet sincerity, ‘Now these are some nice curtains.’

Not that I needed the validation – but if he noticed, I think that says everything.

Final thoughts

Anthropologie’s Harlowe Embroidered Velvet Curtains retail between $128 and $158, depending on the length and colorway – not quite a high-end splurge, but definitely on the upper tier for a decorative panel from a major retailer. Honestly, I think they're worth every penny.

Before interiors, I worked in fashion – so when it comes to fabric and construction, I’m not easily impressed. But the Harlowe’s drape has a weight and movement that reads more expensive than it is. The dual-tab hanging option also deserves a moment, an added design detail that feels rare in this price bracket.

I’ll admit, my humble studio may not be the backdrop they deserve. But if they look this good in a living room that doubles as a closet, sitting next to a rack of heels, I can only imagine what they’d do in a proper dressing room, walk-in closet, or even just… on actual windows.

I’ve got a second closet that needs covering, and I’m already eyeing another Harlowe set. Maybe in a new color. Or maybe – one of three additional Anthropologie curtain options I’ve pulled below.

Additional Anthropologie curtains

Whether you’re pairing curtains with blinds, layering multiple drapery panels, or introducing shutters into the mix, the more the merrier applies to window treatments too. Here’s how to layer window treatments, according to experts.

I'll always have a soft spot for this time of year, when the summer lingers but fall is in the air. Before I dive headfirst into all my fall table decor ideas, however, I've been on the hunt for some transitional tableware pieces. There are some real gems in Anthropologie's Labor Day sale, meaning I can get the Anthropologie look for less before diving headfirst into fall trends.

My summer table decor ideas have been all about color, pattern and whimsy, but I'm going for a more pared-back look for the upcoming season. Magnolia's fall table setting hack, which involved ditching the tablecloth for a more rustic, bare-table look, has been giving me plenty of inspiration.

I'll admit that I don't need an excuse to check out Anthropologie's homeware; I adore the viral Anthropologie icon mugs, and I'm still raving about the Halloween bistro tile collection, which I'm already using as I indulge in summerween.

So, as summer makes way for fall, I'm looking for reliable transitional tableware that my guests will love – like this Scalloped Travertine Serving Bowl. I've curated more of my Anthropologie Labor Day sale picks below.

Shop transitional tableware in Anthropologie's Labor Day sale

What to do with so much new tableware? Stash it away in a meticulously-organized sideboard – here's how to create a hosting closet, ready for fall dinner parties.

As Homes & Gardens' Head of Living I'm always on the look out for stylish tableware to switch up my hosting game for the seasons and trends. I'm not usually swayed by pieces that have a short shelf (or should I say 'table') life, that can only be used for a few days of the year. With sustainability and quality in mind as well as cost-saving, I prefer to mix and match classic basics with a few carefully chosen, but versatile statement pieces.

However, Anthropologie's Halloween bistro tile collection has just dropped and it might well have just changed my mind. Inspired by the bistro-style tiles often seen in Parisian cafés and patisseries, the range is not only a seasonal statement for fall, but a masterclass in chic tableware design.

Homes & Gardens' Style Editor, Julia Demer, says: 'Halloween decor can go kitsch in all the wrong ways. But French-inspired design can make even the most absurd theme feel chic. Anthropologie’s Halloween bistro tile collection is no exception, keeping things festive without feeling overly spooky. Somehow, it gives both sophisticated brunch and trick-or-treat all at once.'

The Halloween range is an extension of Anthropologie's popular bistro tile collection, which features kettles, toasters, door knobs and cake stands, as well as plates, bowls, jugs and accent pieces, such as sugar pots, cheese platters and spoon rests.

While the wider collection includes bee, flower and butterfly motifs and summer colorways, the Halloween range majors on minimal monochrome with 24k gold-decal accents for a touch of luxe, making for a dramatic yet classic fall tablescape.

I've got my eye on the less overtly Halloween pieces with longevity of use in mind, such as the treats cannister, which I'll use for storing away the kids' candy all year round. And I'm loving the cat espresso cup and saucer which will be perfect for enjoying mindful moments with my morning coffee.

However, I have to admit that I'm a little heart-eyed over the themed statement pieces, too – who wouldn't fall for that trick or treat popcorn bowl? – and I'm already daydreaming about the colorful range of knobbly gourds I'll be returning with from my annual trip to the local pumpkin patch, so that I can get styling as soon as fall arrives.

I'm sure I won't be the only one eyeing up this stylish collection, and I'm convinced that they won't be hanging around for long. So treat yourself now and get ahead for fall decorating, as I'm predicting that this Anthropologie Halloween bistro tile collection will be snapped up before the summer is out.

Don't miss a trick – take your pick from my favorite pieces from the range below.

If this collection has whetted your appetite for fall hosting, we have the best halloween decoration ideas. And if you want to ensure your home is the scariest on the block, these outdoor halloween decor ideas should help.

When it comes to designing the perfect living room, aside from flooring and wall color, the living room furniture plays a pivotal role in shaping the room's success. The conundrum is where and how to start.

Even if you are decorating on a budget, there is no reason for your space to look cheap, unusable, or unattractive. In many cases, the things that make your furniture look cheap aren't even a reflection of wealth.

In the sitting room, comfort is essential. Your chosen living room furniture ideas should feel timeless but inviting, like an oversized plush sofa with a lived-in fabric. There is nothing worse than sitting on a sofa that is too firm and it makes a house feel sterile. Vintage furniture often nails that balance, offering craftsmanship and character that bring soul to a room.

There are many other affordable ways you can make a home look expensive. Below we share what makes living room furniture look cheap – and expert advice on how to avoid it.

1. Swap matching furniture sets and mass-produced pieces for lived-in luxury

Cookie-cutter, mass-produced living room furniture did a roaring trade in the early 1990s but has more recently fallen out of favor with homeowners and decorators in favor of custom-made carpentry and vintage finds.

The whole purpose of a home is to answer the needs of the individuals living in it while reflecting their personalities through good design, space, and functionality. This is why overproduced, impersonal purchases are making our homes look dated and undesirable.

Thankfully, recent living room furniture trends have shown a shift towards curating more sustainable, soulful living rooms. 'If unsure, always be bold,' advises Tiffany Duggan, founder and director of Studio Duggan. 'Clients hardly ever regret investing in one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. Think of your space as a carefully curated Aladdin’s cave of treasures, with each item on display even more fascinating than the last.'

Undeniably, individualism is in, as more and more people turn their backs on over-consumption and mass production and towards vintage, bespoke, made-to-measure goods and services.

Style mavens such as hotelier Kit Kemp are masters in the fine art of embracing individual design. But if you're new to this trend, you’d be wise to exercise caution, otherwise, your experimentation could end up one hot mess. So prefix maximalism and individualism with an adjective such as ‘considered’, ‘elegant’, or ‘curated’ and you can make it work.

The trick to creating a unique aesthetic is finding a common hook from which everything else hangs. Leave the matchy-matchy look to staunch minimalists, and always go with whatever you love first and foremost.

2. Do away with themed furniture and curate a space all your own

It wasn't so long ago when themed spaces adorned homes up and down the country, but these days, any sensible designer will resign the hokey signage, and steamer trunks to the history books.

Instead, if you want to give your living or family room character and personality, use tried-and-tested furniture combinations that add texture and warmth, and stay away from anything that can appear like a product of its time. For example, I would avoid going too coastal or nautical, unless you live by the seaside. It would feel inauthentic to do so.

Classic furniture pieces are like the little black dress of interior design – they never go out of style and always look sophisticated. Age-old furniture styles, such as mid-century modern living room ideas, traditional living rooms, and charming country living rooms will stand the test of time due to their craftsmanship, enduring materials, and versatile aesthetics.

A living room is the heart and soul of your home and should reflect you as an individual, says Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors. 'It is a room of its own and should be treated as such with a bold design that will wow. As the living room is where guests are often stationed for most of the night, it should say something about you and set the mood for the rest of the house.'

Mix and match furniture from across decades and styles, but find one red thread to tie it all together; it could be a certain type of timber, a color pulled from a favorite piece of art, or even a rug. The final look should be cohesive, but not cookie-cutter.

3. Hide the TV with a bespoke built-in and art

An unsightly TV stand idea is one of the biggest faux pas I see when designing a living room. The TV is a ubiquitous presence but its black reflective screen is regarded as an eyesore by decorators. The most common solution is to house it in a specially designed cabinet, but it’s not the only one.

At first glance, this room looks colorful and bold using Studio Ashby’s signature mix of antiques, bespoke pieces, and contemporary design. The surprise is that the art can slide aside revealing the TV behind.

‘The TV must never be on show; that’s one of our rules at Studio Ashby,’ says founder and creative director Sophie Ashby. ‘In every project, we’ll commission joinery to conceal it like in this project in London’s Mayfair, where we’ve used this beautiful Jack Penny artwork to hide the TV.’

4. Switch out jarring colors for a failsafe quiet luxury palette

Color can be transformative in interior design, so choosing the right hue for your living room furniture can present endless choices and subtle nuances to understand and overcome. However, if you've been religiously following certain living room color ideas, you could be doing more harm than good.

As a general rule of thumb, many of the world's best interior designers will say that you should never decorate your entire home in one singular color for fear it will fall flat. That isn’t to say that you can’t use the same color palette throughout your entire home. For example, if you love decorating with neutrals, then use different variations of this one color palette for your furniture to create harmony from room to room.

The color of your chosen furniture is just as important as your wall color. If in doubt, I always advise people to stick to a palette of 'quiet luxury colors'. Decorating with beige, taupe, greige, sand, and warm-toned green, inspired by colors from the natural world, adds a gentle and soothing touch to interiors that can be layered with textures and tones to ebb and flow with the seasons.

'Choosing a living room furniture color scheme in harmony with the rest of your home is crucial to not only your home's aesthetic but also your mood and well-being,' says Becca Casey of Becca Interiors.

5. Don't overcrowd small rooms – decorate with the 'rule of three' instead

Decorating a small living room is one of the most tricky tasks to master. However, small rooms are often my favorite spaces to design and plan. A well-designed scheme can feel just as comfortable as a larger space, with all the coziness and comfort associated with family living. It is a common misconception that the smaller the room, the smaller the furniture and furnishing should be – the opposite is true.

‘Furnishings play an essential role in how a space is received,' says James Thurstan, founder, of Thurstan. 'When working with less spacious living room layouts, we recommend a considered curation of essential pieces – spreading a large rug as an anchor for the scheme and then building out from there, picking out tones from the rug and embellishing these throughout the room. A central table can create a focal point in a smaller room, best framed by inward-facing armchairs which help create depth and volume.’

It is also crucial not to opt for furniture that is too small. Ensure your table and chairs are large enough that they don't look 'silly', but not too oversized that they don't allow enough space to freely move around the room without bumping into the furniture.

When it comes to living room seating ideas, my advice is to include a two or three-seater sofa, and two armchairs if you can. A pyramidal arrangement leads the eye around the group of three – and it’s a shape that’s frequently employed by designers exploiting the power and rule of three. Many designers agree that an odd number has a winning edge over the classical, symmetrical layout.

6. Invest in bespoke storage instead of freestanding designs

Finding the right living room furniture often has to do with scale and putting the perfect pieces in the right spot. If you need to maximize space, it’s worth having something made bespoke or going the extra mile to find an antique with the right proportions.

'Built-in furniture gives people precisely what they require,' agrees Charlotte Crosland, founder of Charlotte Crossland Interiors. 'It works particularly well in boxy or long living rooms, and those areas that are awkwardly shaped.'

In the room shown above, this beautiful wall of bespoke joinery painted in a moody hue is hugely characterful and provides plenty of open and closed storage.

Like a tailored Savile Row suit, a bespoke piece of furniture should fit perfectly, function beautifully and look fantastic: some go as far as to dub it ‘interior couture’. Like their catwalk counterparts, artisan-designed solutions are an investment, but they offer standout and esoteric results. They also function much better than an off-the-peg storage idea, which can often make a living room look cheap.

‘We used a deep smoky color on the walls and joinery of this north-facing space’ says Emma Sims-Hilditch, founder and creative director for Sims Hilditch. ‘The aim was to embrace the darkness of this space, transforming it into a moody and cozy haven. Soft wall and overhead living room lighting add to the ambiance – and should be considered at the same time as your furniture.'

Best places to buy living room furniture

• Anthropologie
• Amazon
• Bloomingdale's
• CB2
• Crate & Barrel
• Lulu and Georgia
• McGee & Co.
• Nordstrom
• Serena & Lily
• Target
• The White Company
• Wayfair

There are many pros for using baking soda and vinegar for cleaning, but there are also times the pairing can do more harm than good.

Whilst their chemical reaction causes bubbles that can help lift grime and banish odors such as stinky drains, our cleaning experts warn they shouldn't be used for every scenario or surface, including natural stone surfaces such as marble or granite.

We all want to clean our home without harming the planet, so here, our cleaning pros break down the four areas of the home baking soda and vinegar shouldn't be used together, and where you safely can.

Where you should never clean with baking soda and vinegar together

According to professional cleaner, Forrest Webber of Bear Brothers Cleaning Services, there are pros and cons to using these two natural ingredients for cleaning together, and apart.

Forrest explains, 'I have witnessed both the success and failure of baking soda and vinegar. This dynamic pair isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can be great for some cleaning jobs.'

The reason they 'can' work together is because they complement each other. Forrest adds, 'Baking soda [such as Arm & Hammer's pure baking soda from Target] is a gentle scrubber and odor buster, while vinegar [such as Walmart's great value cleaning vinegar] cuts through grease like a boss. When they meet, their fizzy reaction lifts grime and makes you feel like a mad cleaning scientist. But don't let the bubbles fool you – there are limits to their magic.'

Alessandro Gazzo, cleaning expert at Emily's Maids of Dallas adds, 'Whilst it's not dangerous to use the two together, they should be avoided on surfaces sensitive to vinegar, like granite or marble.'

With that in mind, here are four scenarios where you shouldn't use them together:

1. On marble or granite

Using the baking soda and vinegar combination on marble and granite countertops is a big no. Forrest explains, 'Vinegar's acid can eat away at the stone, leaving you with dull spots that scream regret.'

So what can you use instead? 'A pH-neutral stone cleaner or a mix of warm water and dish soap,' recommends Forrest.

'I'm a big fan of Dawn dish soap from Walmart,' adds Alessandro.

2. Hardwood flooring

Hardwood floors are an investment and it's worth learning how professional cleaners mop hardwood floors to keep yours in great shape. And, tempting as it may be to use baking soda and vinegar to get out a stubborn stain in your kitchen or living room floor, using this natural duo here is a big no-no.

Forrest says, 'Vinegar strips the finish and baking soda can scratch. You're not cleaning, you're sanding, essentially. Instead, use a gentle wood-safe cleaner or diluted dish soap.'

These are ideal for all hardwood floors:

3. Glass and mirrors

No one likes streaky mirrors and sometimes, toothpaste and other products can end up splattered on them. But don't be tempted by baking soda's abrasive power.

'Baking soda scratches and vinegar streaks – it's a double fail,' says Forrest. 'Instead, I recommend a mix of water, rubbing alcohol, and a drop of dish soap for a streak-free shine.'

Whether you use a homemade window cleaner spray, or a commercial cleaner, a lint-free cloth is essential to avoid fluff and smears.

4. Thick grease

Stubborn grease can be difficult to deal with, hard to remove and quite frankly, not very pleasant. It's even worse when it has dried.

With the bubble and fizz power of baking soda and vinegar, you'd think it would be a winning formula on grease, but Forrest says it has the opposite effect.

He explains, 'The fizz from the reaction neutralizes their cleaning power. You're better off watching the bubbles as entertainment! Instead use a degreaser like Krud Kutter [available at Walmart] or good old-fashioned dish soap.'

If you like the natural element of baking soda and vinegar, instead clean with Castile soap. It's natural, versatile and cuts through grease gently. You can use it on everything from dishes, to pet beds and even your face. We recommend non-GMO wholenaturals Castile Soap, available on Amazon.

Alessandro adds, 'To remove burnt food from your pots or pans, or appliances like your oven, I love Mrs. Meyers cream cleaner with baking soda [available at Amazon] if you want to incorporate a cleaning product that already has baking soda in it.'

Where you can use baking soda and vinegar together for cleaning

1. Clogged drains

No one wants to sit outside entertaining with a whiff of bad drains in the air. The baking soda and vinegar combination is fantastic for solving this issue and also works great when fixing a clogged kitchen sink.

'Pour in a cup of baking soda, follow with a cup of vinegar, and let the fizz party happen. After 15 minutes, flush with hot water,' advises cleaning pro, Forrest Webber. The reason is works is because it breaks down the blockage and allows it to drain away. Baking soda is also a natural deodorizer.

2. Cleaning grout

Grout can get grubby quickly, especially in high traffic areas like entryways and mud rooms. You can of course use dark grout to help combat this, but it's also worth giving it a good scrub regularly to lift dirt, water marks, bacteria and mold.

If you want to clean grout in floor tiles, then reach for this eco-friendly combo in paste form, which you can easily make by adding water incrementally to baking soda till you have a suitable consistency.

'Make a paste of baking soda and water and smear onto the grout, spritz it with vinegar, and watch it bubble. Then scrub with a toothbrush or grout brush,' suggests Forrest.

This works really well as the chemical reaction is great at lifting grime.

3. Sprucing up the washer

This natural cleaning duo is great for freshening up hard-working appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers.

Do you know how often you should clean your washing machine? Like most things, regular cleaning is key with appliances and remembering to schedule a deep clean is as important as what you clean it with. They can both build up excess scum and limescale and this is where the magic combination of baking soda and vinegar wins.

For your washer, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the drum and and pour in 1 quart of vinegar into the fabric softener tray. Then put it through a full wash cycle. The dual action will leave your washer smelling and looking fresher.

Don't forget to clean the rubber seal of your washer to get rid of any fluff, mildew or mold.

4. Deodorizing the toilet

A quick daily wipe around is always a good idea, especially as part of the inside-out bathroom cleaning method, but a deep clean is also necessary especially with the toilet. Baking soda and vinegar works brilliantly together here.

Similar to the washing machine method, pour in 1/2 cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and the same measurement with the vinegar: 1 quart.

Leave it to work its magic for a good 30 minutes or more and then give it a scrub with a silicone toilet brush, available at Walmart.

Meet our experts

Green cleaning is worth the time and effort, as it will be better for the planet, and most likely, gentler on your wallet, too.

If you're not sure which pantry staples you can use where, our dedicated guides are packed with great cleaning ideas when cleaning with vinegar, cleaning with baking soda, cleaning with lemon juice, or cleaning with essential oils.

Design trends are moving faster than ever before, which makes committing to a new decor style difficult. Plenty of innovative ideas across the world of interiors later reveal themselves as nothing more than passing fads. And since redecorating is a costly business, we don't want to invest in these, what can be called 'microtrends', that end up dating our home in as little as six months.

Recent years have given birth to a wealth of new interior design trends, from the resurgence of 70s classics like curved sofas to fresh ideas like the 'unexpected red' color trend. They've all enjoyed a moment in the spotlight already, but the question is, which of them is likely to endure throughout 2025, too?

To find out, we spoke to leading designers who offered up a list of microtrends they expect to dominate 2025 and beyond. While they might be relatively new to the scene right now, we expect they'll soon become part of the design canon, allowing you to redecorate your home and make design decisions with confidence.

1. Curved sofas

Curved sofas are by no means a new phenomenon, but they've certainly come to the fore in recent years. Furniture with swooping strokes and convex shapes is being favored over clean lines and symmetry, helping to soften spaces and make for a more convivial feel.

Designers have no intention of moving away from the trend any time soon, either. 'This trend isn’t going anywhere,' says Dallas-based interior designer Jessica Maros. 'In fact, I think we’ll soon see new iterations of the boomerang sofa. This trend teaches us not to smash sofas against walls and encourages centering furniture in a room. I’m a huge advocate for this shift in spatial arrangement.'

Paris Forino, the designer who styled the space above, agrees that the curved sofa trend has given birth to a new living room configuration. 'This shape of sofa is sculptural, pretty, and beautifully shaped,' she says. 'For that reason, it works really well as a floating statement piece in a room, as opposed to being tucked in a corner or against a wall.'

2. Monochrome color palettes

Monochrome color schemes offer a cohesive design idea and help to emphasize depth and dimension within a room. They've been a popular design trend in recent years, rising alongside the color-drenching paint technique and a growing appreciation of color more generally.

'The benefit of monochrome spaces is that they present with great visual strength,' says Paris. The space above, for example, uses a minimal palette, but every decision is intentional and works to complement the surrounding furnishings. The result is a layered and harmonious look with a clear focal point for your eye to rest.

3. Skirted Furniture

If you've noticed an uptick in contemporary chintz styles lately, you're not alone. Frumpy fabrics and decorative details that look as though they've been borrowed from your Grandma's 1980s living room have had a contemporary twist.

Skirted furniture is a brilliant example. Beautifully patterned pleats on the edges of ottomans, chairs, and sofas create a homey, cottage-core-esque feel, and designers say it's a microtrend you'll notice even more of in 2025.

'I’m noticing modern takes on pleated skirts wrapped around sofas,' says Jessica. 'Imagine them on curved, L-shaped, or U-shaped sofas. This trend feels like a refined nod to the past, and while I’m not a fan of ruffles, modern pleated skirts –highly pressed around sleek, clean-lined sofas – have me absolutely thrilled.'

4. Color drenching

Over the last few years and the turmoil that came with it, our attitude towards decorating has changed. As we spend more time in the comfort of our own four walls, we've all been embracing more character and personality in our designs.

One of the enduring trends that's here to stay in 2025 (and no doubt beyond) is color-drenching – the technique of saturating an entire room, including the ceiling and woodwork, in one shade.

'Immersing a room in a singular hue makes a bold statement and captures the energy and essence of a beautiful color,' says Paris. 'The first thing I learned in design school is that a well-designed space can change the way you feel, and I’ve always held that idea close. Color unequivocally sparks pure joy.'

5. Lime plaster and microcement

From bouclé upholstery to high gloss paint finishes, texture has been a big part of the conversation over the past 12 months. Heading into 2025, designers expect raw, unfinished textures to be on the up. We saw similar ideas in 2023 and 2024, with the use of raked plaster, stucco, and artisanal paint techniques like limewash being used to create an organic look.

During our next circle around the sun, expect lime plaster and microcement to crop up in our homes. 'The patina and texture are to die for,' says Jessica. 'You can plaster anything – walls, fireplaces, ceilings, even tile floors. It creates a stunning feel and is both sustainable and eco-friendly.'

6. Mural wall coverings

Our bolder approach to design in recent years also translates to our walls. Accent walls have been given a new meaning with the emergence of statement motifs and murals, creating immersive scenes inside your home that make an excellent conversation point.

'I think the verdant trend – lush greenery and floral motifs on wallpapers, fabrics, and rugs – is here to stay,' notes Laura Elliott of Refined Interiors. 'The calming influence of nature continues to be a significant design element, and its enduring appeal suggests it will remain a staple in interior design for the foreseeable future.'

This statement wallpaper idea is especially popular in convivial rooms of the home. 'I particularly like using a mural-inspired wallcovering in dining rooms to add a visually interesting and engaging focal point for those gathered around the table,' says Paris.

7. Raw wood kitchen cabinetry

The world of sterile, white kitchens with high gloss finishes is no more. Modern kitchens feel much more cozy, featuring soft textures, relaxed seating, and — more recently – raw wooden cabinets.

Organic materials can make a kitchen feel much warmer and more inviting, and their raw simplicity will stand the test of time, too. 'While bold and bright kitchen colors have their place, natural materials like wood offer a timeless alternative, creating an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere,' says Stacey Cobley, senior designer at kitchenmakers, Harvey Jones.

Wooden kitchen islands, in particular, can make a striking focal point. 'As the heart of the kitchen, an island crafted entirely from wood strikes the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, boldness and warmth, form and function,' says Stacey. 'Not only is it appealing to the eye, but wooden accents also complement a variety of materials, from luxurious marble worktops to metallic hardware like brass handles.'

8. Standout ceilings

Lately, more and more of us are choosing to decorate our fifth wall (better known as the ceiling). Far from a passing fad, designers say our changing attitudes towards this long-neglected space is set to become permanent. As Ansley Majit of San Francisco based studio LARK + PALM says, 'In 2025, we’ll continue to see ceilings covered in paint or wallpaper that create enveloped, cozy spaces'.

Beyond typical ideas with paint and wallpaper, Laura says she's witnessing even greater creativity on ceilings. 'High gloss, painted murals, even exposed wood — we are breaking the rules here,' she says. 'The ceiling provides such a great canvas and focus point for the eyes, I think it’s here to stay!'

9. Red decor

The 'unexpected red' trend in 2024 saw us embracing primary iterations of this shade in daring splashes across our home. The theory goes that a random injection of bright red can instantly elevate a room, but designers are adapting the idea in 2025.

Instead of crimson hues, darker, deeper reds are the color trend of the moment. 'We've been using various hues of maroon in recent projects, which we love for its versatility,' says Ansley. 'A dark maroon – purples, plums, or a rich Bordeaux – is especially great in small bathrooms or bedrooms,' adds Jessica.

And instead of punchy pops of color, drenching is the way to go. 'Having a rich tone like this is wonderful for cozy spaces where you want to relax, unwind, or feel safe,' Jessica says. 'I don’t see this paint color fading away anytime soon. In fact, we may see even more color-drenched rooms in this tone and style.'

10. 'Lived-in' Interiors

If one thing's for certain in 2025, cookie cutter homes are well and truly out. No one wants a bland, non-descript space to call home. Instead, the microtrend of 'lived-in' interiors feels more pertinent than ever, with designers choosing unique, one-of-a-kind decor and accessories to make a home more unique.

'Spaces that reflect the people who live there both subtly (someone who loves to bake has a kitchen set up with a baking corner), and overtly (a collection of art from personal travel arranged into a gallery wall in a corridor), are going to continue into 2025,' explains Ansley. 'It all comes back to who lives in the house and how that's reflected in the space, storytelling through a visual map of the objects and orientation of the interiors.'

If these enduring microtrends teach us one thing, it's that the best designs will always find a way to cement themselves as staples. For a chic home that stays that way for years to come, try adopting one of these lasting microtrends in 2025.

No matter how often we clean, dust seems to accumulate everywhere. Whether it’s a persistent layer on your shelves or a never-ending battle with allergens, dust can feel like an unwelcome guest that refuses to leave.

There are several factors contributing to ongoing dust, from the air quality in your home to the materials you use for decor, many of which can be changed to help make your home a little less dusty over time.

Here, expert cleaners reveal the six reasons dust builds up faster than you can clean it away, and share effective tricks to remove dust properly in the long term, for a cleaner and healthier home.

6 reasons your home gets dusty quickly

A build-up of dust is one of the many ways your house is making you ill. It might seem harmless, but it can significantly reduce air quality and encourage dust mites, worsening allergies.

A quick clean-up and some smart anti-dust strategies will go a long way to making your home more comfortable.

1. Your HVAC filter is dirty or too small

Your HVAC system plays a big role in the air quality of your home. Forgetting to clean your HVAC system is a common cause of dust build-up around your home.

Ryan Meagher of BVM Contracting explains, ‘If your HVAC filter is dirty or not sized properly or there is no filtration, you are going to accumulate duct a lot faster than a system that has a filter which catches dust and other airborne matter.

'To prevent homes from getting dusty as quickly I would start with a review of the filtration system in the home, and upgrade the filter if needed. You can also look into getting standalone air purifiers for areas that have a lot of dust accumulation or to help supplement your HVAC filtration system.'

It is also a good idea to clean vents around your home and improving air quality.

2. Dusting incorrectly

There are several common dusting mistakes that make your home dirtier, warns Aminah, head of marketing and innovation at Inspire Clean.

She explains, ‘Wiping with a dry cloth often just moves dust around, making it settle back again. Try using a microfiber cloth instead as it grabs onto dust better, and always clean from the top down to avoid messing up areas you've already cleaned.’

Remember to dust before vacuuming, too, to collect fallen dust from your flooring.

It can also help to damp dust. I swear by the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster for this, as it picks up dust in one swipe, rather than move it around or disturb it into the air. This prevents any resettling for a cleaner home.

3. Unsealed doors and windows

Draft-proofing a home is important for more than stopping cold air leaks and making heating more efficient. Blocking gaps with door brushes (available at Walmart), and silicone sealant such as Gorilla Glue Clear caulk, also at Walmart, can help prevent outdoor dust from blowing in and making your home dirtier.

This is especially important in summer when pollen adds to dust to create an allergen nightmare. Pair draft-proofing with cleaning tips for allergen sufferers for a home that doesn't make you sneeze from morning to dusk.

4. Shedding fabrics

We have all fallen victim to picking up fluffy throws, decor and clothing to make a house cozy, but these items almost always shed, releasing particles and threads that contribute to dust piles. Synthetic fibers are the worst offenders, releasing plastic particles and microfibers that build up on the surfaces of your home.

Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved at H&G suggests skipping these items at the store. If this isn’t possible, however, she says, ‘Consider washing them when you first bring them home. Running them on a normal laundry cycle, checking first the laundry symbols to avoid damage. This will help to remove most of the loose particles straight off the bat, reducing dust around your home.’

5. Ignoring vertical spots

We might think it is only flat surfaces that collect dust, but everything vertical from our walls to furniture and window treatments can collect dust. These are overlooked spots you're forgetting to dust, reminds Aminah.

She says, ‘Carpets, curtains, and furniture collect dust more than you might think. Vacuum these areas regularly with a good vacuum cleaner, and wash things like throws or cushion covers every few months to keep them fresh.’ ]

Vacuuming your curtains is one of the more unusual ways to use your vacuum but just keep it on a low suction level and be careful not to pull too hard and damage or loosen any wall fixtures holding the rails in place.

6. You have pets

It is inescapable – if you have pets, you will have a dustier home. Pet dander and hair are one of the main contributors to dust buildup, and it is tricky to tackle.

Ottilie Blackhall, Solved news writer and owner of four beloved dogs, says, ‘Regularly grooming your animals can make a difference in the dust levels around your home, helping to remove loose hair before it can settle on your surfaces. Washing your pets with pet-safe shampoos can also help to remove dead skin for a cleaner, happier pet and a cleaner home.

‘My partner also finds that using an air purifier can help with pet dander, helping to collect hair and dust from the air before it settles.’

Choosing the right air purifier for your home is vital, however. Pick a device that is suited to the size of your space (working out the square footage by multiplying the length of the room by the width of the room), and optimized for homes with pets.

Remember to also check and clean or replace the filter regularly to keep your home cleaner for longer.

FAQs

Does opening windows help with dust?

While keeping your windows closed might seem like a surefire way to trap dust inside your home, leaving them open actually introduces more dust to your space. While you don’t need to keep your windows closed all the time (doing so is a bad habit increasing the risk of mold in your home), only opening them when you need to cool a space or improve your ventilation is a great approach if you want to cut back on cleaning.

Preventing dust is difficult, but it is possible to cut back on dusting with these quick tips and cleaning shortcuts. Nevertheless, remember to dust occasionally, even with these dust-controlling measures in place, to help keep your air clean, reducing allergies and the risk of respiratory illnesses.

Aside from a really great couch, a coffee table is the centerpiece of your living room. Not only is it the spot where you rest your glass of wine or put up your feet (guilty as charged) but the perfect spot for creating a personality-packed vignette.

A well-styled coffee table is like the cherry on top of a beautifully decorated space. So, we set on asking the experts just how to make a coffee table look more expensive with their very best coffee table decor ideas.

Whether you’re working with a budget-friendly setup or a high-end piece of furniture, styling your coffee table like a professional is certainly within reach with these tips from interior designers.

How to make your coffee table look more expensive

Of course, the starting point is a really beautiful coffee table to begin with. But this doesn't mean you need to have the most statement or expensive piece of furniture.

Sometimes just a simple, well-made wooden coffee table can make as much of a statement as the boldest marble with a few coffee table styling tricks from the experts. Here are 5 failproof ways to make your coffee table look more expensive.

1. Always include a beautiful tray

A well-styled coffee table often features a beautiful tray. Not only does this serve as a centerpiece to the table, but is essential for zoning and corraling looser items and oddities.

'It's oh-so-easy to make your coffee table look more luxurious and high-end just by investing some time in styling the surface artfully,' advises interior designer Kathy Kuo. 'Try adding a chic tray made of material like shagreen or travertine and add luxe decorative accents within the tray, like bud vases, stylish coffee table books, upscale scented candles, and decorative sculptures,' Kathy suggests.

A tray is your styling best friend because it instantly adds structure to your coffee table decor. Round trays are excellent for softening the edges of a rectangular table, while rectangular trays often work best on round tables, creating contrast. To elevate the aesthetic, opt for a tray with luxurious finishes like marble or lacquer.

2. Edit down your coffee table books

Coffee table books are a great way to showcase your personality and interests while adding height and structure to your styling – but it needs to be a curated edit.

'To make your coffee table feel more elevated, focus on creating layers of interest and balance,' suggests designer Marie Flanigan. 'Start with a curated stack of beautiful books that reflect your style, and finish the look with thoughtful details like a tray to organize smaller items, a candle for warmth, or an interesting object collected from your travels.'

When curating your stack, consider both content and aesthetics. Choose books that resonate with your passions, but the covers should complement your room’s palette or offer an intentional pop of color.

'The best way to make an inexpensive coffee table look expensive is to use some large decorative books stacked strategically in the corner,' adds Karin Krinsky of New Age Interiors. 'Then, place a pretty bowl or tray and perhaps some beads ever so gently spilling out of them.'

3. Be sure to include natural forms

Nature inherently softens a space and makes it look less 'styled' and more, well, natural. Whether it’s a vase of fresh flowers, a sculptural piece of driftwood, or a cluster of natural stones, these organic elements make the vignette feel more inviting.

'Add a sculptural element like a ceramic vessel or a piece of hand-carved wood for texture,' continues Marie. 'Incorporate something organic, such as fresh flowers or a small potted plant, to bring life and softness to the arrangement.'

'The key is to mix materials and shapes while keeping the arrangement clean and intentional,' adds Marie. Even a single branch in an elegant vase can make a statement.

4. Create height and be mindful of scale

Achieving a polished look with your coffee table decor often hinges on striking the right balance of height and scale.

'A coffee table is an important bit of real estate at the center of your living space that offers a valuable opportunity to enhance the ambiance of the room,' says Amy Carman of Amy Carman Design. 'A carefully composed collection of books, accessories, and greenery add a layer of beauty for your eye to land on. At our Treasure Island project, seen above, we kept our accessories monochromatic, with the exception of a delicate gilded olive leaf sculpture.'

'Be mindful of the scale of your selections. An oversized coffee table requires only a few objects, but they need to be appropriately sized,' she suggests.

Balance taller items like vases or candlesticks with slightly smaller pieces, such as a stack of books, a tray, or a low-profile bowl. Be sure to vary the heights subtly for a layered effect rather than having all elements clustered at the same level.

5. Finally, add some personal touches

Achieving an expensive-looking coffee table is as much about showcasing your personality as it is about achieving a polished look.

'Adding layers through trinkets, collectibles, books, and candles adds extra dimensions that can’t fail to elevate your coffee table,' advises Holly Vaughan of Vaughan Design & Development.

Adding a few personal elements, like a cherished heirloom, a favorite travel souvenir, or a framed photo, ensures your coffee table looks much less like a store display and more like something out of a real, lived-in home.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to styling any surface in your home. Your coffee table should be a reflection of your taste and personality. Whether you lean minimalist or maximalist, the key is finding a balance that feels authentic to you.

Decorating for Valentine's Day may not be top of everyone's list. Not in the same way you decorate for Christmas, or Thanksgiving, or Easter anyway. You might not go all out with your Valentine's Day decor, but given the time of year, the cold weather, the lack of festive vibes post-holidays, bringing some small nods to the romantic season into your home in the midst of February can be uplifting.

So when Anthropologie dropped their cute yet stylish, Valentine's Day-themed yet totally fine to have in your home all year round, new collection, we jumped to add these adorable pieces to the cart.

And we aren't waiting until the 14th to get shopping, because so many pieces in the collection are perfect for giving your home than New Year uplift too, with bright hues, whimsical prints, and fun designs. Oh, and of course these would make for lovely Valentine's Day gifts, if you aren't just shopping for your own home...

Shop the Anthropologie Valentine's Day collection

Valentine's Day decor doesn't need to be over the top and literal. There are so many pieces here that will work in your home all year round. They also work well as tasteful gifts for anyone you love in your life. You can peruse the entire collection at Anthropologie.com.

To me, the holiday season is the best time of year for my home. It is when it's at its warmest, jolliest, and well, fullest – full of Christmas decor, twinkling lights, heaps of food, festive scents, and loved ones.

But come the New Year, once I've packed away all my Christmas decor, it can start to feel a little flat and empty. So as the celebrations wind down this January, it is important to take time to reclaim your home and restore it to a place that feels authentically yours.

Other than a good clean-up, there are a few things we editors at Homes & Gardens like to recommend you do this side of the New Year in order to make your home feel like your own again after hosting for holidays. Here's how we like to give our homes a fresh start in January.

How to reclaim your home after the holidays

Between hosting friends and family, rearranging furniture, and decking the halls with decor, your home can start to feel a little more chaotic than calm over the holidays.

After weeks of accommodating guests and clutter, a few small thoughtful changes – like decluttering, adding fresh greenery, or rethinking a layout – can make a world of difference. Here are a few of our favorite ideas.

1. Declutter and reset

Head of Solved and H&G's resident organization expert, Punteha van Terheyden, finds that after the whirlwind of holiday hosting; decluttering and resetting your home is the first step to reclaiming your space.

'Visual clutter disturbs us for a reason and once the festive spirit has been and gone, it feels great to declutter and tidy up, especially where seasonal decor is concerned,' says Punteha.

'Starting with your Christmas decor, go room by room, and don't expect to complete the task in one day. If you tackle just one room at a time, it'll reduce the sensation of cleaning overwhelm and will help you focus on doing a more thorough job,' she advises. 'Usually, cleaning and tidying have a cascade effect: once you've completed the first task, it'll usually flow easily into the next, but managing your expectations with how much you can get done in one go will make it easier to start.'

'To save me time, instead of individually wrapping all of my tree ornament this year, I have bought a specialized container, just for the job. A Christmas ornament storage box will help you avoid breakage and save you time when packing it all away.'

2. Bring in fresh flowers and foliage

With holiday decorations packed away, your home may feel a bit bare so some new floral arrangements and plants can work wonders to bring life back into your spaces.

'For me, it's all about the fresh flowers and foliage,' says Head of Interiors Hebe Hatton. 'I bring a lot of foliage into my home over the holidays and although I am always ready to say goodbye to all the evergreens and berries, it does feel a bit flat once they are gone.'

'So I fill up all my vases again with either in-season flowers from the florist or I cut down some of the Camellia that's in my garden,' says Hebe. 'The bright pink flowers can be out right now which feels so uplifting when the weather is gray, but even the glossy vivid green leaves make for beautiful decor and a nice break from all the dark evergreens I have had in my home for the last few weeks.'

'Pots of paperwhites and hyacinth come into my home in the middle of January too, their scent instantly takes me out of the post-Christmas slump and gets me excited for the change in the season ahead.'

3. Carve out some 'me-time' spaces

In my opinion (as someone who is easily overwhelmed), the worst part about having your home filled with guests is the lack of alone time you get.

Yes, it is a beautiful and festive thing having your home filled with loved ones, but I do long to escape for some quiet moments with a book or a glass of red. So this New Year, I'm putting the focus on some dedicated me-time and looking to carve out some small spaces to retreat into.

Once the festivities are over, I find it essential to reclaim parts of your space as zones for relaxation. Creating intentional spaces for this can help you recharge and restore balance in your home.

Embracing the nook, I've got my sights set on a reading nook in the bay window of my living room and am currently mood-boarding a beautiful window seat complete with the comfiest of cushions and of course a good lamp for ambient reading light that will encourage me to wind down (without my phone!) more in 2025.

4. Make subtle swaps in the kitchen

'After the Christmas chaos, my kitchen is the first place that needs an overhaul in the New Year,' says our Kitchen & Bathroom Editor Molly Malsom.

Post-holiday feasting, your kitchen also may require a refresh to transition back to everyday functionality. Making a few subtle yet impactful swaps can restore order and breathe new life into the heart of your home.

'Aside from the obvious deep cleaning and decluttering, I always like to swap out the decor in my space,' Molly advises. 'A small yet stylish lamp can elevate an empty kitchen countertop, styled with recipe books I've been gifted over the holidays, and topped with a new scented candle.'

'These subtle swaps instantly give my kitchen a refresh and make it feel like it's mine again – rather than the busy, communal space it became through the festivities.'

5. Refresh your WFH space

Like all of us at H&G, the start of January also signifies the return back to work so I think it is only right that we give our WFH spaces a rejig to help us all feel a little more motivated and refreshed ahead of the first day back.

If your home office setup doubled as a storage area or an office combined with a guest room during the holidays, now is the perfect time to reclaim it for yourself.

Start by removing any leftover holiday items or temporary furniture like a sleeper sofa or makeshift bed. Then, give your desk and shelves a good cleaning – a tidy workspace fosters a tidy mind. Finish off by surrounding yourself with objects that spark inspiration and joy – maybe a new potted plant, a stylish portable lamp, framed family photos, or that beautiful new 2025 calendar or diary Santa brought you.

6. Switch out your seasonal scents

After weeks of cinnamon, pine, and spiced holiday candles filling the air, swapping out seasonal scents for ones that feel more personal can help you reset emotionally and physically.

'Aside from giving my home a good clean after hosting guests (there’s always so much washing to do), one way I reset my home and make it feel more like my own is to freshly scent the space,' suggests H&G's Managing Editor Zara Stacey.

'Many of us will have filled our homes with inviting festive fragrances over the holidays, now it’s time to swap the cinnamon and the cedar for something fresh and new.'

'As much as I love using candles, I’ve been using my Patouchil essential oil, available on Amazon, with my candle oil burner to make my home smell nice over the last few days – never underestimate the power of scent to help revigorate your home!'

Think of the start of the New Year as a chance to edit and curate your space. Prioritize comfort, function, and the small details that bring you joy and you'll soon feel like your home is back to normal – if not better than ever.

Minimalists have truly nailed the art of cutting clutter and keeping their homes immaculate. While their homes will not always be perfect, there are some types of clutter you will never find in a minimalist's home.

But what are they? And how do they manage to keep all of life's odds and ends trimmed down to the bare essentials?

Here, professional home organizers reveal the six types of clutter you’ll never find in the home of a true minimalist, and share the hacks minimalists depend on to keep their homes tidy.

Types of clutter you will never find in a minimalist home

While there are some things minimalists never buy for an easier life, a lot of the clutter control comes from careful management of items on display, and using tactics like the one-touch rule and the minimalism exit strategy for clutter to deal with items as they enter their homes.

Here’s how it keeps these six categories of clutter at bay:

1. Aspirational clutter

Also known as fantasy self decluttering, minimalists will never hold onto items they wish they could use when they currently cannot. Emily McDermott, decluttering coach and podcast host, founder of Simple by Emmy begins. ‘This is clutter that represents who you were in a previous season or who you wish you could be (if you had unlimited time and energy).

‘Examples of aspirational clutter include clothing that used to fit you or that you wore in a previous season of life. For example, when I transitioned from working to being a full-time stay-at-home mom, I minimized most of my dresses since I didn't have a reason to wear them.

‘Similarly, there are hobby and crafting supplies: If we have a transition in our lives such as having children, or a new career, we may have less time to pursue our hobbies and crafting projects, but may still hold onto the stuff associated with them because someday we might have the time to do it.’

When deciding what to declutter, ask yourself why you are holding onto an item you can’t currently make use of. If you don’t see yourself using it in the next two months, it's one to go. The Didn't Know decluttering principle might come in handy for this too. If you didn't know you had an item, or forgot you had it, let it go.

2. Paper clutter

Getting rid of paper clutter is essential for minimalists. It instantly makes entryways and home offices look 10 times neater.

Shantae Duckworth, founder of Shantaeize Your Space explains, ‘One way that they tend to tackle paper clutter is by leaning on digital solutions – this is something I highly recommend to my clients! For example, make it a habit to scan documents or use paperless billing, so that way there’s no chance for it to accumulate.’

3. Items kept just because of the cost

Sunk costs or scarcity mindsets are a big reason a lot of us accumulate clutter that leaves us feeling too guilty to get rid of. It is easier said than done, but minimalists are typically very good at cutting emotional ties and accepting that the money they spent on the item is gone, and having it sitting in our home making us feel bad is will not bring the spent money back. Additionally, they also always consider the essential questions to ask yourself before buying anything.

Emily McDermott, decluttering coach, says, ‘This can be clothing and accessories with the tags still on them, perhaps a gadget from Amazon that we thought would make life easier but we've never touched. It's hard to let go of this type of clutter due to several cognitive biases, but especially the sunk cost fallacy. We are reluctant to admit that we made a poor decision or wasted resources, so we keep paying for the item with our time and energy to maintain it.’

4. Duplicate items

There are several things to never keep duplicates of in your home – and it should be an easy category for all of us to tackle.

Shantae Duckworth, home organizer, says, ‘As for duplicates, minimalists are intentional about keeping only what they genuinely love and use. Instead of hanging onto five so-so coffee mugs, they’ll keep just two that spark joy. This is a habit that can quickly clear space and can even save money, as you’re less tempted to buy more of what you already have.’

5. Expired items

Decluttering a pantry or decluttering makeup and skincare is on the weekly to-do list for minimalists. You will never find expired items hanging around their homes and taking up space. In fact, they're one of the things minimalists always throw out daily.

Shantae Duckworth says, ‘Whether decluttering the pantry, bathroom or your cleaning supplies, having too many of one item is another no-go for minimalists. Make it a habit to regularly check for expired goods, and this will keep your spaces clear and also eliminate waste, it’s safer for your home.’

To avoid duplicates, have a one-in-one-out policy to help you keep stock of your items.

6. Sentimental clutter

A controversial one for minimalists is decluttering sentimental items (although it is perhaps not as controversial as the storage essentials minimalists never use in their homes).

David Hurless, director of operations Stor-It says, ‘I think sentimental items are one of the biggest culprits of creating additional clutter at home. Photographing something that brings you joy and you want to remember it could be a better way to manage your memories and maximize your storage space.

'For example, I had a keepsake bowling pin that was signed by a group of friends, but in the end, storing an individual bowling pin was not realistic, so I snapped a photo of it, and got rid of it for space.’

While some of us love the idea of embracing minimalism at home, Shantae Duckworth, reminds us that we don’t have to go all in right off the bat – ‘Remember, you don’t have to embrace full minimalism to benefit from these habits! Start small – go through a single drawer or tackle a shelf at a time. By borrowing these strategies, you’ll find it easier to create a home that feels organized and manageable without overhauling your lifestyle or budget.’

Be sure to also avoid some common minimalist decluttering mistakes to make the process easier.

Christmas cacti, otherwise called schlumbergera, are known for their trailing leaves and vibrant blooms that flower around the festive season. Coming in an assortment of colors, including red, pink and white, their flowers face downwards like bursting droplets, creating a beautiful silhouette.

You might be confused and concerned if you notice your Christmas cactus leaves turning purple: a stark contrast to their usual green color. But the color change in your leaves is purely your plant asking for help.

We spoke to two tropical plant experts to learn why a Christmas cactus may be developing purple leaves, what plant owners can do to help their cacti, and how better Christmas cactus care can prevent purple leaves in the future.

4 causes for Christmas cactus leaves turning purple

1. Too much sunlight exposure

Although cacti tend to thrive in a sunny environment, getting too much direct sun can lead to your Christmas cactus developing purple leaves.

Ofra Gaito, CEO of plant company Verdant Lyfe, says, 'Giving your Christmas cactus too much direct sunlight, especially during already hot summer months, may be the reason that its leaves are beginning to turn purple on the edges.'

Christmas cactus leaves that are only just beginning to purple have every ability to turn back into their normal green state if placed in a less sunny area of your home. However, if all of the leaves on your Christmas cactus are turning limp or purple, it might be too late to save.

If your Christmas cacti live on a windowsill, why not consider moving them onto a shaded patio during the height of the midday sun? They can later return to their usual spot to enjoy the rest of the daylight.

Alternatively, you could invest in a UV blocking film to go over the windows of your home, such as the BDF window film from Amazon. This film is clear, so won't obstruct your view outdoors, and it absorbs some of the heat from the sun before it reaches the leaves of your plant.

2. Crowded roots

If your Christmas cactus is still in the small container you first started growing it in, it likely hasn't got sufficient space to continue to thrive. Keeping your cactus in too small a pot can lead to the roots becoming crowded, and they will struggle to absorb adequate nutrients to maintain healthy green leaves.

Alexandra Moreno, tropical plant and palm expert at Atlanta Palms, says, 'Over time, a Christmas cactus may outgrow its pot, causing the roots to become crowded. When the roots don't have enough space, they struggle to absorb nutrients properly, which can cause the leaves to turn purple. To resolve this, repot the cactus into a larger container with fresh soil, giving the roots room to breathe.'

When repotting, save your hands by wearing gardening gloves, such as the gorgeous Heirloom garden arm saver gloves from Anthropologie. You can also infuse new potting mix, such as the Harris premium succulent and cactus potting mix from Amazon, into your fresh soil as it's specifically designed to provide cacti with the essential nutrients they need.

3. A lack of magnesium

Magnesium is a vital nutrient for Christmas cacti. Without adequate levels of magnesium in your soil plants can't produce enough chlorophyll - a necessity for the creation of strong, green leaves.

'Christmas cacti require more magnesium than most plants,' says Ofra. 'It's the nutrient they most often lack, so applying a magnesium fertilizer mixture once a month will help to stop your leaves from discoloring.'

The liquid magnesium sulfate from Amazon is a quick, easy way to ensure that your Christmas cactus is never lacking the nutrients is needs. Just be mindful not to add too much: follow the instructions on the bottle and remember to dilute the solution with water before treating your Christmas cactus.

4. Temperature stress

Although Christmas cacti are generally easy to care for, the one thing they are fussy about is temperature. Too cold and drafty, or too hot, and you may see your Christmas cactus leaves turning purple.

'Christmas cacti are definitely sensitive to extreme temperatures,' says Alexandra. 'If the plant is exposed to either too much heat or cold, it can become stressed, leading to purple leaves.'

To resolve this, make sure your Christmas cactus is sat in a stable environment: one with access to sunlight that's bright but indirect, away from drafts of cold air, cold window panes and heaters. A Christmas cactus typically likes being kept in temperatures between 65–69°F during the day and 60–65°F at night.

There are two easy ways to test the environment your Christmas cacti is going to live in. Firstly, you can try hanging a piece of paper where the plant will go to test for drafts. If there's any kind of draft or surplus moisture, the paper will blow around and become damp.

You could also invest in a combined-setting moisture meter, such as the 4-in-1 soil moisture meter digital plant display from Amazon. This handy tool inserts into the soil of your Christmas cactus pot and will tell you all kinds of information including the soil's moisture level, if the plant is getting enough sunlight, and the plant's temperature.

It's recommended to leave this in your plant pot until your Christmas cactus is turning green again, and to routinely check how it is doing every two weeks.

Once you're well-versed in the fussy side of Christmas cactus care, you will be able to grow this gorgeous plant confidently. Why not consider learning how to propagate a Christmas cactus as a next step? They would make wonderful holiday gifts for friends and family.

American fashion designer, TV personality, and socialite Kathy Hilton is no stranger to style, and the mother of Paris and Nicky Hilton certainly knows a thing or two about curating a designer-worthy home, too. In particular, Kathy's blue kitchen cabinet color scheme has caught the attention of color aficionados and experts everywhere.

Designed by Nicole Gordon Studio, Kathy Hilton's indigo kitchen is a masterclass in color, style, and personality. It is one of the most exceptional uses of this room color we've seen in recent years. Many designers champion this color to replace navy blue in 2025.

With a new year comes the opportunity to look to a bright future, and where better to start than by injecting your home with a regal, mood-enhancing color? Conjuring endless skies and infinite seas, indigo blue is the color of the moment – after its initial popularity in the early nineties, this strong color is set to top color trends once again.

Fresh, airy, and imbued with the restorative power of nature, indigo blues have next year been tipped by interior experts as the perfect backdrop to modern living. But what is it about blue kitchens that designers and color forecasters love so much?

Blue regularly tops the list of most popular kitchen color choices, and it’s easy to see why. Despite being on the dark side, indigo blue is a safe choice that works in most kitchens, contemporary or traditional, no matter their size. It’s surprisingly calming and easy to live with too – a must-have in such a busy space that often acts as the heart of the home. Best of all, indigo blue kitchen cabinets look great with everything, from wood and stone to marble and granite.

'When choosing room color ideas, indigo is a timeless and versatile shade to use in an interior space, says Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball's Brand Ambassador. ‘Indigo can create a very regal backdrop for a sophisticated kitchen when teamed with paler delft blue, as seen in Hilton's kitchen.'

Used for centuries, decorating with blue is enduringly popular, harmonizing with many hues for gloriously diverse results every time. The depth of pigment of darker indigo blues means that they offer an emotional content that can be as nurturing or soothing as any green, particularly when you color drench a room in a dark, velvety blue. For some homeowners, the idea of dark colors might feel foreboding, but for others, it is the dark ‘night’ of a shade that offers serenity in a room scheme.

This historic hue feels very much at home in a contemporary interior, offering a sophisticated backdrop for displaying favorite collected pieces, as well as metallic hardware, such as the ones used in Kathy Hilton's kitchen.

It is also important to consider what colors go with blue to avoid any costly mistakes. ‘To get the best out of a blue like this, pair it with neutrals to give it a chance to sing. Mixing it with too many other strong or vibrant colors will result in a confused look akin to an accident in a child’s paint box.’ Sarah Davies-Bennion, senior designer, Kate Guinness Design.

Pair it with neutrals such as white and cream for classic calm, or with stronger tones of mustard, olive, sienna and navy for a unique, head-turning scheme. Whether you opt for a subtle hint or go all out, stay on trend this year with a beautiful blue-hued kitchen.

Shop the blue kitchen edit

If repainting your entire kitchen isn't an option for 2025, why not invest in beautiful blue kitchenware and decor instead? These gorgeous designers have been hand-picked to give your kitchen a contemporary blue update in an instant.

While Christmas Day has passed and you're probably thinking more about taking your decorations down than buying more, the Christmas sales are the perfect time to pick up some new pieces for a fraction of the price.

From baubles and ornaments to larger items like faux trees and wreaths, there's no better time than the sales to update and restock your Christmas decor – especially if your current collection has passed its best or you've had a few breakages this year.

If the thought of endlessly scrolling through sales pages seems rather daunting, we've found the best the sale has to offer. Here, we've curated the perfect shortlist filled with fabulously festive designs.

The best Christmas decoration sales to shop now

From faux Christmas trees and garlands to timeless stockings and charming ornaments, there's plenty left in the Christmas decoration sales to elevate next year's holiday schemes.

1. McGee & Co

2. Anthropologie

3. Wayfair

4. Lulu and Georgia

5. Pottery Barn

Whether you're on the lookout for a new faux tree, want to update the family's stockings, or simply fancy some new ornaments to mix with the old, there are plenty of Christmas decoration sales to find what you need with amazing savings.

Designers love IKEA as much as the rest of us. Because of their trained eyes, their laser-focussed ability to spot treasure, and their confidence to style rooms in unexpected ways they are the masters at unearthing IKEA's hidden gems and elevated IKEA hacks.

Because as we all know, the problem with IKEA is how overwhelming it is. There is so much choice, and so many things that perhaps aren't on your list, and you have to walk past every item to get to the cashier. So instead of tackling the entirety of IKEA next time you go, follow this guide to the pieces designers adore, and use in their own homes and projects.

1. TESAMANS collection

'I particularly like the latest Tesammans collection, which celebrates the beauty and energy of color,' says the interior designer Tola Ojuolape. 'I saw the collection in store a few months ago. The use of color and vibrance in the pillows and textiles – specifically the throws and tablecloths – was refreshing to see. Any of the collection can certainly add cheer and joy when placed in the right context.'

2. HOVET mirror

'I think IKEA has some of the best quality mirrors for their price,' says the San Franciso-based interior designer Noz Nozawa. 'The HOVET mirror is an unbeatable bargain per square foot of mirror, at nearly 7 feet tall. Its clean, minimalist frame makes the mirror versatile enough to work across different styles.'

'I have mounted the mirror in clients' dining rooms, I've got one leaned against the hand-painted murals in my own bedroom (which I've owned for 16 years!), and I also just installed 3 in a row in a fabulous home gym.'

3. VINGSÖN outdoor chair

'The VINGSÖN chair boxes above its weight in style and quality versus what you generally might expect of an outdoor offering from IKEA,' Noz says, picking another favorite.

'This chair, with its dramatically oversized wingback silhouette and slick, trend-aware woven roping, reminds me of some of the more inspiring outdoor furniture shapes I've observed coming out of Italy!'

'As much as I enjoy this unexpected chic IKEA piece, to me, the big win is the VINGSÖN's potential to pair with your own choice of cushions! On my patio, I've combined an affordable IKEA outdoor sofa frame with custom cushions that frankly cost several times more than the sofa frame, making the whole piece feel bespoke and original!'

4. BLASVERK pendant

'One trick we like to employ is elevating a fixture like an IKEA pendant, by having it re-wired with a richer-feeling cloth cord or a sleeker canopy kit,' says the Michigan-based interior designer Liz Hoekzema of KLH Homes. 'IKEA's can be quite hefty in size). The BLASVERK is one we recently installed en masse in a home gym space – we love the pure sculpted form, and the combination of both gloss and matte almond and ivory finishes.'

Liz also likes to shop for accessories. 'We also utilize their decor pieces for styling, from time to time,' she adds. 'They often have wonderfully pure forms or fresh shapes, such as this play toy set and amorphous glass pedestal dish.'

5. KNIPSA basket

'IKEA is an amazing and forward-thinking company when it comes to storage solutions,' says Angeline Hall, Owner & Principal of the Dallas-based studio Angeline Guido Design.

'The details that IKEA factors into its design work, especially in their kitchens and closets, are well thought out and have the end user in mind. When designing my studio in Dallas, we looked to IKEA to source multifaceted, versatile furniture and storage pieces we needed to achieve the collaborative design spaces we have now. Among our favorite storage items are the KNIPSA Basket and KALLAX Shelf Unit combination, allowing us to store samples and inspiration pieces easily.'

6. LOMMARP cabinet

'My favorite IKEA piece would be the LOMMARP cabinet in the dark green/blue color,' says the designer Enass Mahmoud of Studio Enass. 'It looks like something you would buy in a high-end store. It has a great price point and you can customize it by replacing the handles with an antique piece or something a bit more detailed to give it a different look. Top it off with beautiful accessories and coffee table books.'

7. DOMSTEN stools

'I really like the DOMSTEN stools because of the strength of their colors,' says the screen print designer and artist Hannah Carvell. 'I love the combination of the lilac green and orange particularly. They were retro-looking, reminded me of school, and were so well priced. I think they could easily be used as coffee tables, or nightstands, being just big enough for a cup or glass and a book. I also really like that they're metal and wood instead of plastic.'

8. KALLAX shelving

'Good design isn't just about a designer's heritage or a piece's price tag,' says the designer Ini Archibong. 'Good design includes IKEA, and its KALLAX shelving is one of my favorite design objects. It's a very minimal elegant solution of where to put things in a rectilinear space, as most apartments are.'

What to shop

Chic, affordable, and designer-approved these are the IKEA pieces to get on your shopping list. And as many of these designers advise, it's often about what you do to the piece to style it and make it your own that really elevates it, so think outside of what you see in the store and consider how you can adapt and tweak the simplest of pieces into something really statement.

We all have moments when we feel overwhelmed with our daily lives – food shopping lists, trips to book, dry cleaner pick-ups and not forgetting keeping on top of clutter in the home and the day-to-day running of it.

Introducing new daily habits that involve getting your life and home in order can make all the difference. And the best bit is that they don't need to take up hours of your day, they can be a quick five minutes here and there that you can start implementing today, according to our pros.

We've asked industry experts including professional organizers for 10 daily habits that help them to be more organized and how to declutter successfully.

Introduce these 10 daily habits to be more organized at home

Start today with these tips on the tiny tweaks to organize a home from the pros – from keeping checklists and calendars, to timed clutter-busting and leaving your clothes out for the next day, we've got you covered.

1. Have a tray on your entryway console

Place a tray or a small shallow basket on your entryway console table for those essential items like keys and sunglasses to help keep this vital space organized.

Brandi Simon, founder of TX Home Buying Pros agrees having a console table with a tray definitely helps. 'A clean console table or tray in the entryway designated for mail is ideal – don’t let mail pile up,' Brandi explains. 'As soon as it comes through the door, quickly sort it into categories: bills to pay, invitations to respond to, and junk to toss.'

If you don't have a console table to use then consider a shelf, Wayfair's Rudloff 3 piece accent shelf has handy hooks and three compartments for mail, gloves and sunglasses.

Whatever item you settle on, Cynthia Murray, co-owner of Sorted Sparrow, adds, 'Clear the entryway daily. I spend a minute tidying up my console table – it keeps things neat and prevents clutter from piling up.'

Learn more about organizing an entryway.

2. Pick up and re-place

Introduce this clever decluttering tip and mess will become a thing of the past. 'Every time you move from one room to another, bring one thing with you that belongs in the room you are going to,' advises lifestyle and cleaning guru Sabrina Fierman, director of New York's Little Elves.

'For example, a water glass from the night before, take it with you in the morning when you walk to the kitchen to make coffee, or the handbag left near the front door upon arriving home, bring it to the closet or bedroom when you’re headed that way,' explains Sabrina.

It's about changing your thinking a little to maximize productivity throughout the day. Look out for pieces that help collate clutter practically.

3. Plan and plan again

Although some of us love apps that help to organize our days, others still prefer the 'analogue' way of life and having something we can write on.

There's some fabulous planners around these days that help you to plan your day the night before, a simple five-minute sit down with a cup of coffee at the end of your day to jot down those key tasks will help you to feel more on top of the next day. The Two Tumbleweeds Daily Planner notepad from Amazon is perfect for this.

'Balancing home, friends, life and hobbies can be a lot so I need to write things down to remember – when we asked our Instagram audience, 91% of people agreed that they needed to put plans in a paper diary to remember them too,' says Holly Chapman, head of brand at Papier.

Alternatively, a wall calendar, such as the Worksail whiteboard monthly wall planner from Walmart, can help in the same way. Andre Kazimierski, CEO of Improovy likes to use a mixture of a digital calendar for work with a physical one at home.

'Something I do every day to be more organized is having a physical calendar hanging up in my kitchen. While I also use a digital calendar, especially for work, having a physical calendar helps me stay a lot more organized in my personal life,' he explains.

Similar to a planner (I like the Papier Spiral Daily Softcover Planner from Anthropologie), you just need to remember to keep it updated on a daily basis. Andre adds, 'I have it hanging in a spot that I am constantly walking past or seeing while sitting at my table, and that helps ensure that I never forget what I have coming up. I always know what appointments or events I have on my schedule weeks in advance, compared to getting a notification from my phone calendar the day of and panicking because I’ve forgotten.'

Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, uses a magnetic one on her fridge to plan meals and keep track of school-tasks related to her daughter. 'It helps keep our household organized both from a meals perspective, but also because my husband and I share the mental load of keeping things running smoothly and this a quick way for us both to note anything we both need to know. I like this magnetic weekly whiteboard from Amazon for ease, as it allows a space to add a grocery list, too.'

4. Lay out your clothes the night before

Give yourself 10 minutes at the end of the day to consider which clothes you wish to wear the following day – believe us – when you wake up the next morning you'll be glad you don't have to think about it. It also helps if your closet space is organized.

Lay your outfit out on a chair in your bedroom the night before, so everything is easily to hand.

'Planning clothes the night before saves time in the morning and keeps my wardrobe in order,' says Cynthia Murray, co-owner of Sorted Sparrow. 'This is also a life-saver for getting my nine-year old daughter to school on time. Whenever we don't plan ahead, this almost always adds 10-15 extra minutes.'

To make this work well, it pays to keep your wardrobe organized too. We love Walmart's 6 shelf non woven hanging closet organizer, it's perfect for getting your wardrobe in shape.

5. Set a timer

It's easy to put off tidying, especially during the week as we often think we need to spend more time than we have doing it. But in fact, the key to making this work for your household is tidying in short bursts.

Rick Berres, owner of Honey-Doers explains, 'Give yourself 10 minutes, and in that time, you do as much as you can. Fold that blanket that’s just thrown on your sofa, tidy up small items, etc. That’s something small you can do every single day without it being a huge time-suck or imposition and that’s going to keep things organized and looking good and tidy.'

Jenny He, an expert in home improvement and co-founder of Ergeon, has a great timed rule too. 'The 30-second Rule is also a game-changer. If a task takes less than 30 seconds to complete, I do it immediately. Whether it’s putting away a dish or responding to a quick email, these little tasks add up if left unattended. It’s like dealing with a small fence repair right away rather than letting it turn into a bigger issue down the line.'

If these timings don't quite work for you and your day, then create a time deadline that does – it could be a five-minute sweep through of the house to re-adjust things for example. Implement these daily and you'll definitely see a difference.

6. Give yourself visual cues

Trying to remember everything can be challenging, right? Jenny He has a great idea that will help you beat forgetfulness, or clutter blindness, when it comes to daily organization.

'Another trick I’m fond of is Visual Cues. I place reminders in strategic locations to prompt actions throughout the day,' says Jenny.

'For instance, keeping a water bottle by the door reminds me to stay hydrated, or a sticky note on my laptop to encourage regular breaks. Just like how I use visual plans in project management, these cues keep me on track without overwhelming my brain with to-do lists.'

We really love this idea, and it's ideal for those of us who are more visual people. Check out these rather lovely sticky notes.

7. Use checklist apps

Love an app? Then have a look at Pocket Lists. It's essentially a 'to-do' list app that's inspired by making digital lists and checklists to help us get through daily and less frequent (but still important) things,

You can set reminders as well as creating your own checklists. There's also repeating to-dos so you can keep on top of regular tasks. Easy to set up, you simply open a relevant list, assign due date and set the priority level, you can also add a location.

Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love uses checklists on his phone, 'I actually have a checklist in my phone of the daily and weekly tasks I need to accomplish. For example, I have a ton of plants, and many of those plants have different watering needs. So, in order to stay on top of that, I have a checklist that outlines what needs to be watered each day, and that’s something I look at every morning before work. Checklists are invaluable for making sure nothing slips under the radar, forgotten.'

8. Plan your meals

As with planning out your clothing, taking time to prep food for the following evening will save you time and much needed energy when you come home from work.

Brandi Simon, founder, TX Home Buying Pros says, 'Before preparing dinner, take a moment to plan the next day’s meals. Chop veggies, wash fruits, or pre-portion snacks. This small daily habit saves you time later and keeps your kitchen organized.'

A food-storage idea to reduce food waste is keeping your prepped food in glass containers. You can also double up your prep and freeze for later use, or cook for leftovers the next day.

9. Have a place for everything

By ensuring each item in your home has a place, it will be easy to keep your home organized daily and a quick way to make your home look organized, fast.

Shelving is ideal for storing those extra pieces like a couch pillows and blankets that might not be needed all the time and can make your shelves look elevated. And perhaps one of the most useful buys for each room of the house is a selection of matching baskets – they are ideal for hiding away unsightly things like chargers and TV remotes, but also for slippers and magazines.

Choose sturdy designs that will last. Nordstrom's oval jute basket is beautifully crafted and its easy grab handles mean you can carry it room to room.

10. Have an evening 'reset'

Little but often seems to the key to daily organization according to our experts, and the end of the day is the perfect time to set your intentions for the next 24 hours.

Jenny Hu explains, 'I swear by the Five-Minute Reset. At the end of each day, I take five minutes to walk around my living space and reset anything that’s out of place. It’s amazing how a quick tidy-up can clear your mind. Think of it like rebooting your computer – it works better when everything's in order. Even in my work spaces, a quick declutter at the end of the day sets the tone for a more productive tomorrow.'

This is also a good time to update your apps, or planner for the days ahead.

Meet our experts

These are a great start to getting on top of mess in your home without feeling you have to commit to a large decluttering session.

Next, delve into the easy Didn't Know method, beloved by our editors for its ease, simplicity, and guilt-free clearing out.

As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how our homes serve us and consider fresh ways to refine them.

With 2025 on the horizon, I've asked the Homes & Gardens editors to sit down and think about all the ways they wish to improve their own spaces – plus the trends and ideas they're looking to carry forward from 2024.

From embracing color richness to amping up the character with collected and curated buys, these are the 9 New Year's decorating resolutions the H&G team are making (and hoping to stick to) this year.

Homes & Gardens Editors New Year's Decorating Resolutions

Looking to make some changes to the way your home looks and feels next year? So are our editors. Putting our expertise in interior design and the current and upcoming trends to good use, here are the New Year's decor resolutions we're looking forward to completing in 2025.

1. No more fast furniture

'My resolution is to not buy any fast furniture or decor in 2025,' says Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton.

'My favorite pieces in my home all come from vintage markets or antique fairs, or I have brought them back from vacations,' she explains. 'They not only add a ton of character to my home but each piece has a memory attached to it. Plus not impulse buying new pieces means I have more budget for 'new' old pieces which are often so much more affordable anyway.'

If you are looking to bring more character into your home in a budget-friendly way, decorating with vintage or secondhand pieces is not only more sustainable but also adds a unique charm to your spaces.

2. Investing in my sleep space

Emilia Hitching, H&G's resident sleep expert, is looking to amp up to the coziness in her bedroom.

'My New Year’s decor resolution is to make my bedroom feel more cozy,' says Emilia. 'I moved into an eighteenth-century apartment block around this time last year, and I still haven’t got around to making my bedroom feel like home.'

'The nature of my job means I’m always testing cozy comforters, plush pillows, and silky sheets, so I’m not worried about my bed so much as the rest of the room,' she explains. 'I want to find some soft furnishings to make the floor feel warmer and find some wall art to break up the blank white space – and I’m thinking about investing in a dimmable lamp for my nightstand, so I don’t have to look at the glaring big light any longer.'

3. Leaning into a richer color palette

'For 2025, my New Year’s decor resolution is to incorporate bolder colors into my living room,' says Paint & Color Editor Emily Moorman.

'I love its current calming color scheme which is fairly neutral, but I want to add more depth with a richer-colored sofa – maybe a warm, deep rust or dark green,' says Emily. 'While I love the timeless feel of neutrals, I’ve been inspired by interior designers this year to lean into darker, moodier hues to create a cozy space.'

'Beyond the sofa, I have my eye on a new piece of colorful artwork and patterned throw pillows to finish the room.'

4. Focus on making spaces more personal

Molly Malsom, Kitchen & Bathrooms Editor, is looking to add more personality to her home in 2025.

'This New Year, my focus is on making my spaces feel more personal. There are a few rooms that have fallen off my radar when it comes to designing them – both my bedroom and home office are void of any decor that tells you anything about the person who uses them,' Molly explains.

'So, I'm going to dig out the art pieces and decor I've collected over the years and finally display them in the spaces I use the most,' says Molly. 'And in my bedroom, it's not just about decor, but making the space warmer and more in line with my interior design style. Currently, it's an empty white room, so paneling, loads of layered textiles, and personal decor is top of my list of new year results for 2025.'

5. Expanding my art collection

'My New Year’s decorating resolution for 2025 is to fill my home with more artwork,' says Homes & Gardens Managing Editor Zara Stacey.

'Not only are my walls crying out for some fresh prints, but new wall decor is a simple and low-effort way you can uplift and freshen your home for the new year,' Zara explains.

'Another of my New Year’s decorating resolutions is to go thrifting more, and make the most of the second-hand shops and flea markets near where I live – so you bet I’ll be hunting for some vintage art! When purchasing brand new pieces, however, some of my favorite brands to shop from have to be Anthropologie and Wall of Art.'

6. Going bespoke

Eleanor Richardson, Interior Design News Editor at H&G, is embracing the long-lost art of handmade, custom interiors that will stand the test of time.

'My aim for 2025 is to create a curated and collected space that’s individually unique,' says Eleanor. 'I’ll be focusing on purchasing meaningful, bespoke pieces that are of high craftsmanship and will last for years to come.'

The good news is, that you don’t have to commission an entire room of custom furniture to embrace more bespoke design. Start small with some tailored window treatments in your favorite fabric, reupholster an old chair, or get yourself a beautiful custom headboard to transform your bedroom.

7. Elevate my kitchen with small details

After writing about the best kitchen ideas and kitchen trends for most of 2024, Molly is also putting her expertise into practice with some easy upgrades.

'Having spent the past year admiring beautifully designed kitchens that are full of character and personality, I want to infuse that ethos into my own space,' she explains.

'So, one of my biggest New Year resolutions for 2025 is to elevate my kitchen to make it warmer, more inviting, and give it a touch more enduring appeal. This year, I'm focusing more on the simpler, smaller details, like hardware, kitchen lighting, and decor.'

'I think we can all be a little bit more thoughtful this year in updating rather than replacing – being less wasteful and finding ways to give larger pieces in the kitchen, like cabinets, a new lease of life rather than completely ripping them out is far more considerate to the environment... and our bank accounts!'

8. Perfecting my pillowscaping

'This sounds like such a small gesture, but I want to get more experimental with my cushions in 2025,' says Head of Celebrity Style News Megan Slack.

'In my small London apartment, there isn’t a lot of space to introduce lots of patterns, and the cushions I’ve had have worked well for over a year – but I know there’s more I can do with the room I have.'

'Early in 2025, I want to take the (albeit small) plunge and upgrade my pillows to something more daring – maybe something with tassels or a bolder pattern in a color that still works for my neutral living space. I’m sure my future self will thank me for this decision.'

9. Not shying away from print and pattern

Personally, I, H&G's Style & Trends Editor, am vowing to force myself to embrace a little more pattern and print in my home in 2025.

As someone who is in the midst of a home renovation, I'm hoping that 2025 is going to be my decorating era (rather than demolition, as it has been for the past two years). This means I can finally start selecting soft furnishings, rugs, wallpapers, and textiles for the rooms in my home.

In the past, I have shied away from adding too much print into one space – opting instead for 'safer' purchases like timeless neutrals and solid colors that wouldn't date. But my New Year's resolution is to make a shift towards more expressive interiors, adding in personality with print on my walls, floors, and everywhere in between. I'm going to start small and experiment with throw pillows, wall art, or a statement lampshade here or there but watch this space, you might even catch me pattern-drenching if I get brave enough.

With our editor's resolutions in mind, I hope these ideas inspire you to approach the next year with creativity and confidence in your home.

As we come close to closing out 2024, I thought it high time to reflect on the trends that have defined this year. Both the ones I’ve embraced wholeheartedly and those I may want to leave behind in 2025.

From viral aesthetics to bold color choices and finishes that sparked polarizing debates among designers, this year the interior design trends brought fresh energy to spaces. But some left us yearning for a little more refinement.

In this roundup, me and the Homes & Gardens editors break down our favorite trends that we think have shined brightest in 2024 – and those that we'd be happy to reconsider as we move into the new year. Our 'ins' and 'outs' if you will. Let's get into it.

Homes & Gardens Editors Best Trends of 2024

1. Unexpected Red

TikTok interior design trends being such a dominating force in the world of interiors wasn't on my 2024 bingo card, but I'm personally certainly glad it happened. From the Coastal Grandmother to the Nancy Meyers Aesthetic, there have been some real stand-out moments that defined both the way we dress and decorate our homes.

But the one trend that really struck a chord is the 'unexpected red theory'. Coined by TikTok's Taylor Simon, the idea is simply to add anything that's red, big or small, to a room where it seemingly doesn't match. And once that red piece has been added to your room, it automatically looks better. Trust me, I've tried it in my own home, and it is a fun and clever way to elevate your space in an instant.

Jennifer Ebert, Editor of Homes & Gardens, is also a fan.

'The viral ‘unexpected red theory’ stole our hearts earlier this year and I could not be happier to see the return of this fiery hue. But it doesn’t have to stop at one accent. I adore using it absolutely everywhere. One of the most passionate and life-enhancing colors to use in a decorating scheme, decorating with red offers a luxurious bank of positive energy and vigor,' she explains.

'Whether you highlight a design scheme with touches of carefully chosen accessories or paint walls floor-to-ceiling in a deep shade of this versatile color, it can transform interiors and create different moods, from refined to playful, depending on its application.'

'Paprika is my go-to color; added to a neutral scheme, it creates warmth, depth, and a touch of the unexpected. Used on its own, it is a very easy color to live with and yet it also works beautifully with blues, pinks, and other reds. It is wonderful to see so many people experimenting with bold colors once again.'

2. Wall Murals

Interior Design News Editor Eleanor Richardson was pleased to see the rise of wall murals this year as a way to create a whimsical, unexpected statement on our walls.

'My favorite trend of 2024 was the wall mural aesthetic,' Eleanor says. 'We saw so many variations of this romantic look, but I love those soft scenes of nature that encompassed the walls of so many bedrooms, living rooms, and entryways.'

3. Bookshelf Wealth

'The bookshelf wealth trend is a classic pick that took the interior world by storm at the start of the year,' says H&G's Head of Interiors Hebe Hatton. 'What I love about this trend is it's not a trend at all, books are the most timeless pieces of decor and while this look had a moment in the spotlight this year, bookshelf wealth will be 'on-trend' forever.'

'2024 was the year for adding character and personality back into our homes and books are the easiest way to do that,' she explains. 'Trends can mean that everyone's spaces end up looking very similar, but when decorating with books everyone's displays will naturally look different and there are zero rules for how you interpret the trend.'

Megan Slack, Head of Celebrity Style News, agrees. 'I’ve loved to see the bookshelf wealth trend take root in 2024 – we’ve been writing about this look since February (which feels like an age ago now), but 11 months later, I still stop to admire every bookshelf I have the opportunity to see.'

'As someone who has always had too many books, this trend made me feel like stocking my shelves high isn't a design defect. I love to see the titles on people's shelves, as I believe people’s choice of books can reveal so much about a person – which is part of the reason why I particularly love seeing celebrities play with this style. This trend is arguably the most revealing of the decade, and maybe I’m just nosy, but I hope it lives on in 2025 and many years to come.'

4. Animal Print

Molly Malsom, Kitchens & Bathrooms Editor at H&G, entered her 'mob wife era' and leaned into animal print this year.

'For me, animal print was one of the best interior design trends this year,' says Molly. 'It really marked the resurgence of playful design and adding personality back into schemes. Done tastefully, animal print accessories like cushions and rugs – especially leopard print – can look so chic, especially when paired with moodier color palettes. I might be biased, but it's a trend I think will never date.'

5. Color Drenching

Our Paint & Color Editor, Emily Moorman, is championing the color drenching trend for 2025 and beyond.

'Although color drenching didn’t originate in 2024, I love how it’s been so widely embraced this year,' says Emily. 'Whether it’s a dark and moody color palette used all over in small rooms to create the ultimate cozy space; or mid-tones applied liberally to make a fun statement (aka Lucy Williams’ much-loved blue living room), color drenching feels so stylish and slightly playful.'

'Ditching the harsh white contrasts often apparent when using bolder paint colors more sparingly, color drenching proves we should all be more daring with our paint colors, and it’s a trend I very much hope endures in the coming year.'

6. Perfectly imperfect interiors

'This year I have loved seeing the rise of characterful, rich interiors that embrace a more ‘imperfect’ and ‘lived in’ look,' says Zara Stacey, Managing Editor. 'People are becoming braver (and more relaxed simultaneously) to create interior spaces where authenticity, character, and individuality take center stage.'

'Moving away from a clinical, uniformed, and ‘show-home’ feel, this look champions a feeling of richness through a more maximalist, mismatched, hand-crafted, and colorful style,' Zara explains. 'Of course, this may not sound like a ‘trend’, for many, this is just how we naturally approach decorating our homes.'

'But over the last few years, I would say it is a decorating style, or ‘ethos’, that has been more popular than ever in the world of interior design, with many of the biggest other trends from this year, such as unexpected color combinations, bookshelf wealth and intentional clutter, contributing to the rise of the perfectly imperfect home – I can’t wait to see how this style evolves further in 2025…'

Homes & Gardens Editors Least Favorite Trends of 2024

1. Chrome

The chrome decor trend is something that our Head of Interiors, Hebe, has found herself shying away from.

'My home and style just isn't cool enough for this 2024 trend,' she explains. 'And while I do love that very chic, modern vibe chrome decor gives to a room, I much prefer cozy, characterful trends that I know won't date in a few years. Chrome is very in line with minimalist interiors which I do think are on the out, or at least there's a new, more textured, and organic way of doing the look.'

2. Purple

'Outing the purple comeback as my ‘worst’ interior design trend of the year feels to be going against the grain since it’s infiltrated many paint brand’s Color of the Year announcements, but it’s the one and only color I just can’t get on board with when it comes to interiors,' Emily explains.

'While I do appreciate the muddier, brown-ish darker purples, the dramatic violet tones we’ve seen come to the fore in recent months feel so early 2000s-esque to me and tricky to style,' she explains.

'That said, I’m looking forward to seeing how designers pull off decorating with purple in 2025!'

3. Brat Green

Since dropping her album Brat in June, singer Charli XCX's neon brat green aesthetic had a chokehold on pop culture. From fashion to homeware (and our summer) brat green completely took over. Which felt fun in theory – but in our homes feels overwhelming and difficult to work with.

My main issue with brat green is its intensity. Unlike nature-inspired greens such as sage or olive, which exude calm and sophistication, brat green has an almost synthetic-like quality that makes it hard to integrate into most design schemes.'

Now I'm not someone to shy away from decorating with primary colors, but there's something about this vibrant, lime green that just makes me shudder. In fact, I've well and truly got the ick.

4. Quiet Luxury

Managing Editor Zara is getting tired of the quiet luxury trend. 'Quiet luxury remains one of the biggest interior design trends for a reason. It’s sophisticated, timeless, and feels like a more warm and layered take on minimalism – I can fully understand and appreciate the appeal, however, for me, it just feels a little too safe and, dare I say it, boring...' says Zara.

'I’m a big fan of a more maximalist look when it comes to interior decorating - more is always more in my home! As someone drawn to rich patterns, bold colors, and an eclectic mix of styles, the overly neutral, muted and more Scandi-style of quiet luxury isn’t filled with enough visual character and excitement for my liking.'

'I’m not a fan of anything too pared-back, so the overly minimal aesthetic was my least favorite trend from the past year,' agrees Eleanor. 'It made its debut in many designers' homes and projects but thankfully it wasn’t the most popular trend of 2024.'

5. Stainless Steel Kitchens

'If there's one trend I want to leave firmly behind in 2024, it's the stainless steel kitchen trend,' says our resident kitchen expert Molly.

'In a year when there was so much emphasis on creating cozy, lived-in kitchens, it feels like a really misplaced kitchen trend,' she explains. 'While there's nothing wrong with adding stainless steel kitchen appliances to your kitchen, a steel-drenched space that encompasses the countertops and cabinets feels so cold and clinical. Plus, it's incredibly hard to clean stainless steel. It's industrial in all the wrong ways, so let's leave this style for commercial kitchens!'

6. Dopamine Decor

It is no surprise that Head of Celebrity Megan, who famously loves an all-black outfit, will be glad to see the back of overly bright dopamine decor ideas.

'I understand the appeal behind 'dopamine decor' and all the bright hues that come with this trend – but as someone who likes to surround myself with more muted colors, this one isn’t my favorite.'

'Again, if these vibrant shapes and tones are something you like, I’m certainly not going to discourage that, but in my home, I love browns, creams, and other neutrals – introducing smaller pockets of color through artwork, books, and plants. So, it has to be said that dopamine decor can stay in 2024 for me.'

With every trend, good or bad, the key is to approach it with a critical eye and adapt it in ways that feel authentic to your home and style.

Ultimately, if a trend speaks to you – whether we back it or not – then go for it. Focusing on your personal style is always the best foot forward.

Cleaning is not always on the top of our lists let's face it, and more often than not, we want to get it done and over with as quickly as possible.

There's always something to do though isn't there – from the top of the kitchen cabinetry to the floor in the pantry. We tend to stick to our tried and tested methods combined with the same old products, but are we actually making cleaning mistakes that are costing us time?

We've spoken to our top cleaning professionals to ask them what they think the biggest cleaning mistakes are and how to swap them for efficient methods instead – because let's face it, we all should be cleaning the kitchen more for starters.

1. Not planning ahead enough

We're all guilty of this one – wanting to get the cleaning chores done as soon as possible. However, if we break this bad housekeeping habit and spend a little time planning ahead, it makes us much more efficient and more motivated to clean.

Alessandro Gazzo, cleaning expert at Emily's Maids of Dallas explains, 'Not planning out your cleaning routine is a cleaning mistake that makes your chores harder. You will lose way more time by not planning out because you will jump from task to task and waste extra time and energy.'

What is the best way to go about this? 'Set 5 minutes to decide on the cleaning tasks, then time blocks for each one and the cleaning supplies you will need,' says Alessandro.

Incorporating your cleaning chores into a planner, we love Papier's Italian Summer productivity planner that comes in four colors and has daily and monthly options.

2. Using rechargeable vacuums

Hand-held products are tempting, they take up less room and are easier to manoeuvre. But they have a downside, Sabrina Fierman, director of New York's Little Elves says, 'One of the pet peeves of our teams is rechargeable vacuum cleaners that run out of power and don’t have enough suction requiring more cleaning and waiting time.'

It can be an issue, and it's best to do your research on which handheld vacuum is worth investing in. If you have a lot of carpets then considering the best best vacuum cleaners that can tackle high and low piles, and has great suction.

3. Picking products that scratch or stain

According to Sabrina, 'I think the biggest cleaning mistakes made are using the wrong products (abrasive ones or solutions that are too strong) that will scratch or strip finishes – either immediately or over time, or products that leave streaking and build up. I particularly love Magic American's grout cleaner for ceramic and porcelain tiles.'

Alessandro agrees and says sometimes we make the mistake of applying a product and scrubbing right away (unless instructions indicate otherwise). 'Most cleaning products act chemically, not mechanically. In other words, you need to give it time and not necessarily rub and scrub. You will waste more time and energy and can even scratch the surface.'

Check out Alessandro's top three gentle, yet effective and preferred cleaning products, below.

4. Having too many products in your arsenal

It's easy to get tempted by the lasted product that's said to clean 'everywhere' in your home, and make your life much easier, but more often that not, it's a gimmick (there are plenty that cleaning experts hate) and it won't do what it says on the tin. And no, never be tempted to combine your extra products – this is firmly among the worst cleaning tips we've seen on Reddit.

As a result, we end up with a cupboard full of promising products that are literally gathering dust! 'Overcomplicating your cleaning pantry or cleaning caddy makes your chores harder,' says Alessandro. 'You waste time switching between products, reading the instructions and even sometimes having to use additional supplies like sponges and towels. Stick to all-purpose cleaners and no more than five cleaning products in total.'

Alessandro recommends the Casabella plastic multipurpose cleaning storage caddy with handle, from Amazon, for keeping your key products in.

5. Working up instead of down

This is a common problem that we're all guilty of, we look at eye level and floors, instead of up.

Forrest Webber, founder of Bear Brothers Cleaning explains, 'Starting with the floors is like drying off after a shower while still standing under the water. All the crumbs, dust, and mystery particles from higher surfaces will fall back down. Instead, work top to bottom – start with shelves, counters, and those cobwebs in the corners you’ve been pretending not to see. Let gravity do its thing so you only have to tackle the floors once. Efficiency for the win!'

Check out our three buys that will help you tackle from ceiling to floor.

6. Not allowing things to dry

When it comes to cleaning we generally want it to be done as quickly as possible which allows mistakes to happen.

'Another big mistake is not drying things completely – so that fixtures are clean but don’t look it due to water drying and leaving spots and streaks,' says Sabrina.

To combat this, give your fixtures enough time to dry naturally, or give them a helping hand with a cloth. Glass cloths are good option for this as they're smear free.

7. Failing to clean your tools

'A workman is only as good as his tools', as the saying goes and this one couldn't be more true. It's vitally important we take the time to clean the tools we use for cleaning.

'Dirty mops, dusty vacuums, and grimy sponges are like using a dirty fork to stir your soup – counterproductive and kind of gross, says Forrest. How to get into the routine of cleaning them? Take five minutes at the end of your cleaning session to check each item over.

'Wash microfiber cloths, rinse mop heads, and empty vacuum canisters regularly. A clean tool is like a happy co-worker – productive and drama-free,' he adds.

8. Overusing air fresheners and scents

There are scents, and there are scents. Walking into a freshly cleaned house that has natural scents cleverly dotted about is uplifting for sure, but waking into one that overwhelmingly smells of artificial air fresheners and plug-ins is a different matter – and one that can be causing health issues too.

Forrest explains, 'Spraying air fresheners everywhere to mask odors is not fooling anyone. First, address the source of the odor – clean the trash can, air out the space, and use baking soda where needed. Then, go ahead and spritz your favorite scent. The goal is fresh air, not cover-ups.'

Light Anthropologie's Volcano candles throughout your home – synonymous with all of their stores – for a fresh and uplifting scent.

Meet our experts

Learn how to speed through your cleaning chores successfully, without making the key mistakes we all make.

Next, delve into what professional cleaners always spot in dirty homes and how to clean behind radiators - a prime missed spot.

As a frequent collaborator with Wayfair, Kelly Clarkson has become a trusted voice in the world of interior design. Her collections are chic and affordable and, as such, provide us with a consistent source of sophisticated (and accessible) home styling inspiration.

In fact, the singer, songwriter, and talk show host recently hopped on Instagram to share her holiday home essentials, and we have to say that we are on board with them.

Her first pick? 'Multiple trees [available from Wayfair],' she states in the clip. 'My kids each get one in their rooms; they're smaller, and they get to decorate in their own little style.'

She continues, 'Gingerbread houses because we do them every year. Sometimes, they don't make it all the way to getting built because you eat them. I am all about a snuggly blanket. [Also,] Christmas village [on Wayfair] – we have an old school, classic Christmas village, and it lights up and makes me happy.' Below, we have rounded up Clarkson's essentials, because it's not too late to follow her lead before the big day.

Clarkson's picks aside, our editors have hand-picked some Christmas decor essentials that are shaping their own homes this December. We particularly love these velvet bows (from Anthropologie) – an instant way to tap into one of the biggest holiday trends (bows) of the year.

Last week, global color authority Pantone named Mocha Mousse as Color of the Year 2025 and the Gardens team at H&G couldn't be more excited. This warm shade of brown is one that easily complements foliage and florals, thanks to its earthy tone, making it effortless to incorporate into indoor gardens.

I personally don't see the Pantone Color of the Year 2025 going out of style any time soon. It's somewhat of a staple in the neutrals color palette, so there's no doubt investing in Mocha Mousse planters and vases now will serve your home for years to come.

Whether you have a large indoor plant collection or like to grow the best cutting garden flowers, I've got you covered. I searched high and low for the best Mocha Mousse planters and compiled them right here - I promise there's something for everyone.

Mocha Mousse Planters

Mocha Mousse Vases

There are so many options for styling your houseplants with Mocha Mousse planters and vases, all of which have their own unique touch. If you love Pantone's Color of the Year just as much as we do, you might be interested in other ways to decorate with brown to embrace 2025's winning hue.

Real Christmas trees are magical. With the fresh smell of pine and the excitement of picking out the perfect one to bring home and decorate with your family, there is nothing quite like it.

However, the magic can start to wain when your real Christmas tree starts to drop needles, leak sap, and smell bad. So how do you keep a home clean with a real fir in the mix, and extend the magic a little longer?

We asked professional cleaners for their top cleaning tips for keeping a home spic and span with a real tree.

How to keep your home clean with a real Christmas tree

Bringing home a real tree means committing to cleaning up regularly and watering a Christmas tree to keep it looking its best for longer. Failing to consider good tree maintenance is one of the most common real Christmas tree mistakes and can lead to unwanted smells.

Here’s how to easily incorporate Christmas tree care into your cleaning routine to keep things tidy, and your home smelling good this Christmas.

1. Shake it out before bringing it in

Before bringing a Christmas tree home, always shake it out, suggests Tim Conn, co-founder, cleaning expert, and president at Image One USA, ‘Before bringing your Christmas tree inside, give it a good shake outside to dislodge any loose needles.’

Shaking your tree thoroughly can also help to dislodge any bugs or pests before you accidentally bring them inside, so you won’t have to spend Christmas day running around with homemade bug sprays or vacuuming your ceiling.

2. Keep it watered

If your Christmas tree is drying out, it is more likely to drop needles and make a mess. Taylor Riley, cleaning professional and founder of Boom. facility Service Advisors says, ‘The first step to keeping your house clean during Christmas with a real tree is simple: keep it watered. A hydrated tree lasts longer and drops fewer needles overall.’

Using a tree stand with an integrated water reservoir, available at Walmart, is the best way to keep your tree hydrated and reduce the risk of it falling over.

To stop dropped pined blocking your vacuum cleaner, head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, says, 'Use a dustpan and brush to gather and remove the majority of the pine needles. I made the mistake one Christmas of vacuuming heavy pine drops and blocked my canister vacuum. Now I gather the bulk with a long handled dustpan and brush, available on Amazon, gathering them from the outside perimeter inwards. Then, I vacuum the rest.'

3. Vacuum daily

Generally speaking, when it comes to how often you should vacuum, we recommend twice a week. As soon as you bring a real tree home, however, this should increase to every day – at least around your tree.

Tim Conn, cleaning expert says, ‘When cleaning around the tree, vacuum regularly with a handheld or stick vacuum designed for hardwood floors. If you are having trouble sweeping all the needles, a rubber broom can help get the stragglers.’

Taylor Riley, cleaning professional also agrees that the best cordless vacuum is a good investment for this, saying, ‘Another game-changer for me is having a cordless vacuum within arm’s reach. Needles seem to appear out of nowhere, so a quick vacuum session every couple of days keeps things looking tidy. The cordless design makes it easy to get around without dealing with plugs or cords, saving time and hassle.’

If you fancy the splurge and don’t want to spend all your Christmas cleaning, picking the best robot vacuum will keep your floor neat without any effort. Especially if you pick a self-emptying model such as the eufy X10 Pro Omni robot which our Solved editor, Punteha van Terheyden reviewed and adored as a busy homeowner with chronic pain. However, it is is advised to use this for general, not pine needle vacuuming as the robot may become blocked or damaged.

4. Use a tree skirt

Christmas tree skirt ideas do more than add to your Christmas decor and offer a place for your presents. They are a top tool in protecting your flooring from a real tree and keeping your home clean.

Taylor Riley, cleaning professional, reminds us, ‘No matter how diligent you are about watering, some needles will still fall – it's inevitable. To tackle this, I’ve always relied on a good tree skirt [such as this best-selling knitted tree skirt, from Walmart, which comes in seven colors]. Not only does it add a nice decorative touch, but it also catches the majority of those fallen needles. When it’s time to clean up, I can just take the skirt outside and shake it off to get rid of the mess in one go.’

Our interiors team have hunted down beautiful tree skirt ideas.

5. Keep your tree ventilated

While we might have shut up our windows to keep our homes warm over winter, it is still important to improve ventilation in your home and around your tree to prevent musty odors.

Tim Conn, cleaning expert explains that, ‘Ventilation is key to keeping your house fresh during the winter, especially with a real Christmas tree. Ensuring proper airflow around the tree can prevent it from becoming musty. Consider including a humidifier to decrease the amount of dry air throughout the house.’

Punteha, head of Solved brought home a freshly cut tree from a Christmas tree farm and the entire tree was wet through from heavy rain. She popped on her small dehumidifier from Amazon, next to the tree and the branches and pines were dry within two hours, without adding excess humidity to the living room.

There are, of course, several ways to make your home smell good for Christmas, but they should only ever be used to supplement the smell of your real tree, not mask bad odors if your Christmas tree smells bad.

6. Use rubbing alcohol or ice for tree sap

Cleaning up Christmas tree sap and pine resin is a tough task, but one you have to stay on top of if you don’t want to permanently damage your home or furnishings.

Tim Conn, cleaning expert, says, ‘Wear gloves when handling your tree to avoid transferring sap to furniture, floors, clothes, or more. If sap does get on any surfaces, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer works well for efficient removal. For sap stuck on fabric, use an ice cube to freeze the sap and harden it, then gently scrape it off with a butter knife.’

Rubbing alcohol is great for many cleaning tasks around the home, though there are some things you should never clean with rubbing alcohol to prevent damage or discoloration, including leather and natural stone surfaces such as granite and marble.

When choosing a Christmas tree, look at trees that look healthy and do not have drooping or browning needles for a tree that will last longer in your home. Be on the lookout for pests, too, as this can reduce the integrity of your tree and cause more mess and havoc by Christmas day.

Next, learn about the DIY deodorizing spray that banished bad Christmas tree smells for our head of Solved.

Are you looking for a new addition to your traditional Christmas decor? After much digging, I'm making a case for this 100-year-old German tradition that is the answer to all my whimsical, folky Christmas dreams.

Sure, we all know the Christmas decorating classics: tree ornaments, fairy lights, pine cones, Christmas wreaths, and Christmas garlands, but have you ever considered a putz house or two?

The charm of the vintage Christmas decor trend isn't fading just yet, so I've been on the hunt for something sugary sweet, and totally retro to add to my collection of paper garlands, mercury baubles, and icicle tinsel. Here, I'm making a case for the return of putz houses.

What is a 'putz house'?

So I'm sure you're wondering what is a 'putz house' anyway?

These miniature festive houses hail from Germany and became popular in the early 20th century, around 100 years ago. Designed to look like little festive European homes with pitched roofs and pretty decor, the name comes from the German word putzen, which means 'to decorate' or 'to adorn'.

Usually around 5-10 inches tall, the original versions were typically handmade using paper or cardboard and accessorized with glitter to create a nostalgic Christmas village to display on the mantel, window, or under the tree. When you bring a cluster of them together, they create an enchanting, magical display that is perfect for capturing that cozy, vintage Christmas vibe we're all seeking.

Today, you'll find them made from paper, ceramic, or wood and can pick them up from Target for as little as $5, shop handcrafted versions from small sellers, or go all out and score this rare Complete set of 8 Christmas Putz Houses at 1st Dibs that is currently selling for just under $7,000. Here are a few of my favorites I have found to shop now in time for Christmas.

If you’re looking to add a unique and personal touch to your Christmas decorations, putz houses might just be the missing piece you've been looking for. Beyond just being super cute, they embody a rich heritage of craftsmanship and will bring a sense of warm nostalgia to your home.

As H&G's home tech editor and an eCommerce journalist of three years, I've covered all there is to know about getting the most bank for your buck during major sale events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

During I've learned some simple but very effective tricks to make sure I'm finding the best deals, quickly, every time. Amidst the Black Friday rush, you'll find brands and retailers flashing exciting deals with new, low prices on products you've never heard of. To cut through the noise and to make sure you're only shopping for genuinely good deals, here are four simple tips to get it right.

Follow these steps when you're shopping for the best Black Friday home deals to find the lowest prices on goods you actually want.

1. Shop online

Gone are the days where shoppers would rush into stores as soon as they're open. While it might seem more exciting to be able to get hands-on with the products you're buying, you're almost certainly going to be seeing a lesser selection of goods and offers.

In-store you're limited to each retailer's pricing and stock. Online, you can browse the same product across countless stores to find the best price, and you'll have plenty more choice when shopping around.

2. Do your research first

If you're looking for something specific – say, for example, a Black Friday air fryer deal – research the exact model or models you want before the sales start. When the deals start landing and products start selling out, you don't want to slow yourself down by comparing which reduced air fryer is the right one for you.

Also, Black Friday sales are notorious for flashy, 'bigger-than-ever' deals that draw you in with their huge savings. While these might be great for casual shoppers, in my experience they're often older models that people wouldn't have usually bought, or exaggerated discounts, where retailers raise the prices beforehand so that the discount looks bigger on the day.

To do proper research, read reviews from publications rather than online user reviews, as it's not always easy to know whether they're genuine or not. We've reviewed hundreds of products at Homes & Gardens, including the best air fryers, vacuum cleaners, coffee makers and pizza ovens.

Once you know what you're looking for, you can ignore the noise and go straight to where your product is the cheapest, leading to my next point...

3. Use price comparison tools

I use a few tools to make sure I'm only providing the absolute best deals to our readers: Google Shopping, Honey, and CamelCamelCamel.

Once you know what product you're looking to buy, search for it on Google Shopping. Rather than visiting each online retailer to find where it's cheapest, Google Shopping will display them all side-by-side. It's a quick and easy way to find the lowest price.

Honey works similarly. You can install it as an extension on your browser so that, whenever you're on a product page, it'll automatically detect whether it's cheaper elsewhere, and will occasionally show any available promo codes for even further discounts. Honey will also show price history for a product up to the past 120 days, an incredibly helpful feature for finding out whether the deal is a genuinely good price or an exaggerated discount.

Google Shopping and Honey won't always display the same selection of retailers, so I recommend consulting both to make sure nothing's missed.

And finally, if you're shopping on Amazon, use CamelCamelCamel to get detailed insight into the product you're buying. Unlike Honey, Camel will display price history from the moment the product was launched on the site, so you're able to know whether it's the lowest price ever.

4. Utilize subscriber promos

If you've never shopped at an online store before, chances are they'll have an option to subscribe to their email newsletter with an incentive like: '10% off your first order.' Make the most of this. You can always unsubscribe immediately after (which I recommend to keep your emails tidier), or you can stay subscribed for early access to any future deals or new releases.

Next, browse our editors' handpicked selection of the best home deals in the Black Friday sales:

• Coffee maker deals
• Shark vacuum deals
• Anthropologie sale
• Ninja deals
• Gozney deals

One of the biggest holiday gifting trends for 2024 has, unsurprisingly, come from TikTok. And the viral 'burr basket' could just be the easiest, go-to gifting idea I've found this year.

Also referred to as a 'jingle basket', this hamper alternative is a cheat sheet to creating a basket of the best home decor gifts and coziest self-care goodies to encourage a loved one to spend a little time in the slow lane, lower their shoulders, and snuggle up this festive season.

As a shopping expert, it is my job to find the most stylish gifts and home decor on the market, so if you're looking to give the coziest (and most on-trend) gift this Thanksgiving or Christmas, here's my checklist to creating your own super chic, budget-friendly 'burr basket'.

How to create your own 'burr basket' for the holidays

If, like me, you feel like you've used up possibly every good gift idea going by now, perhaps curating a 'burr basket' could be the answer to your gifting woes.

Typically filled with warm and welcoming buys that help your giftee plan the ultimate winter night in, this gift doesn't need to cost the earth. Similar to a stocking, think about adding a plush throw blanket, slippers or socks, chocolate, candy, beauty gifts, and some personalized treats too. I'd also recommend throwing in a Netflix Gift Card from Amazon so they can watch Nancy Meyers' movies on repeat over the holidays.

Here are the 15 best buys I've found to help you curate a 'burr basket' of dreams.