Balance, movement, precision – these principles define the game of tennis as much as they speak to the art of interior design. And for athlete-turned-designer Venus Williams, they’re the hallmarks of her debut collection with Crate & Barrel.

Though many of us recognize Venus for her accolades on the court, she’s just as much of a force with her interior design firm V Starr – where she fuses her knowledge of tennis with her design sensibilities to develop interior schemes that are as thoughtfully driven as her hundred-mile-per-hour serve. This Crate & Barrel collection is Venus' latest endeavor – just after her recent stint at the US Open – and in a way, it’s a synthesis of her passions, sophisticatedly and tastefully joined together.

‘The inspiration came from a lifetime of loving design,’ Venus tells Homes & Gardens about the 128-piece collection, complete with everything from lighting and accent chairs to pillows and even kids' decor. ‘I’ve always been drawn to pieces that feel artful, architectural, and timeless; pieces that make a statement and that you can envision living with forever,’ she continues.

Venus drew from a vast range of influences to develop the range. You’ll notice natural woods and earth tones that speak to Venus’ passion for mid-century style, as well as organic curves and sculptural forms that reflect her love of Brazilian modernism. The collection's sophisticated, quietly luxurious undertone speaks to Venus’ appreciation for Italian design, having been inspired by it on a trip to Italy with Crate & Barrel’s Head of Design, Sebastian Brauer.

Tennis, of course, is a central theme of the range. Though some obvious references are evident – the ball-clad Motion Stone Pendant and the lined Court Throw Pillow Cover being two of them – the sport’s inclusion is a bit more nuanced than that.

‘In tennis, precision matters, but so does knowing when not to overdo something. I approached this collection in a similar way,’ Venus muses. There’s a strong push and pull between balance and restraint through the collection’s details – for instance, the curves and the angles, the softness and the rigidity, and even the sophistication and the playful edge. Getting that balance right, according to Venus, makes the collection feel ‘intentional and artful, and still comfortable.’

Venus and her design team worked with a range of materials and textures to make this collection come to life. You’ll find everything from smooth Italian marbles and grainy oak woods to nubby chenille fabrics and even high-gloss finishes. Consider it Venus’ masterclass in mixing, matching, and thoughtful contrast.

As for color, the collection’s palette is relaxed and sophisticated, composed of rich browns, maroons, ivories, greens, and soft tans. These shades are a nod to traditional tennis colors, but also give the collection its sense of longevity and timelessness. Clearly, Venus wants these pieces to stay desirable in your home for years to come.

Venus Williams’ collection with Crate & Barrel is an artful blend of sport and style – built from years of skillful play, immense design knowledge, and Venus’ own repertoire of references. It’s Venus’ hope that these pieces become personal objects that you treasure, ‘bringing a sense of beauty and individuality to your home while feeling enduring enough to live with you for many years,' she remarks.

Shop the highlights of Venus' timeless, tasteful, and inspired collection below.

Shop Venus Williams' Collection at Crate & Barrel

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Color of the Year season is officially underway, and the next paint brand to unveil its hue of choice is Sherwin-Williams, revealing Celery SW 6421, a crisp pale green, as its 2027 Color of the Year.

Light, bright, and refreshingly zingy, Celery is a soothing, cool-toned green with soft yellow notes. It's not the first green to be announced as a Color of the Year so far; in fact, 2027 color trends are filled with earthy, organic hues rooted in nature. Iconic British paint brand Dulux announced Soulful Sage as their Color of the Year, and Behr has chosen a moody olive shade, Grounded.

But Celery isn't a sage, nor is it an olive. This is a pale, almost yellow green that's fresh rather than the muted hues we have been seeing so much of. 'Celery has a lightness and freshness that gives green a new energy for 2027,' explains Ashley Banbury, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams. 'It's a soft, fresh yellow-green with subtle warmth, so it feels uplifting without becoming overly bright or saturated. That balance makes it especially livable. Celery can bring a gentle wash of color to a room while maintaining the airy, comfortable quality homeowners often look for in everyday spaces.'

While sage green paints are excellent at grounding a scheme, brighter, paler shades like Celery can be just as soothing. 'Green is one of those colors that feels instantly familiar because we're surrounded by it in nature,' Ashley explains. 'That connection can make green especially comfortable to live with in the home; it brings color into a room while still feeling grounded and approachable.'

'There's also incredible range within the green paint family,' Ashley adds, 'from deep, enveloping forest tones to softer, more uplifting shades. That versatility gives homeowners an opportunity to embrace green in a way that feels authentic to their personal style while creating spaces that feel connected to the outdoors.'

What makes Celery feel like more of a fresh take on green is its soft but bright yellow undertones. It has a vibrancy that popular olive and sage shades do not, making it perfect for spaces in need of a little brightness.

That's not to say you can't give this paint some grounding and earthiness; it's a versatile shade that can change depending on what you layer it with. 'Celery is incredibly versatile when it comes to building a palette around it,' explains Ashley. 'For a light and relaxed look, I love pairing it with breathable neutrals like White Flour SW 7102 or Woven Wicker SW 9104. If you want to create more depth, earthy shades like Artichoke SW 6179 and Cocoon SW 6173 reinforce Celery's connection to nature, while Georgian Bay SW 6509 (pictured above) introduces a richer contrast.'

By considering the colors that go with green, you can choose to go bold or subtle with Celery. 'You can also take the palette in a more expressive direction with Kirsch Red SW 6313 or Plum Brown SW 6272 for warmth and sophistication,' Ashley suggests, 'or Potentially Purple SW 6821 and Cosmos SW 6528 for softer, unexpected accents. Celery gives you a fresh foundation that can be styled in many different ways.'

'Celery shows that our connection to nature isn't going away, but the way we're interpreting nature-inspired color is evolving,' Ashley continues. 'We're moving toward hues that still provide a sense of comfort and restoration but also bring more freshness, lightness, and personality into the home. Rather than creating spaces that feel overly styled or perfect, there's an emphasis on interiors that feel welcoming, layered and reflective of everyday life.'

Calming colors like pale greens are a wise choice if you're looking to create a sense of tranquility in your space. 'Celery captures that mood because it feels calming and familiar while still offering enough energy to make a space feel renewed,' she adds.

'It also has an organic character that allows it to work beautifully across styles, whether paired with clean contemporary finishes, vintage-inspired pieces or natural materials and textures.'

The Celery Shopping Edit

Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year is refreshing yet equally livable. It's pale enough to feel subtle, yet bright enough to catch the eye and inspire, uplift, and soothe as soon as you enter a space.

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Pioneering paint brand Lick has launched an eight-shade palette, inspired by the shift towards more personal, collected interiors. Featuring three new paint colours alongside a handful of familiar favourites, the 'A Soulful Home' palette provides comfort through colour.

Whilst the palette aligns with 2027 colour trends, its liveability is what makes it unique. 'When we started thinking about the 2027 Colour Edit, I kept coming back to the idea that the most successful homes are the ones that feel completely connected to the people living in them,' Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at Lick, tells Homes & Gardens. 'You can walk into a room and almost immediately sense when it has been designed around someone's real life rather than around an image of what a beautiful home is supposed to be.'

'That became the starting point for A Soulful Home. We wanted to explore how colour can help create that emotional layer within an interior – the warmth, familiarity and personality that makes somewhere feel like your home.'

The eight-shade paint edit balances vibrancy with calming hues, perfect for creating a lasting scheme that inspires and endures. The palette features Blue 05, soothing Green 09, classic White 03, grounding Brown 02, and moody Teal 03. Three new shades are joining the palette, too: rich Red 07, bold Green 23, and calming Pink 14.

'We're surrounded by so much visual inspiration now that it's incredibly easy to know what everybody else's homes look like,' explains Tash. 'But I think the interesting shift for 2027 is that we're beginning to turn that attention back onto ourselves: What colours am I naturally drawn to? What memories do they bring back? What environments make me feel at my best? How do I actually want to live in this room?'

The Soulful Home edit is filled with room colour ideas based on feel as well as look. 'The palette has been built around those different emotional needs,' Tash adds. 'You have the cocooning depth of Red 07, the grounding quality of Brown 02, the nurturing softness of Pink 14, the restorative feeling of Green 09, alongside the joy of Green 23, the uplifting quality of Blue 05 and the stimulating richness of Teal 03, all given breathing space by warm White 03.'

'And there's a reason we've created an edit of eight colours rather than declaring one single colour of the year. We very rarely experience colour in isolation. The feeling of a colour changes according to what you put beside it, the materials around it, the light, and even the proportion in which you use it. We wanted to give people a palette they could interpret rather than a trend they had to follow.'

The most timeless paint colours are those you're drawn to. These eight shades reflect colour trends, yet provide comfort and familiarity that will last beyond a year. Saturated, rich, and ultimately grounding, they're shades that work side by side or solo.

'You might be drawn to three of these colours; someone else might choose a completely different four. That's the point. Soul isn't an aesthetic. It's personal,' Tash explains. 'So although these colours reflect where we believe design and culture are heading in 2027, they're really an invitation to look inward rather than outward. Instead of asking, ‘What should my home look like?’, it's about asking, ‘What do I want my home to give back to me?'

'What I love about these eight colours is that there's this wonderful overarching warmth to them – and I don't simply mean that they're all ‘warm colours’. There's a warmth in the feeling of the palette. Before you even look at the palette, my advice would be to work out the purpose of the space you're decorating – and I don't just mean whether it's a kitchen, bedroom, or living room. Think about the life that actually happens there.'

When bringing the palette into your home, Tash advises to start by considering how you use each room. 'I'd start building a palette of perhaps three or four colours, rather than thinking that every shade needs to appear as paint,' she says. 'That's another reason we create an eight-colour edit: colour is relational. Change the proportion or placement of a colour, and you can completely change how it feels.'

'For example, you might fall in love with Pink 14 and use that as the dominant colour across the walls of a living room. Then look to Brown 02 as inspiration for the sofa or a beautiful piece of furniture, and bring in Teal 03 as a smaller accent through a rug, cushion, artwork or lamp. Suddenly you've taken three colours from the same edit but interpreted them entirely through your own furniture and possessions.'

'That's what I want people to have fun with. Don't think of the Colour Edit as eight paint colours that need to go onto eight walls,' she says. 'Think of it as the starting point for the entire room. Pull those shades through upholstery, rugs, curtains, ceramics, artwork, natural materials and pieces you already own.'

You could even take the full palette and allow it to travel through the house, changing the hierarchy from room to room. One shade becomes dominant here, another appears as an accent there, and suddenly there's a subtle thread connecting the whole home without every room looking the same.'

Built upon emotion rather than fleeting trends, A Soulful Home is filled with emotive, comforting, and restorative hues that serve a purpose greater than just aesthetics. 'Ultimately, a soulful home isn't something you can copy,' Tash says. 'It's built from the colours, objects, routines and little everyday moments that mean something to you. Work out how you want to live first, and then use colour to support that feeling.'

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The Opening Note

Fall is one of my favorite times of year, and after the many heatwaves we’ve had this summer, I have to admit I’m more than ready for it. There’s something about the change in season that makes me want to slow down, spend more time at home, and make everything feel a little warmer and more inviting.

I’ve always thought that getting a home ready for fall should be less about decorating for the season and more about adjusting the way we live in our spaces. I’m not particularly interested in filling a room with obvious fall motifs or making everything feel themed.

The easiest place to start is with texture. As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, I find myself reaching for wool throws, linen cushions, heavier blankets, and anything else that adds a little softness. Swapping lighter summer textiles for pieces with more weight and texture can completely change the atmosphere of a room, without requiring a complete redo. These Lulu & Georgia Molloy Vases were the first on my list for a quick and easy update.

Fall color is another simple way to make a home feel ready for the season ahead. I love bringing in deeper, warmer shades at this time of year – burgundy, olive, rust, ochre, camel, and rich browns are all particularly appealing. But I think restraint is important. You don't need to turn your home into a sea of autumnal color. A single pillow, a lampshade, a piece of pottery, or even a small accessory can introduce enough warmth to shift the mood of a room.

In fact, I’m increasingly drawn to seasonal decorating that doesn't look overly seasonal at all. The best additions are the ones that make sense in your home long after fall has passed. A beautiful wool throw will still be useful in January; an earthy-toned ceramic vase will work just as well in spring; a well-made basket can hold blankets now and beach towels next summer. I think the most successful homes are built around pieces that can evolve with them rather than things that only have a place for three months of the year.

Fall is also the perfect time to rethink storage. There’s something very satisfying about putting away the things that belong to summer and making room for what we’ll actually use over the coming months. Outdoor cushions, picnic blankets, lightweight throws, and summer accessories can all be packed away, while baskets and storage boxes keep everything organized without making a room feel overly functional.

And I think beautiful storage is particularly important here. We spend so much time thinking about the things that are on display, but the pieces that help a home function deserve just as much consideration. A well-designed basket or a beautiful storage box can make a practical corner feel intentional rather than like somewhere you've simply run out of places to put things.

As we move into fall and winter, our homes inevitably become more hardworking. We spend more time indoors, cook more, entertain at home, and rely on our living spaces in a different way. Lighting becomes more important. Cozy living room ideas and snug rooms matter more. Blankets need to be within easy reach. Even the way we organize an entryway can make a difference when coats, boots, and umbrellas suddenly become part of everyday life again.

I’m a firm believer that these practical considerations should be part of decorating rather than something we think about afterward. A home shouldn't have to choose between being beautiful and being functional.

There’s also an opportunity to have a little fun. Because some of these seasonal changes are relatively small, fall can be a good time to experiment with a color or material you might not want to commit to more permanently. A richer paint color, a patterned fabric, a vintage piece will make your home all the more charming.

The Edit: Fall Favorites

The Very British Edit is a shoppable guide to beautiful living with a distinctly British twist. From heritage patterns to timeless decor inspirations, each edition blends personal insight, design expertise, and a love of craftsmanship. It is stylish, trustworthy, and endlessly inspiring.

Heritage paint brand Little Greene has added 27 new comforting colors to its books. Refreshingly current yet rooted in the past, each new paint feels distinct but quietly connected – responding to the color trends of the moment while drawing on palettes that have endured for centuries.

The new paints are scattered among Little Greene's Colors of England and Color Scales collections. From orange-infused ochres to light-changing teal-meets-green, these timeless paints bring warmth, comfort, and gentle saturation into the home.

'Color trends are always an evolution rather than a revolution,' Creative Director of Little Greene, Ruth Mottershead, tells Homes & Gardens. 'Over the past decade we've watched the mood move through rich blues into teals, then softer neutral greens, then bold yellows that deepened into ochres and caramels, before settling into stone-based neutrals and indulgent browns.'

'For the latest colors, we had really noticed consumers looking for balance,' she explains. 'If you imagine today's most-loved neutrals sitting on a pH scale, they'd sit right in the middle at a five or six, neither too warm nor too cool.'

Six new colors feature in the Colors of England collection, a line inspired by English history and heritage. Ashes of Marigold, a retro orange, represents the defining colors of the 1970s. 'Over the past decade, color trends have slowly drifted away from pure bright orange ‘Marigold’, whilst warm terracotta tones and burnt orange shades have become more popular,' says Ruth. 'Our new Ashes of Marigold carries the vibrancy of orange, yet is tempered with a subtle touch of black. It reads more as a gentle, earthy terracotta rather than a vibrant statement color.'

Shades like Perpetual Blue feel just as rooted in the past. 'I'm particularly drawn to Perpetual Blue at the moment,' says Ruth. 'It's taken from a surviving paint palette belonging to Winston Churchill, from his studio at Chartwell. It's a mid to deep blue with a touch of green running through it, so it responds beautifully to changing light throughout the day. It would work wonderfully color-drenched in a study, or used more sparingly as a grounding note against softer neutrals.'

For those who enjoy decorating with neutrals, Parlour, a plaster hue with pink notes, is light, fresh, and enduring. Inspired by the parlour room at Dyrham Park near Bath, the pale pink paint is perfect for schemes that need an uplift. 'There's an appetite for fresh, gelato-toned pastels, gentle, characterful colors like Floss and Parlour that feel joyful without ever being overpowering,' adds Ruth.

Next comes the twenty-one new hues featured in the Color Scales collection. The warm neutral Barge Stone – a complex, green-infused beige is available from light to dark. Barge Stone grew directly out of the popularity of our Portland Stone, says Ruth. The citron green Boxington has also been expanded into a graduated Color Scales family, a reduced lime with a touch of red oxide of iron, elegant in dining rooms and hallways.

'These 27 new colors sit at the next point along that story,' says Ruth. 'We've taken the red oxide and intense heat out of our caramels and burnt oranges to create gentler shades with less intensity, and we've moved away from the colder greens and blues that were so popular a few years ago, in favor of warmer versions like Celestial Blue, Boxington and Hammock. So yes, they very much respond to where color is heading, but they're also simply an honest reflection of what we're already seeing and feeling ourselves.'

'Trends never really jump; we notice shifts, and if you look back, you can trace those changes in the use of color,' Ruth explains. 'In 2016 we saw a lot of blue, which had grown out of a love of gray in the early 2010s. That moved through rich blues into teals, then softer neutral greens, then into bold yellows that deepened into ochres and caramels, and more recently into stone-based neutrals and indulgent browns. This transitioned into burgundy, deep reds, pinks and aubergine, colors that bring such a lovely sense of intimacy and quiet grandeur to a room.'

'At the same time, we noticed people pulling away from the caramels and chocolate browns that had been so loved a few years ago, wanting something with a little less heat and intensity. Marle is another favorite of mine,' she adds. 'It's a luxurious mid-tone brown, heavy on yellow ochre but softened right down with plenty of black. Used all over, it creates the most cocooning, intimate feeling in a room. I love it in a bathroom paired with Mochi on the opposite wall.'

Little Greene's twenty-seven new paint colors balance both emerging trends and what homeowners want right now, along with timeless classics that will never date. Each has its own place in the collection, inspired by either the heritage hues that defined the past or the shades that are most popular today.

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Our favorite home brands have summoned a new trend this spooky season: wicker Halloween decor.

From McGee & Co.'s wicker bats and Terrain's entwined vine witch hats to Crate & Barrel's rattan pumpkins, woven textures are transforming traditional Halloween decor into tasteful, design-driven pieces. These woven Halloween finds still feel festive and on-theme for spooky season, but they are definitely more subtle and chic than kitsch and garish. They'll add depth, dimension, and a sense of layered warmth to any space – giving the eeriest Halloween decorations a softer edge.

Just as decorating with rattan is a timeless choice for home styling, wicker Halloween decor has lasting appeal, too. These picks transcend fleeting seasonal trends, bringing textural elegance to Halloween scenes. Shop our favorite woven styles for spooky season below.

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When you think of the most iconic movie homes, Nancy Meyers’ layered, cozy, and deeply nostalgic interiors probably come to mind. So it’s perhaps no surprise that growing up with a mother who created some of the most beloved spaces on screen would inspire a love of interiors of your own.

But Annie Meyers-Shyer has carved out a name for herself in the design world well beyond being the filmmaker’s daughter. She has built a devoted following around the renovation of her historic Los Angeles home – a project that has now become the subject of her debut book, chronicling the transformation from start to finish. At the heart of the home is a spacious kitchen designed to feel as though it has always belonged there.

Here, Annie takes us inside the kitchen remodel, sharing how she created a kitchen that feels true to the character of the historic property while balancing timeless design with the realities of modern family life.

The Inspiration

The renovation reimagined the kitchen as a much larger, more family-oriented room, balancing timeless style with functional details. Rather than serving purely as a cooking space, Annie wanted to add areas to sit, relax, and spend quality time, which was reflected in the initial brief for the new design.

'The biggest goal was to make the kitchen feel as though it had always been part of the house. Originally, it was much smaller, so as we expanded it to include a family room on one end and a breakfast room on the other, it was really important that everything felt cohesive,' she explains.

'We took our cues from the millwork and architecture found throughout the rest of the house and designed the kitchen to feel completely in keeping with its original character. I never wanted someone to walk in and immediately think, Oh, this is the new addition.'

The Color and Material Palette

The kitchen color and material palette was an important part of the redesign, setting the tone and style for the room – including the ceiling, which now features a high-gloss finish to bounce light and add dimension. With a large bay window at one end of the enlarged kitchen, sticking to a neutral palette kept the space open, airy, and bright.

'I always knew the family room and breakfast room would have white walls, and every time we experimented with another color in the kitchen, it broke up the flow between the spaces. Keeping everything white made the entire area feel connected and much larger. White also lets the architecture, natural light, and textures take center stage. It's calming, timeless, and gives me a beautiful neutral backdrop for flowers, food, all the things!'

Timeless style was considered throughout the redesign, evident through the materials chosen in the kitchen. From the natural wood tones in various areas of the space to the mix of aged finishes that give the hardware a sense of history, every detail benefited from meticulous attention to detail.

'Every faucet in the house is polished nickel. It's my favorite finish because it's timeless and incredibly forgiving. For the door and cabinet hardware, I chose oil-rubbed bronze. Rather than making everything match perfectly, I like having a few finishes that complement one another. It creates depth and makes the house feel as though it evolved over time, instead of being installed all at once. Limiting yourself to just a couple of finishes also helps everything feel intentional and cohesive.'

The Island

The kitchen island is the true centerpiece, designed to accommodate plenty of counter seating and ample prep space to keep the kitchen functional. It's no surprise that when asked about the standout feature, Annie immediately highlighted the island.

'At 12 feet long, it's the heart of the kitchen and where everyone naturally gathers. I was very intentional about including seating for five. We may only be a family of four, but I always wanted room for a friend to join us because that's how our house functions. It's where homework happens, conversations happen, and everyone inevitably ends up.'

'A large island can easily feel like one giant block sitting in the middle of a room, and I really wanted to avoid that. The open shelving lightens the visual weight and makes the island feel more like a beautiful piece of furniture than just cabinetry. I use it for cookbooks, baskets, serving pieces, and objects I actually love using. It's functional, but it also gives the island personality.'

The Details

It's the details that take a white kitchen to the next level – they make a scheme feel layered, personalized, and beautifully stylized. To balance decorative features and functionality, Annie used materiality to bring warmth and character to the design, starting with the banquette seating and the charming decor that elevated it.

'I have woven matchstick shades on many of the windows throughout the house because they instantly add warmth and texture without making a room feel heavy. They filter light beautifully. I'm naturally drawn to rattan, wicker, and other natural fibers. That said, I'm careful not to overdo it. Repeating natural materials throughout a home creates continuity, but using them thoughtfully keeps each room feeling special.'

'The banquette was actually my husband's idea from the very beginning. He envisioned our family gathering there, and it's become exactly that. We eat there almost every day, the kids do homework there, and sometimes we'll watch a game or a show together while we're eating. It's become one of the most used spots in the house. It's not the easiest thing to climb in and out of, but that's a trade-off I'd happily make because it's created such a cozy place for our family to spend time together.'

The project has been a labor of love – and it's every element of the kitchen combined that makes it feel special. 'One of my favorite compliments came from my mother-in-law, who previously owned the house. She recently asked me how much we had raised the kitchen ceiling – we didn't raise it at all. It's still an eight-foot ceiling, but I think the proportions, cabinetry, and overall design make it feel much taller. To me, that was the ultimate compliment because it meant the space felt transformed without losing its original character.'

Create the Look

Annie's debut book, This Oak House: A Renovation Story with Interiors to Inspire Your Own Home, is available for preorder now at Amazon and will be released on September 15th 2026.

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Heritage and modern design may seem like two entirely different worlds, but the right color palette can effortlessly bridge the gap between the two.

Designed to bring old and new together, paint brand Sherwin-Williams has created its Modern Heritage palette, offering an easy way to give traditional architecture a contemporary edge – or add a timeless feel to more modern spaces. Blending a handful of classic shades with some of today’s most appealing color trends, it strikes the perfect balance for anyone who loves both looks.

'The Modern Heritage palette celebrates the enduring appeal of classic design through a fresh contemporary lens,' says Emily Kantz, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams. 'Rooted in timeless architectural details, artisanal craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for history, this aesthetic reinterprets tradition with richer, more saturated hues that bring renewed energy to a space. Rather than recreating the past, Modern Heritage evolves it.'

'It was inspired by a growing desire to reconnect with the enduring qualities of home: craftsmanship, permanence, and a sense of place,' says Emily. 'As homeowners move beyond the pursuit of perfectly minimalist interiors, there is a renewed appreciation for spaces that feel layered, personal, and rich with meaning. The palette draws influence from heritage pigments found in historic homes, classic textiles, and timeworn materials, then reimagines them with greater saturation and sophistication. Rich blue, earthy green, and warm neutrals evoke a sense of familiarity while introducing a fresh level of depth and character. These colors feel rooted in history, yet contemporary in their application.'

That balance between old and new is at the heart of the Modern Heritage palette. Earthy greens, timeless navy, and warm neutrals create a comforting foundation, while richer, more expressive shades add depth and personality. The result feels collected and characterful rather than overly traditional.

Among the softer shades is Mortar, a warm off-white that brings an inviting sense of calm, alongside Rose Tan, a muted pink warmed with orange undertones. For those craving a little more color, Bunglehouse Blue offers a mid-blue softened by gray undertones, while Pennywise delivers a sophisticated burnt orange. Completing the collection is Nocturne, a complex charcoal gray that adds a dramatic, grounding note.

Together, the shades make a compelling case for bringing a little more history, warmth, and character into our homes – without sacrificing a contemporary feel.

When bringing the palette into your home, consider using bolder shades like Pennywise, Nocturne, or Bunglehouse Blue selectively, allowing the warmer, more grounding tones to form the foundation of your scheme.

'Use these shades to highlight architectural details like millwork, paneling, built-ins, and cabinetry, bringing character and depth to a space,' suggests Emily. 'Pair them with warm neutrals, natural woods, and layered textures for a look that feels collected and timeless. For added personality, mix in unexpected accent colors and furnishings that blend classic and contemporary influences.'

It's an approach that celebrates character rather than chasing perfection. 'Ornamental moldings, paneled millwork, vintage-inspired furnishings, and handcrafted materials are paired with confident color choices that feel expressive, collected, and highly individual,' adds Emily.

To balance the palette's richer, more vibrant shades, bring in organic materials that enhance their warmth and create a sense of depth. Think upholstered linen furniture, natural wood, and warm-toned kitchen cabinetry.

'The Modern Heritage palette pairs beautifully with authentic, timeless materials that emphasize craftsmanship and character,' Emily says. 'Woods with visible grain, such as walnut, oak, and chestnut, complement the palette’s richness, while aged brass, antique bronze, and natural stone add depth and permanence. Textural elements like wool, leather, and handcrafted ceramics bring warmth and a lived-in quality that feels both refined and approachable.'

The good news is that you don't need to rethink your entire approach to color to embrace the Modern Heritage look. Many shades you may already be considering can work beautifully alongside the palette; the key is to look within similar color families to create a cohesive, balanced scheme.

'For supporting hues, warm neutrals, earthy browns, muted greens, and deep blues create a balanced foundation, allowing the palette’s more saturated colors to shine. Together, these materials and tones create spaces that feel layered, collected, and enduringly relevant,' adds Emily.

Blending timeless paint colors with a few unexpected shades, Sherwin-Williams' Modern Heritage palette feels perfectly suited to the way we want our homes to look and feel today. It brings together the best of current color trends with familiar, enduring hues that offer warmth, comfort, and plenty of character – proving that traditional and contemporary style can work beautifully in the same space.

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Choosing the right neutral for your kitchen can be a challenge, especially with so many options. From whites and creams to beiges and even light browns, the variety can be overwhelming. But right now, one palette reigns supreme: mushroom hues.

It's a kitchen color that ticks all the boxes – warm, creamy, and decidedly elegant, mushroom hues are key to creating an inviting kitchen that's actually timeless. And designers say it's a trend worth paying attention to.

Here's why mushroom kitchen colors are having a moment, why they work so well in this hardworking room, and the best ways to bring them into your design. And don't worry – these spaces prove just how enduring the look really is.

What are Mushroom Kitchen Colors?

Fungi might not seem like the most elegant point of inspiration, but mushroom colors are more appealing than you might think. Sitting in the mid-neutral palette, these shades are the neutral answer to the dirty kitchen color trend we've all been obsessed with recently.

'Mushroom paint colors are warmer neutrals that blend taupe, gray, and brown. They are muddy colors with an earthy warmth – they don’t fall as warm as a beige but aren’t quite brown either. Colors like Kingsport Gray HC-86, Thunder AF-685, and Inner Balance 1522 are a few colors I consider mushroom hues,' says Arianna Barone, Color Marketing Manager at Benjamin Moore.

'Mushroom colors are definitely having a moment right now, but I actually think they’ve been around for a while,' adds interior designer Alexa Kingery. 'The beautiful part of using an earthy-mushroom tone is that it’s rooted in nature, and nature never goes out of style. Mushroom colors can vary from a soft, creamy, light beige to a muddy taupe or brown.'

Why They're Trending

Mushroom-inspired colors feel aligned with how kitchen design is being approached right now. They create a warm, inviting atmosphere that takes a kitchen beyond a purely functional zone and creates a timeless base you won't tire of.

'I think people are still recovering from the modern farmhouse epidemic where everything is harsh black hardware on stark white cabinets. Don’t get me wrong, at Alexa Kingery Interiors we still love a beautiful farmhouse aesthetic – we’re just doing it in much softer tones,' says Alexa.

'Overall, we are seeing people lean towards bringing warmer hues into their homes. Mushroom paint colors can be a great color palette staple,' Arianna agrees. 'For kitchens, in particular, people are no longer defaulting to white. Off-whites will always be a timeless choice for a kitchen, but this space also offers a great opportunity to bring in other hues, whether that is on the cabinets or walls.'

It's also a great palette if you want to bring warmth to your cooking space without leaning fully into the deeper browns that are proving popular. It's a neutral option that bridges the gap between pure whites and moodier tones, so it doesn't feel too different from the pared-back colors people are comfortable decorating with.

'People are definitely gravitating toward warmer, earthier palettes right now; going fully brown can feel a bit heavy or inadvertently lean into a retro 1970s look. Mushroom offers the perfect middle ground. It feels more intentional and characterful than falling back on a standard white or stark greige, providing a sophisticated warmth without overwhelming the space,' interior designer Pernille Lind explains.

In many ways, the appeal of mushroom kitchen colors reverts to nature as inspiration for our interiors, with shades that balance depth and interest with soft, timeless design. They feel layered yet still neutral, warmer yet not overwhelming. And their impact on a room, especially a kitchen where different finishes and materials come together, can't be ignored.

'When you use softer colors rooted in nature, it tends to make a room feel cozier, more inviting, and honestly… timeless. I truly think ever since the pandemic, people are simply craving comfort,' Alexa notes. 'In today’s economic and political climate, life can be hard enough. So instead of the cold and lifeless black and white, people are reintroducing beauty, color, and life back into their homes!'

How To Bring Mushroom Hues Into Your Kitchen

These warm neutrals are surprisingly easy to decorate with, especially in a kitchen. For a truly classic design, you can't go wrong with cabinets painted in mushroom hues with classic marble countertops – it's an elevated duo that never dates.

'One of our favourite colors for a kitchen, it seems to work wherever it goes, soft and warm yet light enough for even the darkest of corners,' says Helen Parker, Creative Director of deVOL Kitchens. 'The classic combination of Carrara marble and mushroom paint is always perfect. It's almost a deVOL look in itself and has graced hundreds of our most coveted rooms.'

If you've gone for a deeper kitchen cabinet color, this warm neutral on the walls creates a subtle background. 'Consider lighter mushroom paint colors for the walls to pair with darker kitchen cabinets. They can help soften and brighten the kitchen if you choose a bolder cabinet color,' Arianna suggests.

It's a color palette that works beautifully alongside wooden kitchens, too, bringing out the warmth while providing a soft contrast. 'My tried-and-true way to incorporate mushroom colors into a kitchen is by using Accessible Beige by Sherwin-Williams alongside a rich medium-brown stained wood species,' says Alexa. 'If you’re feeling brave, you could go even richer with a color like Virtual Taupe by Sherwin-Williams.'

It's not just the main kitchen this color thrives in, either. 'It works exceptionally well on kitchen joinery, and applying it to secondary spaces, like pantries or breakfast nooks, instantly makes those areas feel cozier and more intimate,' adds Pernille, who also recommends warm mushroom tones for kitchen woodwork as 'an elegant way to anchor the room.'

Shop the Look

As far as neutral kitchens go, mushroom hues are a warm, elegant choice. It's a color that translates beautifully in kitchens of every style and size, and pairs seamlessly with the finishes and materials used throughout cooking spaces.

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Beiges, ivories, and shades of gray have long been met with a serious side-eye from interior aficionados. As dependable as plain white, these neutral tones are often dismissed as basic, boring, and – dare we say – borderline bland.

That said, there's a new color trend in town, one that draws pigment from each of these shades to create something altogether more nuanced: mushroom. This earthy neutral makes muted tones feel more interesting, inviting, and unexpectedly fresh, bringing warmth and depth without overwhelming a space.

Sitting somewhere between gray and brown, mushroom strikes an elegant balance that feels both nature-inspired and effortlessly sophisticated. Call it the it-fall color of 2026: mushroom is the common thread grounding some of our favorite seasonal collections, from Crate & Barrel's contemporary fall range to Joon Loloi's heritage-inspired drop. Its soft, organic quality lends itself to interiors that feel equal parts calm and welcoming, while its subtle tonal variations keep a room layered and visually engaging.

In other words, it's anything but bland. This is one neutral we're particularly excited to see take over the design scene. If you're feeling the same, shop 20 mushroom-toned pieces for your home below.

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Heritage interiors brand Graham & Brown has announced 'Rose Earth' as its 2027 Color of the Year. Grounding, restorative, and effortlessly comforting, this muted dusty pink offers an early glimpse at the paint and color trends set to shape interiors in the year ahead.

'Our in-house design team works a year ahead, closely monitoring lifestyle and interiors trends to anticipate the colors and styles that will resonate with our community,' says Iona Graham, Brand & Marketing Controller and fourth generation of the Graham family. 'We began seeing a strong shift towards warmer and earthier tones, which helped select Rose Earth as our Color of the Year for 2027.'

While plaster-pink shades enjoyed a major moment in interiors a few years ago, Graham & Brown's latest pick proves that our love for muted, earthy hues is far from over. Rose Earth feels warmer and more grounded, bringing a subtle depth to the soft pink trend and making it easy to imagine in both contemporary and more traditional spaces.

Alongside its Color of the Year, Graham & Brown has also unveiled its Design of the Year, 'Roselle Grove' – a rich floral pattern inspired by Chintz – and its Mural of the Year, 'Red Rose County', which takes its cues from the rolling Lancashire landscape.

'The studio expects this versatile shade to make a real impact throughout 2027 and beyond,' Paula Taylor, Stylist at Graham & Brown, tells Homes & Gardens. 'Reflecting the growing desire for interiors and colors that feel warm, inviting, and grounded. As consumers move away from cooler, minimalist schemes, we're seeing an increasing appetite for colors that bring comfort, authenticity and a sense of connection to the home.'

It's easy to see why. With its warm, plaster-like quality, Rose Earth brings a gentle sense of comfort to almost any scheme. A neutral with character, muted pinks are a smart choice for spaces that need a little more depth and warmth without tipping into anything too dark or moody.

'Rose Earth captures this shift perfectly, combining the natural warmth of clay-inspired tones with a timeless elegance that works across a variety of styles and spaces,' says Paula.

And much like the recent resurgence of the sun-faded pastel trend, this softer take on pink looks set to have staying power. 'Warm, chalky plaster tones are emerging as the new neutrals for 2027,' adds Paula. 'Their understated warmth and versatility make them an ideal foundation for a wide range of color palettes, creating a sense of softness and quiet sophistication within the home.'

'These muted, earthy shades also reflect the growing desire for interiors that promote wellbeing and connection to nature,' adds Paula. 'Rooted in biophilic design principles, colors inspired by clay, stone and natural minerals help bring a feeling of balance and tranquillity indoors.'

Consider textures and colors that go with pink when introducing Rose Earth into your scheme. 'Ultra-matte finishes and raw, tactile textures will be key for the season ahead, making Rose Earth particularly effective on textured surfaces where natural light can enhance its depth and warmth,' Paula advises. 'Pair it with organic materials such as wood, stone and linen, alongside soft sage or olive greens, to create a beautifully calm and restorative atmosphere.'

'For a more immersive look, consider color capping to create a cocooning effect. Using tonal shades from the same color family across walls, ceilings and woodwork adds depth and sophistication,' she adds. 'For example, a rich warm brown such as Elderton can be used as a grounding shade, gradually transitioning into Rose Earth to create a seamless and enveloping scheme.'

'You could also pair it with wallpaper to bring character to the room, with our Design of the Year, Roselle Grove, or Mural of the Year, Red Rose County.'

Rose Earth Shopping Edit

Inspired by Rose Earth's warm, earthy take on pink? Explore our edit of the best pink paints for more ways to bring this versatile shade into your home.

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As I hinted at in my last column, I'm a fall person. The kind who starts putting mums on the porch a little too early, and who gets overly excited at the first hint of a chill in the air. Apple picking fits squarely into that; it's something I've done every year since I was young, and fall doesn't feel complete without it.

When we moved to our town of Easton, Connecticut, almost 8 years ago, the fact that there was an apple farm a mile down the road was a bigger selling point than it probably should have been, and I’ve taken full advantage of it since. I pick apples at least twice a year, so I can capitalize on the different varieties as they ripen.

Unlike when I pick blueberries, where I'm mostly eating them fresh, a good portion of each apple haul is destined to become a baked good. Apple desserts are among my favorites. Further evidence, if you needed it, that I am a fall cliché. I’ve made my peace with it.

A classic pie is always my first move. My aunt is one of the best cooks I know, and her apple pie has become something of a family legend. The recipe her grown nieces and nephews attempt to recreate each year now that she's retired to Florida and no longer hosts every holiday. She gave me her blessing to share it here.

The pie is not too sweet, and the crust is thick and holds its shape. It's perfect on its own, better with vanilla ice cream, and best, in my opinion, with a spoonful of homemade whipped cream. I make one small tweak to the crust when I bake it myself, but I've noted both versions in the recipe so you can decide.

Aunt Dotti's Apple Pie Recipe

Here's the recipe for both the crust and filling, along with some of her notes for getting it just right.

Pie Crust

It's easy to swap out pre-made pie crust, but I think this one is worth the effort, and it comes together faster than you think. Make it before the filling. If the apples sit too long, the pie will be soggy.

• 2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shortening (I sub the shortening for butter at the same ratio, but either works)
• 7 to 8 tablespoons cold water

Cut shortening/butter into flour. Cut shortening into flour using a fork or pastry cutter, working until the mixture looks like small, uneven peas.

Add water gradually. Add cold water one tablespoon at a time, working each addition into a small section of the dough rather than pouring it over the whole bowl. Mix just until the dough holds together.

Divide and rest. Gather the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a round disk. Cut it in half and reshape each half into a flat round. Wrap one half in plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to use it for the top crust.

Roll and chill the bottom crust. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the other half into a circle large enough to fit your pie pan with a little overhang. Lay it into the pan, pressing gently into the edges. Refrigerate for one hour.

Apple Pie Filling

Make the filling as the pie crust is chilling so the apples don't get a chance to become soggy.

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 8 cups thinly sliced pared apples (a note on apple varieties, below). Try to make them all similar in size so they cook evenly
• 3 tablespoons butter cut into small pieces

Mix the ingredients. Stir the sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and sliced apples together in a large bowl, and pour into the chilled bottom crust.

Add butter. Dot the top of the filling evenly with small slices of butter.

Add the top crust. Roll out the second half of the dough and lay it over the filling. Trim any excess, then flute or crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few small slits into the top to vent.

Protect the edges. Cover the edges of the crust with foil strips or a pie shield to prevent them from browning too quickly.

Bake. Place the pie on a foil-lined baking sheet (this catches any overflow and makes cleanup easy). Bake at 425°F for 40 to 50 minutes, removing the foil from the edges in the last 15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the juices are bubbling through the slits.

Cool completely. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool thoroughly before slicing. The rack allows air to circulate underneath, otherwise, the bottom crust will get soggy.

The Best Apples for Pie

Most avid bakers have strong opinions on the best apples for pie. Aunt Dotti swears by Granny Smith apples. I also love Granny Smith, but I usually mix a couple of different varieties since I often pick more than one. This time, I used Jonagolds, which tend to lose their firmness when baked, and Gala, which gets a bit softer, but has a great flavor. I'll also mix Granny Smith (firm and tart) with Honeycrisp or Cortland apples.

If you mix two (or more) types of apples, the key is to have at least one that stays firm enough to hold its shape. Apples like Macintosh and Red Delicious turn to an applesauce-like consistency as soon as they're heated, so I avoid those altogether.

Of course, fall baked goods are at their best when you can pick your own fruit, but if you don't live near an orchard, farmer's market, or grocery store, apples are still at their peak in September. Make this pie once, freshly picked fruit or not, and I guarantee it'll be in your fall rotation too!

Shop My Fall Baking Must-Haves

I have spent more than a decade writing about homes and interiors, but My So-Connecticut Life is personal. I live in a 1937 Colonial in the small town of Easton, Connecticut, with my husband, three children, and our dog. Seven years in this house have taught me which farm stands and vintage markets are worth the detour, how to set a table without stress, and the small routines that make a home feel like home. Every other Saturday, I’ll share a glimpse into life in Connecticut – where I’m shopping, how I’m hosting, and the seasonal rituals that shape the year.

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When you think about refreshing your home for fall, you probably imagine making small decor swaps, like trading summer throw pillows for tonal and cozy alternatives, incorporating foliage through garlands and wreaths, or lighting candles with seasonal scents. Swapping a rug doesn't usually make it to the top of the fall refresh list.

But here's the thing – since a rug is one of the most dominant design features in a room, swapping it for a fall-inspired style can drastically impact the mood of the space, making it feel more layered, inviting, and inspired for the season.

Of course, fall rugs don't have to be adorned with pumpkin motifs or cornucopias to feel seasonally relevant. Think rugs in fall color schemes, rugs designed with elevated, autumn-inspired patterns, and rugs made from soft materials instead. From the inviting rugs from Joon Loloi's heritage-inspired collaboration with Heidi Callier to the family-friendly, fall-focused rugs from Ruggable's latest drop, these fresh designs are perfect for layering your home for fall, making it feel even more cozy, inviting, and in sync with the seasons.

Though slightly unexpected, this fall refresh idea is bound to make the biggest difference in your home.

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A pantry is a hardworking kitchen feature, whether it's a walk-in design or a freestanding cabinet within the main cooking space. It creates a dedicated space for food storage and helps to keep your entire kitchen more organized.

It's easy to get carried away with the more aesthetic decisions, but the primary function of your pantry ideas is to create practical, usable storage – without that, even the most stylish pantry becomes another clutter zone.

The most successful designs balance style and practicality, and interior designers notice a few common pantry design mistakes that disrupt that balance. Here are the mistakes to avoid, and how you can fix them if they sound a bit too familiar.

1. Not Considering How You Need the Space to Function

The Mistake

A pantry design is only successful if it functions the way you need it to. Part of that is understanding how you live and use the space, but also whether you actually need a pantry, or whether your requirements are more aligned with a back kitchen. Start by noting the difference between a larder, pantry, and back kitchen, and which would add the most to your cooking space.

'There is currently a real trend for creating a back-of-house kitchen space, but we think this can sometimes muddy the purpose of the pantry. It needs to be designed either as a really good storage cupboard, or the space should be thought of more as a true back-of-house kitchen,' says Sophie Pringle, Founder of Pringle & Pringle.

'We are increasingly asked for a ‘pantry’ when what is really wanted is a back kitchen – somewhere to prepare food, house appliances, wash up and deal with the mess and overflow that comes with entertaining,' Anthony Earle, Creative Director at Artichoke, agrees. 'Trying to fit all of those functions into a small pantry can quickly make the room hot, cramped and rather impractical.'

The Fix

Before you start designing your pantry, determine how the space needs to function. If food storage is the priority, a pantry is the ideal solution, but if you want space for an extra sink, prep space, and large appliances, you'll need to plan for a larger back kitchen type of space.

If your needs align with a pantry, consider what you want to store and how you want to store it. Some items will need to be easily accessible, so storing them on open shelves within easy view will make day-to-day tasks more efficient.

'Think about the function first and design the space around how it will actually be used. Consider what you need to store, whether you want to hide small appliances, and how often you’ll be accessing the space, then make sure the layout, shelving and services are designed accordingly,' Sophie suggests.

2. Forgetting About Good Ventilation

The Mistake

A pantry is fundamentally a food storage solution, so airflow and maintaining conditions that keep food dry and fresh are really important. This isn't a storage closet, so don't treat it as such. Lack of ventilation encourages moisture build-up, which can cause food to go off (stagnant air becomes a breeding ground for mold), and can increase temperatures, leading to odors and stale food.

The Fix

The simplest fix is to add ventilation during the design process, whether it's wall vents or cutouts in your pantry doors to improve airflow. And location is key. 'Ideally, a really good pantry should also be positioned on an external wall, allowing for ventilation, particularly if it’s being used for food storage,' Sophie explains.

'Good airflow helps to keep the space cool and dry, which is important for storing food, and it is much easier to incorporate at the planning stage than to retrofit later. Ultimately, the pantry should be designed around function first, with the aesthetic details following from that.'

3. Choosing Quantity Over Quality of Storage

The Mistake

A pantry is a functional zone that should enhance a kitchen's flow and function, but successful storage is more about quality than quantity. Cramming in too many large shelves and hard-to-access cabinets will make finding and accessing the ingredients you need feel almost impossible.

'A common pantry design mistake, particularly in hard-working family kitchens where storage space is at a premium, is focusing exclusively on maximising the quantity of storage without thinking through the quality and types of storage that are going to both work well and look beautiful,' says Elizabeth Macfarlane of Macfarlane van der Heul

The Fix

Take the time to plan your pantry layout and the storage styles that make the most sense at each level. If you want to maximize height, you need to make sure you can actually reach the top shelves, so add a rolling ladder or fold-down step (this 3 Step Foldable Ladder from Amazon can be easily stashed away) to prevent baskets filled with ingredients you forget about and leave to go bad.

Take stock of what you need to access most regularly, and what you use only occasionally (such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, or seasonal supplies) so you can prioritize the most accessible areas. Cereal, pasta, flour, and snacks – the food you reach for every day – should be stored at eye level so it's easy to grab. And if it's on open shelving, consider decanting into prettier containers, like these Dark Wood Lidded Canisters from Target or Crate & Barrel's Montana Glass Jars, for a more elevated and organized pantry.

4. Making Pantry Shelves Too Deep

The Mistake

Pantry shelving is one of the most practical storage types, but deep shelves quickly become almost impossible to access. 'Deep, evenly spaced shelves may look efficient on paper, but they often create wasted space and make it difficult to see what is stored behind the first row of items. Things inevitably get pushed to the back and forgotten,' says interior designer Vanessa Katzen.

'Avoid overly deep upper shelves, as it gets very hard to see what is on them,' adds George Miller, Designer at Neptune. Reaching the back of the shelves becomes difficult, and you inevitably end up knocking the items at the front, causing nothing but chaos and more mess.

The Fix

Plan pantry shelving around the items you need to store on them, rather than the other way around. 'I prefer to design pantry storage in layers, with shallower shelving for everyday items and deeper storage reserved for larger appliances, serving pieces and bulk goods,' says Vanessa.

'Incorporating drawers or pull-outs at lower levels also makes the full depth much more accessible. I also vary shelf heights rather than spacing everything uniformly. The goal is not simply to fit as much as possible into the pantry, but to make everything easy to see, reach, and put away. When storage is designed around how you actually use it, you often need less space than you think.'

5. Adding Too Many Cabinet Doors

The Mistake

Your pantry isn't a kitchen, so the pros and cons of open shelving don't apply in the same way. A pantry is function first, and filling these small spaces with lots of cabinets makes accessibility difficult – trying to open different cabinet doors will not only make it tricky to find what you need, but it instantly intrudes on the small amount of walkway you have.

'The point of a pantry is to maximize function and storage for your kitchen in a hidden but easily accessible space. It's supposed to be hardworking, not make you work harder,' says Leah Hook, Founder and Principal Designer at Gray Oak Studio. 'You don't want to walk from your kitchen to a separate room and then have to open another series of doors or drawers to get what you need.'

The Fix

Open shelving at floor level can feel messy and a bit inconvenient, so it makes sense to add some closed storage. Consider what you want to store here – drawers maximize a deep space, allowing you to access items stored towards the back.

'A combination of drawers and open shelving can work really well, so that the things you use most are easy to reach and you can actually see what you have. I also like to keep some of the prettier everyday items on display rather than hiding absolutely everything away. And don’t be afraid to decorate it,' says interior designer Laura Stephens.

If you're storing additional appliances you don't use regularly or seasonal accessories, cabinetry probably makes more sense. But instead of filling your pantry with doors, swap them with a cabinet skirt – Lulu & Georgia's Painterly Stripe Linen fabric is a great option, or for a ready-to-hand design, try Etsy's Striped Cotton Cabinet Skirt. 'Curtained under-counter storage [is great] for hiding away bulkier and less attractive items – the curtain is economical, adds visual interest, and contrasts nicely with the cabinetry in the main kitchen,' adds Elizabeth.

6. Excluding Useable Countertop Space

The Mistake

Pantry designs often focus on storage – as they should. But with so much attention on shelving, drawers, and cabinets, it's easy to forget that a countertop has a use in these spaces, too. 'A pantry without counters is storage without further utility,' Leah explains.

'You want a landing surface to organize your equipment or food and stage your plans, especially during messy kitchen activities. When you pull down the bin of flour, you want a place to put it within arm's reach. You don't want to go back and forth to the kitchen counter when you need to place something down.'

The Fix

The fix is simple – add a countertop, even if it's just a small run along the shortest wall. 'We always encourage clients to design in a generous counter, which gives the pantry an invaluable working surface for unpacking groceries or preparing food,' Anthony says.

It's a detail that turns a simple storage space into a functional pantry. You can bring in the same materials and palette as the kitchen for continuity, or use it as an opportunity to add a different material that didn't make it into your main kitchen design. 'Whether you choose butcher block, stone, stainless steel, or tile, 24" deep countertops at waist height are critical to the overall use of the room,' Leah adds.

7. Overlooking Pantry Lighting

The Mistake

You can spend hours meticulously planning custom storage and a beautiful color scheme, but if you ignore pantry lighting, you won't be able to see any of it. Relying on a single overhead light casts shadows and fails to illuminate your actual storage.

'Make sure you consider lighting – shelves create a lot of shadows from a single overhead pendant and make it hard to see what is on them,' says George. Plus, a badly lit room instantly feels uninviting – a pantry becomes pointless if you don't want to enter it.

The Fix

Approach it like you would your kitchen lighting. An overhead light is fine, but layer it with lower-level lighting designed for each storage area. 'LED strip lighting can help you have light exactly where you need it,' says George. Try these Rechargeable Magnetic Motion Sensor Lights or Dimmable LED Strip Lights as a functional solution for open shelving that adds light without impeding function.

'We like to layer the lighting in a pantry the way we would in any other room,' says Elizabeth. 'A mix of task lighting in the form of directional downlights, ambient lighting built into the joinery, and decorative lighting.' Where there's space, cordless lamps, like this Beige and Gold Portable Counter Lamp from Amazon, are a great way to blend warmth and ambiance with functional lighting.

8. Not Thinking About How the Pantry Color Works With the Main Kitchen

The Mistake

Function is the priority in a pantry, but it should still feel like a beautiful space that adds something special to your kitchen. 'One of the biggest mistakes is treating the pantry as purely functional and forgetting that it is still part of your home. It’s very easy to fill a pantry with shelves and cupboards and end up with a rather cold, utilitarian space, when it can be a lovely opportunity to introduce color and personality,' says Laura.

The Fix

There are different routes you can take with your pantry design depending on how it reads with the rest of your kitchen scheme – choose a warm neutral color and let texture do the talking, such as wall paneling or decorative millwork. Alternatively, you can color-drench your pantry in a deeper hue as a small confidence zone in the corner of a more neutral kitchen. Try to keep it simple and avoid using too many different colors and patterns – the storage still needs to be easily seen.

'A pantry is a wonderful place to have a little fun with color because it’s often a smaller, more enclosed space. Beautiful joinery, a lovely paint color, and good lighting can make it feel like a considered room rather than an afterthought. The practical elements still need to work, of course, but there’s no reason a pantry can’t have the same sense of character and joy as the rest of the house,' says Laura.

9. Choosing Bold Design Over Function

The Mistake

Following on from color, too many busy patterns or different colors can make a small pantry feel chaotic. 'There is so much color going on with food, spices and herbs that this space is the most important for a well-considered color scheme. It can quickly feel busy and cluttered, so take your time. Don’t rush this area,' says Katherine Channell, Founder and Head Designer at Katherine Jane Design Studio.

The same applies to tiles – on the walls and floors. 'A pantry is one of those spaces where people can be tempted to over-design the floor because the footprint is small. A highly patterned tile, a contrasting border and a completely different material can all sound appealing in isolation, but combined with shelving, cabinetry, jars, bottles and all the visual activity of a working pantry, the room can very quickly become busy,' adds Grazzie Wilson, Head of Creative at Ca’ Pietra.

The Fix

The easiest way to fix this pantry design mistake is to take a more pared-back approach. In a tiny space, avoid pattern altogether, but in a pantry that can handle it, keep the colors and patterns tonal so it feels calm and considered. 'My solution would be to come up with three or four colors max,' Katherine suggests. 'I love using warm tones for this area, accessorising with wood and then often a pop of color. This allows you to bring in wicker baskets, which are functional and beautiful.'

For the floors, take a more subtle approach. 'If the pantry sits directly off the kitchen, continuing the same material through both spaces is particularly effective,' says Grazzie. 'It makes the architecture feel calmer and more intentional, and it allows the pantry to feel like part of the kitchen rather than somewhere that has been decorated afterwards.'

10. Forgetting to Plan Electrical Outlets

The Mistake

A pantry has evolved from being a simple food storage space to a more functional food prep zone. For many people, this includes housing small appliances and often using them within the pantry to avoid cluttering kitchen surfaces. And forgetting to include electrical outlets will become an issue down the line – even if it's just to charge up cordless devices or plug in additional lighting.

The Fix

During the design process, when you're planning out where different storage needs to be located, plan for electrics. Ideally, one above the countertops within easy access, and another hidden within closed storage if required. Try to take an elevated appraoch – outlet switches make a difference, so choose stylish designs that fit into your scheme. Anthropologie's Isabella Bee Switch Plates and Merritt Enamel Switch Plates are stylish options.

A pantry is a wonderful feature to have in your kitchen, so make the most of the space by getting the design right. Start with the functional details, like storage styles and lighting schemes, then plan for the visual elements that give it character. 'Have fun and remember it’s not just storage,' Katherine adds. 'It’s an extension of your home, so treat it with importance!'

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One thing about me: I can be very picky about lighting. It’s an essential element in a room’s design scheme; a detail that creates comfort, sets the mood, and provides practical illumination, all at the same time.

Because of my particular taste in lighting ideas, I usually gravitate towards expensive styles that are way out of my price range. But recently, I came across an outlier – a $30 lamp that impressed me so much more than the high-end designs I have saved on my web browser.

Enter: the VARPTROSS Wall Lamp from none other than IKEA.

This lamp's effortlessly elegant design stopped me in my tracks when I was scrolling on IKEA's new arrivals page, and when I glanced down at the price, I was even more drawn to it. With its sleek, slatted form, it radiates a luxurious modern organic aesthetic, and when turned on, it diffuses light in a stylishly moody manner.

Not to mention its plug-in capabilities – a design element that makes this lamp even more desirable. Unlike standard sconces that require thoughtful planning and hardwiring, this wall lamp can hang practically anywhere – so long as it's within seven feet of an outlet.

Ideal for renters or those who aren't interested in hiring an electrician, the VARPTROSS Wall Lamp is a great way to bring tasteful, artful light to your walls without spending a fortune.

Clearly, IKEA's design team took careful consideration when developing this wall lamp. Every detail is intentional – from the soft, curved silhouette to the tactile fabric cord that trails below the lamp itself. This attention to detail is probably why it is so highly rated on IKEA's site – boasting only 5-star reviews.

I'm already envisioning how I want to style it in my rental apartment – beside the bed in my small bedroom, next to my couch, or even on the wall above the dining nook in my kitchen. Not only will this wall lamp bring tasteful, mid-level illumination to any corner of my home, but it'll double as wall decor when turned off.

IKEA's VARPTROSS Wall Lamp has convinced me that sometimes, the best lighting styles aren't the most expensive ones. When practical design, chic style, and affordability converge (as they do here), it's hard to find something better.

Shop More Plug-In Wall Lights

Plug-in sconces and corded wall lights are convenient features for any home – rental or not. Shop three more that are just as chic as IKEA's VARPTROSS Wall Lamp.

Shop More Lighting From IKEA

Aside from the VARPTROSS Wall Lamp, IKEA has many more lighting styles that are just as chic, affordable, and practical for the home. Find a few of my favorites below.

IKEA's VARPTROSS Wall Lamp is proof that luxurious style and practical design don't have to come with a high-end price tag.

In fact, IKEA has many more lamps that look upscale but are surprisingly affordable. My favorites are the HALGATT Lamps – made in collaboration with interior design icon Ilse Crawford.

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Animal prints have been making a slow and steady comeback in recent years. It began with the return of leopard print, no longer the loud, maximalist pattern it was in decades past, but a 'new neutral' that can add subtle interest to any style home if done right. Then zebra started appearing, which merged into tiger, and now there are whispers that fawn is the next 'it' animal print for fall 2026.

But when it comes to being used in the kitchen, none of these prints seem to leave the softer rooms like living rooms and bedrooms. However, a quick glance at the fall kitchen collections of 2026 and you will notice that finally an animal print is coming to these hardworking spaces.

Cue tortoiseshell, the subtler animal-inspired pattern bringing a chic sort of coziness to kitchens this year. Its deep color scheme in various shades of brown feels instantly reminiscent of the season's aesthetic, and this fall trend is made for the kitchen. From striking tableware and serving trays to vintage-inspired lighting that feels reminiscent of an old-school speakeasy, these tortoiseshell kitchen pieces are the high-style, low-effort ways to get the look.

It's not always easy to bring print and pattern into your kitchen, especially without making major changes and spending a lot of money, which makes tortoiseshell pieces all the more appealing. It's subtle enough that it doesn't feel instantly trend-led, but rich enough to make an impact. Even just a decanter repurposed as a vase on your countertops can instantly add a stylish touch to your cooking space this fall. And if you want to bring it into other rooms, see our edit of tortoiseshell home decor finds, too.

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Vintage pieces bring something to a room that new furniture often can’t. Namely: patina, character and originality. A worn leather club chair, a marble-topped bachelor’s chest, or a brass floor lamp that has aged over decades breaks up the uniformity of newer decor and serves as a point of contrast that makes everything else in the room more interesting. Even one or two well-chosen old items can keep a room from looking too polished and predictable.

If there’s a room in your house that feels flat, one-note or a little too much like a catalog, decorating with vintage is often the fix. It works with just about every decorating style, too. A midcentury sideboard can ground a modern room, a Windsor chair adds authenticity to a traditional space, and a rattan serving cart feels right at home in a coastal cottage.

Shopping flea markets, antique malls and estate sales is part of the fun, so long as you have the time and patience. If you’re looking for something specific and don’t have time to invest your weekends in tracking it down, shopping online makes the process far easier. If you’re in the market for vintage and you want to shop, not scour, these are the best places to find vintage and antique furniture and decor online.

Online vintage shopping comes in many forms. High-end and affordable, auctions and 'add-to-cart'. We've broken down this guide into price point, shopping style, and more to help you figure out where to start.

The Best Online Vintage Marketplaces

If you are after a wide array of pieces from all eras, these are the places to start. The sellers are knowledgeable and the sites are easy to navigate. The key is to work out your search terms if you are after something specific, but these sites are ideal for a general browse too to help you work out what you are looking for.

Chairish

Chairish offers a broad mix of vintage and antique finds, from 19th-century hand-painted Scandinavian cabinets and modernist platform beds to Persian rugs and French Art Deco chandeliers. Because the site features listings from both professional dealers and individual collectors, there are still vintage bargains to be found among the investment-worthy antiques.

Best for: Selection, in terms of style, category, and price

Pricing: $$-$$$

Delivery: Varies by item and seller

Pamono by Chairish

Pamono launched in 2013 as a European antiques and vintage marketplace, but began serving U.S. markets after it was acquired by Chairish in 2021. Most pieces are sold and shipped from dealers across Europe, so the selection skews different from what you'll find at U.S.-based sites – a real draw if you're after something that isn't already everywhere – though it also means higher shipping costs and longer lead times.

Best for: Broadening your selection, European antiques and designer pieces

Pricing: $$$

Delivery: Varies by item and seller

1stDibs

For rare or investment-worthy pieces, 1stDibs is one of the most comprehensive places to shop. Unlike more casual marketplaces, its inventory comes exclusively from vetted professional dealers, galleries, and makers, including more than 6,000 sellers across 50-plus countries. The selection is impressive, though prices generally run higher than on Chairish. Fully insured shipping is available to nearly anywhere in the world, but rates and delivery times vary by the item and its location.

Best for: A wide range of vintage and high-end antiques from reputable dealers

Pricing: $$$

Delivery: Varies by item and seller

The Oblist

Where well-known platforms like Chairish and Etsy operate as open marketplaces for sellers, The Oblist takes a more curated approach, vetting each dealer, gallery and piece for craftsmanship and authenticity before it ever appears on the site. If you want authentic designed pieces, or vintage that's truly exquisite without having to dig for it, you'll appreciate The Oblist's expertly edited selection.

Best for: Well-vetted vintage

Pricing: $$$

Delivery: Varies by item and seller

Le Chateau

Le Chateau is an Atlanta-based antiques dealer specializing in French furniture. If you're after a Louis Philippe gilded mirror or a set of pristine Louis XVI chairs, you'll find them on the store's website, alongside marble-topped commodes, carved armoires, and gilt-wood accents sourced largely from France. The curation leans classic and formal, so it's an especially good resource if you're after a traditional style that feels authentic.

Best for: Large furniture, European Antiques

Pricing: $-$$

Delivery: Shipping, available nationwide, typically takes 6–8 weeks. Free delivery is available within the Atlanta area.

The Best Affordable Vintage Websites

Not all rooms, or budgets, call for pristine, pedigreed antiques. Sometimes, a quirky vintage bargain will do just fine (or even better). Here's where you'll find more affordable secondhand picks.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace can turn up plenty of vintage and antique gems, usually at far lower prices than you'll find at formal vintage marketplaces. A few caveats, though: the search functions aren't as sophisticated as a dedicated retailer's, so you'll spend more time hunting down specific pieces, and inventory varies widely based on chance and location. Condition ranges from fixer-upper to near-perfect, and since there's no vetting (or formal returns) you'll need to verify condition and authenticity directly with the seller.

Best for: Secondhand scores at prices well below what you'll find at formal retailers

Pricing: $

Delivery: Items generally need to be picked up in person, locally, though some sellers offer shipping.

Etsy

Because Etsy is open to nearly any seller, in nearly any product category, it's also the online vintage marketplace with the widest inventory swing in terms of price point, condition, and selection. You'll find gallery-quality midcentury furniture and restored antiques alongside flea-market finds like old Pyrex patterns and vintage textile remnants. The sheer volume can require some digging, but it also makes Etsy one of the best places to uncover something distinctive at almost any price point.

Best for: Mid-priced and bargain vintage buys; art and decor

Pricing: $-$$

Delivery: Varies by item and seller

Ebay

eBay can be a surprisingly fruitful source for vintage pieces, provided you have the patience to search carefully and wait out the occasional auction. The site is especially well stocked with vintage rugs, accent furniture, and lighting, with options spanning a wide range of styles, sizes, and price points. A large selection of Buy It Now listings also makes it possible to shop without committing to the auction process. For those willing to do a little digging, eBay remains one of the best places to find a vintage bargain.

Best for: Vintage rugs, lighting, small furnishings

Pricing: $-$$

Delivery: Varies by item and seller

Auction Ninja

AuctionNinja is a growing platform for online estate sales, featuring auctions across dozens of states. Although some sellers offer shipping, many purchases require local pickup or separate delivery arrangements; however, browsing, bidding, and payment all take place online. It’s an especially useful resource for finding estate-sale prices without spending weekends driving from sale to sale.

Best for: Large furniture, art, tableware; avoiding shipping costs with local pickup

Pricing: $-$$

Delivery: Local pickup, some sellers will assist with delivery coordination

AptDeco

AptDeco sells all walks of secondhand furniture, from last year's Crate & Barrel sofa, to vintage selections that look like they're straight from grandma's attic. If you're after the latter, you'll have to do some digging through the hundreds of listings (there's no dedicated 'vintage' filter), but there are hidden gems to be found, often with prices that are far less than true antique sites.

Best for: Hidden gems

Pricing: $-$$

Delivery: Local pickup, local delivery, or nationwide white-glove delivery

The Best Online Vintage Stores for Lighting

Vintage lighting is one of the most searched for when shopping online, so to help narrow done where to look, these are the brands we would head to when shopping for second hand lighting fixtures.

Ruby Lane

Ruby Lane is an online marketplace for antique and vintage furniture, lighting, art, and decorative objects, with pricing that tends to fall somewhere between Etsy and 1stDibs. It’s an especially rich source for vintage lighting. At the time of writing, the site had more than 6,000 fixtures listed, ranging from ornate Victorian chandeliers to Arts & Crafts sconces and midcentury table lamps.

Best for: Large selection of vintage and antique lighting

Pricing: $$-$$$

Delivery: Items ship in 2-10 business days. Prices vary based on location, but range from about $75-$125

Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation is best-known for its new and custom lighting and furniture, but the site also has a lesser-known vintage shopping section that includes a beautiful range of lighting. From Tiffany-style chandeliers to authentic Art Deco flush mounts and salvaged industrial styles, the well-edited collection is worth a browse if you're after something with character but prefer a more curated experience.

Best for: Vintage light fixtures with an Americana feel

Pricing: $$-$$$

Delivery: Items ship in 2-10 business days. Prices vary based on location, but range from about $75-$125

Best Online Antique Shops for Decorative Accessories

If you are hunting for small pieces, like mirrors and artwork there are online stores that fit the bill best. These picks are the easiest to shop for special one of a kind trinkets and decorative pieces.

EBTH

EBTH, short for Everything But the House, is an online estate-sale platform similar to AuctionNinja, but its shopping experience is particularly well suited to sourcing furniture and vintage art. In addition to browsing by category, seller, or location, shoppers can explore themed 'boutiques' organized around aesthetics such as 'Rustic Retreat' and 'Modern Minimalist'. This style-focused approach makes it easier to narrow down the selection to pieces that'll suit your home.

Best for: Sourcing decor and art by style

Pricing: $-$$

Delivery: Local pickup; some sellers offer shipping or warehouse delivery

Jayson Home

Jayson Home, the Chicago boutique famous among design aficionados, is a go-to for its unique, expertly selected assortment of fine furnishings and decor, but the store (and its website) also sells a collection of vintage and antique items ranging from planters and lighting to furniture. The vintage edit reflects the same well-chosen eye as the rest of the shop.

Best for: Eclectic vintage decor, statement pieces

Pricing: $$$

Delivery: Items ship in 2-10 business days. Prices vary based on location, but range from about $75-$125

Tips for Buying Vintage Online

Unlike ordering a new piece, you can't usually type in a string of keywords and find the perfect vintage item in a few clicks– instead, shopping for vintage online is part strategy, part persistence. To help you hunt more effectively, we asked designer Jen Dulac – who is known for her use of vintage pieces in nearly every room she designs – to share her shopping expertise.

1. Search for the Same Piece Different Ways

The single biggest difference between finding a great vintage piece and missing it comes down to the words you type into the search bar. Vintage items rarely have one standard name, so the more ways you can describe what you’re after, the more options you’ll turn up.

‘I think it’s helpful if you try to find a few ways to describe a piece you’re on the hunt for so you can use those different terms when you search,’ Dulac says. 'For example, if you’re after a rustic, camp-style side table for a lake house but don’t know what it’s actually called, start with an inspiration photo. Run it through Google Lens to identify the style, then scan further down the results for alternate or proper names. That one table might be listed as an ‘Adirondack-style table,’ a ‘vintage twig table,’ or a ‘rustic folk art table,’ depending on the seller. Searching all of those names gives you the best chance of finding it, she says.

2. Leave Room for the Unplanned

Just like when shopping at a flea market or an in-person estate sale, sometimes the best online vintage finds aren’t what you were looking for at all – and that’s part of the magic.

‘The piece that ultimately ends up in the room might be quite a bit different, and better, than what we’d first imagined,’ Dulac says. ‘That’s the best part. The vintage pieces in a room are the spontaneous ones, the ones we come across by happenstance (and a lot of sleuthing) that, when we see them, we just know…that’s the one.’

3. If You're New to Vintage, Start With Smaller Pieces

If you’re not a regular vintage shopper, sourcing smaller pieces like lamps and art is not only low-risk, but these two categories also deliver the most character for the least money, says Dulac. ‘Many people overlook lamps at sales because the shades are so awful. But that’s a quick fix, and I find most new lamps you can easily get at stores are just so bland, especially with a boring white shade,’ she says.

A vintage lamp adds punch that a mass-market one simply can’t. The same logic applies to art. Even a work by an unknown artist, well framed, can bring a room to life, and it can often be had on a vintage site for a fraction of gallery pricing. One caveat with any vintage lighting: always have the wiring checked before you plug it in.

4. Try Online Auctions

Curated marketplaces like Chairish and Etsy are the obvious starting points for online antique sourcing, but auction platforms can be where the real value lives, especially if you can find a local one with convenient pickup or transport. Many established auction houses, like Dulac’s favorite, Black Rock Galleries in Connecticut, even have warehouses in other states where they can ship items to make long-distance pickup more convenient.

To stay on top of estate sales and auctions coming up both online and in person, Dulac follows EstateSales.net and AuctionNinja, and she keeps a close eye on specific sellers. ‘Building your own short list of go-to sellers pays off over time, because you learn whose taste and condition standards you can trust,’ she says.

5. Read Conditions and Seller Notes Carefully

The convenience of shopping vintage online comes with one real trade-off: you can’t inspect the piece in person. Instead, you’ll need to rely on condition notes, photos, and communication with the seller. Read listings closely, ask questions about anything you’re unsure of, and don’t be shy about requesting extra photos of wear, repairs, or wiring.

Certain items come with more risk than others. Upholstery and textiles, for example, can hold smells from previous owners, something you’d never know from a photo. Dulac considers anything from a home with heavy smoke or lots of pets to be a ‘hard no’ for that reason.

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Choosing the right paint color for your living room can be a daunting task. Often the biggest space in the house, living rooms serve many purposes, from cozy nights in front of the TV to hosting drinks with friends. It’s an overwhelming brief, and it's natural to play it safe and end up with the once-popular choice of a gray-and-white living room color scheme.

We’re often drawn to this living room color combination because both colors feel neutral, versatile, and contemporary. However, it’s a scheme that designers tend to avoid because the pairing of gray and white, two cool colors, can mean the room loses warmth and depth. While it's not necessary to rule out the combination entirely, thinking carefully about how you use gray and white is key to creating a welcoming living room you want to spend time in.

When it comes to gray and white, designers prefer to avoid using gray and cool white together. ‘I always think about how we feel on a cold gray day. Instinctively you want to come inside and get cozy. A cool gray interior can evoke that same feeling, particularly when paired with a stark white that makes both colors appear even cooler,’ Sophie Pringle, interior designer and Pringle & Pringle founder, explains.

Why Cool Gray and Bright White Can Make a Living Room Feel Cold

Painting your living room in cool gray and stark white can create an atmosphere that feels cold, uninviting, and lacking in depth. This is all down to color science. ‘You’re essentially putting two colors together that both sit at the cooler end of the spectrum, without anything to soften or balance them,’ Saskia Blyth, founder of Blyth-Collinson Interiors, explains.

This atmosphere is intensified further when gray and white walls are paired with furniture and decorative items in similar hues. ‘You lose any sense of depth. If the walls, upholstery, and furniture are all sitting within that same cool spectrum, everything starts to read as one note,’ New York-based interior designer Lauren Carlucci shares.

It's All About the Undertones

Much like their bolder color cousins, there are whole families of color within both gray and white. While three different shades of gray may look very similar at first glance, the undertones in each gray can have a big impact on how a space ends up feeling.

‘Undertones are hugely important when choosing both whites and grays because neither is truly neutral. A white can have blue, green, pink, yellow, or violet undertones, while gray can lean blue, green, purple, brown, or even warm taupe,’ Saskia points out.

The undertones at play in a white or gray become much more apparent once the color is on all four walls and interacting with everything else in the room. ‘A blue-gray next to a creamy white, for example, can sometimes make the gray suddenly look much bluer and the white much yellower than either appeared on the paint chip,’ Lauren notes.

How Lighting Can Change the Way Gray and White Look

Undertones, and subsequently the color, are hugely impacted by the light a room receives. Naturally, this is also a very important part of the puzzle when choosing the right gray and white for a living room. ‘A north-facing room tends to receive cooler, more diffused light, which can exaggerate blue or gray undertones. South-facing rooms have warmer, stronger natural light and can usually tolerate cooler colors more successfully,’ Lauren confirms.

Beyond this, artificial living room lighting also plays a big role. ‘Cool white bulbs can reinforce the blue undertones, while warmer bulbs will introduce a little more comfort in the evening,’ Saskia adds.

The Warmer Living Room Color Combinations Designers Prefer

Neutral doesn't have to mean beige, gray, or white. In fact, Pringle suggests looking at neutrals with a discernible undertone. For example, soft plaster pinks, muddy greens, warm stone shades, and pale earthy yellows all bring much more warmth and character.

‘Edward Bulmer Jonquil is a lovely example of a soft, warm neutral, Farrow & Ball Cromarty has a subtle green undertone, and Paint & Paper Library Stone is another favorite when you want something warmer but still very understated and contemporary,’ Sophie suggests.

Meanwhile, Lauren recommends neutrals that sit somewhere between cream, stone, putty, mushroom, and even very muted green. For example, Farrow & Ball's Matchstick, Slipper Satin, Old White and String.

How to Warm Up a Gray and White Living Room Without Starting Over

If you already have a cool gray-and-white living room, you certainly don’t need to rip everything out. Saskia suggests starting by introducing natural timber: ‘An oak coffee table, a warm wood side table, or even a few smaller timber accessories can immediately take the chill off.’

She then recommends adding tactile textiles such as wool, linen, bouclé, velvet, and chunky knits in warmer shades such as oatmeal, camel, tobacco, rust, or muted olive. Beyond this, you can also look at lighting. ‘Several pools of warm, low-level light are much more inviting than one bright overhead source,’ she adds.

While a gray-and-white living room isn’t inherently a bad thing, it requires careful consideration when it comes to paint colors and benefits hugely from layering furniture and fabrics. After all, we all want a living room that feels warm, cozy, and inviting.

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Dulux has announced its 2027 Colour of the Year as ‘Soulful Sage’. Calming, restorative, and oh-so-versatile, this light and uplifting green offers an exciting glimpse at the colour trends set to dominate in 2027.

Soulful Sage sits at the heart of three new curated colour stories by Dulux: 'Glow', 'Light' and 'Lift'. Anchoring all three colour collections, Soulful Sage is described as 'an ethereal, soft and silvery green designed to help us ‘Live Lightly’'.

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director and Colour Expert at Dulux, says, 'Our overarching theme, ‘Live Lightly’, reflects what we feel people need from their homes right now. With increasingly busy lives, information overload, and a world that can often feel quite heavy, our homes should provide a counterbalance – somewhere we can switch off, reconnect, and make room for moments of joy. Soulful Sage captures that feeling beautifully; its soft, silvery quality brings a sense of lightness while retaining that reassuring connection to the natural world.'

Proving the enduring influence of the natural world on interior design trends, Soulful Sage celebrates nature's restorative, calming power and highlights how our homes can be designed as places of sanctuary and calm. Embodying a sense of ‘innocence, freshness, and rejuvenation,' the beauty of decorating with a green tone such as Soulful Sage is that it can effortlessly integrate into homes of all ages, styles, and sizes.

Marianne continues, 'Soulful Sage can feel warm and nurturing alongside earthy tones, peaceful and restorative with quieter shades, or fresh and energising with more joyful colours. That adaptability made it the perfect shade to sit at the heart of our three colour stories, Glow, Light and Lift – giving people different ways to create a lighter home for a lighter life.'

A colour that represents healing, freshness, balance and nature, Dulux's Soulful Sage signifies the importance of creating a restorative and relaxing home in 2027.

As part of the Soulful Sage Colour of the Year announcement, Dulux has launched three accompanying colour stories: Glow, Light and Lift. These easy-to-use palettes offer different inspiration for how to decorate with Soulful Sage in your home. From being paired with contrasting, warming earth tones to similar light and understated shades, the colour collections have been created to bring 'a versatile foundation for creating interiors that feel warm and nurturing, quiet and restorative, or joyful and inspiring.'

We explore the three different looks below.

The Glow Colour Palette

The Glow palette has been designed to enrich Soulful Sage with cosy and warm contrast. 'Clay, terracotta, stone – these have been the building blocks of home for generations, and their colours feel authentic, familiar and comforting. Our Glow colour story combines these warm earth tones with uplifting lilac and the ethereal Soulful Sage to encapsulate cosiness.'

Shades in the Glow palette include: Belgian Chocolate, Clay Walls, Pebble Sea, Cinnamon Sprinkle, Violet Storm, Waxed Wood, Sunbaked Cherry, Spiced Honey, Slumber Seed.

The Light Colour Palette

The Light palette has been designed to create a grounding and healing space, matching the light and breezy feel of Soulful Sage. 'Airy and understated, these neutral browns, greys and blues make the perfect backdrop for a simple, visually uncluttered scheme in any home. Our Light colour story combines these quiet, pale tones with darker shades and Soulful Sage for a pared-back, healing feel.'

Shades include: Double Espresso, Nordic Waters, Earl Blue, Volcanic Sand, Arctic Pebble, Faded Indigo, Whispered Blue, Ashen White, Slow Living.

The Lift Colour Palette

Rich with vivid and bright tones, the Lift palette has been designed to work with Soulful Sage to create a joyful and bold scheme. 'A mix of yellowy ochres and soft pinks, with the ethereal Soulful Sage, our Lift colour story is optimistic and uplifting. These positive tones can help you create an inspiring, light-hearted feel and fill your home with a little bit of wonder.'

Shades include: Taupe Pink, Hemp Cloth, Faded Damson, Moss Agate, Fern Forest, Hushed Grey, Potter's Clay, Honey Bear, Smokewood Taupe.

What Does Soulful Sage Mean for 2027 Colour Trends?

Dulux's 2026 Colour of the Year, a palette of three paints named 'Rhythm of Blues', also took inspiration from the beauty of the natural world. However, Soulful Sage offers a lighter, more subtle expression of nature for 2027.

Elegant and calming, and far from intense or domineering, Soulful Sage brings a sense of lightness and tranquillity to the home, reflecting a growing desire to create spaces that feel calm, simple, and connected to the outdoors.

As we continue to adapt and rethink our interior spaces in response to the world around us, the launch of Soulful Sage suggests that creating a sense of calm at home will remain a key design priority for next year's trends. It speaks to our desire for spaces that feel restful yet uplifting – interiors that offer a welcome sense of escape while still feeling fresh and contemporary.

Colours with connections to nature have long endured in the world of design, but as we look towards 2027, it will be interesting to see how decorating with green evolves, with the launch of Soulful Sage marking a shift towards a quieter, more understated approach to green room ideas.

Soulful Sage Shopping Edit

For more decorating inspiration, explore our edit of the best sage green paints .

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Large, sprawling kitchens are often seen as the pillar of inspiration for a dream kitchen, but there's something truly special about a beautifully designed small space. With the right color and layout choices, these compact schemes create a sense of intimacy, coziness, and elevated style.

That was the brief for this New York brownstone dating back to the Victorian era, which had seen one too many renovations over the years, most recently a very minimalist design from the '90s. To achieve a more timeless, elevated look, the soulless open-plan layout needed to be reversed, and the color scheme swapped for something far more inviting.

With several unexpected details and the careful reintroduction of architectural features, this small kitchen is now a warm, inviting room that feels thoughtfully connected to the adjoining dining room without being completely open. It proves that not every home needs walls knocked down to feel bright, open, and full of natural light.

Decorate With Soft, Creamy Pinks For a Warm and Inviting Scheme

It's tempting to paint a small kitchen white to make it feel larger, but the wrong shade can instantly create a cold, clinical feel. Neutrals are a great choice, but to imbue a sense of warmth and timelessness, a very soft, pale pink was chosen here, drenched across the walls and cabinetry for a seamless, light-enhancing design.

'The kitchen is a soft pink which glows in the sunlight. It is a color I really like working with. All the ceilings in the house are white, tinged with pink. When sunlight or lamplight touches them, they emit a very happy glow,' explains David Nastasi, Founder of Swain Street & Co. But this very soft shade was chosen for reasons beyond weaving a color thread through the entire home.

'Lighting is a challenge in New York City row houses, which tend to be long and dark at the center,' he continues. 'We wanted to make the most of the natural and incandescent light we had – the pink warmly intensifies that light, even on rainy days, late afternoons, and nights. It's a kind color – everyone looks good in it, and it goes well with other colors.'

Add Architectural Interest With Arched Details

When an old home undergoes several remodels, it can slowly lose the original details and features that give the space character – something this kitchen was lacking. After stripping back the '90s minimalist decor, David used arched details throughout the kitchen to reintroduce a sense of period design – as though the last remodel was done no later than the Edwardian era.

'Taking a cue from Sir Edwin Lutyens (a Victorian-era English architect who specialized in traditional style), we added the tall arched doorways. The tall arches feel dramatic, but also serve a practical purpose, allowing light to reach the center of the house from the street and garden fronts,' he explains.

The architecture and the kitchen needed to speak to each other, so the curved features were carried into various elements of the design, from the open cabinet connected to the banquette seating to the gently rounded island profile. 'The rounded shape of the island softened the look in the room, it worked with the arches and very practically allows for easier circulation in a high-traffic and tight space.'

Embrace a Closed-Concept Layout Without Completely Dividing Rooms

One of the biggest pre-renovation problems with this space was its open-plan design. Each room felt dark, lacked its own identity, and felt unsuited to the old architecture, so reverting to a closed-concept layout became a priority. But to prevent the kitchen and dining room from feeling closed in and completely separated, David implemented a genius solution with double-sided glass cabinets.

'Neither the client nor I like open-plan living. We wanted the dining room to feel like a proper room and have its own aesthetic, which would be distinct from the kitchen on one side and the living room on the other. I separated the kitchen from the dining room with a double-sided glazed china cabinet. This cabinet allowed light to pass from the kitchen to the dining room,' he explains.

This striking addition does more than just let light through into the windowless dining room – it also creates storage for tableware that can be accessed from both rooms, making cleaning, food prep, and table dressing a more seamless process. 'Dishes can be put away in the kitchen and taken out to serve in the dining room. The cabinetry acts as a wall between the two spaces, and we use every inch available.'

The final perk? Moving away from open plan allowed each room to have its own palette. While the kitchen was all about a soft, light-enhancing pink, the dining room was about something far more daring. 'The acid green was my client's choice – I was not in favour of it to begin with, so we wrangled over it, and as she is the client and it was her dining room, I caved. I am so happy I did. We knew right away that it was an exciting color and would draw people into the room. We used a high-gloss wallpaper for the ceiling with an arabesque pattern, which added a note of whimsy.'

Make Space For Informal Dining With a Kitchen Nook

With a formal dining room just next door, it would be easy to overlook a more casual dining area in the kitchen. But these informal nooks have an entirely different function, becoming a place for morning rituals, kids' breakfasts, and even workstations for every member of the family. It's a classic case of understanding how you use a kitchen beyond cooking.

'My client wanted a space where her children could sit and do homework or have their dinner as she prepared meals for guests. She also wanted an overflow or kids' table when her guests brought their children. The adults could have dinner in the dining room and still keep an eye on the kids in the kitchen – a formal dining space for the grown-ups, and a more casual space for the children,' David describes.

The dining nook also encourages a greater connection with outdoor spaces used throughout the warmer months. A smaller table that's easy to move, it doubles as a buffet when the clients host. 'Beyond the kitchen table is a very large terrace – the island and the table also serve as staging areas or buffet space when parties happen outside.'

Quick Tips

• Be intentional with your color choices to enhance a small kitchen
• Consider ways your new kitchen can enhance historic architecture, rather than simply sit within it
• Know when your space thrives with a closed-concept layout – and don't be afraid to reverse open plan
• Think beyond solid walls – double sided cabinetry dividing a kitchen and dining room makes a visual and functional impact
• Never overlook informal dining areas – a banquette is always a good idea

This project feels like an ode to small kitchens, showcasing how a smaller footprint doesn't have to limit the design. From the soft color palette to the curved details and genius glazed cabinets dividing the rooms, it proves that the best choice for your kitchen is designing for your space, rather than following trending styles.

'Hopefully the design for the kitchen and dining room – and the rest of the project – proves that a traditionally designed space can be beautiful and functional and work very well for a modern lifestyle,' David notes. 'I am most proud that the house feels uniquely theirs, and we were able to fit in all the programmatic requirements the client desired with very minimal structural changes.'

Shop the Look

At Homes & Gardens, we believe a kitchen should work as beautifully as it looks. That’s the philosophy behind Dream Kitchens, our new series exploring the world’s most inspiring cook spaces. From clever layouts to the 'it' materials of 2026, we’re uncovering the design lessons tucked inside every home. Join us for an intimate look at the spaces that define modern living – and find the blueprints for your next big project.

There is something instinctive about wanting to layer up our homes as fall arrives. Just as sweaters and blankets emerge from storage, rooms seem to call for a little more warmth and weight as the days shorten. But adding another throw pillow or blanket isn’t the only way to create it.

In fact, the most beautifully layered rooms rarely look as though they have been decorated specifically for fall at all. Instead, designers make small but considered shifts to texture, color, lighting, and even the arrangement of furniture, building up a sense of warmth without completely changing the character of a space.

From pulling chairs a little closer together to introducing pools of lamplight and bringing fall's color trends into an existing palette, these are the subtle layering techniques designers use to make rooms feel richer, warmer and more inviting for fall.

1. Layer Texture, Not Just Textiles

Textiles are the natural starting point for fall layering, but simply adding more of the same soft texture can leave a room feeling one-dimensional. Instead, think about creating contrast between materials: nubby wool against smooth linen, a vintage quilt over crisp cotton bedding, aged timber beside upholstery, or leather and brass among softer fabrics.

'A great way to get your home ready for those cooler autumn months is to layer up the textiles,’ says Ailsa MacConnell, founder of Studio Mac. ‘Whether that be a fun curtain behind the bed or multiple bed throws layered on top of each other. Also mixing in darker wooden tones in the way of artwork or antique pieces of furniture adds that much-needed warmth that those winter months call for.’

The key is that layering doesn’t have to mean softness everywhere. ‘I think layering doesn’t always have to mean textiles,’ says Toronto-based designer Ashley Ylanko, who recommends bringing warm woods, aged brass, leather, ceramics and antiques into the mix, which add depth in a subtler way than simply piling on more fabric.

2. Give Your Palette More Weight

You don’t need to repaint a room every September to make its palette feel right for the season. Often, introducing just one or two deeper fall colors is enough to shift the balance.

‘To make a room feel richer for fall without completely repainting or redecorating, I love incorporating deeper tones like plum, rust, and olive, along with tactile materials such as velvet, wool, and aged leather,’ says New York-based interior designer Jennifer Hunter. ‘A velvet pillow or cashmere throw can instantly add a cozy, layered feeling without making a major commitment.’

Rather than introducing several stereotypically autumnal shades at once, choose a color that makes sense alongside your existing palette. A pale neutral living room might take a deep olive pillow or tobacco-colored leather particularly well, while blues can be made richer with plum, burgundy, or chocolate brown.

And don’t restrict color to fabric. Jennifer also recommends a darker landscape or still life, or a few deeper-toned ceramics, to ground a room without overwhelming what’s already there. These smaller accents are particularly useful if you favor a lighter palette year-round: they add visual weight, but can easily move around the house as the seasons change.

3. Make Your Furniture Layouts More Intimate

Layering isn’t only about what you add to a room. Sometimes, it’s about changing the relationship between the things already there. ‘As the weather cools, I like to bring seating slightly closer together and create more intimate groupings that encourage conversation,’ says Jenny Dames, Lead Designer at TOM Design Collective. ‘I’ll also introduce more visual weight through layered furniture pieces and lighting at different heights. As we enter the fall season, I want the room to embrace you.’

It’s a subtle shift, but particularly effective in living rooms that are arranged to feel airy during summer. Ashley Ylanko suggests bringing lounge chairs and sofas inward to form a conversation nook, then introducing smaller pieces such as stools, drink tables, benches, and antique tables to fill some of the negative space.

That doesn’t mean filling every empty corner. The aim is to make the furniture feel more connected. Try moving an occasional chair a few inches closer to the sofa, placing a small table within arm’s reach, or pulling a stool toward the fireplace.

Haley Dermenjian, Associate Designer at TOM Design Collective, suggests giving the arrangement something to gather around, whether that’s a fireplace, a beautiful living room lamp, or a favorite piece of art. ‘Let the furniture acknowledge it,’ she says. ‘A room can feel more inviting simply by allowing people to gather around something, while also adjusting the negative space.’ The result is a room that shifts from open and expansive to somewhere you naturally want to settle.

4. Build Up Layers of Light

As natural daylight becomes scarcer, it’s tempting to compensate by simply making a room brighter. But the coziest rooms tend to do the opposite: rather than flooding every corner with uniform light, they create smaller pockets of illumination at different heights.

Think beyond the standard combination of ceiling fixture and table lamp. A statement floor lamp beside an armchair, wall sconces washing light across a wall, a small lamp on a bookshelf or console, and candlelight at coffee-table height all create separate layers that give the room depth after dark. ‘I don’t think a home should ever feel like it only works for one season,’ notes Kate Stuart, partner at TOM Design Collective. ‘The bones stay the same, and you make small shifts as the year changes. In fall, I love bringing in branches, berries and turning leaves, then relying more on lamps and candlelight as the days get shorter.’

Ashley Ylanko similarly recommends adding floor and table lamps, or even battery-powered sconces, to create smaller pools of light throughout a room as the hours of daylight shorten. It’s worth paying attention to where you actually spend time in the evening, too. Rather than lighting empty areas indiscriminately, concentrate lamps around the places where you read, talk, or sit. Allowing a little shadow between these pools of light makes each one feel warmer and more intimate.

5. Make Your Windows Work Harder

Windows provide another opportunity for layering, particularly when the quality of natural light begins to change. But that doesn’t necessarily mean swapping lightweight summer curtains for heavy drapes every fall.

‘Window treatments have a huge influence on how a room feels, particularly as the light changes through autumn,’ says interior designer Rebecca Hughes. ‘We tend to create bespoke window treatments that work beautifully year-round, rather than changing them with every season. The key is choosing the right combination of fabrics, textures, and linings from the outset, so the windows can adapt naturally to the changing light and atmosphere throughout the year.’

Layering a shade or blind with full-length curtains can give a window visual depth year-round, while how you use those layers can change with the season. During fall, Rebecca recommends opening curtains fully during the day to make the most of the warmth and golden quality of natural sunlight, before closing them as dusk falls. This helps retain warmth while creating a barrier between the room and the colder glass.

6. Bring Your Collected Pieces Forward

Fall layering can happen on a much smaller scale, too. Books, ceramics, candlesticks and favorite objects all help a room feel more collected, particularly when they are arranged in small groupings rather than scattered individually around a space.

‘For me, fall layering is often about the quieter details,’ says Laura Fremont, lead designer at TOM Design Collective. ‘A stack of books, brass candleholders and a few accessories can completely change the mood of a room. They add warmth, depth and that slightly collected feeling that makes a space feel more intimate as the days get shorter.’

The best place to begin, then, might be your own shelves and cupboards. Move a favorite stack of books onto the coffee table, bring a ceramic bowl into the living room, or group brass candlesticks together rather than buying accessories purely because they have been labeled as fall decor.

When building these small compositions, vary the height, shape, and material of each piece. A low ceramic bowl beside tall candlesticks and a stack of books creates more depth than three similarly proportioned objects, while mixing wood, pottery, metal and paper prevents a vignette from feeling overly styled.

7. Let Nature Do the Decorating

If you do want to introduce an unmistakably seasonal layer, look outside rather than to the fall decor aisle. Branches are particularly effective because their height and irregular form introduce something that conventional accessories can’t. Haley Dermenjian recommends organic stems, dried flowers and grasses, berries or bare twigs, noting that taller, more sculptural foraged elements can make a room feel grounded and connected to the season.

And in the kitchen, you barely need to decorate at all. ‘I’d rather let the harvest do the work,’ says Tommy Smythe, founding partner of TOM Design Collective, who suggests leaving vegetables from the market in a basket, herbs on the sill and fruit piled into a bowl. ‘There’s something about that abundance of color and ingredients that makes you want to gather, cook and enjoy the season’s bounty. Add warm wood, pottery, and deeper greens, and suddenly the kitchen feels completely right for fall, without anyone having to announce it.’

It’s perhaps the easiest fall layer of all because it is temporary by nature. A branch loses its leaves, the fruit gets eaten, the flowers fade, and the room moves on with the season.

Ultimately, successful layering isn't about how many things you can fit into a room. It’s about creating relationships between them: a dark wood table against soft upholstery, lamplight falling over a favorite chair, a deeper color anchoring a pale scheme, or furniture drawn slightly closer around the fireplace. Small changes can be enough. Rather than redecorating your home for fall, think about where it could use a little more weight, warmth, or intimacy, and add just the layer that’s missing.

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Every stylish host knows that when throwing a dinner party, the tablescape is just as important as the food itself. Especially during the fall, when hearty meals and cozy cocktails are served, no accoutrement complements the dining experience quite like fall-themed table linens.

From tartan tablecloths and autumn-toned runners to heritage-inspired napkins and matching placemats, fall table linens can set the tone for a fall feast well before the meal is served. These fall table decor ideas act as the foundation upon which you can style even more season-specific accessories – like warm metal candle holders, harvest-inspired floral arrangements, and even fall toile dinnerware.

While fall table linens in traditional autumn colors like browns, greens, and oranges are the classic choice, we’re seeing fall color trends adopt shades like mauve, mustard, and navy blue this year – and we’re eager to bring these colors to our tablescapes. Whether you need all new linens for the season or just a few pieces to set the scene for your next dinner party, shop the chicest fall table linens below.

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