The cinematic event of the holiday season, Wicked: For Good, is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, and this cultural zeitgeist is already transitioning from the red carpet to high-end home decor. The vibrant spirit of the film, fuelled by the powerful visual contrast between Elphaba’s emerald green and Glinda’s pastel pink, is the ultimate Christmas decor inspiration as I patiently wait for the movie's release.

Kristen Bell's Christmas tree from a previous year is the perfect, prescient example of how to turn your home into a tastefully Wicked movie set, proving she was ahead of the curve. The actress and her husband, Dax Shepard, have a history of following current, high-concept interior design trends – having previously embraced a whimsical Grinch-inspired aesthetic. It comes as no surprise that Bell chose the World of Oz for her theme, being a long-time fan of the musical.

In the photo, which the actress shared on her Instagram, her Christmas tree appeared to have a yellow brick roadway leading up to it, with the instantly recognizable legs (signifying the Wicked Witch of the East) peaking out beneath the tree.

The entire spectacle is a wonderfully personal homage to everyone's favorite witches. The statement Ruby Slippers from the 1939 Judy Garland movie is an iconic scene. The tree itself features pretty pink and red baubles punctuated by a beautifully placed pink ribbon – a popular Christmas tree trend that continues into 2025. Sitting pretty on top were two unique Christmas tree toppers featuring Wicked's lead characters, Glinda and Elphaba.

This thematic approach is key to creating a truly memorable holiday look. The energy surrounding the film's sequel, Wicked: For Good, is driving a design trend we call Wickedcore, where whimsical elements and jewel tones are integrated into sophisticated home decor.

The film's stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, helped kickstart this color obsession last year, embracing Elphaba’s green and Glinda’s pink across the globe. The highly successful year-long build-up to the Wicked movies has made this color palette inescapable, generating major media interest and translating into stunning, Oz-inspired interiors across the design world.

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Bright colors are all fine and good, but there is something timelessly alluring about a warm neutral scheme. Tones like beige, cream, and brown feel inherently inviting and luxurious, drawing us in year after year.

For proof, look no further than Kristen Bell's entryway. We spotted the space in the background of an Instagram post with her adorable puppy, and it's a stunner. The actor's home features cream walls paired with natural wood flooring. Accents like a black dining table and a black frame bring in just the right amount of contrast.

Furthermore, Kristen's quiet luxury palette is re-emerging as an interior design trend this fall.

Design expert Magdalena Gierasinska explains: 'This autumn, as vibrant color palettes take center stage, there’s also rising demand for neutral room ideas that create comfort through texture, natural materials, and thoughtful layering. This approach blends rich woods, soft fabrics, and sculptural furniture to craft spaces that feel grounded, elegant, and effortlessly inviting.'

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Luckily, Kristen's quiet luxury entryway style is easy to recreate in any home.

Magdalena advises: 'To achieve this look, start with wooden furniture pieces that bring warmth and character. Layer in neutral textiles like linen to add softness and depth without competing with color. Incorporate statement armchairs with organic shapes to add visual interest, and choose accessories in earthy tones and shades of green, to evoke the natural world and bring a sense of calm to the space.'

Though the look might not have the same spike in searches as something like butter yellow, it makes up for it in timeless appeal. Rather than a passing fad, this color trend is here to stay.

Magdalena explains: 'Mixing different materials helps create a curated, lived-in feel that balances timeless appeal with modern comfort. This style is perfect for those seeking a sanctuary-like space that’s as welcoming as it is stylish, providing a calm counterpoint to the season’s bolder trends.'

If you're seeking an instant feeling of calm when you walk through the front door, Kristen Bell's cream, natural wood, and black color scheme is a great option. It doesn't get much better than that.

You've heard of a glass of wine in the bath, but what about a coffee in the shower? Kristen Bell is paving the way by innovatively placing her coffee bar in the bathroom. As a coffee lover with difficulty waking up in the morning, I'm completely on board.

'I believe that to be a kids' table she’s turned into a coffee station...in her bathroom,' joked Kristen's friend, Monica Padman, sharing a snap of the set up to Instagram. Though the post's tone is silly, I actually think her coffee bar placement is a brilliant idea. Commenters were quick to point out that it's a good hack for parents with early work mornings who want to avoid waking their children by moving around in the kitchen. People also noticed that it's a method to get a few extra moments of privacy while guests are staying. Though there were a few naysayers, the consensus was that if the unconventional placement makes her life better, why not?

Personally, I like the coffee bar idea for two reasons: it saves time in the morning, and it allows a constant stream of caffeine while bathing. To the first reason, making a coffee to sip while getting ready instead of going down to the kitchen would cut about 15 minutes out of my morning routine. Though it doesn't sound like much, during a busy week, 15 extra minutes of sleep can feel like a huge luxury.

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Second, I love sipping a warm beverage while in the shower. Carving out a coffee nook in the bathroom would put these soothing drinks within arms reach of my bathtub. Being able to drink multiple coffees or hot chocolates throughout a shower or bath on a weekend would be so lovely and relaxing. It might sound ridiculous, but the little things do make all the difference.

Would you incorporate a coffee bar into your bathroom? Whatever the answer, the point of design is optimizing the home for personal enjoyment, and sometimes that will take you in unforseen directions.

Sleep is essential to everything you do throughout the day, thus, so is your mattress. In response, mattresses have grown increasingly innovative, boosting heating and cooling technologies, robotic bases that move up and down, and mattresses that can be adjusted to be firm or soft. Though the technology has advanced, the question remains, will this actually help me sleep better? And is it worth the cost?

According to Kristen Bell, the answer is yes to both. She explained her opinion on the best mattress in an interview with Self, in which she discussed her bedtime routine.

Bell stated: 'We had always both dreamed of having a Craftmatic adjustable bed, so we got a Sleep Number. It is absolutely the best thing on earth. It’s the most elegant way to live. I’ll be like, “Do you want to watch TV?” And he’ll go, “Yeah. Let me bring you up.”' She paused to make a buzzing sound, according to the reporter. She continued, 'It’s spectacular. So usually, we play around with our robot bed for a while.'

Do sleep experts agree with Bell's assessment of her smart bed? We spoke with our in-house sleep editor, Emilia Hitching, to find out.

Emilia explains: 'When Bell talks about her ‘robot bed’, she’s talking about her Sleep Number smart base, which is separate to the mattress. You can choose between three bed bases: the FlexFit 1, 2, and 3, each of which sets out to solve a specific sleep issue. The Flex Fit 1 features head adjustability, so you can raise the top of your mattress to sit or sleep propped up. The FlexFit 2 offers head and foot adjustability on either side of the bed, so you can set your mattress in a particular position to cushion any aches and pains. The FlexFit 3 offers all that, plus a foot-warming function and under-bed lighting, and I believe the cost of a good night's sleep is priceless. It is always worth spending money on true relaxation'

If you love the idea of an adjustable bed but can't stomach the price of the Smart Base, there are lots of other options.

Emilia explains: 'The c2 smart bed is one of Sleep Number’s more affordable offerings, retailing at $1,099 for a Queen. Your money goes a long way: you get adjustable firmness in dual zones so that you can set one side of the bed to feel firmer than the other. That’s great news for couples who share a bed but not a sleep style: you might sleep on your side and prefer a plusher mattress, while your partner sleeps on their back and needs a firmer surface.' For the budget-conscious, this seems like a worthwhile investment.

Though Bell dwelled on the novelty aspects of her Sleep Number bed, its smart bedroom tech is just as useful for tracking your sleep. 'If you’re the kind of health-conscious person who likes to see stats about their sleep, then you’ll appreciate Sleep Number’s integrated sleep tracking,' explains Emilia. 'There are sensors in your Sleep Number mattress which monitor the quality of your sleep – when you move around in the night, when you heat up or cool down – and deliver the data to you via the Sleep Number app. Your Sleep Number smart bed can tell you if you’re sleeping badly, but it can’t help you sleep better. To change your sleep habits, you need a smarter system, such as the Eight Sleep Pod 4.'

Ultimately, it's your decision what you want to spend on your mattress, but understanding the options available is the best place to start with making the right choice for your home and family.

Silk pillowcases have been all the rage throughout the 2020s, and it's easy to see why. These ultra-soft pillow covers have been credited with improving hair texture, keeping skin moisturized, and ensuring a better quality of sleep. Given the often steep price tag, you may be wondering, is a silk pillowcase worth it? Kristen Bell says yes.

Recently, she has been a devout silk pillowcase user. In an interview about the things she 'can't live without,' Bell shared with The Strategist that she swears by Slip's Queen Silk Pillowcase. She joked: 'When I first put the silk pillowcase on my pillow, I thought to myself, “Is this who I am now? I’m the girl who blindly follows the silk pillowcase fad?” But a follower I am. So, I put it on and didn’t think twice about it again.'

However, the style quickly became more than an interior design trend for Bell. She continued, 'But the other morning I woke up, walked into the kitchen, and my husband said, “Hon, what’s up with your hair?” I looked in the mirror and half of my head was completely normal, soft, non-tangled hair, and the other side looked like I was attacked in my sleep. I realized in the middle of the night I had switched to my back and slept on another pillow. And the side that looked great could only have been credited to my silk pillowcase! It was an accidental side-by-side experiment and the silk pillowcase won by a factor of a million.'

Switching to a silk pillowcase is a simple upgrade that can completely transform the look and feel of your bed. From its moisturizing benefits to the satiny surface, the gorgeous texture is the perfect addition to a set of crisp cotton sheets.

Editor's Picks for Best Silk Pillowcases

If you're curious about different silk pillowcases, here are the best as tried and tested by our Sleep Editor, Emilia Hitching.

If you've ever watched one of Kristen Bell's movies or shows, you know that she has great hair. Luckily, the right bedding can help anyone get her look.

It's been five months since Jennifer Garner shared her bird watching hobby with the world via Instagram – and in that time, she's found good company.

Kristen Bell is the most recent figure to prove that celebrities can enjoy the same small pleasures as the rest of us, sharing that she's just purchased a smart bird feeder to take photos of the creatures in her backyard. It happens to be the exact same one as Garner's, emphasizing this is a model we can trust.

In the clip, Bell shares that the purchase of the Bird Buddy smart feeder was a result of 'doom-scrolling' in bed for two hours – in which time, she was subjected to ads that tempted her to part with her money. 'These ads, they come in hard, they come in fast, they’re very convincing,' she jokes.

'So far, in the last two hours, I have purchased this car vacuum that has, apparently, NASA-level suction, this balance board, and this electric bird feeder [available on Amazon] – which takes glamor shots of the creatures in your backyard while they’re snacking. They make it so easy. I didn’t need any of this when I woke up this morning, but now it’s on its way to my house.' With endorsements from both Bell and Garner, we don't need much more convincing to follow suit – but Amazon just made it even easier for us. It's currently discounted,

Equipped with artificial intelligence, Bell's bird feeder recognizes over 1000 bird species (yes, even the ultra-rare ones you always wondered about). The solar-powered camera bird feeder features a practical solar roof that continuously charges your Bird Buddy when the sun comes out – so you don't need to worry about keeping it charged to keep track of your bird visitors.

Plus, experts explain that installing a feeder like this is one of the best things you can do to encourage more bird activity in your yard.

'What better way to begin attracting birds to your garden than with food? Place bird feeders filled with suet balls, berries or seeds where they’ll be most effective- amidst trees or bushes or behind a wall where they won’t be blown by the wind. Remember to place them high up as well, preventing other animals from reaching them and keeping the birds safe,' comments garden expert Daniel Scholfield.

Alongside the feeder, choosing plants for birds also invites more activity around your home.

'Bird feeders aren’t the only food sources you can place in your garden to attract birds; there’s plenty of natural ones, too,' Scholfield comments.

'Plants such as rowan, hawthorn, and holly are great for this, providing not just a great food source but also somewhere for birds to shelter and nest. Ivy and honeysuckle are also great for the same reasons! Alternatively, you can brighten up your garden with wildflowers, which will attract insects for the birds to feast on.'

Alongside the Bird Buddy, we recommend these alternatives (also available from Amazon) below.

Gray paint has become one of the most ubiquitous exterior paint colors, and for good reason. The shade is calming, versatile, and subtle, with benefits like concealing dirt and reflecting the surrounding natural environment. Though we've seen thousands of gray homes, Kristen Bell's somehow brings something new to the conversation.

We spotted the actress's exterior paint color in an Instagram post about her and her husband, Dax Sheperd's, F1 themed party. Behind their headband clad poses, we can see that their house has a traditional shape with a dark gray roof and matte gray walls. They contrast this sea of gray with black accents on the windows and a warm door color.

Experts laud their clever, timeless exterior paint color decision. 'Gray hues are a smart choice for exterior paint,' states Cory A. Ferris, principal designer at Cory Alisa Fine Arts & Interior Design. She continues, 'Gray is neutral and can lean cool or warm, or modern or traditional depending on its tone and accompanying finishes. In this case, Kristen Bell and Dax Shephard’s home supports a warmer color story with its honey-stained oak front door and bronze and brass window fittings, lighting, and door hardware. This scheme lends a softer, more rustic take on the gray trend.'

Bell's gray paint is also an excellent choice for its interaction with the surrounding landscape. This is due not only to the color, but to its flat finish. Pam Hutter, architect states: 'The matte gray paint choice lends an industrial yet natural feel to Bell's home. The flat finish helps the home blend into the surrounding landscape.'

For those considering applying matte paint to their own homes, Hutter explains: 'I often recommend matte exterior paints for modern homes in natural settings. This exterior paint trend is ideal for homes in coastal areas or mountain retreats. The gray palette complements natural materials like wood and stone. I've specified similar paint colors for many sustainable homes to create a harmonious connection between the structure and environment.' Ferris adds: 'Not only is a matte finish more sophisticated, but it is also less reflective, so it will help conceal any imperfections on the surface.'

However, in painting your own home, it's important to think about maintenance. Ferris suggests: 'While I visually prefer matte paint for interiors and exteriors, higher glosses help to repel water which is especially beneficial with exterior paint, so I would recommend a satin finish for exteriors as a happy medium.'

Though the look is a design trend, it doesn't seem to show any signs of abating. 'Over the last decade, gray has oversaturated some homes, creating monochromatic and even sterile-looking residences,' says Ferris. 'However, gray is here to stay as one of the top paint color choices as it remains neutral and versatile. This newer trend to pair natural woodgrains and metals that develop patinas with gray paint colors sensibly disrupts the surface and adds a refined agrestic component.'

Shop H&G Editors' Favorite Gray Paints

Though the timeless exterior paint color and finish is undeniably stylish, it's important to consider what paint will work best in your surroundings. Hutter cautions: The style may not suit all home styles or climates. In hot, sunny places, the paint could fade more quickly and may require more maintenance to prevent disciloration over time. For the right setting though, this muted, nature-inspired look is ideal for crafting a stylish yet sustainable space.'

Kristen Bell is a constant inspiration. From her acting, to her singing, to her exterior paint color.

Gracing homes up and down, beige is undoubtedly the standout star of 2023, and American actress Kristen Bell's home is no exception. A color once considered bland, beige has proved itself to be an enduring neutral and is one of the most popular room color ideas to decorate within the home. 

Decorating with beige and other neutrals to add warmth and elegance to a room should not be underestimated. A soft scheme of harmonious neutrals creates a reflective backdrop to the ever-changing light of the seasons. Used in their family home, Kristen Bell and her husband, actor and comedian Dax Shephard have utilized this serene color scheme to perfection. So, if the shade is at the top of your snooze list – it’s time to have a re-write. 

It's fair to say that at Homes & Gardens, we've been championing maximalist interior schemes and bold decorating ideas for some time, but a neutral backdrop can enable beautiful architecture, decorative furniture, and bespoke artworks to make a true style statement.  

From oyster and beige to sand and gray hues, the secret to neutrals is to pick the right tones for the type of light coming into your room. Cool light works well with warmer neutrals while south-facing light has a yellow hue, so cooler neutral colors are best. 

Neutrals, such as beige and taupe, have been the most desirable colors for many households during the last few years, and perhaps for good reason. Many people feel most comfortable when surrounded by carefully balanced color schemes that create an understated environment and make few demands on the eye. 

Colors inspired by nature have an intrinsic calming influence, provoking a similar response to that from gazing out upon a beautiful country or seascape. An earthy neutral like beige, whether it verges on stone, putty, plaster, or sand, is easy to coordinate with, though the trick is matching the beige tone to the colors you surround it with.

A beige color scheme offers infinite possibilities for making spaces airy and relaxing, refined and timeless, or elegantly sophisticated.

Kristen Bell's waking hours may be filled with Hollywood's bustle – but her lifestyle only makes the importance of a therapeutic bedroom even more vital. This is where her color choices come in. 

The actress, known for Veronica Mars, has curated the ultimate sleep-including space using beige bedroom ideas – the color that famously divides designers – but is unanimously approved by science. So, as we look to sleep better, it may be time to follow Kristen's lead. But what exactly makes beige – and other similar neutrals – so beneficial in the bedroom? We asked sleep experts to weigh in on this subtly powerful color choice.

'The best colors to promote healthy sleep are neutral colors and warm tones, and this includes the items and decor in your room, as well as paint colors. The best colors include beige, off-white, neutral greys (excluding dark grey), and blues,' says sleep expert Rachel Mitchell. 

Kristen has incorporated beige and similar off-white tones, primarily on the wall behind her bed – but also in her luxury bedding (we've found a similar throw below). She has also added pockets of color through her navy and white rug and gold accents that quietly complement the neutral scheme. 

The space proves, once again, that beiges and neutrals are anything but boring – and their benefits exceed their aesthetic, just as pediatric and adult sleep coach Kaley Medina emphasizes.

'Light orange colors such as a beige can be a great option for a bedroom. It's neutral and can bring about feelings of serenity,' she comments. 'However, it's important to avoid brighter colors of orange and stick with those with brown undertones.'

Plus, as Rachel also mentioned, when looking for what color helps sleep, blue is another beneficial tone to bring into the bedroom. We recommend investing in blue soft furnishings and accessories, such as decorative cushions or curtains, to co-exist alongside neutral walls and bedding. 

'Blue is associated with serenity and has a wonderful calming and relaxing effect. It evokes visions of the sky and the ocean,' Kaley says.

'Soft and light blue colors are non-stimulating, which can help your body produce melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone in our bodies that makes us naturally sleepy with the rise and fall of the sun. And it is exactly what our body needs in the evening to get tired when bedtime arrives.'

Is it time we all gave beige bedroom buys a try? We're starting with these Kristen-inspired buys below.