I've been a side-sleeper my whole life. Prioritizing a pillow that keeps my spine aligned is my main concern when it comes to my sleep space.

Recently, I've been testing the recently relaunched Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow, and can safely say I've found my perfect fit. With a recycled hypoallergenic fill that's suitable for sensitive sleepers or those with allergies, it's irresistibly fluffy and comfortable.

Since entering my rotation earlier this year, it's quickly become my best pillow for comfortable side-sleeping. Here's why.

On the scale of soft to firm, I definitely prefer my pillows on the flatter, squishier side, as it helps to combat any neck pain which could crop up due to my side sleeping position. For that reason, I opted for the Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow in the Standard size and Soft Support option.

Without being overly effusive, it's genuinely my perfect pillow. I haven't slept with any other pillow (apart from when away from home) since I started testing it, and haven't woken up with a sore neck, or found myself uncomfortable when I try to fall asleep once.

As it's filled with premium, high-grade hypoallergenic recycled poly microgel that perfectly mimics the feel of down, it's also perfect for sensitive sleepers with allergies, like me. Down pillows, or rather the dust trapped in the dander, tend to trigger my asthma and other symptoms associated with common allergens, so this alternative, which feels almost exactly the same, is ideal.

And, if you prioritize shopping the best organic bedding, which is one of my top considerations when browsing, from the luxe sateen shell to the recycled fill, this pillow has also been rigorously tested for harmful substances and certified to meet the strict global safety criteria of the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, and meets the Global Recycled Standard, too, which ensures that the recycled fill is both ethically sourced and produced.

What to Shop

Looking to shop for more upgrades for your sleep space? From pillows to protectors and pillowcases to toppers, you can shop my selection of summer essentials below, all of which have been tested and vetted by us here at Homes & Gardens.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Adding decorative pillows to your bed is a fun way to re-energize your space, with minimal cost and effort.

Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

If you sleep on your side or your back, keeping your spine correctly aligned is crucial to avoid neck pain, muscle tension, and ensure restful sleep.

Fortunately, some pillows, such as the Sleep Innovations Contour Memory Foam Pillow, available at Amazon, are designed to do the hard work for you. Developed to cleverly adapt to your head and neck, the responsive memory foam holds its shape and relieves pressure points as you rest.

Here's why shoppers think it's worthy of a spot among the best pillows for unrivalled cooling comfort.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

No matter which sleep position you find suits you best, aches and pains when you wake in the morning are not unusual. With the Sleep Innovations Contour Memory Foam Pillow, available at Amazon, though, they become a little bit more avoidable.

Featuring a cleverly contoured shape with four or five-inch height options at either end, which allows you to choose the amount of neck support you need, it's perfectly suited to side and back sleepers looking to sleep better. The responsive memory foam adjusts and cradles your head as you rest, helping to relieve common pressure points and discomfort that typically results in tossing and turning.

The breathable knit cover also enhances cooling airflow and is conveniently removable and machine-washable. The pillow is also hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US certified, meaning it's free of any formaldehyde or phthalates, for example.

What Shoppers Say

Boasting over 750 five-star reviews, Amazon shoppers agree that this pillow is comfortable, supportive, and helps to relieve persistent neck pain.

'Perfect balance between softness and support,' reads one review. 'I love the queen size, which means no pulling and tugging a smaller pillow around as I shift positions in the middle of the night. My neck is sensitive to too much pressure, so this is the perfect balance...The foam is good quality, as is the cover. I'm very pleased.'

Another adds, 'Perfect firmness and great support. I have used a memory foam pillow for years. After many years of use, my old one was breaking down in the middle. My new Sleep Innovations pillow has perfect support. I am no longer waking up with a headache.'

It's no secret that designing a bedroom for better sleep can be a lengthy process, but with this pillow, you can rest assured that your neck and spine will be comfortably aligned and pain-free when you wake. Of course, even the most cradling of pillows won't assuage any signs you're sleeping on a bad mattress − in that instance, you'll need to take extra measures to make an uncomfortable mattress more comfortable, or replace it altogether.

What to Shop

Below, you can shop my curated, Sleep Editor-approved selection of contouring and cooling pillows and cases, all of which are guaranteed to help you drift off − and stay sleeping − more comfortably than ever.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

It's not just neck pain that needs combating − the best mattress toppers work to cradle and support your body in all the right places.

Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

As I recently found out, Japan is a place where everything just feels better. The streets are cleaner, the food is more flavorful − and the pillows are cooler.

Putting aside memory foam, down, and synthetic materials, every pillow I slept on in Japan was defined by a distinctive layer of buckwheat husks. They were surprisingly comfortable and supportive, with impressive breathability and cooling properties.

After just a few nights, it didn't take long for me to realize that my previous assumption of what makes the best pillows had changed drastically. Now, I'm looking to buy one for my own bedroom back home.

Centuries-Old Japanese Sobakawa Pillows Are the Secret to Cool Pillows All Night

There's no doubt that pillows are taken seriously in Japan − I even stayed in a hotel in Kyoto that featured an entire pillow wall for selecting your desired loft, fill, and fluffiness, with a 'Ladies only' section and eight different types to choose from, including one made from Japanese Hinoki cypress wood. But it was the buckwheat pillows, also known as Sobakawa, that I grew to love.

Admittedly, during the first part of my 15-day trip around Japan, I wasn't always even sure what it was that was filling my pillows with small, hard lumps, and I thought they were likely the same beans that you'd usually find in a beanbag. It was only when I kept finding myself sleeping so comfortably, and waking without any neck pain, even in my side-sleeping position, that I decided to look into it.

As Maiko Shimazaki, the founder of Revitalist15, a New York-based wellness brand rooted in Japanese relaxation rituals, explains, 'Sobakawa pillows are traditional Japanese pillows filled with buckwheat hulls. They are a great alternative to conventional pillows and may provide better sleep for those who prefer a firmer feel, sleep hot, or struggle with allergies.'

She's right − the husks allow air to circulate to keep the pillow dry, helping to keep a bed cool in summer, and warm in winter. For that reason, they're suitable for year-round use.

Those hypoallergenic and natural qualities are important, too. Down may feel luxurious, but it does come with ethical concerns for animal welfare (a reason I always avoid it) and is often not best recommended due to its ability to trap dust, too.

And, while synthetic alternatives may be cruelty-free, suitable for vegans, and usually far more affordable, the polyester, polyester fiberfill, or memory foam filling comes with a significant carbon footprint, and isn't biodegradable, either.

In contrast, natural Sokabawa pillows are highly sustainable, eco-friendly, made from natural, renewable materials, and they also last significantly longer than other alternatives.

'Buckwheat hulls do not compress or break down like down, foam, or synthetic fiber fills,' adds Maiko. 'As a result, sobakawa pillows provide consistent support throughout the night and over the years,' meaning you can use them for far longer before your pillow begins to ruin your sleep quality.

There's just one drawback to consider, highlights Maiko, but it's not something I ever noticed in my experience, which is that Sokobawa pillows are firmer, and therefore not suitable for those who prefer softer pillows.

However, I actually only ever opt for extremely soft, flat pillows, and never found them too firm or too lofty, and, in any case, you can always remove some of the filling to find your preferred height.

Instead, much like how the Japanese traditional futons I slept on kept me comfortable and supported all night long, despite my initial reservations, my experience with Sokabawa pillows had me sleeping better than ever before.

What to Shop

If you'd like to try a Sokobawa pillow for yourself, I've found a selection available to ship to the US. I've also included my favorite bedding and pillowcases for the perfect cooling sleep setup this summer.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

Browse our selection of the best Amazon cooling sheets for unbeatable breathability in warm weather.

For more sleep content, you can sign up for our newsletter so you never miss the latest features.

After a car crashed into the back of mine more than three years ago, neck pain has plagued me 24 hours a day. I’ve since given up trying to sleep on my back as the discomfort is insurmountable.

However, this alien-looking neck pain pillow design has helped me enjoy improved sleep quality on my side, and with a whopping 76% off at Amazon before Black Friday even starts, it’s one I’m snapping up as a spare. If you have neck pain, I encourage you to give it a go as I’ve tested six different designs at home before I found the one that works for me.

It really is one of the best pillows I’ve ever tried, and I’d be lost without it. Here’s why I’m grabbing a spare whilst this great deal is on, and stocks last.

Why This $39 Pillow Design is So Good for Neck Pain

Enjoy easier mornings and fewer neck cricks with an ergonomically designed pillow that will hold your head and neck in the best sleep position all night. I tried six different pillows at home till I happened upon this unusual-looking design and now swear by it.

The wings on the side stop your neck from overextending as you sleep on your side, which reduces muscle and soft tissue strain, and the dip in the middle stops the same if you do end up on your back.

Dr Gbolohan Okubadejo, Spinal and Orthopedic Surgeon at NYNJ Spine, explains, ‘This pillow is shaped to fit the natural curve of your neck. It holds your head in a way that keeps your neck straight, allowing your muscles to fully relax.

‘The raised parts support the cervical spine, keeping it in place and stopping it from bending the wrong way while you sleep. The dips and curves in the pillow are good for those who sleep on both their back or side. Side sleepers get extra benefit because the pillow fills the space between the shoulder and head, giving you that extra support that helps keep the neck aligned all night.

'Regular flat pillows often let your head tilt or sink, which can put the neck and shoulders in an awkward position, leading to soreness and stiffness. This shape spreads pressure more evenly, so you don’t wake up with stiff spots.

‘This pillow also reduces tossing and turning because your head and neck are supported. Using this particular pillow can make sleeping feel easier and more natural. Overall, it helps reduce neck pain and gives support that most standard pillows don’t always provide.’

Coupled with one of the best mattresses and best mattress toppers, you will be all set for sounder, more restorative sleep and less pain upon waking up.

Meanwhile, the breathable foam of this $39 neck pain pillow from Amazon, means you don’t wake up in a sweaty mess as it circulates twice as much air as standard memory foam fills, and has a plant-based 'Move+Cool' treatment that maximizes the cover's natural wicking qualities and turbocharged heat dissipation.

I’m a particularly hot sleeper due to a mix of chronic conditions, including pain and disautonomia, as well as medications, but memory foam is not a problem, and has certainly come a long way since its inception. This material even features in our best cooling mattress toppers, so strike that worry from your list now.

I put a large cotton pillow case on mine, or a silk one from Amazon for less impact on my skin, which gets topographic lines from the surface I sleep on. That additional layer also makes it easier to clean your pillow, though it’s worth noting the Amazon pillow deal comes with a washable ‘Omigosh-soft outer cover’ made from BioPreferred polyester fiber.

This is sourced sustainably from renewable wood pulp, and neither the memory foam (which can be recycled), nor the casing it comes in contains any volatile organic compounds. These VOCs are usually responsible for that strange and unpleasant ‘off-gassing’ smell some homeware products, such as memory foam, can have when you first unpack them.

Why the Pillow's Worth It

The price drop on Amazon's neck pain pillow is truly worthy and shouldn’t be overlooked. In the past, I have paid between $75 and $150 per neck pain pillow I have tried in my quest to ease neck pain, and my current one shares the design of the one on offer, which is now just $39.

James Roswold, an attorney with Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys who has been representing injured plaintiffs for 30 years, says, ‘Clients of mine have spent this much on pillows multiple times and have spent much more money on other expenses like medical bills due to discomfort because they didn't have this kind of pillow to support them.’

For the limited-time deal, you get a cleverly engineered pillow that can suit sleepers who need higher or lower pillows, as a 180° flip reduces the height instantly. I use this feature a lot, depending on how bad my neck pain is on any given night, and whether I need to be raised a bit to support my neck, or down a bit to reduce any pain radiating into my shoulder.

Back sleepers can comfortably nestle in the middle, whilst side sleepers no longer have to squash arms and shoulders awkwardly. There is space to place your wrist with the double-layer wing design, and ergonomic dips in the contours of the memory foam pillow to help you nestle into a comfortable position that won’t cause more neck tension and pain by the morning.

These are all the features I love in my own neck pain pillow, and can no longer live without. So much so, in fact, that if I am away from home for even one night, my trusty alien-looking pillow comes with me.

The density of the material makes it heavier to lug about than a down or synthetic traditional pillow, but I luckily have a partner who carries all our bags everywhere.

Otherwise, having a larger canvas tote with straps will make it easy to take your neck pain pillow with you wherever you go, and stop it from getting dirty en route. A set of three collapsible totes from QVC will come in handy all over the home, and especially during the holiday season, when you might be away from home.

Why Shoppers Love This Pillow

I’m not the only one who loves this type of pillow design. An impressive 93% of Amazon shoppers who bought and rated it, gave it 5/5 stars, bringing its average rating to 4.8/5 stars.

Verified shopper Amaresh Anand gave it five stars for being an ‘extremely comfortable cervical neck pillow for sleeping’, and expanded with a detailed review. They noted after trying ‘so many pillows over the years’, this pillow was the one that ‘truly transformed my sleep.’

Amaresh explained, ‘From the first night, I noticed how supportive yet soft it feels – it cradles my head and neck without going flat, and I wake up without the usual stiffness. This pillow is very comfortable. The materials feel high-quality and breathable, so I don’t get overheated during the night. The pillow has just the right balance between plush comfort and firmness, which makes it great for both side and back sleeping.’

They left their review after a week of constant use and felt they were waking up more rested, whilst also sleeping better.

For me, the neck pain relief was immediate after sleeping on this sort of design, whereas other neck pain pillows I ordered to try at home were returned after only one night.

Another neck pain sufferer who purchased the pillow and gave it five stars stated it’s ‘very comfortable’, and explained: ‘I’ve tried so many pillows over the years, memory foam, down, adjustable, but the Emircey Adaptive Pillow truly stands out. From the very first night, I could feel the difference. The dual-curve design is genius. One side is slightly higher, and the other lower, so I can easily switch depending on how I’m sleeping that night. It’s like having two pillows in one!’

That’s one of the reasons I love this shape, as I flip mine around to ease neck pain, depending on which area is hurting or tight.

The verified shopper continued, ‘The ergonomic contour gives just the right amount of neck and head support without feeling stiff or rigid. My neck and shoulders feel more relaxed, and I’ve noticed I’m waking up without that usual morning tension. It’s even great for reading or watching TV in bed, it props me up perfectly.’

A third happy shopper said, despite previously waking up with constant neck pain, this pillow brought ‘huge improvement’ for them within just a few nights, whether they slept on their side or back, and it was so profound that their 'chiropractor noticed the change.’ They called it the ‘best’ they’d ever had, and finished off their five-star rating with the following advice: ‘If you struggle with neck stiffness or headaches, do yourself a favor and get this pillow – it’s truly a game changer!’

I wholeheartedly agree, as living with neck pain is crushing, so anything that can help alleviate it, dial down the intensity, or help you rest and sleep better is important when living with chronic pain.

What to Shop

When using both heat and cold for pain, do not apply them one after the other, as this can lead to spasms in the muscles. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake before, and it was excruciating. Instead, allow your body temperature to return to normal, wait 30 minutes, and then switch. If you’re unsure about how best to manage pain, consult your doctor.

Next, learn about how to clean with adaptive pacing to reduce the risk of pain or fatigue flares, and how to declutter if you have health challenges.

They're one of the most essential household items for ensuring a comfortable night's sleep, but do you know how to wash, dry, and care for pillows correctly?

Errors in this type of cleaning can damage your pillows, make them lumpy or smell moldy.

Here, professional cleaners share their top tips for caring for your best pillows properly, ensuring they'll last for years to come.

How often should you wash pillows?

It's an easy task to forget, but cleaning your pillows is key to keeping them fresh, ensuring better relaxation and comfort.

However, how often you should wash your pillows is highly influenced by the type of pillow you have, as well as individual factors such as allergies and sleeping habits.

Here's what the pros recommend:

• Pillows will need cleaning every three to six months to remove dust mites, sweat, and body oils. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, consider washing your pillows every two months for a healthier sleeping environment. Importantly, feather pillows should be washed less, around once or twice a year, to protect their natural fill.
• Pillowcases should be washed every one to two weeks.
• Pillow protectors should be laundered every two to four weeks.
• Throw pillows should be washed at least once a quarter. This will, however, depend on how, where, and how often they are used. If you allow your pets on the sofa or bed, you may want to consider washing them more regularly. 

How to wash a pillow

Knowing how to wash pillows is essential to keep every bed in your home hygienic, but it can be tricky to get right.

As a rule, how to wash a pillow will depend on what it's filled with. ‘Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before washing a pillow,’ says Drew Miller, a VP at Sit ’n Sleep. ‘Most can be machine-washed, but some may need to be dry cleaned.’

The laundry symbols on each pillow’s tag will let you know about individual care. As a general rule, it's safe to assume that more fiberfill, cotton, feather, or down pillows can be washed in the washing machine, while any that are made with latex or memory foam cannot.

Here's how to wash pillows in the washing machine:

1. Remove any pillowcases, shams, or pillow protectors – you can put these into the washer at the same time as the pillows if you wish.
2. Add detergent, such as the ARM & HAMMER™ Deep Clean Odor Formula Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Amazon, then program in a gentle, warm wash cycle. If possible, set your washer to a second rinse cycle. Otherwise, wait for the program to finish and run a second rinse and spin cycle. 
3. After the spin cycle has finished, check how wet the pillows are. If they are still heavy with water, spin them again. The aim is for them to be damp rather than wet and dripping. 

To protect your washing machine, wash two pillows at once – this will keep the washer balanced since wet pillows are very heavy when spinning.

How to wash a memory foam pillow

You cannot wash memory foam pillows in a washing machine, but there are other options for cleaning them. If the label doesn't advise dry cleaning only, you may be able to hand-wash yours.

1. First, remove the covers, shams, and protectors, and put these in the washing machine on a medium to hot wash.
2. Start with vacuuming, then spot cleaning your memory foam pillow with a damp cloth dipped in a solution of warm water and washing detergent.
3. Repeat if necessary.
4. If this doesn’t work, fill your laundry room sink – or bathtub – with a few inches of warm water (just enough to cover the depth of your pillows), adding liquid detergent as you run the faucets, so that you have a shallow bubble bath for the pillow. 
5. Immerse the memory foam pillow in the water, moving it about and gently squeezing and massaging it to work the water and detergent through it.
6. Let the water out of the sink or bathtub and run the clean, warm water over the soapy pillow, gently squeezing it until the water runs clear. 

You can also clean with baking soda to freshen up pillows in-between washes.

‘Take off the pillowcase and lie the pillow on a flat surface,’ says Carl Walsh, owner of Bed Guru. ‘Sprinkle baking soda over your pillow before leaving it in direct sunlight for around two to three hours. Then vacuum off the baking soda thoroughly. It should be smelling good as new.’

How to wash feather pillows

Can you wash a feather pillow? While you might be sure about washing the pillowcase that protects it, what’s required to clean the feather pillow inside can be more of a puzzle.

The good news about feather pillows is that it’s often possible to wash them. ‘While you should always follow your pillow’s care instructions on its tag, you can typically wash a feather pillow,’ says Brianna Auray of Mattress Clarity. Here's how to wash them in the machine:

• Remove any protectors or covers.
• Select a gentle cycle.
• Sparingly use a neutral detergent. Importantly never use fabric softeners, advises Wayne Edelman, CEO of high end dry-cleaning service Meurice Garment Care.
• Allow to dry thoroughly before using or storing.

You can hand-wash a feather pillow as an alternative to putting it into the washing machine, but it’s the cover of the pillow that should be washed rather than the feathers, says Wayne.

‘You should not saturate the feathers while hand washing,’ he explains. ‘Lightly sponge on a mild detergent and water mixture and sponge with clean, cool water to remove soap.’

How to wash a body pillow

Body pillows can be a fantastic way to get full-body comfort when snuggling down to sleep at night. However, their size and comfort come at a cost – they need to be washed just as much as you would wash the rest of your bedding.

Unlike washing normal pillows, body pillows can sometimes be too large to fit in even the best washing machine, and their plump stuffing means they can take an age to dry thoroughly enough to use again.

So, how do you wash a body pillow? Here's what the pros recommend:

1. As always, check the care label, and launder protectors, shams, and covers separately. Kim Romnie, P&G fabric care scientist, adds, 'While you are checking the label, take the time to also check the pillow for any signs of wear or damage, too. Check seams for durability, and mend any shaky seams before laundering.’ 
2. Washing them in the washing machine: For smaller body pillows, you might find that they are machine washable, says Daniel Feliciano, co-founder and CEO of Clotheslyne.He advises, 'Be sure to wash the pillow on a delicate cycle with mild detergent and add some towels to balance the load. Select a low spin setting to avoid clumping. Rinse the pillow to remove the soap thoroughly.’ Importantly, just because a body pillow is machine washable, it doesn't mean it will always be suitable for your washing machine. Consider your washer's load limit and drum size to avoid the common washing machine mistake of overloading the drum.  
3. Or, hand wash larger body pillows: ‘If the body pillow is not machine washable, you must hand wash the body pillow,’ Daniel continues. ‘Fill a bathtub or large basin with lukewarm water and mild detergent to hand wash. Immerse the pillow, gently agitate it by hand, and let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until all soap is removed. Gently squeeze out excess water, and do not wring the pillow. Otherwise, it might go out of shape.’ 
4. Freshen up between washes: Given that washing a body pillow can be a laborious process, it helps to pick up a few quick to keep the pillow fresh and preserve your sleep hygiene between washes. Kim Romnie recommends getting a removable cover for your body pillow that can be washed more frequently, for instance. ‘If you experience stains or soils like makeup or dirt on your pillow between washes, you can also spot clean by making a solution with water and Tide Free and Gentle liquid, available at Walmart,' she says. Take a cloth and gently rub the stain with the detergent solution, repeating until the stain is gone. You should then rinse the spot with a cloth soaked in clear water and let air dry. You can also use a product like Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray, also available at Walmart on the pillow between washes.’  

How to dry pillows after washing

Most pillows can be air-dried or put in the dryer on a low-heat setting – double check the care label so that you don’t tumble dry a pillow that shouldn’t be.

The exception is down or feather pillows. ‘Although it will take longer, use the dryer's no-heat setting to avoid the feathers being singed and leaving the pillow with an unpleasant odor,’ says Drew Miller. Don’t risk putting foam pillows in a dryer – they can set alight if they get too hot.

Memory foam pillows need drying gently – flat on a dry towel or rack, such as the OXO Good Grips Folding Sweater Dryer available at Amazon, in fresh air, preferably sunshine, but not in a dryer, as the heat can damage their structure.

Expect drying to be slow – and only put the pillowcases or shams back on your pillows once they are fully dry. To check they are dry right through to the center, press your hands and face into the pillows. If they are still damp, repeat the drying cycle until they are.

Pillow troubleshooting

How to stop pillowcases from turning yellow

When your head hits the pillow, you want it to be a clean one. And when you think about it, it's only natural that stains appear on our pillowcases over time. After all, we spend hours with our skin up close and personal with our pillowcase every night.

So, how do you stop pillowcases from turning yellow? Here's what the pros recommend:

• Wash them regularly.
• Identify the cause of the stain: 'Yellow-stained pillowcases can be unsightly and bothersome to clean, but often this is because you’re not using the right treatment for the type of yellow stain,' says Kathleen Bell, smol’s sustainable cleaning expert. 'Discoloration can be caused by several different factors so before jumping into cleaning, I would recommend first identifying the cause of the staining.' More often than not, advises Jin Chon, Co-Founder of Coop, 'Pillows turn yellow for a variety of reasons, mostly drool, sweat, oil, and if you go to sleep with your hair wet, this can also cause yellow staining. Gross but true. In order to prevent your pillowcases from turning yellow, it's actually best to use a waterproof pillow protector,' such as the Utopia Bedding Waterproof Pillow Protectors available at Amazon.
• Consider if your bedtime routine is making things worse: Other tips for preventing stains include ensuring your hair is 100% dry and free of product before going to bed to avoid pillow stains caused by moisture and hair products. Excess skincare products will inevitably leave behind oils, too. Avoid using bleach, as, aside from the harsh chemicals, this won't actually remove grease stains.
• Try an enzyme-based cleaner: Kathleen recommends steering clear of any bleach-based cleaners and choosing an enzyme cleaner instead. 'Most stain removers simply bleach your clothes clean by using high concentrations of harsh chemicals that can damage fabrics and even irritate the skin,' she explains. So if you’ve tried various methods but your yellow stain still won’t budge, then you can also try using the Zout Triple Enzyme Formula Laundry Stain Remover available at Amazon. This will break down the proteins of common stains.
• Know when to replace them: If your pillowcases are beyond the point of repair, you'll need to refresh your sleep space. As for how often should you change your pillow, it's a lot more frequently than you might think – roughly every three years.

How to fluff pillows

There’s nothing cozier than lying your head down on a cool, squishy pillow. No one wants to sleep on a lumpy, deflated surface, so fluffing can restore your pillow to its best.

Sure, it's not the end of the world if your pillow isn't fluffed up, but it can make a difference in your comfort. It can also make your pillows last longer, too. Rick Rome, CEO and founder of WashClub, says that ‘Properly fluffing your pillows can help restore their shape, maintain their comfort, and prolong their lifespan, ensuring a cozy and supportive sleep experience'.

We've found the best methods that go the extra mile for the fluffiest, softest pillows imaginable:

• Fluff your pillows by hand: The fastest way is the most obvious. Christina Heiser from Saatva, says that ‘the simplest way to fluff a pillow is by hand, following a few simple steps. Grab the pillow on both short sides, hold it in the air, and quickly compress and decompress it. Do this several more times, continuing for about 30 seconds.' The next step is to rotate the pillow and knead it along the long sides. 'Put your pillow down and simply knead it a little bit as if it were a ball of dough,' says Christina. 'Rotate the pillow 90 degrees, grabbing it now on the longer sides, and repeat this process for 30 more seconds to evenly redistribute the fluff'. The point of this is that it breaks up any lumps of filling and puffs up the pillow with air. 
• Dryer and tennis ball method: If the classic fluffing method isn't working for you, there are other options you can try. A more unconventional technique is using a tennis ball, or dryer ball, and your dryer, if you have one. The idea is that the ball tumbles around the dryer with the pillow, beating out any lumps and fluffing it up. You can also buy hard dryer balls, like these available at Amazon, that are specifically designed to break up lumps and aerate your laundry as it dries, making the whole process faster. However, you don't need them – a tennis ball will do the same job. Whatever you do, keep the dryer temperature as low as possible, as high heat can damage some pillow fillings. Memory foam, in particular, should not be treated with high heat.  
• Hang it outside: A low-maintenance technique to fluff your pillows is simply to hang them up outside in the sun. It sounds like this wouldn't do anything, but it can be incredibly effective. The breeze flowing around and through your pillow will slowly fluff them back up, and the air will be fresher than if you just fluff the pillows up in a bedroom. If you don't have a clothesline, you can just sit them on top of a drying rack, such as the SONGMICS Clothes Drying Rack available at Amazon. 

These techniques aren't just useful for pillows. You can use all of these methods on thick duvets, comforters, and down pillow-tops to make your entire bed feel brand-new.

How to store pillows

As Tina Priestly, CEO and home declutterist of the professional organizing firm Ready, Set, Refresh, says, 'The way we store pillows really matters.'

She explains, 'If they are just shoved in a closet, they can lose their shape, collect dust, or absorb bad smells. With the right storage, pillows can stay clean, fluffy, and ready whenever you need them.'

Here's what she suggests:

• 'Bulky pillows fit perfectly in jumbo zippered storage bags,' she says, such as the Fab totes Storage Bags available at Amazon. 'They are easy to pack in a closet, lightweight, and breathable.'
• 'Stacking sturdy fabric storage bins with handles on closet shelves is a terrific idea. They protect pillows while being accessible when needed. The Clear Large Storage Bags available at Amazon are one example.'
• Tina also recommends making use of underbed storage ideas. 'If your closet is small, containers are a good option,' she says. 'They slide directly beneath your bed, protecting the pillows from dust while keeping them hidden.' Tina suggests the Clear Storage Bags with Zipper and Handles available at Amazon for this, which feature a slim and narrow design.

'Place a cotton pad inside the bag or bin with a few drops of essential eucalyptus or lavender oil to keep it fresh,' she adds. 'Every time you take the pillows out again, they smell fresh and clean,' helping to make a bedroom smell good for sleep.

How to repurpose old pillows

We all have them – those tired and misshapen bed and couch pillows that quite frankly, need to go in the trash. But, can you repurpose old worn-out pillows? Yes, luckily you can, making it a great way to be more sustainable at home.

Here are the easy DIY projects our experts recommend:

• Turn them into comfy floor and couch pillows: Turn your old pillows into cozy, new couch and floor cushions by taking out the inner material and using them in new pillow cases. Or, if you love crafting, invest in some beautiful fabric and create a new cover for them that matches your living room scheme. If they are feeling a little thin, you can put the filling from two into one pillow to give it more shape.
• Create a new bed for your pet: Reusing old pillows for a dog bed is a great way to add extra padding.
• Use them as a draft stopper: Particularly useful in older properties, learning how to draft-proof a living room is going to save you money on your energy bills. Front and back doors can be prone to drafts, and during the colder months, you can add insulation, such as the BBTO Weather Stripping Door Seal available at Amazon, but this won't deal with the bottom gap. This is where you can use old pillows. Simply fold them in half, using a ribbon or string to keep them in place, before placing them in front of your draughty door.
• Kneel on one in the garden: There's nothing worse than sore knees – and sometimes damp ones when you've been planting in the garden. So this idea is one we very much like, and Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love agrees. 'Old pillows can be used as knee pads for gardening,' he says. 'I would just recommend covering your old pillows in some kind of plastic or water-repellent material so that they don’t absorb moisture and get gross.'
• Use them for plant insulation: Extreme temperatures can literally kill plants overnight, so when you know a cold snap is due, you can use old pillows to wrap around pots, or lay them on the ground to protect roots from frost. Similar to reusing them as a kneeling pad, you'll need to waterproof them with a tarp or an old plastic bag.
• Cut them up for cleaning rags: You can never have too many cleaning rags, and more often than not, the exterior part of your old pillows will be intact. You can then remove the stuffing – this can be used to re-stuff other pillows, or as packing material – and cut up the fabric to use for cleaning. Because the material will be soft, it can be used for buffing stainless steel and cleaning surfaces.
• Recycle and donate: If making things from old pillows isn't for you, then the next best thing is to recycle or donate them to animal shelters, local homeless shelters, daycare facilities, and charities, if they are clean and still in good shape. If they are a little worse for wear, then a textile recycling facility like the American Textile Recycling Service is a good place to start for responsible disposal.

What to shop

Once you've mastered caring for your pillows, learn how to wash, dry and care for your blankets and throws.

It’s been almost three years to the day since a car rear-ended me at speed, resulting in whiplash and a concussion. The stubborn neck pain has changed my life for the worse, and sleep has been a constant battle, as I also have an illness that means injuries easily become chronic and long-lasting.

I’ve cycled through six different neck pain pillows over the past three years whilst looking for relief, and I'm thrilled to say I have finally found ‘The One’ on Amazon. It looks quite alien, but it has been the best one I've tried by far, gently cradling my neck at night and helping me achieve that much-coveted restful sleep.

In fact, 10,000 people bought it last month, and I’m not surprised it’s an enduring Amazon bestseller: In my experience, it's one of the best pillows.

Why this neck pain pillow is 'The One'

As someone with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, an incurable disease where hypermobility (joints extending too far) is one of the key and lifelong issues, this neck pain pillow from Amazon has been a total game changer since my car crash.

Now, if I lie on my side, my shoulder is no longer compressed, which is handy as the disc bulges in my cervical spine from the crash typically push radiating pain to my shoulders.

It's comfortable for side sleepers like me, but even if you have no neck pain, it's a worthy addition, especially if you often wake up with a stiff neck.

When I sleep on my back, my head no longer lolls to the side in my sleep. The height of this ergonomic pillow is perfect too – not too high, not too low, and wherever I am positioned, my neck remains in a neutral position. That has been transformative for helping me sleeping better, which, as a person in chronic pain, is no mean feat.

Truly, this design deserves an award, if you ask me. I’ve been able to sleep for longer stretches, finally, and no longer begin my day with crushing neck pain. It doesn’t feel too hot to sleep on either, making it a great addition for sleeping in the heat.

The only thing to note is the funny shape makes putting your regular pillow case on a bit tricky, unless you have some larger ones in your linen closet. The pillow’s cover is washable, though, so you can skip a separate pillow case if you wish.

If like me, you like having that proper pillow case, these mulberry silk pillow cases from Amazon will fit nicely and are machine washable. I always use silk pillow cases to stop my hair from frizzing overnight and because they're gentler on my skin.

You'll need a silk detergent, such as the pH-neutral and fragrance-free Heritage Park silk detergent from Amazon, and can handwash it, or run it in the washer with a mesh laundry bag, also available from Amazon, so it doesn't get snagged on other items or the machine itself.

If you're still keen to shop around, find out more about the best places to buy pillows, and here are some of the best-rated alternatives by our team of expert sleep testers.

The best of the rest

Staying comfortable at night can be influenced by a number of things. Investing in the best mattress and cooling sheets will turbocharge your sleep.

As with any of the best memory foam pillows, this one shouldn't be steam cleaned as that will warp the complex structure. Instead, learn how to clean a memory foam pillow to keep yours fresh.

Making your bed comfortable is about more than choosing the right bedding; it's also about optimizing your sleep position. Depending on how you sleep, you can disrupt your spinal alignment, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Drew Barrymore has found a unique solution: sleeping with a body pillow.

She explained her admiration for body pillows in an interview with People. Barrymore stated: 'I sleep with a body pillow like I’m still pregnant!' She explains: 'Being a mom, businesswoman, and someone whose mind is constantly racing, it can feel not just challenging but impossible. I used to toss and turn throughout the night or stay up staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep.'

Choosing the perfect pillow is no easy task, but a body pillow is always a great option for side sleepers. These extra large and long pillows give people who sleep this way something to support your legs and arms as you sleep. This can help keep you in proper alignment leading to a better night of sleep.

Editor's Picks of the Best Body Pillows

For Drew Barrymore, as for most of us, a proper bedtime routine is essential to her high-functioning life. She states: 'We can’t be our best selves without a good night’s rest. Ask any cranky baby — or grownup! Quality sleep is essential. It impacts us mentally and physically, our well-being, and our overall health. It affects how we show up in the world.'

She enhances the possibility of this by sleeping with high-quality cooling bedding alongside her body pillow.

Shop Barrymore's Favorite Bedding

Drew Barrymore's trick might not work for everyone, but it's a reminder that each person's sleep routine may be different. Whatever works for you, it's important to pay attention to your personal needs when buying bedding and pillows.

Synonymous with classic American design, the Ralph Lauren aesthetic has been doing numbers on TikTok and Pinterest lately with the chicest of homeowners looking to get in on this covetable style.

But it is somewhat of a hard interior design style to define. I'm talking a rich, deep palette of rich navy, hunter green, and oxblood red paired with soft neutrals and baby blues; draped in plaids and pinstripes with a heady mix of western, coastal, and nostalgic cabin style in the mix.

Rooted in heritage, the Ralph Lauren aesthetic is all about creating an inviting and lived-in home. Here, I've rounded up 12 Ralph Lauren-inspired pieces that will do just that – one part cowboy, two parts timeless.

12 Ways to Style Your Home Like Ralph Lauren

From cozy sheepskin rugs to plaid pillows and furniture crying out to sit fireside, shop our style editor's round-up of Ralph Lauren-inspired home decor.

Whether you’re starting with small accents or fully embracing the Ralph Lauren aesthetic, remember that it’s all about making a home that feels personal and timeless so start to collect and curate pieces over time – and be sure to mix in old and new for added character.

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.

If you are to invest in any type of homeware, let it be your bedding. Since we spend so much of our lives asleep, these products have a direct impact on our overall well-being – but Martha Stewart has made it possible to have the best of both worlds. With her bedding collection, we don't need to splurge to benefit from high-quality pieces.

Martha Stewart's collections are renowned for their quality and affordability, but arguably, nothing epitomizes this ideology quite like her bedding. This section (available on Amazon) offers everything you need for a luxury hotel-quality bed, and every product is a testament to Stewart's deep understanding of the bedroom and what we need for a restful slumber. 'Sleeping well and getting enough sleep is a big part of being healthy, and really nice sheets help create a cozy bed,' she shares.

'Well-made sheets are a big part of part of being comfortable in bed, so find these and other ones you’ll love from the Martha Stewart collection.' We noticed some of her most beloved pieces are quietly reduced on Amazon now – with some of our favorites listed for under $40. They're some of the best sheets, duvets and pillows on the market at a surprisingly low price point.

As we ease into 2025, we are considering the trends that we want to adopt in the coming months – and just as significantly, the ones that now make us cringe that we are ready to leave behind.

While the beauty of trending interior styles is that many of them are highly versatile and able to be transitioned into home updates and renovations, some are harder to bring forward into new design plans.

With that being said, we have rounded up the cringest design trends of the last year, that we are so ready to part ways with in 2025 – along with some expert-approved trends that designers think you should be switching to instead.

3 cringe trends to leave behind in 2025

1. Overly wavy decor

The squiggle is perhaps the most prominent symbol of early 2020s interior decor trends, with Scandinavian designers such as Gustaf Westman taking the world (and Gen Z decor in particular) by storm with their playful, wonky designs. However, the bubble is bursting around wavy designs in favor of something more natural.

'Wavy mirrors, abstract candles, and quirky prints had their moment, but in 2025, we’re moving toward designs inspired by nature,' says Chloe Barrow, interior expert at Laura James. 'Organic textures and patterns will replace the playful, abstract shapes that have been popular over the past few years. This shift reflects a growing desire for interiors that feel grounded and connected to the environment. Instead of synthetic shapes, look for materials like raw stone or ceramic in fluid, natural forms. The result is a more harmonious and enduring design aesthetic that blends with a wider range of styles.'

2. Fridgescaping

Perhaps the most polarizing (and impractical) trend on this list has to be fridgescaping – a method that involves decorating the inside of your fridge as you would a table.

Punteha van Terheyden, head of H&G's Solved says, 'As pretty as fridgescaping looks, who really has the time to artify their fresh goods and then keep up the hassle of maintaining it? I know I'd much rather be able to open mine and see exactly what I have to cook dinner with tonight, or items running out that I need to add to my grocery list. You're better off investing time instead on organizing the fridge.'

She continues, 'Ditch the pretty miniature plants and blooms required for fridgescaping and investing in smart fridge organizers. Opt for a tiered or stackable storage solution and it'll help avoid food waste which is the primary function of this vital kitchen appliance.'

3. Cottagecore

Reaching peak popularity around 2020, Cottagecore is also a trend that, as serene and palatable as it may be, is ready to be retired.

'The cozy, countryside vibe that defined this trend is giving way to the more modern and versatile maritime style,' Chloe says. 'While the charm of countryside living still resonates, the focus is shifting towards lighter, fresher aesthetics. Swap floral chintz for textured blues, and replace ruffled curtains with sleek linen drapes. This transition represents a move towards interiors that feel airy and open, reflecting a broader shift in lifestyle preferences for 2025.'

3 trends to embrace instead in 2025

1. Dark Neutrals

A dark wood truly never goes out of style, and with Mocha Mousse on all of our radars as Pantone's Color of the Year for 2025, dark neutrals are definitely going to be prominent this year.

'Rich, earthy tones like mahogany and chestnut are going to dominate interiors in 2025,' Chloe states. 'These colors create a sense of depth and elegance, perfect for spaces that feel cozy yet refined. Whether it’s through furniture, floor or wall treatments, or accessories, darker neutrals will add a classic quality to any room.'

She continues, 'Darker neutrals also offer a brilliant foundation for layering textures. For example, pairing a mahogany wall with velvet cushions or a wool throw in complementary tones creates a space that can feel incredibly luxurious, especially in Edwardian and Victorian homes, or those inspired by that era. They also work well with bold accent colors like mustard or teal for a striking contrast, allowing you to experiment with vibrant decor.'

2. Maritime Style

Regardless of location, those who live coastally or landlocked alike can embrace the peaceful nature of maritime-inspired interiors.

'Think deep blues, soft whites, and subtle nautical elements that evoke a sense of calm and escape,' Chloe says of the coastal decor trend. 'This isn’t about bold anchors or stripes, but rather a more refined approach that nods to seaside living. Details like woven baskets, light oak furniture, and fabrics reminiscent of fishing nets add authenticity to this maritime theme. Incorporating ocean hues through ceramics, artwork, or rugs can help ground the space without feeling too literal. This trend will be commonly used by those looking to bring a sense of tranquility and escape, making their home feel like a holiday.'

3. Animal Print

Finally, while decorating with animal print certainly is a bold choice, Chloe makes the case for it thanks to some expert styling methods.

'Leopard print made a splash in fashion last year, and now it’s creeping into our homes,' she states. 'In 2025, we’ll see bold animal prints adorning statement pieces like cushions, curtains, and even wallpaper. To keep this trend sophisticated, focus on mixing prints with subtle textures and neutral tones. A leopard-print armchair paired with a natural jute rug or velvet sofa adds an eclectic yet balanced feel to a room. Accessories like animal-print lampshades or ottomans can also make a bold statement without overwhelming the space.'

Try mixing and maxing trends for a sustainable way to incorporate multiple new trends into the home at once; for example, opt for a chocolate brown variation of an animal print throw pillow. Above all, opt for pieces that speak to you and your design sensibilities – those are the ones that never go out of style.

Shea McGee has been designing and creating thoughtful, sophisticated, and bespoke spaces for years, making her our go-to person when we need styling advice. Having founded her studio over ten years ago, Shea understands the importance of practicality, yet never neglects her elegant aesthetic. Her guidance is always refreshingly useful and easy to replicate in your own home.

Shea has once again delivered and provided us with her top tips for how to style a bed. Focusing on the main feature in the room, she talks through her bed-making process and the importance of the quilt. 'When you’re building a bed you need to know how you like to sleep and also the environment that you’re in. I am going to show you how to use a quilt on your bed in two different ways,' she says.

We're all guilty of being somewhat conventional when making a bed and not using it to really elevate the bedroom. But Shea's tips allow you to switch up your usual bed display with her go-to quilt styling methods.

Put the quilt underneath the duvet for a pop of pattern

Shea starts with a more unconventional way of styling the bed – putting the quilt underneath the duvet. Whilst this may sound strange, it's actually a clever way of emphasizing the duvet itself, which is enhanced by the little peek of the quilt.

First, Shea says to tuck in the quilt, by 'bringing it up quite far so that when I fold my duvet I get a little slither of this quilt pattern showing.' Remember to pull the quilt up the pillows to ensure it's not entirely covered by the duvet.

The beauty of this hack is its versatility. Shea chooses a floral block print design for her quilt and says 'I love the pattern and color palette of it. But you could go solid, you could go stripe, there are so many options.' Shea opts for a complimentary duvet color, which she describes as 'a really beautiful rust color.'

Arranging the duvet, she says, 'I’m going to pull the duvet cover so you get the reveal of the bed frame and you get draping around the bed.' This will prevent the bed from being entirely covered and allow the frame to complement the bedding. Focusing on the top of the duvet, Shea says 'You can do a fold in half' but she prefers to use a forward and back motion to get an 'extra fluffy band across the bed.'

Position the quilt on top of the duvet for a bolder scheme

The second look is likely more familiar to you. It's a classic style that we all know and love. Shea shows us the styling process of her bed, but this time with the quilt on top.

Shea is clear that she doesn't have one go-to style and likes to style beds both ways. Referring to the quilt, she says, 'This look is all about the pattern, so you just choose what the focus is.' If, like Shea, you have a block duvet and a patterned quilt and wish to create an overall color-blocked look, then the first style is best for you. 'The other way is more about saturated color, having a bold moment with the rust.' she says.

However, if you want to bring pattern and delicacy to the bed, then bring your quilt forward. 'Here it's all about the pattern and the color of the quilt.' Style your patterned quilt with matching pillows, or position some contrasting, bright-colored cushions for a pretty clash of pattern and color.

'So go either way.' says Shea. Remember to consider the overall design goal and what the bedroom may need aesthetically and always invest in the best sheets you can afford to work as the perfect base.

'I always use a duvet personally because I like the fluffiness that it adds and it’s cozy to sleep with. However, if you really wanted to you could just do a coverlet but you need to know that it’s going to look very flat. And for me, a luxurious bed has layers and some of that down fluffiness that really adds to the look,' is Shea's last piece of advice.

Shea's quilt styling tips are small but mighty. Despite being easy to implement, her tips can drastically change the feel of your bedroom and provide you with a sometimes much-needed refresh.

Many of us are experiencing cool temperatures this winter season, and as such, curling up in a comfortable, cozy bed is a refuge from the outdoor chill.

Leave it to Martha Stewart to advise us on how to perfectly winterize our beds – a clip from the domestic know-all's PBS show has surfaced on the Martha Moments Instagram page, and safe to say we are taking notes on how to keep warm in bed.

In the clip, Stewart walks us through her own bed winterization routine, which includes several steps and some crucial accessories, which we have broken down below.

First and foremost, consider materials when you're dressing a bed for the wintertime. 'I don't use linen or cotton sheets during the winter time, I really like to use flannel,' she states. We love this warming material and are definitely on board with using it as a base during the cold season.

Additionally, Stewart recommends adding a padded layer on top of the mattress for extra warmth. 'For protection and also for extreme comfort, I use this cotton pad,' she says. 'It's two layers of cotton batting, two layers of cotton t-shirt material on the outside, like a jersey, and in the middle is this copper wire mesh. It's this copper that has some reaction to your warmth of your body, and it just heats up the bed. It is amazing.'

She then places a feather bed on top of the pad, and a cotton flat sheet on top of that. When it comes time to add the comforter, she opts for a 'very luxurious, very airy' down piece.

Finally, when considering how to choose a pillow, Stewart encourages mixing and matching based on personal preference. 'I like two pillows to sleep on. One is a buckwheat hull pillow, it's real crunchy and terrific. This should be put where your head is going to be. To cover your pillows, I'm going to put a cotton pillowcase. The pillowcases, the duvet cover, all are different, so they don't have to match.'

Shop the Martha Stewart-approved winter bedding edit

The Substance actress Demi Moore may be accustomed to setting fashion trends across Hollywood – but her home is just as ahead of the curve. To celebrate Moore's Golden Globe victory, we revisited her Instagram account (a profile that's already served as a source of inspiration for the celebrity style team), and we almost missed a focal point sofa that was way ahead of current design trends.

This 2025, designers predict we'll get more daring with our furniture color choices – and arguably, no piece offers this opportunity quite like our living room sofa.

'A bold, patterned sofa is the ultimate focal piece that can transform a neutral room. Patterns – whether inspired by Kilim, Moroccan prints, vintage florals, or stripes – bring texture, depth, and a touch of worldly charm,' comments David Harris, the design director at Andrew Martin.

'These patterns are more than decorative; they tell stories of travel and discovery, adding layers of personality and warmth. In 2025, it's about blending cultural influences with modern design to create a space that feels both sophisticated and adventurous.'

Shop the patterned sofa edit

In Moore's living room, she exhibits a mosaic-style patterned sofa – comprising reds, oranges, turquoise, and navy hues. The honeycomb pattern is eclectic and, in many ways, risky, but it pays off against her otherwise neutral backdrop.

Since patterned sofas are among the expert's favorite design trends for the year ahead, knowing how to style them is vital. Following Moore's lead and pairing your sofa with a neutral-painted wall and wooden floor is a failsafe starting point. This will allow your room to breathe and consequently prevent it from feeling overwhelmed. Megan Holloway, the creative director at Maro Home, also recommends choosing your throw pillows wisely.

'Choosing to place a bold pattern on a sofa is a brilliant way of elevating and adding impact to a room with one unique piece. It creates a focal point and will add that all-important wow factor, especially in neutral spaces. It also allows you to show off your own unique style and personality in your home,' Holloway begins.

'If you do choose a bold, patterned sofa, then layering it with cushions in stripes, plains, or contrasting patterns will help to create a real 'lived-in' look without it feeling overdone, and this will also help to offset neutral walls beautifully. A good rule of thumb is one large scale print + a stripe + a small print for an effortlessly put together scheme. If a multi-print fabric feels too much, then opting for a large-scale print in a single color will help add interest while still feeling easy to style with other patterns or plains.'

Stepping into a well-done coastal design is like stepping onto the beach: breezy, inviting, and warm. Richard Branson's home features the perfect example.

The business magnate took to Instagram to share a shot of his indoor-outdoor living room idea, and it's full-on coastal chic. The space features tan stone floors and tan walls grounded with wooden furniture. A wicker sofa is the ideal place for sitting. Branson's range of blue and white decorative cushions bring visual interest, comfort, and a luxurious feel. Greenery from the outside in the background brings an open energy to the entire space.

What defines coastal decor? More than anything, it's the feeling you get when you walk into a space.'A coastal-inspired room should feel refreshing and relaxing in equal measure, serving as a happy reminder of warm, sunny days spent relaxing at the beach,' says design expert Shelley Cochrane.

Shop the Look

Luckily, this means that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recreating Branson's look. Instead, it's a matter of bringing together different elements artfully. Cochrane advises: 'To style this look, combine a neutral color palette of light hues and sandy shades with warm tones of blues. Opt for whitewashed or light wooden furniture to add a nautical touch.' Wicker furniture and accessories are easy ways to accomplish this.

Accomplishing a coastal color scheme requires proper accessorizing. Decorative pillows are one of the simplest accessories that can be switched out quickly, depending on how you want to change the design over time. Classic coastal patterns include starfish, chevron, and seahorses, as seen on Branson's sofa. Or you can do as Cochrane advises and, 'Complete the look with a stripe - an essential addition to any coastal-inspired room. For a playful and contemporary spin, choose wider stripes in bold primary colors for a modern twist on classic coastal interiors.'

Though coastal designs seems difficult to nail, Richard Branson's living room design proves that it's just about selecting the right combination of colors and materials. You can't go wrong with a bit of wicker, warm neutrals, and a splash of blue.

Drew Barrymore's Beautiful collection at Walmart is truly a one-stop shop. We've raved about their kitchen appliances (the air fryer is a best-seller for a reason) and coveted their vintage-inspired furnishings, along with kitchenware and linens. So when we saw that they released some new home decor pieces, we had to investigate – and we were pleased with what we saw.

Featuring home accessories and accent pieces galore, these decorative items range in function from stunning throw pillows and blankets to shelving units and stylish lamps. One overriding theme stuck out from her new launch: almost all pieces draw inspiration from a time gone by.

We particularly love the fluting and ribbed designs that appear in several of the pieces, such as the shelving cubby, which comes in a chic black and wood finish, as well as a rounded glass lamp. They are perfect for adding a retro, '80s-inspired feel to any home while still feeling modern in their materials.

The best part? Every new Beautiful by Drew Barrymore piece comes in at under $100, making them an affordable investment for the home. Below, we have rounded up six of our favorite pieces from the Beautiful decor section (available at Walmart), all of which are versatile, stylish, and easy to care for.

Shop our Beautiful by Drew home decor picks

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

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

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

Homes & Gardens Editors New Year's Decorating Resolutions

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

1. No more fast furniture

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

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

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

2. Investing in my sleep space

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

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

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

3. Leaning into a richer color palette

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

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

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

4. Focus on making spaces more personal

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

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

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

5. Expanding my art collection

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

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

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

6. Going bespoke

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

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

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

7. Elevate my kitchen with small details

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

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

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

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

8. Perfecting my pillowscaping

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

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

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

9. Not shying away from print and pattern

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

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

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

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

It's no secret that Dolly Parton takes a maximalist approach to life. From her bedazzled bodysuits to her signature up-do's, the singer-songwriter has a more is more attitude to her stage persona; her affinity for her interiors, however, takes a more muted approach.

In a recent post shared to her Instagram account, we can see Parton sitting on a cream boucle sofa accented by neutral throw pillows. In recent months, this 'outdated' material has divided designers, with some experts asking: What's replacing boucle? However, the singer's placement on the sofa reminds us that it's a classic look that's here to stay. The sofa is perfectly placed in a neutral room, reminding us that it's a staple in the organic modern design scheme – and it's enduringly popular for a reason.

The highly versatile neutral palette (as well as the beloved boucle sofa) can easily be customized to suit personal design preferences, making it a timeless trend in every sense of the phrase. Even though its status has been debated in recent months, the singer makes a case for its enduring appeal.

Shop the look

According to experts, organic modern design favors neutral colors and natural textures, taking inspiration from the great outdoors.

'The organic modern trend is about blending natural textures with a contemporary feel,' says Monika Puccio, the head buyer at the Sofa Club. 'Neutrals are your best friend for this aesthetic, so focus on beiges, ivory, and soft greys to create an airy feel. Choose furniture which is made from linen, wool, boucle, and textured woven fabrics. These not only add a tactile quality to the space but also bring in the organic elements essential to this sophisticated style.'

She continues, 'Explore textures through accessories to keep the space stylish and give added depth. By incorporating items like woven, natural fiber rugs, chunky, knitted throws, and textured cushions, you can gain a contrast, giving the space interest while maintaining an organic, rustic charm.'

Parton's sofa and pillows capture the essence of this strategy perfectly, with a bit of texture coming through in the boucle fabric and woven cases.

Additionally, comfort is key with organic modern, so think about incorporating soft materials that are both practical and stylish into a living space.

'Modern organic is all about blending minimalism with coziness,' Puccio explains. 'This style focuses on furniture that maximizes comfort while steering clear of bold, overpowering designs. Look for designs that prioritize relaxation.'

Finally, Puccio recommends keeping decor to a minimum when it comes to an organic modern space, and avoid over-accessorizing (less is more).

'Prioritizing openness is key to achieving a modern organic look within your home,' she says. 'Maintaining an open, airy environment can make the space feel larger and more inviting. Also, ensure that the room is decorated to embrace natural light. This not only brightens your space and contributes to that minimalist feel but also highlights the natural textures and neutral tones that define this style.'

I recommend adding in textural details on the ground to further enhance visual interest while still keeping the space feeling open; for example, a woven or fluffy rug.

A good night's sleep is dependent on several factors, but chief among them is bedding. The kind of sleeper you are can determine your sleep hygiene, and as such, some of us opt for cooling or warming linens.

It turns out that Drew Barrymore is a hot sleeper, as revealed in her recent collaboration with cult-favorite bedding brand Rest. The Drew Barrymore Show host has added the 'Sleep Wellness Advocate' title to her resume, having joined forces with the company to curate her favorite linen picks. We must confess, though, this comes as no surprise. With the launch of her Beautiful by Drew Barrymore range (available on Walmart), Barrymore established herself as a homeware expert, so we already trust everything she has to suggest when it comes to the bedroom.

'I absolutely LOVE getting into bed with my Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter, and I am thrilled to be teaming up with Rest as their Sleep Wellness Advocate,' she says. 'As a hot sleeper, the Evercool bedding has genuinely improved my life. My Evercool comforter, sheets, and pillowcase are cool to the touch, beyond soft, and extremely comfortable. It's a must-have for anyone who experiences night sweats, but honestly, I recommend it for everyone – even my kids and pets are obsessed! I believe that Rest is a brand that can truly help transform sleep for the better. We all deserve a good rest!'

Barrymore has selected a variety of the Evercool products above in the shade ivory, which further enhances the calming atmosphere in any bedroom, and is a super versatile shade.

However, those looking for some color will be happy to know that the linens come in shades such as aqua blue and lavender breeze, as well as arctic white and cool gray.

The best part? The range is on sale now, with prices beginning at $59.00.

The Unexpected Red Theory took Tiktok by storm earlier this year. It put forward the notion that a pop of red in an otherwise non-red scheme can lift a room, elevate it, and make it more dynamic and chic. A simple trick that follows the principle of a slick of red lipstick to finish an outfit, the perfect final flourish.

Normally, I don't have much luck with TikTok interior design trends. Flashes in the pan (does anyone remember crustacean-core?), they tend to go as quickly as they peak, and can be gimmicky rather than routed in good design. But this one has stuck around, primarily because it's right.

'I'm always cautious of things that are a hot trend, but I too believe in the Unexpected Red Theory,' says the Minneapolis-based designer Anne McDonald. Who says she has been using red in this way for years, long before it was a viral moment - and will continue to do so.

And many designers are in agreement with her that this 'trend' is in fact not a trend at all but a timeless way to decorate with a bold color. Turns out I was wrong that everyone would be over the Unexpected Red Theory by now, here's why designers are still loving the look months on.

Red is a timeless shade

Angus Buchanan is arguably one of the designers who kickstarted the Unexpected Red Theory. His design agency Buchanan Studio's Studio chair appeared time and time again when the trend first came about and can be credited with being the genesis of both the deckchair stripe trend and the love for a burst of deep red.

'Red still elevates a space,' he says. 'And that red of the Studio chair fabric is just the perfect one. You'll love it for a long time, it's timeless and long-lasting and works just as well in a Miami beach house or a Scottish castle. Red is that one hero shade that stands out, that can make you think differently about a room when you add a dash of it.'

Red balances neutral schemes

A desire to create neutral spaces to relax in is very 2025, and designers are finding new ways to use beige tones in order to soothe you. But what feels most current is to make sure that not everything in the room is neutral, and instead to have one moment that catches the eye and lifts the spirits.

'I like to pair taupe with stronger hues such as deep reds and rusty tones,' says the designer Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan. 'It’s a wonderfully warm shade which can feel beautifully contemporary when used correctly, but without a more saturated counterpart it can feel a little 90s.'

Saturated counterpart, you say? Step forward Unexpected Red Theory, seen here in the burst of deep red Tiffany used on the headboard of this otherwise neutral bedroom. 'A few pops of red add a little fun and balance to the scheme,' she says.

The Unexpected Red Theory aligns with classic design rules

'In classic design, there is the theory of repetition, and how you can use it to create a sense of harmony,' designer Anne McDonald explains. 'But too much repetition can get boring, so that's where the theory of tension comes in. If you disrupt the repetition with an unexpected element then you're likely to create a scheme that gives you a current of excitement.' And that's the basis of the Unexpected Red Theory.

When choosing the right red, Anne currently favors oxblood, seen above on this vanity unit in an otherwise classic bathroom she designed. 'When you bring in red, you get a hit of sexiness,' Anne says. 'And for rooms where the lights are low, it's a color that feels good on the skin.'

Angus Buchanan says that the Unexpected Red Theory 'is not a silver bullet,' meaning that it won't be a magic fix that works every time. 'Though it's about the closest thing you can get,' he adds.

Anne McDonald explains a little further. 'I don't think you can just insert a red accent pillow and be done with it,' she says. 'That feels way too contrived. Instead, you need to find a balance, to pair red with the right cool tones so that it really pops. Olive greens, deep blues and turquoise are good counterparts.'

It truly seems like the Unexpected Red Theory is here to stay, taking in richer tones like burgundy and oxblood, but sticking with the theme of sophisticated yet enlivening spaces. 'It can be both smart and formal or grounded and relaxed,' Anne says. A color for all occasions.

For some pink is not just a color; it's a lifestyle. Pink decor is a powerful tool in the home, instantly brightening and boosting the mood in any space it is placed in. While it fluctuates in popularity as design trends come and go (we are talking about you, Barbiecore), we believe that it can be the ultimate burst of color in a space.

Case in point: Sharon Stone's living room. While the Basic Instinct actor's room is painted gray, we couldn't help but notice the pops of pink of her accent pillows on the sofas. A beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting next to her white table lamp brings another burst of color.

The space is filling our heads with pink room ideas, so we got insight from an expert on how you can use this punchy shade in your living rooms (and homes in general). The power pink has is undeniable; it truly transforms any space depending on which shade you choose.

Shop the look

'Decorating with pink accents in the living room is a bold, yet elegant way to introduce warmth and personality into your space,' says Westchester-based designer Nina Lichtenstein. 'Whether you’re drawn to soft blush hues or vibrant fuchsias, pink can transform a room into a welcoming, energetic, or even serene haven, depending on how you incorporate it.'

She continues, 'Pink, in all its forms, brings warmth and softness to a living room, often creating an inviting, nurturing environment. Lighter shades like pale pink and peach can promote a relaxed, tranquil atmosphere, perfect for reading or enjoying intimate conversations. On the other hand, more intense pinks, such as fuchsia or magenta, bring vibrancy and energy to a space, making them ideal for social areas where liveliness and conversation are encouraged. Beyond mood-setting, pink is also a color linked to creativity, compassion, and comfort. In a living room, it feels welcoming and fosters a sense of emotional connection, whether through soft accents like throw blankets and pillows or statement pieces such as art and furniture.'

You might be wondering: what colors go with pink? A perk of pink is that it is highly compatible with a variety of colors. First and foremost, of course, is neutrals.

'Pink’s versatility shines when paired with neutral tones like white, beige, and gray,' Lichtenstein explains. 'These shades allow pink to be the focal point while maintaining a calm and balanced atmosphere. For example, a blush pink throw pillow on a charcoal sofa creates a striking yet soothing contrast.'

Alternatively, nature's color palette is also a great partner for pink. 'To give your living room a grounded, nature-inspired feel, pair pink with earthy hues like terracotta, sage green, and warm browns,' Lichtenstein states. 'This combination evokes a modern rustic ambiance that remains fresh and inviting.'

For a truly luxe look, you can't go wrong with gold. 'If you’re aiming for a more luxurious, glamorous look, combine pink with metallics such as gold, copper, or bronze. A pink velvet chair with gold accents or a soft pink rug with metallic throw pillows can instantly elevate the space in a sophisticated way.'

There are several ways to incorporate pink into the living space, whether you want to start small like Stone with a throw pillow, or opt for paint. 'If you’re hesitant to commit to a full room makeover, start with a pink accent wall,' Lichtenstein says. 'This can add a pop of color without overwhelming the space. A light blush or coral tone can give the room a refreshed look, especially when paired with neutral furniture.

Alternatively, 'Add pink through soft furnishings like rugs, cushions, and throws. A pink area rug can anchor a room, while blush pink pillows on a neutral sofa can provide just the right amount of color contrast. If you’re bold enough, consider incorporating pink furniture, such as a velvet pink sofa or a pink accent chair. This adds a feeling of luxury and modernity to the room while also making a statement.'

Try pairing pink throw pillows with a gray sofa like Stone for a perfectly neutral look. Whatever the season, whatever the trends, pink is always in style.

The secret to an inviting bed is styling it with a mix of textures. Throughout my time working at a luxury linens boutique, I learned that layering unexpected materials is a fail-proof recipe for creating this cozy and lived-in, yet elevated feel we all crave in our bedrooms. In Jennifer Aniston's former bedroom, her designer, Stephen Shadley, nails the look.

Shadley took to Instagram to share an image of Aniston's bedroom. He states: 'A bedroom I designed with Jen. We set the bed inside a walnut plinth and raised it all above the floor on a carpeted platform.' Though the bed itself is gorgeous, it's the bedding that makes the natural wood stand out all the more. The designer has combined a light gray linen duvet with a textured darker gray and white woven blanket. A set of purple velvet pillows take centerstage, drawing the eye up. They are the perfect contrast to the white, padded headboard behind the bed.

If you are hoping to learn how to style your own bed in a similarly eye-catching way, you've come to right place. One of the most interesting and well-kept secrets I learned working in the bedding industry, is that many interior designers, no matter how talented or well-educated they are, know very little about buying bedding. Instead, they rely on industry experts. The sizing, and number of pieces needed to make a bed look fully 'polished' can feel opaque and confusing, even for those who pride themselves on design knowledge.

Shop the Look

Thus, the first lesson to decode the complexities of Jennifer Aniston's cozy bed is understanding the number of pieces that went into the design. One of the most common bedding mistakes I see people making is underdressing the bed, with only pillowcases and a duvet. This almost always looks overly casual, and can undercut even the most beautiful designs.

To create a similar, layered look, you will need at least 13 items. These include: a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, a duvet cover, a down or down alternative comforter, a throw blanket, 2 pillowcases, 2 decorative shams, and 4 pillow inserts. It's important to note that luxury bed sheets are often sold separately, while more accessible lines tend to sell fitted sheets, flat sheets, and pillowcases as part of a set.

If you want to make a bed look more expensive, as stated above, texture is key. In this bedroom, the mixture of relaxed linen with luxurious velvet in particular creates an interesting contrast that gives the bed its relaxed yet sumptuous feel. Velvet pillows are one of my favorite ways to bring in texture because their reflection of light always makes a space look more interesting. You could also try an alpaca or cashmere throw, silk sheets, or a quilted duvet to elevate a simple design.

If you like the structured, uniform look of Aniston's bedroom, you must design with symmetry. Be sure to consult with a bedding expert to ensure you have enough pillows to go along the front of the bed for an intentional, linear design.

Whether or not Jennifer Aniston's bed is your style, choosing the right pieces and integrating texture will steer you right in your bedroom design every time.

A stylish accent chair can completely transform a space. From color to fabric to silhouette, a statement seat is a powerful piece of furniture with the ability to draw visual interest to one corner of a room.

Having said all of this, when we got wind of a stunning accent chair at a great price point, we became very tempted. Why? Because it comes from one of our favorite Hollywood stars – and a stand-out celebrity line.

We are talking about the Teddy Accent Chair from Drew Barrymore's Beautiful line, which is only $249.00. Having established her homeware and accessories line in March 2021, we trust Barrymore's collection of stylish yet affordable products, and this new sofa may just be our new favorite. Its deep mustard hues and curvaceous shape tap into the retro style trend that has gained momentum over recent years – and with pieces this affordable, its a sign that this look isn't set to waver.

There is so much to love about this accent chair, but we can't help but re-emphasize its colorway. The butterscotch hue is evocative of '70s modern decor, but its proximity to brown makes it an incredibly versatile color shade. 'When I first saw this chair, I said it was my favorite furnishing I've seen from any celebrity range this fall – and as we continue through the season, it remains true,' comments our Head of Celebrity Style News, Megan Slack.

The shearling fabric is also a highlight, evoking a soft, contemporary feel that is also extremely comfortable to sit on. There is even a removable accent pillow to add dimension and extra softness to the seat. 'I am looking for an excuse to bring this piece into my home, and, rest assured, I will do so before the season is out,' Slack adds.

Reminiscent of cult-favorite cloud chairs, the Teddy Accent Chair features solid wood construction, ensuring that it is a highly durable piece of furniture.

However, with all that said, we can't be all that surprised by the beauty of this piece. Barrymore is synonymous with uber-chic (yet affordable) furniture – trailblazed by her iconic Modular Sectional Sofa, also available at Walmart. You can shop our favorites (including a versatile pillow for any chair) below.

Throw pillows are an addition to a sofa most of us just can’t resist. They may be more modestly sized elements of a room’s design, but they can make an impact all the same.

There definitely is an art to selecting the best throw pillows and arranging them, however. Style them well and they’ll elevate the living room rather than simply adding an accent of color.

And who better to ask for the best styling tips than interior designers who know all the secrets to making throw pillows look more expensive? We got into the specifics about choosing the right sizes, shapes, and fabrics, along with their knowledge of how to place them in order to make them look their best.

1. Always upgrade the cushions that come with the couch

Some sofas come with matching pillows, but to make a sofa look more expensive, upgrade.

‘The first thing I do if a sofa comes with throw pillows in the same fabric as the sofa is to remove the covers and replace them with new ones in complementary colors and textures,’ says Rebecca Ward of Sacramento-based Rebecca Ward Design.

Don’t feel you have to use the same number that were supplied. ‘Odd numbers are a designer’s secret,’ says Rebecca. ‘I like seven pillows on sectionals, five on sofas, and three on loveseats.’

2. Layer sizes and shapes

For a high-end look, don’t opt for a single size or shape of pillow. ‘Layer with varied sizes and shapes,’ says Colleen Bennett of CBB Designs.

‘Start with larger, square pillows (around 22 to 24 inches) at the back and layer in smaller lumbar or rectangular pillows in front. This creates a full, layered look that instantly feels curated and sophisticated.’

4. Factor in sofa depth

While we’re talking pillow size, be sure to take into account the depth of a sofa when choosing for an upscale look.

‘For a perfectly balanced look on a standard sofa, I love using a combination of 20 x 20 inches, 18 x 18 inches, and a lumbar pillow that’s 12 x 20 inches,’ says Tami O’Malley, owner and lead designer at Tami O’Malley Design.

‘If you’re working with an oversized or extra deep sofa or sectional, go for a combination of 22 x 22 inches, 20 x 20 inches, and a 14 x 20 inches lumbar pillow. This variety adds depth and visual interest, making your sofa feel more curated and inviting.’

5. Overstuff your inserts

The secret of a pillow that looks full and therefore more expensive? ‘We always like to select an overstuffed insert that’s 4 to 6 inches larger than your pillow cover size,’ says Victoria Holly of Los Angeles-based Victoria Holly Interiors.

‘For example, if your pillow cover is 20 x 20 inches, opt for a 24 x 24 inches or even 26 x 26 inches insert. This makes pillows look plush and fuller, especially if you're ordering inserts online where they can sometimes arrive less fluffy.’

6. Try the 'chop and fluff' technique

To make throw pillows look more expensive, follow the example of Tami O’Malley when getting pillows into their covers. ‘Make sure to pull the corners of the pillow into the cover snugly,’ she says. ‘Remove any tags that might show, and keep that zipper hidden for a seamless look.

‘Once you’ve got your pillow all fluffed and inserted, place it on the sofa and give the top a light karate chop. This creates a stylish indentation. Then, gently push back on the front face of the pillow for that perfect chop and fluff.’

7. Mix patterns confidently

Decorating with pattern when it comes to throw pillows demands a thoughtful approach. ‘Mix patterns of different scales,’ advises Janelle Patton, the lead designer at Lark Interiors. ‘When choosing patterns, incorporate a variety of sizes.’

But there’s more to putting together patterns on throw pillows than that. ‘Mix organic (free-form, softer) patterns with geometric patterns (stripes, plaids etc),’ says Janelle. ‘Combining different types of patterns can add depth to your space. Organic patterns, such as floral or abstract designs, can soften the look, while geometric patterns like stripes or plaids give a structured feel.’

8. Choose a tried and tested formula

For interior designer Julie Anne Burch pattern can provide a cue for a pillow color palette that has plenty of texture and interest.

‘On a sofa, start with a large solid pillow at the back, then a medium textured one, and finish with a smaller patterned pillow in front to add depth and interest,’ she suggests. ‘Begin with a favorite pattern and pull complementary colors from it to tie everything together beautifully.’

9. Pay close attention to undertones

There’s another dimension to pillow color that’s important to consider and that is the undertones. You don't want them to clash, even if you are keeping things simple and neutral.

‘When mixing patterns, pay close attention to the undertones, especially with whites and ivories,’ explains Victoria Holly. ‘A pillow with a white base will clash against one with an ivory base, so it’s essential to keep these tones consistent.’

10. Focus on fabric

To make throw pillows look better, there are some fabrics you should favor. Certain, more tactile fabrics will always make a set up look more expensive.

‘Choose materials that look and feel luxurious, like velvet, linen, silk, or faux fur,’ says Izabela Tokarski, founder and interior designer at Kabela & Co. ‘These textures tend to exude a high-end vibe. Natural fibers, like cotton-linen blends, can also add a touch of sophistication.’

11. Bring in texture and trims

Don’t overlook the details that can boost style. ‘Add texture like leather, a bouclé or a cool fringe trim,’ says Janelle Patton. ‘By using materials like leather or bouclé, or adding features such as fringe trims, you can enrich the overall aesthetic and make the space feel more dynamic and layered.’

Alex Bass, founder and CEO of art advisory and interior design studio Salon 21, agrees, ‘Pillows with trims have a luxe feel to them as another way to elevate your space.'

12. Don't ignore the small details

When you’re purchasing throw pillows, be sure of what you’re getting. There's a couple of small but significant things to look for to ensure your throw pillows look expensive.

As Victoria Holly notes, you usually want the same pattern to cover the whole pillow (unless it's a very obvious part of the design that front and back shouldn't match). She explains, ‘For a more cohesive and custom look, choose pillows with the same fabric on both sides, rather than a contrasting back. Additionally, hidden zippers at the base give a sleeker, more expensive look than buttons.’

On that note, arrange your throw pillows so you never see any zippers. This will be easier if you pick designers with the zipper running down the side of the pillow rather than along the back.

13. Give your inserts a refresh

Once you’ve selected throw pillows and arranged them, it’s important to keep them looking their best.

‘Ever notice how throw pillows become oddly shaped over time?’ asks Rebecca Ward. ‘Toss the poly insert into the dryer with a couple of tennis balls on the air-dry setting to fluff it back into shape. I always opt for down or faux-down fills to avoid this problem when possible.’

Making your throw pillows look more expensive can be the answer to making a whole living room look more expensive. And it's so simple to elevate these humble pieces of homeware. The designer tips focus on ensuring your pillows always look full and fluffy, layer up the textures and colors, and choose fabrics that are tactile.

As an all-around wellness guru, we trust goop-founder Gwyneth Paltrow when it comes to her lifestyle recommendations. We were delighted, then, when she recently revealed her sleep regimen in an interview – including the exact bedding she likes to use.

While she revealed some general sleep hygiene preferences, including her affinity for an open window, silence, and cold temperatures, it was the product recommendations that we were intrigued by.

'My sheets are from a company called Beltrami, in Italy,' she told AirMail. 'It’s funny you should ask about my mattress: Sorry to plug Goop, but I swear to God, we made one with an Avocado mattress. It’s an insanely expensive, luxurious mattress, and it is the greatest thing I’ve ever slept on in my life. And the pillows I use are from a place called Cuddledown.'

We did some research, and the bedroom essentials she mentioned are certainly noteworthy. The luxury bed sheets are often used in hotels, giving a luxe feel to at-home bedding, while the goop x Avocado mattress is both climate-neutral and bespoke. However, these two items are at a relatively high price point (the mattress starts at $22,000).

Luckily, we found some variants that are just as beautiful, with a more budget-friendly price tag.

Shop Gwyneth Paltrow's Sleep Favorites

Alongside her bedding, Paltrow shared how she always sleeps with mouth tape and earplugs, so she uses the time before she sleeps to get all her products lined up. And, in terms of her sleeping environment, she can sleep 'anywhere' where she can leave her windows open and get fresh air. 'So anywhere in the country, or where there’s not a lot of cars,' she says. We've also listed our go-to earplugs, designed to assist you in the pefect sleep, below.

It's the most wonderful time of year: the highly-anticipated Oprah's Favorite Things list has dropped, and as per usual, it's full of gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season.

Naturally, our focus is on homewares, and who better than Oprah to trust with timeless accessories for our homes?

While there are countless suggestions in the list, we narrowed down some favorites that are both stylish and essential home buys. The best part? They are all under $100, making holiday shopping easy and budget-friendly. Below, shop our pick of Oprah's home favorites, including the best glassware for the kitchen, silky satin pillows for the bedroom, and statement candles for the perfect tablescape this hosting season. Whether you are an entertainer or prefer to stay cozy during the holidays, there is something for everyone in this roundup. You can view all of Oprah's Favorite Things for 2024 here – and shop our favorites below.

Oprah's 'Favorite Things' – Shop H&G's top picks

Christian McCaffery and Olivia Culpo's homes have long been an inspiration for us at Homes & Gardens. As much as we love beauty, function is equally important. McCaffery's latest partnership checks both boxes.

The NFL superstar announced his smart home collaboration with acclaimed home tech brand Brookstone, and the pieces cross boundaries of style and technical ability. McCaffery's curated selection of products from the brand is oriented towards travel, but our three favorite are perfect for use in the home. Each item is carefully designed for utility, but will also look gorgeous in your house.

'I’m thrilled to see this partnership with Brookstone come to life,' McCaffrey shares. He continues, 'I’ve had the chance to experience and use the products for a while now and they truly enhance my everyday life. Whether you’re traveling, relaxing, or training like I do, they support a balanced lifestyle. I hope this partnership inspires others to enjoy these products as much as I do.' The lifestyle element of his picks go beyond the scope of normal popular bedding.

1. The Perfect Cozy Blanket

It's no surprise that Christian McCaffery loves this stylish throw blanket. The blue and white plaid design is delightfully masculine, and the construction encourages versatility and travel. This is definitely my favorite piece in the curation.

2. The Most Comfortable Pillow

Performing at a high level requires sleeping at a high level, something McCaffery is acutely aware of. With this temperature-regulating pillow, you'll never have to flip it over to the cool side.

3. The Most Supportive Neck Cushion

Comfort on the go is just as important as at home. In fact, this neck pillow isn't reserved just for the plane, but can be used in any setting where long periods of seating are required, perhaps for a home office or even armchair television watching.

McCaffery knows that the performance of home items is just as important as their look. His Brookstone collection epitomizes this.

There's something so charming about restyling your home for a new season – particularly fall, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas on the horizon and plenty of inspiration to be taken from nature outdoors. But rest assured: this doesn't need to be a big undertaking.

For interior designer and Queer Eye star Jeremiah Brent, the transition into the cozy season is the perfect excuse for a little at-home refresh. 'I get a lot of questions about seasons and how you can shift your space and the energy in your home,' says Jeremiah in a recent video shared to his Instagram.

So, what are those little switches he speaks of? Here are Jeremiah Brent's easy fall decor ideas he recommends to help you shift your home from season to season. Cocoa at the ready!

'Fall is hands down one of my favorite seasons,' says Jeremiah. 'I love the crisp air, I love the layers – and so with your home, I think it's really great to do little things to change the space to make it feel different,' he explains.

For an autumnal refresh, there are a few seasonal switches you can make that don't require a big investment of time or budget – like styling a credenza or embracing fall front door decor with this year's fall trends.

Beloved designer, Jeremiah likes to lean into the changing weather by changing up his home with these 3 easy tips. Here's what he had to say.

1. Rearrange and repurpose

'Shift things around in your home,' Jeremiah advises in the video, where he suggests curating your art for fall.

Look to shop your own home to avoid needing to purchase anything new. Rearrange art from other rooms in your home and repurpose them somewhere new. Perhaps a gallery wall feels a bit outdated, so you could break it down and use the individual works of art to create new, dynamic vignettes in different spaces.

The same can be said for larger pieces. Take the cozy rug from your bedroom and try it out in the living room if the colors work to add a nod to the fall season. Drag an armchair closer to the fire and add a side table to create a cozy cafe corner. While small decor items like foliage and gourds can be scattered throughout the home to bring some new season cheer.

2. Soften the lighting

An often overlooked seasonal swap is lighting ideas. We're sure you're already leaning in with a few fall-scented candles that give off a warming, soft glow but Jeremiah wants you to take that one step further.

'Change the lighting,' he suggests. 'Play around with different levels and bring in a lower wattage for a little bit more moody experience.'

The simplest and most effective approach to a well-lit space is to work with different levels to create a layered lighting effect. This means employing ceiling lights (yes, even the big light is welcome in winter), wall sconces, standing floor lamps, table lamps, and candlelight to make your living room cozy with lighting.

3. Bundle up

If you're looking for some fall bedroom decor to make your bedroom cozy for fall, or are after some ideas to make your living room more inviting, you're going to want to bundle up.

What do we mean by that? 'Bring out those chunky pillows, heavier fabrics, wools, herringbone, all those things that really feel seasonal,' Jeremiah explains.

Textiles and textures are the ultimate comforting addition to your relaxation spaces. New throw pillows in fluffier fabrics, heavy throw blankets, a thicker rug, and even flowing drapes are great ways to cocoon a space in comfort and make you feel like you've been enveloped in a giant hug. And relax.

Sometimes all your home requires is a few tiny details to shift for it to feel refreshed and renewed for the new season. So dim down your lights, hunker down under a few more blankets, and see what you can reuse from your own space to really make a change this fall.

Everyone knows that bedroom colors should be calming, but this ethos often leads to bedrooms that are a sea of white and gray. I'm a strong proponent of the theory that a bedroom doesn't need to be boring to be relaxing. Jennifer Garner's space confirms my suspicions.

We caught a glimpse of the 13 Going on 30 actress's bedroom idea in a recent, jokey Instagram reel. Garner sits in her cream-colored bed with a pink accent pillow in the center. Her walls are a cool, minty green with slight blue undertones. Though the color is bolder than a traditional white, it has similar calming effects.

This boldening of relaxing hues is in line with current interior paint trends. Anna Hill, color consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook tells Homes & Gardens: 'The bedroom should be a sanctuary in which to unwind, escape the day's stresses and carve that time out to focus on rest and wellbeing. It's important to create a calming and relaxed atmosphere, but that doesn't mean sacrificing personal style. Customers are increasingly moving away from muted neutrals and embracing bolder shades that still provide restfulness. They're also experimenting more with paint techniques, using paint in creative ways to add that wow-factor.'

A green bedroom is relaxing largely because the green reminds us of green in the outdoors. The watery shade of Garner's walls is reminiscent of a tranquil pond surrounded by tees in the forest, or the sea on a sunny day. Darker greens can be connected more closely with the look of trees or plants. Shades like olive and lime invoke some of our favorite foods harvested from the earth. These hues instantly give our brain the signal that it's time to relax.

Further, Garner's pairing of green paint with a pink throw pillow is an ageless classic. Hill says: 'The timeless combination of pink and green continues to be a design favorite.' She advises: 'As the autumn and winter seasons approach, there's a noticeable shift towards richer, more grounded tones. Earthier pinks, like dusky rose and terracotta hues are being paired with moodier greens to capture that nurturing warmth that is much needed during the colder seasons. These colors instantly create a sense of coziness and comfort and evoke a cocoon-like feeling, strengthened by the color drenching technique, that is perfectly suited for the bedroom, especially in the winter season.'

The Green Bedroom Edit

Whether you paint your bedroom walls green or not, you can easily integrate more of the soothing color with less permanent accessories. A well-placed throw pillow, velvety ottoman, or comfortable rug can make all the difference.

If you love green walls but want to decorate with paint more creatively, the shade easily fits into bolder schemes. Hill suggests: 'A great technique for adding personality to the bedroom is opting for half and half walls, with one color on the top half and ceiling, and another on the lower half of the walls. A nod to color drenching, the key to this method is to use two contrasting yet complementary colors to create a really beautiful and harmonious design scheme.'

Jennifer Garner's green walls are just a jumping off point, but when it comes to inspiring calm and relaxation with personality, there's no better place to start with design inspiration.

No matter your feelings toward winter, it's hard to deny that the season is the coziest of all. For every bitter cold morning, there's a comfortable evening to be had – and throw blankets and pillows are inevitably at the center. With this in mind, Kelly Clarkson's new Wayfair collection has arrived right on cue.

The singer is no stranger to Wayfair (you may already associate her with the French Country range that launched back in April 2020). However, her latest drop draws inspiration from a zip code slightly closer to home: New York City. The collection, which pays homage to her move to the Big Apple, comprises everything from light fixtures to storage baskets, but nothing sets the tone for the season ahead quite like her textured accessories.

While these may seem like small additions, designers say that changing (or adding) these pieces is among the most impactful changes we can make, especially as we approach winter. First on the agenda: cushions.

'Give your sofa a revamp by updating your cushions. Swapping out your cushions will always give your room a refresh and add a bit of colour when you feel that you are bored with your decor,' comments designer Lisa Dawson.

'Think tactile materials such as warm fleece, soft faux fur, and thick cotton in neutral stripes, which will give your home that autumnal glow. Different shapes will add interest and draw the eye – when you’re decorating your rooms, it’s really important to have something that adds a fun element, and a cushion is a great way to do this.'

These pieces, designed by Clarkson, are the perfect starting point (and they're currently reduced for Way Day).

Next up, Dawson discusses the importance of layering – and the secret to nailing this is in the perfect throw blanket.

'One of the most important ingredients when it comes to styling your home and creating spaces that make you happy is layering. Layering your textiles not only finishes the look but also draws the eye, creating areas that are just as beautiful to look at as they are to be in,' she says.

'A soft throw is a great addition as it’s a good multitasker, working well in both the bedroom and the living room as a functional accessory. Whether it’s strewn over the sofa, folded neatly on an ottoman, or next to the bed in case of need, a cozy throw is the icing on your styling.'

Once again, Clarkson has us covered. We're adding the above throws (also reduced) to our cart today.

Target is known for its blend of affordable and stylish home decor, it’s no surprise its their Thanksgiving collection is packed with seasonal pieces that make celebrating easy and chic.

To help you execute your dream Thanksgiving decor ideas, I’ve handpicked some of the best Target decorations available right now. Whether you're hosting an extravagant Thanksgiving dinner and are on the hunt for Thanksgiving table decor or simply want to bring cozy seasonal accents into your home, Target’s decor options allow you to do it all without going over budget.

As a savvy shopper, I appreciate finding budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice style, and Target’s Thanksgiving decor perfectly balances both. If you'd prefer to shop the collection directly, you can head straight to Target's Thanksgiving 2024 page to shop the collection directly.

Best Target Thanksgiving wreaths

Best Target Thanksgiving garlands

Best Target Thanksgiving table decor

Best Target Thanksgiving wall decor

Best Target Thanksgiving throw pillows

Target's extensive holiday collection doesn't stop there. I've also selected the best of Targets' fall collection, as well as Target's Halloween 2024 decorations to save you time browsing the whole site.

With fall officially upon us, we're all thinking of ways to enhance the cozy feeling within our homes. From decorating with richer colors to layering textiles, there are lots of ways to welcome fall, but what does interior design maestro Shea McGee have to say on the matter?

We spoke to the designer herself, who told us all about her favorite ways to decorate for fall, and it's as sophisticated as you'd imagine. Placing focus on switching out the light and airy neutrals of summer with warmer, richer hues and incorporating plenty of textures, there's much to love about this approach.

Below, we've rounded up Shea's fall decor ideas to give you some inspiration – guaranteed to have your home ready for the cozy season in no time.

Style natural elements

When decorating for fall, Shea takes inspiration from the outdoors to incorporate natural elements inside the home. For example, arranging fall branches is a quick and simple way to welcome fall.

'We all have things that are natural, organic elements that we decorate with or are surrounding us in nature that we can easily bring into our homes to just transform them,' Shea tells H&G. 'So whether that's just clipping branches from the season to add that style... it's a lot about weight in the fall and winter months.'

Beyond fall branches, this idea can extend to fall wreath ideas for your front door, or even foliage garlands to elevate your fall mantel ideas.

Embrace textural accents

Secondly, Shea recommends switching out textiles for the fall months to boost cozy appeal and create a more texturally-rich scheme.

'When I think about weight, I'm thinking of visual weight, taking that really thin throw that you had over the edge of your sofa and swapping it out for a really chunky, heavy one; then all of a sudden it's feeling cozy or it feels like you should have the fire on. Those are the things that can add that seasonal shift to your home. So I'm really about adding that through accents.'

'I don't think that we should be changing out our sofa for the season,' Shea continues. 'And so focusing on those areas to bring in rich texture, heavy textures, and deep, warm hues.'

From switching out living room sofa pillows to opting for heavier bedding for fall bedroom decor, there are plenty of ways to incorporate richer textures for fall. And as Shea explains, this approach means you're not overhauling your existing decor, but rather making small tweaks that can be changed again when spring comes around.

Decorate with rich, earthy colors

Lastly, fall color schemes are an important part of the decorating process for Shea, who favors warm and earthy hues. 'I love golden brown browns and rust tones,' the designer tells us.

These colors, such as browns, greens, and oranges are some of the best for this time of year. They don't feel too distant from lighter neutrals and yet add so much interest to the home – instantly reminiscent of fall in a timeless and sophisticated way.

In her own home, Shea recently switched out her bed to a praline-colored one in a velvet fabric. 'In my own bedroom, I recently changed my bed to this praline velvet color, and it's so, so rich. It transformed my room to put a really rich velvet in the center of the room.'

You can easily create a similar look by swapping out your bedding for a richer color and adding throw pillows and blankets in a similar hue for a cozy, layered scheme.

By following a similar approach to Shea, you'll be able to welcome the cozy season in a way that feels sophisticated, natural, and full of texture.

If you're looking for more ways to style your home for fall, Shea's fall porch decor is just as stylish, setting a welcoming and cozy feel to the home's entrance.

As a fashion fan (and with a previous career in fashion under my belt), an interiors-meets-fashion collaboration is my kryptonite. So when I saw the teasers for the McGee & Co x Loeffler Randall collaboration starting to drop all over social media in the last few weeks I was suitably intrigued.

Now that it has finally launched – well, consider me fallen hook, line, and sinker. Dropping just as New York Fashion Week kicks off, this collection captures founders Shea McGee's (of Studio McGee and McGee & Co) and Jessie Randall's (of Loeffler Randall) shared love of hosting, fashion, and home design. It's truly a partnership born of shared admiration, and the results are here to prove it.

You'll already be familiar with Shea McGee's timeless, subtle, coveted design style but for those who are new to Loeffler Randall, there are just a few things you need to know. New York-based, this female-founded brand's designs are fanciful in all the best ways. Think ruffles, scalloped, florals, and playful Cottagecore-inspired aesthetics. Combined with McGee & Co's iconic style and a desire to create a collection worthy of the most decadent tabletop tastemakers, it truly is a hostess's dream come true.

So where did it all begin? With a dress, of course.

'I always joke that I'd love to wear a tablecloth, and this is that moment!' says Shea in a behind-the-scenes video, where she wears the dress that sparked the inspiration behind the entire collection.

Jessie Randall explains: 'The Gardenia Ruffle Tablecloth in this collection was inspired by a beautiful fabric that we have in our Loeffler Randall ready-to-wear collection. I have never seen a plaid woven in with a motif like a flower before, and so it was just such a special textile that we decided to use it for the tablecloth.'

Jessie sent Shea some photographs of how she likes to lay her table, filled with woven textures and neutral ceramics, to which Shea said 'This is speaking my love language' and they started to bring the vision together. They picked the gingham print first and evolved the collection to include soft neutrals, greens, browns, scallops, ruffles, and broderie details throughout that work together to create one harmonious, layered table.

'I love how versatile this collection is,' says Jessie, whose favorite piece from the collection is the Tabitha Butter Dish with its twisted handle. 'You can use it [the collection] year-round, you can dress it up, you can layer it – it feels special, but not over-done. Seeing it all together blew me away,' she says.

Shea also wanted to create a user-friendly collection thanks to their soft approach to color. 'It allows you to pair it, and mix and match – we even coordinated with textiles, seat cushions, and pillows with scalloped edges.'

'Every time that we come out with McGee & Co products, I take a few for myself, but with this [collaboration], I've asked them to save one of every piece for me,' gushed Shea. 'One of the many things I love about Loeffler Randall is their attention to unique, expressive details. There’s so much inspiration to be found in fashion that applies to interior details, as well.'

Shop The McGee & Co x Loeffler Randall Collaboration

Here's our edit of the most swoon-worthy goods from the collection – from scalloped dinnerware to decadent centerpieces and gingham-clad, ruffle trimmed pillows.

'All these little different details that work so well together and that is what happens with the table, you can just layer everything together and it works beautifully or you can use it on its own,' says Jessie Randall on how to shop and layer the collection. You can go all in or shop just a few pieces to elevate your existing tableware to add some McGee & Co x Loeffler Randall charm.

Jamie Lee Curtis doesn't mess around about bedtime, so it's no surprise she sleeps with silk bedding. The actress shared an Instagram reel to prove to the non-believers that, yes, she really does go to sleep at 6:30 PM, and we couldn't help but notice her salmon pink, silk quilt, inevitably complementing her impeccable sleep hygiene.

This luxe bedding material is lauded for its multitude of benefits. First, it can help regulate temperature. 'Silk is practical, as well as pretty: naturally cooling, it's a great option for hot sleepers and summer nights,' says Emilia Hitching, Homes & Gardens' sleep Editor. Sleeping cool is one of the best ways to guarantee sleeping through the night, so it's a great option to help enhance every night's rest.

Curtis's choice of bedding also has wonderful, beauty-boosting benefits. 'Silk has a low absorption rate, which means it retains more moisture and can hydrate your skin while you sleep. Hydrated skin looks better and feels softer. You can apply a full face of beauty creams and settle down to sleep on your silk pillowcases, safe in the knowledge that your case won't absorb your treatments. Your beauty products will sink into your skin, rather than your sheets, hydrating you all the more,' writes Hitching on why you should buy a silk pillowcase.

Yet another reason to buy a silk pillowcase or silk bedding is that it can extend the lifespan of your hairstyle. 'I would especially recommend silk bedding to sleepers with textured or curly hair, or anyone who spends a lot of time and money on their blow-out, and wants to keep it. Silk helps your strands to hold their shape and keep their sheen,' says Hitching.

Furthermore, people are sometimes put off of the luxe bedding because they imagine it is difficult to care for. Hitching says this isn't true. She states: 'Contrary to popular opinion, silk isn't all that high-maintenance. Most silk bedding is machine-washable, and some is even dryer-safe, so long as you select the correct care options.' Washing a silk pillowcase is as easy as falling asleep on one.

Shop Silk Bedding

If you want to try out silk bedding but aren't sure you're ready to commit, there is a simple solution: 'For a quick and easy upgrade, I suggest you invest in the best silk pillowcase to keep your skin smooth and your hair hydrated,' says Hitching. Here are a few of our moisturizing, temperature controlling favorites.

To complement the lustrous texture of silk bedding, we recommend pairing it with other fabric finishes. For instance, in Jamie Lee Curtis's bedroom, the actress has paired the pink silk quilt with a simple cotton duvet. The contrast in colors and texture helps to make both pieces of bedding stand out even more.

Not everyone can be Jamie Lee Curtis, but with a few easy adjustments, you can at least have her sleep routine.

Few online retailers offer products for every room in your home, but Wayfair has a truly stylish selection to refresh your spaces. With stock ranging from hardware to soft furnishings, and even decorative items, it's become my go-to every time I feel my rooms need an update.

The good news is, that Wayfair is currently having a huge bed and bath sale, offering up to 60% off a range of products, from bathroom vanities and mirrors to luxurious bedding sets and cozy decor. So, I'm taking advantage of the incredible discounts to give my bedroom and bathroom a much-needed refresh.

I've spent hours scrolling through all the stock that's gone into Wayfair's Bed & Bath sale and curated an edit of my favorite pieces you don't want to miss out on. So, save yourself the search and shop these stylish pieces for a fraction of the price.

15 must-have products from Wayfair's Bed & Bath Sale

Whether your bathroom is in need of smart storage and a statement vanity or you want to refresh your bedroom with new linens, Wayfair's Bed & Bath Sale has everything you need to give your rooms an update. But be quick – these stylish buys won't be around for long!

Miranda Lambert's southern sensibilities permeate her music career as a country singer, but they also transfer to her overall lifestyle, especially her home. Ever since launching in 2022, she has taken her affinity for interiors to a broader audience with her Walmart collection, Wanda June, featuring non-toxic cookware, tableware, and cozy home accessories.

A new set of products just dropped, and they range from area rugs to tassle pillows. The best part? Every item is under $40.

The selection includes a bamboo charcuterie board for $11.98, a bronzed Dutch oven for $35.97, and a faux fur pillow for $10.43. Taking inspiration from country living, the collection is perfect for anyone looking to infuse their home with a bit of rustic decor.

'Wanda June Home is named after the two most influential women in my life, my mom Beverly June Lambert and my grandma Wanda Louise Coker, AKA Nonny,' Lambert said in a statement upon the release of the line two years ago. 'They both taught me everything I know about being a woman and how to make a warm home full of laughter, love, and memories. That's really the heart of my Wanda June Home brand. The products are a physical representation of a long line of beautiful memories with amazing women.'

While we're currently clinging to every second of summer, these cozy, earthy-hued pieces have given us hope for the cooler months on the calendar. It's everything our home needs ahead of time (so we're buying now to ensure we're ready).

The new drop features ten products, though there are dozens available within the wider range. Shop some of our top picks below and the entire collection here.

Shop Miranda Lambert's new Walmart collection

No doubt keeping on top of your laundry can often feel like a never-ending task. When it comes to tackling the piles of washing, clothes are the easy part- but what about all those things, like memory foam, toys, and wool that you’re not quite sure can go in?

Laundry symbols are confusing enough, and often they don’t provide all the answers. From delicates to running shoes, some items are better off being hand washed than thrown in your weekly wash- to avoid shrinking, damaging your washing machine, or worse, damaging your favorite clothes.

So, while you may be pondering laundry room ideas, how do you know what can and can’t go in your washing machine? We talked to laundry experts to get the laundry lowdown and learn the ins and outs of what to never put in your washing machine.

15 things to never put in the washing machine

So, to avoid any laundry disasters, and get the most out of your laundry room essentials, look no further than this guide.

1. Delicates

While there are laundry rules you can break, this is probably the most well-known no-no when it comes to washing machines. Washing your precious delicates, like silk garments or underwear, can ruin them completely.

‘These fabrics can be easily damaged by the agitation and spinning of the washing machine,’ says Rechelle Balanzat, founder and CEO of Juliette Laundry.

‘They may lose their shape, shrink, or even tear.’ To avoid this, consider hand washing or use a gentle cycle specifically designed for delicate items. And, if you’re wondering what the delicate setting on a dryer is, it can be used to safely dry these items when you don’t have time to air-dry them. Just be sure to use a tumble dryer temperature guide.

2. Down

Washing down is notoriously difficult, so you may be wondering if you can wash a feather pillow or bedding. The answer is that putting either in your washing machine is, unfortunately, best avoided.

‘Down can be problematic because water (and dirt) can become trapped in the microtubules of the feather,’ says Taylor Sutherland, president of Charlie’s Soap. ‘You can wash down in Charlie’s Soap because the water becomes so wet that it won’t become trapped.’

Most importantly, Sutherland adds, be sure to dry these items thoroughly after washing, to avoid mold and other issues arising.

3. Items with pet hair

If you have a pet that sheds, your home and clothes are likely to be constantly coated in hair. While these will regularly need washing, putting them in your washing machine will only cause clogs.

‘Pet hair can clog the washing machine’s drain and filter, leading to potential malfunctions and inefficiencies,’ says Balanzat.

If you don’t want to hand wash these items, use a lint roller or brush before washing to remove as much as possible, she recommends.

4. Leather or suede

Leather and suede are two materials that should never be put in your washing machine, as it will damage them, and may render clothing unwearable.

‘Water and agitation will ruin them,’ says Matt O'Connor, co-founder of NoScrubs Laundry Delivery and cleaning and laundry expert. ‘They need special care,’ so take them to a dry cleaner to protect them, which will ensure they last for years to come.

5. Heavy items

Large items, such as rugs and blankets, will increase in weight dramatically when wet, which could cause issues for your washing machine.

‘These can unbalance the washing machine, causing it to malfunction or damage the drum,’ says Balanzat. Instead, use a commercial-grade washing machine designed for heavier loads, which can be found at your local launderette.

Deloading the drum will stop a washer from shaking.

6. Stuffed toys

Knowing how to wash stuffed animals can be difficult to get the hang of, particularly if they’re treasured companions, where knowing how to wash them properly is essential.

‘Stuffed animals can be a problem since it’s hard to wring the water and dirt out of them due to their non-wringable nature,’ says Sutherland. Therefore, it’s best to keep them out of the washing machine altogether, and dry clean them or spot clean only.

7. Cashmere

As one of the most expensive materials, caring for your cashmere when washing it is important to maintain the quality of your items.

‘I don’t recommend washing wool or cashmere sweaters in the washing machine,’ says Alessandro Gazzo, cleaning expert at Emily’s Maids. ‘If you have an emergency and you absolutely need to use the washing machine, select cold water and put them inside a mesh bag first,’ but, to be on the safe side, it’s nearly always better to hand wash them or get them dry-cleaned.

8. Flammable stains

This one might not be as well-known, but washing flammable stains can actually be extremely dangerous.

‘Residual flammable substances can ignite in the dryer, posing a fire hazard,’ says Balanzat. ‘Pre-treat these stains with a suitable solvent and rinse thoroughly before washing,’ which will help avoid any issues.

O’Connor also recommends against this, warning: ‘The smell will linger forever.’

9. Coins and metal objects

Coins and metal objects are usually washed by mistake, so it’s important to check your garments thoroughly before throwing them in the machine.

‘These can damage the drum and the interior of the washing machine,’ says Balanzat. ‘They can also get stuck in the drainage system,’ so remember to check your pockets before you wash clothing.

10. Running shoes

While your running shoes need regular washing, you don’t want to damage expensive trainers by washing them incorrectly, particularly if they have gel soles.

‘The gel can be damaged by the washing machine, and the shoes might lose their shape,’ says Balanzat. Instead, hand wash them, use a specialized shoe cleaner, or take them to your dry cleaners.

11. Wool

It’s not a good idea to put your favorite wooly jumpers in the washing machine, as they are prone to shrinking due to the natural lanolin present in wool.

‘Detergents can wash away that lanolin making it brittle,’ says Sutherland. ‘If you have to wash it, rinse with a lanolin rinse to restore these oils,’ like this one from Walmart.

12. Memory foam pillows

If you’ve been wondering if you can wash memory foam pillows, the answer is yes – but not in the washing machine.

‘The agitation can break down the foam, causing it to lose its shape and support,’ says Balanzat, which will ruin both your expensive pillows and your good night’s sleep.

Instead, opt for spot cleaning with a mild detergent where necessary and air-dry, and use a pillow protector under your pillowcase for extra protection against staining.

13. Keys and jewelry

Again, it’s likely you will only wash your keys or jewelry by mistake, but it can pose serious risks to both your washing machine and belongings.

‘These hard items can damage the drum and internal components of the washing machine,’ says Balanzat, so be sure to check any pockets before placing items like trousers and jackets in the wash.

14. Embellished clothing

Keep your sequined or beaded clothing away from the washing machine to avoid damaging or ruining them for good.

‘Anything with sequins or beading is a no-go,’ says O’Connor. ‘Those will come off and possibly damage your machine,’ so be sure to carefully hand wash them instead, or send them in for dry cleaning.

15. Waterproof items

Finally, you may have been wondering how to wash a shower curtain, but washing waterproof items in your washing machine is advised against.

‘Items such as shower curtains and some mattress covers can trap water inside, causing imbalance and potential damage to the washing machine,’ says Balanzat. ‘Always check the care label for washing instructions, and consider hand washing if necessary.’ Regularly replacing your shower curtain, particularly in the event of mold, is also recommended.

FAQs

Can you put wet towels in the washing machine?

If your towels are soaking wet, it’s recommended to spin-dry them first. This may seem counterproductive, but putting them in sopping will mean they are unable to soak up any detergent. This is crucial for washing and ensuring they are clean, removing perspiration, odors, and stains.

Is it OK to leave a washing machine on overnight?

While it may seem efficient and tempting to get your washing loads done overnight, it’s important to not leave washing unattended due to fire hazards posed by washing machines.

Tumble dryers should also not be left on overnight, to avoid any potential dangers.

Most importantly, most mishaps can be avoided if you proceed with caution. ‘Always check the care label for washing instructions, and consider handwashing if necessary,’ says Balanzat.

There are also plenty of things you should never dry clean, from baby clothes to activewear.

'Brat green' may be the color of the summer, but the colors in Charli XCX's living room are forever. The singer's Los Angeles home is an eclectic mix of textures and periods featuring bright lime and jewel-toned furniture against her house's white and wood Tudor-style bones. It's just as iconic as Charli herself.

Her living room idea elevates the vintage style of her home with elegant modern shapes. Photos for Architectural Digest show that Charli's space incorporates rounded sofas in yellow and lime green, and armchairs in lime and aqua. These bright elements contrast nicely with the cream and brown rug covering her dark hardwood floors. Details like multi-colored throw pillows, vintage glass bottles, and paper chaines on the stained glass windows bring the whole space to life.

'I love the energizing quality of this living room color scheme,' says Jennifer Ebert, color expert and Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. She continues, 'Electric shades like aqua, lime green, and hot pink inspire an unparalleled excitement that lights up the entire room. Though the colors have a fun and whimsical edge, their placement in this historic-looking tudor-style home grounds them, for a mature and elevated look.'

The idea of creating a space that 'looks luxurious' has become a huge interior design trend in 2024, and this space proves that 'luxury' can have more than one meaning,' Ebert says. 'Though this space isn't beige, its transitional style gives it an undeniable air of modern luxury. The mix of different eras and opulent combination of fabrics feels rich and storied while maintaining its unique character.'

The color scheme ties into this opulent feel. Ebert states: 'Though they feel so modern in this context, many of these jewel tones were once associated with royalty, giving them an almost mythic quality. The carefree combination of these hues feels very luxurious in the way it refuses to take itself seriously.'

Shop The Edit

Decorating like Charli isn't just about emulating her furniture choices; accomplishing the same eclectic, lived-in feel requires expert living room styling. We love these vintage glass bottles from Etsy. Their various colors and shapes are perfect for adding to a coffee table as Charli has done. The 'Vroom Vroom' singer has also added paper chains to her windows for a playful touch. This fluted version brings a dainty, stylized edge to the look. Charli's living room incorporates a variety of patterned throw pillows, and a hot pink chenille version is ideal for bringing both texture and color into your home, Charli-style.

If you are hoping to recreate the gorgeous style of Charli XCX's cozy living room, it starts with being comfortable taking risks and leaning into your personal style. Charli's living room is so stylish because it looks natural and lived-in rather than overly curated. Start by collecting objects you love, especially antique and vintage pieces.

A focus on your favorite textiles is another way to lean into this look. In Charli's space, this is embodied by a neutral rug paired with surprisingly colored couches and throw pillows, but your perfect scheme could be different. It's about layering and leaning into complexity and unexpected contrasts.

The best interior designs can rarely be slotted into a single aesthetic or 'core.' Instead, they borrow the best of different styles for a look that is impossible to pin down. Creating such a space is easy with the lessons from Charli XCX's living room.

Until now, it was hard to pin any piece in Drew Barrymore's 'Beautiful' collection to any one season. The actress-turned-designer has created everything from air fryers to towels to that boucle accent chair – none of which were made with a particular month in mind. Her latest collection, however, changes that.

Beautiful's decor drop signals the very first sign of fall – and while we're currently clinging onto every second of summer, it's given us hope for the cooler months on the calendar.

The new pieces comprise tonal tasseled pillows, chunky throws, and textured vases that revive fall's comforting color palette. It's the first time we've felt excited about fall decor this year, but if this is anything to go by, we can rest assured that earthy neutrals, warming textures, and brassy finishes will reign supreme for the latter half of 2024.

Shop Drew Barrymore's new home decor

Barrymore's latest collection, available exclusively at Walmart, may be perfect for fall, but we don't need to wait until the end of the summer sun before investing. Not least, we expect them to sell out before the season shifts. We've narrowed down our top buys that deserve a place in our living room at the first opportunity.

Refreshing your home or garden for summer is so much easier when the sales are on. Just in time for celebrating, some of your favorite retailers have started massive new season sales and you're not going to want to miss these deals.

Here, we've rounded up the most covetable picks that are currently on sale for under $250 so you can be sure to find a budget-friendly buy to spark some joy this summer. Whether you're looking to brighten up your living room, add some fresh accents to your bedroom, or create an inviting outdoor space, we have you covered.

We've scrolled through Pottery Barn, Lulu & Georgia, West Elm, Anthropologie, Target, Wayfair, and Serena & Lily to find you the very best home decor ideas on offer. From decorative pillows and elegant lighting to charming outdoor accents, we've done the hard work for you so you can simply sit back, shop, and enjoy the warmer weather.

Shop The Best Home Decor Sale Picks Under $250

Target

Target is currently running its biggest sale of the season with a sale of up to 50% off homewares. 'Circle Week' is running through July 13, with deals of the day running every day to help you find the hottest products - including discounts on Shea McGee's summer target collection.

Shop the Target sale here.

Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily are currently offering up to 40% off everything + free shipping on orders over $2,500 so you can be sure to bag some easy, breezy coastal decor ideas at a much more budget-friendly price.

Shop the Serena & Lily sale here.

Anthropologie

Anthropologie is currently giving shoppers an extra 50% off their end-of-season sale. And while that excludes furniture, the home decor and accessories are really worth checking out.

Shop the Anthropologie sale here.

Lulu & Georgia

Lulu & Georgia are currently offering 20% off sitewide, and yes that's even on top of items in their clearance sale. The discount is automatically added at checkout so couldn't be simpler.

Shop the Lulu & Georgia sale here.

Wayfair

Shop everything from Wayfair outdoor sales to indoor furniture, decor, bedding, and soft furnishings in our dedicated Wayfair sale edit.

Shop the Wayfair sale here.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn's deals are pretty huge this summer. They are currently offering up to 60% off, with an extra 15% off with the code EXTRA on the entire sale across furniture, outdoor, decor, and more.

Shop the Pottery Barn sale here.

West Elm

West Elm is also offering up to 60% off in their summer clearance with up to 40% off outdoor and garden buys in their holiday West Elm deals.

Shop the West Elm sale here.

Summer is a huge time for sale shopping. With some of the biggest 4th of July sales still hanging around, and brands holding tent sales to do a massive clearance ahead of the new season, now is absolutely the time to grab a bargain.

Michelle Pfeiffer, though most well-known for her work as an actor in films such as Scarface and Batman Returns, has recently ventured into the world of fragrances. The star's perfume line, Henry Rose, specializes in scents for the body; however, a recent Instagram post proves that usage of the sprays is at the bottle owner's discretion.

Pfeiffer shared a clip of herself spraying one of her scents over her bed and pillows, and it got us thinking about how you can make a bedroom smell good for sleep.

While the actor has opted to spritz her linens with her Blonde Barry Body Mist (a fruity-floral fragrance), we spoke to an expert to find out which scents work best for optimal sleep.

But first: why and how do specific scents benefit our sleep hygiene?

'Pillow sprays are typically a mix of essential oils and a base like water or alcohol that you mist onto your pillow,' explains Julia Forbes, a certified sleep science coach at Sleep Advisor. 'The idea is to create a calm, soothing environment that helps you fall asleep faster. The scents from the spray target our sense of smell, which relaxes the mind by associating these scents with relaxation.'

Forbes tells us that there is scientific research to back the psychological impact that scents have on our sleep.

'Scent impacts how we sleep because it directly interacts with the part of our brain responsible for processing emotions,' she explains. 'A nice smell can reduce stress, calm the nerves, and even lower our heart rate and blood pressure.'

Similar to sniffing a favorite perfume (just like Michelle uses in her sleep space) smelling a relaxing scent can help ease tension in the body, which is a plus when winding down.

As far as scents go, Forbes says it's ultimately up to personal preference, but she generally suggests lighter fragrances rather than anything heavy.

'It's important to choose a scent that you enjoy so it is not distracting,' Forbes says. 'Lavender is known for its sleep-promoting properties, chamomile can be as soothing as it can calm you down, and sandalwood offers a deep, woodsy aroma that is great for calming you down and easing stress before sleep. Scent preferences are personal but I recommend avoiding scents that keep you more alert like peppermint and citrus because they may energize you instead of relaxing you.'

Below, find a selection of pillow mists that are aids in a good night's sleep.

I've heard very good things about the Pluto Pillow. This custom pillow gets rave reviews from expert testers and paying customers alike. When Pluto co-founder and CEO Susana Saeliu approached me with an offer to make my own Pluto Pillow, I couldn't wait to take her up on it.

Susana sent me the link to a five-minute questionnaire where I answered all sorts of questions about my sleep style and the state of my current pillow. She fed my answers through the Pluto algorithm to make me a personalized pillow – one of 35 variants – that arrived just two weeks later, all the way from Los Angeles to London.

As H&G's resident sleep writer, I lead the charge to find the world's best pillow. I talk a lot about adjustable pillows, which allow you to alter the firmness and feel, but this is the first truly custom pillow I've ever tested. If you've never been able to find a pillow that meets your needs, then I suggest you give the Pluto Pillow a go. 

Pluto Pillow review − tried + tested

Sleeping with an unsupportive pillow is one of the worst ways your pillow can ruin your sleep quality. Right before I started testing the Pluto Pillow, I was sleeping on my old down pillow, which has started to sag after years of use. Immediately, I noticed a difference with the Pluto Pillow, but it took me a few weeks to get used to the new feeling.

What makes the Pluto Pillow special?

Pluto claims to be the world's first fully-custom pillow company. Each pillow is made to order off the back of a five-minute questionnaire. First, I had to supply my name, age, height, and weight. All of these factors were relevant: my age, height, and weight informs what style of pillow might suit me, while my name was handwritten on a thank-you card and just makes the whole thing feel more intimate. If you still don't like the idea of a company collecting your personal data, I suggest you read the Pluto Privacy Policy for peace of mind.

Next, I told Pluto all about my current pillow. I checked boxes to indicate the filling (down, foam, latex, and so on); the firmness (on a scale from Soft to Hard As A Rock); the height (when uncompressed, in inches); my satisfaction with it (on a scale of 1-10); and whether it feels too hard, too soft, too high, too low or just right. 

Finally, there were a couple of questions about me and my sleep style. I checked boxes to describe my mattress (whether it feels soft, medium, or firm); whether or not my head gets hot in the night (which it certainly does); and which sounds better − 'plushy and melt-in' or 'settled and supportive'. Pluto also asked about my sleep positions: how I lie on the bed to sleep, as well as how I lie on it to relax.

What's the Pluto Pillow like to sleep on?

My Pluto Pillow arrived in a cute branded box just two weeks after I placed the order.  Inside the box, I found my personalized pillow, already inflated. That meant I didn't have to wait for my pillow to expand or the unpleasant odor from off-gassing to dissipate: I could start testing straightaway. I also found a notecard that recapped the details of my order for total transparency. 

As a stomach sleeper, I had asked for a firm, flat pillow to save my neck from straining. Since there isn't anywhere to write in your own measurements, I had selected the option at the lowest end of the scale to ask for a pillow between 0 and 3 inches high. Pluto took that to mean '3 inches', on the dot. That's quite a lot thicker than I'm used to with my old down pillow, which had started to sag over years of use. It took me a few weeks to get to grips with my Pluto Pillow, but now I appreciate the extra support: it stops my neck and shoulders from sinking into the mattress.

The Pluto Pillow is a pillow within a pillow: you get the squishy foam core and the supportive fiberfill case. I laid them out side by side so that you can see the difference. If you look closely, you'll see that the foam core is perforated to boost breathability throughout the pillow.

Filled with foam and encased in down alternative, the Pluto Pillow is made from hypoallergenic materials to suit sensitive sleepers and vegan shoppers. I found it felt perfect for pressure relief and eased a lot of the aches and pains I get at the top of my spine from sitting and staring at my screens all day. With that said, I didn't feel the same contouring effect you get from the best memory foam pillows.

I tend to suffer from night sweats and hot flashes, especially in the summer. I told Pluto this in my questionnaire and I'd hope to receive a specially cooling pillow. I was slightly disappointed. If you're a hot sleeper, like me, you might want to consider the best cooling pillow, instead. The Woolroom Deluxe Washable Wool Pillow is another adjustable option that might meet your needs.

How does the Pluto Pillow rate online?

The Pluto Pillow boasts a 4.82 average star rating from 2,332 verified reviews. The vast majority of customers rave about the comfort and support it offers to promote proper ergonomic alignment. Many of those customers agree with me that the Pluto Pillow takes a little getting used to, but it's ultimately worth the investment.

There are a smattering of more mixed reviews, in which customers complain that their Pluto Pillow is too thick, too thin, too firm, too soft for comfort. Underneath any review that gives four stars or fewer, the Pluto team reply and offer to improve the pillow: their language is pretty vague, but that can only mean a refund or a return. In my case, co-founder and CEO Susana reached out via LinkedIn after the first few weeks of testing and asked how I was getting on with the pillow: feels like pretty good customer service to me.

Should I buy the Pluto Pillow?

The Pluto Pillow retails for $125 in the Original size and $155 in the King size. When you consider the extent of the customizability, and the quick turnarounds, this seems like a pretty good deal, though you could always try to bag a bargain in the bedding sales. It took me a few weeks to get on board with the Pluto Pillow, but now I love it: I wouldn't want to go back to my store-bought pillow any time soon.  

How we test pillows

We put a lot of thought into how we test pillows. Our expert testers sleep on pillows for months, ideally through several seasons, to monitor their performance over time, with a special focus on thermoregulation. We assess each pillow against the same criteria: comfort; support; cooling properties; and the all-important price. 

Where possible, we compare our findings against verified customer reviews to reveal a range of experiences with the same pillow. We consider all sorts of practical points, including sleep trials and warranties, before we bring it all back to the price to help you determine value for money.

Paint, furniture, and upholstery are not the only things that matter regarding interior design; accessories are equally important. No matter the design scheme, a carefully placed throw pillow, a casually strewn blanket, or a styled lamp, can majorly upgrade the space. The perfect example can be found in Sofía Vergara's home.

The actress's living room begins with a warm neutral color scheme. Vergara's designer has layered a beige rug with a natural wood coffee table. This base perfectly complements an antique-style dark wood sofa. A large open door behind the sofa fills the room with light for a stunning, bright atmosphere. On its own the room would be impressive, but the accessories take it to next level. Vergara's designer has added coffee table books, a bowl of oranges, decorative pillows, and patterned white lamps, completely elevating the room.

Embodied within these accessories are lessons in creating a cozy living room. Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens states: 'Vergara's gray throw pillows and quilted blanket are the perfect way to bring texture into her space. Adding fabrics through a carpet, blankets, and pillows is the way to make a space feel warmer and more inviting with very little effort. They can be easily swapped out if the color scheme changes.'

The plants in the back of Vergara's neutral living room further liven her space. Ebert states, 'Plants are a great way to bring brightness and energy into your home. Not only do they add texture, but the fact that plants are living and breathing makes them feel much more dynamic than other accessories. Furthermore, plants are a good way to add texture and interest to a room without bringing in new colors.'

Vergara's space also teaches important lessons in symmetry. Ebert says: 'Part of what is so striking about the actress's space is the way that she has integrated two of everything. The matching cushions across the sofa and matching lamps across the sideboard at the back of the sofa create a gorgeous, symmetrical style that draws your eyes across the room.'

Shop the H&G Accessories Edit

Incorporating neutral accessories is an easy technique for bringing texture and warmth into any space without adding too much color or full design elements.

Sofía Vergara's living room shows how a few well-placed accessories can make a space feel cozy and lived-in. With a little bit of planning and a few soft furnishings, transforming your space has never been easier.

A living room isn't truly complete without a healthy selection of throw pillows. Whether they add comfort, color, or a little bit of both, you can't do without these decorative accents. But how many should you choose for the sofa? What about for your sprawling sectional? And with so many shapes and sizes on the market, which would suit your specific home the best?

To answer all your burning accent pillow questions, interior designer (and founder of homeware brand McGee & Co.) Shea McGee just shared the ultimate pillow-sizing guide. With helpful guidance on pillow sizes, shapes, and placement on five key furniture items, Shea's handbook is the only tool you'll need when adding those plush finishing touches to your living room or bedroom design scheme. Here are the best pillow sizes, explained by Shea McGee.

How to pick the right-sized throw pillow, according to Shea McGee

According to the Studio McGee team, 'switching out your accent pillows is one of the simplest ways to bring personality, pattern, and dimension to a design, giving it a whole new life with the addition of a single print.'

With so much experience styling (and designing) throw pillows for stunning interiors over the years, Shea's accrued some wisdom on accent pillow strategy. And though many factors go into successful pillow styling, the interior designer says one factor matters the most: size. Choosing the right-sized pillow can make or break your design scheme.

'In general, you should start with the largest pillows in the back of your assortment, and build a triangle with smaller pillows from there. Typically, two-to-four-inch size increments work best for layering pillow combinations,' Shea shares in a tell-all blog post.

1. Chairs

Armchairs tend to look a bit empty without any additional throw pillows or blankets, so using the right size combination of cushions is paramount. According to Shea, getting the accent pillow sizing scheme down is quite simple.

Armchairs aren't very big, so a single cushion here will do. She suggests 'a single lumbar pillow, or a single 20-22-inch pillow, to accompany each armchair throughout your space and 'add an extra layer of dimension.'

2. Sofas

When it comes to mixing and matching pillows on the sofa, you have a bit more area to work with, so Shea suggests scattering four or five accent pillows across. This trick also works for a bench or nook, she adds, and while pillow symmetry will contribute to a put-together, traditional look, asymmetry works best in a casual living space.

For the best results, Shea says to place a pillow between 22 and 24 inches at the back of the sofa, and to 'layer a smaller pillow, 20-22" in the front.' In the corner of the sofa, opt for something a bit larger – between 22 and 24 inches will do – and add a lumbar pillow in for good measure.

3. Sectionals

If you have space for a sectional, the throw pillow process gets a bit trickier. Shea and the Studio McGee team recommend between seven and 10 pillows, depending on the size. Two pillows should be layered at each end of the piece of furniture, and three should be placed in the middle corner.

The team recommends that the larger pillow on each end works best when between 22 and 24 inches, while the smaller should be between 20 and 22 proportionally. Meanwhile, Shea suggests a large pillow between 22 and 24 inches, a medium pillow between 20 and 22 inches, and a lumbar pillow for the corner.

4. Twin beds

Twin beds break some tried-and-true bed styling rules, simply because of their small size. But Shea says they still deserve some accent pillow love.

For each twin bed, she opts to 'keep it simple with one to two decorative pillows in addition to the sleeping pillow and sham.' One 'simple' lumbar pillow and a 22-inch pillow in the front will do, says the Studio McGee team.

5. King or queen beds

King or queen bed pillow styling is an art form in itself, offering so many opportunities for a stylish scheme. But Shea and her team break it down into three to five simple steps – 'in addition to the sleeping pillows and shams,' that is.

A handful of pillows between 24 and 26 inches and an extra-long lumbar pillow make this look sing, but so does the combination of two pillows between 24 and 26 inches, one 20-22" pillow, and a lumbar pillow. 'If you're going for a minimalist aesthetic, use one long lumbar across the bed,' Shea adds.

Styling throw pillows is personal, so there's no need to stick to Shea's rules to a tee. But with years of experience under her belt, she's learned some lessons and knows her way around sizing accent pillows. Whether you're looking to level up your armchair or sectional, kid's room or main bedroom, Shea's tips are sure to come in handy, if only for some start-of-process inspiration.

Warmth and minimalism are two of the most desirable interior qualities for many, so it makes sense that organic modern is the trend that won't quit. We've seen this natural and chic style popping up everywhere from the kitchen to the dining room, particularly in celebrity homes.

Ashley Tisdale is among the famous fans of organic modern. The High School Musical star and owner of lifestyle brand Frenshe (along with its home-focused offshoot, Frenshe Interiors) recently shared a photo of her bedroom on Instagram, and the space is a neutral oasis, made cozy by natural materials like wood and a variety of textured pieces.

Many minimalists have likely been decorating their homes within the organic modern frames for years; experts explain that it's a timeless trend with a European-inspired history.

'While the organic modern style trend now has an official name and is gaining traction on social media, the concept has been quite prevalent for years within the interior design world,' explains Albi Serfaty, co-founder and creative director at Aqua Creations Luminary Design Studio. 'In short, the organic modern style melds the Scandinavian clean aesthetic with mid-century modern design and warm organic forms from the bohemian style. It's all about layering and allowing the eye to seamlessly move from uniform order to less rigid elements.'

We love how Tisdale's bedroom approaches the trend, with a focus on varying shapes, from her spherical lantern lampshade to her rectangular, plush floor rug. It's easy to see the appeal of this design, which Serfaty says strikes a balance between comfort and elegance.

'I believe the trend has become popular as a response to the over-saturation of a clean and purely minimalist aesthetic that we've seen in the past few years,' he states. 'There is a craving for 'less order,' and the organic modern style is an answer that doesn't stray too far away from what is popular, yet adds a touch of excitement.'

Shop the organic modern bedroom edit

Below, find some organic modern bedroom pieces to achieve the look.

Cleaning all of the items in our homes that regularly get dirty is an important part of maintaining our properties, ensuring we're living in a comfortable and sanitary space. But to keep our homes as hygienic as possible, it's also essential to know when items simply need replacing rather than just another clean.

Of course, not everything in our homes needs regular replacement – for example, keeping furniture for as long as possible is an excellent idea. But more delicate items that get used daily or that often experience damp or wet conditions should really be replaced regularly – and perhaps even more often than you think.

Not only will doing so allow you to maintain high standards of cleanliness in your home, but it will also ensure that these items continue to perform well for you. But which items should we be looking to repurchase and replace, and how often should we actually be doing so?

7 items you should be replacing regularly 

The items below are all used almost daily and can accumulate a significant amount of grime as a result—which is why experts suggest that they should ideally be replaced regularly, alongside regular cleaning.

However, it's important to note that the rate at which you should replace the items below depends on how regularly they are used, how dirty they get during use, and how durable said items are.

That said, here are some solid timelines to follow if you're keen to keep your home and its contents as clean and sanitary as possible.

1. Your toothbrush

It might sound like an obvious one, but it's a wise move to buy another toothbrush on a semi-regular basis – most importantly, to avoid your current one becoming ineffective. In fact, this is top of the list of items you should replace more often.

'It is best to replace your toothbrush every three to four months because the bristles become frayed and less effective at cleaning teeth,' says cleaning expert Lina DaSilva, Founder at Toronto Shine Cleaning. And if you have an electric toothbrush, the experts suggest replacing the head with the same frequency.

Nick Hedburg, a real estate agent at As-is Home Buyer, agrees, explaining that if you’re wondering whether your toothbrush has had its day, there’s usually an easy way to work it out. 'My tell-tale sign to change a toothbrush is when the bristles get disorganized – then, you know that it has reached its maximum capacity,' he says.

2. Towels

Perhaps surprisingly, towels also need to be replaced regularly, largely because they become less effective over time.

'Towels tend to lose absorbency and become rough after two years of use, so you should replace yours around then,' says Jennifer Bell, professional organizer and Founder of Bell Home Organizing.

Lina DaSilva agrees, suggesting that you should 'replace or rotate towels when they no longer dry effectively or start to smell, even after washing your towels. Usually, this is every two years, but it does depend on their use and care.'

To reduce waste, Jennifer Bell suggests considering how you can reuse your towels before simply throwing them straight into the trash. 'You can turn old towels into cleaning rags or consider donating your old towels to a local animal shelter,' she says.

3. Pillows

They're something that we all use every day for hours at a time, so it makes a lot of sense that our pillows should be changed pretty often! In fact, they're one of the bedroom items you should replace far more often than you probably do.

'Pillows should be replaced every one to two years, as they will easily collect dust mites, skin cells, and oil over the years, which can eventually affect your breathing and health,' Lina DaSilva says.

This rule seems very sensible - most of us spend up to eight hours (maybe more) lying our heads on our pillows every night, which means they're bound to collect sweat, dust, dirt, and all kinds of nasties naturally over the months and years.

While washing your pillows is a good solution in the interim to keep them fresh and comfortable, most will eventually need to be replaced entirely to maintain hygienic conditions in your bedroom as you sleep.

4. Your bath mat

Our bath mats are also not designed to be used for years and years (or decades) on end. In fact, they can actually hold a large amount of bacteria, and so should be replaced every couple of years, according to most professionals.

'I advise replacing them every one to two years – but you must wash them every week or two to keep them clean, as well,' Lina DaSilva says. 'This regular washing helps, but over time, fabric mats can accumulate bacteria and lose their effectiveness.'

Professional organizer Tabisa Majwega, Founder of Heart First Organizing, expands, sharing that a bath mat's position and constant usage levels in our bathrooms is the reason it must be replaced annually or every two years.

'Fabric bath mats require frequent replacement because the prolonged drying time makes them highly susceptible to developing mold and mildew,' she explains.

But as well as washing them regularly, there are ways to keep them as sanitary as possible during their years of use. 'Spraying fabric bath mats with a vinegar and water solution and placing them in the dryer on an air-dry setting can help speed up the drying process after use, avoiding as much bacteria build-up,' Tabisa says.

5. Kitchen sponges

Kitchen sponges are one of the most often-used items in our homes – and, let’s be honest, they can also be one of the grimiest, thanks to constantly wiping up spills, crumbs and more. As such, Lina DaSilva suggests that it’s important to replace these often.

'Kitchen sponges should be replaced every two weeks, or more frequently if they smell or are heavily soiled,' she says. 'And by this, I mean that you should be throwing out your current sponge and getting a new one, whether you’re wondering about your dishwashing sponge or the one you use to wipe down counters.'

It's important to replace kitchen sponges at this pace as they actually harbor way more dirt than we might care to admit, according to professional cleaner Axel Avery, from Oakville Maids House Cleaning Service. 'Our kitchen sponges are constantly in contact with food and water, and even if you clean and squeeze them after each use, you still have microscopic food debris in there that bacteria feeds from.'

In fact, he even suggests considering an alternative product to clean your kitchen with. 'Honestly, I’d stay away from kitchen sponges in general and replace them with a dish brush that is dishwasher safe. They're just easier to disinfect and dry,' Axel says.

But before you throw your sponge in the trash, remember that it can come in useful elsewhere in the home. 'I like to take the old sponge and use it in the mudroom before tossing,' Tabisa says.

6. Certain cosmetic items

Cosmetics like skincare, makeup and body care products also require regular replacement – because although they may linger in our bathroom cupboards for years, they’re not actually good for that long!

Tabisa explains, ‘Every cosmetic item features a small jar icon at the bottom with a number on it to indicate the length of months it is good for, so you should be sure to replace opened items in line with this number. This will avoid any skin or eye irritation caused by a bacteria build-up, or simply an out-of-date product.'

In the same vein, she also suggests taking stock of the rest of your makeup collection regularly. 'Replace your makeup brushes every six-eight months to again avoid any facial irritation, and be sure to clean makeup brushes and sponges regularly during this time, too,' Tabisa recommends.

7. Toilet brushes

A toilet brush is arguably one of the most unpleasant items in our homes, so if it's not something you've ever switched out or thought about replacing, consider this your reminder to do so.

However, these rather grimy items probably don't need to be replaced as often as you think. 'Toilet brushes are often forgotten because people don't like to even think about them!’ Nick says. 'But I highly suggest replacing them yearly, as long as you wash them thoroughly after every use anyway – as they are clearly a breeding ground for germs.'

To wash your toilet brush between replacements, swill it around the clean water that enters your toilet bowl when you flush a clean toilet. For extra sanitization, spray the brush's head with vinegar before allowing it to sit for about half an hour. Finish by rinsing it again in the clean water from the toilet flush.

Of course, remembering to replace all of these items at the correct time is easier said than done. So, if you don’t want to rely on your own memory to ensure you swap out that toilet brush or pillow, Tabisa Majwega, Founder of Heart First Organizing, has an easy trick for remembering to make the change:

'The best way to remind yourself to replace these items is by setting recurring reminders in your calendar every time you open a new item.' This is likely best done on an online calendar, where you can easily set a reminder a year or two in advance.

If we are to ask any designer how to bring a sense of warmth, personality, and interest to a room, their answer will likely point towards textures. Naturally, large statement pieces, such as a sofa or rug, are impactful ways to bring our rooms alive, but with that said, the power of smaller accessories should not be discounted.

The impact of decorative accessories is not lost on Kelly Clarkson, the singer turned Wayfair curator, whose expansive collection is currently enjoying a flash Memorial Day sale. Her storefront comprises a range of deals on furnishings (something to bear in mind if you're in the market for larger items, like a functional storage ottoman or a durable rug. However, if we had to choose our favorite items, these textured pieces come out on top.

'You’re going to love the antique, boho vibes of these pieces,' Clarkson shared of her collection in 2021 – and three years later, their aesthetic is just as sought-after. Is this a sign of their timelessness (and reassurance that they're worth the investment)? We'd say so.

Kelly Clarkson's Wayfair Accessories – Memorial Day Sale

We may have reached the height of pink decor with the Barbie-core trend last year, but for those still thinking pink, fear not; dopamine decor has swooped in to preserve this pretty hue.

Need proof? Katherine Heigl recently posted a photo to her Instagram page (accompanied by adorable dogs), sitting on her living room floor in front of her sofa, which is decked out with a fluffy white blanket and perfectly pink pillows.

The pink accents tap into a playful energy that is currently dominating interior trends – and it's one that not only looks visually pleasing but can make us feel energized.

'Dopamine décor relates to the idea that your interiors can positively impact your mood and, in turn, make you feel happier,' says MADE’s head of brand, Hollie Parkinson. 'Adding certain colors (and patterns) into the home like bright yellows, oranges, and pinks, can leave you feeling more energized, whilst blues are said to help you feel calmer and more productive.'

Accents are the answer for those hesitant about introducing bright hues to their living spaces. Just as Heigl has balanced her pink pillows with a white blanket, we can always tone down pops of color with accompanying neutrals.

'Although brighter shades may sound daunting at first, it’s completely up to you how maximalist you want to go with it - whether that’s adding a statement sofa, or simply updating your cushions to add a splash of color,' Parkinson says. 'Try to focus on sourcing pieces that you truly love, whether it's a fun playful accent chair or a piece that evokes feelings of positive nostalgia when you look at it. The aim is to fill your home with an eclectic mix of items that simply make you feel good.'

In the living room in particular, Parkinson recommends trying the inverse of Heigl's space as another option (i.e. trying a pink sofa with neutral pillows).

'The living room is the most sociable room in the home, meaning it needs to be welcoming but not over-stimulating,' she states. 'Opting for a colorful sofa is a great way to inject life into the space, giving you a base color to work around.'

Alternatively, Parkinson says an accent chair works nicely as well.

'[It] is an easy way to bring color and personality to a space; it can then be dialed up or toned down with your choice of cushions and throws.'

Shop a selection of pink statement sofas below.

Seeing red lately? It's no coincidence. The unexpected red trend has taken over our social media feeds, with bursts of the fiery shade peppering bathrooms, living spaces, and even front doors. One actor was ahead of the curve, having shared an Instagram post of his bedroom prior to the style emerging.

Oscar-nominated actor Sterling K. Brown, star of This is Us, American Fiction, and the upcoming film Atlas alongside Jennifer Lopez, posted a photo of his all-white bed, accented with cherry red throw pillows.

'It’s finally happened. After 14 years of marriage, I’ve finally reached the place where the bed does not feel fully made without the damn decorative pillows!' he captioned the post. We tend to agree and love the bold color choice.

The unexpected red theory hinges on a surprising burst of color, in a room where red may not be a "natural" fit. There's no better place to try this out than the bedroom, where we so often opt for netural hues; and experts concur.

'Spaces for rest don’t often call shades of red to mind – but isn’t that what the unexpected red trend is all about? Using striking pops of the color to contrast with calming blues is a great example of how to use the unexpected red trend in truly the most unforeseen way,' says Stephanie King, creative lead at Dulux.

Although red is not typically known as a restful color, when paired with blue, which is renowned for its peaceful properties, it is balanced out and therefore functions well in a space meant for sleeping.

'This trend is for the bedrooms of those who spend all their time on TikTok looking for interior inspiration,' King explains. 'They know the hugely beneficial impact of blues on their sleep, but want to still be experimental in their design choices.'

We love how Brown maintained a calm bedding scheme with white linens but contrasted them with a variety of textured, red throw pillows. The juxtaposition certainly makes the red unexpected, but because the pillows are small, it is not overpowering to the eye.

Shop unexpected red – bedroom edition

Below, we have rounded up some red bedroom accessories to achieve a similar style. We particularly love the boucle pillow cover – a piece that taps into two design trends at once. What more can we want from our accessories?

QVC is a goldmine of deals, offers, and budget-friendly bargains. With so much listed for so little, it's easy to feel spoiled for choice. That's why I've spent hours sorting through 3,247 items in the QVC Black Friday deals in search of tried-and-tested appliances and the cutest accent pieces.

Among some deep discounts on furniture, bedding, and home decor, I've seen 25% off makeup and jewelry, just in time for gifting season. Best of all, you can enjoy $20 off your first $40 order when you shop with the code HOLIDAY20.

When I first started at H&G, I was a price tracker: I spent eight hours a day crawling the sites of major merchants, waiting for deals to drop. QVC was one of my regular haunts. Over the past year, I've learned how to shop QVC like a shopping editor to find the best pieces at the lowest prices.

Best QVC Black Friday deals – selected by a shopping writer

Below, you'll find my ultimate guide to shopping the sales at QVC. I've hand-picked a few of my favorite products, many of which are tested by an H&G expert, all of which are listed for less this Black Friday. I've also included information about the best time to shop at QVC to make the most of your money.

Shop The QVC Sale By Department

• QVC home sale − browse 1000s of deals for the home
• QVC mattress & bedding sale − save up to 20% off bedroom basics
• QVC garden sale − up to 40% off garden furniture and accessories.

Shop my edit of the QVC Black Friday deals

When to shop for QVC deals

QVC runs regular sales throughout the year, which you can shop in-store and online. For sheer range of deals and depth of discounts, Black Friday is the best time to shop at QVC, and some of their prices are better than Amazon's. Keep an eye out for major shopping holidays, such as Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.

How we source the best QVC deals

To compile this QVC deals page, I've consulted my fellow shopping writers to consider our long-term, at-home testing experience. Where we haven't been able to get our hands on a particular product, I've scoured the specifications and read countless customer reviews to give you an accurate indication of how it feels.

I've spent hours shopping the QVC site to bring you up-to-date information about pricing. Like any shopping writer, I love a good bargain, but I'll never compromise quality for cost. Where possible, I include links to our full-length reviews to help you see past the sales price.

If you're still not sold on QVC, but you're keen to get a head start on your holiday shopping, I suggest you shop my edit of the Walmart sale. You'll find the same low prices on tested appliances, plus a wider range of discounted furniture and decorative accents.

For last-minute deals on holiday decor, browse the Pottery Barn deals. You'll find everything from cozy blankets and festive tableware to stockings and stuffers, all listed for less.

If you want to score a deep discount on out-of-season outdoor furniture, head to the Wayfair outdoor sale. I've found chic seating options, gazebos and pergolas to soak up the shade, plus fireplaces and heaters to keep warm.