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Today β€” 22 December 2024Main stream

A woman paid under $6,000 to add a glass wall to her open-concept living room, and it made her home more functional

22 December 2024 at 05:16
A before and after of a living area. The after features a new glass wall.
A glass wall transformed the space.

Shelby Vanhoy

  • Shelby Vanhoy has been personalizing her North Carolina home since December 2023.
  • She recently decided to break up her open-concept living space with a glass wall.
  • Vanhoy said the space is more functional and calming thanks to the change.

Shelby Vanhoy has been in home decor mode for nearly a year now.

Vanhoy, 34, lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, 2-year-old son, and two dogs. They relocated from New York City to North Carolina in December 2023 to be closer to family.

"My parents are here, and it just makes our life a lot easier," she said of the change.

Vanhoy and her husband became homeowners when they moved back. Since then, Vanhoy, a full-time content creator who runs the blogΒ Pretty in the Pines, has been customizing their four-bedroom home, built in 1988.

A woman stands on a porch of a white house with a dog.
Shelby Vanhoy at her home.

Shelby Vanhoy/Pretty In The Pines

She told Business Insider her style leans traditional with a twist.

"Some people say it's 'grand-millennial' with all the mixing of patterns and prints and kind of like grandma vibes," Vanhoy said of her decor style. "I love tying in antiques and vintage furniture and lights to make our house feel older than it actually is."

Vanhoy also said it's important for her home to function for her family β€” which is how she decided to enclose her open-concept living space.

Open-concept living didn't work for their home

The main floor of Vanhoy's home featured anΒ open-concept spaceΒ with a kitchen, dining area, and living room, which she wasn't excited about.

"When we bought the house, it was just something that wasn't my first choice," she said.

A large open-concept living space with pale green walls.
The space was open concept.

Shelby Vanhoy

After they moved into the house, Vanhoy found the open area didn't work for her family.

"It felt very overstimulating," she said. "I would be in the kitchen cooking things, and then the TV room was right beside the kitchen and the whole downstairs. You could just see everything."

"Even decorating it, it felt like everything had to kind of go together because you're looking at everything all at once," she added.

Vanhoy also works from home and doesn't have a designated office space yet.

"I would be working in the dining room, which was connected to the kitchen and the living room, so everything just felt like you were doing so much at one time," she said. "It just didn't feel very calming when you were on that floor."

Vanhoy decided she wanted to separate the living room to section off the space.

A transparent solution

Rather than fully enclosing the living room, Vanhoy decided to add a partial glass wall to her space.

A living room with three sets of french doors.
The French doors served as inspiration.

Shelby Vanhoy

"Our living room is, natural-light-wise, a little dark," Vanhoy told BI. "I did want to add some sort of wall to enclose it a bit, but I didn't want to lose any of the natural light."

The living room also featured glass French doors that Vanhoy loved, so she took inspiration from them.

"We decided to make it glass and make it look kind of like a window while also making it feel like its own separate room," Vanhoy said.

A living area with a glass wall separating the space.
An archway sat in the middle of the wall.

Shelby Vanhoy

The wall features an archway in the middle, and the sides are enclosed with walls covered in windows.

Vanhoy hired professionals to complete the project, who added wood beams for support and moved a few outlets to make the wall work. The project cost under $6,000.

@prettyinthepines

anddd another project currently in progress... a window wall to help divide our super open floor layout #windowwall #transomwindow #livingroom #openconceptliving

♬ original sound - Shelby

The space is more functional

Vanhoy said the glass offers the best of both worlds, as it sections off the space without making it impossible for her to see into the living room.

"The best part about it is that it created other little functions, and it made the whole downstairs feel a lot more functional," Vanhoy said, adding that the design also brought character to the space.

A living area with a glass wall separating it from a breakfast nook.
The breakfast nook.

Shelby Vanhoy

"I made a breakfast nook on one side of the wall, so that added a whole other function that we didn't have," she said. "And then we have a little kids' craft table on another side of the wall."

The glass wall isn't complete, as Vanhoy intends to add more ornate molding to the windows for a personal touch.

But it's already changed the way Vanhoy feels about the space.

A living area with a window-like wall.
The space creates more functions for the home.

Shelby Vanhoy

"I do like seeing through because that room also has a nice fireplace, and I like seeing the fire on," she said. "But at the same time, it just feels totally separated, and light shines through."

"The one downside, I guess, is it's just more windows to clean," she added.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Interior designers share 5 bedroom trends they think will be huge next year and 4 on their way out

22 December 2024 at 04:24
A bedroom with sage-green-and-beige walls, a bed with neutral bedding, a potted tree, a beige carpet, and wooden side tables.
Designers predict natural hues like sage will be popular.

imaginima/Getty Images

  • Business Insider asked interior designers about the bedroom trends that are in and out for 2025.
  • Designers think hand-painted murals, wallpaper, and natural hues will likely be popular next year.
  • However, they said trends like matching furniture and recessed lighting will be out.

The new year is a great time to refresh your personal spaces, and the bedroom is no exception.

So, Business Insider asked interior designers to share the bedroom trends they think will make a big impact next year β€” and which we'll likely see less of. Here's what they said.

One designer said hand-painted murals will be popular in 2025.
A mural with three large yellow flowers behind a bed with brown bedding and two nightstands.
Hand-painted murals add a personal touch to the bedroom.

Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

San Francisco Bay Area designer Jasmine Wang predicts people will start to embrace hand-painted murals in their bedrooms because they add artistry, warmth, and a deeply personal touch.

She said this trend will take shape with nature-inspired scenes, statement accent walls, personalized artistry, and vintage motifs.

Neutral, restorative hues will likely be popular.
A bedroom with sage-green-and-beige walls, a bed with neutral bedding, a potted tree, a beige carpet, and wooden side tables.
Designers predict natural hues like sage will be popular.

imaginima/Getty Images

Ali Burgoon Nolan, the owner and principal designer of Studio Burgoon, said restorative hues like sage, clay, and soft taupe will help ground bedrooms with calming energy in 2025.

"Drawn from nature, these colors create harmony, offering a tranquil retreat within the home," she said.

Jordan Miranda, the founder and principal designer of JM Living Concepts, also thinks we'll see more muted-terracotta and warm-taupe tones. She also thinks natural materials like wood and linen will be popular.

Reading nooks are becoming trendy.
A bench with pillows and a blanket in front of windows.
Reading nooks are the perfect place to recharge.

ben bryant/Shutterstock

The bedroom is a place to unwind, which is why Nolan predicts more people will "transform the bedroom into a space for reflection, rest, and rejuvenation from daily life."

She said clients might do this by incorporating relaxing design features like reading nooks or meditation corners into their bedrooms.

Celeste Robbins, the founder of Robbins Architecture, also sees built-in nooks being popular next year.

"There is something intimate and grounding about a built-in nook in a bedroom," she said. "It's a place to curl up, read, or recharge that is not your bed."

Four-poster canopy beds will help create thoughtful separation in the bedroom.
A canopy bed with black columns and white sheer curtains in a bedroom, with four brown and yellow pillows at the foot of the bed, and two nightstands with lamps on each side of the bed.
Canopy beds help separate your sleeping space from the rest of the room.

laughingmango/Getty Images

In the age of at-home work and smaller spaces, Miranda acknowledges that the bedroom often becomes a multi-use environment.

By visually and physically defining the bed as its own cozy sanctuary, a canopy bed reinforces the boundary between work or activity zones and restful sleep areas.

"A canopy bed is a way to keep the sleeping space sacred, creating thoughtful separation between the rest of the room where a desk or exercise equipment might also live," she said.

Wallpaper is also making a comeback.
A bed with a white headboard and pink bedding and two white nightstands with lamps in front of wallpaper with a large floral pattern.
Wallpaper is in for 2025.

John Keeble/Getty Images

"One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to enhance a bedroom without major construction is using wallpaper to create a feature wall," Kristin Christensen, the owner and principal designer of Mod Earth Studio, said.

She said wallpaper is "in" again because it's an easy way to add personality and flair to a bedroom for much cheaper than construction or custom pieces.

On the other hand, all-white spaces are out for 2025.
A bedroom with white walls, wooden beams across the ceiling, a black, circular lighting fixture, a bed with white bedding and two colorful pillows, an oval standing mirror with black trim, and a white bench at the end of the bed.
All-white designs will be less popular in the new year.

Sheila Say/Shutterstock

Wang and Nolan both told BI they think all-white, minimalist spaces are on their way out.

Nolan said, they can have a "sterile" look and more people are leaning toward "richer, layered designs that invite relaxation."

"The all-white, ultra-minimalist look is making way for spaces with more warmth, color, and texture," Wang said. "In its place, expect to see more accent-wall colors, layered neutrals, and earthy tones that create a cozy, inviting atmosphere."

Matching furniture sets are on their way out.
A small yellow bedroom with matching black furniture.
Matching furniture is expected to fall out of favor.

Toyakisphoto/Shutterstock

Wang and Christensen predict the "bedroom in a box" look will be replaced with a more curated and eclectic approach.

"Designers are mixing and matching materials, finishes, and styles to create a unique, collected-over-time vibe," Wang said.

Christensen recognizes that matching furniture sets provide a convenient solution for creating a polished look, but individuality and self-expression are becoming highly valued by everyday consumers.

"People are increasingly seeking to create spaces that feel more authentic and lived-in," she told BI.

Industrial-heavy styles won't be as popular in 2025.
A bedroom with an exposed-brick wall, a black platform bed, an Edison bulb hanging from the ceiling, two black nightstands with lamps, and a window with a city view.
Exposed brick and industrial-heavy styles won't be popular in bedrooms.

Dariusz Jarzabek/Shutterstock

According to Wang, the ultra-industrial aesthetic will exit bedroom spaces next year.

"While industrial touches may still be popular in certain spaces, the overly rugged look with exposed brick, metal, and harsh edges is being traded for softer, nature-inspired designs," she said. "Organic textures, natural woods, and calming colors are now the go-to for a warmer feel."

Recessed lighting is also out.
A gray bedroom with recessed lighting, a white barnyard door that leads to a bathroom, a bed with purple and white bedding, and two white nightstands with lamps.
Recessed lighting can make a space look dated.

alabn/Getty Images

Christensen predicts that recessed lighting, a round lighting fixture installed into the ceiling or wall, will be replaced for its lack of ambiance.

"For years, recessed lighting was the go-to choice for many bedrooms, promising a sleek, minimalist look and ample light without taking up visible space," she told BI. "However, in recent years, recessed lighting has started to feel outdated, especially in bedrooms."

Instead, she said, people may opt for alternative lighting solutions with things like smart ceiling lights and dimmable fixtures, table lamps, bedside lighting, wall sconces, or pendant lights.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Before yesterdayMain stream

Interior designers share the worst bedroom trends they saw this year

16 December 2024 at 12:18
Blue wall with molding and bed with low bed frame with brown fabric covering headboard
One designer said they don't really like when bedframes are too low to the ground.

imaginima/Getty Images

  • We asked interior designers to share which bedroom trends and designs missed the mark this year.
  • Neon lights and industrial-chic design elements can make a bedroom feel less warm than it should.
  • Low-to-the-ground beds aren't practical, especially if you want extra storage.

We asked three interior designers which bedroom trends and designs they didn't like seeing in 2024.

Here's what they said missed the mark this year.

Neon lights don't really belong in a bedroom.
Neon planet, star, and rocket ship hung on bedroom wall
Neon lights may be better off being used for businesses, not as bedroom decor.

Michelle Mengsu Chang/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Brad Smith, CEO and lead designer at Omni Home Ideas, told BI that neon lights, especially in excess, have no place in a bedroom.

"Although striking, neon lights can disrupt sleep patterns and create a jarring visual environment, which is less than ideal for a bedroom," he said. "Instead, opt for softer, layered lighting that enhances mood and function."

Wall-to-wall carpeting can be cozy, but it isn't always practical.
Bedroom with white wall, beige wall-to-wall carpeting and large window with black edges
Carpets can be tough to clean.

sheilasay/Getty Images

Smith told BI that fully carpeted rooms made a comeback in 2024, but that's not exactly a good thing.

Homeowners should be aware of the challenges that come with wall-to-wall carpeted floors before choosing to install them.

"They're not always practical because of maintenance challenges and allergen accumulation," he told BI. "A preferable alternative is using area rugs on hardwood floors, which can enhance the room's aesthetics while being easier to clean and swap out."

Monochromatic bedrooms can look cold and bland.
Bedroom with white walls, white bedding, white furniture, white headboard
All-white bedrooms can look sterile.

John Keeble/Getty Images

Shiva Samiei, interior designer and CEO of Shiva Samiei & Co., told BI that bedrooms aren't the best place in a home for single-tone or all-white color schemes.

"Overly minimalist bedrooms are more like hospital rooms than sanctuaries," Samiei said, adding they can often lack warmth and coziness.

Instead, she said, layer textures and utilize accent pieces to work more personality and color into a space.

The industrial-chic style can feel cold in a bedroom.
Room with metal wall behind bed, exposed brick, and black metal light fixtures
Some industrial looks can feel sterile.

onurdongel/Getty Images

Samiei also told BI that although edgy industrial designs with exposed brick and metal finishes look cool, they can make a bedroom feel uninviting.

If you're going to lean into an industrial style, she said, balance out the "toughness" of it by adding warm wood tones, bedding with soft textures, and thoughtful mood lighting.

Low-to-the-ground beds are unsuitable for most.
green bedding with pillows in a neutral boho chic bedroom
A low frame could mean you don't have much extra under-bed storage.

Morsa Images/Getty Images

A bed with a low frame (or none at all) can look really minimal, but Lucy Harrison, senior interior designer at SouthPark Interiors, said this look is rarely ideal and often inconvenient.

"If you place this bed in a large room, it also makes the bedroom very disproportional, which can mess with the overall look and feel of the space," she told BI.

Plus, a low-to-the-ground mattress means missing out on the opportunity to have under-bed storage space.

Matching bedroom furniture sets are still out.
Bedroom with greige walls, distressed wood bedframe, nightstands, and dresser
Rather than choosing a complete bedroom set from a catalog and clicking "buy all," consider switching things up.

Joe Hendrickson/Getty Images

"Your bedroom does not have to be perfectly curated, and every piece of furniture does not need to match," Harrison said.

She isn't the first designer to tell BI they dislike a matching bedroom set and that a space looks better when the nightstands, dressers, and headboard aren't the same material and finish.

After all, Harrison said, mixing various pieces can make a bedroom feel more interesting and relaxing.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Interior designers share 9 things they won't be wasting money on in 2025 — and what they'll be choosing instead

12 December 2024 at 12:36
modern dining room with a round lighting fixture, a big sliding door, and a fiddle-leaf fig
Monochrome rooms are bland.

BryanChavezPhotography/Shutterstock

  • Business Insider asked interior designers to share items they won't be buying next year.
  • Despite the recent bouclΓ© trend, the textured material is overhyped and on its way out.
  • Cheap linens and funky tiles may cost you more money down the road.

Business Insider spoke with interior designers about the home trends and decor pieces that aren't worth spending money on next year.

Here's what they said β€” and their recommendations for what to buy instead.

Oversized furniture can feel cluttered.
oversize chair in a tv room
Don't crowd all your open space with furniture.

Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock

Joyce Huston, the lead interior designer at Decorilla, told BI she's done with chunky, oversized furniture. The designer hopes people will stop buying it next year because it almost always overwhelms spaces.

"For 2025, I'm all about choosing furniture with visual lightness, elegant silhouettes, and dainty details that make a space feel curated rather than weighed down," she said.

BouclΓ© fabric is being left behind.
swatches of boucle fabric in different colors
BouclΓ© has been everywhere.

Marian ILC/Shutterstock

Hudson thinks the bouclΓ© fad has gotten a little out of hand.

The woven fabric made from looped yarn is used on everything from throw pillows to accent chairs.

"I know bouclΓ© has been everywhere, but the sophistication level of mohair velvet over bouclΓ© is incomparable," she said. "Plus, mohair ages like fine wine, while bouclΓ© looks tired after just a few years."

Viscose rugs require more maintenance than they're worth.
round blue viscose rug with a black pattern
The detail-heavy, textured rugs require a lot of upkeep.

Design gallery01/Shutterstock

Viscose rugs may seem like an affordable luxury, but Jennifer Jones, the principal designer at Niche Interiors, said the semi-synthetic fabric isn't worth the hassle.

"Unfortunately, viscose area rugs are impossible to clean, and one spill can be their downfall," she told BI. "Instead, look for wool area rugs, which are the most durable and long-lasting."

Fiddle-leaf figs are a tired houseplant trend.
fiddle-leaf fig on a wooden plant stand next to a cream couch
Everyone seems to have a fiddle-leaf fig now.

Mid Photographer/Shutterstock

Jones told BI that fiddle-leaf figs are out.

The popular houseplant is known for its height and lush leaves, but it's become a little too ubiquitous for the designer's liking.

"Fiddle-leaf fig trees had their moment, and that moment has passed," Jones said. "Instead, consider its equally beautiful cousin, the ficus Audrey, which also grows very tall and provides a lot of visual interest and texture to a space."

One designer is done with plastic kitchenware.
plastic storage containers in a kitchen cabinet
Glass and stainless steel are more valuable materials in the long run.

patpitchaya/Shutterstock

Luis Carmona, the owner and interior designer at Verde Interior Design, is ditching disposable, plastic kitchen items like storage containers, utensils, and drinkware.

"Investing in great, quality alternatives will not only save you money in the long run, but it will also help your kitchen be more green," he said.

Instead, he recommends glass storage containers, beeswax sheets to cover food and leftovers, and glass or stainless steel drinkware to upgrade your kitchen.

Fast linens are out for 2025.
unmad bed with white linens
It's worth investing in nicer sheets.

Viktoriia Lomtieva/Shutterstock

When in a pinch, it's easy to opt for inexpensive and accessible bedsheets, towels, and other home linens. However, you may want to reconsider that strategy.

These cheap linens, especially those made with synthetic fabrics, tend to fall apart quicker and need to be replaced more often β€” costing you in the long run.

"Investing in quality and comfortable towels, bedding, and even napkins makes such a difference," Carmona told BI. "Not only are they comfortable to the touch and perfectly functional, which is imperative, but you can usually tell the difference in quality just by looking at the fabric."

Loud ceilings are losing their appeal.
bright orange, red, and pink bathroom with clashing patterns on walls and ceiling
You don't need to wallpaper your ceiling.

Cavan-Images/Shutterstock

In the last few years, people have been drawing attention upward toward their ceilings with bright paint and bold wallpapers. However, Havard Cooper, an interior designer and architect, said it doesn't always transform a room how we expect it to

"I love a bold design moment, but wallpapering a ceiling does not fix a boring room," he told BI. "A room should feel cohesive, and focusing too heavily on the ceiling often disrupts the balance."

Instead, invest your time and money in the design and decor elements in the main area of the room.

Muted, monochrome rooms aren't the vibe anymore.
gray living room in a modern home
You don't have to buy everything in the same drab color.

New Africa/Shutterstock

Cooper said monochrome and beige rooms tend to "feel too safe and lack personality."

The fad was on the rise, partially because of the popular Japandi trend, which combines Scandinavian and Japanese influences.

However, the designer hopes people will stop reaching for the same bland couches, rugs, and decor accents and instead choose a more balanced mix of tones and textures. The latter adds character to a space, making it more unique.

It's time to move on from trendy tile designs.
bright bathroom with floral wallpaper and an orange tiled bathtub
Make sure you actually like whatever tile you're putting in your home.

Ground Picture/Shutterstock

It seems like there's always a new tile trend β€” whether it's an intricate pattern, bold color choice, or surprising texture β€” but remember that trends come and go.

"Before you splurge on the latest 'it' tile, consider its longevity," Jan Odesanya, the principal interior designer at MondΓ€n & Co Interiors, told BI.

Instead, she'll be opting for classic choices, like subway tile, natural stone, and timeless geometric patterns, to prevent her clients from starting over again in a few years.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I'm an interior decorator. Here are 10 things I'd never have in my living room.

6 December 2024 at 11:26
A white and tan living room with a light-gray couch, white cushioned chairs, a circular coffee table, and various plants
As a decorator, there are a few interior-design mistakes I'd avoid in a living room.

alvarez/Getty Images

  • As an interior decorator, there are a few interior-design mistakes I'd avoid in aΒ living room.
  • Loose couch cushions can create a frustrating maintenance routine as they need to be rearranged.
  • Trade gallery walls for large statement art pieces to avoid overstimulation in your home.

As an interior decorator, there are some interior-design mistakes I'd stay away from when designing a living room.

Here are 10 things I'd never have in my living room.

A small rug can detract from the room's cohesion and make it appear smaller.
A living room with a rug in the center of the room with a coffee table on top of it
A small rug can make it look like the furniture is floating around the room.

Artazum/Shutterstock

If the rug in your room is too small, it can seem like all of your furniture is floating around without something to ground each piece. A small rug can also make a room feel cramped since it's essentially at the center of a furniture cluster.

Think of a rug as a place mat rather than a centerpiece for your furniture. Extending beyond the furniture a bit expands the living-room area and makes the room feel more spacious.

As a general rule, choose a rug large enough to measure 6 to 8 inches beyond your sofa on either side and have at least two legs from each furniture item sit comfortably on the rug.Β 

In my opinion, futons are more functional than comfortable.
A futon with white cushions on a black and white rug
Most regular sofas are more comfortable than a futon.

Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Due to their functional, lightweight construction, futons are usually smaller, with narrower seats and firmer cushions than regular couches.

Since the living room is one of the most-used spaces in the home, I wouldn't sacrifice comfort or style for the occasional guest. Utilize a futon in the home office or flex space instead.

If you need to double your living room as a guest space, consider buying a more comfortable sleeper sofa that can transform from a couch to a bed instead.

Vertical plastic blinds won't stand the test of time.
A view of vertical plastic blinds
Vertical plastic blinds can be an interior-design mistake.

kunmom/Shutterstock

Thin, vertical plastic blinds tend to bend and tear easily, and the strings and locking gears can be frustrating to operate.

Window treatments are crucial for privacy, light, and temperature control, but they can also elevate your interior decor. As an everyday-use item, quality blinds are an investment that can actually add value to your home.

Instead of settling with a plastic vertical version, opt for 2-inch wooden or shutter blinds or light-filtering shades. Adding quality curtains can also help with temperature control and incorporate personality.

I would never let my couch and coffee table become a conference room.
Laptop littered with sticky notes and papers
It's important to have separate work and relaxation areas in your living room.

New Africa/Shutterstock

If your living room is littered with paperwork and looming to-do lists, it might be hard to get out of the work mindset and into chill mode, especially if they both take place at your coffee table.

As more people work from home, it's important to create a comfortable work environment while maintaining separation between the workspace and living areas. If space is limited, split the room into separate zones for work and living so that when you clock out, you can move away from the workspace.

For example, you can set up a workstation with a dedicated desk that faces away from the wall and an open shelving unit or a set of drawers that divide the room.

Avoid using just overhead and bright-white lighting.
Overhead light fixture in living room with light-brown wooden details and gray furniture
Bright-white overhead lighting can feel too harsh.

Vania Zhukevych/Shutterstock

Solely relying on overhead light fixtures can make your space feel dark and small. Conversely, if the room only has recessed lighting or white bulbs, it can feel too harsh.

To create a relaxing living room, spread the light around with a variety of fixtures at varying heights, control brightness with dimmer switches, and use light bulbs with a warmer color temperature to create an inviting glow.

Exposed wires are an eyesore with a quick fix.
TV mounted on a dark-gray wall with dangling wires below and a red arrow pointing to wires
Dangling wires can downgrade a living room.

Kinek00/Shutterstock

Mounting your TV or installing plug-in wall sconces can elevate the living room, but exposed wires create visual clutter and can make a space look unfinished.

If you're unable to run your wires through the wall, installing a cord-concealing track that matches your wall color is a quick and easy option.

But more often than not, I recommend just keeping your electronics off the walls and using the opportunity to invest in a nice TV stand. There are a lot of cable organizer options that are attractive and inexpensive.

Furniture bought for looks probably won't meet my needs for comfort.
Black sofa with silver details
I prioritize buying comfortable furniture.

VAndreas/Shutterstock

A beautiful piece, like a white leather tuxedo couch, can make your living room look like a magazine spread, but it may not invite people to get comfortable in your space.Β 

When investing in furniture, look at your lifestyle and family. For example, if you want guests to lounge in your living room, avoid couches with high-sided armrests and narrow cushion depth 0r rigid accent chairs with wooden arms and firm seats.Β Β 

Gallery walls leave me feeling overstimulated and uninspired.
brown sectional couch with gallery wall above and plants
Gallery walls can look too busy.

Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Gallery walls are a scattering of framed posters, small artworks, and family photos typically placed on those huge walls you're not quite sure what to do with. Though it certainly fills the space, a gallery wall can appear as visual clutter if not mindfully curated.

I always recommend keeping small-scale art on table tops and bookshelves and opting for large-scale pieces for the wall to fill the space and make a bolder design statement.

If you love the gallery look, use the same kind of frame for all your pieces and try to incorporate repeating colors and patterns to create the effect that they're all one body of work.

Sectionals with loose back cushions can be frustrating.
A living room with light wooden flooring and a carpet with a tan and white design with a beige sectional with loose back cushions and yellow pillows
Loose back cushions will need to be constantly rearranged.

Mint Images/Getty Images

Loose back cushions aren't attached to the couch and are often made with removable covers. Though they can be a good selling point for some individuals who want to regularly wash their covers, others will find that they create a frustrating maintenance routine.

When purchasing couches with loose back cushions, consider the weight and density of the cushions and what appeals to you visually. Lightweight cushions can be interior-design mistakes, as they will fall down and be easily pushed around the couch. On the other hand, heavy feather cushions will get squished and need regular fluffing.

If you don't want to deal with constant maintenance and fluffing, consider buying a couch with back cushions that are attached to the piece of furniture.

I can't limit myself to the typical 40-by-60-inch throw blankets.
Gray chair with a gray throw blanket
Small throw blankets can be impractical.

myboys.me/Shutterstock

Nothing is more disappointing than cuddling under a fuzzy blanket just to have your toes poke out. Though typical throws are usually about 40 by 60 inches so they won't take up too much space draped over your couch, the size also means you probably won't be able to stretch out underneath.

Instead, find a blanket that's marked as a twin-size or oversized throw blanket. A good throw blanket, especially in a knit fabric, can add a gorgeous cozy texture to your space, fold up tightly, and serve as a versatile piece for you and your overnight guests.

This story was originally published on July 3, 2023, and most recently updated on December 6, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

6 interior-design trends you'll probably see everywhere next year — and 4 that are disappearing

5 December 2024 at 13:52
Airy living room with gray couch and chevron wood floors
Interior designers predict natural materials will be in and faux plants will be out next year.

Followtheflow/Shutterstock

  • We asked interior designers about rising and fading design trends for 2025.
  • They predict natural materials, mixed metals, and indoor-outdoor blurring will be in style.
  • According to the pros, millennial gray and excessive maximalism will be on their way out in 2025.

As we approach the end of the year, it's time to reflect on home decor and designs we'll want to leave behind β€” and pieces and styles we'll want to keep an eye out for.

Business Insider spoke to three interior designers about which home trends they think will be in and out in 2025. Here's what they said.

One designer said the line between indoor and outdoor spaces will continue to blur.
Living room with wood floors and futon on one side with large open doors leading to outdoor space
Indoor-outdoor blurring could become popular next year.

Procreators/Shutterstock

Alice Moszczynski, an interior designer at Planner 5D, told BI we'll likely start to see more seamless connections between interior and outdoor spaces.

"This goes beyond just large glass doors as designers are integrating retractable walls, natural ventilation systems, and materials that age beautifully in indoor and outdoor environments," she said.

Natural and handmade materials continue to be popular.
Kitchen with patterned tile backsplash behind glass stovetop with kettle on it
Hand-painted tiles and unpolished marble are predicted to be popular.

liloon/Shutterstock

Moszczynski predicts materials like stone, reclaimed wood, linen, and other natural materials that bring warmth, textural richness, and authenticity to a space will become even more popular in 2025.

As people prioritize having unique, personalized spaces, we'll likely see more consumers rejecting mass-produced finishes, too.

"Expect a resurgence of materials that show imperfections, like handmade tiles and unpolished marble," she told BI.

Art-deco styles are coming back to make spaces feel both vintage and fresh.
Living room with red velvet couch separateed from other space with art deco glass room divider
Art-deco designs often involve gold and velvet finishes.

Alexuans/Shutterstock

Lucinda Loya, founder and principal designer at Lucinda Loya Interiors, expects to see a resurgence of the art-deco style next year.

The style, which has roots in Europe and boomed throughout the 1920s and 1930s, is characterized by opulence and modern, geometric patterns.

"The updated trend blends the movement's iconic chevron patterns, zigzags, and sunburst motifs with opulent materials like marble, glass, and polished metal," Loya said.

She predicts we'll see neutrals like black, white, gold, and silver paired with luxe textures like velvet to create "vintage and fresh spaces."

Mirrored surfaces are also becoming trendy.
Black padded headboard next to mirrored wall of closets in bedroom
Mirrors can make a space look larger.

Dariusz Jarzabek/Shutterstock

In line with the art-deco revival, Loya told BI, mirrored, reflective surfaces will also make a comeback to give spaces a touch of glamour.

"Mirrored surfaces reflect natural and artificial light, adding depth and brightness, which is especially valuable in smaller or darker spaces," she said.

Loya also said we'll see mirrored accents paired with matte textures to create elegant designs that balance drama and restraint.

Bold, saturated colors are in.
Kitchen with white backsplash and a mix of white cabinets and blue ones
We may start to see more vibrant kitchen cabinets.

Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock

"More people are leaning into saturated colors β€” deep greens, dramatic blues, and spicy oranges and golds," Matthew Coates, owner of Coates Design Architects + Interiors, told BI.

Coates expects to see more rooms telling bold, colorful stories as homeowners search for a refreshing break from all-beige interiors.

He anticipates this trend will stick around for a while as more find comfort in creating spaces that reflect themselves.

Mixed metals will be the "it" look this season.
Kitchen with wood lower cabinets and white upper cabinets with a mix of silver, brass hardware
We may see more designers playing with metals and finishes.

Aspects and Angles/Shutterstock

In previous years, mixed-metal finishes might have been considered mismatched. Now, Coates said, they're becoming a popular option for a versatile look.

"Mixing metals gives a room personality and dimension, and it feels more collected over time rather than overly coordinated," he said. "It's perfect for people who want their spaces to feel relaxed but still elevated."

On the other hand, faux biophilia is on its way out.
Round canopy bed on swing next to plants with plants hanging above it
Faux plants are expected to fall out of favor in the new year.

brizmaker/Shutterstock

Biophilic design, which emphasizes connection with nature, has been a popular trend in recent years, but Moszczynski believes the days of faux plants are behind us.

"The trend of artificial plants and green walls to emulate biophilia is losing appeal as people realize these elements fail to deliver the wellness benefits of genuine nature," she said.

Instead, she said, we'll likely see more living plants throughout interior spaces.

The "millennial gray" trend is losing steam.
light gray wall with curved table in front of it
Gray can feel cold.

jafara/Shutterstock

"Gray-dominated palettes have overstayed their welcome and feel cold, monotonous, and impersonal β€” particularly in high-end spaces," Moszczynski said.

She predicts that earthy tones like terracotta, clay, ochre, and sage will continue to replace "millennial" gray.

Maximalism with excessive clutter will likely fall out of favor as people prioritize minimalism.
Small yellow midcentury couch next to record player on stand, guitar, below hanging plant with records and artwork in background
There's a fine line between maximalism chic and clutter.

Followtheflow/Shutterstock

The battle between maximalism and minimalism in the home continues, but Moszczynski predicts the pendulum will swing back toward a refined level of minimalism next year.

Maximalism was pretty big throughout 2024, but people may not be looking to buy a ton of items and decor in the year ahead.

"People are craving more visual calm and functional flow in their homes," she told BI. "Excessive decor often means unnecessary consumerism, which conflicts with the growing interest in sustainability."

We may start to see fewer open-concept spaces over the next couple of years.
Light, airy dining room and living room open-concept space
Open floor plans aren't always practical.

Pinkystock/Shutterstock

Over the last few years, open floor plans have become less popular, and Coates predicts we homeowners will usher in a new chapter of balancing openness and privacy in 2025.

After all, closing off part of an open space can be really impactful.

"Adding a half-wall and a vintage room divider changed the whole vibe of a friend's open-concept living room, making it cozier and more intentional," Coates said.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Vintage photos show how people decorated for the holidays over the last 100 years

4 December 2024 at 06:34
A family gathers around the Christmas tree while a young girl opens her present.
A family gathers around the Christmas tree while a young girl opens her present.

Mike Kurtz/Getty Images

  • Through the years, families have decorated their homes for the holidays.
  • Tinsel-covered Christmas trees and brightly colored stockings are trends that now seem dated.
  • However, holiday light displays have only become more spectacular.

With the holiday season in full swing, many families are decking the halls.

However, some common holiday decorations like tinsel, ceramic Christmas trees, and colorful stockings, feel more nostalgic, and could even be inspiring holiday decorating trends this year.

Leaning into nostalgic holiday decorations can also be a way to save money, especially as 31% of people say they plan to spend less on holiday shopping this year than last year, WalletHub reported.

Many resurging decorating trends, from cranberry or orange garlands to vintage Christmas villages, can either be made at home or found in thrift stores.

Take a look back at how people decorated their homes for the holidays in years past.

By the 1920s, some families were decorating their Christmas trees with electric lights.
A family with a Christmas tree, between 1921 and 1924.
A family with a Christmas tree, between 1921 and 1924.

Universal History Archive/Getty Images

Electric lights replaced the long-held tradition of attaching lit candles to branches.

By the 1930s and '40s, families were decorating their Christmas trees with festive candy canes and strands of tinsel.
A young girl helps to decorate a Christmas tree in Newton, Massachusetts, in December 1939.
A young girl in front of a Christmas tree in Newton, Massachusetts, in December 1939.

Archive Photos/Getty Images

Tinsel added sparkle to the tree, while candy canes could be used as both holiday snacks and festive decorations.

However, wartime shortages in the 1940s also meant families had to conserve with handmade ornaments and less tinsel than usual.
A family looking at a Christmas tree in 1948
A family looking at a Christmas tree in 1948.

Harold M. Lambert/Getty Images

Tinsel, which was often made with metallic materials, had to be rationed for the war effort.

Christmas stockings were typically made of red or green felt and trimmed with bells.
A girl hangs a stocking on a fireplace in 1951
A girl with a Christmas stocking by a fireplace in 1951.

Harold M. Lambert/Getty Images

People still use similar stockings today, hung by the fireside with care.

By the mid-1950s, tinsel and other elaborate decorations were back in full swing.
A boy and his sister decorate a Christmas tree with tinsel in 1955
A boy and his sister decorated a Christmas tree with tinsel in 1955.

Orlando/Three Lions/Getty Images

There were tinsel garlands or long strands of metallic tinsel called icicles, like on the tree shown above.

Hanukkah tables were often decorated with ornate tablecloths.
A table setting for Hanukkah in Los Angeles, California, mid 1950s.
A table setting for Hanukkah in Los Angeles mid-1950s.

Underwood Archives/Getty Images

Menorahs could also be simple or ornate to match the tablescape.

In the 1950s, ornaments became more uniform, and colored lights came into fashion.
American actress Jayne Mansfield decorates a Christmas tree, circa 1960.
Jayne Mansfield with a Christmas tree, circa 1960.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Trees became centerpieces of the home for holiday entertaining, and fashionable sets of ornaments were sold to replace more homemade or collected ornament collections.

For holiday meals, families would break out a red tablecloth and festive-colored taper candles.
A mother bringing a large turkey to the table for Christmas dinner, circa 1965.
A mother bringing a large turkey to the table for Christmas dinner, circa 1965.

L. Willinger/FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Taper candles are still commonly used in holiday table settings.

Strands of pearlescent beads were used to decorate Christmas trees in the 1960s.
Children looking at a Christmas tree in 1965.
Children in front of a Christmas tree in 1965.

Bettmann/Getty Images

"Silver and Gold," a famous Christmas song performed by Burl Ives in the 1964 film "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," embodied the Christmas tree-decorating trends of the time.

Some families, like President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, adorned their trees with strands of popcorn, colorful flowers, and mismatched ornaments.
Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, on the eve of her 55th birthday, standing in front of the White House Christmas tree in 1967.
Mrs. Lyndon Johnson stood in front of the White House Christmas tree in 1967.

Bettmann/Getty Images

White House Christmas decorations are now even more extravagant.

"Flocked" trees covered in fake snow were also trendy in the 1960s.
People stand in front of a flocked tree in 1963.
People stood in front of a flocked tree in 1963.

Denver Post/Getty Images

People DIY-ed the look by dipping their tree branches in laundry starch.

Lawn ornaments like snowmen and reindeer also grew in popularity.
A residential street decorated for Christmas in 1962
A residential street decorated for Christmas in 1962.

William Gottlieb/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

Inflatable versions of these vintage-looking lawn ornaments are still commonly seen today.

Families in the 1970s embraced colorful decorations with tinsel garlands and knit stockings.
A family sits by a fireplace and a Christmas tree in 1975
A family sat by a fireplace and a Christmas tree in 1975.

Photo Media/ClassicStock/Getty Images)

Some holiday decorating trends never go out of style.

One popular decoration was the light-up ceramic Christmas tree.
Vintage tabletop glazed ceramic bisque Christmas tree with multicolored lights in dark.
A vintage tabletop glazed ceramic bisque Christmas tree with multicolored lights in the dark.

Joseph Connors/Getty Images

The lights were often multicolored and in the shape of miniature birds.

Christmas villages were also popular, and people would collect different scenes to create a miniature town for their mantel.
A light-up Christmas village decoration.
A Christmas village scene with a church and people ice skating.

Crispin la valiente/Getty Images

People would often add cotton wool or sparkly white felt to create a snowy environment for their miniature Christmas villages. This decorating trend is still popular today, either new or secondhand.

Many trends have remained the same throughout the years.
A house decorated with Christmas lights in the early 2000s.
A house decorated with Christmas lights in the early 2000s.

J. Irwin/Classicstock/Getty Images

However, elaborate light displays are one trend that probably would have seemed out of place 100 years ago.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I spent $50,000 on my kitchen remodel. These 5 splurges were totally worth it — but I have one expensive regret.

1 December 2024 at 04:58
Author Jill Schildhouse smiling in her kitchen with black lower cabinets, white countertops, and white upper cabinets and a geometric. black and white backdrop
I'm really happy with how my kitchen remodel turned out.

Jill Schildhouse

  • After years of saving, I spent $50,000 on a kitchen remodel to create the space of my dreams.
  • I'm glad I splurged on my high-end countertops and an interior designer.
  • My new appliances have been great, but I didn't need to install under-cabinet lighting.

When I bought my three-bedroom, two-bath house in 2005, I was in my late 20s, and it felt like my first real step into adulthood.

There was a lot to love about my new home, from the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in the office (a dream for any writer!) to the 1970s archway from the living room to the kitchen that provides so much character.

But there were also things I hoped to one day change, like replacing the wall-to-wall carpeting with tile and remodeling the sad brown kitchen. Little did I know it would take 15 years to save up for new flooring and a few more still to get around to the kitchen.

I estimated it would cost $45,000 to make the changes I wanted β€” which included ripping out and replacing just about everything β€” although my final bill came in closer to $50,000.

I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Five things stand out to me a being 100% worth splurging on, but there's one expensive choice I wouldn't make again.

Hiring a designer was worth every penny.
AuthorJill Schildhouse smiling with designer Stephanie Studer in black and white kitchen
Designer Stephanie Studer helped bring my kitchen to life.

Jill Schildhouse

I'm terrible with a tape measure, know nothing about piecing together cabinets into a cohesive and functional layout, and didn't have the time or eye to pick out the perfect tile β€” so I hired an interior designer.

We worked together to bring my vision to fruition and she to planned all the details of my remodel. I paid $525 for an initial consultation and $5,250 for the design development.

I have no doubt that if I'd tried to do this myself, I would've wasted a ton of time at stores being indecisive and I probably wouldn't have liked the end result.

I don't regret living in hotels during the demolition and early construction.
Author Jill Schildhouse smiling in front of "It's Always Sunny in Scottsdale" mural at Hotel Valley Ho
I was able to find some discounted hotel stays during the summer.

Jill Schildhouse

This project was supposed to take about three weeks, but it actually went on for about three months.

My contractor had forewarned me just how messy and loud the demolition phase would be and that I wouldn't have access to a kitchen the entire time β€” so I booked three weeks of hotel stays to avoid the chaos.

Although it would've been easier, logistically, to stay in one hotel the entire time, I chased specials and discounted rates at some of the most luxurious resorts in Phoenix (the triple-digit summer heat means massive sales each year).

I work from home, so being able to work in peace at these hotels for a few weeks at the start of the project was priceless. I definitely had a tough time once I went back to living in my house during the rest of the remodel.

My higher-end countertops feel worth every penny.
Metal candle-holder figurines on table next to red metal fruit bowl and two-tiered black fruit bowl
My countertops were expensive, but I love how they look.

Jill Schildhouse

I knew I wanted quartz countertops, and my designer helpfully chose some options within my budget. The problem? I hated how cheap and flat they looked.

So, she showed me some upgraded samples β€” and, of course, I fell in love with how much more depth and richness they had.

I ended up paying about $11,000 for countertops, which was several thousand dollars over budget. I don't regret it because they have the "wow" factor I wanted.

I'm glad we had a millworker make custom shelves.
Three backlit oak shelves in kitchen with colorful cookware displayed on them
You can see the shelves' beauty from my living room, too.

Jill Schildhouse

One of my requested design features was a display area for my collection of colorful Le Creuset enameled cast-iron cookware β€” but each piece is so heavy and large that we weren't sure how to accommodate it.

My designer engaged a local millworker to custom-create three floating white-oak shelves that would enhance the overall design while providing functional storage space.

The project cost over $2,200, but the shelves are the focal point of the room β€” and I can see their beauty from my living room, too.

Upgrading to new appliances now saved me a headache down the road.
Kitchen with white cabinets, black countertops, and shiny stainless-steel appliances
I'm happy with my new appliances so far.

Jill Schildhouse

At first, I thought I might keep my 19-year-old stove and fridge for another year or two until I saved up for replacements.

However, once you design a kitchen around appliance measurements, it's not as easy to swap them out down the road.

So, I spent over $5,000 on a gorgeous LG stove and LG fridge I'd had my eye on. It was the right call β€” they look sleeker and more modern and are far superior to my old appliances.

The new fridge is enormous, and my new induction-style stove heats up twice as fast as the old electric one.

On the other hand, I don't think installing under-cabinet lighting was worth it.
Lighting strips visible below shelf above geometric black and white backsplash in kitchen
I don't use the under-cabinet lighting as much as I thought I would.

Jill Schildhouse

I'll admit that a slew of TikTok videos about task and mood lighting convinced me to install trendy under-cabinet lights.

Although I dig the vibe they give off, I just don't use them as often as I expected. One of the reasons is that I didn't spend even more money to have them put on a dimmer switch, so they're just too bright at night.

I could've saved a few thousand dollars if I hadn't bothered with them at all.

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Gen Zers and millennials are clamoring for their grandmas' bathrooms

By: Dan Latu
1 December 2024 at 01:11
Toilet dressed as grandma with wig and glasses surrounded by floral wallpaper and pink tiles

Getty Images; iStock; Natalie Ammari/BI

  • Older bathroom styles are back in vogue as homebuyers and renters gravitate toward nostalgia.
  • Even younger people are opting for patterned tiles, matching sinks and toilets, and pastel colors.
  • One 24-year-old Florida homeowner paid $900 for a baby blue toilet and vanity from the 1950s.

In August, Miami interior designer Dani Klaric shocked her boyfriend with the new centerpiece of her guest bathroom: a secondhand toilet.

The preowned throne, in a baby blue hue reminiscent of the 1950s, was part of Klaric's plan to "de-modernize" the three-bedroom Miami home she bought in May.

Klaric, a 24-year-old content creator with 2.1 million followers on TikTok as of November 27, fought hard for her used toilet. When she couldn't find the exact shade of blue she wanted in stores, she tracked down a seller on Facebook Marketplace who specialized in saving vintage bathroom fixtures from tear-down projects.

Klaric drove a rented U-Haul five hours across Florida to pick up both the toilet and a vanity for $900.

"It's way more warm and cozy and has so much more personality," Klaric told Business Insider.

Neutral bathrooms have dominated the pages of design and architecture magazines for years, but old-fashioned looks are coming back. A new Zillow report on home trends based on key terms and phrases that crop up more frequently in for-sale listings said, "2025 is set to go full granny." Mentions of "nostalgia" in listings were up 14% from 2023, while the word "vintage" showed up in 9% more listings.

A vintage sink and vanity with pastel green tiles and rectangular blue accents.
Inside a GLB-owned property in Los Angeles with vintage bathroom decor still intact.

Courtesy of GLB Property

Los Angeles-based interior designer Shannon Ggem told BI that "grandma bathrooms" typically feature pastel pinks and greens, elaborate tile designs, and frilly decorations. Once considered dated, they are driving trends in homebuying and interior design β€” even among millennials and Gen Zers.

"People are so bored of all white and gray houses," Ggem told BI. "They're so hungry for character."

Even manufacturers are observing the uptick in interest.

In 2023, kitchen and bath manufacturer Kohler reissued two "heritage" colors from its archive, a rose blush called peachblow and minty spring green. It released a limited-edition line of toilets, sinks, and tubs in the hues.

"People are gravitating toward things that pull at those nostalgic heartstrings," Alex Yacavone, head of Kohler's design studio, told BI.

Homeowners are paying to get the look

Vintage pink tiles along a bathroom wall and alcove with a 1950s sink.
A Los Angeles pink-tiled bathroom that cost $25,000 to return to pristine condition.

Courtesy of GLB Properties

Interior designers told BI that younger homeowners are turning their bathrooms into time machines.

"I'm really seeing it grow with the younger audiences," said San Diego-based interior designer Rachel Moriarty. "They're taking that grandma aesthetic and running with it. They're making it cool again."

Moriarty recently said a San Diego client spent $5,000 restoring her bathroom's aquamarine tiles with black trim and 1930s Art Deco arches. Previous homeowners had ignored the tiles altogether or tried to paint over them. She and the client shopped for black glass knobs for the cabinets and vintage lights of the era to make the tiles stand out even more.

Ggem, an interior designer in Los Angeles, said a client is spending $85,000 on a total bathroom re-do to achieve a vintage look. The couple's home came with all-white, builder-grade fixtures they considered passΓ©, so they're adding a floor with a tile pattern and a mosaic design on the walls, Ggem said.

"The basic finishes didn't feel like they met the luxury level of the community," Ggem said.

A landlord with 30 LA buildings preserves their vintage bathrooms

Forty years ago, real-estate developer Gene Bramson saw historic apartment buildings in Los Angeles being ripped up for the sleek, modern aesthetics of the 1980s. Bramson, who loved the intricate tile work and bold colors found in many of those properties, bought some with the intent of preservation.

"I wanted to take these places and elevate them, bring them back to their original glamour," Bramson told BI. "I just had a great feeling that these locations can't be replicated."

Today, Bramson's company, GLB Properties, manages 30 properties throughout Los Angeles, with rents ranging from $3,250 for a one-bedroom to $11,000 for a four-bedroom.

A vintage bathroom with light green tiles on the walls and black tiles on the floors.
Biba de Sousa pays $4,000 monthly for a Los Angeles apartment from GLB Properties with carefully restored vintage tiles.

Courtesy of Biba de Sousa

In 2020, Bramson's daughter Ivana, who also works for GLB, noticed Angelenos clamoring for colorful bathrooms. So she started posting photos of ones in the company's buildings on its Instagram account, which exploded from 6,000 to 40,000 followers between then and mid-2024. Potential tenants started reaching out through direct messages on Instagram, Bramson said.

Keeping up these vintage rooms isn't cheap. GLB spent $25,000 to preserve and upgrade a pink bathroom in a one-bedroom apartment in one of their properties, sourcing vintage tiles, installing a princess tub, and hanging salvaged mirrors. Bramson estimated a renovation with stick-on tiles from Home Depot would have cost about $9,000.

"The bathrooms are the crown jewels of the apartments. I think people can sense it's not a quick vinyl tile cover," Ivana told Insider.

Tenants seem to agree. In 2021, esthetician Biba de Sousa moved into a GLB apartment in LA's Miracle Mile neighborhood. She pays $4,000 monthly for a two-bedroom apartment with a bathroom covered in green tiles and decorative black accents.

"It's just cheerful," she told Business Insider. "It feels like my grandmother left me the apartment."

Read the original article on Business Insider

I spent $36,000 renovating my bathroom. It's gorgeous, but there are 5 mistakes I wish I'd avoided.

29 November 2024 at 06:17
Bathroom with narrow black window next to toilet and fluted floating vanity with two sinks and two arched mirrors above it
My bathroom renovation cost me thousands of dollars and I'm still not 100% happy with how everything went down.

Chris Deacon

  • I planned ahead and consulted with experts but still made mistakes while renovating my bathroom.
  • My floor looks dirty quickly because the grout is too light and I chose the wrong vanity lightning.
  • The shower niches look nice but don't drain properly because they're not angled.

As a writer with kids, I'd long ago abandoned the dream of a bathroom remodel. Instead, I'd learned to live with perpetually loose floor tiles and a tub that was as shallow as it was short.

Then, one day, the shower wall caved in, exposing a gaping hole of black mold. Outwardly, I cursed our bad fortune. Inwardly, I threw back my head and silently screamed, "We're renovating!"

With the help of a small inheritance, we transformed our tiny, dilapidated bathroom into a clean and airy space that sparks joy whenever I use it.

The renovation required a full gut down to the studs. We moved the door, opened the ceiling, and splurged on a double vanity and high-end fixtures.

I made good calls and a few bad ones and probably spent 50,000 Canadian dollars (about $36,000) total.

Although I consulted with a designer and sought help from my design-savvy sister, there are a few things I'd definitely do differently next time.

I should've done my shower-niche homework.
Tiled bathroom with two shower niches above a tub
Who knew shower niches could be so stressful?

Chris Deacon

I added shower niches for storage and was thrilled with my design choices until I had my first shower and noticed water pooling in both shelves.

After a quick Google search, I realized the tiling at the bottom of a niche should be angled to let the water drain. I hadn't thought of this, and my contractor apparently hadn't either.

The niches aren't angled at all. Worse, they're in a part of the shower that gets especially wet.

They don't always dry between showers so, over time, water could seep through the tile and into the framing behind β€” which might eventually cause another mold problem.

A darker grout would've helped my floor tiles look cleaner.
Honecomb grayish white tiles with white grout between them
It's hard to keep my floors looking clean.

Chris Deacon

During the design process, I had to select a grout to accompany my beautiful white-gray Carrara marble tiles.

At the time, I chose a light color thinking it would seamlessly match the tiles β€” it did. Unfortunately, it's also a dirt magnet in the high-foot-traffic area around the sink.

No amount of scrubbing has helped thus far and comparing it to the pristine tile under the vanity hurts my heart a bit. Next time, I'll go at least two shades darker with floor grout to help mask the unavoidable grime of this busy zone.

I didn't appreciate the importance of specs.
Toilet next to floating fluted vanity with gold sink hardware above it
I had to pay to cut up my vanity because the plumbing was in the wrong spot.

Chris Deacon

It took forever to find the perfect floating vanity with drawers and space for two sinks. At last, I imported a beautiful fluted piece from Italy.

While awaiting its arrival, my contractor roughed in the plumbing based on the standard height for vanities. It turns out my piece was not standard β€” its cutouts for pipes didn't match up with the now-installed plumbing lines.

Fortunately, we were able to cut out a notch in the back of each of the drawers to accommodate pipes. This was better than buying a new piece, but it added another 400 Canadian dollars to my budget.

Next time, I'd ensure my contractor had all the specs before mounting or installing anything.

The lighting for my vanity area isn't great.
Bulb light between two arched mirrors above a fluted vanity
With so many balls in the air, I didn't pay enough attention to some things, like my vanity lighting.

Chris Deacon

Although I'd put a lot of thought into the placement of pot lights in the ceiling, I neglected to do the same with vanity lighting.

Instead of, say, three lights placed at eye level or two over the mirrors, I settled on just one placed between the two mirrors. This was, in part, to save money.

But one light doesn't provide nearly enough illumination when you're using the mirrors. (Just ask my teens!)

I don't really have enough room for three sconces, but I wish I 'd at least placed one above each mirror. I'm now sourcing new (hopefully cheap) sconces, which I'll also have to pay an electrician to install. Ouch.

I wish I'd paid more attention when ordering my custom window.
Narrow black window with grate on bathroom wall next to toilet
The window wasn't what I expected it to be.

Chris Deacon

When I discovered my existing window had to go, I knew I wanted to replace it with an industrial-style one complete with grilles running in a grid on the outside.

I could already picture the adorable piles of snow that would collect in the corners come December. Since I was so certain and so busy I ordered my window over the phone.

When the window arrived, I was shocked to find the grilles were between the sheets of glass. I'd never seen this design before, and it was definitely not my intended vibe.

It was a custom piece, so I couldn't return it. Instead, I focused on the positives: This was much cheaper and way easier to clean than the ones with grilles on the outside.

Since it's a small window, I've gotten used to it and even come to like it. But if ever I'm in a position to add windows to another room in my house, I'll spend more time and money to ensure I order the grilles on the outside.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I'm an interior designer who works with high-profile clients. Here are 8 things the rich are putting in their homes right now.

27 November 2024 at 09:18
Ben Franklin sits on a linen armchair with a fancy end table.
Wealthy clients are asking for conversation pieces and sustainable materials in their homes.

Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

  • I'm an interior designer who's worked with wealthy clients with large budgets.
  • Lately, more clients have been asking me to include expensive conversation pieces in their homes.
  • My wealthy clients also gravitate toward eco-friendly materials and statement stones, like onyx.

As an interior designer, I always love working with clients to create spaces that showcase their personalities and values, no matter their budget. But recently, I've had the opportunity to peel back the curtain and see what the wealthy are asking for in their homes.

Over the past year, I've been working with high-profile clients β€” from influencers to a CEO β€” with large budgets. So, I feel like I have a front-row seat to the latest trends in luxury home decor.

Here's what the wealthy are currently loving in their homes.

Clients are constantly asking for conversation pieces.
A black table filled with items looking onto a beige fireplace filled with dried flowers and other plants
One client asked me to incorporate a 17th-century fireplace (not pictured) into their home.

Andreas von Einsiedel/Getty Images

This might sound odd, but some clients insist on incorporating seemingly random, vintage (and, in my opinion, extremely overpriced) items into their homes.

These pieces have ranged from a salvaged fireplace from a 17th-century home in France to a weathered wooden door from an abandoned Italian villa. But honestly, I'm all for it.

Having something interesting to talk about when people walk in never hurts. Imagine someone complimenting your fireplace and casually replying, "Thanks, I shipped it from France." Talk about a conversation starter.

Custom art is becoming more popular among my clients.
A bedroom with a bed with white and beige sheets, a beige couch, and several pieces of artwork on the wall
I love decorating spaces with custom art pieces.

Sammi Smith

I recently worked with clients who wanted art pieces that reflected their personalities.

Instead of picking something off the shelf, I made custom art that fit my clients' visions. Many of these pieces, which required large paintings or paper canvases, were very expensive to make.

Still, my clients loved being part of the creative journey, tweaking and perfecting their masterpieces until they felt just right. As a designer, seeing someone light up when they look at a one-of-a-kind piece hanging on their wall is fulfilling.Β 

Sustainability is definitely in.
Two dark-brown hanging lamps with LED lightbulbs and a window looking onto trees in the background
My wealthy clients have asked for eco-friendly items, like LED light bulbs, in their homes.

Ton Photographer 4289/Shutterstock

Many of my affluent clients search for materials that look stunning and are made with sustainability in mind β€” think energy-efficient lighting, reclaimed wood, and renewable-energy sources.

For example, I've recently sourced sustainably made mattresses for a bedroom and salvaged boards from a barn for a kitchen backsplash.

I believe the future of interior design, especially in luxury homes, will revolve around sustainability. Over the next few years, I expect more designers to ask questions like, "How can we reuse marble to give it a second life?"

Statement stones like onyx and exotic marbles are popular among clients.
A bathroom with a stone bathtub and a tiled wall with various shades of gray and textures
My clients love stone tiles and counters with bold colors and veins.

asbe/Getty Images

Gone are the days of plain countertops and all-white rooms that lack personality. Many of my high-end clients embrace bold statement stones like onyx and exotic marbles that showcase rich lines in the stone and make a striking impact.

Picture a kitchen with a stunning onyx backsplash or a bathroom countertop that elicits a "wow." Statement stones can elevate an ordinary space into something truly unique.

Custom-made furniture is definitely a favorite.
A gray couch with navy and white pillows next to a wall with a built-in shelf filled with baskets, books, and frames
I love perfectly sizing pieces of furniture to fit a space.

Sammi Smith

Custom-made furniture can be a game changer. I love the satisfaction of perfectly sizing a sofa to fit into a tricky corner or coordinating the trim on dining-room chairs with the fabric on a living-room couch.

Though custom pieces aren't essential β€” many of my favorite couches come from Ikea and other big-box stores β€” customizing furniture provides a chance to create unique items that reflect personal style and needs.

Clients who choose the custom-furniture route can select their preferred styles, source unique fabrics, and find ideal cushion fillings.

I've recently been incorporating ambient lighting into my clients' homes.
A headboard with two white pillows next to a sconce with a basket-weave lampshade and a small painting of a seaside scene
Ambient lighting can come from hidden LED strips or lamps that emit a soft glow.

Sammi Smith

Have you ever walked into a nice restaurant and noticed a cozy vibe from the lighting? Ambient lighting β€” soft, glowing light that usually serves as a room's primary source of illumination β€” instantly makes everything feel more inviting.

Lately, my clients with big budgets are asking for custom ambient lighting in every corner of their homes. These fixtures, which range from LED strips tucked away in architectural details to beautifully designed lamps that cast a warm glow, create a luxurious, relaxing atmosphere.

Organic mattresses seem to be all the rage.
A bedroom with a bed with white comforters and tan pillows, graphic artwork, and beige curtains looking onto a backyard filled with trees
Lately, I've been furnishing my clients' homes with organic mattresses.

Sammi Smith

Some mattresses contain polyurethane foam, which can emit chemicals known as volatile organic compounds. Some of these chemicals can be harmful, so lately, I've been furnishing my client's bedrooms with organic mattresses instead.

I recently stumbled upon Avocado Green Mattress, a company specializing in organic mattresses and luxury bedding. So far, I've used the brand's mattresses and furniture in two of my projects, and they've been a hit.

Linen materials are everywhere.
A room with a bed with a white comforter and pillows next to a white nightstand, a mirror, and a window with a blue and white linen curtain
I love linen because it feels luxurious and is versatile.

Sammi Smith

Luxurious linens are popping up everywhere, and honestly, I couldn't be more excited about it.

Linen has proved to be so much more than just a bedding essential. The fabric has an effortlessly luxurious aesthetic, has great breathability, and is versatile enough for furniture, bedding, and window treatments.

Imagine draping your windows with stunning linen curtains that filter light and add a chic touch to your living space. Or how about reupholstering an old chair with some high-quality linen? This fabric can easily give your space a fresh new personality.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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