Summer doesn't break for home decor trends, and we love what we're seeing pop up lately, many inspired by viral summer fashion trends. From chrome to cabana stripes to coquette – a flirty, romantic, French-inspired aesthetic – here are five trends we're loving for our homes, indoors and out.
This retro metal is having a moment in home decor as searches for chrome on Yelp are up 14 percent. The metallic trend can be found everywhere from pendants to side tables to artful accessories like vases and candlestick holders.
From toile to ribbons to dainty florals, the coquette craze has evolved into a legitimate home decor style and we are not sad about it. Searches for coquette are up 337 percent on Yelp. Express your feminine style with this darling decor trend.
According to Yelp, tile installation has seen a 36 percent increase in the last year. The checkerboard comeback, like this above Merzoni Checker Ruzzini porcelain wall & floor tile, is a classic and timeless look, from kitchen to outdoor patio. We love the trend for more than just flooring too.
Photography by Gavin Cater | Design by Bungalowe
More homeowners are looking to personalize their space, with custom touches seeing significant increases on Yelp. Custom curtains are up 60 percent, as are custom doors (up 30 percent) that add character.
Closet systems, like this custom closet designed by Karan and Sapna Aggarwal of Los Angeles design firm Bungalowe (spy the full interior here), saw a 40 percent increase, reflecting the desire for a more tailored look.
Feel like you're vacationing along the Italian Riviera right at home. Resort-inspired decor like bold cabana stripes are hot this summer and really never go out of style. Bring them indoors and out!
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Header image via Wayfair
Neighbors are funny. I'll occasionally have a quick chit-chat with mine as we cross paths by our mailboxes, and our conversations always seem to revolve around the same three topics: the weather, upcoming vacations, and home upgrades. My latest landscaping project got a few nods of approval — even from my least neighborly neighbors. The tree encroaching on their solar panel? Not so much. But hey, they notice, and there’s something undeniably satisfying about earning that neighborly thumbs up.
Etsy
This is such a simple fix that delivers a big impact. Update your house numbers to something a bit more modern, like these Etsy House Numbers, and you'll feel an instant refresh to your exterior.
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You can start small here, add a tree, a shrub, some grasses, but adding greenery that matures over time will enhancing your yard’s overall aesthetic and the value of your home. Take cues from your lifestyle too. Sod might be the ideal choice for running, playing, and family fun. Live in a dry climate? Opt for drought-tolerant plants and decorative rocks to create a low-maintenance, water-efficient landscape.
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A fresh coat of bold or classic color on your front door can instantly enhance its curb appeal, and surprise your neighbors in a good way.
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These are pretty affordable and so charming in trees and on fences, creating a cozy vibe for your outdoor space.
Wayfair
This has been on my home bucket list since traveling around Charleston, S.C. I love a good flower box display, whether it's colorful perennials or varying shades of greenery. Check out these affordable Wayfair Planter Boxes.
West Elm
A rusty old mailbox is not giving guests the best first impression. A sleek new mailbox, like this West Elm Mailbox, or a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference.
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Swap out dated porch lights and install solar pathway lights for a fresh look and more inviting space.
There's something so classic and European about shutters. Affordable, decorative ones can add charm and dimension to your windows.
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Have you spotted those IG videos of people pressure washing their homes? So mesmerizing! Wash off those cobwebs and layers of grime with an Electric Pressure Washer. A clean driveway, siding, or patio can make your home look like new.
Solo Stove
Build a simple and stylish fire pit with pavers or bricks or shop for one like this modern wood-burning fire pit from All Modern or this option from Solo Stove for a cozy gathering spot.
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Use gravel, stepping stones, or wood chips to create an elegant walkway to your home.
Studio McGee
It doesn't need to be December for you to hang a natural wreath on your door. A seasonal or year-round wreath, like this one from Studio McGee, adds warmth to your home’s entryway.
Eartheasy
Build a raised garden bed for under $50 with our guide or shop for these lovely cedar ones on Eartheasy. Come spring you'll have plenty of space to plant vegetables and herbs and flowers.
Wayfair
A bird bath, like this Wayfair Pedestal Birdbath from Kelly Clarkson Home, is a great way to support your local wildlife and pretty up your front yard.
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Outdoor furniture gets weathered throughout the year if not protected. Before spring comes, spruce up your outdoor furniture with paint, or a sand and wood stain to give your front yard a polished look.
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Is your door handle looking a bit dated or worn? Replace old doorknobs, locks, or handles with more stylish and modern options, like this Entry Door Handle.
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Planters welcome your guests and frame your porch in an inviting way. Find plants you love and make a great first impression with beautiful planters.
Paint your stair risers in a fun contrasting or complementary color to your home, or if you want to invest a little more time and money add a decorative tile. I did this with a tile inspired by my trip to Portugal and get compliments all the time! You can also find peel-and-stick floor tile for outside porches.
Wayfair
Classic Adirondacks, modern rocking chairs like these Wayfair Rocking Chairs, and swing chairs can make your yard more inviting and useful. I had a total mom win when I saw my daughter reading outside in our new Adirondack chairs.
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This doesn't have to be major, but a small trellis around your door can make a big impact come spring when the flowers bloom.
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This is a low-cost way to make your home literally shine.
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Hide any eyesores like trash bins and HVAC units with a privacy screen with a planter for flowers and vines.
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Clear any weeds and refresh your mulch to instantly tidy up garden beds.
Etsy
Making your entryway festive for the seasons can bring joy and cheer to your neighborhood all year long. This Etsy Doormat is so cute for Valentine's Day!
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
The photographer Slim Aarons spent his career shooting celebrities and socialites lounging poolside with mid-century homes as the backdrop. His photographs were a peek inside the the lives of the rich and famous, and inspiration for design enthusiasts looking for sleek exteriors. As we head into summer and the great outdoors, how our open spaces look and feel becomes a design priority, creating a space to chill, grill, and entertain our favorite people.
Inspired by its mid-century roots, designer Meredith Kleinman reimagined the Los Angeles home for Nick O'Malley, bassist for the band Arctic Monkeys, and his family, preserving a lot of the mid-century details while adding in modern amenities. Here's a peek inside, along with mid-century pool decor to refresh your outdoor space.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
O'Malley's home has incredible views and captures amazing Californian light throughout the day. To highlight the views, Meredith kept the interior design clean and simple.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
She added vintage furnishings, classic light fixtures, and custom walnut built-ins to honor the original quality of the home.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
The bedrooms all have great views perched above the pool inside the three-story home.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
The owners wanted the home to be easy to take care of, fun, comfortable and low maintenance while still looking great and being as eco-friendly as possible.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
Meredith preserved the retro kidney-shaped pool and resurfaced the surrounding area while planting around to keep it clean and modern.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
A sunroom opens out to the pool area, a comfy place to lounge, read, and host guests.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
The central seating area is sleek and cozy with retro pendants to complete the look.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
A combo of wood, concrete and stone keep the area eco-friendly with drought-tolerant plants.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
The bathroom echoes the poolside inspiration with a retro vibe.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
Here's the view at night. Simple, clean, and perfect for gathering.
This sectional exudes easy and breezy. The cool, California vibe gives off the perfect place to lounge and enjoy your outdoor space.
These colorful pillows add some character to the chill mid-century vibes — helping you avoid the "sad beige aesthetic" handily.
A pendant is perfect for any mid-century room, adding an easy elegance while it lights up the space.
This playful umbrella is giving Palm Royale in all the best ways — exactly what you want for your poolside decor.
Having cute glassware is essential for good mid-century modern vibes, but glassware and pool decks don't always mesh well. These colorful outdoor tumblers are the perfect solution!
Not your typical poolside seating, these lounge chairs are so effortlessly cool.
For lounge chairs, I love this pop of yellow! It's bright and summery and so what your backyard needs right now.
I can't talk about Slim's eye for mid-century poolsides without including a print in my decor roundup! Just look how good this is!
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Header photo courtesy of Meredith Kleinman Design
My best friend and I recently had a 3-hour conversation about navigating love in our 30s, coming to the conclusion that our prior breakups helped us become clearer about what we want in love. After we said our good-byes, I started thinking about questions worth asking yourself when you're single.
Unlike some people who tell you not to worry about love when you're not coupled up, I think it actually does help to have an idea about the kind of person and relationship that'll fit in your life when the time comes. I wish it wish it were this easy, but the perfect situation isn't going to fall into your lap — because it doesn't exist. Even now, I'm still learning about myself and my fiancé as we experience life together.
So are you single and trying to understand what you actually want out of your love life? Here are some questions you should ask yourself!
Other questions you can ask yourself can have something to do with your morals or boundaries. It's a way for you to understand areas of your life that you may not always think about everyday.
Once you have a better understanding of who you are, think about the kind of romantic love you'd like to have in your life. There's a chance you're not even interested in a serious monogamous relationship right now and that's okay. The point is to get clear about what you do want.
Start asking:
Though tempting, this isn't a confirmation that you should call the ex you've been thinking about. Rather, take the time to revisit what you think did or didn't work.
I'm not asking you to 'listen and judge' yourself for who you're typically attracted to. We all have our reasons why certain people make our hearts race even if said people aren't the greatest for us in the long run. This is the time to be curious about who you're drawn to and why.
Ready for something serious? There's still some questions you should ask yourself before jumping into something new.
These questions may seem like a lot, but it's a way to help you understand how you want your love like to look. Also, there's a possibility you could encounter scenarios that may not fit under these questions because life can be full of surprises. All that matters is you're able to have a better understanding of who you are and what you want in 2025.
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For as many amazing finds Costco has (looking at you, almond croissants and heart-shaped ravioli), there are still quite a few items worth skipping. Whether it’s due to texture, taste, or value, Costco shoppers are quick to clock the worst items between the aisles.
The latest discovery is an unassuming frozen meal that looks great from the outside, but the inside? That’s a whole different story.
Meet the Snapdragon Chicken Pad Thai, a microwavable meal that includes chicken, rice noodles, bell peppers, and bean sprouts in a “tangy” stir fry sauce. The item was surfaced to the Costco community by a Reddit user that definitely had a bone to pick with it.
“This was not a good choice,” they wrote. “The sauce was absolutely dry and the mix of undercooked noodles was not a pleasant experience. Even added a bit of water to the tray, after the general cooking time, to bring some moisture to it. Didn’t work.” Oof.
Now, one shopper with a single negative review is one thing, but many more fellow Costco patrons chimed in re: the disappointing nature of the Pad Thai on the same Reddit thread.
“I'm surprised Costco still carries this,” one person wrote. “I thought it was awful.”
“It was so awful,” another said. “I couldn't make myself eat it.”
“Might be the single worst thing we’ve bought from Costco,” one more user commented.
Nadin Sh / PEXELS
A lot of people also noted that the noodles in the dish were dry, the chicken was not of good quality, and that the overall flavor was lacking – which, according to my hunch as a food lover, is a simple lesson that authentic international dishes shouldn’t always be replicated in a quick and convenient, “heat and eat” format.
So, all this to say: if you’re craving Pad Thai, it’s best to skip this Costco pick and order takeout from your local Thai joint. It's always better fresh!
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