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10 Easy Rules Professional Organizers Follow in Their Own Homes

When we heard about the premise of professional organizer Shira Gill’s new book, we were buzzing with excitement—her recently released title, Organized Living: Solutions and Inspiration for Your Home, gives us a glimpse into the homes of some of the top professional organizers in the industry. (Real Simple is all about organizing so this is like catnip for us!)  Because we’ve worked with Shira before on a bunch of organizing stories (we’ve even featured her home), we knew we were in for a trea...

Say Goodbye to Granite and Marble—This Countertop Material Will Be Everywhere Next Year, New Kitchen Report Says

It’s always been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and the latest trend report from the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) confirmed this. In fact, it confirmed that our cook spaces are growing bigger and better than ever, playing an even larger role in our homes’ overall design plans. The report, which is based on a survey of over 600 industry professionals, including designers, contractors, and manufacturers, predicts which kitchen styles and features will be most p...

These 'Grandma' Decor Trends Are Back—and Better Than Ever

One of the biggest design trends taking over interiors right now is the mix-and-match approach, combining pieces from different time periods. Today’s spaces are now curated with modern decor from this decade alongside more traditional, classic elements from the past—the very same ones your grandmother likely loved (and probably still does!).  In fact, designers are often turning to those nostalgic touches to add charm and character to their spaces. (Grandma knows best, after all!) Here, we ask...

Pantone Just Revealed Its 2026 Color of the Year—and It Goes Against Every Design Trend Forecast We've Seen So Far

When I sat down to meet virtually with the Pantone Color Institute to discuss their Color of the Year 2026, I was definitely expecting something different—after all, the last few years have been a collection of splashy hues, so I knew next year’s winning pick needed to upstage them. However, I was not expecting to be this shocked by their choice. For the Color of the Year 2026, Pantone selected 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a hue Pantone describes in their press release as “billowy, balanced” and “ether...

Benjamin Moore Just Released Its 2026 Color Forecast—These 8 Paint Shades Will Be Huge Next Year

Benjamin Moore just announced their Color of the Year 2026 (the dark and mysterious Silhouette AF-655), and with that reveal came seven other hues the brand predicts will dominate interiors over the next few seasons. Known as the Color Trends 2026 Palette, each shade was painstakingly chosen during a lengthy process, according to Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore.  “Week after week, we were placing colors, adding colors, subtracting colors. We would come back the...

This Low-Maintenance Garden Was Designed to Get Better With Age—Here’s How to Recreate It at Home

It’s no secret that we absolutely love a good show home here at Real Simple—after all, we do one every year! So when our sister brand Southern Living recently revealed their latest Idea House in their September issue, we were so excited to check out the gorgeous property. The 2025 Southern Living Idea House is a 4,500-square-foot home located in Keswick, Virginia, and it's filled to the brim with brilliant design ideas. While the interiors are absolutely stunning (and had us asking when we can...

'Millennial Gray' Is the Color Trend an Entire Generation Can’t Get Enough Of

Is color still officially "out" for millennials? According to data from Google Trends, searches for the phrases “millennial gray” and “millennial grey” still see spikes in popularity throughout the year. Despite the promotion of colorful, eye-catching aesthetics like dopamine decor and maximalism on social media, the reality is that some people are still clinging to their beloved neutral.  In fact, Benjamin Moore named Paris Rain 1501, a subtle gray, one of the most popular interior shades of...

9 Reasons Your Pantry Is Always a Mess, According to the Pros at NEAT Method

A messy pantry is kind of a nuisance—and can seriously hinder your kitchen’s workflow, especially when you’re in a hurry to whip up a meal on a busy day. Rummaging through a cabinet for 10 minutes to find a single can of corn under a Tetris-style fortress of tins, cereal boxes, and pasta packages? No, thank you. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way forever, say the organizing professionals at NEAT Method, who helped us corral the kitchen storage in this year’s REAL SIMPLE Home. Here, th...

Farrow & Ball Unveils 12 New Colors—and They All Tap Into the Nostalgic Design Trend

Farrow & Ball, the premium, UK-based paint brand beloved by interior designers for its highly curated palette, is officially adding 12 new colors to its signature collection. The reason this is a big deal? The brand, which prides itself on its small range of 132 shades, rarely introduces new colors—in fact, the last time it did so was in 2022.  Nine of the colors are totally new, and three were resurrected from the treasured Farrow & Ball Archive. According to the brand, these hues are reminis...

Benjamin Moore Just Announced Its 2026 Color of the Year—and It’s a Deep, Cozy Shade Made for Fall

Perhaps the most anticipated color announcement of the year comes from Benjamin Moore. Every fall, designers, influencers, and design enthusiasts wait with bated breath to see which hue the iconic paint brand will select as its winning shade. This year, the suspense is finally over: Benjamin Moore just revealed its Color of the Year 2026 is Silhouette AF-655. The rich shade blends espresso brown with charcoal gray, creating a hue the brand describes as “reminiscent of tailored suiting.” It’s a...

7 IKEA Decor Essentials Designers Secretly Love

In fact, even high-end interior designers love the iconic Swedish brand. Here, we asked them what they love to scoop up for their projects when they visit the store. IKEA is a great unifier in design: Everyone loves shopping there—from dorm-dwelling college students to longtime homeowners. Why? Because they have an immense selection of items that are incredibly affordable, and many of the products have a classic Scandinavian aesthetic, making them very easy to drop into any design plan. 01 of...

Martha Stewart Covers Her Outdoor Plants for the Winter—Should You Too?

A few days ago, domestic goddess and gardening guru Martha Stewart posted a photo on Instagram of the beautiful boxwood shrubs on her sprawling Bedford, N.Y., estate that were about to be cloaked in burlap for the winter.  On her blog, she writes a thorough explanation for this annual practice, which she also does with the rest of her outdoor plants, too. According to Martha, this ritual protects branches from heavy ice, snow, and wind. Plus, she says the burlap also prevents her stone and cem...

10 Features That Are Almost Guaranteed to Sell Your Home for More Than Expected, According to New Zillow Report

Zillow just released a new report that reveals the top features that will sell a home for more than expected—and the biggest takeaway is that the farmhouse aesthetic is fading into the distance, while “organic modernism” is in high demand among prospective buyers. This style is defined by sophisticated finishes like soapstone countertops, white oak floors, and Venetian plaster walls. In fact, according to Zillow’s research, homes with this design style can sell for $12,500 more.  “The contempo...

5 Kitchen Cabinet Trends for 2026—And the Surprising Style That Just Fell Out of Favor

Every summer, MasterBrand, a leading cabinet manufacturer, releases its annual cabinetry design and trend report, and it’s something we look forward to every year here at Real Simple, because we love talking kitchen design! It’s always fascinating to see the choices consumers are making and where design is headed next.  This year’s report is based on the company’s annual survey of designers from over 7,000 dealers. So we chatted with Stephanie Pierce, director of design and trends at MasterBra...

5 Perennials You Should Never Grow in Containers, According to Garden Experts

Not every perennial is meant for a container—and even seasoned gardeners can be surprised by which ones struggle! While container planting has its perks (like easy portability), it can also restrict your plant’s growth and even shorten its lifespan. Unfortunately, some perennials are just destined for the ground. Here, we asked experts to share which ones you should never grow in containers, so you have a thriving mix of potted and in-ground plants. Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape...

This Gift Wrap Is So Pretty, You Won't Want to Tear It Off

Choosing gift wrap for your holiday presents can be a little overwhelming—there are so many beautiful patterns and styles out there, it’s hard to pick just a handful of your favorite wrapping papers! Thankfully, our collaboration with Minted includes a curated selection of gorgeous gift wrap, in addition to other holiday goodies like photo cards and partyware.  The line features eight patterns, ranging from classic toile and folksy woodland creatures to colorful confetti dots and geometric Art...

Sherwin-Williams Just Revealed Its Least Popular Paint Color—And It's Surprisingly Gorgeous

When it comes to picking out a paint color, most people want to know what a brand’s most popular shade is (if everyone loves it, it’s probably going to look good in your home, too!), but have you ever wondered what the least popular color is? And really, how bad is it for it to be so unpopular? Rather than burying that bottom-ranking shade, Sherwin-Williams is putting it front and center. For the second year in a row, the brand is spotlighting its “Loneliest Color,” the least popular shade in...

The Fall Hummingbird Migration Has Started—See When They’ll Arrive in Your Area With This Interactive Map

Alas, the time has come for our hummingbird friends to retreat to the south after a gloriously warm summer in the north. But this is actually great news for bird watchers: This migration period means that there’s a higher chance you’ll spot one (or a few!) fluttering through your yard, as they seek out nectar—and in the process, pollinate our gardens—to power their little wings for their very long journey home. If you’re bummed you haven’t had a chance to see one (or as many as you’d like to s...

The Easiest Way to Create More Closet Space—Without Getting Rid of Anything

When it’s time for your closet’s seasonal refresh, you might be inclined to purge a few pieces of clothing. While organizing pros highly recommend doing this (especially if items are ill-fitting or damaged), it’s always a little difficult to part ways with things you’ve spent your hard-earned money on.  Luckily, you don’t always have to resort to decluttering if you want to create a little more breathing room in a crammed closet. Simply switching out the hangers in your wardrobe can instantly...
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