Brie Dyas

Go-to paint colors we see over and over again.

A curtain rod is one of those purchases that you try to get through as quickly as possible. Mainly, it’s because the easiest-to-find curtain rods are boring. They’re either purely utilitarian without any sort of flourish, or come complete with finials you’d never choose on their own. Really, it’s kind of hard to get excited about such curtain rods. That was true for me until I saw acrylic curtain rods.

Though the latest news of Target’s new Project 62 collection has been getting all the attention, the discount retailer has long been offering furniture, decor and accessories that look way more expensive than they actually are. From a classic desk in a timeless style to fanciful journals that wouldn’t be out of place at Anthropologie, here are just some of what we consider to be their best finds hidden in plain sight.

IKEA has long been known as the place where you can get anything from a garlic press to a bicycle, glass cloches to surprisingly comfy sofas. (Oh yeah, and meatballs.) Not usually included in the aisles of the well-stocked retailer? Pet stuff. Thankfully, IKEA is remedying this with a brand-new collection for the dogs and cats in our lives today. Called LURVIG, the products include bowls, beds, toys and more, all in the brand’s signature simple style—and affordable price points.

You can recognize a ban.do product from a mile away—whether it’s an exercise mat emblazoned with words of motivation in a retro font or a cooler bag that looks like a giant watermelon slice. In other words, it’s all stuff that you didn’t know you needed in your life. What started with a few hair accessories in 2008 is now a multimillion-dollar lifestyle empire, and it’s all the work of founder Jen Gotch. Today, Jen leads ban.do as the chief creative officer.

When the holiday music finally stops playing in stores, it doesn’t necessarily mean an end to the shopping season. (Though it does signal the start of the “returns and exchange” season.) The immediate after-holiday deals can be enticing, but there are a few specific bargains that can be had if you can wait until any day after January 1. See, good things really do come to those who wait.

Chances are, many of the Instagram accounts (and blogs) that you follow are from the United States. However, there’s a whole world of interior design waiting to inspire you, literally. Broadening your decor horizons helps refresh your eye, introduces you to new talent and bold new ideas. Take a look at some of the favorite spaces we’ve found in our internet travels.

The beauty of the boho look lies in how easy it is to make it your own. You don’t need to commit to the whole ’70s-California-art-teacher aesthetic to nod to the trend. Instead, an accessory or two is just enough. The trinity of boho decor is comprised of three key pieces: Kilim rugs, macrame wall hangings and rattan ottomans.

The fireplace might have been an ignored home feature during the warm days of summer, but fall gives us a very good excuse to turn our attention to the mantel, and beyond. Though some heartily embrace fun Halloween decor here, there are other ways to say “fall” besides black-and-orange accents. The easiest? Adding a few small pumpkins and a festive wreath to your current mantel accessories, like the fireplace of Chris from Just a Girl.

This time of year, pumpkins decorate porches in jack-o-lantern form, or are simply left alone and displayed in groups. (Especially green and white pumpkins, which seem to be the trend of the season.) We’ve found an even better way to use the ubiquitous gourd: as a vase. The lovely front-step pumpkin floral arrangements by Chic Vintage Brides initially caught my eye, for its brilliant use of color.