Laura Lambert

There are smaller things we know to do—clear the lint tray, clean the disposal weekly, scrub down the inside of the fridge—but what about all the big stuff, the kind you don’t see every day?

Because we ask a lot of our entryways.

The half-moon dowel is more or less having a moment.

Come for the $4.99 rotisserie chicken; leave with a cart full of home goods you didn’t know you needed—and which you now can’t live without. At least, that’s the way most of the Costco members I asked feel about certain cult-faves. What’s interesting to me is that, with rare exception, it’s not the name-brand that matters.

It’s a simple truth: The eye tires of seeing the same thing over and over. That’s why trends come and go—first, a detail, color, shape, or form feels fresh and new because you’ve never seen it before. Then you’re seeing it at the mall and your aunt’s house, and finally, like with skinny jeans, you’re just… done. It’s a natural evolution, sure.

Maybe you need a power snake to clear your drains after a heavy rain. Or a weed whacker in early spring. There’s always that one tool you need desperately for one job, but it isn’t anything you’d really want to buy—or worse, store. If you’re lucky, you know someone who knows someone who might lend you a tool for a weekend. But in our wondrous sharing economy, there’s another solution: tool libraries.

Ah, Reddit. You can always be trusted for unfiltered opinions (and a lot of snark). When Redditor tomandjerry0 posted a question about the home trends we’ll regret in 20 years in the ever-popular r/HomeImprovement subreddit, some 2,400 posts came in fast and furious. Setting aside the topic of PEX, some consistent themes and hot topics emerged. (Shiplap, for one, still had enough defenders that it didn’t quite make the list).Another DIY that should be a DIY-don’t?

After 79 episodes of HGTV’s ‘Fixer Upper,’ we’ve seen a lot of what Chip and Joanna Gaines have to offer. Typically: a big, open-concept floor plan; a kitchen island; exposed brick and beams; barn doors… and shiplap. Lots of shiplap. The transformations make for good TV, but a few homes truly stand out.

Mural, mural, on the wall Who is the fairest of them all?Answering that question right now is a tough challenge. Fantastic, design-forward murals are all over the interwebs—and the right one can seriously elevate your space. Plus, retailers are working directly with independent artists to create affordable, large-scale murals. That’s a nice bonus for us wall-art size queens who lack the means to buy originals.Even better: Modern murals are easy to apply and even easier to take down.

I remember my first time—seeing a pot filler, that is. A couple years back, I walked into the freshly remodeled kitchen of a friend, who also happens to be an incredible interior designer. It had all the drool-worthy bells and whistles: the butcher block-topped island, a gorgeous marble backsplash, ceiling-height custom cabinets, and a breakfast nook with statement lighting. And a pot filler.What is that for? I asked.