by Furnishly | Jan 17, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style
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After a long day, there’s nothing better than taking a hot shower to melt the stress away. But to really enjoy it, you need to set up your bathroom for ultimate relaxation. The best way to do that? It’s all in the lighting.
“Dark showering” has been trending on TikTok recently, but it’s actually something I’ve personally been doing for years. Basically the trend encourages those who shower at night to do so with the lights off, and instead light a candle or turn on a waterproof lamp for an ambient glow. Whatever you do, just don’t use “the big light!”
I’m a night-shower person; the combination of cozy lighting and warm water helps calm my nervous system in preparation for a good night’s sleep. Other “dark shower” enthusiasts say it feels luxurious and spa-like, too. That got me thinking: What else could I add to my bathroom to help make my nights even more relaxing?
How to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like Your Own Personal Spa
But that’s only the very beginning. Check out a few more of my favorite finds below to help elevate your night showers, too.
by Furnishly | Jan 17, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style
We
independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
When HGTV’s Joanna Gaines began the renovation process of her latest major Fixer Upper project (aka the Colorado mountain house!), she knew she had to do something for a grand entrance. She became fixated on a big blank wall that greeted guests as they stepped into the home.
It was the wall beneath the stairs, which Gaines calls a “dead space” — a spot in the home with major untapped potential (especially in small spaces) — and she shared with her fans that she could turn it into something not only beautiful but useful, too.
“Under most stairwells, there’s a hollow wall,” Gaines said in a recent Facebook video. “And this is a really good example of [something that] doesn’t require a lot of money or thought, but you can really add value and story to your space by simply cutting out — correctly — what’s underneath the stairs, creating bookshelves, more storage, or even like we have …this little reading nook.”
Joanna Gaines’ Tips for Making the Most of Dead Space
Gaines knocked out the drywall under the stairs to install built-in drawers and a daybed for reading on (similar to this $400 DIY update!). This upgrade could also serve as a makeshift mudroom, with gloves, hats, and shoes stored in the drawers.
In the Instagram caption, Gaines adds, “All the things you could create under the dead space of your stairs: reading nook, bookshelves/library, coffee bar, desk/office nook, toy storage, Etc. etc!!” There are endless possibilities!
To really capitalize on the opportunity, Gaines also suggests updating the stair railing to be “more reflective of your style.” She did just that at Mountain House, switching out the decorative iron railing for a design inspired by vintage ski chalets.
If you’re dealing with stairs that curve around a corner, that dead space under the landing may be best used as an indoor doghouse or small playroom for kids. Or, on the contrary, the space may be large enough to install a full door and convert it into a pantry or closet.
Look at the dead space under your stairs and start mapping out its potential. This project may just be the one that changes the flow of your home for the better!
by Furnishly | Jan 17, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style
Megan McCarty is a full-time freelance writer, specializing in interior design. Her work can be seen in the Wall Street Journal, Rue, Architectural Digest, and Domino, among other outlets. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Minnesota and has spent more than a…read more
by Furnishly | Jan 15, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style
Estate sales, yard sales, and antique shops were regular weekend destinations for my brother and me as kids. My parents, always on the hunt for period-appropriate decor for our Staten Island 19th-century house, made sure of it. Since then, I’ve had a love for home design and…read more
by Furnishly | Jan 15, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style
We
independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
From designer bags to LEGO sets, most of us have some sort of hobby or collection that takes up a lot of real estate. For me, it’s perfume. I have a moderately sized perfume collection that is continuously growing (much to my wallet’s dismay), and I realized it needed a designated home.
I didn’t want to hide my beautiful bottles away, and I also wanted to be able to easily access them, so the medicine cabinet was not an option. So I set off in search of a chic yet inexpensive way to display my prized possessions — and I found my inspiration (where else?) on TikTok.
In my search, I stumbled across this post from Gianna Butler, a Los Angeles-based creator with the same problem (and taste!) as mine. “I found an inspo picture on Pinterest and figured I could totally find something similar [by] thrifting or scrolling through Facebook Marketplace,” Butler told me. After weeks of searching, Butler was able to snag a stunning vintage spice rack for just $15 on Facebook Marketplace.
How I Turned a Thrifted Spice Rack into a Perfume Display
My own style definitely leans vintage too, so this was the perfect solution. I love the idea of giving an old piece a new life — and a new purpose. “The woman selling the spice rack told me this was a special piece; it had been her mother’s, and she was hoping it would go to a good home,” said Butler. “It was meant to be.” So, armed with inspiration and a mission, I headed to the thrift store myself.
Luckily for me, I didn’t have to search for long. In the home aisle, I found this gorgeous vintage mango-wood spice rack — and for just $12! I promptly checked out and headed home, eager to style my new score. I was a little nervous about whether or not the bottles would fit — most perfumes come in 1-ounce, 1.7-ounce, and 3.4-ounce bottles, with a typical maximum height of around 4.5 inches, which is similar to most spices — but my collection fits perfectly.
I am so thrilled with how this unassuming, inexpensive thrift find became a statement piece in my bedroom. The stunning, dark-stained wood makes the glass bottles pop, and definitely nails that vintage vibe I always strive for when decorating. My collection brings me so much joy, and even more so now that I get to see it every day.
If you’re also looking for a way to display a collection of yours, consider a spice rack! Thrift stores and online marketplaces are filled with pieces just like the ones Gianna and I found. If you’d rather skip the thrift store, though, this trinket shelf from Urban Outfitters has a very similar look. It’ll cost you more, of course, but it definitely still has that vintage vibe I love.
