by Furnishly | Jan 22, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style
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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.
If I ever won the lottery, there would be signs. For one thing, my kitchen cabinets would be stacked full of fancy, handmade dishes in artsy glazes and designs (they make everyday meals look like a culinary triumph!). But until I hit the dinnerware jackpot I’ll be sticking to budget-friendly alternatives, like these Stoneware Splatter Plates from Target. I’d actually argue that they’re the furthest thing from second-best — they look like the high-end enamelware plates that have lived on my Pinterest board for years (and cost half the price).
It was only a matter of time before the plates were all over TikTok. Now it seems like every other post on my feed is a call to snatch them up before they sell out. Here’s why I’d do exactly that.
Adorned in a statement-making blue splatter design, the stoneware plates give you all the style and charm of a pricey enamelware piece — without the splurge. Featuring a chunky round rim, the plates have a funky, sculptural look that brings a stylish flourish to mealtimes and hosting. While I’ll obviously be going for the blue splatter colorway, the plates also come in solid blue, butter yellow, and classic white options, giving you plenty of room to mix and match pieces for a tablescape that’s all your own. Select pieces, like the Stoneware Mug and Snack Bowl, even come in a yellow splatter design.
The plates are also far less precious than fancier pieces. The durable stoneware material can withstand minor bumps and scratches, and it’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe (which makes reheating meals so easy!). Enamelware can’t go in the microwave, for what it’s worth.
Target’s Room Essentials line is known for its affordable prices, but I was floored by how inexpensive these plates are. Those high-end brands on my Pinterest board would normally charge well over $60 for a set of four dinner plates, but you can buy four of these equally stylish plates for only $24. So if you’re looking to overhaul your dinnerware without spending a ton, these plates stack way above the rest.
Buy: Room Essentials 8.5″ Stoneware Round Rim Salad Plate, $4
Buy: Room Essentials 10.5″ Stoneware Round Rim Dinner Plate, $6
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.
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
