For the best experience with the Real Simple Home 360 video, click and drag within the frame to view the entire room. To start and stop the video, double-click within the frame. If you’re having trouble viewing the video, please click here. This year, we followed the designers as they made over their rooms from start to finish. Learn more about the designers, then click through to their videos to see a sneak peek of their design process and some of the DIYs (trust us, you won’t want to miss the bedroom’s stunning feature wall). If you live in the NYC area or are planning a trip, buy tickets to tour the 2019 Real Simple Home in person! You’re sure to bring home tons of inspiring ideas for your own space. When combined with white walls and plenty of natural light, dark furniture doesn’t feel heavy or overbearing. Organic pottery, interesting textiles, and raw wood elements soften the sleek lines of the furniture and frames. Rule of Thumb The center point of a gallery wall should be about 60 inches high. Generally, the width of the collection should not extend past your end tables. Make your outdoor area extra inviting with comfy cushions that can be swapped out as styles change. Weather-resistant furniture is key. No Lawn? No Problem Planter boxes filled with hearty grasses and flowering perennials immediately liven up the look of any exterior hangout spot. Flexible Furniture Lightweight, stackable seating can be moved out of the way as needed. Make a compact entrance work better with an all-in-one organizational unit that has slots for shoes, hooks for coats, and a mirror for one last look before heading out the door. Fake a Built-In Paint your walls and baseboards the same color as your storage unit to make it look like a custom piece. Give this workhorse space floor-to-ceiling functionality along with a dose of personality to make it blend with your home’s decor. Use Every Inch In a tight laundry room, a stackable washer and dryer unit allows for more vertical storage space alongside the machines. Keep ironing supplies on a mobile cart that can be wheeled in and out as needed. Decant items you reach for often into clear jars so you can easily see when it’s time to restock. Leave detergent up high and out of kids’ reach. 2. Consider finishes Bring some pizzazz with a funky light fixture and energetic piece of art. Warm decor can make chore time feel a little more enjoyable. 3. Maximize wall space Mount a pull-out drying rack and hang handled cleaning tools on an otherwise unused wall. A rich and playful palette in the dining room balances out the clean lines of the kitchen. Open Living Space This kitchen is situated between the dining and living rooms, so Bishop chose to keep it relatively neutral so as not to distract from either space. Keep Clear Countertops should remain uncluttered so they can function for meal prep and serving without much rearranging. Create an intimate setting with a low dining table fixture. Keep the bottom of the light 32 to 36 inches above the tabletop so it doesn’t obstruct your view. 2. Shop vintage When buying antique pieces, prioritize interesting legs and hardware, says Bishop. That way, no matter what color or stain you may add, it will still feel one-of-a-kind. 3. Round it out A circular table and rug keep this dining space casual; plus, there’s more room for foot traffic to flow through the open floor plan. Bonus: Play with pattern Request swatches of wallpaper and fabric you’re considering to see how they will work together. “The smaller the print, the easier it is to mix with other prints,” says Bishop. To ensure guests sleeping in a playroom don’t feel like they’re sleeping in, well, a playroom, balance youthful touches with a subdued palette and elegant (yet sturdy) details. Order of Operations Arrange accent pillows before hanging art to make sure the two don’t appear cramped. Flexible Furniture A daybed works as a couch or overnight crash pad, while a round drop-leaf table can be repositioned against a wall to create more oor space. Sort your collections by shade to make an open-shelving display a little more visually stimulating. “It’s such a playful way for a child to feel that their interests are represented and that they’re stimulated,” says Sherry. “Shelves are basically a rotating gallery.” 2. Dial up the detail None of the furniture feels too fussy or precious, but interesting elements (like turned table legs and X-back chairs) add to the nuanced, layered look. 3. Try layering tone-on-tone A neutral patterned wallpaper gives the room instant dimension without being visually distracting. A small space provides an opportunity to experiment with bold style. A striking paint color and floral wallpaper on the ceiling make this room instantly eye-catching. Personalize Everything No matter the function of a room (home office, workout area), don’t hold back on design. “Every square inch of your home should reflect your taste,” says Hamilton. Curl Up Layers of texture make you want to walk in and interact with a space rather than just look at it, says Gardner. Give dimension to your walls by adding picture-frame molding. The daylong project results in a sophisticated, glamorous feel. Learn how here. 2. Add drama Like the night sky, a dark paint color can make a room feel infinite, says Gardner. Opt for a matte finish to hide imperfections in the walls, which may be highlighted by a glossier sheen. 3. Store strategically Keep utilitarian items in bins on the bottom two shelves so they’re not in your immediate line of sight when you walk in. Bonus: Look up The ceiling tends to be an afterthought, but these designers saw it as a fifth wall that was begging for special treatment. Tones and textures found in nature combine to make a sleep space that feels like a luxe treehouse retreat. Make a Statement Gubler and her husband, Courtney, created this focal wall by framing sheets of natural woven cane fibers. Mix It Up Don’t be afraid to incorporate a variety of wood finishes. “The more you have, the better it looks,” says Gubler. “In a child’s space, it’s important to create a backdrop that is nimble and can grow with them,” says Munroe. The full-size furniture and black-and-white wallpaper offer a flexible foundation to build upon. Contrast Trim Painting a window casing a dark color draws the eye toward the window and highlights the view, says Munroe. She chose a charcoal shade to keep it from feeling too harsh. Lighten Up Lighting shouldn’t be an afterthought. Select statement fixtures that stand out against your decor. Shape-Shifter From afar, the wallpaper appears to have a linear pattern; up close, you notice the whimsical doodles. When mixing patterns, select pieces that are “similar but different,” says Munroe. If you choose the same pattern, for example, vary scale (as in the sheets and shams here) or color (like the rug and shams). 2. Express yourself Create a spot for kids to showcase a rotating selection of their favorite artwork or family photos. 3. Appeal to kiddos Blend a variety of colors and styles to make a space feel layered and approachable for little ones. Bonus: Devise a peaceful nook Create a cozy corner setup for reading, drawing, or pre-bedtime cuddles. Weather-safe white furniture feels luxurious and keeps the focus on the surrounding views. Plus, nothing feels like it’s outdoor-only—everything could just as easily be used in your interior design. Lounge Around This comfy sectional comes in pieces so you can rearrange the components to suit your needs. Unique Seat A hanging chair serves as a more modern substitute for a hammock—bonus points for being easier to get into and out of. Room With a View On a rooftop, keep tall elements to a minimum so you don’t block the scenery. With smart strategies in place, the utility closet, fridge, and pantry will keep the household humming. Shelf Smarts Clear bins are crucial in a utility closet because they allow you to take stock at a glance. Stash your most reached-for items at eye level. Mark every storage bin and shelf space with exactly what should live there so everyone in the house knows where to nd what they need (and where to put it back). 2 Create zones Arrange pantry items by category within labeled baskets (like “baking” or “breakfast”). Seeing all the ingredients you have helps prevent overbuying. 3. Leave room Don’t pack any storage space too tightly—a bit of breathing room will make it easier to find things. And remember: Fridge shelves are often flexible, so adjust them to suit your storage needs.

Arm & Hammer Elkay Glad Glade Home Depot Mrs. Meyer’s Sleep Number Whitehaven Whole Blends

See the space for yourself! On October 24, join our team of editors for a private tour of the show home in Brooklyn, New York, and get expertly curated home décor and organization tips. Click here to buy tickets.

Annie Selke Article Artifact Uprising Atomic Furnishings & Design Ballard Designs Bed Bath & Beyond Blu Dot Blueland Brendan Ravenhill Brook Perdigon Textiles Brooke & Lou Caroline Z Hurley CB2 Circa Lighting The Citizenry The Container Store Cost Plus World Market Croft House East Fork Eclectic Goods Framebridge Garnet Hill Gotham Greens Hay Holistic Habitat Horseman Antiques HP Hygge & West IKEA Joybird Juniper Print Shop Kelly Ventura Land’s End Lee Industries Loloi Lostine Louise Gray Lucent Lightshop Made Goods Michaels Miele Minna Minted Monica Lewis Art Monrovia Nickey Kehoe Overstock Pampa Pehr Pendleton Pier 1 Pottery Barn Pottery Barn Kids Random House Rejuvenation Samsung Schoolhouse Schumacher Serena & Lily SH Davidson Interiors The Shade Store Shades of Light The Sill Simply Framed Snowe Home Spindrift Sugar Feather Terrain Thrive Market Universal Furniture Urban Outfitters Valspar Varaluz West Elm Williams Sonoma