The Best Home Items Our Editors Bought This Year

After my first Chicago winter, I took the plunge and bought two of these humidifiers. My partner and I have a small one by the bed and a larger one in our main living space. They’re super easy to clean and fill, and they blend in without screaming “medical device.” Since we started using them, both of us have been sleeping better and breathing easier, and my skin feels noticeably clearer and more hydrated (single-handedly saving me from the winter uglies).

– Paige Cushman, Branded Content Editor

I live in a small-ish apartment without a dedicated office, so I’ve had to carve out part of my living room to be my work and crafting space. This year, I really wanted to make it a place that was both functional and inspiring. In the process of my budget-friendly redesign, I came across this bookcase from Walmart. It feels and looks so high quality, is narrow enough for a small space but deep enough to actually be useful, and is under $200!

– Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor

After my old TV tragically broke during a game of catch between my husband and son (no longer an inside game for them), I upgraded to a frame TV. I’ve had one on my wishlist for years and found a great deal on the Hisense Canvas. The picture quality is insanely good and, above all, it looks beautiful above our fireplace in art mode. It also has an easy-to-use interface and great sound quality. I can’t recommend it enough as a slightly more affordable yet just as good alternative to the higher-end frame TV options.

– Steph Alleva Cornell, Branded Content Editor

This rug was out of stock for ages, but I finally snagged it over the summer, and I’m obsessed. I have the brown/ivory colorway in my kitchen, and it makes the space feel so much more complete, pulled together, and cozy. Is having a rug in the kitchen super practical? Not necessarily, but the price is so reasonable, I’ve accepted that it may get dirty and spilled on, and that’s OK. It’s easy to vacuum, comes in lots of colors and sizes, and I’m contemplating buying the runner size for the hallway between my house and my garage!

– Lauren Burchill, Social Media Assistant

I have loved the original Always Pan for over three years now, but sometimes it’s a little too big (and heavy) for small jobs, like frying an egg. When the mini went on sale earlier this year, I immediately ordered it, and it’s been our most-used kitchen item to date. It offers all the same functions as the standard size, aside from steaming and draining, but to be honest, I hardly use those features anyway. Basically, it’s perfect for everyday use, and I think everyone who loves the standard size needs the mini, too.

– Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor

My six-year-old self longed for a life where having a carton of ice cream as a meal was acceptable, and now at 24, I am living out my dreams. I am truly the leader of the Please God Stop Talking About Protein Movement, but I will say that being able to throw together a couple of scoops of protein powder with some milk to get a vat of creamy, delicious ice cream for breakfast has literally changed my life and how I think about wellness as a whole. It’s also had me whipping up sorbets (that consist of literally only fruit, so it’s easy AND healthy) and even frozen margs, too. I can’t stress enough how worth the investment this thing is–it’s gone triple platinum in my kitchen all year.

– McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant

I really wanted a big, comfy chair for my apartment, and this chair from Drew Barrymore’s Walmart collection ended up being exactly what I was looking for. It’s the perfect chair to read in, and I’ve even curled up and taken a nap on it multiple times. It was also very affordable compared to other chairs I was looking at, and it was super easy to assemble.

– Caitlin Schneider, Graphic Designer

After my old air fryer got recalled, I was on the quest to find another one that’s both practical and not ugly. This thing is a godsend: it’s so intuitive to use, easy to clean, and has an auto-shut off feature that’s especially comforting as an anxious girl who WILL go back and check 15+ times to make sure I turned something off before leaving the house. Plus, it takes up little space on my kitchen counter without being an eyesore. The 4-quart size is enough for my two-person household, but you can also go for the larger size if you need.

– Lex Rule, Social Media Editor

As someone who lives in a studio apartment with minimal closet space, this compact clothing rack has done wonders for helping streamline planning outfits, getting ready, and rotating items in from the mess that is my main closet. It was easy to install, has two hooks on each side for hanging bags and belts, and has two shelves for jeans or items I’d rather fold than hang. Plus, when I coordinate a sort of capsule wardrobe for the week, it ends up being pretty curated and nice to look at.

– Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor

I finally got my hands on the Addison Ross rechargeable bobbin lamp, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s definitely a splurge, but chic cordless lamps are surprisingly hard to find—and the color selection alone makes it worth it. It adds just the right dose of fun without overwhelming the space. Bonus points for the touch-on button and three dimmer settings.

– Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer

I added stained glass privacy screens to my home office doors, and it’s probably been my most complimented home upgrade this year. These use static cling to adhere to glass instead of glue so that they won’t damage your windows, and they were extremely simple to set up. Not only are they visually appealing and provide some privacy, but they also produce beautifully whimsical rainbow patterns when the sun shines through them.

– Steph Alleva Cornell, Branded Content Editor

After spending far too long with a basic metal bed frame like a 20-year-old frat boy, I finally upgraded my bedroom setup this year, and it was such a good investment. I had my eye on this upholstered bed for a while and finally pulled the trigger during one of the many times it went on sale this year. The linen fabric and classic wingback style give it a timeless look, and the construction feels super sturdy, so I have no doubt I’ll keep and love it for years to come.

– Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor

I cannot emphasize enough how much of an impact lighting has for our household. I’ve purchased cordless sconces before, but these are a step above and look stunning! Wall sconces pack a powerful punch in the character and ambiance department.

– Megan Kemp, Senior Sales Manager

I was on the road a lot this year, so my shopping cart has actually stayed suspiciously quiet in 2025. The one thing I simply refused to compromise on, however, was a good cup of espresso—no matter where I was. I’d been hearing buzz about the OutIn for a while, and after trying my fair share of portable espresso setups over the years, I love how simple and reliable this one is at pulling a good shot, and how it still gives me a little homey morning ritual—even when I’m away from home. Plus, it tucks away effortlessly in corners of tiny city apartments or a suitcase when space is tight.

– Madigan Will, Assistant Editor

I live in the heart of the city, surrounded by buildings and neighbors, so privacy is hard to come by. The best purchase I made this year for my townhome (which lacks both natural light and privacy) is these cafe curtains from Rejuvenation. They are made-to-order, so they fit any window size and come in a variety of finishes. I chose the lacquered brass for my kitchen window to add a French café feel, and it’s been the best addition for maintaining privacy while still allowing sunlight.

– Cassie Erb, Social Media Manager

LA has notoriously hard water, which I can tell because my hair and skin are so much softer after a shower on vacation (anywhere), and I get gross pink residue in my shower within days of cleaning it. This year, I splurged on a high-quality filtered showerhead after years of using a cheap filter from Amazon, and it quite literally changed my life, not to be dramatic. First of all, the showerhead itself has that perfect spa-like shower pressure—as if you’re at a really fancy hotel—where it feels like you’re getting plenty of water but doesn’t hurt (you know the kind that hurts). My skin and hair are immediately so much softer and noticeably healthier, and I don’t get the same gross residue in my shower so I know it’s working. I love this filtered showerhead so much, I bought another one for our guest bathroom (you’re welcome, visiting family members).

– Josie Santi, Senior Wellness Editor & Podcast Host

I’m so impatient that waiting for my stovetop kettle to boil used to drive me crazy. This year, I finally grabbed an electric one from Amazon, and let me tell you: It lowkey changed my life. It boils water so fast, and now that it’s cold outside, I’m drinking tea nonstop, and I can make a comforting cup in no time.

– Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor

The concept of a washable rug made no sense to me for so long, despite seeing them all over social media. After a very unfortunate series of spills and a mud incident within 24 hours (I have kids, a husband, and a dog…), I went for it and LOVE. Washing is so easy, and when I say our kitchen is high-traffic (see the individuals mentioned earlier), I really mean it. It’s clean AND beautiful! I bought another a few months later. Rugs are an investment, so being able to keep them clean and take them from place to place with you over time is so key!

– Megan Kemp, Senior Sales Manager

I don’t enjoy cooking, so any appliance that minimizes prep and clean-up immediately wins me over. And the Our Place Wonder Oven delivers. From toasting to baking to air frying, it gets the most action in my kitchen. My only complaint? I didn’t size up.

– Katherine Chang, Wellness Staff Writer

I’ve had an oversized floor mirror on my Pinterest board for years, and I finally pulled the trigger on this black ornate mirror at the beginning of the year. Eleven months later, and it’s still my favorite home purchase of the year. It looks stunning in our entryway and elevates my entire living space so well. Plus, it’s the perfect spot for double-checking my outfit before I walk out the door (and taking cute OOTDs, ofc).

– Steph Alleva Cornell, Branded Content Editor

I finally took the leap and got air purifiers in all of our bedrooms this year. I did a lot of research, and these were the best quality for a reasonable price! They’re relatively small, can be “lights out,” and I love how you can get a read on air quality from their light indicator.

– Megan Kemp, Senior Sales Manager

I spent months looking for the perfect swivel chairs this year, and I finally found them at Lowe’s of all places. These are comfortable, hold their shape, and look high-end, so naturally, I’m thrilled with them. In the pursuit of “making my house a home,” I bought two of them for my living room, and even though my husband wishes they were recliners (eye roll), we sit in them almost every night.

– Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor

I honestly couldn’t be happier that I found this $25 table lamp. Real marble, cordless option—easily my best purchase of the year. The design is everything, and it looks so chic in my girly apartment.

– Marta Taras, Junior Graphic Designer

I would give my past self two pieces of advice. First, think really hard about buying that white couch. Second, if you still opt for light-colored furniture, listen to your coworkers earlier when they say the Little Green Machine works wonders. Frustrated with spots and stains, I finally gave this a try, and my jaw dropped on the first use. I actually stood there in amazement as I admired how this machine lifted the dirt marks off my white couch with such ease. So, my piece of advice for you is to listen to the hype on this one.

– Keely Geist, Senior Social Media Manager

I wanted to upgrade my WFH set-up this year, and this monitor stand is my MVP. It raises my monitor to make it more ergonomic, has storage underneath for notebooks and other desk necessities, and is super cute. I would love to eventually get an acrylic stand for my laptop as well!

– Kaia Grobe, Video Content Editor

A new toaster is about the last thing I want to spend my money on, but let me tell you what! I am obsessed with the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore product line at Walmart. This toaster is giving SMEG vibes at a fraction of the cost. It’s fancy with touch-activated settings and so cute we keep it out on the countertop.

– Megan Kemp, Senior Sales Manager

While I am typically on team no big light, I switched a few light fixtures in my home this year and actually wanted to put them to use. As you can imagine, at their full brightness, those light fixtures were only used when absolutely necessary. These dimmer switches allow us to work with our big lights to create the perfect ambiance. They were relatively easy to install (I did it myself after watching a couple of YouTube tutorials!) and have made a huge impact.

– Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor

Embracing my green thumb era, I found this snake plant as a solution to spice up my guest bathroom. Its resilient nature and the included self-watering pot make it incredibly low-maintenance. Plus, it thrives in low light, making it an ideal choice for adding a touch of greenery to any space.

– Aryana Johnson, Graphic Designer

I’m a sucker for a New York-themed print (or anything, for that matter), so when I saw this, I knew I had to have it. Not only is it my favorite purchase of the year, it’s my favorite purchase of all time. The quirkiness of the guest-check theme, paired with the simplicity of the scripted phrase, is the perfect addition to my funky, girl-coded apartment.

– Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer

I’ve been seeing these light bars all over TikTok for months, and after finally pulling the trigger on them a few weeks ago, I can confidently say that it’s one of my favorite features of my apartment. They’re fairly affordable and foolproof to install—just stick them behind your TV or monitor to add a moody glow to your living room or elevate your home office.

– Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor

Living in an apartment with three girls can get a bit messy, but three girls with long hair (myself included)? Yeah, it kinda gets everywhere. This cordless handheld vacuum has been a lifesaver in keeping things clean around the apartment, and there’s no rollers for your hair to get stuck in like a traditional vacuum. Hair tumbleweeds, begone!

– Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant

I live in a very beige—and slightly… let’s call it quirky—basement apartment. So adding a pop of color and character (and covering up the rust on the white fridge) was essential to making it feel like home. This peel-and-stick wallpaper was easy to use to cover the fridge and add a fun accent to some of my bookshelves! An easy and affordable way to customize your space.

– Abi Moseman, Assistant Social Editor

In my continued efforts to upgrade my WFH space, I got these great pin boards! I love the linen material and the white frame. I wanted to feel inspired by my space, and being able to pin beautiful things on my pin board helps me stay motivated and inspired.

– Kaia Grobe, Video Content Editor