Melissa Epifano
Why hello! My aim as a lifestyle writer is to help our community design homes that feel authentic, real, and functional with home trends and color schemes expertise. Though we all love aspirational images and celebrity houses, I love to create content that makes sense for our readers' lifestyle, needs, and interests, whether they own a home, rent an apartment, share a space with parents, or live in a cozy converted van. I am a renter myself and constantly seeking out ways to personalize my home. I'm a reformed color minimalist and recently started adding splashes of color in any way possible. When I'm not editing home content, I'm usually staring at birds through binoculars, curled up with a good book, or devouring a new flavor of ice cream.
Latest articles by Melissa Epifano
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I'm copying Kourtney Kardashian and buying these chic $17 double-walled coffee mugs
Kourtney Kardashian's double-walled glass coffee mugs are perfect for serving warm lattes without burning your hand, and they work with any decor style.
By Melissa Epifano Published
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What is maximalism? What to know about this bold design style
Curious about maximalism and maximalist design? Here is what to know about the history, details, and characteristics of this bold and vibrant decor style.
By Melissa Epifano Published
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Meet the winners of Real Homes' first-ever So Chic Awards
After analyzing tons of applications, we've selected small-space products that are stylish, functional, and sustainable. Meet the winning brands' products.
By Melissa Epifano Published
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The Hai Showerhead turned my rental bathroom into a spa — and it's $74 off right now
My friends visit just for the shower head
By Melissa Epifano Published
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9 fall dorm decor picks to embrace crunchy leaf szn on campus
These fall decor items for your dorm will bring the season in even if you don't have a ton of space. From cute lights to cozy throws, these are our autumnal product recs.
By Melissa Epifano Published
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7 boho fall decor picks that make me want to wrap up in a sweater
These boho fall decor picks are perfect for decorating your apartment this season. From cozy blankets to warming candles, we've rounded up fall items that'll still match your boho style.
By Melissa Epifano Published
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Splurge vs. Save: As a superfan, here's what I'm picking up in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
With the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale happening, we've pulled several splurge vs. save items so you can decide how much you want to spend on home decor.
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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How to clean a washing machine, because yes, it totally needs it
Cleaning a washing machine is essential for getting your laundry as fresh as can be. This is how to clean all parts of your washer with as little stress as possible
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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How to clean white walls — 5 tips for when a li'l wiping action doesn't work
Previously pristine white walls scuffed or marked? Try these helpful tricks to make your space look new again
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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11 small garden ideas if you actually have a green thumb
These small garden ideas will inspire you to grow flowers, veggies, fruits, and other cool plants in your tiny space.
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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22 deck ideas for a super stylish outdoor living space
These deck ideas will help you create a decking scheme that is perfect for outdoor dining and relaxing.
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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This content creator reconfigured a shoddy rental into a pastel accent paradise
Content creator and freelancer Lexi took a second-best rental on her list and turned it into a little oasis. Learn about her personal tricks for decorating her home and check out all the tiny details
By Melissa Epifano Published
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This interior decorator's color-drenched apartment will make you want to throw anything gray out the window
Ally Doman of Doman Decors has a colorful apartment that will make you want to rethink neutral colors and boring palettes. See how she decorated her rental space
By Melissa Epifano Published
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This queer- and woman-owned brand is changing the game for renters' icky lighting situations
Poplight has created a wall-mounted light fixture that doesn't require any tools or electric wiring skills. Here's how to shop it and its game-changing features
By Melissa Epifano Published
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This writer's light-filled apartment makes a case for snubbing trends and prioritizing personal style
Ella Cajayon's New York apartment is the perfect blend of personal and stylish. Her design process for every living space always has the aim of creating a home that feels like a hug
By Melissa Epifano Published
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9 home organization products that are *actually* cute enough to use in your space
These cute home organization products are perfect for apartments, homes, and small spaces. This list of hook, trays, and shelves make for easy decluttering
By Melissa Epifano Published
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If you're all up for forgetting about traditional holiday decor, crush on these contemporary Christmas decs instead
These modern Christmas decorations are sure to make any space feel clean and chic but festive, whether you're after white Christmas decorations or those with a little more color.
By Melissa Epifano Published
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Brace yourself: Weirdcore and mushroom decor are coming, according to Pinterest
We have thoughts on these 2023 design trend predictions
By Melissa Epifano Published
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We'll all be decorating our homes with these color trends in 2023
Here are the top color trends of 2023 to use around your home. These include 2023 paint trends and popular colors that'll show up in other ways.
By Melissa Epifano Published
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The Small Business Saturday buys we won't be leaving behind this weekend
Shop from these brands during Small Business Saturday. These small companies offer great finds for the home from planters to mirrors to candles
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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Halloween trends: 8 spooky-chic decor ideas worth trying this year
Meet the Halloween decor trends to give your home the ultimate spooky-factor. This year's Halloween ideas include floating hats, playful pumpkins, and lots of spider decor.
By Melissa Epifano Last updated
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Here’s how to incorporate Barbiecore into your home (and make it look good)
Pink, punchy and playful, this trend is bringing a wash of color with it – something the design world hasn’t seen much of in a long time
By Melissa Epifano Published
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10 items for your home you should never skimp on (plus 5 you absolutely can)
These home decor pieces are worth shelling out a little more for, but we’ve also included the items that you’re fine to minimise your spend on
By Melissa Epifano Published