Decorizer

February is National Library Lover’s Month, which means it’s basically the perfect excuse to make your space feel a little calmer, warmer, and more bookish—without installing built-ins, ordering custom ladders, or turning your living room into a movie set.

The librarycore vibe doesn’t have to involve expensive renovations. It’s preserving that “I could happily read here for hours” feeling: softer lighting, a little texture, shelves that look intentional, and books that actually get picked up. Here’s how to get the look with practical, low-effort tweaks you can complete over a weekend.

Start With the Librarycore Rule: Warm Light Always Wins

Overhead lighting can make even the nicest room feel like a waiting area. Librarycore wants pools of warm light—the kind that says “stay awhile.”

• Move a floor lamp closer to your chair (yes, even if it looks “too close”—that’s the point).
• Use a clip-on reading light on a shelf edge.
• Aim light at the spines, not at your face. Softer, cozier, instantly more “home library.”

Make One Shelf Look Curated (Then Stop)

Trying to “do” every shelf is how you end up rage-cleaning at 11 p.m. Pick one shelf at eye level and style it like a tiny display.

• Stack a few books horizontally.
• Add one everyday object: a small bowl, framed photo, candle, or mug you actually like.
• Leave a little negative space. Librarycore is cozy, not chaotic.

If you only do one shelf, you’ll still get the effect—because the eye believes the rest is just as good.

Use Book Covers Like Art (No Frames Required)

You don’t need gallery walls. You need good covers.

• Face out 2–3 books on a shelf (bonus points for bold typography).
• Lean one larger book against the wall on a console or sideboard.
• Rotate seasonally—your “art” can change whenever your mood does.

Build a Reading Nook With What You Already Own

A reading nook doesn’t require a perfect chair from a design showroom. It requires comfort + reach + light.

• Add a pillow and a throw you already have (texture matters more than matching).
• Put a small surface nearby (stool, crate, side table) for water, tea, or snacks.
• Add a “currently reading” stack so the nook looks lived-in, not staged.

Fake the Built-In Look With Symmetry

No drills. No contractors. Just the oldest styling trick in the book (pun absolutely intended): pairing.

• Put two identical-ish stacks or baskets on the bottom shelf.
• Group books by height on one side, then repeat on the other side.
• Keep the middle a little looser—symmetry gives structure, looseness keeps it human.

Add Quiet Texture: The Librarycore Shortcut

If a room feels “flat,” it won’t read as cozy—even with books. Texture is the cheat code.

• A folded blanket on the arm of a chair
• A small rug you already own moved under the nook
• A woven basket for extra paperbacks

Instant softness, zero installation.

Create a “Borrowed Book” Ritual for February

Library Lovers Month is also a great reason to actually use your local library—then bring that vibe home. (Library Lovers’ Day is commonly marked on February 14, too.)

Try this: check out a few books you want to read, not ones you think you “should” read. Stack them where you’ll see them. The best librarycore homes look like reading happens there—because it does.

The 10-Minute Librarycore Reset

When your shelves start looking messy again (they will), do this:

• Put 10 books back where they belong.
• Face out 1 cover you love.
• Remove 1 random object that doesn’t fit the vibe.
• Turn on 1 warm lamp

That’s it. Cozy, collected, and completely doable—no fancy purchases required.

 

You're reading Library Lovers Month: Is Your Home Missing the “Librarycore” Vibe? Here’s How to Fix It., originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Posted By : Maria

Finnish kitchens have long mastered space-saving efficiency with the astiankuivauskaappi—a brilliant in-cabinet dish drying rack so effective that even lifestyle icon Martha Stewart has praised its genius. This 1940s essential, found in nearly every Nordic home, eliminates countertop clutter by hiding wet dishes behind cabinet doors. For modern design enthusiasts looking to reclaim their counter “real estate,” this simple Finnish hack is the ultimate upgrade for a practical, minimalist kitchen.

A Timeless Design Born from Efficiency

Invented by Maiju Gebhard, head of the household department at the Finnish Work Efficiency Institute, the Finnish dish drying cabinet debuted between 1944–1945. Gebhard’s goal was to eliminate the tedious, time-consuming task of hand-drying dishes.

Inspired by a Swedish countertop rack, Gebhard realized that the primary “bottleneck” in kitchen productivity wasn’t the washing, but the drying and putting away. Her solution was an open-bottom cabinet with wire shelves positioned directly above the sink. This allows gravity to pull water back into the drain while natural air circulation dries the dishes in place.

What started as wooden prototypes evolved into industrial production by Enso-Gutzeit in 1948. By 1954, the design was perfected with standardized plastic-coated steel racks. Today, it is recognized by the Finnish Invention Foundation as one of the 20th century’s most impactful innovations.

Why Every Modern Kitchen Needs an In-Cabinet Rack

While standard American or British kitchens rely on bulky countertop racks that consume valuable “real estate,” the Finnish method hides the mess behind closed (or semi-open) doors.

• Maximizes Counter Space: Ideal for urban apartments and tiny homes where prep space is at a premium.
• Superior Hygiene: Unlike plastic trays that collect stagnant water and slime, the open-bottom design ensures moisture never pools, reducing mold and bacterial growth.
• Streamlined Workflow: You move dishes once—from the sink to the rack—where they stay until they are used again.

Expert Tip: To maintain the sleek look of a minimalist kitchen, ensure the cabinet doors have a slight gap or breathable mesh insert to maximize airflow without leaving your dishes exposed.

How to Install a Finnish Dish Drying Cabinet

You don’t need a full Nordic renovation to adopt this system. Here is how to integrate the astiankuivauskaappi into your home:

1. The Open-Bottom Conversion

The most authentic method involves removing the bottom panel of an existing wall cabinet located directly over your sink. You then install stainless steel wire inserts. Brands like Stala offer the gold standard in Finnish hardware, while IKEA’s KUNGSFORS or HULTARP series provide affordable wall-mounted alternatives.

2. The Window Workaround

Many homes have a window directly above the sink, making a cabinet impossible. In this case, designers recommend mounting the rack to the side of the sink or using a “drain-tray” model inside a standard cabinet.

• Why? Using a tray model inside a sealed cabinet requires frequent emptying to prevent moisture from warping the wood.

3. DIY Custom Inserts

For a high-end look, use stainless steel rods or custom-fitted metal inserts. Opt for high-quality steel over plastic-coated wire; while more expensive, it offers better long-term durability and prevents the “peeling” often seen in cheaper racks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Ventilation: If you close the cabinet doors while dishes are soaking wet, moisture can become trapped. Ensure your cabinet has an open bottom or vented doors.
• Poor Material Choice: Cheap chrome-plated racks will eventually rust. Always prioritize 304-grade stainless steel for wet environments.
• Wrong Height Placement: Ensure the lowest rack is high enough to allow for faucet clearance but low enough for the shortest member of the household to reach safely.

 

You're reading The Finnish Dish Drying Cabinet: Why Martha Stewart Calls This 1940s Invention a Space-Saving Genius, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Posted By : Chris A.

Black History Month often brings stories of culture, activism, and education into focus, but one aspect still flies under the radar: design. Across the United States, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) quietly hold some of the most thoughtful campus planning and architectural storytelling in American history. Long before campus design became a buzzword, these institutions were shaping spaces built for resilience, community, and dignity.

Today, as conversations around inclusive design and human-centered spaces grow louder, HBCU campuses feel unexpectedly modern.

How Segregation Shaped Intentional Campus Design

HBCUs were largely founded during the 19th and early 20th centuries, at a time when segregation restricted access to public infrastructure and funding. That limitation, however, led to something remarkable: self-contained campus ecosystems.

Instead of sprawling layouts meant to impress, many HBCUs were designed to function like small towns—housing, classrooms, chapels, green spaces, and social hubs all within walking distance. Far from accidental, compact layouts encouraged safety, collaboration, and a strong sense of belonging.

At institutions like Howard University, urban constraints inspired vertically layered academic buildings and tight courtyards that maximized space while fostering daily interaction—an approach now echoed in modern urban campuses.

Signature Styles You’ll Only Find on HBCU Campuses

Architecturally, HBCUs are anything but uniform. Many campuses blend the traditional Classical Revival, Colonial, and early Modernist styles—often adapted with local materials and climate in mind.

 

Spelman College is known for its elegant brick buildings, symmetrical walkways, and landscaped quads that balance formality with warmth. Meanwhile, Tuskegee University stands out for its emphasis on craftsmanship. Students there famously helped construct campus buildings themselves, learning architecture, masonry, and engineering along the way.

This hands-on approach created structures that were not only functional but deeply personal—buildings designed by the very communities that used them.

Landscapes Designed for Gathering, Not Just Beauty

Another overlooked strength of HBCU campuses lies in their landscape design. Open lawns, shaded paths, and central gathering spaces weren’t decorative extras—they were social anchors.

These outdoor areas supported assemblies, performances, informal teaching, and everyday connection. In many ways, HBCU campuses anticipated today’s push for “third spaces” long before the term existed.

The result is campuses that feel alive, walkable, and emotionally grounded—qualities many newer institutions now work hard to recreate.

Why HBCU Campus Design Still Influences Architecture Today

The design principles born on HBCU campuses—density with intention, community-first planning, and adaptable architecture—have quietly shaped public housing, civic buildings, and modern educational spaces.

As universities rethink accessibility, sustainability, and student well-being, they’re rediscovering ideas HBCUs mastered decades ago. These campuses weren’t designed for spectacle. They were designed for people.

This Black History Month, looking at HBCUs through a design lens reveals something powerful: some of America’s smartest campus ideas were born from constraint—and built to last.

If you love campuses and would like to check out news from some other international campuses:

• Leaf Lamp Trees at University of Copenhagen Are As Good As Real Ones
• Colours encouraging communication: Bangkok University Creative Center (Video)
• 9 School Buildings That Will Have Students Skipping Back to Class

You're reading Black History Month Reveals the Hidden Design Legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Campuses, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Posted By : Maria

Walk into a home influenced by the “Soft Minimalism” movement currently trending across Europe, and there is an immediate, palpable sense of calm. The room breathes. By contrast, many contemporary North American interiors—especially those designed in the maximalist post-2020 era—can feel visually “loud,” even when filled with high-end pieces.

The difference isn’t a matter of budget or square footage; it’s a philosophical shift in how we define comfort. In 2026, the global design community is looking toward European-style restraint to solve the problem of visual burnout.

Here is how to apply those principles to your own space—without a full renovation.

1. Edit the “Visual Noise” (The Rule of Thirds)

A hallmark of contemporary European interiors—particularly those in the Scandinavian and Belgian traditions—is the use of negative space. Walls aren’t always expected to carry art, and shelves aren’t packed edge-to-edge.

• The Philosophy: Objects are given “air” so the eye has a place to rest.
• The 2026 Fix: Audit your surfaces. Remove roughly one-third of the decor from your shelves or consoles. Re-center the remaining items and embrace the “empty” space as a design element itself.

2. Shift to Warm Neutrals

While many American “Modern” homes have long favored stark, brilliant whites for a sense of cleanliness, European palettes lean toward “Muted Earthiness.” These are tones that absorb light rather than bouncing it aggressively.

• The Palette: Think soft bone, muted clay, and “greige.” These hues feel quieter and more grounded, especially during the low light of winter months.
• The 2026 Fix: You don’t need to repaint immediately. Introduce these tones through “low-commitment” textiles—linen curtains, wool throws, or even parchment lampshades.

3. Layered Lighting vs. The “Big Light”

In many American households, a single, bright overhead fixture is often the primary light source. In contrast, European lighting design focuses on “Atmospheric Layering.”

• The Approach: Use three to four smaller light sources per room. This allows you to create a soft, adaptable glow that mimics the natural movement of the sun.
• The 2026 Fix: Add a warm-toned table lamp to a corner that currently feels harsh. Opt for bulbs in the 2700K range—this “warm white” is the secret to making a room feel intimate rather than institutional.

4. Texture Over Statement

Where some design styles rely on a bold “statement piece” to grab attention, the European mindset prioritizes Tactile Depth. It’s about how a material feels under your hand, not just how it looks on social media.

• The Materials: Unfinished wood grain, tumbled stone, heavy linen, and matte ceramics. These add complexity without demanding a visual “shout.”
• The 2026 Fix: Swap one high-gloss or high-contrast item for something organic—like a rough-hewn wooden tray or a hand-poured ceramic bowl.

5. Embrace the “Lived-In” Aesthetic

Perhaps the most significant nuance is the move away from the “Permanently Photo-Ready” home. Influential European designers often allow rooms to feel human, evolving, and slightly imperfect.

• The Philosophy: A room is a living entity, not a museum. A stack of real books or a chair that has been pulled out for conversation adds a layer of soul that perfection lacks.
• The 2026 Fix: Resist the urge to “over-style.” Let one area of your home stay authentically imperfect. Calm comes from the comfort of a space that actually serves your life.

The Takeaway for 2026

This move toward a calmer interior isn’t a rejection of style; it’s a rejection of overload. Whether you live in a New York loft or a London flat, the 2026 mandate is simple: Edit more, soften the light, and let the room breathe.

You're reading How to Make Your Home Feel Calmer: 5 Lessons from European Design, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Posted By : Chris A.

For years, social media has shaped how homes are styled. Perfectly folded throws, spotless kitchens, color-coded bookshelves, and rooms that look more like sets than places where real life happens. But a quieter, more honest design movement is taking hold. The Ungram House is not about rejecting beauty. It’s about rejecting pressure.

It celebrates spaces that are flexible, forgiving, slightly imperfect, and genuinely comfortable. Homes designed for people who cook, rest, work, argue, host friends, raise kids, and spill coffee on the sofa. This is a design approach that values function, emotional comfort, and adaptability over visual performance. Below are 17 anti-aesthetic design choices that help create homes you actually enjoy living in, long after the photos would have been taken.

1. Visible Storage Instead of Hidden Perfection

The Ungram house doesn’t try to hide daily life. Open shelves, baskets, wall hooks and open cubbies allow everyday objects to stay accessible instead of being constantly tucked away for appearances. Visible storage acknowledges how people move through a space. Bags, books, headphones, and shoes can live where they are actually used. When storage is practical rather than concealed, tidying becomes faster and less stressful. It also removes the pressure to constantly curate what’s on display. A lived-in shelf can feel warmer and more honest than a perfectly styled cabinet.

2. Layered Lighting Instead of One Statement Fixture

One dramatic ceiling light might photograph well, but it rarely supports how people use a room. The Ungram house relies on layered lighting, floor lamps, table lamps, wall lights and soft ambient sources. Multiple light levels allow rooms to shift throughout the day. Reading, hosting, working and resting all require different light moods. This approach makes spaces feel calmer, more flexible and more emotionally supportive, especially in the evening.

3. Sofas Chosen for Comfort, Not Shape

In an Ungram house, the sofa is chosen for how it supports your body, not how slim it looks in a photo. Deep seats, generous cushions and supportive backs matter more than sharp silhouettes. A comfortable sofa encourages people to stay longer, gather naturally and actually relax. Performance fabrics, washable covers and forgiving textures allow real use without anxiety. The living room becomes a place to land, not a place to maintain. Comfort stops being a compromise and becomes the core design choice.

4. Open Kitchens Designed for Collaboration

In the Ungram house, kitchens are not staged backdrops. They are working spaces designed for more than one person at a time. Clear walkways, shared prep zones, accessible storage, and informal seating allow family members and guests to participate instead of hovering on the edge. Rather than centering the layout around a single “show” island or a perfectly styled splash back, the focus is on how people move, cook, and gather together in real life. Wide circulation paths make it easy for multiple people to work without bumping into each other. Drawers and open shelves are placed where they are actually needed, so anyone can help set the table, prepare ingredients, or clean up without asking where things are stored.

5. Multipurpose Rooms That Don’t Pretend

Multipurpose rooms are one of the clearest expressions of the Ungram house because they openly reflect how life actually unfolds at home. Guest rooms become offices. Playrooms become lounges. Spare rooms become shared studios. Instead of hiding these overlapping functions behind styled décor or folding everything away for appearances, ungram design allows each role to exist honestly in the same space. A desk can sit beside a daybed. Craft storage can live next to a wardrobe. Shelving can hold both work files and children’s games. Furniture is chosen to move easily and serve more than one purpose, while storage supports shifting activities throughout the day.

6. Sliding Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors fit the Ungram house when they are chosen for how they solve everyday problems rather than how they photograph. They are especially useful in homes where space is tight or layouts are flexible, because they don’t need clearance like traditional swing doors. This makes movement easier for families, pets, and shared spaces that change throughout the day. In real homes, sliding doors work well for separating work corners, guest rooms, laundry spaces, or play areas without permanently closing off the room. 

7. Mixed Chairs Instead of Matching Sets

Perfectly matched dining sets look orderly,but they don’t always reflect real life. Mixing chairs allows flexibility, personal taste and comfort differences to coexist at one table. Some people prefer armrests. Some need higher backs. Some chairs might be inherited or found later. An Ungram dining space accepts variation. The result often feels warmer and more layered, with subtle personality replacing showroom symmetry.

8. Wall Finishes That Age Gracefully

Instead of ultra-smooth, perfect paint finishes, Ungram homes choose wall surfaces that can accept marks, movement, and wear. Limewash, clay plaster, and soft textured coatings hide small scuffs and fingerprints while gaining character over time. These finishes don’t demand constant repainting and don’t visually punish everyday life. This anti-aesthetic choice accepts that walls are touched, leaned on, and lived with , and that beauty can come from gentle aging rather than permanent perfection.

9. Boxy Furnishings

Boxy furnishings may not look soft or sculptural in photos, but they often work better in real homes. Straight-lined sofas, square armchairs, and modular seating pieces usually offer deeper seats, better support, and easier layout planning. In an Ungram home, furniture needs to hold up to daily use, changing family needs, and casual living. Boxy forms are easier to push together, pull apart, and rearrange when hosting guests, creating play space, or working from home. They prioritise function and comfort over visual drama, which aligns perfectly with homes designed for real routines.

10. Drop Zones Instead of Styled Entryways

A real home needs somewhere to catch daily chaos. Ungram entry spaces focus on drop zones rather than decorative consoles and curated décor. A simple bench, wall hooks, baskets, and a small shelf allow bags, shoes, jackets, and keys to land naturally when people walk in. This design supports real behaviour instead of forcing constant organisation. When storage is placed exactly where habits happen, clutter doesn’t spread through the rest of the house. Drop zones may not look glamorous, but they quietly keep the entire home functioning better.

11. Oversized Coffee Tables for Real Use

In many styled interiors, coffee tables exist mainly for décor. In an Ungram house, an oversized coffee table becomes a genuine working surface. It holds board games, homework, snacks, laptops, art supplies, and everyday clutter without feeling constantly overloaded. Larger surfaces allow multiple activities to happen at the same time, especially important in shared family spaces. This design choice supports how living rooms actually function today, where relaxing, working, and playing often overlap. It prioritizes usefulness over proportions made purely for visual balance.

12. Lived-In Wood Floors That Age Gracefully

Wood floors are one of the most practical and emotionally grounding choices in an Ungram house. They age naturally, develop character over time, and are far more forgiving than delicate finishes. Scratches and marks become part of the story of the home rather than something to constantly fix or hide. Wood flooring also supports everyday living better than high-gloss or highly patterned surfaces, making cleaning easier and rooms feel warmer and more comfortable underfoot. 

13. Open Bathroom Storage That Accepts Real Life

In an Ungram home, the bathroom is designed to work first, not impress. Open shelving beside the sink or shower allows towels, skincare, and daily products to stay visible and easy to reach. Instead of hiding everything behind perfect cabinetry, open storage reflects how people actually use bathrooms,especially in shared family homes where speed and access matter. This design removes the pressure to constantly clear countertops and restyle shelves. A bathroom that allows visible routines feels more relaxed, easier to maintain, and far more honest than one designed purely for visual symmetry.

14. Overfilled, Lived-In Bookshelves

Perfectly styled bookshelves rarely belong to real readers. Ungram homes embrace shelves that are full, uneven, and slightly chaotic, stacked books, mixed formats, personal collections, and objects gathered over time. This type of bookshelf is functional first. It allows people to reach for books quickly, add new ones easily, and display what actually matters to them. The visual irregularity becomes part of the home’s personality. Instead of editing shelves for appearance, Ungram design lets collections grow naturally, turning storage into an authentic reflection of daily life.

15. Seating Chosen for Different Bodies

Ungram homes accept that one chair cannot suit everyone. Instead of uniform seating, spaces include different seat heights, depths, and support levels. Some seats are softer, some firmer, some easier to get out of. This supports children, older adults, and people with different physical needs. It’s an anti-aesthetic decision because visual consistency is sacrificed in favour of physical comfort and inclusion , which ultimately makes the home genuinely more liveable.

16. Kid and Hobby Corners in Shared Rooms

Instead of hiding hobbies and children’s activities behind closed doors, Ungram homes allow permanent creative corners inside shared spaces. A small art desk in the living room, a piano tucked into a corner, or a sewing table beside a window makes daily creativity visible and accessible. These corners aren’t styled to disappear , they exist because people actually use them every day. This choice removes the pressure to reset rooms after every activity and allows creativity to live naturally inside family life.

17. Window Ledges Used as Everyday Surfaces

Window ledges are often styled with a single plant and left untouched. In an Ungram house, they become working surfaces, used for books, small lamps, plants, chargers, or a morning coffee. When window sills are wide enough, they naturally turn into casual shelves or mini desks. This use of overlooked architectural features adds practical surface space without adding furniture. It supports slow, everyday moments and makes better use of what the home already offers—rather than buying new décor to fill visual gaps.

Wrap-Up

The Ungram House is a reminder that good design doesn’t exist to impress, it exists to support everyday life. From flexible layouts and honest materials to spaces that welcome mess, movement, and change, these anti-aesthetic choices celebrate how homes are actually used. For readers of Home Designing, this approach shows how thoughtful design can create calmer, more forgiving interiors that feel human rather than staged. When comfort, routine, and emotional ease come first, a home becomes more than beautiful, it becomes genuinely livable.

Posted By Tahira