I've been obsessed with Emma Chamberlain since long before she was hosting the Met Gala red carpet coverage and attending every fashion week. As an Emma Chamberlain fan, I listen to her funny and candid podcast. Anything goesairs weekly. As the title suggests, the episodes contain a little bit of everything: advice sessions, interviews with fellow celebrities, and frustrations about what's going on in her life. When I opened up Spotify in search of entertainment midway through my Hot Girl Walk over the weekend, I couldn't be more excited to see that this podcast obsession intersects with my love of home decor. In the latest episode, Emma opened up about her love for “the art of the home” and outlined her favorite home decor trends.
This podcast episode isn't her first foray into interiors-related content. Architectural Digest Her home tour has been a hit on the internet, and it's no wonder her taste is top-notch. Read on to find out what Emma's picks are the best home decor trends of the year and how you can try them in your own space.
1. Red Accents
Emma subscribes to an unlikely red theory that took TikTok by storm earlier this year. If you missed the trend, the theory is that all it takes to add visual interest to a room and tie a space together is a splash of red in a place it wouldn't normally go. “My dad once told me that you can bring red into almost everything in your life: a piece of art, a room in your house, your outfit,” Emma said on the podcast. “Adding a splash of red can bring almost anything to life.” Thanks for those wise words, Ms. Chamberlain! To bring red into your home, start simple with small accessories and then go all-in with larger investment-worthy pieces once you love the look.
2. Warm wood tones
Say goodbye to light-washed woods! Emma loves the charm and comfort of warm woods. Many homes these days are opting for light grey woods, but Emma says they look stark and too modern. Her home features warm, natural woods on the floors, doors, furniture and ceilings. If you don't want to stain your floors, here are some woods that can add warmth to your home:
3. Personalized Gallery Wall
For the record, Emma is 100% on board with the gallery wall trend. She loves the playfulness, texture, and vibrancy that an eclectic gallery wall brings to a home. She's especially crazy about gallery walls that are made to be personal and comprised of sentimental pieces that tell a story. In the podcast episode, Emma recommended taking your time to create a gallery wall with artwork that you truly love and that is meaningful to you. Not rushing the gallery wall process is what ensures you don't fall victim to a passing trend and have an end product that you can love for years to come. Emma encourages vintage shopping, thrifting, and even making your own art for pieces that are specific to your space but not too pricey.
4. Stripes
Stripes are Emma's favorite pattern. Although she thinks other patterns like geometric shapes and abstract florals are cute, she worries they don't have the same charm or dimension as stripes and will never be as timeless as classic stripes. “Stripes are a pattern that never gets old,” Emma enthuses about stripes on the podcast. Incorporating stripes into your home can be as simple as adding a vase of flowers to your coffee table or as elaborate as reupholstering your couch in striped fabric. However you go about it, the results are sure to be stunning.
5. Unique wallpapers
Emma would like to see more quirky, unusual and unique wallpapers in people's homes. In her opinion, it's a fine line between loving and hating these wallpapers because you want a visually interesting effect but don't want it to be overwhelming or so cluttered that you'll get tired of the pattern in a few months. But finding the perfect wallpaper can completely transform a space. “If you're willing to take risks and are excited about taking risks, I think it can be very rewarding,” she says. “As long as you're asking yourself throughout the process, 'Is this something I'm going to love?'” Pro tip: Before committing to a real wallpaper, try a peel-and-stick wallpaper that's easy to apply and remove.
6. Exposed shelves
Emma loves exposed shelving for two reasons. First, it's functional: you can keep all your most-used kitchen items outside for easy access. Second, you can turn everyday essentials into cute decorative pieces. “You can have fun with objects that are usually basic or boring,” says Emma. Instead of shoving things away in a cabinet, you can get more creative and express your personality with simple objects like cups and bowls. To add exposed shelving to your home, buy floating shelves, mount them in a prominent location, and decorate them with colorful glassware, vases, and bowls.
Hearth & Hand and Magnolia
7. Jewel Tone
Rich jewel tones give a space a warmth that Emma can't resist. Her home is filled with jewel tones, creating a cozy atmosphere. The jewel-toned palette pairs beautifully with the warm woods in her home, and Emma says the combination of these trends reminds her of her grandfather's homey, comfortable cabin. Emma's grandfather is like a blueprint for eclectic grandpa style, and we're obsessed.
8. Unusual accessories
Some of Emma's favorite decor pieces are quirky, unusual items that serve no purpose beyond adding fun to a space. “Little things in the house that make you smile,” she says. For example, Emma has a duck-shaped family phone, not to take calls, but to make her smile when she sees it. Next time you're shopping, try to find quirky pieces that will brighten your day and add personality to your space.
9. Chrome Details
Emma loves chrome details and prefers shiny silver finishes over brass or bronze. She feels that chrome gives off a retro vibe, but at the same time feels cool and futuristic. Silver has been everywhere this year, with silver decor pieces already making their way into many homes. This Emma Chamberlain-approved trend is a super easy way to revamp a room that needs a little extra cheer.
10. Vintage items
In Emma's opinion, vintage is the best choice for furniture. Buying second-hand means you don't have to constantly buy new pieces that fall out of fashion cycle and will be out of style in a few months. Plus, you get to own something that nobody else has. If you're worried about buying vintage pieces, rest assured – it's another trend Emma loves. Pieces that are a little worn, with a few scratches, chips and stains, have much more character than brand new pieces. These imperfections can actually have a pleasing effect.
“There's something so comforting and human about being a little imperfect,” she says. In Emma's experience, immaculate or perfect homes are rarely comfortable. She believes a home should be a place to live in, not just something to decorate. To build your own vintage collection, start with your local thrift and vintage stores, or peruse online marketplaces like Etsy and Facebook Marketplace.
