The right web design company can optimize your website for higher conversions. But who knows your customers better? You, or the design team you plan to hire? Because businesses and their customers have industry- and niche-specific needs, it’s critical that your web design company understands your business.

Great design happens when your customer knowledge meets designer expertise. But that isn’t enough anymore. You will also need search engine optimization (SEO) and conversion rate optimization (CRO).

Ruler Analytics reported in 2025 an average conversion rate of just 2.9% across fourteen industries. This means there is massive optimization potential.

Source: Ruler Analytics

With search traffic declining and zero-click searches becoming the norm, isn’t it time you optimized your website for conversions? This is where the right web design company comes in.

Choosing the Best Fit in Web Design Specialists

Choosing which web design company to hire is more complex than ever, as skill sets vary among developers. So, start with your business goals.

Do you only need a website or does it need to integrate with internal or third party systems, your CRM, or dashboards? Will you be integrating existing processes or is developing them part of this project’s roadmap?

Most web designers are not developers capable of building complex systems. Many do not even have experience integrating existing systems. There is also a difference between UX/UI designers and UX/UI developers. You need both, but you may not need AI UI/UX design or development.

Plan First: Would Your Site Benefit from AI UI/UX?

What is your vision for the totality of how your website interacts with existing processes?

Most businesses think in terms of individual needs:

• CRM
• Calendar/appointment setting
• Call tracking
• Inventory management
• Accounting
• Project management
• Analytics

These individual needs vary by type of business. If there is a business case for it and you have the funding, integrating everything into an all-encompassing solution may be preferable.

But how do you know what to build? Take the advice of Marc Caposino, founder of the AI Design Agency Fuselab Creative:

“The best user research happens in the wild. Watch how people currently solve the problem you’re addressing. What workarounds have they created? Where do they get frustrated? What do they do immediately after they complete the task?”

If you want to go beyond just having a website built, find an agency that has demonstrated success with similar projects.

Review Portfolios of Web Designs for Businesses Like Yours

Your business may seem simple to you because it is what you know. However, for many niches, that simply isn’t accurate. Stick to designers who specialize in your industry.

Most designers will have a page showing a portfolio that allows you to click through to live websites. Study their layouts and make notes about what you like and dislike.

When you’re searching for web designs, choose sites for businesses in your niche that are most similar to your own. For example, if you own a dental practice, search for “dental website design”. You may even want to look for differences between a site for a pediatric dentist versus an oral surgeon.

Some designers make that easier. For example, this dental web design portfolio uses filter tabs at the top to make navigation of their design portfolio intuitive and efficient.

Interview Niche-Specific Web Developers

Do not expect every web development company to be familiar with the requirements of your business. It is up to you to make sure they are qualified.

That is why I recommend you work with a company with experience in your industry. Here’s an example.

Dentistry doesn’t seem complicated. Everyone knows a dentist. But every dental practice offers different procedures. Not all do implants or offer Invisalign. Within dentistry, there are also specialties, such as orthodontists, pediatric dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and others.

While they all have a primary goal of scheduling patient appointments, some use a simple appointment form while others integrate with dental management software such as Dentrix and Oryx. Inquire whether the company you plan to hire is familiar with integrating any industry-specific applications your business uses.

Focus on Your Business Goals

Make a list of every application essential to your business. Determine which applications the developer you hire will need to incorporate into your website.

Include your:

• CRM
• Office management
• Accounting package
• Appointment booking
• Advertising
• Dashboards
• Call tracking and analytics platforms

Failure to plan could mean delays and increased costs if you have to hire additional specialists or programmers to complete your project.

How to Know What Customers Want in Website Design

Use behavioral analytics tools to analyze how visitors to your site use it. There are many paid options, as well as the free option Microsoft Clarity. This video explains how this type of tool works and the pros and cons of HotJar versus Microsoft Clarity.

Now that you can do this at no cost, why wouldn’t you? Analytics tools can answer questions such as:

• Are visitors clicking in the wrong place?
• How often do they land on a page and immediately exit?
• Did they leave your appointment scheduling option without completing it?

The answers to these questions can be indicators that your design needs improvement.

Ideally, your business should be willing to accommodate whatever your potential customers want in terms of how booking and other processes work.

I’ve had younger clients who only wanted customers to book their own appointments, yet they were running ads targeting an older, more prosperous demographic–then becoming unhappy that it was making their phone ring!

Involve an SEO Expert Before You Move an Existing Site

Over the decades, I’ve seen many sad stories of businesses losing traffic and incoming links because they launched a new website without 301 redirects of the existing URLs.

Any time you do a website redesign, an SEO expert should be involved. This is essential to avoid technical mistakes, slow load times, poor mobile responsiveness, or bad UX. If the development company will be handling the technical SEO of your site, ask for references specific to their SEO capabilities.

Test Your Website Before Launching

When you’re negotiating the contract for your website, make sure testing is included. A final testing process that catches problems before launch is essential. Even if the development company is doing this testing, repeat it in-house as well. Have someone with strong attention to detail read every page and test every link, form, and integration.

If you use third-party solutions, verify that those work and are optimally configured. For example, appointment setting apps may have two to three steps or as many as 14! Every additional step can reduce conversions. If one-click checkout works best for Amazon, why would anyone think asking 14 questions is a good idea?

Reassess what information you’re asking potential customers for. Call in a few favors and observe others go through the process of buying or booking on your website. Any confusion will cause abandonment, so watch for any hurdles that slow the process.

With search traffic declining, it's crucial to make the most of every visitor to your site by increasing conversions. To do this, you’ll need to streamline appointment scheduling and checkout processes to ensure as little friction as possible.

Remember that your website is an extension of your brand’s reputation. To make a great impression on visitors, you’ll want to make sure everything works perfectly.

A quick one to say I’ve been thinking a lot about the different subtitles they’ve slapped on Lewis Hyde’s The Gift through the years, mostly because it was only this year I learned that the original 1983 edition looked like this:

I LOVE IT. WHY DID THEY CHANGE IT. WHAT GIVES.

The whole thing is a far cry from 2019’s:

As well as the copy I first encountered (published in 2007), which features a third option:

Which is…fine? It’s fine.

BUT WHO BURIED THE LEDE ON THE EROTIC LIFE OF PROPERTY?!

Audre Lorde originally presented “Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power” as a paper in 1978, but it wasn’t published in Sister Outsider until 1984—just one year after the first edition of The Gift came out.

I wonder about this post-70s literary landscape, everything still reverberating with the energy of the 60s, the explosive visibility of sexuality in American youth culture, the rising tide of queer voices—but also the broader definition of eroticism.

I just re-read Katherine Angel’s Unmastered: a Book on Desire, Most Difficult to Tell, which I picked up after Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again. Her exploration of eroticism veers more towards the question of what to do with desire that resists being codified, named, and negotiated in explicit terms. How do we reckon with consent culture alongside the lure of the unknown? What of discovery? What of the secret third thing?

Kate Wagner coming in at the right moment here with this essay:

A situational eroticism is what is needed now, in our literalist times. […] Arousal is a matter of the self, which takes place within the body, a space no one can see into. It is often a mystery, a surprise, a discovery. It can happen at a small scale, say, the frisson of two sets of fingers in one’s hair at once. It is beautiful, unplanned and does not judge itself because it is an inert sensation, unimbued with premeditated meaning. This should liberate rather than frighten us. Maybe what it means doesn’t matter. Maybe we don’t have to justify it even to ourselves. 

This draft has been languishing because I don’t have a neat bow to slap on the end of this. If there’s anything I’m thinking of, though, it’s that Hyde (or his publisher) wasn’t wrong to foreground eroticism in that first edition of the book. Eroticism is creativity, and neither are as much work as they are play.

From factories and barrel-roofed buildings to gabled churches and towers, Charles Young’s sprawling yet diminutive city of paper models continues to grow. Known for his miniature constructions and animations that often double as three-dimensional color studies, the sculptor and animator highlights a wide range of architectural styles with an emphasis on color pairings.

Since 2020, Young has been making hundreds of miniature structures inspired by A Dictionary of Color Combinations by Japanese costume designer and painter Sanzo Wada (1883-1967). (There’s even a fun, interactive website based on the book.) So far, Young has completed 258 buildings from the first volume, which focuses on two-color combinations, and there are 90 to go. But he’s created a wide array of examples featuring multiple color combinations, too.

In June, Young will display 120 three-color paper sculptures at Galerie Handwerk in Munich. And in addition to the paper models, he also creates architecturally inspired sculptures from wood and woven cane, some of which are currently on display in Scotland at Kirkcudbright Galleries and MacLaurin Gallery. See more on Young’s Instagram and Tumblr.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Explore a Growing City of Meticulously Crafted Miniature Paper Buildings by Charles Young appeared first on Colossal.

Earlier this month, dozens of metallic discs suspended from the ceiling of a large industrial space invited viewers to immerse themselves in what SpY describes as “a continuous choreography of movement and reflection.” The artist is known for his large-scale installations, often repurposing objects like traffic cones and metallic rescue blankets to create striking urban interventions.

SpY’s most recent room-scale work, titled “Halos,” reimagined the industrial interior of a former railway-related factory in Florence—a place we typically associate with Renaissance elegance as opposed to brutalist design—as part of the city’s Bright Festival.

Three stories high, “Halos” interacts with the natural breeze that flows throughout the space, which is exacerbated by people moving around. Glimmering light further lends a sense of ethereality and even magic.

See more on Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Dozens of Suspended ‘Halos’ Glimmer in a Florentine Factory appeared first on Colossal.

Want to build a DIY bench? We’ve got you covered with a DIY tutorial to make your vision a reality! Whether you’re looking for a bench for the end of the bed, one with storage, or maybe an outdoor bench, we’ve got a plan for you. There you have it! The best DIY bench plans […]

The post The BEST DIY Bench Ideas appeared first on Pine and Poplar.

Looking for a DIY headboard idea to take your bedroom to the next level? We’re sharing plenty of DIY headboard ideas from easy ideas to wooden headboards, hanging headboards, headboards with shelves, and more. You’ll be sure to find a headboard plan that fits your style. There you have it! The best DIY headboard plans […]

The post The BEST DIY Headboard Ideas appeared first on Pine and Poplar.

Perhaps it’s my very Virgo tendencies, but thinking about spring cleaning always makes my heart skip a beat. The rush that comes with a clean, organized space, paired with wide-open windows and sunlight streaming through, is second to none. The rush and anticipation can be short-lived, however, especially as you dive into the actual work of cleaning and organizing. Before spring cleaning can begin, there needs to be a spring-cleaning declutter. But the question of what to declutter in spring can be overwhelming.

What to declutter first? Do I need a spring decluttering checklist before diving into my cleaning? Before you know it, you may throw your hands up and abandon the whole project altogether. That’s exactly why I asked the pros for all of their spring decluttering tips. 

What to Declutter This Spring: 6 High-Impact Areas to Start With

Ahead, cleaning and organizing professionals weigh in on the items you should declutter first. Tackle these spaces before you reach for the mop to get the most bang for your buck this spring. 

Drop Zones

First things first, it’s helpful to check in on the spaces where you and your loved ones place items every day. Nick Friedman, Co-Founder & CEO of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, calls these spaces drop zones. “The fastest win in any home is clearing the drop zones: entryways, kitchen counters, and coffee tables,” he shares. “These spaces collect mail, bags, random gadgets, and everyday clutter. When these surfaces are cleared, the entire home immediately feels more organized. It’s a small project with a huge visual impact.” 

To tackle the clutter efficiently, keep a recycling bag nearby to toss bits of paper in as you go, and a trash bag for items to discard.

Kids’ Belongings 

If you have kids, you already know how much they can accumulate. Vanessa Garcia, a cleaning and organizing expert and a Tasker for Taskrabbit, encourages parents to start setting aside kids’ belongings before diving into a spring clean. “One of the biggest things that I find to be a great clean-out to-do is going through kids’ belongings—old markers, broken crayons, and old toys that could be donated,” she says. “It’s always a great time to start pulling them up and putting them to the side, because most of the time they won’t notice.”

Garcia recommends involving your kids in the decluttering process. “It can be a great learning opportunity for children to do something good with what they have,” Garcia continues. 

The Fridge and Pantry

As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Just like your wardrobe lightens up for spring, so does your food, especially as more fresh fruit and veggies come into season. But before you can do a deep clean of your kitchen, Cathy Orr, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life, recommends doing a fridge and pantry clean-out. 

“Time to toss expired pantry goods, give the refrigerator and freezer shelves a thorough cleaning, take out food from the freezer that you never ate during the winter, and clear and clean the countertops,” she instructs. Once you create more space on the shelves, you can wipe everything down, but that initial clean-out is essential. 

Closets

Going from winter to spring means your closet will need to switch with the seasons. You might as well declutter while you do it, and reap the rewards of a refreshed space. “Closets are one of the highest-impact decluttering projects,” Friedman says. “Instead of overthinking it, I encourage people to do a quick pass: if you didn’t wear it last season or it doesn’t fit your lifestyle anymore, it’s time to donate it. Most people are surprised by how much space they gain with just a 20-minute edit.” 

Hidden Clutter

It can be easy to toss clutter behind closed doors. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But as you prep your home for spring cleaning, you’ll want to make room for the items you actually want to store. “Clear out the hidden clutter zones such as garages, junk drawers, and storage closets where clutter accumulates,” Friedman recommends. “These spaces may be out of sight, but they often create the most stress because they make it hard to find what you actually need. Once these areas are pared down, it becomes much easier to keep the rest of the home organized.” 

I personally love tackling junk drawers—they’re small spaces that only take a few minutes to organize, tops. You can’t wipe down the drawers until they’re clean anyway!

Duplicates

As you go looking for spring cleaning supplies, be on the lookout for any duplicates. “One of the most common things we see when helping clients declutter is an overabundance of duplicates,” Friedman shares. He mentions clients often have duplicates of cleaning supplies, as well as extra kitchen tools or boxes of items labeled just in case. He encourages you to discard or donate these items. “Keeping excess often just becomes clutter. Simplifying these categories can free up a surprising amount of space,” he explains. 

As you start your decluttering process, Friedman recommends embracing the excitement that comes with starting something new.  “My biggest piece of advice is to focus on momentum over perfection,” he shares. “Start with the areas that will make your home feel better immediately. When you declutter the high-impact zones first, spring cleaning stops feeling like a huge project and starts feeling like a refresh.” 

The post 6 Areas to Declutter This Spring—According to Organizing Experts appeared first on Camille Styles.

In the late 12th century, a nobleman named Count Gerard van Loon commissioned an abbey to serve as his final resting place. Over the next few decades, amid plenty of political tumult, Herkenrode Abbey in Hasselt, Belgium, was converted to the first Cistercian convent for women. It was a site of pilgrimage from the 13th to the 15th centuries, and despite regional wars and economic uncertainty, it stayed the course. During the 16th century, it experienced its heyday thanks to the patronage of a figure named Prince Bishop Evrard van der Marck, seeing the addition of a Gothic church that brimmed with beautiful stained glass windows, textiles, paintings, and more.

The Eighty Years’ War paused Herkenrode’s prosperity, and once things stabilized again politically, the abbey experienced several decades of good fortune, although much of this wealth was spent on the abbesses’ own acquisitions of property and art in a show of their prestige. But the paradigm-shifting Liège Revolution, which coincided with the French Revolution, brought all of this crashing to a halt by 1796. The abbey complex was promptly sold and dismantled.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Heckenrode went through many other uses, including factories and even a series of private homes, before it was again acquired by a religious organization in the 1970s. While the original 16th-century abbey church no longer exists due to a devastating fire in 1826, the site remains one of the region’s most culturally significant. And Herita has been working to restore it. As part of a phased regeneration of the landmark and its park, an ethereal, life-size sculpture of the abbey titled CLAUSURA by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh has risen from the building’s original footprint.

The studio, founded by Belgian designers Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, conceived of CLAUSURA as “an artistic vision for the vanished heart of Herkenrode.” True to scale, the structure is made of slender steel rods that rise from the ground in an airy framework. The installation revolves around the idea of memory and sensation: rather than rebuilding the abbey to try to mirror what it may have looked like hundreds of years ago, the work nods to its past with an airy elegance.

“The new volumes are transparent, allowing their silhouettes to blend seamlessly with the landscape in the background,” says a statement. “The intervention balances between reconstruction and abstraction, as the original structures are evoked through a refined play of suggestion. Iconic details such as windows, vaults, and towers enhance the sense of recognisability, although at times, these elements dissolve back into a chaos of lines.”

Gijs Van Vaerenbergh is known for its architectural interventions, often utilizing steel, stone, wood, and a wide range of other building materials to re-envision spaces as structural sculptures. “What unites their diverse output is a sustained focus on how space is experienced—visually, bodily and temporally,” a statement says.

CLAUSURA is being constructed in three phases. The first, which is also the most ambitious, is slated to open to the public on June 18. Visitors will be able to walk and reflect amid the installation. See more on Gijs Van Vaerenbergh’s Instagram, and learn about the restoration progress and how to visit on Herita’s website.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Gijs Van Vaerenbergh Gracefully Reimagines a 16th-Century Belgian Abbey Church in Steel appeared first on Colossal.

Spring is the season of renewal. An opportunity for a fresh start. Walking outside on the first warm and sunny day of the year—and seeing neighbors out and about, too—can feel like a collective sigh of relief. With winter’s chill behind us, spring invites us to lighten up, especially in our homes. The time has come to put away the heavy knits and faux furs and break out the gingham tablecloths and pastel throw pillows. Spring has finally arrived, and we’re ready for a refresh. 

7 Spring Home Decor Trends for the Ultimate Refresh

We spoke with several interior designers to get the scoop on what spring home decor trends they’re seeing and loving this season. It’s a dreamy mix of soft colors, trending patterns, cozy textures, and a dash of the unexpected. Read on to learn how to give your home a fresh start with this season’s latest interior trends.

Stripes and Gingham

One of the biggest decor trends of the year is playing with patterns. Gingham and stripes are everywhere this spring, and Elizabeth Vergara, founder and CEO of Vergara Homes is happy to hop on the trend. “This spring, I can see gingham and stripes coming back in a huge way,” she shares. “I would incorporate these patterns into my home through table runners, pillow cases, and throws. I try to make small shifts in my home so they can easily be switched out once the season changes or the trend passes.”

The best part about patterns is that they work in every room. If your spring refresh is in the living room, try adding a few gingham pillows to the sofa. Want to refresh the bedroom? Add a new set of striped sheets to your bed. Hosting a spring dinner party? Include gingham in your tablescape with patterned napkins or a tablecloth.

Shop Stripes and Gingham

West Elm

Pierce & Ward Filigree Stripe Pillow Cover

$59 at West Elm

Piglet In Bed

Sage Green Gingham Linen Blend Duvet Cover

$247 (reg. $309) at Piglet In Bed

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Fresh Florals

Florals for spring aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but it truly wouldn’t be the season without them. “Adding seasonal florals such as tulips, daffodils, and flowering branches in soft pastels or bright, cheerful tones can instantly brighten your home and make it feel fresh,” Ashley Gallion, Founder of Ashley Ayers Interiors, shares. “You can easily pull playful spring accents in smaller accessories such as pillows or vases.” 

Whether you decorate with fresh or faux florals, be generous. Now is the time to place vases full of blooms at the center of your coffee table, dining table, kitchen island, and mantle, all at once!

Shop Florals

Casa Zuma

El Matador Vase

$98 at Casa Zuma

The Bouqs Co.

Buttercream Floral Arrangement

$69 at The Bouqs Co.

Casa Zuma

Topanga Vase

$168 at Casa Zuma

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Swap Out Pillows and Throws

A spring home refresh doesn’t require a full-blown renovation, of course, and swapping out accents like pillows and throws is a perfect way to welcome the season. “One very easy change for spring is to swap out your heavy winter throw blankets for lighter spring-inspired throws in pretty florals or light and bright plaids,” Laura Medicus, Interior Designer and Owner of Laura Medicus Interiors, says. Looking to add some fun patterns to your space? This is the way to do it. “Hop on the gingham trend with one or two soft-colored gingham pillows!” Medicus continues.

Shop Spring Pillows and Throws

Pottery Barn

Blaine Check Pillow

$39.50 (reg. $49.50) at Pottery Barn

Threshold designed with Studio McGee

Scalloped Edge Throw

$35 at Target

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Update Art and Photos

A spring home refresh is not only about how your home looks, but how it feels. Outdated art and photos can bring the vibe down, so take some time to check in with what you have displayed. “One easy way to refresh your home for spring is to update your framed photos or art to go with the seasons,” Erin Greene, Interior Designer at Erin Greene Designs, notes.

Take a look at your walls and notice if any frames need updating or art that needs refreshing. Winter is generally for darker, moodier art, while spring lends itself to art that’s soft and light. Pick photos and art that feel like spring. To get the most bang for your buck, Greene recommends digital frames. “I particularly love this HD framed canvas from Frameology because it’s a great way to make digital art look more luxurious,” she says. “You can frame art that captures springtime vibes, then once fall rolls around, swap out that art to represent autumn instead.”

Shop Spring Art

Frameology

HD Framed Canvas, 11 x 14

$85 at Frameology

Threshold

16″ x 20″ Silent Still Framed Wall Cotton Canvas Board

$35 at Target

Minted

Moody Beauty I, 16 x 20

$231.20 (reg. $270) at Minted

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Add Pops of Color

Sarah Goesling, owner and principal, and Rebecca Goesling, Director of Design at Goesling Group, know a thing or two about trending colors for spring. “For springtime, we’re loving pops of color like citrus or spicy orange, whether saturating the whole room in a fresh coat of paint or adding an unexpected ceiling moment,” they share. “Our advice for ceilings is to try a bolder contrast in a smaller space for some drama. Ceilings are a great way to experiment with color if you’re not ready to fully commit to walls just yet.”

Even if you’re not ready to pick up a paintbrush this season, adding pops of color through accents and decor is a great way to sprinkle some fresh energy into your space. “Other color ideas we’re enjoying are creamy apricot, asparagus green, bubblegum pink with a violet undertone, frosty translucent blues, and scarlet in high lacquer,” they continue.

Shop Spring Colors

Lulu and Georgia

Amaroso Linen Ruffle Pillow

$114 at Lulu and Georgia

Lulu and Georgia

Calista Ceramic Vase

$98 at Lulu and Georgia

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Incorporate Vintage Pieces

“Other ways to refresh your space include incorporating some fun vintage pieces,” Goesling shares. “We always love sourcing unique finds from estate sales or local artisans. Other details like fringe, raw materials, and handcrafted items are also having a moment.”

Good design takes time, and pieces that are lived in, well-worn and have a story to tell are becoming more and more popular. Interior trends this year are less about curating a home that looks like it belongs in a showroom and more about curating a space you love, regardless of trends. Spring is the ideal time to rearrange a room, bring in new pieces, and experiment with your design style. Shopping secondhand is a fantastic way to create a space that feels like it was collected over time, instead of all at once.

Shop Vintage-Inspired Pieces

Casa Zuma

Mango Wood Platter

$118 at Casa Zuma

Casa Zuma

Terracotta Urn Vessel

$84 at Casa Zuma

Casa Zuma

Augusta Mini Table Lamp

$295 at Casa Zuma

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Revive Your Outdoor Space

Spring beckons us to start living outside again. Decks, patios, porches, and backyards are ready to be revived! “Spring is usually when we realize how heavy everything started to feel over winter, so we try to lighten it up by taking away a few layers, bringing in airier materials, and making our outdoor space feel usable again,”  Barrett Oswald, Principal Designer at Barrett Oswald Designs, says.

As you refresh your outdoor space, Oswald recommends adding new exterior pillows, updating greenery, and checking on your lantern lights. “A few small changes can make a big impact,” she states.

Shop Outdoor Living

Casa Zuma

Bali Lounge Chair

$975 at Casa Zuma

Casa Zuma

Daya Side Table

$425 at Casa Zuma

This post was last updated on March 13, 2026, to include new insights.

The post 7 Spring Decor Trends Designers Say Are About to Be Everywhere appeared first on Camille Styles.

In uncertain, often overwhelming times, I’ve found solace in my houseplants. There’s a joy in tending to them—the ritual of watering, the slow unfurl of a new leaf, and the way a room softens in their presence. Over time, my home has filled with them.

But somewhere along the way, I realized: more plants didn’t necessarily mean a more beautiful space. Too many, placed without intention, and suddenly a living room starts to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a roadside nursery. What I was craving wasn’t more greenery—it was a sense of cohesion. A way to make my plants feel like part of the design, not an afterthought.

So I set out to understand how designers actually style plants at home. What I found, through conversations with San Francisco-based Little Trees owner Kathy Ho and Lindsay Pangborn, formerly a gardening expert at Bloomscape, is that the difference comes down to perspective. Plants aren’t just décor—they’re a design layer. And when you start to think about them that way, everything shifts: where you place them, how you group them, and how they shape the feeling of a room.

How to Design With Plants (By Thinking Like a Designer)

When you start to see plants as a design element—not just something to care for—the way you use them begins to change. It’s easy to slip into collecting mode. You find a plant you love, then another, then another—and before long, they’re scattered throughout your home with little thought for how they relate to one another.

Designers approach plants differently. Instead of asking Where can I fit this? they ask, What does this room need?

That shift—from accumulation to intention—creates a space that feels considered.

“Plants should complement your space and your lifestyle, not compete with it,” Pangborn says. In practice, that means thinking about plants the same way you would any other design element: in terms of scale, balance, and placement.

A single, well-placed plant can anchor a corner. A small grouping can create a focal point on a surface. Even negative space—what you choose not to fill—plays a role in how your plants are experienced.

1. Create Visual Moments (Not Plant Clutter)

Once you start thinking like a designer, the next step is editing—then arranging with intention. Instead of dispersing plants evenly throughout a room, focus on creating a few defined moments. Designers often group plants in twos or threes, treating them less like standalone objects and more like part of a vignette. The result feels grounded and cohesive, rather than scattered.

“Grouping plants can make a space feel more calm and considered,” says Ho. “It also makes care easier when plants with similar needs are placed together.”

Think of a cluster on a coffee table, a styled corner of a console, or a small trio anchoring a shelf. What matters isn’t the number of plants—it’s how they relate to one another and to the space around them.

Just as important: what you leave out. Giving each grouping room to breathe allows the eye to land, rather than constantly move.

The Sill

Olive Tree

From $69 at The Sill

West Elm

Wavy Ceramic Planters

From $49 at West Elm

The Floral Society

Stainless Steel Watering Cans

$98 at The Floral Society

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2. Use Height and Movement to Shape the Room

One of the simplest ways to elevate your plant styling is to think vertically. When every plant sits at the same level—lined up on a windowsill or clustered at eye height—the effect can feel flat. Designers, instead, use plants to create movement throughout a space, guiding the eye up, down, and across the room.

Trailing plants are especially effective here. Placed on a high shelf, bookshelf, or cabinet, they soften hard lines and draw the eye upward as they grow. Hanging planters offer a similar effect, making use of often-overlooked ceiling space while adding a sense of lightness.

“Using vertical space is key, especially in smaller homes,” Pangborn notes. “It allows you to incorporate more greenery without sacrificing surface area.”

The goal isn’t to fill every level, but to create a sense of rhythm—something that feels layered and lived-in, rather than static. A taller plant on the floor, a cluster at mid-level, and something trailing above can be enough to shift the entire energy of a room.

3. Let Plants Fill the Space—Not Overwhelm It

One of the most common mistakes when decorating with plants is treating every empty spot as an opportunity to add one. But designers tend to approach it the opposite way. Instead of filling space, they use plants to resolve it.

That might look like placing a taller plant in an empty corner to soften a hard edge, or using a single, sculptural plant to anchor a blank wall. On the floor, especially, plants can create a sense of weight and presence—grounding the room in a way smaller accents can’t.

“Larger plants can make an immediate impact,” Pangborn says. “They help define a space and can bring balance to areas that feel unfinished.”

Just as important is what surrounds them. Giving a plant enough space—away from furniture, walls, or artwork—allows it to stand on its own without competing for attention.

A room doesn’t feel lush when every inch is filled. It feels lush when there’s contrast—between fullness and openness, presence and pause.

4. Balance Scale, Shape, and Texture

If you’re drawn to a home filled with plants, the key is to create contrast. A room full of greenery can feel rich and layered, but only when there’s variation. When every plant is similar in size, shape, or tone, the effect flattens. What designers do instead is mix elements deliberately: pairing something tall with something low, something structured with something soft, something bold with something more delicate.

“Combining plants with different leaf shapes and sizes keeps a space visually interesting,” Pangborn says. “It creates depth rather than repetition.”

Think of a broad-leaf plant set against something more airy, or a sculptural silhouette next to a trailing vine. These contrasts give the eye somewhere to move and a reason to linger.

The effect is what people often describe as a “lush” space, but what it really comes down to is composition. Not more plants, but better balance.

Design for Real Life, Not Just Aesthetics

Even the most beautifully styled plants should support the way you actually live in your space. It’s easy to get caught up in how something looks—especially when it comes to plants, which can instantly transform a room. But if they’re difficult to care for, constantly in the way, or require more attention than you can realistically give, that sense of ease starts to disappear.

“Plants should complement your space and your lifestyle,” Pangborn notes. “They should never feel like a burden.”

That might mean grouping plants with similar care needs so your routine feels intuitive. Or choosing fewer, more impactful pieces that you can tend to consistently. It might even mean moving things around as your space (or your energy) shifts.

When you start to see plants as part of your home’s design, the entire approach softens. You edit more. You place with intention, and you let the space breathe.

In turn, your home begins to feel the way you wanted it to all along: lush, yes—but also calm, cohesive, and entirely your own.

This post was last updated on April 17, 2026, to include new insights.

The post Why Your Plants Make Your Home Feel Cluttered (and How to Fix It) appeared first on Camille Styles.

Certain small rituals shape how your home feels, and lighting a candle is one of them. It’s something I reach for almost without thinking, but I notice the shift right away. The right scent can make a space feel calmer, more grounded, a little more like somewhere you actually want to be.

But not all candles are created with that same intention. Many are made with ingredients you wouldn’t choose if you knew what was in them. And if it’s something you’re lighting regularly, that matters.

A candle should elevate your space—not compromise it.

What Is a Non-Toxic Candle?

Not all candles are created with the same level of care. Many contain ingredients like paraffin wax (a petroleum byproduct) and synthetic fragrances that can release unwanted chemicals into your space.

Non-toxic candles take a different approach. They’re made with cleaner-burning waxes—like soy, beeswax, or coconut—and use more thoughtful fragrance sources, so what you’re lighting actually aligns with the environment you’re trying to create.

How to Find the Best Non-Toxic Candles

If you’re trying to choose a better candle, a few details make all the difference. Start with the wax. Soy, beeswax, and coconut wax tend to burn cleaner than paraffin, which is derived from petroleum.

Next, look at fragrance. Candles scented with essential oils or botanical blends are generally a better option than those made with synthetic fragrance, which can contain phthalates. And don’t overlook the wick—opt for paper or 100% cotton, which burn more cleanly than metal-core alternatives.

How to Spot Greenwashing

“Clean” and “non-toxic” are everywhere in candle marketing, but they’re not regulated terms, meaning they don’t always mean much.

The easiest way to cut through it is to look for transparency. Turn the candle over, check the ingredient list, and see what the brand is actually telling you. If that information is hard to find—or overly vague—that’s worth noting.

It’s also important to look beyond the packaging. A minimalist label or elevated design can make a candle feel clean, but aesthetics don’t guarantee better ingredients. The brands worth buying from are the ones that are clear about what they use, how they source it, and why it matters.

We know this can feel like a lot to sort through—but it doesn’t have to be. Ahead, the non-toxic candles we actually reach for: clean-burning, beautifully scented, and worth lighting every day.

The Best Non-Toxic Candles to Shop Right Now

If you’re looking for a candle that feels as good as it smells, start here. These are the ones we reach for on repeat—clean-burning, well-balanced, and worth lighting every day.

Best Overall Non-Toxic Candle

Casa Zuma Daybreak Candle

If you’re buying one candle this season, make it this one. Casa Zuma’s Daybreak strikes that rare balance of feeling elevated and effortless—clean-burning, beautifully layered, and subtle enough to light every day without overwhelming a space. It’s the kind of scent that makes your home feel instantly more considered, without trying too hard.

• Scent notes: warm citrus, soft woods, sunlit greens
• Wax: clean-burning (coconut/soy blend)
• Why we love it: an everyday candle that still feels special

Casa Zuma

Daybreak Candle 14 oz

$64 at Casa Zuma

Fresh & Green

For when you want your space to feel light, clean, and a little more alive—these scents lean into herbs, citrus, and just-cut stems.

Editor’s Pick

Maison Louis Marie Liane de Tomate Candle

“I don’t say this lightly—this is the candle I’ve been telling everyone about. It’s fresh, green, and just unexpected enough to stand out from the usual florals and woods. It’s the one I keep coming back to, and the one I’ve started gifting on repeat.” – Isabelle Eyman, Editorial Strategist

• Scent notes: tomato leaf, citrus, green herbs
• Wax: soy blend
• Why I love it: unique, fresh, and instantly mood-shifting

Maison Louis Marie

Liane de Tomate

$40 at Maison Louis Marie

Boy Smells

Spa Water

Crisp and aquatic in the best way, like stepping into a space that instantly resets your mood.

$44 at Boy Smells

Nette

Supernatural Candle

Bright and slightly herbal, this is the kind of scent that makes your home feel clean without trying too hard.

$80 at Nette

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Warm & Grounding

These are the candles you reach for at the end of the day—deeper, cozier scents that make a space feel settled and complete.

Le Labo

CYPRÈS 21

Woody and subtly luxurious, with just enough edge to make it feel distinctive.

$90 at Le Labo

Ranger Station

Leather + Pine Candle

Woodsy with a fresh edge—grounding, but not heavy.

$39 at Ranger Station

MALIN+GOETZ

Leather Candle

Smooth and slightly worn-in, like your favorite jacket but in scent form.

$68 at MALIN+GOETZ

Diptyque

Feu de Bois

A classic for a reason—smoky, nostalgic, and instantly cozy.

$78 at Diptyque

D.S. & DURGA

Portable Fireplace

Exactly what it sounds like: a flicker of firelight in candle form.

$75 at D.S. & DURGA

Soft & Floral (But Not Too Sweet)

Floral, but balanced—these feel modern, slightly moody, and easy to come back to.

Homecourt

Steeped Rose Candle

A deeper, more grounded take on rose that feels grown-up and intentional.

$65 at Homecourt

Apotheke

Rouge Candle

Warm florals with a subtle richness that makes it feel a little more elevated.

$46 at Apotheke

Elevated Everyday

The candles you can light anytime, anywhere—versatile, unfussy, and always a good idea.

Quince

Bois de Santal Candle

Simple, soft sandalwood that works no matter the time of day.

$24 at Quince

Brooklyn Candle Studio

Santal Classic 2-Wick Candle

Clean and familiar in the best way—an easy staple you’ll keep in rotation.

$45 at Brooklyn Candle Studio

Element Brooklyn

Inner Circle Candle

Balanced and understated, the kind of scent that quietly pulls a room together.

$32 at Element Brooklyn

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Statement Scents

A little more unexpected, a little more distinctive—these are the ones people ask about.

La Botica

Ceremony Glass Candle

Smoky, resinous, and slightly mysterious—more of an experience than a background scent.

$90 at La Botica

Xinu

BrisadeMaderas Candle

Layered and transportive, with a richness that lingers in the best way.

$108 at Xinu

This post was last updated on April 16, 2026, to include new insights.

The post Most Candles Aren’t as Clean as You Think—Here’s What to Buy Instead appeared first on Camille Styles.

“Play is how we give permission,” says Vitor Freire, co-founder of the Amsterdam-based studio Imagination of Things. “Permission to challenge what’s fixed, rehearse what doesn’t exist yet, and close the distance between people who wouldn’t otherwise meet.”

Freire and co-founder Monique Grimord take play seriously and, in a new project, their studio created a vast repository of 169 artworks, designs, games, and more that have offered an unexpected encounter with imagination and joy. From Rael San Fratello’s award-winning “Teeter-Totter Wall” to the healing Wind Phone project to a 12-foot puppet walking the world, Unruly Play is a multi-decade archive of participatory projects, public spaces, and digital creations that invite surprise and camaraderie.

“Our collaborators have always asked us where our ideas come from,” Gimrod says, “and the truth is that they come from references that rarely talk to each other—it can be a seesaw through a border wall or a phone booth connected to the dead… We wanted to create unusual dialogues and support new creative practices, and Unruly Play was our answer for that.”

Fully interactive, the project is searchable by theme or browsable through a shuffle feature. To dive deeper into the power of play, check out this compendium of artist-designed spaces.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article An Interactive Archive Celebrates the Wide-Ranging Projects Inviting ‘Unruly Play’ appeared first on Colossal.