Well, the results of our last reader survey are in (catch up here if you missed it last week) and the word on the street is that y’all are WILD about Wayfair. It makes sense – they offer a nearly endless selection, blazing fast shipping times, and some of the best pricing in the home industry. But all those choices can be a little overwhelming, so when the Wayfair team reached out and asked if I’d be interested in partnering on a blog post, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to write about: their incredible selection of everyday essentials. We don’t talk about it enough! Below, you’ll find 16 of EHD’s approved essentials – products we’ve tried and love, but also a few high-quality lookalikes that can save you some major $$$ – all designed to stand the test of time. These are little everyday swaps that can make a big difference in the look, feel, and function of your home. Are you ready to see???
design and photo by sara ligorria-tramp | styled by emily bowser | from: sara’s galley kitchen “update” turned into a full renovation (and the result is well worth the wait) | Knife Block
This one isn’t a dupe – it’s the real thing! This magnetic, Italian artisan-made knife block is made from premium materials, can stash up to 10 knives, and it’s pretty easy on the eyes, too. The best part? It’s 20% off. (This design-forward option by the same makers is $10 more, but it’s a major show-stopper. Can you imagine it in a modern, minimalist kitchen? Stunning.)
photo by kaitlin green | from: our mudroom reveal: a dog + storage-focused space that is possibly my favorite room in our house | Laundry Cart
I LOVE my laundry cart, but I am pretty charmed by the pricing and construction of this commercial-style version. She is SPACIOUS – much bigger than the average hamper – and the $67 price tag means that you’ll have money left over for actual laundry essentials. (Trust me: once you try a cart on wheels, you’ll never go back.)
photo by kaitlin green | from: our guest bathroom reveal – a jewel box that makes me so darn happy | Train Rack
As it turns out, I’m a HUGE fan of a train rack in a bathroom. They make use of hard-to-reach spaces. They can add a little extra texture and depth. And y’all…they are so, so, so pretty. I couldn’t believe that this version (from Signature Hardware, no less) clocked in at $129, which is a GREAT deal. (It comes in chrome, brushed nickel, and brass BTW.)
design by sara ligorria-tramp and macauley johnson | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: sara & mac’s office/guest room reveal – lots of function + even more color and style | Cord Management System
Do you enjoy looking at your modem, your surge protector, your ethernet cables, or whatever other technological ephemera that litters your workspace? If you answered “yes,” please share your secrets. But if you said “no” and tech mess also gives you stress, a simple storage tower like this might be the answer to your problems. There are pictures of it open on Wayfair’s site, if you want to peek inside to see how it works.
design by caitlin higgins | styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: caitlin’s bathroom reveal | Toilet Brush
Had we photographed a straight-on shot of Caitlin’s toilet (you know, an angle that we’re all just itchin’ to look at), you would have seen this exact toilet brush holding court right next to the vanity. Toilet brushes traditionally fall into two categories: affordable & plastic or overly-designed & unfunctional. This one, however, hides the bristles from daily site, offers a chic metal handle and well-curated colors, and can hold up to weekly scrubbings.
design and photo by sara ligorria-tramp | styled by emily bowser | from: sara’s cozy primary bedroom reveal (+ plus a very sweet added bonus) | Rolling Under-Bed Storage
I love Sara’s practical, under-bed storage bins, but it can be hard to splurge for pieces you don’t see every day (or even every week). These metal bins make a great alternative, though. They don’t bend, sag, or catch in the same way that plastic tubs might (anyone who’s ever had a lid stuck to a bed frame will understand) and the rollers make them easy to pull in and out. The kicker? They fold up and can be stored flat, so they can be stashed away if your storage needs change. WAY better than a tub, I think.
design and photo by sara ligorria-tramp | styled by emily bowser | from: how sara’s new galley kitchen actually looks in the everyday and how it functions for their needs | Sliding Cabinet Inserts
PUT DOWN THE SLEDGEHAMMER!!! We can help you! Before you tear out those old cabinets in favor of a set with more modern amenities, check out these sliding cabinet inserts. They’re great for making use of ALL of your shelf space and doubly helpful for those with mobility challenges. If you’re thinking about modifying your home for aging-in-place, these are a great score.
design and styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: emily bowser’s back unit yard reveal, 2022 musings, new year resolutions, and other meanderings… | Steel Blanket Ladder
It’s no secret that we LOVE a blanket ladder at EHD. Indoor, outdoor – we don’t play favorites. But I love this $20 steel blanket ladder, which would be perfect for extending the lifespan of your outdoor spaces. Hang up a few blankets before friends come over, start a fire, grab some snacks, and enjoy the last few crisp nights of summer!
design by alyn hernandez | styling by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: 3 years in the making then an unexpected move: arlyn’s bedroom reveal is a lesson in the beauty of “unfinished” design | Glass Carafe
As Americans, I think we need to do more to embrace the glass carafe. Fill it up, pop the cup on top (it’ll protect it from any dust or floaters in the air), and pour yourself a nice, refreshing glass of water at 2 AM. If you’ve ever fallen prey to the scourge of half-consumed water glasses left on nightstands, consider a carafe. It’s beautiful AND it’ll lessen the chore load a bit – sounds like a win/win to me 🙂
design and styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: emily bowser’s kitchen reveal! plus the 8 ways she really maximized her galley kitchen storage | Wall-Mounted Wine Racks
How unexpected, fresh, and design-forward is this wine storage? Now, what if I told you that you could get two similar wall-mounted wine racks for under $100? Free up your countertops and pull those bottles down from atop the fridge (it’s too hot for them there – they can spoil!) in favor of stashing them in a modern space-saving rack. (FYI Wayfair has lots of other cool options in this category right now – I love how this one plays with your eye. Would be a total focal point once styled out in your home!)
A Grown-Up Cork Board: We’ve been crazy about cork boards over at EHD for the past year (and wait til you see the DIY we did in Kennedy’s room). This fabric and walnut version feels a little more “adult” and a little less “dorm.”
Shower Caddy Shelves: No niche? No problem. These strong shelves adhere to your shower walls, eliminating the need for the flimsy, wire-based alternatives. The clean lines help bring order to an often crowded/chaotic space, too.
Wood Bins: These are well-priced, with pretty proportions. Use liberally to wrangle any unsightly messes.
Kids’ Backpack Hanger: A kiss to the genius who invented this product, which easily holds two child-sized backpacks. Hang it on the inside of a closet door for maximum tidiness.
Garage Sports Equipment Organizer: Basketballs, tennis balls, rackets, bats, helmets – this one storage piece can wrangle AND organize them all.
Streamlined Dish Rack: “Beautiful” isn’t always the first word that pops into your mind when you hear the word “dish rack,” but this is masterful product design. These racks are little luxuries that makes dishes more enjoyable (BTW Caitlin swears by the double decker version, if you’re the type to wash a lot by hand).
Hope this was helpful and you might have found a thing or two to make life just a little more put together. xx
Opening Image Credits: Design and Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | Styled by Emily Bowser | From: Sara’s Galley Kitchen “Update” Turned Into A Full Renovation (And The Result Is Well Worth The Wait)