With the holiday season right around the corner, there’s no better time to compile a list of home gift ideas and home improvement products that you one hundred percent wouldn’t mind giving (or receiving). But where to start? Perhaps the DIY’er on your list already has a solid gadget collection, has a sharp eye for designing a living room, or is handy with a paint brush. Narrowing down the gift list that’s as suited for one’s heart and one’s tool kit is never easy.
That’s why AD called in celebrity design pros—Justina Blakeney, Shea McGee, and Emily Henderson, among others—for a bit of inspo and recommendations for 11 ingenious gift ideas these renovation experts are eyeing for their own projects this season.
A decorative room divider
“Room dividers are versatile pieces that are decorative and functional. Using a room divider is an easy way to delineate a space and costs a lot less than putting up a new wall. I love this 1970s Pierre Frey one because of the beautiful tassel pattern, and might use it in my walk-in closet to add a touch of romance to the experience of getting dressed in the mornings.”
Artsy peel-and-stick wall tiles
“I’m a big Haring fan, and I love the approachability (and renter-friendliness) of these wall tiles. It’s a way to add instant vibrancy to your home while honoring one of the greatest artists who ever lived.”
A crafted quilt
“The Irish chain quilt is a great gift idea. I’ve fallen in love with a few vintage ones for my farmhouse renovation. They are great for wall-hangings, bed linens, and even to reupholster a piece of furniture with. If someone bought me one I’d be psyched. They’re so pretty.”
A tiling trick
“We’re getting ready to build out a dry bar in our basement this winter, and this tile adhesive looks like a much easier way to complete the project!”
A utility cart
“One can never have enough storage, and because I love everything to have a place to go, a rolling utility cart is at the top of my list! I love the one from Yamazaki Home found on Afternoon Light. It’s simple in design, comes in both a universal white or black color, features three shelves to maximize storage, and is small enough to be stored away when needed.”
A stylish rug
“The current rug I have doesn’t fit under the couch all the way (design sin). I found this rug to troubleshoot the same orange-on-orange tone between the couch and Spanish tile—the sage rug would balance this, giving it contrast, creating some drama, and keeping it warm and zen. I find that aside from paint, rugs are the biggest way to transform a room, and it’s way easier than doing any DIY. I’ve also always wanted to shop at The Citizenry but never have had the opportunity.”
Purposeful furniture
“I’m really into vintage display cabinets in lieu of built-ins right now. It gives the same amount of storage but is less permanent, which makes it easier to update the functionality of a room as needed.”
Antique tiles
“I’m working on a historical kitchen renovation, and these tiles would add the perfect amount of character back to a space that was extremely modernized over the years.”
A bold rug
“I think one of the best gifts I could ask for this holiday season would be a rug from the Jonathan Adler x Ruggable collection. Home improvement doesn’t always mean doing a complete home renovation! Sometimes, a change of decor can make a really big difference in making a space look and feel completely different. The rugs in this collection are bold yet sophisticated. The neutrals in the collection add just the right amount of style without overdoing it, and I could definitely see them being effective in a future client project or my own beach home renovation.”
Fashionable wallpaper
“Perfect for the home improvement enthusiast who also has a fierce sense of fashion, the Gucci wallpaper would make the prettiest addition to a water closet in a primary suite.”
A dreamy tool kit
“This is an awesome kit that will have you on point to handle almost any small home project. Update your fence, hang a picture, build a dog house, sand down that door that rubs just a bit!”
