The $4 Staple You Bought All July
The $4 kitchen staple was the most-purchased item in July, according to the latest shopping roundup. Shoppers this month favored smart design and seasonal upgrades, scooping up everything from outdoor furniture to clever storage solutions. One standout in this category is a multitasking design dubbed the “holy grail” of ice making by the publication’s writers. Unlike standard ice trays that require frequent refilling, this unit freezes, stores, and serves ice simultaneously. Its compact shape allows it to fit neatly into narrow freezer shelves, helping homeowners maximize valuable storage space.
Where Function Meets Style
The Hunter Fan Company Brookside Fandelier mixes a pendant light and ceiling fan into one fixture. Designer Jasmine Roth created this piece, which hides enclosed fan blades inside a classic fabric shade. The design works well in spaces where you want lighting without the bulk of a traditional fan unit. With this clever addition, consumers do not have to choose between fashion and function. The fixture disguises its mechanical components, meaning that unless you are standing directly beneath it, you would never guess it is hiding a fan.
For smaller issues, these cord covers solve the problem of loose cables. They resemble scrunchies and cover rogue wires to keep a room looking tidy. Made from airy organza, these scrunchie-inspired covers disguise rogue cables while adding a playful decorative touch to the decor. When interior designers were asked for their favorite IKEA pieces, Liz Hoekzema mentioned the Lohals rug. She noted the piece offers a warm texture and looks good in many different rooms. Her advice was to stack it with a second rug for more visual interest.
Related: Stained Glass Adds Color to L.A. Craftsman Home
Interior designer Hannah Klingenstein used patterned towels to add personality to a Brooklyn Heights townhouse. The developer had renovated the space and removed its original character. These towels serve as décor while handling their daily function. A former Domino editor also highlighted a specific $4 kitchen tool that earned plenty of fans this month. Unlike bulky bag clips, these items fully seal snack bags to keep food fresh for longer.
Summer Essentials and Sale Finds
If Sarah Sherman Samuel has a design signature, it is creating spaces people want to linger in. The Lulu and Georgia Hadler Outdoor Swivel Lounge Chair fits this philosophy. It features a roomy swivel seat and comes in 20 cushion color options. One of the standout items from the month is a solar string light set. The Pooky Novogratz Heidi Solar String Lights were part of a summer sale, selling at nearly 80 percent off. The 25-foot strand includes dimmable globes that set a refined tone for a patio or backyard.
The Anthropolgie Poppy Indoor/Outdoor Flatwoven Geometric Rug also made the list. Available during the Fashionably Early Fall Sale, the striped rug grounds outdoor seating areas. Its classic pattern ensures the item stays useful well after the summer ends. A holdover from Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale, this silk sleep mask is still on sale through August 10. It blocks out light while helping reduce friction on skin and hair overnight, making it one of the easiest bedroom upgrades you will actually use every day. Pamela Anderson turns to a gardening guide again and again for design inspiration, finding some of her best ideas in the garden while adopting a slower pace of life.
