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Friday, November 7, 2025

The Best Early Black Friday Deals of 2025

Milwaukee M18 Cordless Tool Combo Kit Via Homedepot.com
VIA MERCHANT
The Home Depot Black Friday Deals

Milwaukee M18 Cordless Tool Combo Kit

Sale price: $499 | Original price: $999.99

Black Friday isn’t just for gift buying; it’s your chance to grab the gear you’ve been eyeing all year. Currently, The Home Depot has this Milwaukee Tool Kit marked down 50%. It includes a carbide saw blade, wrench, steel wood blade, sanding pad and more—everything you need to power your DIY projects into the new year.

Shop The Home Depot Black Friday deals online and in stores through December 3. Save big on top tool brands like Milwaukee and Ryobi, plus select kitchen appliances!

Fhma25 Lg Washtower Mary Henn 01 Yvedit
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Lowe’s Early Black Friday Sale

LG WashTower

Sale price: $1,598 | Original price: $2,699

Score major discounts on major appliances at Lowe’s this month. And guess what? The LG WashTower and other top LG appliances are part of the early Black Friday sale.

I reviewed the stacked laundry unit over a year ago, and I’ve continued to love it. While a bit smaller in terms of capacity, it looks sleek, saves space and leaves plenty of room for extra shelving and cabinets in the laundry room.

Amazon Fire Tv Stick Hd Via Amazon.com
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Amazon Holiday Deals

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD

Sale price: $19.99 | Original price: $34.99

Missed Prime Day? Don’t fret. Amazon’s rolling out fresh holiday deals all month long.

Score big savings on tech and home electronics, like the Fire TV Stick, now 43% off. It’s a simple, smart way to streamline your home entertainment, especially if you’re an Alexa household.

Blackstone Griddle Via Acehardware.com
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Ace Hardware Black Friday Sale

Blackstone Griddle

Sale price: $279.99 | Original price: $349.99

Ace Hardware has gift deals for everyone on your list this holiday season, from the DIYer to the grill master. Top offers include everything from power tools to outdoor must-haves like grills and griddles. Right now, this two-burner Blackstone griddle is $70 off.

The Taste of Home team is obsessed with Blackstone. They swear it delivers diner-quality burgers and foolproof pancakes every time. With its versatility and performance, this griddle is a smart investment, especially at this price.

Wide Mid Century Accent Chair Via Wayfair.com
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Wayfair Early Access Black Friday Sale

Wide Mid-Century Accent Chair

Sale price: $141.99 | Original price: $384

Save up to 70% at Wayfair on everything from furniture and cookware to seasonal decor.

This mid-century modern armchair is the perfect pick for extra holiday seating. It features a kiln-dried wood frame, linen-blend upholstery and a lightly distressed finish for a vintage touch. Bonus: it comes with a matching throw pillow for an instantly styled look.

Threshold Holiday Sheet Set Via Target.com
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Target Early Black Friday Sale

Threshold Holiday Sheet Set

Sale price: $33 | Original price: $55

Target’s early Black Friday deals are here, with big savings on toys, clothes and bedding.

Through November 8, these red plaid sheets are 40% off, bringing you one step closer to living out your Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas dreams. Who doesn’t love a little festive bedding this time of year?

Yeti French Press
ANTHONY O'REILLY FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
Yeti Seasonal Offers

The Early Bird Set

Sale price: $113.60 | Original price: $142

Make it a very merry Christmas for the outdoor lover in your life with discounts on Yeti coolers, drinkware and more.

The Early Bird Set is a must-have for campers who can’t start the day without coffee. It includes the Rambler French Press and Travel Bottle. Our reviewer loves the French Press for its innovative GroundsControl filter, which brews smooth, grit-free coffee that stays hot for hours. Perfect for camping, commuting or long days at the desk.

Silk & Snow Bed Frame With Storage Via Silkandsnow.com
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Silk & Snow Black Friday Sale

Bed Frame with Storage

Sale price: $560 | Original price: $700

Silk & Snow—one of our favorite furniture brands—is offering up to 25% off sitewide on everything from sofas to bed frames. Our editors have tested several Silk & Snow products, including the bed frame with storage, and Shopping Editor Emily Way is obsessed.

“This bed frame is so modern and pretty! I love its clean look,” she says. “The headboard is nice and soft, and the neutral color looks great with my minimalist decor. I love that the entire underside of the bed is closed off. This prevents my cats from running amok under there.” It’s stylish, functional, and one of the best bed frames we’ve tested—especially at this price.

Avocado Green Mattress
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Avocado Black Friday Sale

Queen Avocado Green Mattress

Sale price: $1,679 | Original price: $2,099

Looking to upgrade your mattress? Avocado’s sustainable, organic beds deliver safer, comfier sleep you can feel good about. Save up to 20% sitewide, and score 50% off select bedding and 30% off throw blankets.

Tester Nancy Snyder says the Avocado Green mattress is worth the splurge in her review. “You can’t put a price on cool, restful sleep that mimics the comfort and luxury of a 5-star hotel bed combined with safe and natural organic materials,” she says. Get it now while it’s 20% off and sleep better naturally.

Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set
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Cozy Earth Black Friday Sale

Bamboo Sheet Set

Sale price: $183.26 | Original price: $308

Some of our favorite sheets are on sale at Cozy Earth! Right now, they’re 30% off, and you can use code FAMILYHANDYMAN for an extra 15% off—that’s over $100 off luxury bamboo sheets.

These queen sheets are softer and cooler than cotton or polyester, with a silky, satin-like feel that makes bedtime a treat. Available in six sizes and 18 colors, they fit any space or style. After testing them myself, I can say that they’re some of the softest sheets I’ve ever tried. They’ll have you looking forward to slipping into bed every night.

Shark Cordless Powerdetect Clean & Empty System Via Sharkninja.com
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Shark Holiday Head Start

Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System

Sale price: $399.99 | Original price: $549.99

Act fast, Shark’s Holiday Head Start is on now! Get 15% off sitewide on orders $300 or more with code HOLIDAY15. And, score savings on new products, including the Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System that’s nearly 30% off.

While we haven’t tested this exact model, we have tried the Shark Cordless Pro. The all-new cleaning system, however, delivers best-in-class debris cleaning, an auto-empty dock that charges and empties after every clean and 70 minutes of runtime—perfect for keeping your home spotless with minimal effort this holiday season.

Summit Fire Pit Via Solostove.com
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Solo Stove Holiday Deals

Summit Fire Pit

Sale price: $479.99 | Original price: $599.99

Solo Stove’s all-new lineup is on sale for a limited time right now. Score deals on the Steelfire griddle, Windchill cooler and Summit fire pit. Plus, get free roasting sticks with select fire pits using code TOASTY.

The new Solo Stove Summit reinvents the classic Bonfire fire pit. Thanks to the Quick-Strike Cone, it lights in seconds and produces taller, brighter, more mesmerizing flames. It’s perfect for cozy nights outdoors this chilly season.

Fhma23 Buffys Cloud Comforter Mary Henn 03 Yvedit
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Buffy Black Friday Sale

The Cloud Comforter

Sale price: $150 | Original price: $200

Buffy’s Black Friday Early Access sale is here, and you can get 25% off sitewide.

I’m a big fan of the Buffy Cloud comforter. The queen all-season version I use is soft, breathable, washable and cozy—I literally sleep with it every night. Plus, it’s made sustainably. If you’re ready to beat the cold, the winter-weight version is also included in the sale. Pro tip: size up for that luxe, oversized look as they tend to run a little small.

Helix Midnight Elite Mattress
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
Helix Black Friday Sale

Queen Midnight Elite Mattress

Sale price: $2,812 | Original price: $3,749.33

Helix is kicking off the shopping season with 25% off sitewide with code BF25. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your sleep, now’s the perfect time to buy a new mattress.

Deputy Editor Katie Bandurski loves her Helix Midnight Elite mattress. “If you, like me, are a restless side sleeper with occasional neck pain, the Midnight Elite mattress provides almost immediate relief,” she says in her review. “While I was initially skeptical of the price point, I can confirm after two years of testing that the Helix is completely worth it. My nighttime neck pain is gone, and I genuinely have never slept better. See ya later, chiropractor!”

Toha25 Gardyn Studio Emily Way 09 Ssedit
EMILY WAY FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
Gardyn Black Friday Sale

Studio 2

Sale price: $439.20 | Original price: $549

Thinking about starting your own kitchen garden? Check out the Gardyn Studio 2, a fully indoor hydroponic system, and save over $100 when you shop the brand’s Black Friday sale.

“Not only is my Gardyn Studio easy to use and pretty much self-sustaining, it’s also teaching me a lot about growing my own plants,” says Emily. “In fact, I’ve built up enough confidence over the past month to try my hand at outdoor gardening again! I also don’t need to worry about buying greens—I already have more than enough thanks to my Gardyn.”

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Thursday, November 6, 2025

40,000 Tires Recalled Over Flawed Tread — Are Yours on the List?

Tires are expensive. Any issue with them that requires more than a simple patch is likely to prove a headache. So when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a Toyo tire recall this week, you may have found yourself groaning. Nearly 40,000 tires have tread issues, making them significantly less stable on the road. Learn how to determine if yours are faulty and what steps to take to repair them.

Why Is Toyo Recalling So Many Tires?

According to the NHTSA brief, the Toyo tire recall is due to tread separation, which “can cause vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash.” There was “contamination during production” that “may reduce adhesion and cause the tread to separate.”

Tread is incredibly important to tires. It provides the grip that keeps your car on the road. Standard road tires have some grooves, while heavy-duty off-road and all-weather tires have much more pronounced bumps and ridges that allow them to better grab onto the surfaces beneath them and keep you safe.

For functioning tires, keep an eye on the tread depth of the grooves. If your tires get worn smooth, they’ll become slick and won’t do a good job staying on the road. When it comes to the faulty Toyo tires, insufficient adhesion can cause the tread to separate even without the wear and tear that regular driving causes.

Which Tires Are Faulty?

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas, Inc. says that almost 40,000 tires have this problem, including the:

  • Open Country A/T III
  • Open Country R/T Trail
  • Open Country M/T
  • Open Country H/T II
  • Crosstek 2
  • Dura Grappler Highway Terrain
  • Exo Grappler AWT
  • Mud Grappler Extreme Terrain
  • Recon Grappler A/T
  • Ridge Grappler
  • Terra Grappler G3 A/T
  • Trail Grappler M/T tires.

Is There a Fix?

Per the NHTSA brief, “dealers will replace the tires, free of charge.” If you have any of the above tires, keep an eye on your mailbox. Owner notification letters will likely be sent out in mid-December 2025. Once you know for certain whether your tires are faulty, schedule an appointment to replace them at your earliest convenience. You don’t want to be driving on slick tires if you can avoid it.

If you have further questions, you can contact Toyo’s customer service at 800-442-8696 or Nitto’s Customer Care at 888-529-8200. The NHTSA number for this recall is 25T018000.

Source

Tire Tread May Separate, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2025.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Scientists Use Mollusk Shell Secrets to Create Super-Strength Concrete

Cement is the most commonly used construction material in the world, used to create everything from skyscrapers to sidewalks. To meet the demands of global industries, over 4 billion tons of cement are produced annually. That’s good for cement manufacturers, but not so great for the environment. It’s estimated that anywhere from 4 to 8 percent of all CO2 emissions around the globe come from concrete production.

But what if cement were less brittle and more malleable? Would we still need as much of it? Those are the questions being asked by researchers at Princeton, who claim to have crafted a new formula for cement that’s 17 times tougher and 19 times more ductile than typical cast cement.

The secret to the strength? Believe it or not… It’s mollusks. Here’s a look at how this new cement was developed, how it was tested, and how it could be applied to future construction projects.

Mollusks?

Yes, mollusks. Mollusks have a special composite material lining their inner shell, known as “nacre.” Nacre, also known as “mother of pearl,” has traditionally been used in jewelry shops. But it also has some intriguing properties on a molecular level — properties that caught the eye of our Princeton researchers.

If you look at nacre under a microscope, you’ll see what looks like hexagonal sheets or tablets of slate. Those hexagons are made of argonite, and they’re connected by a soft biopolymer. That microscopic interaction between those hard argonite hexagons and the biopolymer binding them is exactly what Princeton researchers think could change the way the world produces cement.

“This synergy between the hard and soft components is crucial to nacre’s remarkable mechanical properties,” Shashank Gupta, a co-author of the study and graduate student at Princeton, said in a press statement. “If we can engineer concrete to resist crack propagation, we can make it tougher, safer and more durable.”

How Was the New Formula Tested?

To test their idea, the Princeton lab conducted a relatively straightforward test. They created three beams made from alternating sheets of cement and thin polymer layers. For the first beam, the cement and polymer were just layered on top of each other. For the other two, hexagonal grooves were cut into the cement at various depths, allowing the beams to fully mimic the molecular structure of nacre.

Those three beams were then tested and compared to a regular cement beam with no polymer layers or hexagonal grooves. The results were conclusive: all three beams with the polymer were more ductile and tougher than the standard beam. The beam featuring deep cut hexagonal lates and the polymer saw the largest increase in toughness and ductility. Just as importantly, it did not lose any strength compared to the standard concrete.

“Our bio-inspired approach is not to simply mimic nature’s microstructure but to learn from the underlying principles and use that to inform the engineering of human-made materials. One of the key mechanisms that makes a nacreous shell tough is the sliding of the tablet at the nanometer level,” ​​Reza Moini, a coauthor of the study, said in a press statement. “In other words, we intentionally engineer defects in the brittle materials as a way to make them stronger by design.”

What Happens Next?

Concrete that’s inherently tougher and more ductile would have numerous practical applications worldwide. The Princeton researchers noted that their results are based on lab conditions, and further testing and research are needed before this technique is applied in the field.

“We are only scratching the surface; there will be numerous design possibilities to explore and engineer the constitutive hard and soft material properties, the interfaces, and the geometric aspects that play into the fundamental size effects in construction materials,” Moini said.

Sources

Related

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Turns Out, Those Flashy Aftermarket Car Lights Could Actually Be Illegal

Are Pillow Tags Really Illegal to Remove? Here’s What the Law Actually Says

As I tossed in bed one night, I realized irritation from one of the bedding tags poking out from under my pillowcase was keeping me awake. I could have gotten up, pulled the pillow out from the pillowcase and inserted it the other way around, but I figured it was easier to simply rip off the tag. So I did. I threw it on the floor and went back to sleep.

The next morning, I picked up the tag and got an unpleasant surprise: clearly written on it were the words “Do Not Remove.” Now what? Were the pillow police going to break down my door and haul me off to jail?

Well, not exactly, says Derek Hales, editor of NapLab, a publication devoted to testing mattresses, sheets, pillows and other bed-related commodities. He assured me I didn’t have anything to worry about, and here’s why.

Historical Context of Bedding Tags

Bedding tags do serve a purpose. They are there to inform consumers like you and me what’s actually in the bedding, and they were very important back in the early 1900s, when manufacturers began affixing them to their products.

“Early in the 1900s, many bedding manufacturers would fill pillows (and mattresses) with all manner of low-quality, cheap materials,” explains Hales. ” These materials included used feathers and various types of hair, as well as different types of fabric, cloth and paper, among other less-than-hygienic materials. In some cases, the contents of these pillows contributed to the transmission of disease, resulting in illnesses for those who used these pillows.”

What the Tag Actually Means

You can’t take apart a pillow or mattress to see what’s inside, so bedding tags are the only way of knowing what you’re sleeping on at night. According to bedding and textile expert Barbara Stern: “Tags signal adherence to safety requirements such as fire resistance and hypoallergenicity, and they occasionally include instructions for caring for the item.”

Here is some of the information you’ll find on pillow tags:

  • Material composition – The tag lists all materials used in the construction of the pillow, such as memory foam, polyester or down. It also indicates whether these materials are new or recycled.
  • Allergen safety information – If the manufacturer used chemicals that are potential allergens, the tag should list them, but it may not. Manufacturers are only required to list the generic names of the raw materials and fibers they use. Some of these, however, may be processed using banned chemicals like formaldehyde.
  • Fire safety – The tag confirms adherence to government fire-resistance standards.
  • Washing instructions – A symbol of a bucket filled with water indicates you can wash your pillow in the washing machine. If you see a number inside the bucket, it indicates the maximum recommended water temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, depending on where the pillow was made.
  • Drying instructions – A square with a circle inside it means you can put your pillow in the dryer. Inside the circle, you’ll see a series of dots. One dot means to use low heat, two dots medium and three dots high heat.
  • Country of origin – Countries are identified by a two-letter code, and some have changed over the years. The one for China used to be “RC” (for the Republic of China), but today it’s “CN”. Since the code for California is CA, the one for Canada has been changed to CD.

Is It Really Illegal to Remove?

Not for consumers, says Hales. “It is only illegal for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to remove the tag.” That’s why he assured me I don’t have to worry about the pillow police.

Why The Tags Still Exist Today

The tag on your pillow assures that you get what you pay for. “It prevents unscrupulous manufacturers from marketing a pillow as being filled with X, when it’s actually filled with a lower quality Y material,” explains Hales.

Pop Culture and Urban Legend

The absurdity of fearing legal repercussions for removing the tag from your own pillow has provided material for stand-up comics like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld. Sixties-era cartoon characters like Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny have been “arrested” for this seemingly innocuous “crime,” and recurring TV series like “Seinfeld,” “Friends,” and “The Simpsons” have referenced it in a tongue-in-cheek way. The joke is that, despite scary warnings like “Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law,” it’s perfectly legal for you to pull the tag off your own pillow. Besides, who’s going to know?

FAQ

So why the scary language?

The scary language is directed at manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. It’s meant to advise them that laws do, in fact, require them to disclose the materials in the products they make and sell. If you were to sell your own pillow to someone else, that transaction might be subject to these laws too.

What happens if a company removes the tag?

Manufacturers or sellers who remove tags prior to sale can be held liable for an unfair or deceptive practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Penalties include fines and possible loss of certification to sell bedding products.

About the Experts

  • Derek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NapLab, which tests and reviews mattresses using a battery of objective and data-driven tests.
  • Barbara Stern is a textile and bedding expert at Ottoman Textiles

Source

RELATED:

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Friday, October 31, 2025

DIY Your Own Window Clings This Holiday: A Step-by-Step Guide

DIY window clings are a brilliant holiday project. They are simple to make, yet deliver a great deal of creative satisfaction — plus making your own is a lot cheaper than buying them at the store.

“I like the clings of snowflakes or autumn leaves since they capture the pattern of nature and are beautiful without any heavy adornment,” says holiday decor creator Richie David. “They have the power of transforming any room into a form of creativity.”

Another bonus, they are easy to peel off, so you can change them up for each season. Here are two techniques for making DIY window clings.

Create Your Design and Template

  • Choose a design for your window cling. Keep in mind that simple ones are easier to execute.
  • Draw it on a sheet of paper. If drawing isn’t your thing, print out a design you like from the internet or use a page from a coloring book.
  • Insert the paper with your design on it into a plastic sheet protector. Alternatively, you can tape a piece of translucent wax paper over the top. In a pinch, a plastic bag will work, too.

drawing of a tree on a white sheet of paper and a marker

Mix Your Paint (glue method only)

  • Use a separate container for each color.
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of glue with one drop of dish soap.
  • Add the food coloring.

Pro-tip: You can create more colors with fewer containers by starting with light colors. Once you’re done painting those, add in more food coloring to create darker colors. For example, on the Christmas tree, we started with the forest green color, then added yellow to make the more subdued green tone.

mixing paint

Paint Your Design

  • Using puff paint (aka 3D paint), fabric paint or the glue mixture, outline your design on the page protector. Outline any inner shapes, too.
  • It’s important that the outer edge have a solid line, or it may break when you go to peel it off later.

Pro-tip: If you’re using puff paint, practice a few strokes on scrap plastic first, to get a feel for how it comes out of the bottle.

  • Fill in the inside of the design, making the paint decently thick, so it’s easier to peel off at the end. Also, make sure all of the interior paint colors are touching, or they may also rip apart at the end.
  • Shake on some glitter, for a more festive look.

Note: Puff paint is not the same as glitter glue. But you can get puff paint with glitter in it, or add your own. If you’ve chosen the glue method, food coloring will make the design more translucent than acrylic paint.

painting design with color paint

Wait For It to Dry

  • It may take 24 to 48 hours for your creation to dry, so stash it in a safe place overnight.
  • You can tell it’s dry when it becomes translucent. If it still looks milky from behind, it’s not dry yet.
  • Shake the glitter off once the paint is dry.

Peel and Stick

  • Peel your creation from the sheet protector.
  • Start slowly and try to use patience, so it doesn’t rip or stretch too much.

Pro-tip: If it’s not peeling off well, put it in the freezer for a few hours. If that doesn’t work, you might need to add another layer of paint, and wait for that to dry.

  • Once it’s off, press the smooth side against a clean window. Choose one that gets a lot of sun, so the light truly makes your creation shine.
  • If you decide later on that you want to move your cling to another window, it’s okay to just peel it off and re-stick it elsewhere.

peeling painted design from the sheet protector

FAQ

Will homemade window clings damage my window?

No, DIY window clings will not damage windows, but they could leave a bit of residue. “You’re more likely to damage the glass by scratching it during the cleaning process, by using too much pressure with an abrasive tool,” says home cleaning expert Kamila Soltynska.

How do you remove/clean up window clings?

Peel them off with your fingers. If that doesn’t work, try gently lifting them with a plastic scraper, or heat the window cling with a hair dryer, to soften the glue. “Hopefully, that’s where things end, but especially with homemade sticky stuff like window clings, l’ll often find there’s leftover residue to clean,” says Soltynska. “If that’s the case, a quick swipe with warm soapy water should do, [or] for more stubborn residue, a degreasing spray, such as those you would use in your kitchen.”

DIY window clings

About the Experts

  • Kamila Soltynska is founder of Best Home Services, which serves the London, England, area. Beyond removing window clings, the company also provides domestic, commercial and biohazard cleaning services.
  • Richie David is president and CEO of Totally Home Furniture, as well as a holiday decoration creator, specializing in seasonal decor concepts that are interesting to families and homeowners.

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Paint Color Trends That Will Define Interior Design In 2026

Although there’s still some time left in 2025, designers and paint manufacturers are already looking ahead to 2026, giving us a glimpse of the color trends to come. Many have announced their “Color of the Year,” an annual tradition that sets the tone for interior design and decor in the months ahead.

An overarching theme for 2026 is a shift away from cool, crisp shades toward cozy, earthy colors. Expect to see warm whites, mid-tone neutrals, and deep, nature-inspired palettes taking center stage. Crisp whites, strong blacks and some of the softer, overused tones of previous years are gradually being retired, making way for colors that feel soft and comforting. Ahead, we break down 2026 paint trends, showing you what’s in — and what’s out.

In for 2026:

2026 continues to lean toward muted and sophisticated pallets with grounded, natural undertones. Ahead, find the “Color of the Year” from a snapshot of major manufacturers, indicators of where paint color trends are headed.

Silhouette, Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore’s “Color of the Year” perfectly captures the overall direction of 2026 paint color trends. Out are the bold blacks and navy blues, and in are colors like Silhouette, a deep, rich brown with charcoal gray undertones. It’s sophisticated and dramatic, yet neutral enough to anchor a space without overwhelming it.

Universal Khaki, Sherwin-Williams

A mid-tone, warm tan, Universal Khaki is Sherwin-Williams’ choice for 2026. Subtle and versatile, this natural hue complements other inviting neutrals without needing to take center stage, for a cohesive, welcome feel in any room.

Hidden Gem, Behr

Hidden Gem, Behr’s selection, combines green and blue with gray undertones for a muted, sophisticated take on more traditional greens. It’s colorful, with an understated depth that doesn’t overpower.

Warm Mahogany, Glidden

True to its name, Glidden’s Warm Mahogany captures the deep, refined beauty of its namesake wood. It’s a warm, rich, red-brown hue that lends a natural, rustic touch to any space.

Cactus Valley, California Paints

Cactus Valley, California Paints selection for 2026, is a grounded green with subtle warmth. Not a bright, showy green, instead it has a calm tone that creates depth and sophistication, especially when paired with other nature-centric colors like creamy whites, browns and neutrals.

Warm Eucalyptus, Valspar

Another soft, muted green, Warm Eucalyptus further embodies next year’s continued movement toward rich, organic tones that create a balanced and harmonious space.

Out for 2026:

While cool grays, whites and blacks have had a good run over the last decade, their reign is coming to an end as 2026 ushers in warmer, more inviting tones.

Tricorn Black, Sherwin-Williams

A deep, true black, Tricorn Black has been the go-to black paint color for years, prized for its minimal undertones and true color in a variety of lights. However, many designers and homeowners are looking to deep browns and greens instead of black for 2026.

Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore

A once-loved gray for over a decade, Gray Owl is representative of the cool, crisp grays now colloquially known as “Millennial Gray”. This color and those like it seemed to be everywhere for a while, but are now seen as dated and flat in home interiors.

Pure White, Sherwin-Williams

As its name suggests, Pure White by Sherwin-Williams is a stark, crisp white with subtle undertones that read as a true white in most lighting. However, these cool whites are being passed over for their softer, more neutral counterparts in 2026.

Light Blue, Benjamin Moore

Powder blue as a category is largely out, and Light Blue by Benjamin Moore is a prime example of the soft hue that has seen a recent resurgence on kitchen cabinets.

Sage Green, Behr

While it would seem that a warm, earthy green like Sage Green would be on trend for 2026, the color as a whole has seen a bit of overexposure in the last couple of years. While out for 2026, sagey greens could see a faster rebound in popularity than the cooler tones on this list.

Dayroom Yellow, Farrow and Ball

Soft, buttery yellows have also fallen out of favor for 2026 like Dayroom Yellow from Farrow and Ball. While it had a moment in the last few years, buttery yellow can be difficult to pull off without making a space look dated.

Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore

Classic navy blues like Hale Navy have also been popular for a while, but like true black paint colors, are being replaced by deep, dark greens and browns instead.

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Sleigh Your Holiday Decor with These DIY Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments

Get a template

A quick internet search will provide you with numerous options to choose from when selecting a template for your stained glass projects. I am sharing my Christmas tree template with you below. My design is made up of a bunch of straight lines, which are easier to cut than curved ones. Use a ruler and pen or pencil to sketch it out on paper.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments Glass Ornament

Cut out the glass pieces

Lay your glass over your template and use a black marker to draw the design onto your glass. If you are using textured glass, it’ll have one smoother side than the other. Draw it on the smooth side.

Use an oiled glass cutting tool to cut the glass design into pieces. Think about angles, where they join and how to best cut them away from each other. You can use a ruler to guide straight lines with both your marker and cutting tool.

As you score your lines, listen for a consistent sound of glass cracking. Once each cut is scored, snap it off using running pliers. Take your time and remember you can always cut another piece if something doesn’t work out. Keep track of pieces by laying them on the template as you cut if you are using more than one color.

TIP: Save cut-offs! In stained glass, even small pieces will be valuable in the future.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornamentsfhm Stained Glass Ornament

Clean up the edges

Glass doesn’t always cut perfectly. Use a glass grinder (or silicone carbide sandpaper with a few drops of water for lubrication) to smooth out any chipped or uneven edges of the cut glass. You want the copper foil to lie flat along the edge of each glass piece. If any of the edges are chipped or angled, they are more likely to cut through the foil and can be dangerous to handle. Clean and dry the sanded pieces before moving on.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments

Wrap the edges with foil

Wrap each cut glass piece with 7/32-inch copper foil, ensuring the foil is centered over the edges of the glass. Burnish the edges with a fiddler/burnisher to ensure the copper foil has good adhesion all the way around. If the copper foil has overlapped, making the foil lines messy, cut away excess with a utility knife. Smooth the foil with a foil crimper to make sure the edges and foldover lay flat.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments Fhm Stained Glass Ornament Ef 092625 Step 004a Wrap Foil Inset

Tack solder the ornament together

To ensure all pieces of glass are held in place as you solder, add a small solder tack where they meet. To remove oxidation and create a clean surface for soldering, always use soldering flux. Flux also helps the solder flow as it heats up, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing solder bead. Put a small tack on both sides of the ornament before you proceed. Test the temperature of your soldering gun for optimal application. 400- to 500-degrees is perfect for quick tacks.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments Fhm Stained Glass Ornament Ef 092625 Step 005 Tack Solder

“Tin” the seams

To ensure a good solder bead at each seam, “tin” the copper foil with a very thin layer of solder applied to both sides of the ornament. At this point, don’t worry about making it pretty. This is about preparing the copper foil to accept a thicker bead of solder. Always use flux in between soldering passes. You can never overdo flux. As with tacking, the temperature of your soldering iron should be 400 – 500 degrees when “tinning”.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments

Solder the ornament

With all the Copper Foil now “tinned” or covered in a thin layer of solder, build up a thicker bead on each seam of your ornament. Focus on soldering the seams on the two flat, face sides of your ornament. Then, solder all the outer edges once you are satisfied with the front and back faces. If you don’t like a particular bead, you can feel free to flux and go back over it again. The secret to the final bead is a combination of speed and temperature. I recommend raising the heat to 600 at this point. Allow the solder to pool as you are pulling it forward with the soldering gun. Practice makes perfect, and soldering is one of those things most will never do well the first time.

To easily handle a hot piece of glass and solder, use a piece of scrap wood and small clamps to hold it in place as you work on the outer edges.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments Fhm Stained Glass Ornament Ef 092625 Step 007a Bead

Solder hanging wire to the top

To create a way to hang the ornament, use pre-tinned wire to make it easier to solder right onto the top of the ornament. Use needle-nose pliers to create a loop, and always use flux. Little wires can be finicky; be patient. It may take more than one try to get it in the right place.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments

Clean the ornament

To deactivate the flux and neutralize the acidity, rinse the finished stained glass Christmas ornaments with a water and baking soda solution. Wipe dry before applying a patina.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments

Apply a copper patina

Apply copper patina solution with a small artist’s brush to all soldered surfaces. Solder patina also comes in black.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments Fhm Stained Glass Ornament Ef 092625 Step 010 Patina

FAQ

Is making stained glass an expensive hobby?

It can be, but doesn’t have to be. As with most hobbies, there is an initial investment to get started. With the exception of getting a wet glass grinder, getting started in small stained-glass projects is relatively inexpensive.

Should you wear a mask when making stained glass?

When working on stained glass projects, it is essential to wear a respiratory mask when soldering to prevent inhaling fumes.

Can I clean stained glass with Windex?

Windex contains ammonia, which will be harmful to your stained glass. Use a non-ammonia glass cleaner or simply use soap and water to safely clean your stained glass.

Sleigh Your Holiday Decor With These Stained Glass Christmas Ornaments

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