The Housing Muse

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2026 Home Design Trends: What's Hot, What's Not
Jan. 15, 2026

2026 Home Design Trends: What's Hot, What's Not

Stay ahead in 2026. Tune in to the latest episode of the Real Estate Today Podcast to find out the home design trends that matter and the remodeling strategies that could maximize your home’s resale value.  
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CES 2026: Cool Tech Finds for the Home
Jan. 8, 2026

CES 2026: Cool Tech Finds for the Home

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey The tech industry’s annual mega-event never fails in showing off the latest innovations—and CES 2026 delivered in a big way. From hyper-connected smart homes and AI-powered everything to a robot butler straigh…
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Color Experts Reveal the Latest Paint Trends
March 28, 2025

Color Experts Reveal the Latest Paint Trends

EPISODE 54: Should you paint that red brick—white? Which is more on-trend: Gray or beige for that all-over color for your home? And could your home’s wall color actually help boost your mood? Color forecasters Sue Wadden and Emily Kantz from...
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2025 Home Design Trends: The Good & The Bad
Nov. 5, 2024

2025 Home Design Trends: The Good & The Bad

EPSIODE 53: What’s hot in 2025 for home design? To sum up, it’s getting loud! Home designer and stager Krisztina Bell joins Melissa Dittmann Tracey on The Housing Muse Podcast to break down the hottest home trends for 2025 ... the paint colors,...
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2025 Colors of the Year: The Paint Trends to Watch
Nov. 5, 2024

2025 Colors of the Year: The Paint Trends to Watch

Need some paint color inspiration for your next home project? Each year, the leading paint firms weigh in with their paint picks for the “Color of the Year.”   The paint trends for 2025 appear to be leaning in heavy on the browns,…
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Recent Blog Posts

Jan. 15, 2026

2026 Home Design Trends: What's Hot, What's Not

2026 Home Design Trends: What's Hot, What's Not
View more
Jan. 8, 2026

CES 2026: Cool Tech Finds for the Home

CES 2026: Cool Tech Finds for the Home
View more
Nov. 5, 2024

2025 Colors of the Year: The Paint Trends to Watch

2025 Colors of the Year: The Paint Trends to Watch
View more
View all posts

About the Host

Melissa Dittmann Tracey Profile Photo
Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Podcaster / Blogger / Journalist

Melissa Dittmann Tracey is known as "the housing muse" and the creator and host of The Housing Muse Podcast. She is an award-winning journalist who has been covering the real estate and home design industry for more than 15 years. She was named by Fixr.com as one of the "Top 30 Home Improvement Journalists" in the nation for 2024. She is also the creator of the Styled, Staged & Sold blog (the No. 1 home staging blog in the country voted by Feedspot for the last five years and counting). You also can hear her weekly on the syndicated radio show and podcast, Real Estate Today, with her segment "Hot or Not?" in home design. She has contributed to dozens of publications over the years, including U.S. News & World Report, BobVila.com, Homes.com, HouseLogic.com, PEOPLE, Chicago Tribune, REALTOR, and more.

Reviews

Love The Housing Muse

"Melissa is awesome!! She so on top of trends and her podcasts are lively and informative."

db_wings | Oct. 26, 2021

Knows her stuff!

"Melissa has been involved in the home staging, real estate and design industry for many years so she really knows what she’s talking about! She also has a way of taking difficult information and maki…"

Trevski14 | Aug. 16, 2021

Must Listen Podcast

"Melissa always has such valuable information to share when it comes to decorating a home or just to get that inspiration you are looking for to really make a home warm and inviting and your own perso…"

krisztinabell | Aug. 3, 2021

Just found this gem!

"This was a remarkably insightful podcast! Looking forward to the next episode!"

rpm1234589 | Aug. 3, 2021

The Housing Muse Podcast

"Melissa Dittmann Tracey brings a big dose of creativity and fun to her podcast, while sharing great tips on home design and staging. The podcast is perfect for real estate professionals who want to h…"

re-editor | July 30, 2021

Love this Podcast!

"This is so much fun! If you listen to Melissa, you'll know how to make your place awesome! She's the best! I wish I has found this podcast 10 years ago!"

HD_Dude | April 6, 2022

Great Stuff!!

"This podcast is not only extremely entertaining, but is packed with tons of useful information. If you want to save money and avoid making mistakes, just listen!!"

Paul | Jan. 17, 2024
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