Blending styles can be difficult. Naturally, when two or more people are brought together, their visions aren’t always going to mesh. Like getting a haircut then realizing, after they spin you around for the big reveal, that your barber actually didn’t “totally get” the inspiration photo you brought in. Or teaming up with some friends for a group project in school who you didn't realize were petrified of public speaking. Or, take One Direction for example. Five solo singers who at didn't get along at all at first, brought together only after Simon Cowell corralled them all into a boy band.
Warm, chocolatey tones
Photo by Evan Wise on Unsplash
This frustrating lack of cohesion is also at stake whenever you move in with someone, whether that be family, a roommate, or a significant other. What kind of couch should the two of you get? (One that’s comfy and big, or something more trendy?) Where should the dining table go? (Up against the window, or tucked away in the corner?) And who’s in charge of doing the dishes? Sharing a living space can often feel like a Machiavellian thought experiment—a constant dialogue between two people who are both trying to get what they want.
But I digress. A refreshing new trend is sweeping TikTok, one that tackles this very issue head-on. Welcome to the wonderful world of the “boy and girl apartment.”
@emmablogna the perfect mix of both of us❤️ #apartmentdecor #apartmentinspo #interiordesign ♬ If You Love Me - The Informers
This trend is perhaps best exemplified by a video from Emma Faye, a.k.a. @emmablogna on TikTok. On screen are the words “boy and girl apartment” and the caption reads “the perfect mix of both of us ♥️ #apartmentdecor #apartmentinspo”. In the video, she pans over her and her partner/roommate’s apartment: a fun, eclectic mix of decor that clearly represents both parties’ interests and one cohesive vision. There’s a small neon sign on the wall that reads “BADABING!” (surely, a reference tothe famed institution from “The Sopranos”) in the living room. A gorgeous white tulip table is decorated with dainty doily placesettings. A wall of vintage posters hang from the walls. A tiny candle sits next to an even tinier ceramic cowboy boot holding miniature matches. There's even a chocolate-colored Cleveland Browns coffee table book. That video has amassed 1.5 million views and approximately 367K likes. In the comments, users praise the duo’s video, writing “manifesting a space like this with someone I love” and “claiming this energy 🙏”.
At its best, the “boy and girl apartment” trend creates a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing living space for both parties. These apartments seamlessly blend both partners' unique styles and design sense, while also remaining functional and comfortable.
@lamaisondeleoniie boy and girl apartment . . . #interiordesign #apartmentdecor #homedecor #homeaesthetics #candles #cozyhomedecor #apartmentinspo #apartmentinspiration #projector #moviesathome #livingroom #diningroom #boyapartment #girlapartment #boyandgirlapartment ♬ nights like this (instrumental) - no/vox & karaokey
Looking to create your own “boy and girl apartment” utopia? Here are a few tips and tricks.
- Find the right color palette. Incorporate a color palette that calls to both partners. To get started, HGTV’s design team recommends using a color wheel to find analogous color schemes (a.k.a. colors that live next to each other on the color wheel, like blue and green) to create a more casual and relaxing atmosphere. Or, try using a viral color trend, like “truffle” — a “rich, chocolate-meets-taupe” paint color that Elle Decor describes as “having crept in slowly on the heels of neutrals like flax, oatmeal, and cream.”
- Functionality is key. The “boy and girl apartment” trend is directly tied to another online sensation. On TikTok, videos featuring “boy apartments” have also been on the rise, so much so that Elle Decor wrote about the growing social media phenomenon. “Unlike a bachelor pad or man cave, the boy apartment moves beyond the bare necessities of bro-dom, featuring clean, neutral-toned sofas, thriving houseplants, and meticulously styled coffee tables (complete with actual coffee table books)”, they write. Similarly, the ideal “boy and girl” apartment also employs functionality in creative, unexpected ways, like the chic floor-to-ceiling projector featured in Berlin interior designer @lamaisondeleoniie’s video, which keeps the minimalist space TV and screen-free.
- Express yourself through personal touches. There are entire worlds to be found in the details of these “boy and girl” apartments. In another viral video posted by Andie Jey (@andoej), she walks us through her apartment, which she describes as “the perfect balance of girly vibes and rodeo finance bro aesthetic.” While large pieces and furniture remain relatively nice but generic (there’s a large white sofa and nondescript dark brown coffee table) their place really comes alive in the details: a Vogue Living coffee table book. A rocket-shaped gin decanter. Cute, white flowers in the entryway. Framed black-and-white posters of Harry Styles (for him) and Mick Jagger (for her.) Through personal touches like these, each partner is fully able to express their unique style and taste, without having either one overwhelm the space.
Whether you’re moving into a new space or just want to spruce up the one you’re in, the “boy and girl apartment” trend is a great reminder that with proper communication and a solid vision, you too, can live in the home of your dreams.
Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.