Red bungalow with a wooden door, surrounded by lush plants and a small front yard.
3 Things You’re Forgetting to Pay Attention to When You’re Shopping for a Home (And 3 to Ignore)
If you’re in the market for a house, first of all, congrats! Buying a home is one of the most rewarding—albeit at times exasperating—things you’ll do in your life. By the time you’re ready to buy, you likely have a sufficient grasp on the basic necessities: a solid foundation, a roof that doesn’t leak, wiring that won’t cause your new home to spontaneously combust, and so on. But what about the other stuff you should be mindful of?
Jan 20, 2019
Your Obsession With “Tidying Up” Might Just Be Overwhelming Your Local Thrift Store
We’re not sure – does this spark joy or no?
Jan 19, 2019
10 Colorful Living Room Ideas to Steal From IKEA
If your living room could use a jolt of color, these images are sure to inspire.
Jan 19, 2019
The Best Real Estate Advice for Couples, According to Divorce Attorneys
First comes love. Then comes marriage… or a civil union or cohabitation. From there, we’re cheering for something along the lines of “and they lived happily ever after.” But because life is full of plot twists—and because divorce rates are around 40 to 50 percent in the United States—it can be important to take some precautions when you’re buying a house with a partner. Who better to offer that advice than divorce attorneys?
Jan 19, 2019
Target Is Giving Away $20 Gift Cards Today If You Spend $100 On Baby Items
Planning to head to Target this weekend to aimlessly wander the aisles? If you’re a parent, that aimless Target run is actually going to benefit you tremendously. Everyone knows that babies are not cheap. They are growing every day, spitting up on their clothes, and bursting through diapers left and right. Infants go through onesies in the blink of an eye. It would seem that Target understands just how much it costs to raise a child.
Jan 19, 2019
These 4 Bedroom Features Have Fallen Out of Favor
The new year is a great time to reevaulate the aesthetics of your home, especially if you want to make some updates with an eye on resale value. While bathrooms and kitchens offer the most opportunities return on investment, bedrooms also offer ample opportunities for beneficial (and relatively easy!) updates—especially if they feature some common features that now scream “dated.
Jan 18, 2019
The Best Things to Buy With Your Target Gift Card—Whether You Have $5 or $100
The holidays are over and chances are you have a Target gift card or two burning a hole in your pocket. But before you go blow it all on one fun but frivolous item—guilty!—you might want to consider all the amazing home essentials you could spend yours on instead. To prove our point, we rounded up ten practical products to buy at Target, starting at just 5 bucks. From cleaning tools to luxury sheets, here are the best things to buy for your home using your Target gift card.
Jan 18, 2019
Anthro’s New Collection Reminds Us That Spring Isn’t Far Off
Anthropologie just released a new collection and it’s a perfect match for those of us who love florals and bright colors and hate restraint when decorating. The exclusive collection reimagines the work of Paule Marrot (1902-1987), a French textile designer who favored bold patterns and rich hues in her work. Designed in collaboration with the editors of Paule Marrot Paris, the collection includes goods for the whole home, from the bedroom to the kitchen and everywhere in between.
Jan 18, 2019
Ask Alice: I Want My Boyfriend to Move In, But Not His Stuff
Dear Alice, My boyfriend is moving into my apartment. All of the decor in my place is new, in great condition, and I’ve spent a lot of money on it. It is mostly neutrals with a little bit of blues and greens. When he moves in he insists on hanging up his movie and video game posters and placing his little character figurines around the place.
Jan 18, 2019
Before and After: A Pretty IKEA PAX Hack Elevates This Entire Bedroom
Thanks to a blush of color and a clever installation job, the ubiquitous blank-slate PAX wardrobe from IKEA gets a major upgrade in a graphic designer’s Copenhagen apartment. Four IKEA PAX wardrobes are now painted the same pink as the surrounding walls, giving them the appearance of a built-in closet. Michella Laura has turned pink into a sophisticated neutral that sets off the white bedding and trim to great effect and allows the stunning white-and-blue vintage Murano light to pop.
Jan 18, 2019
Marie Kondo Says Her Parents Once Banned Her From Tidying
Here's what Kondo has to say about her childhood home.
Jan 18, 2019
No Other Cleaning Project Feels Quite as Satisfying as This One
The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. It’s not too late to sign up, and you can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far. Positive reinforcement is one hell of a high. In our younger days, we might have been motivated to do almost anything for the promise of a gold star or a cookie.
Jan 18, 2019
Amy Sedaris’ Apartment Is Just as Quirky as She Is
If you love Amy Sedaris’ quirky, madcap style of humor, then you’ll really love her West Village apartment. New York magazine recently recently published a video tour from Wendy Goodman of the space, which Amy shares with her rabbit, Tina. Commenting on YouTube, user VillageKevTalks described it thus: “it’s like if Barbie, a cat lady, and Wes Anderson shared a home together.” It is! And it’s every bit as delightful as that sounds.
Jan 17, 2019
The One Thing I Bought (& Still Use!) After KonMari-ing My Entire Home
I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in 2014, shortly after it was released in the United States. I had never read a self-help-style book, but I had always struggled with clutter and felt like I was being pulled in two directions: I wanted to live in hotel room-like minimalism, but I also loathed getting rid of things.
Jan 17, 2019
Rent This Chic Shipping Container Tiny House For Under $200
When two of the most popular home building trends collide, you can expect nothing less than stellar results. Guaranteed to put stars in your eyes is this absolutely charming two-story shipping container house from CargoHome. Its stylish tiny digs are roomier than your typical micro home, plus it smartly incorporates the perpetually cool concept of upcycling shipping containers into its chic living spaces.
Jan 17, 2019
The Best Free Credit Score Sites, According to Experts
Checking your credit score regularly is smart, especially if you’re planning to buy a home. You shouldn’t have to pay for a monitoring service to help you keep your credit on track, either. Fortunately, you can choose from a variety of free credit score sites and apps to keep tabs on your numbers. But with so many options, which is the best? By law, you’re entitled to view your credit report once a year on annualcreditreport.
Jan 17, 2019
This $5 Trader Joe’s Buy is My Winter Savior
Happy New Year to all of my fellow Trader Joe’s fans suffering from super-scaly appendages, thanks to this lovely cold front we are experiencing! It might be frigid and dry outside, but GUESS WHAT? You still have to wash copious amounts of dishes. Perhaps even more than usual. And go outside to brave the cold regularly. Yay! I have four words for all of you: Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream.
Jan 17, 2019
4 Things to Avoid Doing If You’re Trying to Buy a House Sometime Soon
Most first-time home buyers know not to take out a bunch of new debt, quit their job, or ignore their bill due dates when applying for a mortgage. But several other factors—from all those morning java runs, to a lack of planning, to carrying a high credit card balance—can affect your chances at snagging that house at the best interest rate.
Jan 17, 2019
8 IKEA Bedroom Buys That Look Surprisingly High-End
*Adds to cart*
Jan 17, 2019
An Elegant Austin Rental Apartment Is a Lesson in Restraint
Name: Ricky Rodriguez, my partner, Luke Pharr, and our cat, Mr. Bingley Location: Austin, Texas Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting Our apartment is situated on the banks of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas. Our household consists of myself, my partner, and my cat Mr. Bingley. When we moved in to our apartment a year ago, we wanted to create a space that reflected both of our personalities.
Jan 17, 2019
Let’s Bring Your Home’s Big Picture Into Focus with One Small Step
The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. It’s not too late to sign up, and you can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have big ideas for their home.
Jan 17, 2019
The 7 Things No One Ever Tells You About Being an Airbnb Host
If you have Airbnb envy, you’re not alone. After all, it seems so simple: Rent out your place and reap the rewards. But contrary to popular opinion, it’s not that easy—and there are definitely things that can go awry (and they will!).
Jan 16, 2019
The Smart Way My Real Estate Agent Quickly Calculates My Home’s Value
Imagine my surprise when my real estate agent gave me a simple appraisal number—and all additional information in a completely jargon-free way.
Jan 16, 2019
9 Cliché Decorating Rules We Should All Start Breaking
While some decorating rules of thumb are definitely worth paying attention to, others are made to be broken.
Jan 16, 2019
This Small Project Will Change the Way You Think About Artwork
The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. It’s not too late to sign up, and you can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far. Decluttering is effective at giving your home room to breathe. But equally important is giving that breath some life. Once the counters are clear and the floors have been scrubbed, your happy home should have some warmth and personality underneath.
Jan 16, 2019
8 Cool Converted Shipping Container Homes to Rent, Starting at $29/Night
There are glamping tents and treehouses, teepees and covered wagons. But the latest trend in unique vacation rentals? Shipping containers. If you’ve been curious about the tiny house trend—but want something a teeny bit bigger—take one of these eco-friendly homes for a spin. They may be small, but at $100 or less per night, they’re big on value.
Jan 15, 2019
First-Time Home Buyers Make a Desert Boho Dallas House
Name: Miks Riggs, my husband, dog named Douglas, and currently 2 foster children Location: Valley Ranch — Dallas, Texas Size: 2,800 square feet Years lived in: 5 months, owned It was a big deal for my husband and I to buy this home—it’s our first! I have lived in 11 different apartments in the last eight years, so I was used to moving, but that doesn’t mean I enjoyed it!
Jan 15, 2019
We Know One Small Thing That’ll Inspire You to Keep Your Home Clean, All Year Long
The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. It’s not too late to sign up, and you can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far. We’re all strangers here on the internet. But because you’re an Apartment Therapy reader and doing the Cure with us, I know at least one thing about you: You are someone who truly cares about improving their home.
Jan 15, 2019
The Best Southwestern-Style Decor Items on Amazon Right Now
The New Year is here and it’s bringing a whole slew of cool new home ddcor trends with it. According to our friends at Etsy, overly lavish decor is on its way out and more earth-inspired styles, particularly Southwestern motifs like colorful woven textiles and desert-style art, will be taking over our homes instead. So to jumpstart your design endeavors for the New Year, here are eight stylish Southwestern-inspired home decor goods you can order right now on Amazon.
Jan 14, 2019
Here’s How Many Boxes You Actually Need When Moving
If moving is on your to-do list, figuring out how many boxes you need to get the job done shouldn’t stress you out. And, while there’s no exact science to box acquisition, the experts have a few tips you can follow to avoid either buying way too many—or, realistically, too few.
Jan 13, 2019
This Is Possibly the Most Beautiful Off-Grid Passive House
Name: Jennie Hoekstra, partner, three children, 2 birds, 1 cat, 16 (outdoor) chickens Location: Kemble — Ontario, Canada Size: 1,675 square feet Years lived in: 6 months, owned Until the summer of 2017 we lived in a very drafty 130-year-old, converted schoolhouse. When a lovely secluded lot with potential for distant water views came up for sale around the corner in our small village, we jumped at the chance and bought it, not knowing exactly what we’d do with it.
Jan 13, 2019
5 Ways to Be Better with Money in 2019
It’s official: 2019 is here and it’s time to get your money right. We called on Priya Malani, co-founder of Stash Wealth, a financial planning firm for millennials, for advice on how to better handle our money in the New Year. From setting up a different savings account to signing up for automatic withdrawals, here are five money-savvy tips to jumpstart your 2019 financial goals.
Jan 13, 2019
Millions of Christmas Candles Are Headed Straight to the Landfill This Month
It is 2019 and it is safe to say that there are plenty of people thinking about the carbon footprint we’re leaving on this planet. If people aren’t concerned with that exactly, they are thinking of their waste consumption. The average person produces nearly five pounds of garbage in just one day. That’s over 1,600 pounds of garbage in one year, from just one person. As people begin to worry more and more about our impact on the planet, there are exciting changes happening.
Jan 13, 2019
A Shared Chicago Home Has “Minimal Bohemian” Style
Name: Jennifer Page, my partner, Ronnie, and two cats “The Boys” Henry and Bones Location: Portage Park/Jefferson Park/Northwest side — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,300 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, owned When I moved in to Ronnie’s space, our goal as a newly cohabiting couple was to create a space that was entirely our home. We wanted our home to continually inspire us, but also be comfortable and a place to stay tucked away when the work week ends.
Jan 12, 2019
You Can Now Buy a Pair of Slippers That Look Just Like Your Dog
What dog lover doesn’t want to wear their pet’s face on them every day? Every proud pet owner wants to show off their furry friend any way they can. Now, pet owners can get a pair of custom slippers to show off their undying love of their pet. Cuddle Clones, a company known for selling stuffed versions of your beloved pets, now sells custom pet slippers. You can get a pair of slippers from the company that looks like your dog, your cat, and even your horse!
Jan 12, 2019
The Beginner’s Guide to Marie Kondo: 5 Things You Must Know
Wondering about the current KonMari craze? Here's our primer for all things Kondo.
Jan 12, 2019
How to Help Your Credit Score Bounce Back from Holiday Purchases
Now that we’re settled in the New Year, you may have noticed that your credit score has taken a hit after some overly joyous holiday spending. You’re not the only one: A recent report from Marcus by Goldman Sachs says almost half of the U.S. (48 percent) carries a balance or goes into credit card debt over the holidays due to travel, entertaining, and gift costs. While this can make for an exciting holiday season, it usually leaves our wallets—and credit scores—hurting.
Jan 12, 2019
What Homes Look Like in the Most Expensive Zip Code in the U.S.
Property Shark recently released its findings for the most expensive zip code in the United States–and the answer might surprise you. It’s not Beverly Hills, Palm Beach, or someplace in the Hamptons. It’s Atherton, California, an affluent Silicon Valley town just a short drive from the likes of Facebook and Google. In the zip code 94027, the median sale price is $6.7 million, which spiked about 35 percent since 2017. (Rankings are based on closed home sales.
Jan 12, 2019
How I Learned How to Declutter (Without Marie Kondo’s Help)
My walk-in closet was clogged with items I purchased at the mall just because they were 40 percent off. But now that same closet is sparse. My home office is also orderly (for the first time in my adult life) with neatly organized folders containing the gazillions of tax documents that come with being a freelance writer. Yes, I’ve been binge watching Marie Kondo’s “Tidying up with Marie Kondo.” (It’s soothing!
Jan 11, 2019
15 Cozy Spaces that Make Us Want to Hibernate All Winter Long
We’re looking to these rooms for major inspo as we make our own spaces a bit more winter friendly.
Jan 11, 2019
5 Design Dares You Should Try in Your Living Room This Year
Whether with color, pattern, shape, or something else, dare to try something new and bold with decor in 2019.
Jan 11, 2019
This Inside/Out Plan Makes Cleaning the Kitchen a Breeze
The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. It’s not too late to sign up, and you can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far. We’re at the end of week two of the Cure! How are you doing? We say it all the time, but I’ll go ahead and say it again: This whole Cure thing is about progress, not perfection.
Jan 11, 2019
Millennials Are Losing Faith in the American Dream—Here’s Why
Millennials are losing faith in the American dream—at least according to a new survey from Trulia. In 2015, 80 percent of Americans ages 18-34 said homeownership was part of their personal “American dream.” This year, that number dropped to just 71 percent. For the survey, Trulia asked more than 2,000 American adults about their attitudes toward home ownership.
Jan 10, 2019
This Prefab Home Is For People Who Think Tiny Houses are Too Tiny
It's a smart house that encourages "right sized" living.
Jan 10, 2019
Here’s How Paying Off Your Mortgage Can Affect Your Credit
If buying a home is living the dream, paying your mortgage off early could seem like a next-level fantasy. Just imagine what life would be like without forking over monthly mortgage payments. More money for investments! Retirement savings! Home upgrades! Silk bow ties for your dog! But is paying your mortgage off quicker than is required actually a smart financial move? While there’s no “one size fits all” answer, financial experts say it’s not always the wisest decision.
Jan 10, 2019
Marie Kondo Doesn’t Hate Your Books
Don’t worry bookworms.
Jan 10, 2019
10 Reasons We’re Obsessed with the Curvy Decor Trend
Step aside, straight lines; in 2019, and it’s all about embracing your curves. Over the past few months, we’ve seen design blogs, stylish furniture designers, and cool spaces like the Wing ditch the boxy furniture for hip pieces with rounded edges—and we are so here for it. Don’t get us wrong: We love furniture and accessories of all shapes. However, curvy pieces energize a room in a way their square counterparts can’t.
Jan 10, 2019
A Cool California Condo Has Over 40 Plants Inside
Name: Heather Knight-Willcock, husband, and Meeka (12-year-old rescue) Location: Newport Beach, California Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years, renting I am a Southern California native who is married to a lovely British man and we lived together in London for nearly a decade before moving back to Orange County a few years back. We went from a 400-square-foot flat in a busy city to more than double the space in a suburban townhouse.
Jan 10, 2019