Kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, ceiling fan, and a window above the sink.
Before and After: A Closed-Off Kitchen Is Now an Open-Concept Dream
When Laura Gibson and her husband decided to buy this rental home, they knew a lot of changes would need to be made for it to fit their family’s needs. One of the biggest updates Laura wanted to make was to remodel the dark, closed-in kitchen. To create the open-concept great room that Laura dreamed of, the couple did have to knock down some walls in the home, creating a big open kitchen, dining room and seating area.
Jul 25, 2018
10 Brilliant Storage Ideas to Steal from These Tiny, International Airbnbs
If you want to (affordably) escape to an amazing city, renting a tiny Airbnb might be your best bet to get the perfect location. And one of my favorite things about staying in an Airbnb, especially one that’s someone’s home that they rent out versus one that’s really working as a hotel, is seeing the clever tricks they use to make living in teeny spaces work out. While we don’t usually recommend stealing from Airbnbs (that’s wrong! And illegal!
Jul 25, 2018
This Immersive Fun House Is Full Of More Than Just Sideshow Tricks
For a comprehensive reminder of just how wonderfully left field Snarkitecture has gone with its designs since its inception a decade ago, you’ll definitely want to check out the New York-based studio’s Fun House exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Jul 24, 2018
Creative Ways to Decorate for Absolutely No Money
Although the need to change up your home now and then is perfectly human and natural, it’s not always feasible. These free decorating ideas indulge your need for something new, without putting a hit out on your wallet. Here are four great strategies to have in your back pocket, whenever you feel compelled to shake things up on the cheap. If you’ve done any painting lately, or ever, you most likely have a some leftover in a can somewhere in your house or garage.
Jul 24, 2018
Before and After: A Garage Is Transformed into a Stylish, Cozy Living Room
When Laura Gibson—who runs the blog Sophisticated Rust—and her husband moved into this rental house, she didn’t see a lot to love. It was small, hadn’t been taken care of, and just wasn’t what she wanted in a home. But her husband fell in love with the property and persuaded her to consider purchasing it. She was finally sold on the idea, but only if they put a lot of work into the house.
Jul 24, 2018
Do This and You’ll Never Have to Dust Your Hard-to-Reach Spots Again
I’ve written a lot about dusting, but like a doctor who stops for Krispy Kreme on the way to work, I have some blind spots when it comes to this one part of homekeeping. Namely, I’m not the best at staying on top of dusting the hard-to-reach spots in my home. Not that it doesn’t bother me that the tops of my built-ins and kitchen cabinets are coated with a thin coating of dust (ok, more than a thin coating).
Jul 24, 2018
7 Secrets for a Less-Messy Living Room
Living rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and unfortunately, the smaller the apartment, the harder it can be to keep yours organized. Throw in a busy work schedule and a somewhat active social life and suddenly a tiny living room can turn into a cluttered disaster zone, especially when you don’t have a lot of extra room for storage. But fret not my busy, unorganized friends; we’re here to help.
Jul 23, 2018
A Tiny 300-Square-Foot Studio Apartment Is a Jewel Box
Name: Heather Alexander Location: Washington Heights, New York City Size: 300 square feet Years lived in: 6 years, renting After divorcing a “design-curmudgeon,” Heather says she really went for it when she moved into this place six years ago. Filled with so many colors, fun finds, and treasures she dubbed her home the “Jewel Box.
Jul 23, 2018
I Spent $30 on a Fan for My Kitchen, and It’s Made a Huge Difference
A while ago, I wrote a post about how to ventilate a kitchen when you don’t have a range hood or vent. A number of Kitchn readers recommended installing a reversible window fan which, when put on the exhaust setting, can effectively draw smells, steam, and smoke out of your kitchen. I don’t have a hood in my rental kitchen, and for a long time I just ran the ceiling fans in other rooms when I cooked something particularly smelly or smoky. It worked okay, but wasn’t ideal.
Jul 23, 2018
Before and After: You’ll Love How This Kitchen Keeps Its Character
There’s often one element in old kitchens that we’re all rooting for, crossing our fingers that it survives the big renovation. For this kitchen makeover, I’m holding my breath that the amazing pink double oven makes the cut. Reader Amanda Schaneman shares some insight into what this kitchen was really like, as photos never tell the whole story: The kitchen before the remodel was dark, dirty, and dated.
Jul 23, 2018
4 Ways to Hack Our Favorite $3 IKEA Organizing Staple
The magic of IKEA pieces is not only in their well-thought-out, small-space-maximizing design, but in the numerous ways each versatile piece can be repurposed and hacked. Here are four ways to transform one of our very favorite IKEA staples, the VARIERA bag dispenser, into more than meets the eye.
Jul 23, 2018
A Boho Minimalist Plant Lady’s Brooklyn Rental
Name: Abby Fuller Location: Williamsburg — Brooklyn, New York Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 3 months, renting I work in developer relations for Amazon, so I’m on the road a lot! I wanted something that felt homey and comfortable, without requiring a ton of maintenance (i.e., no plants that would die if I left them for 10 days. I killed a lot of them experimenting with this before I finally asked my mom for help!
Jul 22, 2018
An Intro to Architecture Styles (Explained Through The Zodiac Signs Because It’s 2018)
When it comes to architecture, there seems to be endless styles to choose from. Have you ever wondered which type is right for you? Interested in your horoscope? Well, what could be more fun than meshing the two? Here, 12 types of homes and their corresponding star match, for millennials’ sake. The free-spirited, unconventional Aquarius would mesh with a Key West-style home.
Jul 22, 2018
If You Feel Unproductive During the Summer, You’re Not Alone
Is there anything worse than feeling unproductive? We all need lazy days, but if you weren’t intending to be lazy and chill, and you actually needed to get stuff done, then being unproductive is pretty bad. For some reason, it feels like productivity justs plummets during the summer. There is a reason behind that and you shouldn’t feel bad if you finding yourself lacking productivity during June through August.
Jul 22, 2018
Before and After: This Vintage Bathroom Got a $265 Overhaul
This “before” bathroom features vintage tiles, which are beautiful in their own way, but also make the space feel a little dated. To the rescue? Modern wallpaper. The bold print took this outdated 1950s style straight into 2018. The wallpaper has so much tropical flair, and I’m intrigued by the way the green of the palm fronds works with the tile color.
Jul 22, 2018
An Artist Created a High-Contrast 450-Square-Foot Phoenix Condo
Name: Kendra Vicken, my dog, Jane, and my hedgehog, Penny Location: Phoenix, Arizona Size: 490 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, owned My home is a 490-square-foot condo in downtown Phoenix. It’s my first (and only) purchased home and I love it to pieces. The location is ideal, it holds all the necessities and it feels like an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle. Inside its four walls lives my dog Jane, my hedgehog Penny, and myself! This is my favorite view of my home.
Jul 21, 2018
7 Celebrities Who’ve Bought Homes for Dear Old Mom and Dad
While it might be viewed as the ultimate power move, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars think sharing the good life with their parents is the best part of making it big. Here are some of Tinseltown’s biggest names who shelled out serious bucks to give their parents the digs they deserve: When you’re Beyoncé Knowles, dropping a million dollars here and there doesn’t even put a dent in your wallet. So when Mrs.
Jul 21, 2018
This Robotic Table Is Not Just Cool, It Helps People With Disabilities
We still have a long way to go with prioritizing accessibility for people with disabilities. On the bright side, there are extraordinarily inventive minds like industrial designer Nour Malaeb, who is working to amend this widespread issue with projects like Relay, a fully customizable, voice-activated, table-ottoman combo. Malaeb came up with the idea after observing his best friend with muscular dystrophy struggle to maneuver with tasks around the house during the their days as roommates.
Jul 21, 2018
On Governors Island, Come for the Retreat but Stay for the Design
New York City is not exactly known for its camping, I mean, it’s called the concrete jungle for a reason, right? But as a Midwestern transplant living in this hectic city I find myself craving some quality outdoor time on a regular basis. Typically, when that urge hits I grab a train to visit my brother upstate in the Hudson Valley, but he’s currently in Alaska fishing for a few months, and a trip back to Ohio requires advance planning. So what’s a grass-deprived girl to do?
Jul 21, 2018
Don’t Believe a Spa Can Fit in a Tiny Apartment? Think Again
More and more, it’s becoming increasingly normal to hear stories of people learning to acclimate themselves to living in seriously small apartments. Cities are practically bursting at the seams so for many metropolitan dwellers, creatively maximizing a small living space has quickly become a modern-day survival tactic.
Jul 21, 2018
4 Things I Learned While Making My Childhood Home My Own
After my parents packed up and moved along to greener pastures—or more accurately, a one-level bungalow one town away—my partner and I decided to move into the darling, ramshackle, 1940s house in Ireland where I was raised. Yes, I chose to move back into my childhood home after my parents moved out—and though it was a dream-come-true to have a home of my own, it was also a more trying experience than I had expected.
Jul 20, 2018
A Rule-Breaking Bay Area Home Proves the Best Color Inspiration Comes from Nature
Name: Nancy, Ken, and their little canine, Monty Location: Berkeley, California Size: 670 square feet Years lived in: 22 years; Owned Nancy says her home is a haven—it’s colorful, cozy, bright, and full of memories. Though the bright green walls help, it’s her collection of meaningful pieces that truly makes her Berkeley condo a home.
Jul 20, 2018
Partner
This One Small Change Will Make a World of Difference at Bedtime
There’s no shortage of advice out there for getting a restful night’s sleep, from setting the thermostat just so to banishing screens from the bedroom. But we often overlook a huge factor, not just in a good night’s sleep but in a healthful day too: lighting. The right light does wonders for wellness (just ask your plants), but we’re often bombarded with harsh rays, from the glare of our devices to the unflattering fluorescents at the office.
Jul 20, 2018
9 Cleaning Tasks You Can Skip All Summer Long
Welcome to Apartment Therapy’s Chore-Free Summer. Every weekday until July 20, we’re arming you with time-saving shortcuts and hacks that’ll help you work smarter, not harder, when it comes to homekeeping this summer. Because cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. This post is the last day of our chore-free summer series, to get the rest of the posts go here.
Jul 20, 2018
Is This $5M Dome Home the Wave of the Future for Coastal Living?
Called the “Eye of the Storm”, this beach house on an island off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina is one of a growing trend of “hurricane-proof” domes—and it’s currently for sale for $5 million. The landmark home on Sullivan’s Island—known to locals as the “Star Wars house”—was built in 1989 by George Paul to replace his parents’ beach home on the same site, after it was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo.
Jul 19, 2018
How I Scored a Luxury 1-Bedroom NYC Apartment for $810 a Month
Six years after applying with my partner, I won an apartment in the NYC Affordable Housing Lottery—a unicorn most folks actually know little about.
Jul 19, 2018
The $12 Target Purchase That Saved My Bathroom
We might try to walk into Target with good intentions. The plan is to pick up that one thing we need, responsibly tossing it into our baskets before popping through self checkout, paying a respectable amount of money, and going on our ways. Sure, good intentions are great and all—but we also know that no one is safe from the lure of Target.
Jul 19, 2018
A London House’s Blue & Orange Kitchen Is Bold, But It Works
Name: Sarah Drinkwater, my husband, two cats and, soon, a baby! Location: London, UK Size: 2000 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years, owned When we outgrew our old flat, my husband Stu and I found this place. The last owner had lived here for 50 years so it needed updating, but we loved the bare bones—especially how light the back of the house was.
Jul 19, 2018
A Modern Montreal Apartment Boasts Bold Color Combos
Name: Jaclyn Madar Location: Griffintown — Montreal, QC Size: 1,019 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned Jaclyn Madar is an obstetrician and surgeon who just purchased her first real “grown-up” bachelorette apartment. A space with industrial, modern architecture, she decorated it with an eclectic vintage flair… while still having it look pulled together. She’s spunky, stylish and extremely smart, and that shows through beautifully in her home decor.
Jul 18, 2018
Does it Work? We Tested Those Soap-Free Spaghetti Scrubber Sponges
I recently learned something that totally blew my mind: you uh… actually don’t need soap to wash your dishes. Or at least, that’s what one cleaning brand called Goodbye Detergent claims, thanks to their Original Spaghetti Scrub. Spaghetti Scrubs are an environmentally friendly sponge alternative.
Jul 18, 2018
This Subreddit Has The Most Cringeworthy DIY Fails Ever
Just because you can improvise something, doesn’t mean that you should. Case in point: this Subreddit thread with quite possibly the most cringe-worthy DIY fails ever—seriously, Pinterest ain’t got nothing on these hacks gone horribly wrong.
Jul 18, 2018
A 450-Square-Foot London Flat Remodeled on a Budget
Name: Rosalind Frudd, my partner James Location: Fulham, London, UK Size: 450 square feet Years lived in: 9 months, owned James and I met at university over eight years ago and this is our second flat together in London, so we had a trial run at decorating together and this flat really reflects both of our tastes. Having lived in a studio before, we were very excited to have separate rooms and a bit more space to entertain!
Jul 18, 2018
Smart Ways to Make Cleaning the Kitchen Less of a Chore
Welcome to Apartment Therapy’s Chore-Free Summer. Every weekday until July 20, we’re arming you with time-saving shortcuts and hacks that’ll help you work smarter, not harder, when it comes to homekeeping this summer. Because cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. Not all kitchen messes are created equal. But whether you’re a dedicated home cook or somebody who has local takeout joints’ phone numbers saved as favorites, you still have to clean up after yourself.
Jul 18, 2018
3 Signs You Should Check In On Your Neighbor
Maybe you hear seemingly constant fighting and crying through the walls. Or someone is hollering upstairs for a concerningly long time. Or the guy across the hall has suddenly gone radio silent and his mailbox is overflowing. Now, the big question: Are you overthinking or does your neighbor really need help?
Jul 17, 2018
An “Urban Bohemian” New Orleans Loft Is Bursting With Books and Art
The building has a modern, minimal style with concrete floors, white walls, sleek cabinetry, and sliding glass bedroom doors.
Jul 17, 2018
A Baker’s 250-Square-Foot Studio Celebrates Art, Women, and Creativity
Name: Krystal Mack Location: Washington Hill — Baltimore, Maryland Size: 250 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting Krystal’s studio is peaceful, inviting, and full of inspiration. Cozy maximalism is the vibe. Everything holds meaning, and her belongings are arranged into what Krystal calls “moments”—be it a pair of pom-pom heels she wore on a special day in her career, or beer bottles she enjoyed with friends that now live on as bud vases.
Jul 17, 2018
A 450-Square-Foot Cottage Is Tiny, Colorful, and Incredibly Cute Inside
Like the jewelry boxes of toy treasures from childhood, this little box of a house holds all of this "curated maximalist's" favorite things.
Jul 17, 2018
5 Lazy Ways to Avoid Cleaning the Bathroom
Welcome to Apartment Therapy’s Chore-Free Summer. Every weekday until July 20, we’re arming you with time-saving shortcuts and hacks that’ll help you work smarter, not harder, when it comes to homekeeping this summer. Because cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. Cleaning the bathroom is an oft-reviled chore, and for very good reason. You’re forced to get intimate with your filth—and the filth of the people you live with.
Jul 17, 2018
An Executive Vice President at Refinery29 Lives in a Whimsical NYC Carriage House
Name: Ashley Miles and Sam Miles and their two daughters Location: West Village, New York Size: 1,300 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, renting Ashley’s 1800s carriage house in the West Village is as steeped in history as it is style; photographer Diane Arbus and her two daughters were once residents. Now, Ashley—the Executive Vice President of Sales & Brand Partnerships at Refinery29—and her husband Sam (college sweethearts from Ole Miss!
Jul 16, 2018
This Tiny Canadian Houseboat is a Solar-Powered, Off-Grid Craftsman Dream
Le Koroc is a floating paradise designed for enjoying summer lake life in Canada with minimal impact on the environment—handcrafted from the ground up (or pontoon base up, anyway) to help its owner “explore nature differently” with a solar-powered, off-grid vessel that’s half fishing boat and half luxury tiny house. Crafted entirely by hand by a Canadian woodworker on a pontoon base, this is a tiny home for the lake-lover in all of us.
Jul 16, 2018
5 Insider Tips for Buying Vintage Home Goods
While we like shiny, new objects as much as the next design lover, we also have a soft spot for all things vintage. Mixing the old with new—be it a sofa from the sixties, art deco drinkware, or linens from the 19th century—can add a cool, one-of-a-kind flair to your home.
Jul 16, 2018
A 425-Square-Foot Astoria Apartment Is a Couple’s Oasis
Name: Grace Flynn and her boyfriend, Tyler Tronson Location: Astoria, New York Size: 425 square feet Years lived in: 5 years, renting Grace’s studio is located in Astoria where longtime residents hang flower pots on their patios and wine bars host signs that kindly ask for smokers to stand by the tree, out of consideration for their neighbors.
Jul 16, 2018
One Simple Way to Reduce Visual Clutter All Over Your Space
You may have only heard of decanting when it comes to wine, but this technique is a game-changer for organizing your home. By moving everyday products into containers, you’re eliminating the visual clutter created by clunky shelf packaging—which was never meant to fit neatly on your shelves. This is also great for those who buy—or want to buy—in bulk. No need to store the extra-large box on your shelves, instead, decant into a usable jar and refill as needed.
Jul 16, 2018
A Tiny D.C. Studio Is a Smart and Stylish Use of Small Space
Name: Rachel Spikula Location: Dupont Circle — Washington, DC Size: 355 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting Landing this place was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I looked at a few apartments in big buildings, but they didn’t feel right. I wanted to find something more distinctive in a smaller building and began looking for condos to rent. I almost overlooked the listing for this unit.
Jul 16, 2018
20 Surprising Things You Can Clean in the Dishwasher
Before you spend another minute wiping, dusting, or disinfecting something you don't have to, look for these things that can get clean in the dishwasher.
Jul 16, 2018
Clever IKEA Hacks Personalize This Farmhouse Home
Name: Jennifer DeBrincat, my husband, Brett, and our whippet, Jon Location: Everson, Washington Size: 1,032 square feet Years lived in: 24 years, owned I share our home with my husband and our 7-year-old whippet, Jon. We make and sell farmhouse tables and benches. We all need and crave peace and tranquility so I try and decorate with simplicity in mind. I try and keep our home consistent throughout with a fairly neutral color scheme.
Jul 15, 2018
Think Twice Before Tossing These 5 Things When Moving (Even If You’re in a Purge Mood)
Whether you’re moving to another state, or just down the block, packing can be an ordeal. And when you’re in the process of a move, you may find yourself wanting to purge a lot of items. “Ask yourself why you want to keep the item. Is it for sentimental reasons? Does it spark joy? If it’s not for any of the two reasons above, chances are you can get rid of it,” says Allison Dunn of Organized Spaces by Allie.
Jul 15, 2018
This Is How Long It Takes Most Americans to Save For a Down Payment
It doesn’t matter how much you smash that piggy bank—your first home is going to be really expensive and it’s going to take a long time to save up for that down payment on your own. According to a new study from HotPads, most renters will spend nearly six and a half years saving to put a down payment on a home. Since the median home price in the United States is $216,000, the average 20-percent down payment comes out to $43,200.
Jul 14, 2018