Browsing sofas online is fun, but actually buying one can be a bit stressful. Even after you measure twice and click once, you might worry that the color won’t look as cute in person, or that you’ve missed some all-important detail you’ll regret later. Relax — just ask yourself the right questions in advance, and you’ll find that furniture buying can be a rewarding experience.
The surprising thing about fancy rooftop bars and glamorous resort pool decks is that their special ambiance comes from elements you probably have already in your own outdoor space: a summer breeze, good company, and fresh air. (Though, yes, a bar tab you can charge back to the room also helps.) What makes these areas feel so ritzy is a simple consideration for design. For all the time spent futzing over our interiors, it’s easy to leave our outdoor spaces an afterthought.
Quick, picture your living room. What do you see? You probably see a sofa, because when it comes to both style and function, that one piece is probably the center of your living room. If you’re not happy with your sofa, it’s hard to be happy with your space because of its prominence in the room. This can present a bit of a problem for decorators on a budget, because a new sofa—especially a really good-looking one—is a pretty spendy proposition.
Savannah West’s home is that magical combo of warm, welcoming, and effortlessly stylish. And while Savannah is no stranger to sustainable living — shopping with reusable bags and diligently recycling — she wanted to elevate her home’s aesthetic with more of her eco-friendly spirit. Luckily, sustainable style is far from a sacrifice.As an AT home editor, Savannah has an eye for things that will make her space distinct.
Kitchen renovations can be pricey, but luckily there’s a cheap and cheerful solution used by DIYers and A-list designers alike: painting the cabinets. It totally transforms the way your space looks for a fraction of any kitchen renovation budget. We’re not going to lie: This project takes a good bit of patience and precision. But we’re confident it’s within your skillset, and we promise you the after is worth it. What color (or colors!
In a rental, customization is key to transforming an ordinary apartment into an extraordinary space. Paint is the easiest, fastest, and least expensive way to remake a room — and it’s rental-friendly, as long as you revert the walls back to renter’s white before you move out. (We also suggest getting your landlord’s permission.) Whether you’re personalizing your home or trying to get your deposit back before moving, read on for the secret to easily reversible walls.
Have a brick fireplace in your home? Lucky you! Even if your fireplace isn’t working or feels a little dated at the moment, it can live up to its potential as a room’s defining feature. All you need is some paint to give it new life (and KILZ® Primer to do it right). Here’s how to transform it from outdated to outstanding!
Holiday celebrations may require a little more creativity this year, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be memorable. In the latest installation of Apartment Therapy’s Style School, home design maven Sandra Morgan Downie — who shares her warm, serene style at Sandra Morgan Living — walks us through creating a festive holiday bar setup in an unexpected place: a plain old cabinet. That’s right!
When we can’t go out and the company holiday party is a 45-minute Zoom call, is the holiday season still worth celebrating? We say, emphatically: YES! This feels like the right time to celebrate what you do have, to enjoy the company of family and close friends, and to discover new possibilities in your home.
As the weather cools down and we’re hunkering down, there’s a silver lining to this season: cozy date nights in. With a little planning, you can create an experience that’s as good or even better than a night out. Pour a fancy cocktail, put on some music, and enjoy!Many great dates start with great drinks, so start out by getting your home bar in order with all the right ingredients for treating yourself.
If you’ve ever shopped for upholstered furniture, you may have noticed that upholstered furniture is really expensive. One of our favorite tricks for getting a high-end look at a less than high-end price is this: IKEA sofa + slipcover.
Here at Apartment Therapy, we’re firm believers that art shouldn’t be just an accessory or an afterthought: It’s the heart and soul of a space, the thing that gives it warmth, personality, and feeling. More than anything else, your art is what makes your space really you. So when you’re ready to make an investment in something that you’ll keep for a while, where do you go to find art that is beautiful, that’s unique, that will last for a long time?
This year, the words “eat, drink, and be merry” have a different flavor. As we all prepare to spend the holidays at home, many of us could use some good cheer — and a stiff drink. Why not indulge your loved ones in some extra care with a gift that caters to their taste? This gift guide mixes home bar essentials with little luxuries that will lift their style and spirits. To pull together these gift lists, we started with one foundational ingredient.
There’s nothing we love more than discovering new finds to add to our houseplant collection — and we’re not just talking about plants. From containers to watering cans, the accessories that make plant care so much easier can also make it way cuter. Greendigs is known for its curation of design-forward houseplants, but their eye for style doesn’t stop there: They’ve curated some very attractive accessories, too.
Houseplants make any room a little warmer and more visually interesting, but we especially love them in the bedroom. Plants can help create a healthier sleep environment by generating oxygen and repelling bugs, and is there a better sight first thing in the morning than lush leaves sparkling in the sun? Whether you’re working with a little space or a lot, we came up with three styling ideas to make your bedroom greener — and the plants to pair with them.
The most functional room in the house, the kitchen can be an uninspiring place for design: Especially if you’re living with a rental kitchen, it might be the one spot you feel unable to really make your own. But there’s an easy way to instantly brighten up this workhorse room, and it works anywhere: a mini garden. It’s no surprise that plants make a space happier. In the kitchen, they do even more than that.
Many of us have probably started to feel the, how shall we say, familiarity that comes with doing everything from our homes. When the place where we live is also now the place where we work, homeschool our children, spend nearly all of our time, and even process the weight of a sometimes difficult time, it can be hard to carve out a space to relax. So let’s take a minute and focus on that. What would make your home a little better-suited for you to take care of yourself?
Our homes have been doing a lot of multitasking lately. For a lot of people, home and office are now the same space, and for those of us with kids, home might be a school as well. Your home might also be serving as a gym, meaning that this one space — which hasn’t gotten any bigger — is playing a lot of roles. As the new normal becomes increasingly more normal, it might help to have your office and school and gym properly outfitted.
It’s been an unusual year, and this holiday season is shaping up to look a lot different than previous ones. No matter your situation, there’s a good chance you’re looking at spending less in-person time with friends and loved ones. When you can’t be nearby (or even when you can), there’s nothing like a thoughtful gift to let someone know you were thinking of them during a tough year. And there’s no denying that getting gifts in the mail is really, really fun.
Name: Kirk, Shanice, and Tatum BrownLocation: Atlanta, GASize: 2,074 square feetType of home: TownhomeYears lived in: 2When education professionals Kirk and Shanice Brown decided to make the jump from renting to buying in the fast-paced real estate market of Atlanta, they knew they wanted to stay on the city’s East Side. They loved the convenient location, eclectic neighborhoods, and top-notch restaurants.
Name: Samantha Klein and Aaron KleinLocation: Glendale, CASize: 1480 square feetType of home: Spanish ranchAfter an unhappy stint in the Bay Area, creative professionals Samantha and Aaron couldn’t wait to get back to Sam’s native LA, with its beautiful beaches and warmer weather. They were devoted Los Angelenos—and Sam’s colorful, playful style is 100-percent SoCal—but they thought that buying a home was a few more years down the line.
Name: Liz Kamarul and Tim KamarulLocation: Central City, New Orleans, LASize: 1,600 square feetType of home: Double shotgun converted to a single-family homeYears lived in: a little over one yearArtist and interior stylist Liz Kamarul and her husband, Tim, fell in love with New Orleans on a road trip from the West Coast: The stunning architecture, quirky charm, and friendly people inspired the couple to sell their Portland, OR, home and move to the Crescent City.
If you’ve been wanting to give your space a makeover, now is the perfect time. Urban Outfitters just launched four brand new furniture collections for fall, and we’ve fallen hard for each of them: Styles range from natural to modern, and every piece is dreamier than the last. These new collections have everything from this glamorous chaise lounge to an ’80’s-inspired sofa and lots of accents and accessories (plus plenty of rattan!) in between.
You know how to clean your place. But do you know how to get it really, really clean? The kind of strangely satisfying clean where you can actually see those lines form on the carpet as you vacuum? We’ll let you in on a few secrets that give a room that extra pop.For starters, invest in a high-quality, high performing vacuum that will last for years — aka, one that won’t become less effective after using it for a little while.
Name: Johanna C. DominguezLocation: Buffalo, NYSize: 2,430 square feetType of home: East Lake VictorianYears lived in: 3Before Johanna C. Dominquez bought her gorgeously quirky Victorian in Buffalo, NY, she was living in a rental outside New York City. Between the high rent, utilities, and upkeep, she found herself wondering why she was investing so much in someone else’s property.
The bedroom, the place where you start and end each day, should feel like a haven in your home: energizing and calming, refreshing and comforting. Perhaps no style nails this vibe like boho, with its vibrant patterns, earthy tones, and lush houseplants.Boho is instantly recognizable, but there isn’t just one way to do it. However you decide to translate this sunny aesthetic into your own personal sanctuary, here are three different looks to try with Walmart.
Name: Shavonda GardnerLocation: Sacramento, CASize: 1,200 square feetYears lived in: 4Having grown up in a family that moved a lot, designer Shavonda Gardner wanted to own a place that felt like home to her; her wife, Naomi; and their two children. As soon as she walked into this 1940s bungalow, she knew she was home. The best part? It was about half the size of their current digs. Yep, you read that right: Shavonda wanted to downsize.
Our heart belongs to boho: From the sunbaked hues and verdant greenery to the layered textiles and free-spirited touches, there’s nothing dreamier than this desert oasis style. Or easier: Creating a beautiful boho space is all about choosing soothing colors, eye-catching patterns, and comfy textures. One reason this style is so appealing is that it easily adapts to pieces you already own. No fuss, all fun!
Sure, it would be great to live in a spotless, stainless house that’s magazine-worthy and ready to be photographed at any moment, but nobody really lives that way. (Not even the people whose homes have been photographed.) As anyone who enjoys kids, pets, or parties can attest, saying yes to our messy lives is more fun than being perfect. When you accept that the occasional stain is the price of a full life, a little prep can save a lot of stress.
Mid-century modern is the sweetheart of the design world. But, like any relationship, our love can get a little stale sometimes. We think this style is much longer-lasting than a trend, though. And with a few tweaks, we can easily reignite the spark. We looked at everything we love about mid-century glamour — curved lines! sleek seating! timeless style! — through a fresh lens and put together three new ways to style your living room.
Summer is finally here, and we’re bursting to get outside and enjoy it. This year especially, creating a special outdoor space will pay dividends all season long and for years to come. You’ll feel like you’ve built a brand new living room — one custom-made for al fresco dinners, sunset cocktails, and a place for your kids to play that isn’t seriously-omg-right-under-your-feet.Where to begin?
Boho style is like those effortlessly cool friends we all have: chic and on-trend, but comfy and casual. And just like your friend’s perfectly imperfect French tuck, the boho home style is pretty effortless. It’s also versatile, with breezy ease that layers beautifully atop pretty much any vibe your space already has going on.
Your living room is the hardest working room in your home. It’s your TV zone, your entertaining hub, and your reading respite — and it’s been working extra hard lately, maybe even doubling as a home office. It can be hard to keep such a busy room feeling both stylish and functional. But all it needs to perk right up is a little focus.However you rely on your living room, Hudson’s Bay has the timelessly crafted housewares that’ll make it work for you.
Nothing brings out our nesting instincts like a farmhouse living room, with its touchable textures, country-chic accents, and general get-cozy vibes. And whether your tastes run from a-touch-of-rustic to cover-everything-in-shiplap, you can put your distinct stamp on this now-iconic style.Whatever spin you want to put on farmhouse style, Walmart has you covered with on-trend designs that you’ll love at very affordable prices.
There’s no better feeling than the one warm weather brings, when everything is full of freshness and blooms and possibility. We wish we could bottle it for year-round use, but until technology catches up with our dreams, we’ll do the next best thing: infuse our space with cheerful, summery vibes.Refreshing your bedroom — where you begin and end each day — adds energy and beauty to your home life all year long.
If you’ve ever thought about a kitchen remodel, those thoughts might be especially present now, a time when you might be spending more time at home — and more time cooking — than ever before. Of course, you want to spend your renovation dollars wisely and create a space that will not just look beautiful, but also stand up to everyday wear and tear for a long time.Thinking of renovating your kitchen? Our big F.A.Q. answers all your questions about every step of the process.
When it comes to kitchen renovations, one of the hardest parts is staying within budget. The backsplash, particularly, can have a huge effect on the look of your kitchen — and on the price, as all that tile can add up fast. If you’re planning to renovate, or just thinking about it, here’s an idea for a budget-friendly, minimal backsplash you may not have considered: not having a backsplash at all.
Sometimes, all it takes to feel like you have a totally new space is a little color. If spending a lot of time at home has you considering your kitchen’s possibilities, a new coat of paint may be just the thing you need. And while painting kitchen cabinets may sound a little more intimidating than, say, painting a plain old wall, we’ve got some expert tips for making it more manageable.
For the first time ever, we launched our Small/Cool Experience At Home, challenging 20 designers to create 20 virtual Small/Cool spaces featuring the biggest trends they see emerging in 2020. These rooms covered a whole spectrum of ideas but were solidly unified in theme: Have courage and choose what you love. So now, we present five trends from the experience that show how this mantra manifests in all sorts of styles.
Getting organized is one of those goals that sounds intimidating, like running a marathon or getting your kid to eat vegetables. But it can be done, and it can even be fun. All you need is some inspiration and a little push to get started.Now that we’re spending more time at home, it’s a great time to tackle the spots you’ve considered too chaotic to be tamed — yes, even that pesky spice cabinet.
Life looks a little different right now, but spring and summer are still coming right on schedule. And while nothing compares to backyard BBQs with friends and family, you can still (safely!) enjoy sunshine and warmer temps in the homebound days ahead. In fact, if there was ever a time to show your outdoor space some extra love, it’s now.
Pink is one of those colors that can vary widely, and not just from Millennial to Granny-Chic. Depending on its shade and saturation level, it can skew bright and bold or subtle and warm — like the soft desert tones of Sedona Pink by Behr® Paint, which Betsy used to update her 800-square-foot apartment on New York’s Upper West Side. Even before the world started working from home, Betsy had a living room office. Here’s how she created her cozy, uplifting WFH space.
Prewar apartments come with lots of perks: high ceilings, original carved wood moulding, and — if you’re lucky — some exposed brick, too. Diana’s home had all of the above, which made the space feel a little mismatched. Finding a cool color to complement all those different red tones of the brick and wood proved a challenge, but she solved it with Natural Gray by Behr® Paint. See how this of-the-moment greige goes from classical to adaptable.
How can you add color while keeping an airy, open feeling in a small space? Look to nature. Erin’s apartment in Sunnyside, Queens, had good bones and cozy, comfortable furniture, but the walls were a drab renter’s white. Her style is rooted in earthy textures, with light woods and plenty of plants. So, naturally, she painted her living room walls in Light Drizzle by Behr® Paint — a sky-blue backdrop that’s a breath of fresh air.
Win: Your Essential Spring Cleaning Tool KitFrom: OXOValue: Approximately $1,000It’s kind of hard to explain what makes spring cleaning so satisfying, but we have a good hypothesis: We think it’s less about making surfaces appear sparkly and more about showing our homes we really care about them. There’s something about degreasing the oven or wiping the windows that feels much more rewarding this time of year.
When plants start sprouting and birds start chirping, our senses get a full refresh. And watching the renewal happening outside makes us want to breathe new life inside, too. But a complete makeover isn’t necessary; you can channel the liveliness of the season by swapping out home decor items like throws, pillows, vases, and wall art. And Walmart is the perfect place to start.
