Furniture

Home Depot is a home run when you’re in need of screws, plywood, and mulch, but it may not be the first place you think of when it comes to decorating. And while I’m not about to say that it should be, necessarily, it certainly shouldn’t be ignored.

One-click online shopping and free shipping has made the whole furniture buying process seem super easy and accessible. But what happens when you start unboxing pieces and realize you have absolutely no idea where to put them—or worse, whether they’ll even work with the rest of what’s in your room? Arranging furniture is really an art form, but the good news is there are several guidelines you can follow to help you figure out the process.

Picking office furniture is generally a no frills, utilitarian endeavor. Grab some desks, chairs, file cabinets, conference tables and call it a day. Whoever was in charge of that task for the New York Times, though, decided to spice up the workspace with some modern pieces—so modern, in fact, that they’re baffling the staff.

As someone who has watched the Netflix reboot through twice, I’m confident in saying it is a smashing success. I laughed. I cried. I wanted another eight episodes. The new Fab Five are so charming; it’s hard to stop watching. They’ve retained the same format at the original: Five gay men make over a (usually) straight guy. They redesign his home, his clothing, his hairstyle, and his inner confidence.

Spring is a season of new beginnings. By now, you must be ready to tackle shaking out the winter cobwebs and doing a bit of a refresh around your home. I’m not talking an extreme renovation and remodeling, but more like a decorating mini makeover with a new piece of furniture or lighting. Or even a seasonal swap of pillows, throws and rugs. The Internet is kind of amazing insofar as it puts the inventory of big home retailers at your fingertips. But the downside of that is, THERE. ARE.

You’ve probably heard of the site Dormify, but didn’t consider giving it a second glance because, well, you’re not in college anymore. However, considering the brand’s well-curated selection of decor for small spaces, it’s just as ideal for the urban dweller as it is for collegiate dorm rooms. Check out some of our highly covetable finds below. This black-and-white Scandi-inspired pillow sham will take your bedding game to the next level.

We’ve all been there. You just bought the sofa, bed, desk—whatever—of your dreams, only to find out that it doesn’t fit in your space. Or worse, in your doorway. And it goes both ways. A too small piece can be just as annoying to deal with, time and energy-wise. Instead of hoping for the best when you’re unboxing or waiting for that white glove delivery, take matters into your own hands.

I’m not an IKEA hater, and I’ll never be. There’s a reason they’ve become such a success. Their pieces are functional and affordable, and there’s something to be said for that. IKEA also basically put flat-pack furniture on the map, which is a win for all of us. Other companies have followed suit, and if you’re looking for something that might last a little longer than IKEA’s entry point pieces, you’ve come to the right place.

You don’t often hear people complaining about the roll-arm upholstered sofa or white tulip dining table they bought. There are just some pieces that transcend whatever time, space, or style of interior they’re thrown into. Good bones and timeless materials equal design staying power, people! And though quality generally comes at a higher price point, you’d be surprised at the well-priced classics that some of your favorite affordable home furnishing brands offer.

I just upgraded to a king-size bed, and sadly, I think my nightstands are going to have to go. This is New York City after all. It’s all about compromising. There just isn’t enough room for everything you want. All is good on the lighting front—I have a floor lamp that’ll suffice for reading in bed. But what about all the stuff I jam into that tiny nightstand drawer?

Multipurpose seems to be in IKEA’s DNA—the Swedish brand is always churning out collapsible, mobile, and transformable products with handy features. Design chameleons, as I like to call them. You think something’s a table, then all of a sudden, pull the pieces apart and you’ve got a storage basket and a tray. IKEA also seems to understand that small space living is on the rise, and this trend calls for items with dual functionality.

Lighting can totally make or break a room, and it can be easier to change out than you think, even in a rental. Take it from me—I’ve swapped out three fixtures in my space and brought in my own special bulbs for the recessed cans in my living room and the strip above my medicine cabinet. Don’t be that person that lets a crappy builder’s grade fixture bring down your otherwise awesome room. You can find something cool without spending a fortune, I promise.

Netflix’s latest original movie is already making waves as “Roma” has taken home over three dozen awards so far.

Q: I bought a sofa and two chairs from [company redacted]. They were delivered within the timeframe agreed on. Two hours later, we couldn’t even go in the living room. The furniture reeked with a kind of chemical/dead animal smell. We opened the windows and doors and hoped it would go away. It’s been two weeks and it still smells awful. A representative came yesterday afternoon, opened one of the cushions, and declared, “There is no smell”.