Decorating

Every once in a while I come across an organizer that seriously makes my heart skip a beat. It’s rare, so when it happens I have to take a minute to tell you guys about it. Earlier this year, I waxed poetic about this $10 flatware organizer for narrow drawers, which I’ll still talk about to anyone who will listen. And just a few weeks ago I came across this wire under-shelf basket … in copper! Yes, I’ve seen under-shelf baskets before.

Towels may serve a strictly utilitarian purpose—to dry you off after a shower, swim, or long bath—but, trust us, they’re far from basic. Truth is, choosing the right towel for your lifestyle and space can add a luxurious, spa-like quality to your standard bathroom. That’s why some people are willing to shell out the big bucks for ’em. (Need proof? Here are 14 bath towels that will rock your world!

If you thought those cheap plastic dinosaur toys from your youth would only come in handy when you babysit, it’s time to think again. Turns out those colorful cuties can be repurposed into some surprisingly snazzy home decor items—it just takes a little imagination. Read ahead for a few fun ways to upcycle those old plastic dinosaurs you and your cousins used to play with. The only thing better than a charming succulent planter is one that you made on your own.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Amazon has a bunch of home decor pieces that look expensive, but are ridiculously affordable. It’s not that surprising, right? After all, you can buy just about everything (and we mean everything) at the mega-retailer—and usually for a low, fair price. Of course, we’re not the only ones who think Amazon is a decorating enthusiast’s paradise.

When you think of monograms, do the frilly handkerchiefs from your grandmother’s handbag pop into your mind? Sure, monogramming has been around forever, but we’re loving all of the fresh, modern takes on the age-old classic that we’ve been coming across. Check out our favorite inspiration images and shopping picks below; we guarantee you’ll have a hard time settling on just one!

Do you ever walk into a stylish space and mentally try to decipher storied or custom pieces from those that were shipped in a flat pack from IKEA? That’s a cool game to play, right? IKEA, arguably Sweden’s finest contribution to the 20th and 21st century (I kid…?), has become a mecca of sorts for the broke-twenty-something-who-has-no-furniture folk to the high-caliber tastemaker fold, and for good reason: there is literally something for everyone.

When it comes to buying furniture, some pieces stay with you for a year or two, and some for a lifetime. But when it comes to buying furniture on a budget, more can fall into the former camp. And while some inexpensive options might be required to get started while you save up for more investment pieces, it’s also nice when those inexpensive pieces can grow with you.

Wouldn’t watching videos of adorable baby sea animals be so much more comforting if you were curled up on a sustainable sofa that was made from over 100 recycled plastic bottles? Enter: Lovesac’s new sofas, called “Sactionals”. Known for their eponymous next-level bean bags, Lovesac’s new modular sectionals look more like traditional upholstered couches that can be arranged and rearranged from one configuration to another in minutes.

Chunky sweaters, warm apple cider, and crisp, colorful leaves—what’s not to love about fall? Well, the decorations for starters. Don’t get us wrong: We love autumn as much as the next person, but the season is often associated with really, really cheesy decor. We’re talking about inflated ghosts and goblins in the front yard, garland covered in fake leaves, and mugs, throw pillows, and coasters declaring one’s love for pumpkin spice lattes.

There was a time when matching bedroom sets were de rigueur. If your bed frame, dresser, and nightstand didn’t match perfectly well, did you even have a bedroom? Alas, those years are far behind us, and now, full-on bedroom sets just feel too matchy-matchy. You’re much more likely to find bedrooms decorated with items that complement each other, but aren’t the exact same style, which gives you the chance to add your own personal style to the mix.

Book stacks, begone.

It’s been a big month for IKEA. First, the beloved Swedish furniture company debuted their 2019 catalog in stores on August 1, and now, they’ve released a slew of new products (some of which make an appearance in said catalog) that look surprisingly high-end. Of course, IKEA’s always been on top of the trends, but for a budget retailer some of these products really took me by surprise with their luxe touches and expensive appearance.

The 2019 IKEA Catalog is the gift that just keeps on giving. Beyond serving up tons of eye candy, painting ideas, and new collections, the IKEA catalog is a great place to go for a sneak peek at the home trends that will take the decor world by storm in the coming year. Ahead: A look at a few of our favorite home trends we spotted throughout the catalog. Get ready to see these everywhere in 2019.

Good news for farmhouse style fans: Chip and Joanna Gaines’ latest collection of Hearth & Hand with Magnolia is hitting Target stores this weekend. We have your exclusive sneak peek at everything new, plus tips from Joanna, below. There are over 50 pieces in the new collection, with prices ranging from $3.99 for a kitchen towel to $55.99 for a pouf, with most under $25.

The past seven days of my life have been shrouded in secrecy—like NDA-level secrecy—but I can finally open up and shout the big news from the rooftops (well, from Apartment Therapy, at least). The 2019 IKEA Catalog is officially here, and it’s a good one! Especially considering it’s the Swedish design giant’s 75th anniversary year.

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.

We found out everything you need to know about your favorite piece of furniture.

You live and die by Amazon. You’ve been a Prime member for years, you know all about that secret $2 section, you head to Amazon Handmade whenever you need a unique gift, and you even give preference to hotels with rooms equipped with Alexa. But did you know Amazon has a whole host of private labels? Amazon launched its first private label in 2009; five years later they slowly launched 11 more; today Amazon has approximately 76 private labels.

Summer-proofing your home happens like clockwork. Once the temperature rises, you add an air conditioning unit and screens to your windows, trade in your woodsy candle for a beachier scent, and swap out your flannel sheets for some lightweight linen ones. But, if we’re being honest, we never know what to do with our duvets. On the one hand, duvets are comfortable and a great extra layer for when your AC is on full blast.

For all intents and purposes, you’re an adult. You have a job, car, rent or mortgage, and, in some cases, an entire family to care for. But that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace your inner child every now and then—especially when it comes to decorating your home.

If you weren’t already hip to German grocery store, Aldi, now’s the time to smarten up. Adored for its super low prices and wide range of products, the discount supermarket chain now boasts over 1,600 stores in the United States—making grocery shopping on the cheap easier than ever. But wait, it gets better. Turns out Aldi sells more than just inexpensive groceries.

When talking vintage, a fine line surely exists between the vintage item that makes you the envy of your design-eyed friends, and the vintage that makes you question an object’s actual hygienic repercussions on your home. When the conversation becomes about vintage and antique rugs, as most conversations do(!), a whole new myriad of myths, musts and maybes are called into question— questions that are left best to the experts.

*Disclaimer: Although I practiced for five years, I never actually got licensed as an architect. Becoming an architect is actually really hard. You can read all about the requirements right here, and then, the next time you see one of your architect friends, tell them you’re really impressed with what they’ve accomplished. When I was little, I begged my mother for a Barbie Dreamhouse. It was the toy of toys: utterly huge, insanely pricey. I never got one.

When we think of storage, it’s usually about hiding our belongings from view. But not everything is meant to be stashed away and out of sight. IKEA’s latest limited edition collection is about showing off your stuff and putting your unique style on display. IKEA teamed up with Los Angeles based fashion designer Chris Stamp of Stampd to create SPÄNST. The collection embodies what it means to organize and display our favorite and most prized possessions.

No nails, hammers or paint required.

It’s finally springtime, and if you’re an antiques lover like me, that means it’s antique market season. What a glorious feeling to be weeding your way through Brimfield Market or Les Puces de Saint-Ouen and coming across an alluring oil painting of someone 300 years older than you, or pair of Marcel Breuer Wassily Chairs that are just worn-in enough? It’s love at first sight and you have already begun mentally refinancing your mortgage to bring those babies home.

If you’re a card-carrying Costco member, you probably already know the many benefits of the retailer. Of course, buying in bulk can be a huge saver, not to mention they have some exclusive products with cult-followings. But there’s one downside, at least for me, of frequenting the warehouse: FOMO.

It’s no secret that we love IKEA here at Apartment Therapy, and regularly write about hacks and beloved products we can’t live without. I’m a huge fan of their everyday basics, and my own home is filled with their wine glasses, dishes, and napkins. I even have a what-is-now-vintage credenza that I’ve owned for almost twenty years and can’t seem to get rid of, even after a couple of moves. But there is one thing that I never buy from IKEA these days.

I can’t imagine I’m alone in this predicament: I tend to flip-flop between being a hot and cold sleeper, as does my S.O., except, we never seem to be on the same page at the same time. We are not sleeping temperature compatible, people, and wow is it a nuisance. When my toes are frozen solid and I can’t seem to cocoon myself enough in my comforter to achieve P.S.T.

It may not feel like it on the East Coast yet, but spring is definitely on its way. And that means spring cleaning won’t be far behind. One little shortcut that doesn’t actually involve a bit of scrubbing or organizing: adding in a plant or two can make any space feel a tiny bit better and brighter. Plus, having fresh colorful flowers around always makes me feel like the weather is friendlier than it actually is.

Before I had kids, I would typically hightail it through the children’s section of IKEA watching to be sure my toes didn’t get squashed by a rocking moose. But with two kids at home, I now know my DUKTIGs from my LATTJOs and my FLISATS from my MAMMUTs. And, I can tell you, there are some good grownup finds in there that you might be overlooking. Let me show you a few… IKEA was smart to design a very basic dollhouse, the FLISAT ($29.

Boho babes, rejoice: Target’s newest in-house home decor brand, Opalhouse, launches next week, and we have your first look at all the amazingly colorful pieces you’re going to want to snatch up. The bullseye announced the new brand back in February on their corporate blog .

Big news, Disney fans: now you can deck out your whole house, courtesy of the mouse. That’s right, a new store dedicated exclusively to housewares has opened at Disneyland in Southern California. Located in the Downtown Disney District, Disney Home sells (you guessed it) Disney-themed home goods from glassware to linens, kitchen accessories and more, according to a Disney Parks blog post about the opening. The curated assortment will also change seasonally.

While the end of Fixer Upper may have dashed our dreams of getting our very own shiplap makeover courtesy of Chip and Joanna, their collection with Target has been one way we can emulate the duo’s farmhouse chic aesthetic. Their collaboration with Target was first announced in September of last year, and this is the second time the line has undergone a “refresh” with seasonally-pegged items.

It’s a sad day for L.L. Bean devotees. We’re crying into our Bean boots, because the Maine-based retailer has gotten rid of its legendary lifetime return policy. The generous return policy meant that even if the same backpack you had from middle school got a rip, you could exchange it for a new one. That all changed Friday morning when the company posted a letter to customers explaining the update.

It’s been a year and a half since IKEA and Tom Dixon first announced their upcoming collaboration. In those 18 months, we’ve learned that the “platform for living” is called DELAKTIG, and is a sofa-slash-bed that is endlessly hackable. Now, the British designer has released even more details about the line—including some of the “add-ons” that will be available. At its most basic, DELAKTIG is an aluminum platform that serves as a single bed.

As IKEA celebrates the 50th anniversary of making raw, simple wood shelving go mainstream with the 1968 introduction of the IVAR series, it’s time to take a deeper look at the design history of the nearly-ubiquitous shelving and cabinets. Once solely relegated to workshops and garages, at least one piece of unfinished furniture can now be found in nearly every home around the world — and on every DIYer’s supplies lists.

We’ve always thought small was cool, but we’re glad to see that major retailers are getting the memo. Now Pottery Barn is betting on smaller spaces in a big way with their new brand, PB Apartment. It was big news when the major retailer debuted their first small spaces line in 2017, especially since it almost became synonymous with decor for big, suburban houses in the ’90s and 2000s.

Laurel Kinney more than helps people look their best; she helps them look more like themselves! As a professional personal stylist, a big part of her job is also helping clients organize and sort their closets. Before, she’s shared the four biggest ways you get in the way of looking your best and questions you should ask yourself now (so your closet doesn’t end up full of clothes you never wear).

These get our vote for stylish space savers.

Last spring when my mother was in town, she offered to help me make an epic month-long supply of freezer meals. While preparing for the task, I came across a recommendation for a kitchen tool that I’d never seen or heard of before. Now they make me happy every time I have an occasion to use them. They’re so delightfully handy, I’ve even given them as gifts.

The very essence of a bohemian lifestyle tends to go pretty firmly against big-brand commercialism, but if you’re more about the style and less about the ideals—and also looking for some cheap(ish) ways to round out your aesthetic—IKEA is, quite surprisingly, a great place to hunt. The brand’s minimal Swedish vibes might make you think eclectic decor is not to be found in the blue-and-yellow corridors of the retailer, but that’s where you’d be wrong.

Anthropologie is set up in a way that it’s not just a “store” but a “shopping experience.” It’s a place you stroll through, linger around, dream of living in. Part of that magical experience? The just-strong-enough aroma that fills the air, luring you across the impeccably styled threshold. I always thought the retailer’s sweet smell was a perfect marriage of all the candles they were burning throughout the store.

My family and I live in a remote area—the nearest town has 200 people—so when it came time to replace our falling-apart sofa, our IRL shopping options were very limited unless we wanted to devote our lives to driving to furniture stores. The closest shops were perfectly respectable but lacked a certain flair. It seemed like ordering a sofa online was our only good option, and I’m thrilled it was, because it ended up working out great.

When I moved to a small town and first encountered an Aldi, I did not understand it. There was, like, one employee working? And you had to pay a quarter for a cart (you get back the quarter, but still, good to know beforehand in case you don’t normally have change on you)? After a couple more visits, however, I was in love, and Aldi is now my favorite grocery store. It’s chock-full of incredibly low-priced food, wine and beyond, and the selection changes constantly.

With over 20 styles in dozens of configurations, we set out to review 13 of the retailer's most popular models. Read on to see which were the most comfortable.

Lunch monotony is real and we know it all too well. You were excited to have prepped a lunch the night before, but those leftovers look kind of sad and boring now that noon is rolling around and your stomach is grumbling. Today I’ve got two bento boxes that are total lunch gamechangers: Prepd Pack and Monbento. They’re super functional (compact, wash easily, no leaks) and super cute.

Over the years I’ve come to realize that one of the keys to a well-functioning, uncluttered home is having an entryway that works well. It’s a spot to gather up all the things that you’ll need when you go out into the world, and also a sort of buffer zone to keep unwanted clutter from entering your home. Maxwell has really explored this with his idea of the landing strip, which is worth checking out.

We’ve heard it time and again: the bedroom is often the last place you tackle decorating because it’s behind closed doors (and it seems more practical to devote your energy and dollars to the more public areas of your home). However, just because you’re not ready to take a deep dive into reimagining your sleeping quarters doesn’t mean there isn’t something you can do to spruce up the place in the meantime…sort of like a pre-makeover.

Just steps from department store stalwart Dillard’s, thredUP’s second brick-and-mortar store wants to “disrupt” everything we think we know about not just secondhand shopping, but retail in general — and a first look at its Austin store, opening tomorrow, did not disappoint. Actually, it was downright dreamy.

I’ve long been fascinated by toile. Toile, if you’re not familiar, is the name first given to the cotton fabric produced in the town of Jouy, in France, and then to the pattern of charming vignettes, usually printed in a single color, that covered its surface. Traditional toile, like the wallpaper that covered the walls of our bathroom in the house where I grew up, features scenes of provincial life: shepherds driving sheep, lovers meeting beneath trees.

When it comes to updating your old furniture, a little change goes a long way. Case in point: upgraded knobs and pulls. Even though most handles are well, hand-sized, these petite fixtures still manage to offer a ton of design potential no matter where you use them. Working with a colorless kitchen but can’t afford to paint? Switch out all of your standard cabinet knobs with splashier ones and see what happens. Sick of looking at your dated bedroom dresser but desperate for the storage?

I love to buy and test trashcans. I’ve owned many and tried many others. I am a big fan of the classic, no-tech Rubbermaid cans, but those you have to hide. If you want something more accessible and pretty, you move to a different class. My latest tryout is with simplehuman’s brand new sensor can which as motion AND now — get this — voice control. Move over Alexa!

Vintage art always feels unique, personal and it carries a lot of history and whimsy — which is what makes it so fun to hunt down. One of our go-to sources? Etsy, though it takes a lot of sifting. To get you started on where to look, we gathered some great sellers of vintage art; they carry everything from maps and oils to old-school movie posters.

Good news: Pottery Barn just added new items to their small space collection, which debuted earlier this year. Check out some of the pieces below: Back in January, the retailer announced a collection of space conscious, multifunctional pieces that represented a new market for a brand that can often be associated with spacious suburban living. And it’s proving successful: What started out in just 15 stores is now expanding to 56 in “thoughtfully selected markets.

Looking through Etsy can be a dizzying whirlwind, because it offers a mix of garage sale quality bric-a-brac and diamond-in-the-rough vintage gold…you just need the patience to sniff out the latter. To help you pick through the terrain just a little faster to get to the good stuff, we dug through to unearth 10 awesome Etsy storefronts specializing in vintage furniture. They might just inspire you to update a room or two!

The canopy bed of your childhood dreams has grown up and looks spectacular.

Whether fo' real or faux real, cowhide and cowhide-style rugs might just be what your interior needs.

From aesthetically pleasing litter boxes to posh kitty beds, the pet industry is starting to cater more and more to the design-loving cat person and their menagerie. If you’ve ever brought home a carpet-covered cat tree only to have your cat look at it in disdain, or witness your tabby scratching up your tired-looking furniture, you must know it’s a sign. As a discerning species, your cat naturally deserves the best—and, so does your home.

Some trends stand the test of time for a reason. Case in point: cement tiles. Although they’ve been making waves in the decor scene for a looong while now (historians date some versions back to the 12th Century), these beautiful tiles started to pop up inside the most design-savvy contemporary homes across the globe in recent years in a big way. And it’s not difficult to see why. Along with creating artfully polished displays, cement tiles are crafted from natural materials (i.e.

I once heard a designer (whose name I cannot remember) say something that stuck with me. The exact phrasing escapes me, but the gist was that you should be investing your money in the items that you touch daily. The closer to your skin, the more you should consider spending. It makes total sense, as these are the things in your home you likely use more than anything. And sheets are one of those items.

Whether you see it as a throwback to the ’80s or a reflection of changing attitudes about femininity, there’s a particular shade of light, slightly-muted pink whose ubiquitousness is as complete as it was sudden. Call it millennial pink, or dusty pink, or rose quartz—it’s everywhere, and it’s the color that every eye seems drawn to. So we’ve created this roundup of sofas where pink, the color of the moment, meets velvet, the fabric of the moment.

With a slogan like "Beautiful design. Customized by you. Accessibly priced." the values of Interior Define are music to our design-loving ears.

Okay, HomeGoods fans, we’re one step closer to shopping at a new home store by the brand. TJX just announced the name of the new store, and when they’ll start opening. Back in February, we reported that TJX, the store’s parent company, had told investors that they were planning to introduce a new home store concept in addition to the ever popular HomeGoods. On Tuesday’s earnings call, TJX CEO Ernie Herrman gave the new store a name: HomeSense.

If you've ever wondered about whether the online furniture retailer's sofas were comfortable, we went behind the scenes to find out (and here's what we thought!).

Lauren Singer has a pretty famous jar. The jar itself is nothing special—just a regular pint-sized glass one—but if you’re an average American, what’s in it is mindblowing. The jar holds all of Singer’s trash from the past four years—yes, every last bit of it. Singer began living a zero waste life nearly half a decade ago, and started the blog Trash is for Tossers to help others do so as well.

Turns out, there’s more than just 36-roll packs of toilet paper and giant muffins at your local warehouse store. We’ve recently discovered that you can also snag an authentic Eames Lounge chair at Costco, for quite a discount. Earlier this week, we were tipped off to the designer deal via a Facebook group for mid-century modern fans. The photo was of the iconic chair and its ottoman next to Herman Miller boxes stacked on pallets in the warehouse. The price for both pieces? $3,899.99.

Let's face it: If you're going to have a conversation with someone, a traditional sofa probably isn't the best place to do it. But this is.

Your local IKEA is about to get a bit more colorful. Meet AVSIKTLIG, the latest collection from the retailer that taps Swedish design rockstars 10-gruppen for a pattern-filled ode to bold style. If you’ve never heard of 10-gruppen, allow us to fill you in. The design collective was started in 1970 by ten Swedish designers, and the team quickly became “part of the anti-establishment force of the time, turning against the current aesthetic ideals,” according to IKEA.

As someone who currently has a desk-nightstand-vanity hybrid, trust me when I say that I get any and all of your small-space living woes. That’s why I’ve turned to the wise voices of the Internet to find the essential tips and tricks you’ll need to make your home feel open and welcoming, no matter what the size. Everything’s better with some support, so let’s navigate this big journey through small spaces together. Spring for built-ins.

Well, Spring has finally sprung (at least for us here in New York City!) and I know everyone — myself included — is starting to get that warm weather travel bug. There’s nothing quite like a backpack when you’re traveling, and while any loyal Apartment Therapy reader knows that we simply LOVE to talk about luggage, there’s a new kid on the block. Today I’m excited to share Bobby, which I first saw at the New York Now show a few months ago.

English roll-arm sofas gained popularity in the 19th century, and their sinuous profile, deep, accommodating seats, and signature low arms—perfect for resting one’s head—are elements that have kept them ingrained in popular design culture even today. Now available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and fabrics—and even sleeper options—this comfy, classic style is equally at home in formal, vintage-inspired houses and modern, eclectic apartments.