Decorating

Name: Polly Age: 3 Location: Totnes, Devon, UK Room size: 16.4 x 11.4 foot Chances are, you’ve probably seen Jane Foster’s work, and we’ve featured her many times ourselves. Her work whole-heartedly celebrates the bold shapes, patterns and colors from the 60’s and 70’s – one can’t help feel a bit nostaligic when admiring her designs. When it was time to create a space for her daughter Polly, she replicated this passion for vintage and retro design.

I get asked about how to make small spaces feel bigger all the time and have done numerous interviews going over these points, BUT I’ve never written them down for myself or for you readers here, so here we go. These are my totally evergreen, classic tips, which come from years of practice. Please add your own!

One item can completely transform a room!

We’re always on the lookout for smart, renter-friendly products that won’t risk your security deposit, and make your space better than the day you moved in. Slatted window blinds are one particular sore spot for a lot of folks: They look generic, have constant problems, and landlords don’t always let you remove them. Well, tenants rejoice, because we found a way to work around those ugly window coverings, and dramatically change the look of your whole room.

Has your bedroom been feeling flat and lifeless? Uninteresting? Too…boring? It might need an infusion of texture — a basic design element every room needs to make it feel rich and like a place worth spending time in. We’ve got nine different and easy ways you can add the feeling of texture to your bedroom. 1. (Pictured above) Plants are a fast and easy way to add mother nature’s texture to your bedroom (plus some lovely and life-affirming green color).

Let’s face it—kids don’t really take up too much space. It’s all of the junk we buy for them that gets in the way! In an effort to downsize and share space, some savvy folks turn to shared offices and nurseries! Mom or Dad can work while the little one snoozes. We’ve scouted out some favorite office and nursery combos to inspire you. Take a look! 1. Teressa and Ryan’s Fresh & Friendly Home 2.

There are plenty of home goods that are fine to buy cheap (I put shower curtains and bathmats in that category), and then there are those worth shelling out some cash for. These are investment pieces that will travel with you from home to home, and that could one day be given to a loved one. Here are our picks for 5 items you’ll love using every single day, and that you’ll look forward to owning for years to come.

We aren’t all lucky to get an amazing view from our home’s windows. Sometimes instead of gorgeous urban skyline or serene forest to gaze out onto, you’re stuck with an unwanted sneak peek of someone’s apartment through their window, a bland and boring brown plain fence or visions of neighborhood cats using your side yard as a litter box. Instead of keeping the blinds down and the curtains drawn, let the light in and take control over your perspective.

The pros sound off.

Plants are well known as great way to add some color, texture and life to a space, and when they also happen to be beautifully oversized hanging plants, they also bring the drama. We’ve rounded up some examples from our archives and around the web. 1. An oversized Boston Fern adds texture and brings character to the room. Gregory and Jenny’s Relaxed Hippie Bungalow Tour from Apartment Therapy. 2. Following curve of a staircase these Bears-Paw Ferns have a cascading effect.

Have you ever looked at a room in your home and thought “it needs a little something else” — but not quite been able to put your finger on what? If so, then this post is for you. In the same way that the right accessories make any outfit better, these five things will take any room in your home from good to great. There’s nothing like a rug to really tie a room together.

When you’re busy working, it can be easy to let your workspace fall into a rut—I mean, who has time to redecorate their desk when they’re preparing for next week’s presentation? But because your work environment affects how energized you feel, taking a few minutes right now to optimize your workspace may just make your whole week more productive. Want to try it? Read through these five ways to improve and organize your desk according to feng shui—then get to work!

Let’s set something straight before we begin: espresso machines—good espresso machines—are expensive. Like, really expensive (think comparable in price to an entire living room’s worth of furniture.) So when we were rounding up our list of top-notch espresso makers, we had to cut ourselves off at $1,000 before things got astronomical. With that budget in mind, here are the best 13 machines on the market.

When I hear the phrase “writing hut” or “backyard shed” my imagination practically squeals with delight. A small, intimate space furnished with the essentials. Low impact, high inspiration. This is probably why I love going to North Dakota and why I want to pull a Pollan and build my own little house.

We often share ideas about how to make sure your art complements your decor. Or talk about where to find affordable art to fill up your walls. Or post about DIY art projects you can do quickly, easily and within your budget. Though these are all valid ways to add a little color to your rooms, there’s another aspect to consider when on the hunt for art.

Name: Daphne (1 month)Location: Charleston, SC Size: 10′ x 13′ Many nurseries start off as home offices that are then bequeathed to the newest family member upon their arrival. This was the case with Deirdre’s office which she used for three years before finding out she was expecting. Luckily, the paint color worked well for the nursery she had in mind.How did your office become Daphne’s nursery?

Despite being small, bathrooms can be the trickiest to decorate. We find ourselves thinking wisely about every decision, since this room holds a captive audience. If you’re looking for a little country or vintage charm in your bathroom, try recycling or repurposing something you may already have.

After years of thrifting, and knowing myself, I’ve figured out when it makes sense to head to Goodwill, and when I should just stay home. If you aren’t a diehard go-every-day-as-if-it’s-a-religion kind of shopper, then choose your strategy carefully and save yourself a world of hassle and time. Right Before Halloween: There’s just no point.

Cabinetry usually adds up to about half of kitchen renovation expenses, so if you have a small budget, you’ve got to find ways to cut costs. Shop sales, check second-hand and salvage stores, try a demolition auction, or find ways to get a custom look from big box sources.For kitchen cabinet sources, click here. Home Depot Big box stores like Home Depot have frequent discounts on stock kitchen cabinets.

I recently installed under cabinet lights in the kitchen of my rental apartment, and for a relatively small investment, they have made a big impact: They provide lighting for such kitchen tasks as dish washing and food prep, and their ambient glow is a pleasant alternative to the harsh overhead lighting I relied on previously. Fluorescent, halogen and xenonTOP ROW1. NON LED Countertop Light, $20 from IKEA2. LEDme Button Light, $54 from WAC Lighting3.

Not only does the faucet you choose for your kitchen affect the overall look of the room, but if you cook a lot (or if you don’t own a dishwasher), the convenience of its design will affect you every day. For our 2016 faucet guide, we’ve taken both form and function into consideration—and to raise the stakes even higher, set a price cap at $200. These options meet the trifecta—they’re pretty, practical, and very well-priced.

I’ve been rounding up these little luxuries for a number of years and have even been corrected (happily) that a “bedside carafe” MUST (in order to earn its name) have a glass attached to it. Agreed. So this is my biggest selection yet of the best options out there right now, from traditional to modern, from high to low. The one up top is my top pick this year, because the shape is unexpected but still elegant, and it’s totally affordable.

From Russia with love…gems, beads, pearls, and a complete and total explosion of color. These studded and sparkling plates, and their insanely intricate embellishment work, are the ultimate in bedazzling. These decorative plates are the handicraft of a Russian artist named Daria.

Have hardly any money to spend on your home decor? Have NO money to spend on your decor? It might seem impossible to design a home that won’t end up looking like your budget was zero, but it is possible to get creative and design a home that still looks great despite your small (or non-existent) budget. Here are some of our favorite tips. Really work on designing your spaces to optimize each room’s flow and feeling.

Taking advantage of this space will only set you back $10!

Meet 2020's new speckled home decor trend.

Move over, navy blue velvet!

Which character most represents your style?

It’s ultra-absorbent, sustainable, and even resists mold.

Shop small from your sofa!

After only a few months on the market, the unusually shaped Roundhouse in Deanshanger, England, listed for £900,000 ($1.1 million) is now sold, subject to contract. The home was featured on “Grand Designs,” a British TV series highlighting people building their dream homes themselves, in 2014. During the episode in the fourteenth season of the show, the property was described as a “giant wooden spaceship, ” Curbed noted.

This bathroom staple looks chic all throughout the house.

Snag unique throw pillows, lampshades, wallpaper, and more.

These affordable upgrades can make your day-to-day way easier.

One small tweak can really open up your space.

Plus, viewing tips to enhance your chances of seeing the space rocks.

Use your dollars to support Black-owned businesses.

Do we really ever grow out of the ‘back to school’ routine? I think for many of us, September will always mark that time. Even if you’re not in school or sending any of your mini-me’s off to learn, it’s still a great time of year to regroup and re-organize your working space.

Bright and bold—but also chill.

And it's available on Amazon, too.

That price even includes a lightbulb!

The show reimagines Ann M. Martin’s beloved book series in the 21st century, where five of the original club members live during a time when cell phones and scrunchies coexist.

Plus, other decorating tips to enhance your Zoom room.

It's so easy!

One Cinderella fan transformed an empty bedroom into a storybook fantasy and shared the makeover on TikTok and Instagram.

Pop culture and your favorite toy brick have collided to create a pretty cool pastime for adults.

Put a little more happy into your home, too.

Tried-and-true ways to live larger in a small space.

When modern style meets traditional, you get transitional.

Perfect for grilling, baking, cooking and everything in between!

We see—and hear—you!

What's old is new—again!

Forget the rules—it worked for me!

Try it virtually before you buy it.

It's part of a collaboration with York Wallcoverings.

The design lowdown you never knew you needed!

Ever heard of a pot filler?

Say goodbye to your terry cotton towels forever.

When a coffee table book is missing pages, this is your answer.

When your home is also your office and gym, you could use a change of scenery.

Perfect for lounging, reading, and napping.

Pattern on pattern on pattern!

It's what your coffee table is missing.

Your setup can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.

Get your bed summer-ready!

Some Scandi trends have more staying power than others.

While it's not as attractive or as sexy a subject as art and design, dehumidifiers can be just as important for your home and your art.

Here are four common wine-storage mistakes, plus two "do's" that can help.

They hide your garbage, but that doesn't mean they have to be as unsightly as what's in them.

No space is small enough for a basket or two.

You might already be shopping there and just have no idea.

Even just one of these ideas will make a big difference!