The Latest: Dec 2018

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8 of the Best Maximalist Home Buys You Can Find on Amazon

2019 is officially upon us and it’s bringing a whole new slew of home decor trends with it. According to our friends at Etsy, the ultra-minimalist look is on its way out and maximalist decor items—a.k.a. clashing patterns, bright colors, and bold prints—will be taking over our homes instead. So to kickstart your design endeavors for the new year, we rounded up some maximalist-inspired home goods you can order on Amazon.

Caroline Biggs

Dec 31, 2018

This Mountain Retreat Was Built to Escape from Urban Life

When the typical city dweller yearns for a break from the traffic, crowds, noise, and light pollution, some of the most immediate forms of relief can come by hopping on a quick flight to a remote, quiet destination, or packing up the car for a weekend road trip. But when California couple Jeff Waldman and Molly Fiffer faced this familiar conundrum, they decided on a more permanent solution.

Kenya Foy

Dec 31, 2018

A North Portland Rental Is Bohemian, Eclectic, and Filled with Plants

Name: Jordan Jones, my boyfriend, and our Maine Coon Cat, Thor Location: Portland, Oregon Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting I’m a fashion blogger, barista, and hairstylist and I live in a one-bedroom apartment in North Portland with my partner Grant Thomas and our 20-pound Maine Coon cat named Thor. Grant and I met on Tinder three years ago back in San Diego, California, which is where we used to live.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Dec 31, 2018

The 10 Best New Organizing Hacks We Learned in 2018

This year we discovered that it’s quite possible to make something out of nothing. This knowledge comes with a lot of power: It’s helped us be less wasteful, plus keep our homes spotless. Here are some of the best—and most useful—organizing hacks we learned. If your junk drawer is a disaster (whose isn’t?!), cupcake liners make a decent home for paper clips, thumbtacks, coins, and other small items.

Brigitt Earley

Dec 31, 2018

13 of the Most Vibrant, Colorful Homes of the Year

Full of boldly colored walls, fun furniture, and vibrant accessories, these 13 homes are bursting with vivid hues in bold ways. They just might inspire you to do some painting in the new year. This home is practically a playground of color and pattern, spearheaded by a budding interior designer. DIY projects abound in this beautifully modern home, but what caught my eye the most was the inventive use of color.

Adrienne Breaux

Dec 30, 2018

Inside a 160 Square-Foot, Off-the-Grid Cabin With A Minimalist Vibe

For getaway seekers eyeing remote accommodations of the more sophisticated variety, Virginia design studio GreenSpur has come through marvelously with the Lost Whiskey Cabin. This particular accommodation is a beautiful example of the cottage’s natural aesthetic meshing perfectly with a pared down, industrial style. The 160-square-foot, solar-powered domicile sits just an hour outside of Washington, D.C.

Kenya Foy

Dec 30, 2018

5 Great Places in the U.S. to Live in a Tiny House

These five places in the United States are especially noteworthy when it comes to being tiny home-friendly.

Brittany Anas

Dec 30, 2018

I Keep My Holiday Lights Up All Year Long—Here’s Why You Should, Too

I wish I could tell you about the first time I realized that holiday lights look great as year-round interior decor, but I don’t remember a specific incident that acted as a catalyst here. Perhaps—in fact, most likely—it was when I was still in high school, living with my parents in the woods of Appalachia. Without much to do as a byproduct of living in a remote place and being a teenager, my bedroom became my sanctuary, just as it is for other teenagers across the world.

Elizabeth Seward

Dec 30, 2018

A Sacramento Home Is “Bright, Eclectic, and Slightly Chewed-Upon”

Name: Sarah Huchel Location: East Sacramento neighborhood — Sacramento, California Size: 1,020 square feet Years lived in: 8 years, owned I was looking for a home to buy for over a year, and I completely lucked out with this place. Not only is the neighborhood geographically amazing (I commute to work and can do nearly all my errands by bike!), the neighbors are fantastic (one of my best friends ended up buying a house three doors down), and my sewer line has not yet collapsed.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Dec 30, 2018

10 of the Best Decluttering Tips and Tricks from 2018

Sometimes all you need to declutter your space is a new frame of mind. Sounds easier said than done? Not so fast. Take a look at some of the best lessons we learned this year about how to live with less. You need to purge, but you might need that gigantic waffle maker at some point. Stop playing that game; you’ll never get the job done. Find out how washi tape can help: A Brilliant, Regret-Free Way You Can Use Tape to Declutter Your Kitchen. A marathon cleaning sesh only leads to fatigue.

Brigitt Earley

Dec 30, 2018

One Clutter-y Thing You Should Pack Away with Your Decorations

For those of us with limited kitchen space (or a penchant for minimalism), designer and blogger Melissa Coleman of The Faux Martha has a genius tip: When it’s time to put away holiday decorations, pack your specialty cooking supplies with them. The premise: Why take up valuable real estate in your home with cookware and gadgets that only get used twice a year, at best?

Ashley Abramson

Dec 30, 2018

The Smartest Studio Apartment Layouts We Saw in 2018

Our homes have to host many different functions for our lives, from sleeping to cooking to lounging to working, and even sometimes entertaining. It’s hard enough living in a small home, but when that home is literally only one room? It can be tough to relax when you can see every inch of your home from your bed. But some of the most popular studio apartment tours this year showed you don’t have to let the lack of walls dampen your home or living style.

Adrienne Breaux

Dec 29, 2018

Dog Owners Take More Pictures of Their Pet Than Their Significant Other

If you were to hand someone your phone right now, what would the camera roll look like? A few snaps from recent date nights, a couple pictures of your loved ones, and roughly 500 photos of your pet, right? You just can’t help yourself, they fell asleep in the cutest position and you had to snap a couple (50) pictures of them! Don’t be ashamed, every pet owner has been there. Chances are, if you are a dog lover, your camera roll is just photo shoot after photo shoot of your pet.

Ana Luisa Suarez

Dec 29, 2018

The Best Colors to Make Your Small Space Feel Bigger

A room-by-room guide to making the most of your space.

Kelsey Mulvey

Dec 29, 2018

9 of the Most Underrated Items at Home Depot, According to Long-Time Renters

Think Home Depot is just for suburbanites working on DIY projects or shopping for a washer/dryer? Ask long-time urbanites-who-rent and they’ll tell you that there are so many gems in this big-box store. In fact, many of the things you’d order from Amazon or pick up at Target for your place can be found at Home Depot—and with a better selection (and sometimes better prices).

Lambeth Hochwald

Dec 29, 2018

You Can Finally Proclaim Your Love of Rosé with This Giant Pillow From Urban Outfitters

We don’t care if we get called “basic” for saying this, but we love rosé! Sure, it might seem like a summer drink, but every rosé lover knows that it can be enjoyed year-round. If you’re a huge lover of rosé, chances are your friends already know that it is your go-to drink of choice. But, now, you can really advertise your passion for rosé in your home, thanks to Urban Outfitters. One of our favorite brands now sells one of our favorite drinks.

Ana Luisa Suarez

Dec 29, 2018

The Best Things You Can Do for a Blank, Forgotten Corner

We all have that one corner we have no idea what to do with.

Caylin Harris

Dec 29, 2018

A Small Denver Apartment Is a Latin American-Inspired Boho Sanctuary

Name: Maria Cronin and my cat Frida Location: Cheesman Park neighborhood — Denver, Colorado Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting I love that I smile when I walk in my apartment and throw down my work bag. My cat Frida (yes named after Frida Kahlo) awaits me while lounging on my favorite Peruvian throw blanket. I put a lot of thought into my home aesthetic. The inspiration behind my feminine meets eclectic vibe comes from my travels, my mother, fashion, and art.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Dec 29, 2018

Women Sleep More Peacefully Next to Their Dog, Not Their Significant Other

There are some things about sleeping that seem to just be a fact. You sleep better in your own bed, totally true, right? Flipping your pillow to the other side will instantly cool you off and lull you back to sleep? Also true! Sleeping with your dog next to you, instead of your partner, will give you a better night sleep? That is also, apparently, true. Are you one of the many dog owners who has been saying this for years?

Ana Luisa Suarez

Dec 29, 2018

Here’s What to Do If an Amazon Package Arrived Too Late for Christmas

Now that holiday shopping is phasing out, many people are wondering the whereabouts of a purchase that’s yet to arrive. If you’re like me, you shopped last minute via Amazon because, who doesn’t love two-day shipping? But sometimes they online retailer doesn’t deliver—literally. Thankfully, the team at Offers offered (no pun intended) a guide detailing what to do if your Amazon Prime order arrived too late for Christmas.

Tyra Wilkes

Dec 28, 2018

This Artist’s Home For Sale Comes With All the Sculptures

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom home that belongs to multimedia artist Michael Jude Russo is proof that the concept of becoming one with nature isn’t just an overused cliché. The art-filled abode sits slightly north of Fort Lauderdale in Wilton Manors and is currently on the market for $1.2 million. Included in the sale are the hundreds of artwork and sculptures displayed in the home, the gardens, and the two-story studio.

Kenya Foy

Dec 28, 2018

A Vintage Furniture Collector’s Thrifted Home

Name: Kelly Wheeler and three kids Location: Darien, Illinois Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: 6 years, owned I bought my home six years ago and live here with my three kids, Jack, Brice, and Ireland. The home is a split-level that was built in the ’80s and when I moved in, it had wall-to-wall carpet and white walls. It was very dark and generic but I loved that it had lots of windows and space.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Dec 28, 2018

Is It Cheaper to Live in the City or the Suburbs?

Is it cheaper to be a city dweller or a suburbanite? When it comes to real estate, the obvious answer is that, yes, it’s probably much cheaper to buy a home or rent in the suburbs. (Thank you, next!) But, wait just a second! When you start factoring in other costs of living, or you hone in on some housing markets, you may be surprised to find that in some cases, living in the ‘burbs can be more expensive than city life.

Brittany Anas

Dec 28, 2018

These Bathrooms Make the Case for Matching Your Wall Tiles to Your Floor Tiles

There is nothing quite as luxurious as a stylish bathroom, but sometimes it’s hard to design the small space in a way that makes your eyes pop while simultaneously leaving a lasting impression. There are an infinite number of light fixtures and shower curtains you can choose from, but one way to take your bathroom up a design level is to match your wall tiles to your floor tiles. Does it sound intense? Sure, but have faith and hear me out.

Marlen Komar

Dec 28, 2018

7 Surprising Ways to Use This Super-Common $8 Buy

Keeping small stuff organized is never easy, and unfortunately, doing it on a budget can be even harder. Luckily, we found a clever buy that can help you corral all sorts of items around your home—that should only set you back about eight bucks. What could this wonderful mystery product be you ask? Glasses cases, just like this set of two for just $8 on Amazon!

Caroline Biggs

Dec 28, 2018

Anthro’s Sale Section Is 40% Off–Here’s Best Stuff For When You Never Want To Leave Your House Again After The Holidays

Are you ready to curl up in your bed and nail your door shut until spring after all the holiday merrymaking? Why not do it in a little bit of style? Anthropologie is making that easier – they’re offering an astounding 40% off all sale items. (This is especially good since their “sale on sale” deals usually caps out at 30%.) Here are some of our favorite pieces for snuggling up in by yourself while you recover from too much family time, eggnog, or both.

Marshall Bright

Dec 28, 2018

5 Places Where You Can Sell Gift Cards (Online and In Person)

Have you ever received a gift card you know you’ll never use? Your gifter probably had the best intentions, but there’s no worse feeling than this unuseful, plastic currency gathering dust in your wallet (especially when it’s time to pay rent). Whether you need the actual cash more than the gift card or you just don’t shop at the store, don’t fret just yet: You have options. Need cash now? Your best bet might be an instant, in-person option.

Ashley Abramson

Dec 28, 2018

4 Alternative Airbnbs Giving Tiny Houses a Run for Their Money

Maybe it’s the competitive nature of Instagram, or maybe it’s simply a more innocuous pursuit of fully immersive travel experiences, but one thing is certain according to Airbnb’s latest quantitative data: the quest to book a stay in ever more unique styles of vacation homes is getting serious (and turning into serious business).

Melissa Massello

Dec 27, 2018

The Most Pinned Homes of the Year

End-of-year round-up lists are the best if only because they’re an opportunity to see any house tours you may have missed! In 2018, many folks shared their beautiful homes, but somereally resonated with readers, particularly those who find inspiration on Pinterest. The photographs in this post represent the most pinned house tour photos of the year… did any of your favorites make the list?

Adrienne Breaux

Dec 27, 2018

8 Last Minute New Year’s Eve Decorations You Can Still Buy on Amazon

Need to score some stylish, yet festive, New Year’s Eve decorations but fear you may have run out of time? Not to worry. For the last-minute procrastinators among us (no judgments here!), Amazon Prime is a saving grace. We’ve scoured the site to find an assortment of decorations that’s sure to satisfy even the pickiest partygoers. Let the festivities begin! What better way to ring in the New Year than with huge oversized gold balloons?

Karen Marsala

Dec 27, 2018

Can You Ace This Mortgage Test Experts Came Up With?

You left school with a solid understanding of the Pythagorean theorem, and you could probably recite a row or two of the Periodic Table of Elements in your sleep. But one thing you likely didn’t pick up in class? A personal finance lesson centered on home buying and the importance of credit. Ready to go back to school and learn a few important home buying principles?

Brittany Anas

Dec 27, 2018

11 of the Best IKEA Hacks We’ve Seen This Year

In 2018, we saw IKEA hacks move towards achieving high-end dupes (like designer lighting or custom closets) and were blown away by people's creativity.

Cat Meschia

Dec 27, 2018

7 Under-$100 Area Rugs on Amazon That Only Look Expensive

Because anything that makes finding a rug easier is greatly appreciated.

Caroline Biggs

Dec 27, 2018

A Los Angeles Rental Is Warmly Whimsical

Name: Schalah Mitchell, one dog, and two cats Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 1200 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, renting I live alone with my dog and two cats, but my mother is a very frequent visitor and has made the guest room her home away from home, along with her two tiny chihuahuas. Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Warm, whimsical, classic and eclectic I have a lot of French furniture inherited from my grandmother or the home I grew up in Paris.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Dec 27, 2018

The Best New Year’s Resolution for Every Zodiac Sign

A new year always brings about thoughts of self-reflection: What can you do in 2019 to make your life better? “Better” of course is different for everyone. Your better might translate well to “more colorful,” or “more sustainable,” or “more well-rested.” If you know something that needs improving in your life, then write that down as your New Year’s Resolution and get to resolving.

Taryn Williford

Dec 27, 2018

8 Super Smart Small Space Hacks, According to NYC Real Estate Agents

If you’re looking for the best way to maximize a one-bed or studio, here’s an unexpected source: New York City real estate agents, who are in and out of these small apartments all day long. Here, seven of the smartest real world small-space hacks these agents have ever seen. “The sweetest thing I’ve seen in a one bedroom was in the home of a single mom who had a trundle mattress underneath her four poster bed.

Lambeth Hochwald

Dec 26, 2018

A Countdown of the 10 Most Liked Rooms of 2018

Apartment Therapy’s Instagram feed is a scrolling wonderland of stunningly gorgeous interior spaces, due in no small part to the photos from all of our house tours that end up on the feed. Curious about which house tour photos were the most liked on our Instagram this year? See if it was one of your favorites from the countdown below!

Adrienne Breaux

Dec 26, 2018

5 Fail-Proof Ways to Make Your Home Look More Expensive

Fake fanciness, without looking cheap.

Tess Wilson

Dec 26, 2018

11 Things You Really Can Get Rid of Between Christmas and New Year’s Day

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is usually a quiet one, so it’s the perfect time to go through your things and declutter. Between donating old pantry items and gently worn clothes, recycling gift boxes and catalogs, and tossing out old wine and leftovers, there’s plenty to clear out so you can make your home ready for the new year—and it’ll be conducive to helping you keep your resolutions.

Brittney Morgan

Dec 26, 2018

Try Not to Freak Out: What Rent Costs in America’s Priciest Zip Codes

If you had to guess where the most expensive neighborhood in the country is, what would you say? The answer probably won’t surprise you (it has taken the top spot two years in a row!) According to a recent report from RentCafe, the zip code with the highest average rent is 10282—AKA the upper part of Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan—right by the water, and just north of the World Trade Center. The rent there? A whopping $5,657.

Brittney Morgan

Dec 26, 2018

21 of the Best Room Transformations We Saw in 2018

There’s nothing more satisfying than a good makeover, so here are 21 of our favorite Before & After projects from 2018. The projects range wildly in budget and scope, and from designer to DIY. First up is this 1950s bathroom with original tiles, tub, and countertop in pale, dreamy turquoise. While it might have been tempting to start fresh, the owner saw nothing but precious potential.

Tess Wilson

Dec 26, 2018

This Little-Known T.J.Maxx Fact Is a Total Game-Changer

I go back and forth in my love for discount stores. When you go and find an amazing deal, you don’t just feel lucky—you feel like a genius for being smart enough to scour the store and find just what you needed, without paying full price like those other fools. Combining the rush of a shiny new object with pride for your perseverance is celebration-worthy.

Ayn-Monique Klahre

Dec 26, 2018

The Life-Changing Things Apartment Therapy Bought In 2018 (For $25 Or Less!)

December is a time of end-of-year lists, but unlike a look back at celebrity break-ups or songs you had stuck in your head all of 2018, this list could actually make your 2019 better. That’s because we polled our staffers to see what their best under-$25 purchases were this year. And while some things will change in the new year, wanting a more organized, happy, and beautiful home won’t. Ahead, eight little things that actually made our lives so much better this year.

Marshall Bright

Dec 26, 2018

This Suburban SoCal Home Has the Most Beautifully Boho Bedrooms

Name: Melanie Raver, husband, three daughters (8, 4, and 3 years old), and dog Location: San Diego, California Size: 3,000 square feet Years lived in: 7 years, owned We are the Ravers! My handsome hubby, my mini girl gang, and our extremely furry German Shepherd. We upgraded from our small starter home to a home with more space for our growing family. We found our home in a great area of North County San Diego, plenty of rooms, great schools, and a killer view of the Pacific Ocean!

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Dec 26, 2018

The Smart Money-Saving Trick for the Week After Christmas

Staying on a budget throughout the holidays is no easy feat. On top of all the gifts, travel, and seasonal soirees you have to save for, New Year’s Eve is right around the corner—making it difficult to have enough money to celebrate the new year once Christmas is a wrap. But fret not my penniless friends; we’ve got a great idea: Have a No Spend Week from December 26 until New Year’s Eve!

Caroline Biggs

Dec 26, 2018

Apartment Therapy’s 20 Best Cleaning Shortcuts of 2018

There are no gimmicks here—just genius hacks that'll keep your home sparkling all year long.

Brigitt Earley

Dec 26, 2018

The Best Use of Color on Kitchen Cabinets We Saw in 2018

Is it just me or are kitchens getting more colorful year after year? In 2018, we saw a number of stunning tours from all over the world. Murals seem to be an emerging trend. And wallpaper continues to be a new classic all over the house. But I also saw a few kitchens with colorful cabinet treatments that I truly adored. Below, my favorite uses of kitchen cabinet color this year.

Adrienne Breaux

Dec 25, 2018

Peek Inside This “Simple, Low Cost” Cabin in the Panama Forest

Of all the ways to become one with nature, a pretty straightforward path to convene with Mother Earth is by living in a forest. For some, it may sound like quite an outlandish proposal but this off-the-grid, open-air cabin in the mountains Panama makes the thought much more palatable. To bring the project known as Cabin 192 to fruition, architect Jose Isturaín of JIA enlisted the help of family members, friends, and area builders.

Kenya Foy

Dec 25, 2018