The Latest: Jan 2019

Welcome to the hub for accessing all our latest posts! Easily sort through content by date to quickly find what you’re looking for — you’ll never miss out on the latest updates here.

10 Chic, Clever Amazon Home Buys Under $50 We Spotted On House Tours

House tours are a great way to scope out trends, inspiration, and design ideas for your home. It can also be a great reminder that great style isn’t out of reach. Some people featured are all DIY or thrifted, but lots of people rely on the kinds of stores and websites millions of the rest of us use every day like Amazon, Target, or West Elm. And speaking of Amazon, we also appreciate any help in finding hidden gems on their massive online marketplace.

Marshall Bright

Jan 31, 2019

Anthropologie’s New Spring Collection Has Landed–Browse The 3 Gorgeous Looks They’ve Created

We all need a reminder that warmer weather is in fact in the (hopefully) near future. And while we can’t provide everyone with a discount plane ticket, we can offer you a brief respite from the cold by way of Anthropologie’s spring home look book. Called “The Life Within,” this collection is all about personal expression, whether that means bold color choices or a retreat back to nature.

Nicole Lund

Jan 31, 2019

5 Modern Tiny Houses You Can Buy on eBay, Starting at $20K

Looking to make a major lifestyle change? It’s as easy as clicking your mouse–thanks to the many prefab houses available on eBay. (Okay, maybe you’ll need to send a couple e-mails back and forth and send in some paperwork.) Here, five modern-looking tiny houses you can buy on eBay right now, which encourage a minimal lifestyle and are typically eco-friendly to boot. And just a quick caveat: know what’s included when you buy (and what’s not).

Chelsea Greenwood

Jan 31, 2019

These Are The Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers in 2019

If you’re thinking about buying a home this year, you’ve probably already come to terms with leaving city life behind to take advantage of those sweet suburban prices. But if you can’t bear to part with walkability, public transportation, a lively food and entertainment scene, or any other of the many benefits to living in a city, there is hope: Some cities are more hospitable to those entering the real estate market than others.

Kate Streit

Jan 31, 2019

This Bright Spanish Home Is Nordic Style Pastel Perfection

Name: Sofia Gil, my husband and two daughters: 1 and 4 years old Location: Valencia, Spain Size: 1184 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, renting We are a Portuguese family living in Valencia, and we love it here. Our flat is very bright, and my husband and I decided to use pastel colors for the decor. A lot of the furniture is second hand and painted with chalk paint; we love to combine old and new.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jan 31, 2019

This Is Apartment Therapy’s First-Ever Pattern of the Year

Like all the best trends—velvet furnishings, pastel kitchen appliances, even low-carb diets—animal prints have cycled in and out of style over the years (and centuries). At times they’ve been perceived as luxurious and expensive, at other times tacky, outdated, and even a little scandalous, but they never truly leave the cultural lexicon (most recently, Tom Ford’s 2018 Fall Ready to Wear Collection relied heavily on those wild patterns).

Bridget Mallon

Jan 31, 2019

Shop Apartment Therapy’s Pattern of the Year Exclusively on Society6

On Thursday morning, Apartment Therapy rolled out our very first pattern of the year: The New Animal Print. Part vintage nostalgia, part updated take on zoomed-in animal markings, its something we’re predicting will only get bigger in 2019. (“It’s like the perfect marriage between accessible and out-there,” Apartment Therapy design editor Bridget Mallon wrote.

Marshall Bright

Jan 31, 2019

You Can Now Buy That Viral Coffee Alarm Clock

The internet tells us plenty of ways to improve your morning cup of joe: carefully monitor the coffee to water ratio, don’t use water that hasn’t boiled yet, and a number of other tips. But there’s one thing coffee-making connoisseurs fail to point out: let someone—or something—else do all the heavy lifting. This nifty coffee brewing alarm clock will wake you up and get you caffeinated.

Kenya Foy

Jan 31, 2019

These Are The Most Popular Listings on Trulia This Month

I spend entirely too much of my free time looking at real estate listings—even though looking at them is a good chunk of what I get paid to do here! But even though I know what I’m looking for, even I get lost clicking through dream homes: “I should move to Detroit and buy this $20,000 fixer upper!” or “If I save now, I can totally can afford this $2 million apartment in Brooklyn by the time I’m 30!

Liz Steelman

Jan 31, 2019

There Are Only 4 Cities in the U.S. Where A Studio Is Actually Cheaper Than a One-Bedroom

If you’ve been patting yourself on the back for living minimally in a studio apartment in the hopes of squirreling away a couple of hundreds of dollars every month for a down payment sometime in the future, brace yourself: I hate to break it to you, but you might actually be losing money. At least according to a new analysis from HotPads, a Zillow company that focuses on apartment searches, the median price for a one-bedroom apartment in most cities is actually cheaper than a studio.

Liz Steelman

Jan 31, 2019

Set Your Home Up to Be Clean and Happy, All Year Long

The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. You can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far. We did a lot this month with the January Cure. But if you didn’t quite get where you wanted to be, don’t sweat it. Each day in 2019 that you can do something—anything!—good for your home will help you make a difference.

Taryn Williford

Jan 31, 2019

The Unexpected Home Update That Almost Always Pays for Itself

If you’re planning on doing some updates around your home this year, you’re probably figuring out which projects are worth sinking reserouces into: Is that subway tile backsplash going to be a waste of money when it’s time to sell? How about those new fixtures in the bathroom? Thankfully, Remodeling magazine puts out a Cost vs.

Kate Streit

Jan 30, 2019

This Apartment’s Views Feels Like Living on a House Boat

Name: Miya Kusumoto, my kitten, Poppy Location: Riverside — Jacksonville, Florida Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting The Riverside House—Rochester House as it was originally known—was built in 1869 as a boutique hotel that could accommodate up to 40 guests. Perhaps the most famous guest that stayed at the hotel was Mary Todd Lincoln—reportedly she came down South to recover from arthritic pain.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jan 30, 2019

This Dating App Created Funny Valentine’s Day Cards For Every Relationship Stage

The best way to ensure your Valentine’s Day goes smoothly this year is to get prepared well ahead of February 14. That means no attempting to make last-minute dinner reservations or frantically perusing the picked-over cards at your favorite drugstore. On the other hand, you should definitely put some sincerity, time and effort into selecting a suitable card for your sweetie, and there’s a Valentine’s Day card pack to make the choice a little easier.

Kenya Foy

Jan 30, 2019

The 9 Go-To Stores Real Estate Agents Use for Inexpensive Staging Decor

In case you're wondering, they aren't super snobby when it comes to sourcing decor items—they often shop in the same places with an eye on price—just like you!

Lambeth Hochwald

Jan 30, 2019

The Only Two Things That Motivate Me to Keep My Kitchen Counters Clean

Kitchen counters are clutter magnets—plain and simple. As I look at my own countertops, I see seven-ish different piles in the works (kids’ art, unopened mail, recyclables on their way to the bin, etc.). It’s never-ending. And despite being a fairly organized, clean-surface kind of girl myself, and literally interviewing dozens of experts on the subject, there are only two times my countertops ever get clean. Oh, is it midnight the night before an article is due?

Ayn-Monique Klahre

Jan 30, 2019

This Is What’s New On (and Leaving) Netflix in February

The shortest month of the year is upon us, but the Netflix queue is as long as ever. Here’s what we’re excited to watch on—and sad to see leave—the streaming service in February. One of the biggest franchises of all time returns to the Netflix waters, and not just the original. You’ll also be able to stream Jaws 2, Jaws 3, and Jaws Revenge starting in February.

Tara Bellucci

Jan 30, 2019

This $30 Amazon Buy Improved My Hair and Skin After Just One Use

My hair is anything but easy—I’m constantly on the hunt for shampoo and conditioner that will give my limp locks some extra volume, while keeping my unnaturally blonde shade looking healthy. It’s been a daunting journey to say the least. So imagine my surprise when my longtime—and life-changing—hair stylist, CoCo, examined my limp locks and declared that my hair care products, in fact, were not the problem.

Caroline Biggs

Jan 30, 2019

Is Buying a Home a Good Investment? Here’s How Experts Decide

You’ve saved a good chunk of money, or at least are on a path to do so. Now, you might be wondering what’s better: Invest in real estate or put your money in the stock market? It’s a question you can wrestle with to no end since several factors come into play. Helping to frame the debate and lend advice below are a host of real estate and finance experts. Here are six questions they suggest you ask yourself if you’re exploring your investment options.

Brittany Anas

Jan 30, 2019

Mindy Kaling’s Closet Looks Nicer Than Any Apartment I’ve Ever Been In

Anyone who has seen “Sex and the City”has coveted Carrie Bradshaw’s overflowing closet, but at least it was fake—no one could have such a perfect room in real life! Except, apparently, Mindy Kaling. When prepping with her team for this year’s Producer’s Guild Awards, Kaling took a few getting-ready photos in her dreamy closet.

Samantha Zabell

Jan 30, 2019

Before and After: This Tiny Bathroom Looks Brand New After Only $1,000

Ok, so maybe this isn’t the world’s tiniest bathroom, but it’s close. When Lara of The Unprofessional set out to renovate her tiny attic bathroom, her issues with the space weren’t just cosmetic. Thanks to its small size, the bathroom had lots of unusual quirks: the vanity door wouldn’t open all the way, the bathroom door swung out and blocked the hallway, and the toilet was so close to the door that doing your business was a bit uncomfortable.

Nancy Mitchell

Jan 30, 2019

A 300-Square-Foot Apartment Is Small But Personal and Artistic

Name: Lauren Murphy, cat Tulip Moonbeam, and my dwarf rabbit, Alfee Location: South Norwalk, Connecticut Size: 300 square feet Years lived in: 1 week, renting My name is Lauren, and I am a nanny/graduate student getting my Master’s in teaching. I just moved into this apartment to be a bit closer to my school. Although very tiny, this home allows me to have my first real bedroom since college, which is huge for me!

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jan 30, 2019

A Little Lesson in Letting Go of Stuff

The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. It’s not too late to sign up, and you can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far. Sometimes all you need to declutter is a fresh perspective. Once your things are yours, letting go of them can feel like a loss. A loss of money or preparedness or potential. And those are very real feelings.

Taryn Williford

Jan 30, 2019

West Elm Is Having a Huge Sale–Here are Our Editors’ Favorites Under $150

Here at Apartment Therapy we’re always scoping out good sales and deals, but there are some brands we get especially excited about. West Elm is one of them–they’re reliably one of our favorite sources for accessible, good quality pieces from couches all the way down to vases. That’s why we’re loving their current decor sale, starting at 25% off all in-stock items. Check out what Apartment Therapy editors are recommending below, and browse the rest of the sale here.

Nicole Lund

Jan 29, 2019

A Tinder Candle Exists —Here’s What It Smells Like

There are a lot of things you might think of when you hear the word Tinder. The phrase “swipe right” definitely comes to the forefront of your brain. You might think about the worst aspects of online dating, or maybe it’s is exactly what you like about dating in 2019. Whatever your feelings, we can bet you never would have expected Tinder to be immediately followed by the word candle. But sure enough, it is 2019 and anything can happen.

Ana Luisa Suarez

Jan 29, 2019

Kids 14 and Under Can Fly For Free On This Budget Airline

Going on vacation can be one of the best things that your family does together—you can make memories that will last a lifetime. As much fun as traveling can be, the flight costs to your destination can be crippling for a family, especially ones with multiple kids. Children over the age of two are charged a full-price ticket by most airlines, and even if that 3-year-old is going to demand to sit in your lap the entire time, you often will have to pay for a seat for them on the plane.

Ana Luisa Suarez

Jan 29, 2019

Urban Outfitters Is Launching Six Furniture Collections For Spring–Here Is A Sneak Peek

Major blizzards or no, spring is on its way. And the first harbinger of warmer months? Spring collections rolling out at stores. Like a breath of fresh air after a long winter, it’s the perfect excuse to revive your space with pieces that are lighter, brighter, or just plain newer feeling. Urban Outfitters began to quietly roll out their spring collection last week, and while the full collection won’t be online for a few more weeks, much of it is available now.

Marshall Bright

Jan 29, 2019

7 Decorating Mistakes We All Make in Our First Homes

Few things are more exhilarating than moving into your first real home. But as fun as decorating it can be, it’s also easy to make a lot of rookie mistakes. So to help make the process of decorating your first home go a little smoother, we called on a few of our favorite designers to share the mistakes they (and their clients) seem to always make. From awkward furniture arrangements to picking the wrong paint color, these are the decorating mistakes we all make in our first homes.

Caroline Biggs

Jan 29, 2019

Experts Say These 4 Financial Tips Are Totally Outdated

Sure, there’s plenty of parental advice that will never grow old: Learn to prioritize your time. Follow the Golden Rule. Wear sunscreen. But when it comes to financial tips, some of those age-old lessons fail to fit in with a millennial’s reality.

Lesley Kennedy

Jan 29, 2019

The One Spot You Need to Declutter, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

Your personality can help you focus your efforts on a certain thing or category of items, so you can dig in and really start to make an impact in your space.

Taryn Williford

Jan 29, 2019

The Worst Home Buying Advice Experts Have Ever Heard

Buying a home can be an overwhelming experience. There’s no shortage of advice on the process out there—especially from friends and family members just trying to help. Unfortunately, not all of it is good. Thankfully, three experts have cut through the clutter.

Kate Streit

Jan 29, 2019

Target Brought Back Its Bedding Sale–And Made The Deals Even Better

Depending on where you live in the country, you’re probably still recovering from the Arctic temps of last week. While icy weather can feel bleak, there’s much to embrace about the cold snaps: flannel PJs, hot drinks, and, perhaps most importantly, the universal acceptance of staying in. If your bed has become your sanctuary (or at least, more so than usual), fear not: last week’s bedding sale at Target is back for another two days—and it’s been increased to 30%.

Nicole Lund

Jan 29, 2019

You are Just One Weekend Away from a Much Better Closet

I purchased my first home a couple of years ago. Like most split-levels from the 1970s, it was built economically, but not luxuriously. The closets throughout the house—which were untouched when I bought it— had flimsy dark-stained doors on tracks that didn’t quite line up reliably. They each had disgusting carpet, and particle board shelves supported by DIY brackets that didn’t cut it.

Elizabeth Seward

Jan 29, 2019

The $4 Trader Joe’s Buy That Saved My Dry Winter Hair

As January turns into February, it would seem that the harsh cold weather is here to stay. One day we have temperatures in the 40s, and the next, it’s a frigid 5 degrees. With these fluctuating temperatures comes dry skin and brittle, damaged hair. The winter weather can even take a toll on those who don’t color or use heat tools, or those who already have silky hair. One way to combat dryness is using a hair mask to help keep your locks hydrated.

Ana Luisa Suarez

Jan 29, 2019

One Thing You’ll Find by the Door in Every Clean Home You See

Tidy people have their secrets (like, uh, a whole storage unit), but there's one good home habit they can't hide.

Taryn Williford

Jan 29, 2019

You Could Escape Reality With a Free Long-Distance Train Ride

All aboard the train that will get you away from the hustle and bustle of every day life—for free! Amtrak is on the hunt for one lucky winner to do just that, as part of their new social media residency. The program, deemed #AmtrakTakeMeThere, is looking for someone who is savvy with social media, can connect with followers, and most importantly, they can package and share their Amtrak travel stories to the world.

Nicoletta Richardson

Jan 28, 2019

Florence Knoll Bassett Was a Revolutionary of American Office Spaces

The design world has lost a legend. On Friday, Florence Knoll Bassett passed away at the age of 101 in Florida. An architect, designer, and proponent of humanized modernism, she changed the way we work, and produced some of the 20th century’s most iconic furniture pieces. Born in Michigan in 1917, she was orphaned at a young age and her guardian sent her to a school designed by Eliel Saarinen in Bloomfield Hills, Illinois.

Tara Bellucci

Jan 28, 2019

Look Inside: A Renovated French Summer Château for $454K

This chic French château is straight out of French Vogue. 46800, Montcuq En Quercy Blanc Located in Southwest France €399,000 euro (~$454,000) Three bedrooms, two bathrooms How chic does it sound to invite all your friends to summer at your country home in the South of France? This 19th-century home in Montcuq has been completely renovated with modern interiors that look straight out of French Vogue.

Anne Roderique-Jones

Jan 28, 2019

Anyone Who Owns a Vacuum Needs This Simple $5 Tool

It's really meta, but cleaning your cleaning tools is an important part of keeping your homemaking life humming.

Shifrah Combiths

Jan 28, 2019

Social Media Do’s & Dont’s for New Homeowners

Congratulations! You’ve taken the real estate plunge and bought a place of your very own. It’s a scary time, but also a really exciting time. I bet you can’t wait to share the good news on Facebook and Instagram. But wait—before you do, we have some advice for when and how to use social media responsibly while you bask in that new homeowner glow. DO take and share great photos of your new place.

Taryn Williford

Jan 28, 2019

Is This Weird Old-School Trend Really Making a Comeback?

Waterbeds: should they stay or should they go?

Kelsey Mulvey

Jan 28, 2019

A Sunny UK Home is Rocking 82 House Plants (and Counting)

Name: Elle Collins, husband John, son Hudson, and British Shorthair cat Mia Location: Knowle — Solihull, United Kingdom Size: 1,264 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, owned Myself, my husband John, our 2-year-old son Hudson, and our British Shorthair “Blue” cat Mia have loved every second of the last four years in our home. This home was our first purchased together as a couple; we got married and had our first child while having this home so it’s full of memories.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jan 28, 2019

One Small Push You Can Make Towards a Less Cluttered Kitchen

The January Cure is all about refreshing and organizing your home for 2019. We tackle one assignment each weekday throughout the entire month. It’s not too late to sign up, and you can visit the Cure page to catch up with the assignments so far. It doesn’t matter if you cook every day or once in a blue moon. You might have a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kitchen, or one with more cabinets than you know what to do with.

Taryn Williford

Jan 28, 2019

This Can Shower Holder Is the Perfect Gift for the Beer Lover In Your Life

Have you ever had one of those days where you needed to take a long shower to rinse all the annoyances of the day off of your skin? Of course, you have, we’ve all been there. Sometimes, when you need to decompress at the end of a bad day, on top of that long shower, you might also need a drink. But having a drink in the shower or bath isn’t always exactly convenient. The steam from the hot water makes the ledges in your bathroom slippery.

Ana Luisa Suarez

Jan 27, 2019

The Best Architectural Homes for Sale Right Now, Starting at $267K

Some people were born to fit in. Others were born to stand out. The same goes for homes. For every 100 cookie-cutter McMansions, you might find one home that breaks the mold–which makes such architecturally significant homes priceless in our book. However, you don’t actually have to break the bank to purchase a house that stands out from the crowd.

Chelsea Greenwood

Jan 27, 2019

7 Easy (and Affordable) Ways to Adultify Your Home

If we’re being totally honest, a walk down memory lane can be a very cringe-worthy experience. How many pictures have you looked at in total disbelief that you actually left the house with crimped hair, layers of eyeliner, and a hot pink velour sweatsuit? Yeah, not our finest moments. Looking at pictures of your previous living spaces can elicit the same embarrassment.

Kelsey Mulvey

Jan 27, 2019

You Can Buy a “Litter Box” for Your Dog Who Hates Going to the Bathroom Outside In the Cold

Taking your dog out to go to the bathroom during the winter can be a total nightmare. If you live in an apartment or condo, the shared area might be covered in harsh salt to prevent ice and snow from sticking to the ground. The salt is often terrible for your four-legged friend’s paws. The snow is another obstacle that can get in the way, as some dogs absolutely despise the snow.

Ana Luisa Suarez

Jan 27, 2019

8 Open Concept Layout Mistakes We Should All Stop Making

Here's how to overcome the daunting task of forging distinct areas inside a lofty, wall-less space.

Caroline Biggs

Jan 27, 2019