A kitchen filled with natural light, green plants, stainless steel appliances, and white cabinetry.
19 Low-Stress, Low-Commitment Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen This Year
Do you love 2019 already? It’s okay, we’re still on the fence about it, too. What about your kitchen? If you’re not totally enamored of the space, we’ve got some ideas to help you heart it some more this upcoming year. Each idea is seriously easy and inexpensive (especially compared to a renovation) to pull off. And you don’t have to do all 19, either—pick and choose from this list and your kitchen will be more lovable and up-to-date in no time.
Feb 11, 2019
Before and After: Prepare Yourself for a Brand New, Totally Fabulous Bathroom
Thanks to some low-commitment wallpaper, a few thrifty purchases from eBay and the hardware store, and an ultra-clever DIY, this mustard powder room is now bright, glamorous, and utterly fabulous. Natalie Ensor—@takethecannoli_ on Instagram—went big and bold in this bathroom, taking an ordinary space and transforming it with vibrant colors, gleaming accessories, and so many flowers you can practically smell them.
Feb 11, 2019
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What Type of Mattress Makes the Most Sense for You?
Few things make a bigger difference in your daily (and nightly) life than a quality mattress. And if you’re thinking about making an upgrade, now’s a great time to do it since Memorial Day mattress sales abound. Whether you want to sleep cooler, get more support, or find just-the-right feel, here’s a quick guide to mattress types from A to ZZZ. This mega-popular mattress style includes high-density polyurethane foam that adapts to your body.
Feb 11, 2019
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4 Signs Your Mattress Isn’t Sparking Joy
We spend more than a third of our lives in bed, and that time should be as comfortable as possible—not easy when you’re sleeping on a lumpy, saggy or sinking mattress. If you’re yawning and nodding off as you read this, it might be time to reconsider your current sleep situation. And now’s the time to do it since we’re right in the middle of mattress sale season! Here’s how to know if you’re due for an upgrade.
Feb 11, 2019
This “U-Frame” Catskills Cabin Is Cozy, Rustic, Perfect
Name: Ashley Kost, husband, and a Golden Doodle dog Location: Roxbury, NY Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned My husband and I purchased our cabin in January of 2018 after deciding we needed an escape from city living. We chose the small town of Roxbury because it’s where we got married in 2015, so it already had a special place in our hearts. Our home is located approximately 2.
Feb 11, 2019
This Is How Much My Actual Mortgage Costs Each Month
Any renter with an internet connection and a passion for painting the walls dark green (or black or maybe just wallpapering a bit) can attest to the bit of confusion you feel when first encountering a mortgage calculator or payment estimator online. You approach the thing with some very rough estimates researched in haste about what a modest little 2-bedroom in an up-and-coming neighborhood might cost.
Feb 10, 2019
What HGTV Never Told You About ‘Fixer Upper’
Here's what they didn't want you to know about the show.
Feb 10, 2019
5 Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Landlord
When my husband and I—aspiring landlords that we are—found out we could get an FHA loan to cover the purchase of a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, we thought we had it all figured out. But four months and a dozen offers later, we were still discovering surprises right and left. Here’s what we wish we’d known before navigating on our less-informed, high-risk multi-family home search. Read up on landlord/tenant laws in your area before embarking on this journey!
Feb 10, 2019
10 Home Staging Tips Celebrated Interior Designers Swear By
Design enthusiasts in Palm Beach County, Florida, let out a collective hurrah last year when the venerable Kips Bay Designer Show House in New York debuted a sister event in Palm Beach. The show house has now returned for a second year, gracing a 10,000-square-foot waterfront property in West Palm Beach (it’s open now through February 20!) Twenty-two design firms from throughout the country transformed the space in just under four months.
Feb 9, 2019
Married People Are More Likely to Own a Home—But Here’s Hope for You
First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes an 18 percent higher probability of being a homeowner. According to research from the Urban Institute, delayed marriage is a major factor holding millennials back from homeownership. If the marriage rates were the same as they were in 1990, the millennial homeownership rate would be about five percentage points higher, says the Washington, D.C.-based economic and social policy research institute.
Feb 9, 2019
If You Love Instagram and Cruises, You’re Going to Want to Apply to This Dream Job At Royal Caribbean
Do you take roughly 500 photos when you go on vacation? And then spend the following 10 weeks after your trip sharing “TBT” pictures on Instagram? No shame here, we all are guilty of doing this, at least once. Everyone likes to show off their best side on the ‘gram. If this is something you think you’re a pro at, you might just be able to get a job out of it.
Feb 9, 2019
Ask Apartment Therapy: What Should I Do With This Dated Pink Bathroom?
Welcome to “Ask Apartment Therapy.” Our editors get emails all the time with people asking for our help. We can’t get to them all — but thought it would be fun to invite you into our team chat room once a week for a consultation. Have a question you want us to consider? Email advice@apartmenttherapy.com.
Feb 9, 2019
Is It Bad to Wash Dishes with Hand Soap? Experts Weigh In
And what about bar soap? Or laundry detergent?
Feb 9, 2019
Real Estate Rom Com: Three Sisters and a Stately Victorian
In honor of love, February, and gorgeous real estate, I put together another Real Estate Rom Com featuring this stunning home on Sotheby’s International Realty. A minivan turns a corner and pulls into the driveway of 49 Kingwood Ave. FAMILY FOCUSED SISTER takes a big gulp of her very big coffee as she pushes her even bigger sunglasses to the top of her head. She glances at herself in the rearview mirror, where did the time go? She thinks.
Feb 8, 2019
Here’s What You Can Get for Under $350,000 in 5 Major Cities
In many locations across the country, having a $350,000 budget to buy a home will get you some pretty nice digs, but when you’re looking in some of the big cities that stack of cash can translate into what some people may consider a college dorm room. Interested in seeing just how far your dollar stretches in the five major cities?
Feb 8, 2019
The Small Space Dweller’s Guide to Designing a Functional Living Room
According to the experts.
Feb 8, 2019
My Credit Score Was Actually 70 Points Lower Than I Thought—And Yours May Be, Too
When my husband and I decided to take out a home equity line of credit for a renovation, we assumed we’d get a great interest rate based on our good credit scores. We’ve always paid our bills on time and don’t maintain any credit card debt. There’s just one demerit on my report; a medical bill in collections I’ve unsuccessfully disputed. But even with that blip, the credit monitoring service I use—CreditWise—said my score hovered in the high 700s!
Feb 8, 2019
Would You Ship Your Luggage to Save on Baggage Fees? This Startup Hopes So
Everyone hates baggage fees, whether they’re unexpected or not. But clearly, the airlines know how to make a bundle off them: In 2017, US airlines collected $4.6 billion in checked baggage fees. Enter: LugLess, a new travel startup that offers a cost-competitive alternative to checking bags. The company is hoping that customers are willing to part with the traditional baggage-checking model in order to score cheaper luggage shipping rates.
Feb 8, 2019
Before and After: This Bathroom Just Got a Mind-Bending Paint Job
This bathroom was pretty nice, with a pleasantly neutral palette, big windows, and all the fixtures and finishes appearing to be in fine shape. But now, thanks to a mind-bending paint job, it is bright, poppy, bold, and fantastically fun. The tile, toilet, and tub are the same (at least so far), but the wall and floor have a dramatically different look.
Feb 8, 2019
A Spacious Brooklyn Rental Is Modern with a Homey Southwestern Flair
Name: Lindsey Swedick, my boyfriend, cats Freddie and Ramona Location: Brooklyn, New York Years living in: I have lived here for 1 year, but my boyfriend has lived here for 8 years, renting I moved to NYC from Albuquerque, New Mexico, seven years ago. I currently work in Digital Editorial and Social Media Marketing at West Elm and have always had a passion for photography, both for work and outside of it (I recently set up a film photography developing set-up at home!).
Feb 8, 2019
A Newly Remodeled, Maximalist Philadelphia Home
Name: Rachael, Rob and Frankie Wetherington + Liza Minnelli the Cat Location: East Kensington — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Size: 1,600 square feet Years Lived In: 5 years, owned Rachael and Rob’s first house wasn’t their “dream home” when they bought it five years ago, right before their wedding. But with a giant yard in the city and an open floor plan on a corner in a neighborhood they loved, it had enough potential to be pretty darn close.
Feb 7, 2019
A Globally Eclectic 19th-Century Haddonfield House
Name: Sarah, Will, baby Romilly and Ramsey the bulldog Location: Haddonfield, New Jersey Size: 3,795 square feet Years Lived In: 3 years, owned Sarah and Will live in a beautiful 19th Century Haddonfield Manor House, designed and built by notable architect, Clement Remington. Remington was also involved in the construction of Philadelphia’s City Hall, the Curtis Building, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Feb 7, 2019
The Coastal Chic Australian Home a Couple Built Together (from the Ground Up)
Name: Franz and Patsy Knapp with kids Felix (6) and Betty (4) and dog Ludo Location: Dunsborough, Western Australia Size: 1,615 square feet Years lived in: 6 years, owned Franz, a stonemason, and Patsy live in a home they built together from the ground up. Their beautiful home is located on seven and a half acres in the coastal town of Dunsborough, well-known for its white sandy beaches and holiday atmosphere.
Feb 7, 2019
A Gorgeous & Global Italian Apartment
Name: Lezli Clendening Location: Vicenza, Italy Size: 1,614 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, renting Walking into Lezli’s second floor Italian apartment is like walking straight into a museum. With artifacts from all around the world, beautiful canvases from artists (some of whom she is related to) and even bones, insect display cases and taxidermy pieces, it certainly could be mistaken for one of the coziest exhibits ever.
Feb 7, 2019
A Calm, Renovated, “Post-IKEA” Portland Home
Name: David and Katy Kippen, and dogs Violet and Wally Location: Laurelhurst — NE Portland, Oregon Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 12 years, owned When Katy and David bought their 1922 Craftsman bungalow in Portland a dozen years ago, they visualized a place where they could enjoy privacy and calm, despite their home’s very urban location. With time and patience they have created their ideal space: modern, minimal and inspired by “nature, open spaces, and contrast.
Feb 7, 2019
A Small Seattle Studio That Looks Much Larger Than It Is
Name: Angel and Ben Location: Fremont — Seattle, Washington Size: 580 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting The first thing you notice when walking into Angel and Ben’s Fremont studio is the huge floor-to-ceiling windows at the far end of the space, letting light pour into their living area.
Feb 7, 2019
An Airbnb Content Manager’s Chic San Francisco Studio
Name: Holly Location: The Mission — San Francisco, California Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, renting The first thing you notice when you open the door to Holly’s apartment in San Francisco’s popular Mission neighborhood is the light in the hallway that runs two-thirds of the length of the space. Windows all along the right side — some stained glass — make it feel very airy and ethereal.
Feb 7, 2019
A 100-Year Old Home in Oregon’s Wine Country
Name: Matt and Ali Murray, daughter Tennyson, 2, and Lucky, the Mini Aussie Location: Newberg, Oregon Size: 3,000 square feet Years lived in: Owned, 5.5 years Six years ago, Matt told Ali that he found their dream home in Newberg, a small town in Oregon’s wine country about an hour from Portland. They had previously lived together in downtown Portland, and later owned a house in a southwest suburb of the city…and weren’t actually in the market for a new home.
Feb 7, 2019
A Mid-Century Modern Home in Delaware
Name: George Marrone Location: Wilmington, Delaware Size: 4,300 square feet Years Lived In: 7 years, owned George discovered this stunning house — just outside of Philadelphia — while helping a friend look for properties online. He works in healthcare, but has always had an affinity for architecture and design. Today, this artist-built 1959 gem is set along a creek among gardens in a setting that’s utterly captivating. But the house itself was near ruin when George found it.
Feb 7, 2019
An Industrial Maximalist Italian Apartment
Name: Kirsten Schofield and Eric Ng Location: Vicenza, Italy Size: 3,200 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting Some apartments have good bones, and some apartments feature inhabitants who know good design. Amazingly, Kirsten and Eric’s apartment in downtown Vicenza features both! With thoughtfully chosen items from estate sales and antique stores around Europe and the U.S., this couple has quite the collection of beautiful things from their travels around the world.
Feb 7, 2019
A Natural, Neutral & Sunny Duplex Penthouse in Barcelona
Name: Fabiola, Javier, Claudia (5) and Guillermo (2) Location: Barcelona, Spain Size: 1,720 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, owned When Javi and Fabi first saw this space on the top floor of a beautiful duplex in the family-friendly neighborhood of Eixample, it was completely different. All of the fixtures were outdated and the layout needed to be reconfigured. Undeterred, they saw the potential of the space and decided to do a complete overhaul.
Feb 7, 2019
A Lovely Little LA Nook for Two Roommates
Name: Lucia and Paige Location: Highland Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, rented Roommates Lucia and Paige have a decorating motto when it comes to treasures from thrift stores: If you want it, you get it! That’s how they were able to create a pretty home even though they don’t have a big budget. The roommates say they complement each other perfectly: Paige is good at solving problems and Lucia is the handy one.
Feb 7, 2019
A “Mountain Modern” Cabin in the Woods
Name: Amanda and Courtney Sprinkling-Felt, and daughter Georgia Location: Stevenson, Washington Size: 1,800 square feet on 28 acres Years lived in: 1 year, owned When Courtney saw a foreclosure listing for a “retreat” on 28 acres in remote Stevenson, Washington, she thought it could be the perfect woodsy getaway for her family. She went to see the property that day…and discovered that it had been uninhabited for years and was in pretty bad shape.
Feb 7, 2019
A Modern Refresh of a Victorian-Era Portland Home
Name: Andy Barlow, and his cat Cavanaugh Location: Eliot Neighborhood — Northeast Portland, Oregon Size: 850 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting Andy and his cat Cav live in one unit of a Portland duplex that was built in 1890 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Andy is a multi-talented real estate agent, freelance interior designer, and professional home-stager, who never thought that he would end up living in and loving a 127-year old home.
Feb 7, 2019
A Quirky, Retro, Playful and Unexpected Home
Name: Glenda and David Pedersen Location: Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue — Quebec, Canada Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 18 years, owned Glenda — a most charming woman — finds the best inspiration from her dreams when it comes to decorating. She has a thing for the quirky, the retro, the playful, and the unexpected.
Feb 7, 2019
A Young Family’s Eclectic, Sentimental First House
Name: Bonney Johnson and Lou Patrick, and son Hal Location: Arbor Lodge Neighborhood — Portland, Oregon Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, owned After living in a series of apartments in California that were that were sad, gray boxes, Bonney and Lou found a 1904 home to call their own in the Arbor Lodge neighborhood of North Portland, just a couple miles north of downtown.
Feb 7, 2019
A Seattle Jewelry Designer’s Paris-Inspired Studio
Name: Kim Location: Capitol Hill — Seattle, Washington Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, renting Having great style kinda comes with the territory when you’re a successful jewelry maker (and the owner of a business like Fresh Tangerine), but Kim has a particular brand that you just don’t see very often. She describes her home’s look as quirky Parisian with some PNW cozy mixed in. And it’s so true!
Feb 7, 2019
An Insanely Dreamy Rental Apartment in a Converted Stable in a 14th Century Italian Villa
Name: Whitley Glasgow, her husband Josh, and pup Maxwell Location: Vicenza, Italy Size: 4,500 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting When Whitley and her husband, Josh, first imagined themselves moving to Italy, they knew they had to find a place with character. When they came across this rental apartment—a part of the Villa Fracanzan Piovene—they found it in spades.
Feb 7, 2019
A Beautiful, Minimal, Light-Filled Barcelona Renovation
Name: Tami, Gleb and their two-year-old daughter, Mia Location: Barcelona, Spain Size: 915 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, own Imagine relocating to a new city where the language, culture, and landscape is completely different from your own and with only three suitcases in hand for both you and your partner. This is exactly what Tami and Gleb, a young couple from Moscow, Russia, did just four years ago when they decided to uproot themselves to the sunny city of Barcelona.
Feb 7, 2019
Dynamic Details Define a Chic and Simple Barcelona Remodel
Name: Anna Location: Barcelona, Spain Size: 754 square feet Years lived in: 13 years, owned Anna has a degree in geography and has worked for 13 years as a publicist for IKEA, but after finally finishing her apartment’s two year-long renovation, I think it’s safe to say she also has quite the passion and expertise for design. Responsible for all of the design decisions in the 754-square-foot space, the biggest priority was a roomy and functional kitchen.
Feb 7, 2019
A Small “Bohème Moderne” Condo with Vibrant Downtown Views
Name: Andréa Crofts and Stefan Jovanović Location: Toronto, Canada Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 8 months, owned Andréa and Stefan’s home is a 700-square-foot unit in a modern condo overlooking the beautiful skyline of Toronto’s downtown. The eastern view is what sold the couple on this particular unit, and you can’t blame them. Even if the condo was completely empty, it would still be gorgeous with that view.
Feb 7, 2019
You Can Buy This 238-Square-Foot Tiny House That Fits A Queen-Sized Bed
Allswell has become known for their luxury “bed-in-a-box” mattresses that are new to the saturated market and have already made some serious noise. As of today, the Walmart brand launched another risky but bold endeavor to stand out in the home space: selling their own custom-made tiny houses.
Feb 7, 2019
5 (Way Too Common) Mistakes You Might Make with Bleach
Bleach is a strong cleanser that, when used properly, can be a safe and effective option for sanitizing various objects and surfaces in your kitchen, in the laundry and around your house. “But it’s not an all-purpose cleaner,” says Nancy Boc, senior vice president of education at the American Cleaning Institute.
Feb 7, 2019
8 Problem-Solving Target Buys Tiny House Dwellers Swear By
If you live in a tiny home, you’re faced with living a full life with less space—and less stuff. This makes going to Target a difficult task for tiny homeowners, because, well, they’re just as tempted by all the cute, quirky, and cool things in the aisles as you are (the Target effect is real, y’all!) But it also means that these residents are experts at cutting through the clutter to find the best problem-solving products while shopping.
Feb 7, 2019
Before and After: $500 Later, It’s Really Hard to Believe This Is the Same Kitchen
Three cheers for lenient landlords.
Feb 7, 2019
6 Color Combos That Shouldn’t Work But Totally Do
There are any number of color “rules” you can follow when you’re picking out your home’s palette. The classic 60-30-10 Rule is a place to start. You can lean on the smart suggestions of a color expert. Those looking to add dark colors in a small space might even want to consult some online guidance. But the six stunning homes in this post prove that you can play around with what some might consider “clashing” color combos and pull it off beautifully.
Feb 7, 2019
A Barcelona Home Got a Scandinavian-Inspired Remodel
Name: Line Tiller Location: El Clot — Barcelona, Spain Size: 850 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned Stepping into the home of Line (pronounced Lee-Nuh) Tiller is like stepping into a cozy retreat in the middle of the city. “Warm and cozy are the main ingredients of a Norwegian home because it’s cold in Norway,” says Line, originally from the Scandinavian country.
Feb 6, 2019
Here’s What You Can Get for $2,300 a Month (And Under) in NYC Right Now
To live in New York City is to crack your wallet way open every month to pay for a roof over your head. And while once upon a time $2,300 per month could yield a perfectly reasonable place to call home, these days it takes some sleuthing to find something in this price range.
Feb 6, 2019