When the semester is in full swing, your schedule is nonstop. But even on the days you barely have a minute to pop by your dorm room, it’s important that your space helps you feel ready for anything.Peyton Koch, a student at Central College, wanted to add a bit of decor that would also help keep her organized.

College is a time of intensive learning, and we’re not just talking about the classroom. Those four years are also about learning how to live independently, which might mean figuring out how to do laundry or keep surfaces clear of clutter for the first time. (Turns out there wasn’t a tiny elf who did that in the middle of the night.)In this new phase of adulthood, a little help goes a long way, like college essentials from IKEA.

It’s a law of physics that only so many things can fit in a dorm room. For such a small space that serves so many purposes — sleeping, studying, socializing — it’s important to start with the essentials. A dorm room designed around the must-haves makes college life cleaner, more comfortable, and more organized.Now, to make those essentials affordable and actually stylish? For that, you need IKEA.

Whether you live in the dorms or off campus, your college space should feel like the home it is: a place that you want to hang out in after a long day of classes or a marathon study sesh. Your room should reflect your style and personality, without breaking any pesky rules about how you can and can’t alter your space.Nyjah Harris, a student at Old Dominion University, wanted to add a few personal touches to her off-campus bedroom to make it feel more like her own.

Nothing refreshes a space like color, and one of our favorite ways to add it is often hiding in plain sight: lighting! There’s a whole world beyond white bulbs, and the right lighting can change your room’s mood — not to mention your own — in an instant. Colored smart lighting has evolved into a design tool that’s adaptable to almost any aesthetic.

A well-designed dorm room is a gold medalist in small-space living: a tiny, often shared, space that has to support studying, relaxing, and socializing — plus score style points! It’s a decor challenge that’s actually pretty fun to solve. All it takes is a little planning and smart shopping.That’s to say, all it takes is a little IKEA.

Planning your college dorm room is a puzzle, but it’s a fun one! On one hand, you have a lot of practicalities to figure out. You have limited space to work with, and it has to multitask. You have to find homes for way more stuff than you think you do to keep clutter at bay. And you might have to do all this in coordination with roommates. But on the other hand, all of this is for the purpose of setting up the home you want to live in, likely for the first time.

The fun part about decorating your space is that there are so many possibilities. And the challenging part about decorating your space is that are so … many … possibilities.If you like to scope out your options before committing — or if you know what you want but are still deciding how you want to lay it out — then our new Room Plan tool, presented in partnership with Walmart, is for you.

If you’re indecisive like me, setting up a new space can feel like a weirdly stressful chess game. “If I put the couch here, then where will the gallery wall go? Will the room feel too small with that shelving in it?” Every potential choice prompts more choices and eliminates others, until you’re just standing in an empty room, lost in thought but doing nothing. (No, I’m not speaking from experience, why do you ask?

Even if you know your style, there are still so many options for arranging your space. From furniture to decor to color to layout, the variables are practically endless. They are also slightly frustrating and sweaty, as we shove couches from one end of the room to the other.That’s why we created Room Plan: This intuitive tool, presented in partnership with Walmart, turns any room into a 3D puzzle of possibilities. Here’s how it works!

There’s a reason people always advise against rushing to decorate your space. (It’s us. We’re people.) When you take your time and collect the right pieces, your home feels more layered, interesting, and personalized. You’ll know those just-right pieces when you find them — and we just found some great ones, especially for small spaces.Submaterial is a small design studio with big ideas, creating one-of-a-kind decor by hand in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Buying a new mattress is kind of like buying a new car: They’re both large purchases that you don’t make often yet use every day, and they both require a bit of research before you find the right match for you.Luckily, it’s never been easier to find a mattress you love — especially with Avocado Green Mattress.

By far, the least fun part of having a pool is cleaning it. From fallen leaves to algae buildup to … whatever that bug is, pool maintenance is one task we’re more than happy to let the robots take charge of. Specifically, this robot. The Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra is a breakthrough in pool maintenance and technological design, with state-of-the-art precision and a sleek aesthetic that make it an exciting new option for effortless pool maintenance.

For many of us, coffee is a staple of our daily routine. So it makes sense to create a beautiful and functional dedicated spot for it within your kitchen. As with all things style, the perfect coffee setup looks different for everyone. But whether you pride yourself on pulling the perfect espresso or concocting elaborate seasonal sippers, it all starts with a great machine — or three great machines in one.The Ninja Luxe™ Café is the only (!

What we love to prepare in our kitchens can reveal a lot about our design style, and few kitchen creations are as personal as your coffee order. Whether you start the day with a quad-shot espresso or a seasonally flavored latte, you can elevate your coffee’s style with the Ninja Luxe™ Café.The only (yes, only) all-in-one espresso, drip coffee, and rapid cold brew maker, the Ninja Luxe™ Café fits into any coffee routine — and any kitchen design.

If you’ve only considered paint as a way to change wall color, this is your sign to play! Inside a single paint can are endless possibilities for a more creative, more personalized, just plain happier home. A fun painting project, like a mural or accent design, is like large-scale coloring — and the result will make you smile every time you see it.

After a winter of hiding under blankets and hanging out exclusively with our pets, spring gives us the energy to socialize again. Now, to send the memo to our homes. Waking up your space’s style from hibernation can mean making a couple of new decorative touches or a few bigger upgrades: Any of them will get you excited to embrace the warmer days with friends and festivities.

Budding trees, warmer temps, longer days: The vibrant energy of spring is all about change. That goes for our homes, too! If you’re feeling the itch to switch things up — from giving your current decor style a dust-and-polish to trying out a whole new look — now’s the time.Whether you want to go all out or just add a little springtime sparkle, head to Walmart.

Pull up a wicker chair and grab your best “staring wistfully at the ocean” cardigan: The seaside cottage trend is here to stay. We love this look for its serene color palette, natural materials, and overall organic vibe. Another reason to love it? How easy it is to bring to life in any space.With on-trend, affordable furniture and decor from Walmart, you can give any (or every) room a touch of coastal charm with quality pieces that will last way beyond the seaside high season.

When I bought my first house two years ago, I didn’t realize what a creative practice home ownership would become for me. Having my own space turned every decor choice and DIY into both an art project and a personal statement: I love this, and I can bring it to life. Over time, from wallpapering an accent wall to faking a “built-in” bookshelf, I grew more ambitious. I bought saws, plural.

We believe in seizing every opportunity to add more style to your home, right down to its most functional items. The Japanese brand Yamazaki has long been an Apartment Therapy fave for doing just that: Their storage and organizing essentials combine practical utility with a minimalist aesthetic that always looks sharp. That’s why we were thrilled to team up on a line of our own!

Sometimes, it feels like the only way to get gleaming hardwood floors — especially on a budget — is to already have them. But while it’s a thrill to pull up carpeting and find pristine planks underneath, you don’t have to get lucky (or live in a Brooklyn brownstone) to get the flooring effect you’re after.

It used to be that robot vacuums were kind of like when your partner loads the dishwasher: Technically the job gets done, but not the way you would’ve liked. But the newest and best robot vacuums have gotten way smarter.Thanks to industry-leading technology and the latest artificial intelligence capabilities, the new Roborock Saros 10 and Saros 10R models are just about Mensa level: less robot vacuum, more robot maid. Looking for deep-cleaning power?

A new sofa is one of the biggest decor purchases you can make. So how do you end up with exactly what you want? Design it yourself! As a leader in custom upholstery furniture, DreamSofa allows you to create your custom sofa or sectional. That’s why thousands of design enthusiasts trust DreamSofa.com to bring their vision to life. You can adapt their designs to your precise specifications. Oddly shaped room? Create a U- or L-shaped sectional that fits down to the inch.

Here are some signs that your interior design hobby might be something more: Friends ask you for decorating advice. You can tell a cool white paint color from a warm one. You geek out on subjects like Rococo architecture, textiles, or color theory. If any of these sound familiar, we’re here to tell you that it’s never been easier to take your curiosity to the next level — however busy you are.

When it comes to caring for your plants, regular watering is just the beginning: Show your potted babies a little extra love, and they’ll reward you with vibrant, beautiful growth. And one of the most fun ways to pile on the TLC is with a plant spa day.Just like a human spa day, this is a moment for pampering and primping. In one day, you’ll give your plants the little extra care they need to thrive — care that isn’t part of your weekly maintenance routine.

If you don’t think you have a green thumb, you probably just haven’t met a pothos yet. This vining beauty is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. And with its trailing tendrils and endless varieties — from pale neon to deep emerald and solid green to beautifully variegated — it’s also living statement decor.

Half the work of keeping your space clean and organized is having the right supplies. When the vacuum is lightweight and the mop is at arm’s reach, tidying gets way easier. And when every sweater and extension cord has a home — be it a storage box, shelf, or drawer — you’re likelier to put it away before it becomes clutter.From simple sponges to state-of-the-art vacuums, QVC has everything you need for a cleaner, more organized home.

Winter is a time for slowing down, settling in, and relaxing at home: Days are short, social calendars are light, and we’re ready to nest. It’s a perfect moment for making sure our space is set up for maximum comfort — and style, of course.We’re talking about a refresh as relaxed as this season’s vibes: No big makeovers, just one room — or corner of a room! — that can become your new favorite spot with little effort or expense.

There are few things more satisfying than a good DIY. Whether you’re hanging a gallery wall or installing cabinets, completing a new project is about more than what it will add to your space. It’s also about getting creative, making your space uniquely your own, and feeling accomplished — especially when you’ve busted out skills you didn’t know you had. Get a couple of projects under your belt, and you’ll be wielding power tools like a pro!

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of factors that have affected my dog’s interest in his dinner: a different bowl (suspicious), the wrong position of said bowl (too far to the left), another dog in the house (what are they eating?), cheese in the kitchen (I, too, love cheese). As any pet owner knows, how your animals eat matters as much as what they’re eating.

Pinterest never lets us down: From design ideas to fashion tips, it’s an endlessly encyclopedic source of inspiration. So when the folks behind the scenes see a new trend on the horizon, we get our notebooks (and our pinboards) ready. We got a sneak peek at Pinterest Predicts 2025, and it includes two statement-making shifts in home decor ahead that we’re especially excited about.

Home is a living, breathing idea: The way it looks and functions changes as you do. That’s part of why coming home feels so good — it’s an extension of your family’s personality and an expression of what you value most.For DIY-er and self-proclaimed “accidental interior designer” Tiffany Hahn, the Austin, Texas, home she shares with her husband and two sons is an expression of safety, love, and sanctuary.

You know that friend whose house just has that warm, comforting, feels-like-home energy? It doesn’t happen by accident. Whether you’re picking out a paint color or hanging a gallery wall, when you’re guided by your experiences, heritage, and personality, you create a space that makes both an aesthetic and an emotional impact.For Texas-based interior decorator Magdalena Mendez, home is a place to express herself and strengthen family bonds.

Your home can be a visual map of your life. Your experiences, memories, and travels are reflected in everything from the furniture you sit on to the color of your walls. It’s part of what makes interior design such a fulfilling — and constantly evolving — process.For Miami interior designer Geri Del Vento, home is a place to celebrate family.

When winter comes, some of us embrace the cold, and some of us cuddle up inside. Whether the first snowfall inspires you to read the biggest novel on your shelf, throw a decadent dinner party, or start waxing your skis, getting your home ready for the cold weather will help you enjoy the season your way. As the temps fall, QVC has what you need to set the scene in style.

Have big holiday decor dreams but not a lot of space to bring them to life? Don’t let that keep you from leaning into your seasonal spirit! With a little creativity, you can find plenty of pockets for adding festive joy to your space: the walls, halls, and everything in between!This wall bow tree can be as large or small as you like: Either way, it makes a big style statement. And all you need is ribbon and Command™ Products to keep it looking sharp all season long.

It doesn’t take much to shift the vibe of your space. The easiest way to do it without taking up any footprint? Finding a signature scent. The right fragrance can be your home’s invisible finishing touch, setting the scene and the mood for a room.A foolproof way to make guests ask, “What is that lovely scent?” is by using Aera home diffusers. We love them so much that we collaborated on a signature Aera x Apartment Therapy Collection!

Hands down, our favorite holiday decor is twinkly lights. Whether gracing a festive mantle, peeking out from icicles on the eaves, or sparkling in store windows, string lights are the warmest, brightest sign of the season. This easy wall light tree is a fun, unexpected way to incorporate more string lights into your holiday style — plus it’s ideal for folks who don’t have space for a huge live tree.

You might look at a blank wall and see a problem in need of a solution. But sometimes — especially if you live in a small space — a blank wall is the solution.Small-space design presents a conundrum: A bit of empty wall offers a nice visual “pause,” but every inch counts! From furniture and decor to tech, everything must work hard, look good, and not overwhelm the room.

The first rule of Halloween decorating: Have as much fun as possible. The season of candy and costumes is a time for going big. All that stuff in your craft closet? Now is its time to shine. This statement-making spiderweb is a fun and easy way to welcome all your favorite ghouls and goblins. The yarn web comes together quickly and stays in place all season long no matter where you decide to put it, all thanks to Command™ Brand Products.

Half the fun of interior design is experimenting with different styles to see what suits your space best — and changing your mind later! If you choose timeless designs for your space’s anchor pieces — think dining tables, sofas, and beds — then you can use smaller items later to play around with different looks without a huge investment of time or money.

Anyone who’s recently bought a house is now an expert, whether they want to be or not. They’ve just come up a steep learning curve about local markets, financing negotiations, renovations, and so much more. Ask them about sewers! No really, ask them: If this is your first time buying, or just your first time in today’s market, it can help to learn first-hand from folks who’ve just been through it.

House-hunting is stressful at the most normal times — but is there ever a “normal” time? From crowded markets to an ever-shifting landscape of prices and interest rates, it can get hairy out there. Staying informed helps. In that spirit, we surveyed more than 600 Apartment Therapy readers who either just bought a home or are currently in the market for one. We asked how long their search took, the challenges they encountered, and the surprises they discovered.

Money is always a complicated subject, but perhaps most of all when you’re buying a house. A home is likely the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make, and behind that big list price is a whole micro-economy of fees, calculations, and costs that can sound downright mystifying from the outside — and inside, too! So we asked 676 Apartment Therapy readers just like you to break down the financial aspects of their home-buying process.

It’s easy to think about neutrals as soft, unobtrusive colors whose job is to let the rest of your decor shine. And they’re great at that! But, depending on how you use them, those same colors can be bold enough to make a big statement all on their own.That’s what Apartment Therapy Creative Director Melissa Polhamus loves about her 2024 Color Crush: Tricorn Black SW 6258 by Sherwin-Williams.

Discover what makes each of The Vibiest Towns in America so special, and take our quiz to find out which town’s vibe is a perfect fit for you. This content is presented in partnership with the All-New Toyota Camry.Los Angeles isn’t just one city: It’s a sprawling collection of neighborhoods and towns that have distinct personalities and lifestyles all their own.

Discover what makes each of The Vibiest Towns in America so special, and take our quiz to find out which town’s vibe is a perfect fit for you. This content is presented in partnership with the All-New Toyota Camry.The Inland Empire region of Southern California — also known as the IE — is full of small planned communities that sit just outside the hustle and bustle of busy urban centers.