Ah, home sweet home. Well, for now, that is. Whether you recently graduated from college, are moving in with your partner, or are renewing your lease, there’s a good chance you’re living in a rental apartment. Studies show more people are renting than at any point in the past 50 years. We’ll let that sink in. Sure, there are a lot of perks to living in a rental.

Designers, they’re just like us! They love to travel, are addicted to Target, and love a good bargain. As design lovers, we’re used to seeing gorgeous furniture and accessories that are way out (waaay) of our budget. We’re talking about $200 candles, pricey throw pillows, and sofas that are well into the quadruple digits. But good style doesn’t have to break the bank. Truth is, there are plenty of items on the market that are chic and affordable. Need proof?

Sweet dreams, everyone.

What is it about the beginning of fall that always brings out the back-to-school spirit in us? It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you graduated school, there’s something about September that makes us want to turn over a new leaf and be more productive. So, we get organized, set bigger goals for ourselves, and buy some super chic office supplies.

Kevin Lehrer and Jon Allen know a thing or two about quality furniture. As interior design veterans, the duo has schemed up furniture for a bevy of brands like Bed, Bath and Beyond and JC Penney. But at Sixpenny, their new furniture company, Lehrer and Allen are calling the shots. “There’s an ability to do more with less,” Allen tells Apartment Therapy.

Talk about a grand entrance.

It doesn’t matter if you live in a charming, West Village brownstone or Spanish-style villa in California: There are some things every home needs. We’re talking lamps, bowls, and some stylish wall decor to kick your space up a notch. But how you prioritize your home decor may vary by state. Next Day Blinds recently created a infographic that shares the most-searched design accessory in every state. Want to see which item is big in your state?

At Apartment Therapy, we believe your home is your sanctuary and you should fill it with items that bring you joy. For many people, that means adding some vintage pieces to the mix. “Vintage pieces naturally have a story to tell, so they will quickly infuse character and a mystical charm to your space,” says Mikel Welch, a celebrity interior designer. However, it’s important to strike a happy medium between old and new pieces.

Face it, millennial pink isn’t going out of style anytime soon. We loved the shade as much as the next person when it first came onto the scene in 2016. But two years later? It often feels stale and played out. If you want to freshen up the celebrated color, try pairing it with red. Let’s get one thing straight: This color combination is a far cry from what you see on cheesy Valentine’s Day decorations.

You don’t have to be a design aficionado to know clean, sleek furniture and design are all the rage these days. But discerning whether a piece is minimalist, modern, or contemporary? Now, that’s another story. Chances are you’ve been using minimalist, modern, and contemporary interchangeably for years, without thinking twice about whether or not they’re the same. It’s okay, you’re not alone.

With sweeping views of the Pacific, an abundance of flowers, and bright colors everywhere, it’s kind of surprising that Hawaii doesn’t have much of a design scene. We mean, what better way to complement the archipelago’s stunning landscape than with equally beautiful interiors? That’s where Dan Mazzarini comes in. As the owner of Manhattan-based design firm BHDM Design, Mazzarini knows a thing or two about bringing a fresh, fun energy to any space.

Let’s face it: There’s no better way to spend a cold, snowy winter than nestled in front of a fireplace. But what are you supposed to do with your fireplace the rest of the year? Or if you live in a hot, dry climate year-round? Most people think of a fireplace as strictly utilitarian, but the truth is it can be a major design moment.

Because design lovers know there’s way more than just one shade of white paint.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a maximalist or minimalist, traditional or contemporary: Everyone has a huge stack of bath towels in their home. At Apartment Therapy, we take shopping for towels very seriously. The right one, perfectly plush and absorbent, can transform your bathroom into an at-home spa. And, depending on the color or pattern, add some stylish flair to your space.

Let’s face it: No room can compare to the bedroom. We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so it’s important to design your room with a beauty rest in mind. There’s more that goes into a relaxing bedroom than a cozy mattress and luxe set of sheets. Whether you’re in need of a quick fix or complete overhaul, here are nine ways to turn your bedroom into a soothing sanctuary. Sweet dreams!

Millennials get a bad rap for being lousy guests, awful neighbors, and incapable of doing anything beyond taking a selfie or making avocado toast. But in reality? They’re not as bad as they’re cracked up to be—and happen to know a thing or two about design. Over the past few years, millennials have been launching design brands that are affordable, transparent, and ridiculously stylish.

At Apartment Therapy, we believe that your home is your sanctuary—and you should treat it as such. After all, where else can you retreat to after a long day at work, bad date, or busy vacation and just relax? But before you KonMari your space or invest in some soft, dreamy sheets for your bedroom, you should decide on your home’s color scheme.

We hate to break it to you, but bar carts are so yesterday. Today, interior decorators and design fans are taking their love of libations to the next level by turning their extra closet space into a wet bar. If you ask us, this is one trend that’s here to stay. Not only will you have plenty of space to store bottles of bubbly, glassware, and other accoutrements, you have the opportunity to turn something as mundane as a hallway closet into a bonafide design moment.

It’s only natural to experience some design fatigue after living in the same space for a few years. You know, that irksome feeling you get when your once perfectly curated home feels stale, old, and uninspired? Bobby Berk, interior designer and co-star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, is the master of transforming a space, and he shared his tips for curing a case of home design-itis. Turns out, hitting the refresh button is easier than you’d think.

Ah, Target; what a beautiful, beautiful place. We mean, where else can you buy clothes, furniture, greeting cards, deodorant, and a fresh latte in one fell swoop? Exactly. We know we’re not the only ones who are obsessed with Target. In fact, plenty of designers shop there for both business and pleasure. So, the next time you’re there, keep an eye out for these items designers can’t stop buying. Because, as you well know, you never go to Target and buy just one thing.

While we like shiny, new objects as much as the next design lover, we also have a soft spot for all things vintage. Mixing the old with new—be it a sofa from the sixties, art deco drinkware, or linens from the 19th century—can add a cool, one-of-a-kind flair to your home.

We found out everything you need to know about your favorite piece of furniture.

A good night’s sleep is just a click away. Thanks to the influx of e-commerce sites and direct-to-consumer companies, you can easily buy a set of sheets from the comfort of your couch. “Brands across industries are making it easier to shop online and instituting processes that make the purchase experience more seamless,” says Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of Parachute. “The comfort, trust, and accessibility of online shopping has made it a no-brainer for consumers.

Artist Wassily Kandinsky once said, “Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” Yet, finding a color combination that’s cool, modern, sophisticated, and complementary is easier said than done. For years, yellow and gray fit the bill. Easy and unexpected, the two hues were an unstoppable duo for gender neutral nurseries and cheery rooms alike.

Feng shui is all about creating harmony between your inner self and the world around you, but if we’re being totally honest, incorporating it into your home is hard stuff. Similar to the latest trends in tech, fashion, or design, the definition of good feng shui is constantly evolving, which means your home should follow suit. Ugh. “It can be intimidating—even for us consultants,” says Laura Cerrano, founder and CEO of consulting firm Feng Shui Manhattan.

Whether you hop on the Jitney to Montauk, cruise up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu, or jet off somewhere fabulous like the Maldives, there’s a good chance you’ll go to the beach at least once this summer. At Apartment Therapy, we’re all about living life as stylishly as possible, so why should our beach trips be any different? From fun floats to chic beach chairs, and everything in between, here are 13 beach accessories design fanatics—and beach bums—will love.

Summer’s all fun and games until you’re practically eaten alive by a swarm of hungry mosquitoes. Bug bites are a total nuisance—nobody wants to be covered in big, itchy bumps—and potentially hazardous to your health. Not to freak you out or anything, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the United States since 2004.

We know great things come in small packages, but sometimes bigger truly is better—especially when it comes to your art. Sure, we love a gallery wall as much as the next person, but there’s something striking about a mammoth print, photograph, or painting hanging over your staircase or in your dining room. Who can forget the sheer epicness of those large pieces in the Bass/Van der Woodsen apartment in “Gossip Girl”?

Summer-proofing your home happens like clockwork. Once the temperature rises, you add an air conditioning unit and screens to your windows, trade in your woodsy candle for a beachier scent, and swap out your flannel sheets for some lightweight linen ones. But, if we’re being honest, we never know what to do with our duvets. On the one hand, duvets are comfortable and a great extra layer for when your AC is on full blast.

How is it that we forget how miserable summer can be until we’re profusely sweating just from sitting outside for our lunch break? Summer isn’t all beach trips and rosé on rooftops, people! This season has the potential to be a hot, humid, sweaty mess. You could blast the AC for the next three months—but it’s expensive and not great for the environment—or you could use your awesome design skills to hack your way to a cooler home.

Maybe it’s the beautiful weather—or maybe it’s the surge of long weekends—but there’s something about summer that makes us want to pack our bags and go somewhere fabulous. To help get your summer off to an awesome, jetsetting start, we asked 15 designers about their favorite vacation spots. Whether you’re craving an all-American road trip or a week abroad, consider your summer travel plans set.

Simple silhouettes, neutral color palettes, sparse layouts. Let’s face it: Minimalism gets a much (muuuuch) better rap than maximalism. While the former is associated with being organized and chic, maximalism often falls into eclectic or hoarder territory. But what’s a person to do when they love prints, colors, and oodles of stuff? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Below, six easy ways maximalists can fake their way to minimalism.

Henry Miller said, “One’s destination is never a place, but always a new way of thinking.” Now, we don’t claim to be mindreaders or anything, but he was definitely talking about home decor. From eyeing intricate Moroccan rugs at a market in Marrakech to finding beautiful chinoiserie porcelain far east, traveling—or the urge to travel—can be one of the biggest sources of inspiration when designing your space.

For all intents and purposes, you’re an adult. You have a job, car, rent or mortgage, and, in some cases, an entire family to care for. But that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace your inner child every now and then—especially when it comes to decorating your home.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to your artwork. Whether you buy an original piece from an up-and-coming artist, pick out an Andy Warhol print, or enlarge one of your favorite Kodak moments, what you choose to place on your walls is one of the most personal parts of decorating your space. However, finding a piece that complements (and fits in) your space can be difficult. Looking to add something to your walls? Well, there’s an app for that.

The first official day of summer won’t arrive for another few weeks, but as far as we’re concerned the sunny season is already in session. And what better way to ring in three glorious months of carefree fun than with an awesome summer blowout? Many hosts will tell you a well-stocked bar is key for a great party, which is why an outdoor bar cart is one of the best investments you can make this season.

We all love IKEA for its simple, Scandinavian design and reasonable prices, but that versatility and affordability often makes decorating your home painfully ubiquitous. Instead of unearthing a one-of-a-kind piece—and feeling like a total design pro—you end up with the same furniture as your coworker, best friend, old college roommate, and your favorite influencers. Ugh. But just because you (rightfully) love IKEA doesn’t mean your space needs to fall into basic territory.

From sleepless nights spent caring for your crying baby to being on bottle and diaper duty 24/7, parenthood is one of the most challenging milestones you may ever experience—and the last thing a new parent should worry about is setting up the nursery. In a perfect world, you’d have an expansive wing for your bundle of joy to crawl, coo, and play in. But in reality? You’re probably working with a crammed room (if you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated room at all).

Whether you’re unwinding after a long day at work or gearing up for a romantic night in, very few things can set the mood like lighting some candles. “It’s an easy and cost-effective way to transform your environment into something special,” says David Seth Moltz, co-founder of fragrance and candle company D.S. & Durga. In 2015, the U.S. retail sales of candles—not including accessories like hurricanes, matchboxes, and wick trimmers—were an estimated $3.

Just when we thought interior designer Christiane Lemieux had revolutionized every nook of the design world, we find out she’s only getting started. With a nearly two-decades-long tenure in the space — Christiane has done everything from write books, and host and judge television shows to create a little company called DwellStudio (you might have heard of it?) — it only makes sense that the spacial stalwart has etched her name on the map yet again with The Inside last year.