Newsletters
Ingenious Ways to Get the Backyard of Your Dreams on a Budget
You may have plenty of ideas for the backyard of your dreams, but those infinity pools and sunken fire pits and outdoor kitchens — well, they cost money. We’ve got some ideas for budget ways to get the features you crave, so you can enjoy your outdoor space without spending a ton of cash. If you dream of: A backyard swimming pool… Try: A stock tank pool, like this one (above) from Tractor Supply.
Nancy Mitchell
Mar 28, 2023
12 Clever Small Space Ideas to Steal from IKEA
These Swedes know small spaces.
Nancy Mitchell
Jan 14, 2023
Everything You Need to Know About Decorating with Aubergine
It's like blush's moody, worldly, more sophisticated cousin...and we can't get enough.
Nancy Mitchell
Jan 11, 2023
How Did People Survive Before Air Conditioning?
Probably everyone has had this thought at least once a summer, while sweating through their clothes: how did people survive before air conditioning?
Nancy Mitchell
Jan 2, 2023
5 Things You Should Know About Living in a Studio Apartment (From Someone Who Has Done It)
A year and a half ago I moved from Houston, Texas to New York, New York, and from a 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom townhouse to a 250-square-foot studio. And you know what? I love my new space, and my new city, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit of an adjustment to live in a studio apartment.
Nancy Mitchell
Jan 2, 2023
15 Ways to Make a Big Bedroom Feel Cozy
Here at Apartment Therapy, we spend a lot of time talking about small spaces: small space storage, small space furniture, you get it. We’ve written a lot about how to deal with a small bedroom, but what if you have the opposite problem: a big bedroom?A giant, cavernous space can be just as much of a design challenge as a tiny, cramped one. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some ideas (and beautiful inspiration photos) for making your big bedroom feel cozy.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 10, 2022
The Lazy Person’s Guide to a Happy Home: Tips for People Who (Really) Hate Cleaning
I’m always a little ashamed to admit this, but I hate to clean. I really hate it. I mean, there are so many more interesting things I could be doing. And the annoying thing is that when you clean something, it just gets dirty all over again. Cleaning is a horrible, boring, thankless task, but you know what’s worse than cleaning? Stressing out all the time because your house is filthy. What’s a lazy woman to do?
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 7, 2022
Love or Hate: Readers Weigh in on the Most Controversial Trends
Six trends Apartment Therapy readers love, or hate, or love to hate.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 3, 2022
5 Studio Apartment Layouts That Just Plain Work
A few lessons from real-life studio apartment layouts, created by real-life studio apartment dwellers like yourself.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 18, 2022
Here's Where to Put all That Toilet Paper in Your Teeny Tiny Bathroom
Here are some ideas for those couple spare rolls.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 18, 2022
10 Signs You Might Be a Maximalist
“Less is more,” said Mies van der Rohe. “Less is a bore,” retorted Robert Venturi. Are you a minimalist, favoring clean lines and subdued colors? Or a maximalist, embracing intricate styles and bold colors and pattern upon pattern upon pattern? Here are 10 tell-tale signs you might fall into the latter camp. 1. Your favorite color is everything. 2. You have a collection of collections. 3. You’ve never met a pattern you didn’t like. 4.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 16, 2022
The New Hues: Blue, Grey & Green in the Kitchen
For some time now, white has been the color of choice for kitchen cabinets. I think maybe we got fatigued by all those dark-cherry and oak cabinets in the late 90s and decided to play it safe. But now I’m noticing a new trend, one that I’m really excited about: color, especially in beautiful, cool tones like grey and green and blue, is creeping back into the kitchen. Mint green cabinets in a kitchen by Petra Bindel. Doesn’t this space look so cool and elegant?
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 15, 2022
One Space, Two Styles: See a Copenhagen Apartment Evolve
Every home is a work in progress — maybe you think you’re done decorating and then you see something really great that you just can’t pass up, or you’re really happy with your look for a long time until you suddenly decide it’s time to change everything up. Or maybe your style is something that slowly evolves over the years, as your taste and your particular needs change.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 15, 2022
5 Design Lessons from a Tiny Paris Apartment
Here’s a story that might make you more than a little jealous: Alain Meyer, who works at an advertising agency in Paris, was bored one day at work. He heard some of his co-workers talking about studio apartments, and decided to do a little hunting online. He happened to find one that he really liked — a trim 30 square meters (323 square feet), in the sixth arrondisement, where he grew up. So he bought it. Just like that.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 15, 2022
Before & After: Whole Room Transformations
Here at Apartment Therapy, we love a good before & after. Although many of our before & afters feature down-on-their-luck furniture pieces rescued by enterprising DIYers, some of my favorites are the projects in which a whole room is transformed. Check out some of the best makeovers of 2013. TOP ROW: 1. Before and After: Bri Emery’s Living Room Makeover 2. Before After: From Boring Bedroom to Chic Shared Space 3. Before After: A Blank Wall Gets Shelved 4.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 15, 2022
Before & After: A Year of Outdoor Projects
Are you tired of it getting dark at 5 PM every day? I know I am, but we’re in luck: this year’s Winter Solstice fell on December 21st, which means that the days are getting longer, and that summer will come again, and that this is a perfect time to start thinking about sunny days and outdoor projects. Here are 10 of our favorite outdoor-space transformations from 2012.TOP ROW:1. Before & After: Bare Patio Turned Luxurious Cabana2. Jane and Justin’s Backyard Before & After3.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 14, 2022
Genius Ways to Fix These 5 Very Annoying Things at Home
Living in a house (especially an older house) is a noisy business. Cabinet doors slam shut. Floorboards creak. Doors squeak on their hinges. What to do (besides moving) if you’re a person who loves peace and quiet? We’ve got a few ideas. Most American houses are made from wood, and over time, wood can expand and contract. Squeaky or creaky floors are caused by the wood subfloor separating from the joists beneath.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 13, 2022
Small Space Solutions: Get Those Closets Under Control
In much the same way that properly fitting underwear is the foundation of any good outfit, a happy, organized closet is the foundation of a happy, organized home. Of course, this can be a bit of a challenge in a small space with correspondingly small closets. If you’re struggling with fitting everything into a tiny closet, or even just looking to streamline your storage so that finding your clothes is a more pleasant experience, we’ve got a few tips for you.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 13, 2022
Look We Love: Traditional Table + Modern Chairs
One of our favorite ways to add a little excitement to an interior is by mixing old and new pieces. Nowhere is this more true than in the dining room, where an old-fashioned table and modern chairs make an especially attractive pair. Here are eight of our favorite examples. Above: An antique table and modern shell chairs mix in the dining room of a Madrid home spotted on Planete Deco.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 13, 2022
Black and White and Gold in the Bathroom
Black and white and gold is a striking color combination, and nowhere is that more true than in the bathroom. Gold fixtures in the bathroom is a look we’re seeing more and more of, and paired with a black and white color scheme, they add a pleasing bit of drama to a humble space. Above: A black ceiling, black door, and encaustic tile floor add delicious drama to a bathroom spotted on Desire to Inspire. A black bathroom with white and gold accents from Godrich Interiors.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 12, 2022
This $20 IKEA Lamp is a Staple of Some of the Most Stylish Bedrooms
Working for a design blog means spending a lot of time looking at beautiful things you can’t afford. Often, the pieces that seem to crop up over and over again in stylish interiors — like the Eames Lounger or the Saarinen Tulip Table — are pretty pricey, and beyond the reach of the average apartment dweller. But lately, there’s one affordable piece that I’ve been seeing absolutely everywhere.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 12, 2022
Here’s How to Avoid Mid-Century Modern Burnout (So Your Investments Never Look Dated)
Consider this mid-century modern 2.0.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 12, 2022
Art Deco vs. Art Nouveau: What’s the Difference?
It’s easy enough to get Art Nouveau and Art Deco confused, probably owing to the fact that they both start with ‘art’. But Art Nouveau and Art Deco are actually two very distinct design movements, with very distinct looks, that appeared around the turn of the 20th century. After perusing this brief disambiguation, you may not be an expert on design history — but you can casually drop these two descriptors into conversations, and your friends are sure to be impressed.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 12, 2022
5 Secret Weapons of the Frugal Decorator
Smart decorators know that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a home that looks great. You just need a few tricks up your sleeve. 1. Spray paint. Spray paint is a design workhorse, and a great way to give something a new look without actually buying anything new. Use it to rescue finds from the thrift store, to customize IKEA pieces, or just to give something you already own a bit of an update.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 12, 2022
Setting Up a Glamorous Home Bar: Ideas from Real Life Homes
The popularity of cocktails is on the rise, and the home bar is making a comeback in the American home. But even if you’re not lucky enough to have a wet bar, you can still set up a dedicated space for mixing drinks, no matter the size of your home. Read on for plenty of ideas from our tours. Above: Marina has a fairly impressive collection of liquor that lives on the kitchen countertop in her New York apartment.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 12, 2022
Back in Fashion: 5 Old Kitchen Design Trends that are Making a Comeback
For proof that everything that is old will eventually become new again, one need look no further than the kitchen, where plenty of once-reviled trends are making their way back into the spotlight. Here are five ‘new’ trends that might look oddly familiar. 1. Tile countertops. Tile countertops were hugely popular in the 70s and 80s.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 12, 2022
Get In My House: 3 Eccentric Designer Pieces I Totally Crave
The world of design is a weird and a wonderful one, and in my line of work I see plenty of unique things. There’s plenty of really peculiar furniture out there, and I’ve written about a lot of it, but out of all of it, there a few pieces that stand out to me: things so unusual and yet so arresting that I can’t get them out of my head; things so bizarre and yet so lovely that I would gladly take them home, no matter how many friends were to ask me “What is that?
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 11, 2022
How Big Is 500 Square Feet? 10 Real Homes Illustrate What It’s Like.
These actual homes — from lofts, to studio apartments, to houses — will illustrate how big 500 square feet is and what it feels like to live in such a small space.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 6, 2022
Everything You Need to Know About Shiplap
You keep hearing about it; find out what everyone's talking about.
Nancy Mitchell
Sep 14, 2022
6 Black Ceiling Ideas That Totally Work
Black tends to be a bit of a polarizing color for interiors: we’ve written about black walls, black bathrooms, black bedrooms, and each time the response is either love or hate. But what about… black on the ceiling?When it comes to black ceilings, some may immediately think of a cave, while others see this dark hue above and feel warm and cozy vibes. Regardless of your opinion, we’ve curated a few of our favorite black ceilings that you’re sure to love.
Nancy Mitchell
Sep 12, 2022
Rugs in the Kitchen? These Ideas May Change Your Mind
Got a rug you’re digging? The kitchen may not be the first place you’d think of putting it. But trust us – a rug in the kitchen may be just the ticket for pulling together your eating space. And while the kitchen can be a dangerous place for textiles (hello, crumbs, grease, red wine spills!) there are plenty of advantages to having a rug in the kitchen.
Nancy Mitchell
May 8, 2022
What is Wainscoting? It’s The Unsung Design Detail that Totally Makes a Room
An easy way to give your home a little bit of old-world charm.
Nancy Mitchell
Apr 4, 2022
How To DIY a Fake Fireplace (or Dress Up The Real One You Already Have)
While one-of-a-kind, wood-burning fireplaces bring undeniable warmth to a room, fake fireplaces can bring just as much ambiance – just in different ways. Of course, some faux fireplaces are downright drab, but with the proper DIY skills, the mantel can become the stand-out piece of your living room.
Nancy Mitchell
Jan 24, 2022
12 Ways To Get the Canopy Look Without Buying a New Bed
Whether you can't afford a new bed or just want to give your current bed a bit of a romantic makeover, here's a plethora of DIY ideas for a canopy bed.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 1, 2021
11 of Our Favorite Tufted Headboards For Every Budget
Add some glamour to your bedroom today.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 15, 2021
These One-Wall Kitchens Prove That Streamlined Spaces Still Pack a Big Punch
Great for small spaces, this less-often used layout is worth a look.
Nancy Mitchell
Aug 21, 2017
Tiny Person, Tiny Room: Homes With Clever Solutions to Fitting in a Nursery
If only the universe were a little more accommodating, every time you added a new person to your family, a new room would magically be added to your abode. Alas, it is not so. But the good news is that, for a while at least, tiny people do not take up very much space, so in the same way that you can morph part of a living room into a home office or a closet into a (grown-up) bedroom, you can carve out a spot for your little one.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 10, 2021
Stylish Solutions for the Space Above the Couch
Your couch is probably the focal point of your living room, and that means that whatever’s going on on the wall above the couch is also the center of attention. It’s an important — and somewhat intimidating — spot to fill because it’s so central and so big. So we’ve rounded up a few ideas for what to do with this prime piece of visual real estate. Fill it up with shelves. As seen in this living room from Whistles.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 9, 2021
7 Purr-fect DIY Ways to Hide the Litter Box
Finally give your kitties the privacy they desire.
Nancy Mitchell
Jun 15, 2021
8 Rustic Bathroom Design Ideas That’ll Make You Want to Move to the Woods
Many bathrooms are sterile, shiny affairs, full of porcelain, ceramic tile, and sleek chrome. The following spaces, however, aim for something a little different. Whether your bathroom is small or a huge primary bath, going rustic just makes everything feel cozier. Bringing in textured elements like brick, concrete, and wood will give your bathroom a touch of the unexpected and more than a little bit of rustic charm.
Nancy Mitchell
May 27, 2021
The World’s Most Popular Bed
As a design blogger, I can’t help noticing certain trends in the images I pore through every day. Last week, while searching for images of beautiful modern canopy beds, one bed in particular kept popping up over and over. It’s like the Eames chair of beds…simple, beautiful, modern, and seemingly ubiquitous.If you have a sharp eye (or you shop at Ikea as much as I do), you’ve probably deduced that the world’s most popular bed is the Ikea Edland.
Nancy Mitchell
May 18, 2021
These Perfect Tiny Houses Under $30,000 Will Convince You To Downsize ASAP
They're too cute.
Nancy Mitchell
May 8, 2021
10 Room Dividers and Folding Screens We Love
Whether you need to carve out a bedroom from a studio apartment, or a foyer from a living room, or just a little private space anywhere, these room dividers will get the job done.
Nancy Mitchell
Mar 17, 2021
5 Reasons You Should Be Using This High School Staple at Home
You won't even have to remember your combination.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 14, 2020
The Genius Small Bedroom Trick That Works for Kids & Adults
Small rooms with big ideas for little people.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 14, 2020
The World’s Most Beautiful Tile Floors
These stunning tile floors will make you forget hardwood.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 13, 2020
Partner
How ‘Discovering’ a New Spot in My Home Opened New Possibilities for Socializing
Social distancing hasn’t replaced our need for socializing. “How We Gather Now” is Apartment Therapy’s look at how we’re finding safe new ways to get together in 2020, presented in partnership with Absolut Juice. We’ve heard about the simple joys of the front porch; focusing on what you can do; and celebrating even in times of crisis.
Nancy Mitchell
Sep 4, 2020
The Fresh Way to an Accent Wall (and No, It Has Nothing to Do With Paint)
If you want to dip your toe in the world of wallpaper, here's how to do it without diving all the way in (and then running scared).
Nancy Mitchell
Sep 2, 2020