Sofia Rivera

Associate Lifestyle Editor at Apartment Therapy

New York, NY

The first thing I ever said I wanted to be when I was young was an interior designer. But, after years of waiting by the mailbox for my favorite magazines and seizing every opportunity to write, I decided to pursue journalism. I started my career at Boston magazine, before pivoting into strategic communications, and coming back to journalism when I joined Apartment Therapy in 2022 — the perfect union of my childhood dream and adulthood passion. I edit the Life section, covering wellness, money, career, small-space living, mental health, and all the items, habits, hacks, and pro tips that can help you level up your life at home. I love peeling back the curtain on the myriad fascinating ways people live at home, and relish writing and editing narrative essays, special content packages, and stories that answer that question you’ve always had. When I’m not editing a feature or chasing a hot tip about how to live your best life at home, you can find me rearranging my furniture, perusing a local bookstore (even though I’ve run out of shelf space), writing a newsletter about overthinking pop culture, or taking a veryyy long walk around the city.
Target’s $5 Viral Halloween Mugs Are Flying Off Shelves (They’re So Cute I’m Grabbing Both!)
Yes, I am tearing up over how adorable these are!
Oct 3, 2024
15 Tricks for Making Your Home Feel 10x Cozier Just in Time for Fall (No Pumpkins Needed)
You’ll feel like you’re on the set of “When Harry Met Sally” in no time.
Sep 26, 2024
52 Cheap or Free Things to Do in the Fall (Beyond Just Apple Picking)
Here’s how to embrace the season without breaking the bank.
Sep 18, 2024
The $1 Trader Joe’s Fall Gem I Wait All Year Long to Buy (It Makes My Home Smell So Cozy)
The black cat is out of the bag: The autumnal gods have descended upon Trader Joe’s, and shoppers are running to the store to stock up on limited edition fall finds, from vanilla-pumpkin and honeycrisp apple candles, to spiced orange room spray and mini olive trees. And now, the famous cinnamon broom is back on shelves for the season. The $5 accessory is “handmade in the U.S.A.
Sep 17, 2024
This Shockingly Stylish Find Ended My Search for the Perfect Litter Box
It saves me so much time!
Sep 16, 2024
The $4 Trader Joe’s Limited-Edition Find That Makes My Whole Home Smell Like Fall (I’m Grabbing 3!)
Prepare to fill up your basket with a bushel of these.
Sep 12, 2024
This $7 Aldi Find Will Make Your WFH Setup Feel So Much Cozier
Bring some self-care to your home office.
Sep 11, 2024
This Renovated 1924 Craftsman-Style Cottage Is an Old-Meets-New Gem
Property Crush
Check out the sun-soaked atrium.
Aug 30, 2023
This $19 Organizer Is a Small-Space Miracle Worker in My NYC Kitchen
Living
It makes my kitchen actually functional.
Aug 26, 2023
Peek Inside: This Pink-Walled Compound Is a Barbiecore Dream Come True
Property Crush
Mojo Dojo Casa House not included.
Aug 24, 2023
See How a 900-Square-Foot Layout Looks in an NYC Apartment vs. a San Fran House
Real Estate
Which do you prefer?
Aug 20, 2023
Here’s the Simple Reason Why T.J. Maxx Is Called T.K. Maxx in Europe
The beloved department store takes on a slightly different name abroad.
Sep 2, 2024
My 2-Step Trick for Keeping Cool on the Hottest Days Is Basically Free (and So Refreshing!)
No, it doesn’t involve a handheld fan.
Aug 31, 2024
This Chic Storage Gem Creates a Closet Out of Thin Air
It’s a small-space superhero.
Aug 29, 2024
The "Better When" Self-Care Method You Need to Try to Tomorrow
It’s the simple secret to having more good days.
Aug 29, 2024
Your Smartest Friends Are Using This Underrated Phone Setting — Here’s Why
It’s the quickest productivity hack.
Aug 28, 2024
The $12 IKEA Find That Doubles the Cabinet Storage in My NYC Apartment
Living
It’s a stylish solution for my unusually tall cabinets.
Aug 18, 2023
This Renovated Bungalow Hides the Living Room TV in Such a Pretty Way
Property Crush
The all-black study is dreamy, too.
Aug 18, 2023
The Unexpected Kitchen Staple I Pick Up Every Time I Go to IKEA
Living
For just $2.50.
Aug 17, 2023
Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year Is Bold, Yet Surprisingly Versatile
Home Projects
It shifts moods throughout the day.
Aug 15, 2023
I Tried the $13 Bedtime Hack Katy Perry Swears By — And It Was Bizarre
All you need is a lint roller.
Aug 21, 2024
These Glass Storage Containers Saved My Cabinet Space
Organize & Clean
And I’m never going back to plastic ones.
Aug 14, 2024
The Tiny $7 Travel Essential I Never Fly Without (It Saves Me Stress!)
It takes up zero space in your carry-on.
Aug 13, 2024
The “86 Method” Is My Secret to Stress-Free Grocery Shopping
It saves me money, too.
Aug 2, 2024
How to Say "Cheers" in 17 Different Languages
Here’s how to raise a glass around the world.
Jul 31, 2024
11 Simple Ways to Start Living a More Minimal Lifestyle
Here’s your road map to living a simpler lifestyle at home (and in life).
Jul 29, 2024
I Tried the “Ticky Tack” Method While WFH — And the Results Were Mixed
Here's a to-do list trick you may not have tried yet.
Jul 25, 2024
12 Ways to Score Free Furniture (so You Can Save for That Investment Piece!)
Life
It’s tough to beat a $0 price tag.
Jul 23, 2024
This $9 Aldi Find Is the One Thing You Need to Stay Cool This Weekend
Here’s how to avoid being a sweaty mess.
Jul 4, 2024