Tim Minerd

If you want to feel really accomplished right now, here’s a fun fact: according to experts, we take about 22,000 breaths a day. Give yourself a pat on the back (or chest) for that accomplishment. That said, it’s obvious to everyone that we’ve recently had some major wake-up calls in terms of the quality of the air we breathe. Extreme events, such as the wildfires we’ve seen this summer, affected air quality for millions. But there’s more in the mix than that.

I’m a lazy cleaner and am not ashamed to admit it. For years, I’ve relied on a robot vacuum to help free up my Saturday mornings, but I’ve always been skeptical of robot vacuum/mop hybrids. I thought mopping required a little more elbow grease than a robot could muster.That was before I met this robot.

Whether you tend to sleep hot or cold, finding the right bedding means the difference between a great night’s sleep or an uncomfortable wake-up call at 3 a.m. Linen and cotton are both great choices for breathability and coziness, but the most practical, affordable, and sustainable option is something you’ve probably never heard of.

Sijo, the direct-to-consumer brand offering chic, sustainable, and surprisingly affordable bedding, has spent a lot of time thinking about about sleep. Their cozy duvet inserts, sheet bundles, pillows, and more are designed to give you better ZZZ’s without taking so much from the environment — largely thanks to their versatile and renewable ingredient: eucalyptus.

Hilton Carter, our resident Plant Therapist, is an all-around expert when it comes to caring for and styling all your plants at home. So when Greendigs, the online plant retailer that ships right to your door, reached out to see if Hilton would be interested in sharing a few of his favorite plants, tools, and accessories with AT readers, we obviously said yes!

Hilton Carter, AT’s resident Plant Therapist, knows a thing or two about helping houseplants live their best lives. But besides keeping plants happy and healthy, he’s also a pro at coming up with ideas on how to style them in your space — even if you’re working with low light, limited surfaces, or just want to give a room a green glow-up. We asked our Instagram followers for their houseplant styling questions, and Hilton had some great solutions for them.

Oyin Antwi, Apartment Therapy contributor and cofounder of Via Asha Design, and her husband landed in a new Brooklyn rental just before the world started shutting down last year, which ended up being a great move since their space turned out to be, in Oyin’s own words, “exactly what the doctor prescribed to heal.” You may recognize her apartment from her home tour. Her space is already gorgeous, but even pro designers need a refresh every once in a while.

Johanna Beach is an interior designer and serious DIY expert (we’ve previously consulted with her for expert cloffice tips) who lives in the Windy City and is lucky enough to have a small but beautiful balcony with cascading ivy and an exposed brick wall. Given that Chicago balconies aren’t exactly year-round spaces, Johanna wanted to give hers a refresh to be sure it could meet its full potential and get more use than ever this summer.

Buying a new piece of art is a “made it!” moment that really makes you feel like a responsible adult. Art is an investment in the traditional sense, and having it in your home also pays off through all the joy it brings your space every day. However, shopping for “professional” art and figuring out how to style it is one of the more complicated aspects of DIY design.