Design

25 Easy No-Fail Bathroom Design Ideas to Try This Year
From swing-arm sconces to statement mirrors, these foolproof ideas will make decorating your bathroom a breeze.
Caroline Biggs
Feb 20, 2020
The 7 Deadly Sins of Trying to Recreate ‘Fixer Upper’ Style
It's not as easy as it looks on "Fixer Upper." Well, unless you have a stockpile of vintage treasures, your own line at Target, and a partner in crime like Chip.
Danielle Blundell
Feb 7, 2020
7 Spaces That Prove a Full Sized Sofa Isn’t the Be-All, End-All of Living Room Design
It's totally possible to make a living room work—and work well—without a large-scale sofa. You just have to be down for a not quite traditional layout.
Danielle Blundell
Feb 6, 2020
Carpenter Dad Turns His Kid’s Drawing into a Real-Life Piece of Furniture
And the kid has some critiques.
Mia Nakaji Monnier
Feb 1, 2020
10 Colors That Make Great Accent Walls
To help take the guesswork out of giving your space a quick and easy refresh, we rounded up our favorite no-fail shades.
Taylor Long
Jan 29, 2020
This Divisive Kitchen Trend Is Not Going Anywhere in 2019
It may not be for everyone, but it looks like this trend is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.
Danielle Blundell
Jan 24, 2020
The Anatomy of an Instagrammable Living Room
When you're on the 'gram regularly, you start noticing certain items popping up time and time again.
Danielle Blundell
Jan 24, 2020
Move Over Shiplap, Nickel Gap Is the Siding Style You Need to Know
What if I told you there was an alternative out there to those kind of finicky, often expensive overlapping wood boards Joanna Gaines made so popular?
Danielle Blundell
Jan 7, 2020
The Experts Have Spoken, and These 3 Trends Should Stay in the 2010s (Sorry, Chip and Jo)
Are these soooo last decade?
Nicoletta Richardson
Jan 7, 2020
7 Room Layout Rules Totally Worth Breaking in 2020
New decade, new design rules.
Sarah Lyon
Jan 2, 2020
Times Square Ball Designer Explains How the 12,000-Pound Icon Was Made
It includes 2,688 Waterford crystals and more than 32,000 LED lights.
Mia Nakaji Monnier
Dec 30, 2019
This New Airplane Seat Promises to Make Air Travel Way More Comfortable
It offers improved comfort, and more privacy, too.
Mia Nakaji Monnier
Dec 30, 2019
10 No-Cost Ways to Redecorate Your Home for the New Year
New year, new look.
Danielle Blundell
Dec 23, 2019
After a Long Renovation, a 130-Year-Old House Blends Dreamy Architectural Details and Color
Originally built in 1885, when renovating this historic house, the homeowners had to change out the electricity, the plumbing, the lights and the flooring.
Marie-Lyne Quirion
Dec 19, 2019
These Are the Most Popular Living Rooms Featured On Our Instagram In February
If you’re familiar with our Instagram, you know we love to fill our feed with jaw-dropping spaces that aim to inspire—whether it’s regrammed from a follower or photographed in one of our House Tours. Since we feel that our audience truly have a great eye for design, we wanted give some of our top liked posts from February a little extra lovin’. To narrow it down, we decided to focus on living rooms that we’ve featured over the past 28 days.
Nicoletta Richardson
Dec 19, 2019
A (Seemingly) Counterintuitive Trick That’s a Must for Small Spaces
It may seem counterintuitive, but it works!
Katie Holdefehr
Dec 19, 2019
10 Budget-Friendly Bathroom Buys That Will Make Your Small Space Work Harder
Without breaking the bank.
Danielle Blundell
Dec 18, 2019
Proof That Black Rooms Don’t Have to Be Gloomy
The color might have the reputation of being gloomy and moody, but when done right it's anything but depressing.
Marlen Komar
Dec 18, 2019
5 Classic Design Rules to Absolutely Never Break
We're all about breaking the rules for the sake of putting your own touch on a space, but these five design credos are non-negotiable.
Jessica Isaac
Dec 17, 2019
The Surprising Kitchen Trend We’re Starting to See More Of
It immediately adds personality to the space.
Danielle Blundell
Dec 12, 2019
6 Retro Trends That Are Starting to Stage a Comeback
I thought it would be fun to poll a few designers and study a few lookbooks to see what vintage trends might make their way to the forefront again in 2019.
Danielle Blundell
Dec 10, 2019
Inside the Spooky World of Halloween Super Decorators
It requires elaborate planning well in advance, wandering through thrift stores all-year round to find that special spooky something, and spending hours editing to make that Frankenstein mask topper look juuuust right.
Nicoletta Richardson
Oct 31, 2019
Here Are the Winners of Apartment Therapy’s First-Ever TV Superlatives
We reached out to designers, writers, and influencers to let us know what they’re watching and to award some TV Superlatives to the best and most memorable spaces they’ve seen on current television shows.
Maggie Fremont
Sep 27, 2019
10 Scandinavian Instagram Accounts You Should Be Following If You Love Design
Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals. For the next week, we’ll take a look at all of it—cleaning, pop culture, and of course tons of eye-popping design inspiration.
Tara Bellucci
Sep 9, 2019
This $20 Item Is the New Classic IKEA Piece
IKEA's GLADOM tray—at only $20—is a strong contender for the newest classic piece to come from the brand.
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 22, 2019
Killing Eve’s Set Designer Talks About Creating a Psychopath’s Apartment
Plus, an exclusive behind the scenes clip of the making of Villanelle's apartment.
Tara Bellucci
Aug 10, 2019
Get the Look: Villanelle’s Crumbly Chic Paris Apartment in ‘Killing Eve’
As obsessed as Villanelle is with Eve on "Killing Eve," I am more obsessed with her apartment.
Anita Shriver
Aug 10, 2019
10 of the Most Annoying—but Common—Layout Mistakes, Solved
STYLE
If you’ve always felt like something was a little off, it might be one of these things. And the good news is it’s totally fixable.
Danielle Blundell
Aug 9, 2019
This Trend Will Bring Teddy Bear-Level Coziness to Your Home
Did someone say hygge?
Danielle Blundell
Jul 24, 2019
7 Ways to Fake High Ceilings In Your Home That Might Even Fool You
You can't always get what you want, but you can use your design chops to hack your way to your dream house.
Kelsey Mulvey
Jul 18, 2019
Interior Designers are Already Over These Big 2019 Trends
Trends come and go—and these four fads have already had their 15 minutes of design fame.
Kelsey Mulvey
Jul 15, 2019
Why This Rug is Still So Popular on Pinterest
STYLE
Plus, five fresh ways to bring this viral design trend to your home.
Kelsey Mulvey
Jul 10, 2019
10 Genius Plant Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Space
Style
Want to take your plant parent status to the next level? Check out these modern ways to decorate with your greens.
Caroline Biggs
Jul 9, 2019
7 Ways to Throw a Summer Party Without an Actual Backyard
‘Tis the season for partying outdoors. But what to do when you don’t have a proper backyard in which to throw an al fresco bash? Fret not, my patio-deprived friends. There are still plenty of ways to host a stellar summer soiree without an actual backyard. It just takes a little planning and creativity. From picnics at the park to old-school pub-crawls, here are seven ways to throw a stellar summer fete—no backyard necessary.
Caroline Biggs
Jun 26, 2019
Remember the #10YearChallenge? Here Are the Paint Colors to Match Your Old Selfie
Do you remember the #10YearChallenge that was going around earlier this year? The “challenge” asked that people post a photo of themselves from 2009 next to a photo of themselves in 2019. It was a cute way to reflect and mock our tastes from a decade prior. Then it divulged into one meme after another and honestly, some of them were downright brilliant. Well, the challenge has shape-shifted away from memes.
Elizabeth Seward
Jun 18, 2019
Stop Doing These 10 Things That Are Dragging Your Home’s Sophistication Down
Because we’re not living Pinterest boards and no one gets it right 100 percent of the time, I think we all have certain aspects of home decor and housekeeping that we ace, and other aspects that we struggle to get a handle on. I know I do. Here are 10 common issues that may be diminishing your home’s sophistication along with some easy tweaks to help you self-correct. Rumpled sheets look, well, rumpled.
Julia Brenner
Jun 16, 2019
Behr’s 2020 Color Trends Palette Will Transport You to the Great Outdoors
Only halfway through 2019 and the first wave of 2020 color announcements have begun. This week, PPG revealed that Chinese Porcelain is the first 2020 Color of the Year, and now Behr has unleashed their 2020 Color Trends palette. (June has been feeling very colorful.) We’re not just dealing with one hue, nay, a whole array of 15 that work together to achieve a common goal: a connection to the natural world.
Nicoletta Richardson
Jun 12, 2019
Behr’s 2019 Color of the Year Is a Lovely and Livable Blue
Behr announced their choice for 2019's Color of the Year, and it's a lovely and livable shade.
Bridget Mallon
Jun 12, 2019
PPG Paint’s 2020 Color of the Year Is the Most Therapeutic Color
While most of us are welcoming summer, PPG Paints is looking into the future with their 2020 Color of the Year announcement. And being color addicts ourselves, we’re fully on board with this breaking news that fuels our hue-filled lives. Ready to find out what the popular shade is six months in advance? Say hello to Chinese Porcelain, a mix of cobalt and moody ink blue. Why this color, you ask?
Nicoletta Richardson
Jun 12, 2019
Here’s What the Golden Girls’ Miami Home Would Look Like in 2018
Thank you for being a friend, ladies.
Maggie Fremont
Jun 6, 2019
IKEA 2018 Catalog Sneak Peek: A Top 10 Countdown of Favorite New Products
True confession: I’ve been keeping something – a deep dark decorating secret – from you lovely people. Last week, IKEA sent me an advance copy of the new 2018 catalog. I’ve been carrying it from my desk to my bedside table and back again each day, sneaking peeks whenever I could.
Janel Laban
Jun 5, 2019
#3: ELVARLI Storage System (& Room Divider!)
Ok, sure, sure. It’ll work well as a storage solution just about anywhere, but we all know where and how this would really shine: as a room divider! Buildable-to-size with a variable mix of open and closed storage, the adjustable heights will make it a possibility for all sorts of studios, apartments and homes that could use some more definition to their space.
Janel Laban
Jun 5, 2019
A Dilapidated Detached Garage Is Now a Light, Bright and Modern 400-Square-Foot Apartment
A dilapidated, detached garage tucked behind a Santa Monica bungalow is now a minimal, modern, and tiny rental house.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 24, 2019
Before & After: Laundry Area Goes from Messy to Fab
This before & after renovation stars a once messy, chaotic laundry area in the home of four small children and their busy, creative parents. What’s truly wonderful is that they took an area that’s usually an afterthought, the laundry room, and turned it into a well-organized, cheerfully stylish space.According to Katie from Potluck Love, her old laundry room wasn’t a proper room, but a “hot mess of laundry” crammed into a hallway in the back of their home.
Julia Brenner
May 6, 2019
Before & After: Ashley & Greg’s Kitchen Remodel
When Ashley and Greg purchased their home they knew that a kitchen remodel was in their future. The existing space was poorly designed, with dated appliances, unattractive cabinetry, and a fair amount of plumbing and electrical issues. Starting from scratch, they designed and built a beautiful, modern, and functional space that makes you wonder – is this even the same house?!Not afraid to get their hands dirty, the couple did what they could on their own.
Lindsay Tella
May 5, 2019
Hide That Remote! 5 Pretty Storage Boxes
Advances in technology are making excessive wires and cables slowly go the way of the buffalo but, the remote? It looks like we may be stuck with that one for a while. So if you can’t beat it, hide it! (Along with those goofy 3D glasses that seem to come along with every new TV.) We’ve rounded up a few options that you won’t mind leaving out based on the average size TV remote (7.5”) though you may want to check them against your own. 1.
Kim Lucian
May 5, 2019
10 Interactive Gifts for Design-Loving Kids
For many of us, the love of architecture, home design, and decor had deep roots in childhood. This season, help spread that passion to the kids in your life with these books, blocks, and crafts. Top row: 1. Draw Me a House: Architectural Ideas, Inspiration, and Colouring In by Thibaud Herem, $17.01 2. LEGO Architecture Fallingwater, $98.95 3. Citiblocs Wooden Building Block Set, $48.21 4. 3-D Home Kit, $31.46 5. Fun with Architecture Rubber Stamp Set, $24.95 Bottom row: 1.
Carolyn Purnell
May 4, 2019
The Other Vignette: A Guide to Styling Stuff Under Surfaces
If your furniture is leggy — the great weight of it lifted high off the floor — you may have found yourself wondering if maybe you should put something under it? Like a basket? Or maybe books? Should you put anything? Can you put anything? The answers to your stuff-under-your-furniture questions can be found in this post.
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
5 Beach Houses You’re Going to Want to Move Into
In an effort to soak up every last bit of summer, we’ve rounded up some inspiring seaside homes, from cozy bungalows we can imagine ourselves walking around barefoot in, to pristine spaces straight out of the glossies. Want even more beach-home eye candy? Click through for the full tours of each of these spaces. If you absolutely have to work in paradise, it might as well be at a distressed wood desk, surrounded by surf art, and with a few stray seashells as paperclip catchalls.
Katie Holdefehr
May 3, 2019
A Bold, Bright and Super Unique New York Apartment
Project by: Buro Koray Duman Location: New York, New York The clients of Buro Koray Duman are living the New York dream. After renovating one space they were able to purchase the apartment next door and expand. The unexpected lime green accents give the space a bright and modern feel, while the exposed brick and copious light keep it feeling warm and welcoming. From Koray: Büro renovated a 750-square-foot apartment three years ago which won the 2013 Best of the Year Award.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
The “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” Production Designer Spills the Inside Scoop (Including the One Thing That Didn’t Make the Cut)
This summer, when VH1 announced that domestic diva Martha Stewart and rap icon Snoop Dogg were teaming up for a cooking show, we first thought it was a joke, and then quickly had a lot of questions. Near the top is, what would a kitchen shared by them even look like? Well, Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party premiered last week, and I had a chance to ask the production designer, James Pearse Connelly, just how he made one set work for such different personalities.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Can the Mystical Powers of Feng Shui Really Overhaul My Life?
With cold-press juice bars sprouting up on every corner and new iterations of yoga (aerial, water and candle flow) hitting a studio near you, it’s safe to suggest that people are more cognizant than ever about their health, achieving balance and the overall quality of their lives. And, naturally, this holistic-centric health wave is extending itself to our most personal retreats and sanctuaries by way of the ancient Chinese art of placement: Feng Shui.
Cara Gibbs
May 3, 2019
Beyond Mainstream: 14 Indie Magazines to Read for Endless Life Inspiration
Long live indie magazines for smart content, innovative style, and an often fearless approach to navigating the editorial waters. Whether its art, design, travel, fashion, or lifestyle, these magazines explore topics in ways that are exciting, honest and a little sexy (because to me, being original is sexy). And these magazines are very original.
Julia Brenner
May 3, 2019
Quick Guide: What Classic American Homes Look Like Across the Country
The housing stock in America may be just as varied as the population here, particularly in older areas where people have been building for hundreds of years as waves of settlers brought influence from their native countries. Different styles and trends have prevailed over the years, and of course, no city or region is defined by just one style, but certain geographic areas definitely do have a common thread running through their local architecture and design.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Phaidon Wrote the Book (Literally) on Humble, Irresistible Nordic Design
The Red Thread: Nordic Design is a gorgeous and comprehensive book exploring the Nordic approach to design for everyday life—from furniture to kitchen utensils to textiles. Exquisite photographs illustrate how Nordic designers have mastered the art of simple beauty and functional accessibility. Spoiler alert: You’re going to see a lot of Apartment Therapy favorites featured in these pages. Take a look.
Julia Brenner
May 3, 2019
Decorating with Crystals: Totally WooWoo, or Something Worth Considering?
You’d have to be living under a rock (pun very much intended!) to be unaware of how popular geodes, gems and crystals have become in interiors. If I had to say where it all started, I’d point the finger at agate, which started popping up on the reg about five years ago in slice and slab form as coasters, trivets and even tabletops.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
#WCW: Here’s Why We Are Totally Crushing on Designer Amber Lewis
If you don’t read designer Amber Lewis’ blog or follow her on Instagram, you’re missing out on a lot. First, girlfriend is FUNNY. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, and I’ve never seen a designer come up with better names and hashtags for her projects—”Client Rad Trad” or “Client Oh Hi Ojai,” anyone?
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
#WCW: If You Love Laidback California Style, You’ll Love Sarah Sherman Samuel
If you’re a fan of laid back California style, then chances are you’ve pinned, liked or at least scrolled through images of LA-based designer Sarah Sherman Samuel’s interiors. Though she grew up on the water in Michigan, Sarah could write the book on the bright, boho West Coasty thing that’s happening in the design world right now. But she’s not just a one-trick pony.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
When In Decorating Doubt, Follow the 3/3 Vertical Rule
Sometimes the best way to decorate, particularly when you don’t know where to start, is by looking at nature itself. Plenty of decorators will tell you that they find color combos in nature, or that you can’t go wrong with a nature-inspired floral or foliage pattern. And don’t even get me started on the crazy plant lady trend, which I’d wholeheartedly participate in if keeping plants alive were actually a strong suit of mine.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
7 Secrets to Getting the Anthropologie Look at Home
We went straight to the source and asked for the keys to the Anthro kingdom (and advice on how to get the retailer's magical look at home).
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
The Best Purple Wall Paint Color Comes from a Surprising Source
When John and Melissa bought their Pennsylvania home, they wanted to create a space that would grow and evolve with them and their family. That’s why choosing the right wall paint color was even more crucial: They wanted something bold, timeless, and flexible. In addition, their paint choice had to be versatile enough to accommodate future additions to their home — perhaps a new sofa or different wall art. The winning hue is purple, and the source for this shade is surprising!
Esteban Cortez
May 3, 2019
The Most Bohemian Casual Living Rooms of All Time Are in This Country
Bohemian-style living rooms scream cozy, comfy, and “come sit awhile.” Characterized by lots of green plants, layers of color and pattern and a healthy mix of eclectic furnishings, bohemian living rooms are also budget-friendly! In fact, the more vintage, often the better. Though there are plenty of great examples of bohemian living room lounges in the States…there’s one country that seems to be knocking it out of the ballpark.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Think Your Television Is an Eyesore? Meet the World’s Most Beautiful TV
I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love with a TV. Shoes maybe, but I’ve never been one to go gaga over tech. It’s just that televisions have been eyesores almost as long as they’ve been around. Sure, they’re functional, and flatter and thinner than before. But they’ve essentially remained big black boxes, even when hanging on the wall. That is, until now.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
A Look at the Haunting Aquatic Spaces of The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water—Guillermo del Toro’s latest film and nominated for seven Golden Globes—is a modern aquatic fairy tale, the story of a mute woman who falls for a fish-man. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the interiors provide a peek into the past, the past’s vision of the future, and insight into its memorable characters, who struggle daily with the injustice in being any kind of an Other.
Rosamund Lannin
May 3, 2019
Questions We All Have: Why Are Towels So Expensive?
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.
Kelsey Mulvey
May 3, 2019
This Man Is Responsible for the Gardens at NYC’s Top Restaurants
It was a gray Friday afternoon, but Studio—a café and restaurant tucked inside the recently opened Freehand New York—felt alive. I was sitting across from the person who helped to create that vibe through a surprising vehicle—plants. They filled the corners, shelves, and the area between the tables, bringing each space very much to life. And, it turns out, the man responsible for their being is also behind the plants at a host of New York City’s hottest restaurants.
Charlotte Parker
May 3, 2019
Here’s How ‘Lady Bird’ Created an Iconic Teenage Bedroom From Scratch
The coming of age movie is a Hollywood staple, which often depicts a young woman whose story is defined by a romantic relationship. Part of what made this past year’s Lady Bird so special is that its subtle telling of a teenage female experience—from tenuous mother/daughter relationships to shifting friendship dynamics—relied on Lady Bird’s personal growth as the main storytelling device. Its actors have received plenty of accolades ahead of Sunday night’s Oscars.
Laura Schocker
May 3, 2019
How to Hide 5 Unsightly Things Around Your Home
We’ve all been there. After decorating our dream living room/bedroom/kitchen, etc., we discover all kinds of unexpected eyesores—a.k.a. unsightly cords, wall outlets, radiators, etc.—that definitely weren’t a part of our design vision. So what to do when faced with unattractive (but oh-so-necessary) visual clutter? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Read ahead for a handful of ways to conceal (and sometimes incorporate) five common eyesores around your home.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
The 5 Best Marvel Movie Interiors That We’d Move Right Into
The Avengers are reuniting one more time on April 27 for Avengers: Infinity War, the fourth installment of the franchise, which has been going strong now for almost a decade. In preparation, it’s not a bad time to rewatch some of your favorites from the series, which encompasses three movies each about Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor, on top of a dozen others, including the record-breaking Black Panther from earlier this year.
Meryl Williams
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Beautifying Beat-Up Flea Market Chairs
It’s impossible to believe, but at one point, these chairs were like two perfect plums. We first discovered them in NYC’s Chelsea Flea Market, one cold Sunday morning, in the early ’90s when my husband (then boyfriend) and I were recovering from a live Jane’s Addiction hangover. The flea market was a place you wandered through when you had nothing better to do and little energy to do it.
Susan Kaplow
May 3, 2019
PPG Paint’s 2019 Color of the Year is a Gorgeous Green
We’re halfway through 2018, and you know what that means? It’s time to start trend forecasting for 2019. Just yesterday, Sherwin Williams shared their color forecast for 2019, but PPG Paints is taking it one step further and announcing their pick for the Color of the Year. So what shade do they predict will reign supreme next year? Night Watch, a deep, almost jade-like green.
Bridget Mallon
May 3, 2019
How Dinosaurs are Responsible for Bobby Berk’s Success on Queer Eye
If you watched Season One of Netflix’s Queer Eye, chances are you benefitted from the Fab Five’s heartwarming antics as much as the men being made over— or, “heroes”—as home design expert Bobby Berk lovingly referred to them as during our recent chat. In season one, Berk and his castmates delivered viscerally-satisfying transformations that tugged at our heartstrings and basically gave us all a restored hope in humankind.
Jessica Isaac
May 3, 2019