Street view of a vibrant suburban area with parked cars, trees, and colorful storefronts under a cloudy sky.
Media, Pennsylvania
Coolest Suburbs
You won’t get far in Media without hearing someone refer proudly to this quintessential small suburb by its nickname: “Everybody’s Hometown”—a distinction locals take very seriously.
May 22, 2019
How We Chose the Coolest Suburbs in America
Methodology
Wondering how we defined "cool?" Want to know exactly what makes a "suburb?" Check out our full methodology.
May 22, 2019
Alexandria, Virginia
Coolest Suburbs
Its history, trendy vibe, and proximity to Washington, D.C. afford the suburb its unique flavor.
May 22, 2019
Winter Park, Florida
Coolest Suburbs
Brick streets, historic neighborhoods, and a mini-version of Manhattan’s Central Park paint one sublime picture of the Orlando suburb.
May 22, 2019
Arlington, Texas
Class of 2019 Superlatives
This city west of Dallas holds the spot as the most Googled burb.
May 22, 2019
Arvada, Colorado
Coolest Suburbs
Arvada has been described by residents as the best of both worlds—a place that has a small-town charm with big city perks.
May 22, 2019
Alameda, California
Coolest Suburbs
The island is a small town close to SF with bike-able streets, beaches, and a lively downtown shopping district.
May 22, 2019
Royal Oak, Michigan
Coolest Suburbs
You’ll also find an assortment of businesses that include everything from coffee shops to record stores in a downtown scene replete with outdoor pianos for anyone to stop and play.
May 22, 2019
Hoboken, New Jersey
Class of 2019 Superlatives
Everything in this New York City suburb is within a single mile, and the area boasts bike paths and parks galore.
May 22, 2019
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Class of 2019 Superlatives
CVNP has more than 125 miles of hiking trails, according to the National Park Service.
May 22, 2019
Naperville, Illinois
Class of 2019 Superlatives
The burb west of Chicago posted about 13,400 listings on Etsy last year.
May 22, 2019
Maplewood, New Jersey
Coolest Suburbs
Maplewood, New Jersey—home to colonial houses sitting beneath blossoming Magnolia trees—can make a suburban convert out of any hip New Yorker.
May 22, 2019
Denton, Texas
Coolest Suburbs
The Dallas burb's downtown area has won awards for being one of America’s best main streets, with family-owned small businesses lining the historic courthouse square.
May 22, 2019
Somerville, Massachusetts
Coolest Suburbs
There are old-school pizza spots, midnight screenings of classic movies, and a roving music festival called Porchfest that takes place on—well, porches across the Boston suburb.
May 22, 2019
Belmont, North Carolina
Coolest Suburbs
Located just 15 miles from Charlotte, the suburb of Belmont boasts an enticing mix of culture, outdoor recreation, and friendly neighbors.
May 22, 2019
Evanston, Illinois
Coolest Suburbs
The idyllic first suburb north of Chicago is brimming with excitement and culture—full of restaurants, bars and beaches.
May 22, 2019
Pasadena, California
Coolest Suburbs
This Los Angeles suburb nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains is chock full of cultural gems that make it unique.
May 22, 2019
Kirkwood, Missouri
Coolest Suburbs
Kirkwood is more than just a suburb of St. Louis. It has its own unique identity and history, which residents treasure.
May 22, 2019
Round Rock, Texas
Coolest Suburbs
Round Rock, one of the fastest-growing cities of its size, has a constant outcrop of new restaurants, free live music, and events for sports fans—even for those into quidditch!
May 22, 2019
Beaverton, Oregon
Coolest Suburbs
The burb's many transplants often say things like “I would’ve moved here a decade ago if I’d known how nice people are.”
May 22, 2019
A Small San Francisco Condo’s Style Is “Gentleman Chic Meets Cozy Traditional”
You have to see the small but AMAZING bathroom reno.
May 21, 2019
How To Choose the Right Size Lamp Shade
Whether you’re buying something new or updating the old, pairing a new shade with a lamp can be tricky. We’ve got a few tips for you to keep in mind while you shop for that perfect shade. Measuring tape Lamp Remember these five things: The bottom edge of the lampshade should fall midway on the neck of the lamp. You don’t want the socket or the switch to be visible. When shade shopping, the shade size refers to the width across the bottom of the shade.
May 21, 2019
Andrea’s Mini Urban Farm
Name: Andrea Bellamy and Ben Garfinkel, their daughter Lila, and Schnoopette the cat Location: Vancouver, British ColumbiaYears lived in: 5 yearsAndrea Bellamy and Ben Garfinkel grow plants in every nook and cranny they can find around their urban townhouse. Potted tomatoes and herbs grace their balcony and front patio, the couple share raised beds with their neighbors above their parking garage, and they planted a woodland garden in their cozy back patio area.
May 21, 2019
How To “Custom” Frame Odd Sized Images
We have looked into framing many an odd sized image, and more often than not a custom framing job really breaks the bank. Here is a little tutorial on “custom” framing your own images for far less than a professional framer. standard frame, larger than your image paint (if desired) custom cut mat acid-free artist’s tape acid-free paper 1. Select and paint your frame. We chose a frame in raw wood (saved a few bucks there) and opted to paint it matte green with acrylic paint.
May 21, 2019
Quick Tip #2: How To Cover Up Scratches on Wooden Furniture
Every well-run home is teeming with tricks and shortcuts to keep it humming along. We’re sharing our best quick tips — for cleaning, organizing and repairing stuff at home — to save you time and money. Click through for today’s helpful hint, and links to tons more… Use a WALNUT! Just rub a shelled walnut on the damaged area, and watch in amazement as the dings, scrapes and scratches all begin to darken and disappear.
May 21, 2019
How To Clean Your Jeans Without Water (In the Freezer!)
Here’s an oldy but a goody that’s even more relevant now as MORE people are doing it… I recently bought my first pair of “serious” jeans. The reason I know this is because as I was standing at the register about to pay A LOT of money for them, a cool dude who was standing next to me at the register said, “Oh, you’re going to like those.” “Do you have a pair?” I asked him.
May 21, 2019
How To Clean a Power Outlet
This is slightly embarrassing but my power outlets are…grodie. Doesn’t it look like it’s crying out? It would be one thing if it was hidden behind the sofa but this is in plain view above the stove. However with a little elbow grease (about the amount of a Smurf) it’s clean, clean, clean.ToolsQ-tips Formula 409ScrewdriverRazor Blade (if you have excess caulking to remove) 1. Shut your power off.2. Remove the power plate cover.
May 21, 2019
How To Prevent & Get Rid Of Pantry Moths
Pantry moth infestations are most frustrating. At the same time, I am committed to using natural, non-toxic, and mostly no-kill methods to deal with pantry moths. Here are the methods we recommend to get rid of them and effectively prevent further infestation. If you suspect you have pantry moths, first inspect everything in your pantry. Although moths tend to infest flours and grains, you should also check dried fruit, candy, pet food, etc.
May 21, 2019
Before and After: A Cramped ‘80s Kitchen Gets Upgraded to First Class
See this "coffin of a kitchen" open up.
May 21, 2019
Rooms In Bloom: 14 Fabulous Floral Arrangements from Our House Tours
Fresh flowers are one of life’s ultimate indulgences: they’re beautiful, they’re fabulous, they’re gone before you know it. Here are 14 gorgeous, ephemeral arrangements from our House Tours and a discussion of just what makes them work so well— besides their own gorgeousness, of course… Danielle’s Charming, Classic Chicago Walk-Up: Ranunculus Ah, the sweetest little cabbages of the floral world.
May 19, 2019
A Wine Brand Wants to Send You to the South of France to Create Rosé Content
There are worse ways to spend your summer.
May 18, 2019
Maxwell’s Mix of Old & New
Name: Maxwell Location: Austin, Texas Room Size: 200 square feet My favorite nurseries include a mix of old and new, handmade pieces and family heirlooms. Baby Maxwell’s nursery is a perfect example. With a trendy triangle accent wall, a classic Jenny Lind crib, vintage dresser/changing table, and loads of DIY projects throughout the space, the space feels like it was put together over time rather than lifted from a showroom floor. How would you describe the look and feel of this room?
May 18, 2019
Clever Ideas to Make the Most of a Small Laundry Room
Even if you're dealing with a very small laundry space, there are ways you can fit in all the functionality of a much larger room. All it takes is a little ingenuity.
May 18, 2019
How To Make a Succulent Kissing Ball
Succulents are all the rage these days, which means they’re popping up everywhere. In funky containers, concrete planters, wreaths, even bridal bouquets. But as cool as they are — they often come with a hefty price tag — which is why I decided to make my own. Instead of attempting the more common wreath form, I opted for a modern take on the traditional mistletoe kissing ball.
May 18, 2019
An Avid DIYer Brings the Outdoors In With Plants and Rustic Decor
The apartment is in a converted 19th-century mansion and has high ceilings, beautiful wood floors, and original crown molding.
May 16, 2019
Partner
What Are the Colors of 2013? Paint Trends from Room for Color
This year’s Room for Color contest, sponsored by Chip It!™by Sherwin-Williams, is notable for the boundless array of different palettes. So much variety! We love seeing readers’ personal styles shine through their use of colors in so many creative ways. And though each entry is unique, some trends are becoming apparent. Here are some trends we’ve spotted—let us know what we missed in the comments!
May 15, 2019
5 Overlooked Plants That Can Survive In The (Almost) Dark
Live without much natural light? These off-the-radar options are for you.
May 15, 2019
4 Ways to Get Rid of Your High-Maintenance Grass Lawn
You've got four options.
May 14, 2019
The 9 Most Lovable Mother-Daughter Duos on TV
While moms deserve kudos every day all year round for the hard work they do, Mother’s Day gives us the opportunity to go all out in their honor. It’s also a good excuse to reminisce about our favorite on-screen mothers and daughters. Sometimes, they make us laugh and other times, they make us cry. The best mother-daughter duos make us appreciate and love our own mothers that much more.No matter what they’ve endured separately or together, these duos prove that love prevails.
May 13, 2019
The LastSwab Is a Sustainable Alternative to Q-tips
They raised 200% of their Kickstarter goal in under an hour.
May 12, 2019
Before and After: Watch This ‘Sad Fern’ Transform Into a Thriving Plant
Every week, our resident “plant doctor” Hilton Carter, takes us behind the scenes into his own home jungle to answer questions about plant care and tips. But we thought it could be fun to, er, grow the series: sending him into real homes where the plants aren’t always quite so healthy. Today we’re launching House Calls with the Plant Doctor.First up is Aaron Nachmann, who is our director of ad operations here at Apartment Therapy.
May 12, 2019
AT on: Plastic Garbage Bags on Door Knobs
It’s finally happened. We’ve got a garbage bag hanging from our front door knob. This is a sure sign of slipping into real urban slackerdom and more decay. We’ve become one of THEM.One of my pet peeves in NYC is the ubiquitous use of plastic shopping bags for easy garbage disposal instead of using the actual garbage bin. You know what I mean. It’s done all over town because its EASY. We’ve even been in SUPER fancy apartments and seen the same thing.
May 11, 2019
NY Good Questions: How Can I Hide These Security Bars?
Hello AT, I’m looking for a solution to hide really ugly security bars on my living room window.I need a solution that still allows light to enter the room because the room is dark.Any suggestions are appreciated!Thanks! Emily(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)Dear Emily,This is a perennial NYC question and one that we wish was answerable by simply saying TAKE THE BARS DOWN, but we know that is not reasonable for everyone.
May 10, 2019
How To Create a “Dust-Free” Bedroom
Since my husband has asthma, we’re always looking for ways to reduce allergens and dust in our home (although it’s impossible to create a completely dust-free environment). We came across a good resource the other day. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has a step-by-step plan for reducing dust in the bedroom. Some of the tips on the site were for extreme cases. To read the entire article, click here.
May 10, 2019
Quick Tip #35: How to Make Shower Curtains Glide Over Rods
Rub wax paper on your shower’s curtain rod to make rings run smoothly (and quietly) over the metal. The same concept works with metal hangers and closet rod. A single sheet of wax paper is usually enough, but if your curtain is especially screechy, it might take two. The paper will get gritty as it picks up the fine metallic dust.
May 10, 2019
How To…Get Rid of Bleach Stains in the Bathroom
Bleach stains…sounds contradictory, doesn’t it? Well, a few days ago, in an effort to unclog our drain, we followed the advice of one of our friends and poured bleach down the drain. And man, we learned our lesson: Don’t. Do. That. EVER! Even after we rinsed the tub, the next morning we found nasty bleach stains around the tub. After two hours of scrubbing to no avail, we went online to hunt for some kind of remedy… After some research, we tested out a few solutions: 1.
May 10, 2019
How to: Naturally Clean Up Pet Vomit From Carpet
Occasionally our cat scarfs down his kibbles so fast he doesn’t properly digest his meal, undoubtedly resulting in a small pile of partially digested dinner ontop of our rug. Cleaning it fully requires some careful handling, since you don’t want to press in the mess into the fabric and leave a stain…First, use a butter knife or a spoon to pick up the bulk of the mess from ontop the carpet.
May 10, 2019
The Sex Chairs: The Tantric Sex Chair and The Esse Chair
Okay, so here’s the skinny. A friend of ours told us that she r e a l l y w a n t e d one of these for her and her husband, but they were pricey, so they built one. Then we opened the New York Times and found out about a couple that ordered “The Sex Chair.
May 10, 2019
How To: Hang Art in Groups (Like Kate Spade)
Full disclosure: I think Kate is soooooo much cooler than Andy Spade (and, yes, I’m a guy). Hilary (woman) may lose, but Kate (woman) has won. Her style seems so much more grown up, fun and exciting than his little confused downtown boy club around the corner from her SoHo store. Okay, that’s harsh, but it’s true (his bags are nice, but that’s it). And even though I have NO USE for anything in HER store (bags, glasses, etc), I still go in there and I like it.
May 10, 2019
How To: Build A DIY Humane Mouse Trap
It appears that my recent house guest was an elderly member of a rodent community underneath our building. Our friend and neighbor found another rodent brought in by her cat in her adjoining unit, and was notified that some workmen discovered a nest of mice living beneath the building in the foundation. She’s been looking to get rid of it, but humanely, but isn’t too keen on traditional traps.
May 10, 2019
How To Read Upholstery Cleaning Codes
Upholstery should be marked with a code that allows the buyer to know in advance, what type of cleaning is suggested. This is an important thing to keep in mind when purchasing new pieces for your home, or dragging something old back from an auction or estate sale. Click through the jump to see what these letters mean and share your tried and true methods for stain removal.
May 10, 2019
How To: Foolproof Red Wine Stain Removal
Our new friends before the wine mishap.A recent lovely evening of food, conversation and wine came to a halt when we noticed a few drops of red wine had stained the embroidered tablecloth we were dining upon. Emily immediately turned to the ole fashioned pile of salt routine, but this didn’t seem to work as well as we had hoped.
May 10, 2019
How To: Grow an Avocado Tree
With the recent onslaught of hot weather, we’ve been scarfing the guacamole and thought it a shame to just chuck the avocado pits. We grabbed a couple of our trusty Spega yogurt glasses and did our best to recall the glory days of elementary school science class. Jump below for a refresher on how to turn your seed in to a little tree…. Straight from the official avocado website: 1. Wash the seed.
May 10, 2019
How To: Clean Your Driveway
Although cleaning your driveways seems like something painful, it’s like most things and needs routine maintenance. It’s easy to forget about, but will be quickly remembered when you have to fork over the cashola to have a new one poured. Click through the jump to learn 8 essential driveway cleaning tips that can save you great hassle down the road. Cleaning your driveways is something best done with regularity.
May 10, 2019
House Call: Maggie Mason of Mighty Goods
There’s a good chance that you’ve stopped by at least one of her websites. Maggie Mason is the genius behind Mighty Goods (a shopping site), Mighty Junior (devoted to kiddies), Mighty Girl (her personal blog), Mighty Finds (an Etsy shop) and — as of last week — Mighty Haus (a shopping site devoted to housewares). Somewhere between running all of these lovely sites, she found time to snap some photos of her San Francisco apartment and give us a little insight into her decor.
May 10, 2019
Reusing Milk Crates
Ah the milk crate, the original building block for DIY furniture. Milk crates are often abused in a design sense by students looking for cheap – read free – storage solutions. But we’ve always known they could be so much more which is why we were so excited when we saw Tasmanian furniture designer Simon Ancher’s clever milk crate stool. With the simple addition of a wooden ‘top’, the crate is transformed into an attractive comfortable seat.
May 10, 2019
Good Questions: How Can I Get Rid of Bathtub Stains?
AT DC, I moved into an apartment with old bathtub stains that really gross me out. The former resident’s bathmat left dark stains on the bottom of the tub. I love taking baths but wouldn’t be able to relax with those icky stains. I’ve tried various bathroom cleaners and none have gotten rid of the stains. Any ideas? I really miss my bath time!
May 10, 2019
Zadie’s A to Z Abode
Name & Age: Zadie, 4 months old Location: West Virginia Zadie’s mom, Beth, channeled Tim Gunn while creating her daughter’s bedroom: I see the space as a mix of modern and “make it work” because we really just had to use the resources available to us here in West Virginia with our limited budget.
May 10, 2019
How To: Reuse Tin Cans as a Container Garden
Growing up, we were taught that everything can have more than one purpose. One man’s trash is another’s treasure, some would say; we like to think we just concentrated on the “reuse” part of reduce-reuse-recycle. So when we went home earlier in the week, we snapped this photo of one of our mom’s trash-to-treasure successes. Here’s one small, simple project that you can do at home, whether you’ve got a green thumb or not.
May 9, 2019
How To: DIY Paint Ceramic Tile
Got a bathroom or kitchen with an outdated colour palette? That burnt umber and avocado green tiling not floating your boat in the kitchen or bathroom any longer? Tiling around kitchen backsplash, floor tiles non-sink countertops, fireplace tiles and wall tiles all can be repainted even if they have a shiny finish (continually and regularly wet tiling require an epoxy formula). You might want to consider repainting those eyesore tiles rather than replacing them.
May 9, 2019
Tips For Using Communal Laundry Facilities
In our apartment building there are 15 units with roughly 40 people in them. On the main floor there are 2 washers and 1 dryer for everyone to share. Needless to say, laundry is always running around our place (even at 6am, which we have found to be the best time to do ours!) and because of it, there are a few tricks and tips we have picked up to insure our laundry turns out clean and timely. Before heading downstairs to run a load of laundry we always fill our Downy Ball with a bit of vinegar.
May 9, 2019
7 Green Reasons to Use a Bread Machine
You might remember my argument for going back to the basics last year, which is why I fought the idea of a bread machine. But my boyfriend gave me one as a gift and in the last week I’ve been converted. Sure, you can accomplish some of this list by making bread the old-fashioned (or no-knead way), or by purchasing a fresh loaf at your local bakery.
May 9, 2019
House Tour: Inside Marc and Lana’s Big Dig House
Name: Marc and LanaLocation: Lexington, MassachusettsYears lived in: Just about two Last fall on a tour of Lexington’s mid-century modern homes, we were lucky enough to see the inside of the famous “Big Dig House” and meet its current owners. We were thrilled that Marc graciously allowed us to come back and take a few photos for you.Living in such an unusual space turns conventional decorating on its ear.
May 9, 2019
House Tour: Jeanine’s Smooth and Soulful Home
Name: Jeanine Hays Location: San Francisco, CA (North Beach) Size: 900 square foot one bedroom apartment Years lived in: 4 years Jeanine, also known as the voice behind Aphrochic, has been bringing her blend of “modern style with soul” to the blogosphere for years. We’ve been intrigued with the occasional shots of her house that have been featured on the blog, so it was with pleasure that we headed over to North Beach to meet Jeanine and tour her home.
May 9, 2019
How To: Get Rid of Pesky Home Odors
We were going on day six (no, that’s not a typo!) of living with the horrific lingering smell of burnt popcorn. The usual drills of opening the windows, spraying air freshener, and lighting candles seemed to have little lasting effect, so it came time to do some research. Here’s a roundup of the helpful tried and true advice that restored our home’s air quality to breezy good health… 1. Vinegar.
May 9, 2019
9 Under $25 Amazon Buys Plant Parents Swear By
These are the best things we've bought for our plants.
May 9, 2019
House Tour: Marcella’s Miracle Cob House
Name: Marcella de Boom Occupation: ArtistLocation: Cullinan, South AfricaType: Cob houseSize: 970 sq.ft.Years lived in: 9 >> Marcella de Boom is no ordinary woman, she has built her entire home with her own two hands. The inspiration was “creative poverty”, a wild dream of building a home, without spending more than $5000! The dream started to materialize when she met Interior Architect and Cob lover; Dawn McAdam by coincidence.
May 9, 2019
How to Grow 100 Pounds of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet
On many occasions, we’ve been tempted to grow our own potatoes. They’re fairly low maintenance, can be grown in a pot or in the ground, last a fairly long time if stored properly, and can be very nutritious (high in potassium and vitamin C). Here’s more incentive: according to this article, you can grow 100 pounds of potatoes in 4 sq. feet.
May 9, 2019
Nursery Tour: Ashley and Family Welcome a Girl
Name: “the newborn baby sister” (that’s what her brothers call her)Age: Coming this week!Location: Oklahoma If you told us this nursery was put together by an interior designer (it wasn’t) we’d be impressed. If you told us this nursery was put together by a mother with three young boys underfoot (it was) we’d be really impressed. If you told us this nursery was put together by a pregnant mother of three boys expecting her first daughter any day now (it was!
May 9, 2019
Look! Terraced Herb Garden
We love the geometry and repetition of a terraced garden, and this little set-up, from the home of Susann Larsson of Purple Area, is an ingenious way to bring the look to your small-space deck or balcony garden. It works perfectly for herbs, which will stay small with constant harvesting… Susann’s lovely little garden benefits from the uniformity of the galvanized steel pots.
May 9, 2019
Nursery Tour: Phoebe Rose’s Mom-made Room
Name: Phoebe Rose Age: due any day! Location: Ann Arbor, MI >> Like her friends, we’re amazed that mom-to-be Emily made almost everything in her daughter’s nursery: toys, quilts, cross-stitch, burp cloths, chair slip cover, bird mobile…the list goes on! Although not yet lived in, this nursery speaks volumes of love and attention, originality mixed with vintage pieces, and has “Phoebe” creatively written all over it (both literally and figuratively).
May 9, 2019
5 Hard-to-Kill Houseplants
We’ve said it here before: plants bring life to all living spaces. If you’re concerned about killing plants, we’ve consulted with a plant expert, Debra Prinzing, to bring you the hardiest ones. 1. Dracaena marginata (also known as Dragon Plant) “It’s pretty sculptural,” Debra says. “Good for the young and modern.” She recommends getting two and putting them on your fireplace mantel or on your entry table.
May 8, 2019