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The Peel-and-Stick Makeover: Wallpapered Fridge Decorating

Light fixtures can be changed. Colors can be painted over. Ugly floors can be covered. They’re not all easy projects for renters who’ve found themselves in apartments cramping their style. But they’re all do-able, and importantly, reversible. Just like this solution for covering ugly appliances with removable peel-and-stick wallpaper.To be clear, Peaches of DIY and Lifestyle Blog Aunt Peaches didn’t have an ugly fridge.

Taryn Williford

Oct 11, 2022

What to Do if Your Laptop’s Power Cord Gets Wet Cleaning

Home chefs everywhere are loving how easy it is to use their iPads in the kitchen when they’re following recipes. But guys, I don’t have an iPad. Or a printer, for that matter. So my MacBook Pro comes with me to the kitchen in a dangerous display of hubris. And last night, it happened. I dripped water on the brick of the power cord. Luckily, I found there are some things to do if your power cord gets wet so that it can be saved (hopefully).

Taryn Williford

Sep 30, 2022

How To Remove a Stripped Screw Without an Extractor Home Projects

Almost everyone who has worked on a DIY or renovation project has applied too much torque and stripped a screw head clean. It can feel like a frustrating dead end, especially if you don’t have a specialized extractor kit on hand. But you might be able to remove a stripped screw using a very common household item probably already sitting in your desk or kitchen drawer.Ready to try your hand at removing that stripped screw? Here’s what you’ll need.

Gregory Han

Sep 29, 2022

A Non-Toxic Way to Remove Paint from Glass Cleaning

Home Hacks month has inspired us to undo all of the bad DIYs left in our home by previous inhabitants. For example, the 4-foot-long vintage mirror in the bathroom was callously splattered with paint when someone constructed a questionable homemade shelf next to it. Luckily, removing the paint was easy, non-toxic, and didn’t damage the glass at all.MaterialsWhite VinegarWaterEquipmentRagSaucepan1. Boil three tablespoons of white vinegar with three tablespoons of water.2.

Sarah Rainwater

Sep 28, 2022

How To Make a Feeder for Ladybugs to Attract Them to Your Garden Plants & Yard

Last week, I showed you how you can make natural pesticides for your plants. While these sprays pose less risk than the toxic ones, they also rid your plant of beneficial insects like the ladybug. Unlike most pesky bugs you want to purge from your garden, ladybugs pose no harm and are beneficial to your plants by feasting on a few of your plant’s nemeses such as aphids, mealybugs, leaf hoppers, scales, and mites.

Kimber Watson

Sep 14, 2022

6 Black Ceiling Ideas That Totally Work Decorating

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

How to Make the Battery Last Longer On Your MacBook Home Projects

Laptops have become an indispensable part of life. With busy schedules and long commutes (and especially now that many things in life are virtual!) your laptop is likely your most crucial accessory. The MacBook has quickly risen to the top of the pack when it comes to laptops, but over time, the battery on your MacBook can suffer a shorter life than when you first purchased it. In this article, we’ll give you some tips and tricks for how to make the battery last longer on a MacBook.

Range Govindan

Jul 7, 2022

Rugs in the Kitchen? These Ideas May Change Your Mind Decorating

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

Twilight Sleep Sofa from DWR Decorating

The Twilight Sleep Sofa from Design Within Reach shows up fairly regularly in our Scavenger posts and is a popular solution for Apartment Therapy readers furnishing a modern space. Designed for occasional use as a sleeper, Twilight has a bare-bones design — a minimal platform, 2 stacked cushions and a large adjustable bolster.As a small armless sofa, Twilight Sleep Sofa is ok — the seat is comfy and firm but the lack of arms and the low bolster is not ideal for long-term lounging.

Aaron Able

Apr 6, 2022

6 Easy Renters Fixes for Ugly Ceiling Lights Home Projects

For many renters, it isn’t the blank walls or the basic carpets, or even the neighbors that can disrupt that feeling of home sweet home. Instead, it’s the lighting. Whether your rental sports flourescent light bars that cast a jarring light, or those much-hated flush mount lights that seem dated and unoriginal, ceiling lights in rental units aren’t exactly envious. But there’s a rental hack for just about anything.

Taryn Williford

Apr 4, 2022

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Your Guide to the Gifts That Keep on Giving: Indoor Gardens Sponsored

It’s tough to hit that holiday gift trifecta of unexpected, practical, and popular, but indoor gardens manage to nail it. Think about it: Plants are universally beloved, from fresh flowers on the table to fresh veggies in the fridge. And because indoor gardens are all but automatic, green thumbs aren’t a prerequisite. Though gardening fans can still have a lot of fun with them, too. In fact, we’re willing to bet that AeroGarden has one for everyone on your list.

Creative Studio

Nov 4, 2021

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Your Guide to Ditching Renting & Building Wealth Sponsored

We’re partnering with the mortgage experts at Lower.com to guide you through the whole process — and answer your real questions along the way.For example, did you know you can own a home for less than 5% down? Or that your monthly payment could be less than what you pay in rent? So, sit back, relax and let the Lower team show you the ins and outs — so you can buy a home and become your best homeowner self, sooner than later.First thing’s first.

Creative Studio

Oct 8, 2021

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The Unexpected Way to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient Sponsored

Improving your home’s energy efficiency can feel daunting. There are so many ways to approach it, but finding a starting point that’s not too much work and that still has an impact is hard. One simple way to trim your power bill without giving up comfort: swap out your old, dusty ceiling fan for a better (and far more stylish) one.Big Ass Fans® took the once humble ceiling fan and upgraded it to an attractive home addition that’s majorly energy efficient.

Creative Studio

Sep 16, 2021

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Enter for a Chance to Win: Ready-to-Hang Art for Your Dream Gallery Wall Sponsored

Prize: $1,500 gift card to LUMASGallery walls are the It Girls of interior design: effortlessly cool and sophisticated with an intuitive combo of shapes, colors, and textures that somehow look just right together. A great gallery wall isn’t hard to put together, either — once you have the artwork.Think of LUMAS as your personal art buyer.

Courtney Balestier

Aug 31, 2021

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3 Quick Questions to Prepare You for Your Next Furniture Buy Sponsored

Browsing sofas online is fun, but actually buying one can be a bit stressful. Even after you measure twice and click once, you might worry that the color won’t look as cute in person, or that you’ve missed some all-important detail you’ll regret later. Relax — just ask yourself the right questions in advance, and you’ll find that furniture buying can be a rewarding experience.

Creative Studio

Jul 6, 2021

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It’s Not Too Late to Make Your Outdoor Space Amazing This Summer Sponsored

The surprising thing about fancy rooftop bars and glamorous resort pool decks is that their special ambiance comes from elements you probably have already in your own outdoor space: a summer breeze, good company, and fresh air. (Though, yes, a bar tab you can charge back to the room also helps.) What makes these areas feel so ritzy is a simple consideration for design. For all the time spent futzing over our interiors, it’s easy to leave our outdoor spaces an afterthought.

Creative Studio

Jun 9, 2021

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How I’m Making My Home More Sustainable — and More Stylish Sponsored

Savannah West’s home is that magical combo of warm, welcoming, and effortlessly stylish. And while Savannah is no stranger to sustainable living — shopping with reusable bags and diligently recycling — she wanted to elevate her home’s aesthetic with more of her eco-friendly spirit. Luckily, sustainable style is far from a sacrifice.As an AT home editor, Savannah has an eye for things that will make her space distinct.

Creative Studio

May 12, 2021

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How to Deep Clean 5 Overlooked Areas of Your Home Like a Pro Sponsored

Now that it’s officially spring, we hope you’re planning on giving your home a well-deserved deep clean—especially considering that it’s been working overtime for the past year. Your space will thank you, and you’ll surely thank yourself. But you’ll need the right tools to get the job done like a pro.

Tim Minerd

Mar 22, 2021

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One Good Thing: How to Make Flavored Salts That Take Your Cocktails to the Next Sponsored

DIY your way to salty, sweet, or savory seasonings for more flavorful margaritas. They make great personalized gifts, too!

Maxwell Ryan

Mar 15, 2021

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One Good Thing: How to Set Up a Fancy Bar Cart in Your Own Home Sponsored

Here's Maxwell's checklist for getting yourself set up to make fancy restaurant-style cocktails at home. It's Maxwell's One Good Thing for this week.

Maxwell Ryan

Mar 15, 2021

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One Kitchen Decluttering Task You Might Put Off Too Late This Year

Holiday Cure

If you prepare any amount of food for the holidays—whether it's one casserole or a whole spread—you still have to tackle one big hurdle.

Taryn Williford

Nov 22, 2020

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15 Unexpected Gifts for Every Practical Person on Your List Sponsored

We all have at least one person on our holiday gift list who values practicality above all else. Regardless of whom you’re shopping for — your dad, your plus one, or even yourself — practical gifts are often the trickiest to get right. You want to find something that’s useful but unique, fun and functional.If you’re stumped for ideas, QVC has a huge selection of gifts that feel thoughtful and festive, but are still extremely practical.

Tim Minerd

Nov 10, 2020

Partner

How to Refresh a Home Office So It’ll Inspire You to Get to Work Sponsored

We’re all about RIYs right now: quick “refresh it yourself” projects that require just a little bit of planning, can be executed in under an hour, and leave you with that same fulfilling got-it-done feeling of a bigger DIY project. In our Instagram Stories, we asked which trouble spots in your homes are in need of a little RIY love. The #1 response? Your home office setup.

Tim Minerd

Sep 4, 2020

You Can’t Go Wrong With This Classic Kitchen Color Home Projects

Here at Apartment Therapy, we love a colorful kitchen. But we also recognize that painting your kitchen is a little different from say, painting your living room or bedroom. It feels a little more scary, a little more permanent. It can also affect your home’s resale value. If you love color, but these things have you feeling a little trepidatious, why not consider blue?

Nancy Mitchell

Jul 18, 2020

The Ten Commandments of Buying Used Furniture Life

You see a chair on the curb. It’s sitting right in front of your building and it’s free. Or, you’re at the thrift store and spy a cheap sofa. But something holds you back. You’re just. not. quite. sure. If only there were guidelines — holy reminders if you will — of things to keep in mind while looking at used furniture. How do you decide if it’s the right thing to re-do? Or if you should run in the other direction?

Dabney Frake

Jul 17, 2020

Rachael’s Apartment Therapy Inspired Design Lab Tours

Name: Rachael & Cassidy (1-year old Doodle, a Dashchund-Poodle mix)Location: U Street Corridor, Washington, DC Size: 1,025 square feetYears lived in: 2.5 My home is a mini-design lab, where I’ve tried out many of the inspiring ideas shown on Apartment Therapy. I replaced the barn door with sliding bookcases — my version of a secret passageway — and tried out my favorite colors and ideas.

Rachael Grad

Jul 17, 2020

10 Alternatives to Popular Kids IKEA Products Decorating

An amazing thing happened in June 2008 — an IKEA opened two miles from my home. Oh, and my son was born. Before this a trip to IKEA meant descending into the bowels of Port Authority in Manhattan, boarding a standing room only shuttle bus to a New Jersey IKEA and then deciding whether to spend more money than you spent on purchases to arrange home delivery of your items or to limit yourself to what you could wrangle home on the bus and subway. It was a dark time.

Carrie McBride

Jul 17, 2020

How’s That Working Out? 6 Months Without a Changing Table or Pad Decorating

When you ask parents what not to buy for a nursery, a changing table rises to the top of the list. “Official” changing tables don’t repurpose well into non-baby furniture so many parents choose alternatives to traditional changing tables, primarily dressers or desks that are at a comfortable height and deep enough to accommodate a changing pad.

Carrie McBride

Jul 17, 2020

Kids Room Throwdown: Trofast vs Kallax/Expedit Organizing

One of the most challenging decisions a parent faces in decorating a kids’ room is storage. Where on earth does one store all their stuff? Two popular options among Apartment Therapy readers are IKEA’s Kallax (originally the Expedit) and Trofast storage systems. But which will work best for your needs? Read on to find out who wins out in the Trofast/Kallax kids room throwdown! As a bench? Winner: Trofast. Sure, the Expedit looks lovely beneath sun-filled windows.

Alison Gerber

Jul 17, 2020

Emily & Aaron’s Condo Renovation: What It Really Cost – A Budget Breakdown Home Projects

Name: Aaron and Emily Choi Type of Project: Full remodel, including the kitchen and two bathrooms Location: La Jolla, California Type of building: Condo; 1300 square feet Yesterday we got a look at the beautiful results of Emily and Aaron’s condo renovation. Today we’re taking a closer look at one of the more practical aspects of the project: the budget. How did the actual price tag compare with Emily and Aaron’s estimate from before the project began? Read on to find out.

Renovation Diary

Jul 16, 2020

5 Ways to Store Your Bulky Printer Organizing

Ultra-thin tablets. The MacBook Air. Everything’s getting smaller and more compact—but somehow we’re still dealing with big and bulky printers. Until Apple releases the Inkjet Air, we’re stuck with finding different ways to store our printers and make them less of an office eyesore.If you think the desk and the floor are the only spots for your big inkjet printer, think again. You can stash your printing gear in a million different places, if you know where to look:1.

Taryn Williford

Jul 16, 2020

The Best Paint Colors: 10 Valspar Bold Brights Decorating

Sometimes you want to paint your walls a nice color, but sometimes you’re looking for COLOR. These 10 hues from Valspar will kick things up a few dozen notches, even if they’re confined to one little wall. But why limit yourself? Be bold! I never knew until this moment that I needed a glamorously green dining room, preferably including mint green chairs, faux fur, and a pineapple (above). Valspar’s Luscious Green (6010-7) will take care of the walls, at least.

Tess Wilson

Jul 16, 2020

The Best Paint Colors: 10 Glidden Pearly Pales Decorating

Picking a paint color and not sure where to start? If you have a soothing, but not sleepy pale tone in mind, here are some terrific choices all pulled from the Glidden palette and, best of all, featured in real homes. Take a look… Glidden’s Misty Moonstone (#GLN34-01E), above, is as pale as blue can possibly be without just being white with blue undertones. Nearly every time I saw a room painted in a prettily pale Glidden paint, it turned out to be Smooth Stone (50YY 63/041).

Tess Wilson

Jul 16, 2020

What You Can Expect From a $25-30,000 Kitchen Remodel Home Projects

At this budget range, kitchen renovations mean less actual physical labor for the homeowners, who are able to leave most of that work to the professionals. That doesn’t mean a total hands off approach however. The owners of these kitchens either acted as their own general contractor, designed the space themselves, and shopped vigilantly for the best deals out there.

Dabney Frake

Jul 16, 2020

The 6 Best Water Filter Solutions I’ve Tested Home Projects

Since starting Apartment Therapy, I’ve always felt it’s good to do everything you can to make your home comfortable and clean (in as little time as possible), and that air and water quality were fundamental. Living in New York City, I’ve never had a problem with the water, but when I started to drink cold filtered water I loved the difference. Particularly when making coffee or tea, filtered water really seemed to improve the taste. Years later, this is what I’ve learned.

Maxwell Ryan

Jul 15, 2020

20 Ways to Hack, Tweak, Repurpose & Reimagine IKEA’s Trofast Organizing

Think you’re clever using IKEA’s Trofast to round up all your kids’ toys, do ya? Well, okay, it is perfect for that, but that’s so Trofast 1.0. You’ve got to expaaaaand your miiiiind. Think outside the biiiiiin. Like these folks, who show that mere toy storage is just the tip of the Trofast iceberg. Check out these 20 ways to use the use the Trofast. Some are true hacks and reimaginings, others minor tweaks and adjustments. Not familiar with Trofast?

Carrie McBride

Jul 15, 2020

8 Excellent Ways to Make a Cheap Furniture Find Look More Expensive Decorating

Whether it’s a piece of furniture you found for free on the side of the road, a hand-me-down you’ve had for ages, something you found in a really affordable big-box store or just something that feels cheap looking to you, there are some successful things you can DIY to make a piece of furniture look a lot more expensive (and personal!) to you. Splurge on some seriously rad hardware like pulls or handles and remove the less impressive ones that the furniture piece came to you with.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 12, 2020

How To Make a 2 Ingredient Home Electronics Cleaner Cleaning

If you had the choice between paying $13.00 or $1.50 for the exact same product, I don’t think there would be any hesitation, you’d opt for the cheaper option. That’s what got me inspired to make my very own household cleaner for electronics after my name brand cleaner finally ran out this weekend…It was really my better half who got me wondering about a no-chemical, affordable DIY cleaning solution to replace the more expensive store bought option.

Gregory Han

Mar 11, 2020

Color, Chromophobia, and Colonialism: Some Historical Thoughts Decorating

Piet Mondrian used reds, yellows, blues, and blacks. Donald Judd’s palette has included green, pink, and orange. Carl Andre relied on the colors of specific materials like wood and metals. And yet somehow, the term “minimalism” today calls to mind an image of a pure, clean, and orderly space with white as the dominant color. Why, despite seeing color everywhere, do we still tend to associate the minimal and the modern with whiteness?

Carolyn Purnell

Mar 11, 2020

9 DIY Ways to Make a Chair Look Totally Different Home Projects

Update the look of any chair in your home to make it look different and make the room the chair lives in look fresh and upgraded, too! Peruse this comprehensive list of nine ways you can make a chair look totally different. If your chair has any cushioning at all, chances are it has some sort of fabric material on it. Give it a new look by upholstering it!

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 11, 2020

Don’t Throw It Away! 3 Things You Can Do With Your Broken Pots and Planters Organizing

Oh no! You’ve been working in your garden or outdoor area and have accidentally broken a pot or planter (or you’ve discovered some broken ones after finally getting in there to survey after a long winter). Don’t throw them away! There are three things you can do with those broken pots and planters to get more use out of them. 1. Turn it on its side If one of your planters or pots suffers only a partial break, consider turning it on its side to create an interesting look.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 11, 2020

8 Ways to Make a Small Kid’s Room Feel Bigger by Drawing Attention to the Ceiling Decorating

Just because you can’t actually make a room bigger, doesn’t mean you can’t trick the eye into making it appear and feel bigger. One of the most effective ways to do this is to draw the eye upward toward the ceiling making the walls seem higher and giving the room an air of expansiveness. Here are eight real-room examples—not all of them are small—but you can apply the ideas to your own small room. Embellish the ceiling.

Carrie McBride

Mar 11, 2020

Before & After: DIY Slab Marble Desk Home Projects

Marble countertops have become part of the renovation/decor vernacular thanks to TV makeover shows (though a distant second to the ever-popular granite countertop). But despite marble’s beauty, it’s rarely mentioned as a material for DIY projects because of its weight and cost, which makes this custom made midcentury inspired home office project unique… Redditor yourpalthomps combined four materials into his very own handsome midcentury-inspired desk.

Gregory Han

Mar 11, 2020

The Do’s & Don’ts of Holiday Lights Tours

I don’t understand people who say Christmas lights put them in a good mood. They obviously must be paying somebody else to do their light purchasing, stringing, and storing—because holiday lights are a major headache. But you can make the whole process a little bit easier if you keep a few of these easy tips in mind.DON’T buy too many or too few lights. Plan ahead and get only what you need.

Taryn Williford

Mar 11, 2020

Planning Ahead: Converting Twin Beds to Bunks Decorating

Our recent roundup of twin beds elicited many comments from readers convinced that twins don’t make much sense because kids might outgrow them. But what about shared rooms and space constraints? My twins share a room and are perilously close to climbing out of their cribs, so we are looking at big kid beds. For our home and needs, it makes sense to buy twin beds that can be converted to bunk beds in a few years. In the course of shopping around we have learned a few things.

Roni Shapira Ben-Yoseph

Mar 11, 2020

Steph & Phil’s Reimagined Victorian Tours

Name: Phil and Steph Dickinson Location: NorthWest — Portland, Oregon Size: 3,500 square feet Years lived in: 3 — owned Phil, Steph and their children Stan and Mary lived in this daring modern Victorian home that they designed themselves with imagination and style to spare. Their quirky British sensibilities and strong DIY ethic are visible in each and every room.

Leela Cyd

Mar 11, 2020

Ideas for Using that Awkward Space Above the Fridge Decorating

The space above a refrigerator is often overlooked and underused. It’s not particularly accessible for oft-used items, but it’s a shame to have the space go to waste, especially in a small kitchen. I looked at a selection of real homes to see how people were using this space. Some of these examples involve clever built-ins, but many will work for renters, too. Simple shelves were installed on the wall above the fridge to hold a few cookbooks and some barware.

Carrie McBride

Mar 11, 2020

8 Tips for Mixing Styles at Home (Without Looking Like a Crazy Person)Decorating

Homes that layer in different styles are dynamic and interesting. But too much mixing and your eye doesn’t know where to land, and winds up confused and unhappy. The most successful rooms seek some common ground, where everything finds a way to get along. Here are ten ways to mix aesthetics, without getting a raised eyebrow: COLOR: Using a consistent color helps your decor hang well together and look more cohesive.

Dabney Frake

Mar 11, 2020

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Top 5 Sources of Color Inspiration

Painting is easy. It’s knowing what color to paint that can be a challenge. We love the Sherwin-Williams Chip It!™ color selection tool that lets you find paint colors from any photo, so we’ve rounded up the top places we turn to find inspiration. Where do you hunt for colors? Top 5 places to find color inspiration:Chip It! chipped local paint store Where do you find your color inspiration? Tell us in the comments! (Images: 1. Sherwin-Williams; 2. Chris; 3. Emily Long; 4.