Homes Across America

Adam and Alexa focused on “maximizing storage with smart layouts and full-height cabinetry rather than expensive finishes,” and were able to keep Chicago apartment renovation “practical and budget-conscious.”

This art-filled apartment is bursting with a colorful, creative spark, thanks to an eclectic collection of paintings, textiles, and photography.

Designer Johnny Coleman loves color drenching and period mixing, and he designed his Chicago rental apartment “as a modern take on the east wing of a country house.” He's also been collecting antiques since he was 14 years old!

There’s eerie and magical wallpaper and candlelight makes the home glow at night. This house is a little bit spooky and very cozy.

"When I first toured this apartment it was absolutely disgusting. A hoarder was living here. Every inch of the unit was covered in furniture and clutter. It smelled bad. But at 23 it was the only apartment I could afford to rent in the city that was in my price range," writes Joyce Caldwell.

The home is extremely bright and colorful, and there is so much South Asian influence everywhere.

Alex Hinand moved into this “basic in a good way” Chicago rental apartment “with nothing but a coffee table” and “a promise to myself that I wouldn’t go into credit card debt to furnish this home.”

Katherine and Jess’s rental is like the “apartment of your favorite lesbian aunts who always give you books for your birthday.”

Rachel and John initially worried this purchase was a “colossal mistake.” The kitchen counters were literally just plywood, furniture was painted around, and the house was a bit of a “disaster.” But it was also “weird in lots of good ways.”

Event producer Jovanca Maitland worked with interior designer, Jazzy Matthews, to design a bright home to make her feel inspired, creative and joyful.

"Walking into our current house was like walking into a dream," admits designer Nadia Ramadan. The tall ceilings, woodwork, and built-ins work beautifully with all of the bold design choices and DIY projects that she and husband, Tariq, have incorporated over the past five years.

Vintage seller and interior stylist Carly Sioux is the owner and founder of NO ERA Design, specializing in vintage interiors. And her rental house in New Orleans is both her home and studio.

When artist Josie Azuma and her husband bought this house in 2015, it was in rough shape and too small. They renovated it to be a larger, light-filled, and functional home for their family.

Photographer and technical writer Kimberly Nesmith describes her home's style as "mystical bohemian meets goth meets tropical meets vintage." And during Halloween season it definitely has "Practical Magic" vibes!

Writer Merissa Nathan Gerson is a speaker, spiritual consultant, and sex educator living in this joyful house in New Orleans.

Before Diogo moved in, the 100-year-old Spanish Revival home looked like a frat house. There were couches everywhere, different colors on the walls in every room, and the yard was a wreck.

This bungalow in Austin “honors its 1939 roots while feeling fresh, intentional, and tailored for modern living, with a seamless flow between indoors and out” thanks to the brilliant remodel by the homeowner and interior designer Ali Burgoon Nolan.

Though built in 2019, this backyard ADU “immediately felt cozy and lived in because everything in it already had a soul.”

Mother Spooky Witch transformed this formerly basic Austin house into a modern and gothic home.

Plus, photos of Shrek throughout.

The nearby city feels like it's far away when you're in this apartment.

See how an old boat house was transformed into a tiny but cozy and cute backyard tiny home that’s less than 300 square feet in size.

Nathalie and Sean originally rented this charming house, but now own it, and have now had full creative freedom on the decor!

William Swinton-Ginsberg has been renting this studio apartment in Austin's Cherrywood neighborhood for four years, and built the kitchen table, which has a round gap that was designed to wrap around a cement column.

It wasn’t love at first sight when these sisters found this rental home. But after filling it with seriously cool secondhand-sourced vintage finds, they love the place as if they own it!

With glimpses of both the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory, this Melrose Hill rental apartment was the ultimate canvas for interior designer Lauren Talio.

Lindsay O’Brien’s 450-square-foot Los Angeles bungalow has a built-in bookcase instead of a solid bedroom wall, creating a spacious, open home that feels much larger than it actually is.

Hadley Campagna likes to use warm earthy tones in her Los Angeles house to give the space a “homey feel.” She pairs those warm earthy tones with well-loved pieces to make one seriously cozy rental.

This renovated 1952 house in the San Fernando Valley was transformed for around $100K, and hides two bold color surprises: a red and a green bathroom.

This 675-square-foot Los Angeles apartment is warm and moody, and proves even renters can have designer-level lighting.

When Heather Pardieu first saw this small Hollywood studio apartment 14 years ago, it was under construction and covered in debris. But she was able to see the small space's potential.

A matcha bar, hidden projector, and the coolest closet/dining room: These two best friends have crafted a one-of-a-kind rental home in Los Angeles.

The vibe of the place is giving plantsy! Artsy! Booksy!

In this 550-square-foot Nob Hill rental a cute window seat offers jaw-dropping city views, and the rest of the apartment is a plant-filled, maximalist wonderland.

See how renter Sarah Elsner created a nook for her bed with a standing shelf and a DIY dried flower bar hanging above her bed that she's been collecting for 20 years.

This 100-year-old San Francisco apartment was completely transformed with bold wallpaper, vibrant color, and playful details.

"I wanted to give my own modern spin on a classic Victorian SF style," writes renter Juliana. "Each room is meant to have a rich color that stands out on its own, but speaks to the other rooms in the house."

Gina’s been renting this micro studio for 7 years, and has made tons of improvements to make it functional, including a very cool custom multi-purpose table she made with her dad.

Jasmine Espinoza actually grew up in this building and was able to get a deal on this small but cozy studio apartment: $1,500-a-month rent!

Tour this small San Fran studio apartment in a 1906 Edwardian building with ornate molding and gothic door hardware.

The hallway is interior designer Martha Roark’s favorite room, precisely because it has so much character. “All the art pieces have so much meaning, and I love walking by to see our collection.”

Emily decorated her rental with a maximalist, light academic slant, with touches of whimsy. (She also made pineapples, skulls, and disco balls work together in one small space.)

The apartment cost $2,300 a month to rent.

Emily and Paul saw the potential in the “funky detached garage full of cobwebs” in the yard of their Portland house, and turned this tiny space into a gorgeous ADU they rent out.

Rachel has been renting this small Portland for three years and has DIYed quite a bit in the space. She refinished furniture, made a pendant light, and even created mirrors, too.

Although just a rental, Devin and Jess have put their stamp on their 1970s bungalow in Portland, Oregon.

See photos of the minimal and organic modern renovated home of designer Casey Keasler, founder of design firm Casework.

Emilia and her husband had a tight budget for these renovations, which is why they did most of the labor themselves.