Ideas Inspiration

Bedroom with a woven headboard, white bedding, framed art, and a wooden nightstand with plants and decor items.
6 Beautiful Bedroom Trends That Will Take Over 2019
STYLE
Ready to hit the refresh button on your bedroom? These trends will look good well into the New Year.
Kelsey Mulvey
Aug 16, 2019
Three Things to Splurge On for Your Living Room, And Two Things You Can Save On
They say that money can't buy you love but sometimes, it can buy some great living room style.
Aug 13, 2019
Get The Look: Iron Man/Tony Stark’s Man Cave
You may have drooled along with us at Tony Stark’s dream garage and workshop. Turns out some of the tech is actually quite achievable. Unfortunately we don’t mean the fantastical suit of armor, fanciful interactive 3D user interface, the sports cars, or the kickass space. But there’s plenty of daily tech in use that is quite attainable. Come check out Iron Man’s man cave!Tony Stark’s workspace is a man’s dream realized for the movies.
Jason Yang
Aug 10, 2019
4 Major Style Lessons I Learned from Amsterdam
How to bring the Dutch spirit into your design routine.
Samantha Leal
Aug 9, 2019
Meet the Cloffice: 8 Offices that Store Clothes, Too
Never underestimate the power of a well-accessorized home office.
Sarah Lyon
Aug 5, 2019
Our 35 Best Gray Living Room Ideas of All Time
From dove to charcoal and everything in between, these are the best gray paint colors for your living room.
Caroline Biggs
Aug 5, 2019
What is Sage Green? Everything You Need to Know About the Trending Color
STYLE
Thanks to this soothing shade, it's pretty easy being green.
Caroline Biggs
Jul 28, 2019
These Fabulous Fringe Accessories Look Luxe, but They’re All Under $100
They're trendy, pretty, and relatively affordable.
Karen Marsala
Jul 25, 2019
Everything You Need to Know About Chic Marble Accessories
Love marble as much as we do? These accessories are an easy way to bring a sleek edge to your space.
Karen Marsala
Jul 19, 2019
10 Paint Mistakes Designers are Tired of You Making
Get your space back on track with these helpful tips.
Kelsey Mulvey
Jul 19, 2019
10 Easy (But Cool) Ways to Style Your Dining Table, According to Designers
You don't need to have a dinner party to create a gorgeous tablescape.
Kelsey Mulvey
Jul 18, 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
40 Black Rooms That Make You Want to Go to the Dark Side
Goodbye, neutrals. Hello, bold, beautiful black rooms.
Sarah Lyon
Jul 17, 2019
7 Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Bathroom Walls
Want to zhuzh up your bathroom walls, but don't know where to start? Let these rooms give you design inspiration.
Sarah Lyon
Jul 16, 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
Forget Rainbow-Colored Shelves: 7 Ways to Display Your Books
STYLE
If color-coded shelves feel played out, feast your eyes on these stunning alternatives.
Sarah Lyon
Jul 14, 2019
Here's Proof That Wall-to-Wall Carpets are Wonderful
STYLE
Believe it or not, wall-to-wall carpets aren't as awful as they're cracked up to be. Style your carpet to perfection with these savvy tips.
Kelsey Mulvey
Jul 13, 2019
Add Tons of Personality to Your Home with Oil Portraits
STYLE
Give the classic art style a modern twist with these tips.
Sarah Lyon
Jul 12, 2019
It's Official: Disco Balls are Making a Comeback
STYLE
Put the spotlight on your space with these illuminating tips.
Sarah Lyon
Jul 11, 2019
How to Style a Rug in Your Kitchen
STYLE
The kitchen rug trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon, so here's how to incorporate it into your space.
Sarah Lyon
Jul 11, 2019
8 Bright Ways to Use String Lights in Your Home
STYLE
Let your home shine bright with these smart design tips.
Caroline Biggs
Jul 10, 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
13 Super Secret Stair Storage Ideas
Underneath the stairs lies a great abyss known as unused space in most homes. Check out this list of 13 inspirational ideas to kick-start how to use your stairs, steps, and angles to your best small space advantage!In no particular order, here are our favorite 13 ways to efficiently use your staircase space: Stair Drawers: When you think about it, directly underneath your steps are layers of unused space. So why not add functionality to those common rectangles by transforming them into drawers?
Tiffany Finley
Jul 1, 2019
33 Best Small Space Design Tips
A few months ago, we asked you to share your fave small space design tips and there were some great ideas! We loved your suggestions and enthusiasm and definitely picked up some fab tips for our own small space. After the jump, check out the compiled list and pick up a tip or two.4 Tips For Making a Small Office Feel Big 1) If you have a small space use small pieces that fit the scale of the apartment. Your space will feel bigger.2) Keep it clean!3) Get rid of the clutter.
Rebecca Orlov
Jun 8, 2019
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
It’s the start of the first three day weekend of the summer, so in keeping with (and expanding upon!) recent Apartment Therapy tradition, we put together a big list of DIY projects to consider for the days ahead. From crafting to cleaning, renovating to relaxing, there is an idea here for everyone – 100 to be exact! Join Us on Pinterest:Apartment Therapy Learn to make your pics prettier: How To Instantly Improve Your Photos Give your dining chairs a new (tufted!
Janel Laban
Jun 5, 2019
The Catalogs We Actually LOVE to Flip Through
While some decor catalogs might seem like mail clutter, truth be told, many are still a ripe source of inspiration—if you know which ones to look for. Filled with beautifully styled rooms and up-and-coming design trends, these catalogs are actually worth a look, unlike much of what hits our mailboxes. To prove our point, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite store catalogs for your consideration.
Caroline Biggs
Jun 5, 2019
#2: ELVARLI Storage System
IKEA says: Whether for a walk-in wardrobe, hallway solution or a business, ELVARLI storage system provides open storage that’s easy to get just right, while looking nice. ELVARLI storage system is the result of some innovative development at IKEA to create flexible, beautiful and lightweight storage. ELVARLI storage system is elegantly designed with attention to small details like seamless joints and invisible fittings.
Dabney Frake
Jun 5, 2019
#9: BARKABODA Wood Countertop
IKEA’s description: The herringbone pattern has a beautifully pleasing geometry to the eye. In BARKABODA countertop the pattern in dark brown wood adds true elegance to the kitchen. The countertop is made durable with a layer of solid wood that covers a particleboard core. This technique not only gives a genuine expression of solid wood, but is a good environmental choice as it’s resource-efficient.
Dabney Frake
Jun 5, 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.
Tess Wilson
May 19, 2019
Before & After: Black and White Stripe Linoleum Floor
Attention, all you renters out there: this is an easy, affordable, and ultra-stylish way to upgrade your dingy rental floors. We have been meaning to do something like this ourselves for quite some time, and seeing this project by Orlando Soria on Design*Sponge totally got us all jazzed up to copy her.
Cambria Bold
May 8, 2019
How to Make Your Own Liquid Laundry Soap
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap claims 18 cleaning uses in one bottle. One of those is laundry soap. Want to know how to make your own using only a cup of Dr. Bronner’s per 64 loads? Check it out: This laundry soap doesn’t create suds, but it doesn’t need to in order to get your laundry clean. 1 cup Dr. Bronner’s pure castile liquid soap1 cup baking soda2 cups water1/3 cup salt Warm the water and mix with salt and baking soda until dissolved.
Regina Yunghans
May 7, 2019
Creative New Uses for Plant Stands
As someone who has a tough time keeping indoor plants alive, I knew I would never use my antique plant stand for its intended purpose. Instead, it is used to hold an iron kettle (Image 10). Occasionally I shove some cut flowers in the kettle but that’s about as green as my plant stand gets. It seems I am not the only one who has found alternative uses for plant stands.
Catrin Morris
May 6, 2019
Before & After: Boy’s Bedroom Redo
Michele’s son had outgrown his room’s decor, and everyone was sick of the orange, purple and red color scheme. It took a couple of weeks to re-do it completely, using a lot of what they already owned, plus adding a few new things to the mix. The goal was to keep it affordable and simple.This room might win the award for the most handmade things in one space.
Dabney Frake
May 5, 2019
Before & After: A Moroccan Pattern Stenciled Bathroom
This relatively plain bathroom got a major face lift with something that looks as good as wallpaper, but is actually impeccably painted, DIYed stencil handiwork. While that has a huge impact on the space, there are a few other east improvements that A Pumpkin and a Princess implemented that helped transform the room — can you spot them?Crystal from A Pumpkin and a Priness set out to makeover her guest bathroom, all on her own.
Rachel Wray Thompson
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Kids’ Bathroom Gets Board & Batten Treatment
This bathroom isn’t terribly awful — but it isn’t terribly interesting, either. Come see what some new lighting, a framed-out mirror, and some board and batten walls can do for a rather ho-hum bathroom.Jenny from Project Maddox was determined to tackle her kids’ bathroom and make it just a little less “just moved in” and give it a more custom look.
Sarah Dobbins
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Coffee Table Turned Tufted Ottoman
Brooke, from the home décor blog Inside-Out Design, started with this run-of-the-mill old coffee table, and with some ingenuity and a lot of handiwork, she and her husband transformed it into a one-of-a-kind hand-tufted ottoman.Brooke used West Elm’s Ikat Print by the Yard fabric as inspiration for completely transforming the coffee table.
Rachel Wray Thompson
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Little Boy’s Room Gets a Creative New Look
I love it when kids’ rooms look like, well… a room fit for a kid! This is a great example of a clean, organized, yet creative space for a little one to flourish.Kara Rosenlund designed this room to be a cheerful, relaxed space perfect for a growing little boy. From the dramatic floor-to-ceiling chalkboard walls, to the sunny ceiling fan, to the “grass” rug on the floor, there’s no risk of mistaking this room for a serious grownup space.
Sarah Dobbins
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Kid’s Corner Gets a Mini (Mario!) Makeover
Katja gives full instructions, along with photos of the process, over at her blog, Shift Ctrl ART Thanks so much Katja — both projects look great!
Dabney Frake
May 5, 2019
Get Laken’s Look!: DIY Dorm Bed Canopy Project
Yesterday we saw the reveal of Wash U freshman Laken’s spruced up new digs. Today, Laken is showing us how she created the custom bed canopy shown above. If you like the look, you can make one for yourself! Materials Large 24″ diameter embroidery hoop Two curtain panels (we used one package of IKEA Vivan, for $9.
Dabney Frake
May 5, 2019
Easy & All Natural Wallpaper Removal Tip: Use Vinegar and Hot Water
Over the holidays, I finally started on the spare bedroom in my Mom’s house. It has not seen any decorating love since the 80’s, and it was time to strip the wallpaper and give the walls a fresh coat of paint. I was a little apprehensive because I had never removed wallpaper before, but I soon realized it was more tedious than difficult. I also learned that it was a job that could be made easier with our favorite friend: white vinegar.
Kate Legere
May 4, 2019
How To Make Dip-Dyed & Painted Paper Lanterns
Taking inspiration from the IKEA summer catalog and Designers Guild, I decided to dip dye paper lanterns to replace the grubby, aging ones currently hanging from my balcony. The 4th of July holiday gave me a good deadline to finally get this DIY project off the back burner. This is one of the cheapest and easiest DIY projects that I have done.
Claire Bock
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Floral & Fashionable Bathroom Refresh
Little powder rooms can pack a punch. Case in point: Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere recently redid a tiny bathroom in her house, and decided not to play it safe. The results are impressive: I think it’s safe to say that this oversized floral wallpaper from Ellie Cashman is a show stopper and, when paired with the marble vanity and gold accents, makes for a glamorous and timeless room.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Back Steps Become a Stairway of Heaven
Once you’ve groaned at the title of this post (go ahead, I know you want to), click on over to see Gemma’s DIY fix for the back steps down to her basement. An IKEA rug just happened to be the exact width of Gemma’s stairs, which made it an irresistible choice for a quick DIY runner. Finished off with some nailhead trim, it’s now a chic little entrance. (Plus, Gemma hopes the dark rug helps hide tracked in dirt.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: 1979 Airstream Gets A Revamp
Mackenzie and Blaine from The Local Branch were looking for a work studio that they could take on the road. They found this 1979 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht 32′, gutted it, and got to work creating the studio of their dreams. They painted the yellowing walls a crisp white, laid down a floating wood floor, replaced a large broken window, built out the cabinets, and installed locker cabinets, a sewing machine and upper planters.
Kate Legere
May 4, 2019
How To Properly Light a Bedroom
At first glance, the bedroom seems the least important room in the home, in terms of lighting. After all, we’re not really working in there much (unless it doubles as an office), and the primary goal of the space is to support sleep— which requires an intentional lack of light.
Eleanor Büsing
May 4, 2019
How to Properly Light a Bathroom
As with the kitchen, the bathroom is a “work room,” and therefore one of the most important spaces in the home to get lighting right. They also tend to be smaller than all the other rooms in our home, and don’t have as many (or as large) windows. Careful consideration of the General, Task and Accent lighting we add to this room will pay dividends in how the area functions and feels.
Eleanor Büsing
May 4, 2019
Do You Like It Big in the Bedroom?: Oversized Art
The bedroom is a great place to make an impact…with oversize art. Fewer windows and, often, a tendency to leave the walls blank is an opportunity to add a focal point with one big, grand piece of art. Top Row 1. A colorful, abstract painting brings focus to the center of this vibrant bedroom. Real Living magazine featuring Andrew O’Brien artwork (available here) 2. A monochromatic room is punctuated with an ironic canvas. Tamara Magel Home on Houzz 3.
Claire Bock
May 4, 2019
DIY Fall Decor: All Gold Everything
Fall is officially here, and everything is coming up gold. From garlands and wreaths to pumpkins and pears, read on for simple ways to DIY this metallic into your home for the season. TOP ROW: 1. Falling leaves garland from 6th Street Design School. 2. Gilded acorns available to buy from Light of Day Creations on Etsy, but an easy thing to DIY! 3. Gold-painted branches from Popsugar. 4. DIY no-sew burlap table runner from Inspired by Charm. 5. Gold-dipped log candleholder DIY on the Etsy blog.
Eleanor Büsing
May 4, 2019
The One Space for Storage You’re Probably Not Using
I’m always interested in what the kids these days are doing in their dorm rooms. Yes, I realize that statement makes me sound like a geriatric. But seriously, were there ever so many dorm-dedicated brands and options ten—even five—years ago? I look at Instagram, lookbooks and big box circulars longingly. But you know what? There are some great storage ideas and products for the rest of us disguised in all that college ‘ish. Ya feel?
Danielle Blundell
May 4, 2019
15 Clever Things You Didn’t Know You Really Needed in Your Kitchen
Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Here are 15 clever details you might want to consider adding. They’re all elegant solutions that make life in the kitchen just a little bit easier, and we wouldn’t blame you one bit if you want them all. Built-in, pull out cutting boards. From Residence Magazine via Nordicspace. Even better, a pull-out cutting board right about the trash bin, to make sweeping away scraps super-easy. By Gary Wafford.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Brilliant Ways to Use Drawer Pulls & Handles You’ve Never Thought Of
The options are endless.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A New Bathroom, 3 Hours & $150 Later
Erin of Earnest Home Co. admits that small changes aren’t her specialty. Once she focuses on a room, it’s usually all or nothing. So simply sprucing up her small bathroom was a decided challenge, one she did with only $150 and a couple of hours one afternoon. Since the tile and floor wasn’t going anywhere soon, she focused on the little things she could change out easily.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Worth a Fix: Common Ways You Might Be Getting Window Treatments Wrong
Windows — and their coverings — are a big part of your home’s design. Are you getting yours right? There are a lot of ways you can go wrong with window treatments in your home. Here are seven to look out for. Like the look of sheers but can’t sleep because they let too much street light in? Love the look of big, thick drapes but wish you had more of a breeze in your home?
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
How Gallery Walls are Like Cats (And Why Your Home Probably Needs One)
There's no such thing as an awkward space in the post-gallery wall world, because you can arrange a collage of frames to skillfully attack the proportions of any sized wall.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
Zero Cost Ways to Make Your Open Kitchen Shelves Look Better
Open kitchen shelving is a charming little minx. She’ll talk you into bringing her home, swaying you with the promise of beautiful displays of glassware and ceramics. “It’s bohemian and cool,” she’ll say. But after too long, she gets comfortable and starts to look, well, messy. The secret to keeping the spark alive in your open-shelf romance? Working hard every day to make sure that your shelves and the things on them are well-styled.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
Half-Painted Walls That Are All-the-Way Gorgeous
It’s a wall painting trend that comes and goes: The half-painted wall. (Or, like the famous “Is the glass half full or half empty?” question, you could also consider these half unpainted walls). Whichever way you look at it, only painting half of a wall isn’t putting in half the design effort; it’s creating bold style with well-placed color. These rooms showcase just how beautiful and sophisticated this painting idea can be.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
7 Other Places to Use Cafe Curtains (Besides the Kitchen)
If you ask me, the café of the home shouldn’t have the monopoly on cafe curtains. Those short-tier curtains that cover the bottom half of windows are perfect for more than just the kitchen. Cafe curtains perfectly balance privacy and luminosity, letting plenty of light in while keeping inquisitive eyes out. And the best part? You can get them up quickly (without holes in the walls) with nothing more than a tension rod, curtain clips and a light piece of fabric.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
5 Creative Art-Hanging Ideas from an Artist’s Converted Loft
Even though “having too much art” is so not a problem, it can definitely feel like one sometimes. So what’s a savvy apartment dweller to do when they’ve run out of wall space for their private collection? The home of one New Orleans-based artist might offer some ideas.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
The Laissez-Faire Way to Work a Gallery Wall: Layer Your Artwork, Literally
You see it more often with artwork that’s leaning – either on the floor or on a picture ledge. But this post serves as permission to get a little crazy with the frames you hang on the wall, too. Let your artwork overlap to create a dense, rich and laid-back gallery wall.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
Kitchen Inspiration: Bold & Beautiful Patterned Floors in Real Homes
The floor usually isn’t the design element that first grabs your attention in a kitchen, but these rooms are the exception. Bold, busy patterned floors mix with a variety of decor styles in these examples. What they all have in common? They totally steal the show! Shown above: Bold blue and white floors grab your attention the moment you walk into the kitchen of Anne & Steve’s Relaxed, Eclectic & Casual Home in Cape Town.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Want to Boost Your Creativity and Productivity? Try These Paint Colors.
Got writer’s block (or painter’s block, or are just in a general creative funk?) The color of your walls might be one of your culprits. It’s no secret that color can seriously affect your mood (we’ve previously explored how it can make you happier in your home, and highlighted the psychological merits of ROYGBV), but there are two colors in particular that can stimulate your creativity and productivity.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 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
Amazing Acrylic Frames: 9 Examples that Will Convince You to Float Your Art
“Frameless frames” are hitting it big right now, showing off how beautiful art looks without the distraction of a border. This trendy framing method is remarkably versatile and adapts to almost any decor style, because the clear sheets blend into any background. All you need to get the look is two transparent sheets of acrylic or lucite (you can get them cut to size at Lowe’s or ask a local glass cutting company) and a handful of standoff bolts.
Katie Holdefehr
May 3, 2019
Smart & Stylish Design Tips from an Extremely Tiny Bedroom
Extremely tiny bedrooms—like, not much bigger than the bed small—can be a challenge to decorate and arrange when you want to have a room that functions well and looks good. But Lisa Tilse of the blog We Are Scout made some smart and stylish decisions in her teenage daughter Roxy’s tiny bedroom. From Lisa of We Are Scout: The room is TINY! It measures 6.5 x 8.75 feet—which is just enough space for a double bed to fit across.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Historic Home Goes From Icky Green to Light & Clean
When you’re lucky enough to live in a home with beautiful historic architectural features, you probably want to highlight those features with your decor. Paint can work, sure, but maybe not in this icky green color? That’s what Danny and Lyndsay faced when they moved into this Portland, Maine rental. So they used the power of paint to cover up the unpleasant green, refresh the space, brighten the home and turn the focus on one charming architectural feature in particular.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Beyond Good Looks: Add Value and Style to Your Home with This One Element
Plantation shutters are a hallmark of Southern style that are also a great choice for window coverings in homes of almost any style. The deep-louvered, swinging wooden shutters provide a sophisticated alternative to blinds and will give any home a little touch of the genteel.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Daring Color Palettes Inspired by New Orleans’ Vibrant Architecture
If you’ve ever seen photos of the houses in New Orleans, you know a wide-ranging, daring mix of colors adorns this city’s architecture. Any time I stroll the streets, I’m inspired to get bold in my own home. Even those these color combinations are on the outside of these homes, consider these pre-made palettes direction for the inside of yours.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
The 2-Minute Trick to “Reupholstering” Your Sofa
Like color, pattern can be one of those anxiety-provoking design elements for the novice decorator. You think: “How can I tell if these prints go together?” “What if I’m using too many patterns?” “What if I get sick of them a month from now?
Katie Holdefehr
May 3, 2019
Plant-Packed Homes to Make You Green with Envy
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
4 Super Powerful (But Easy!) Ways to Upgrade Your Art
Color can change the look of a frame — and the feel of a room. (Here is proof!) But paint isn’t the only way you can alter art, frame-wise, to make a big visual impact. In this post, see how adding, switching, enlarging and more can make your art a bigger statement than it already is.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Dark, Dated Galley Kitchen Gets a Modern Makeover
When Matt and Amanda first looked at this house, they were able to instantly imagine fixing up all of the rooms — except for the kitchen. It was a dark, dated galley kitchen with a wall smack dab in the middle. Matt writes: “We went back to look at it one last time and I just sat there trying to visualize what the solution could be. When I realized it could be done, I did my best to explain the mess in my head to Amanda and we went for it!
Marisa Vitale
May 3, 2019