Gallery wall of antique mirrors
Yes, Mirrors are Creepy—Here's How to Unlearn and Work Around It
Mirrors show up as a plot device in everything from scary movies to carnival fun houses and sleepovers. And that unsettling, creepy feeling can work its way into your modern home.
Oct 23, 2020
56 Small Habits To Keep You Happier at Home
If you do small things to bring yourself to a less stressful or more grateful place, you'll harness the power—little by little and instance by instance—to paint your life with a sunnier hue.
Oct 26, 2020
This Chaise Lounge is Designed Like a Zen Garden—and There’s Even a Pond
We could all use a little more zen.
Oct 25, 2020
The Best Way to Declutter Is to Take Everything Out of a Room—Here’s Why
You get to experience the joy of a fully decluttered space and, in the pursuit of getting rid of stuff, there is no greater incentive. Here's how to do it.
Oct 21, 2020
I Asked a Psychologist to Explain MASH—Turns Out It’s More Than Just a Game
Think of it as "a dress rehearsal for our future."
Oct 20, 2020
6 Ways To Make (Extra) Sure Your Mail-In Ballot Counts This Election
Here's your guide to deadlines, details, and to-do's.
Oct 20, 2020
Why You Should Think Twice Before Using Sugar Skulls as Halloween Decorations
Don't let your decorations become appropriation.
Oct 19, 2020
The 6 Best Things to Say to Yourself in the Mirror, According to Mental Health Pros
Wherever it is you’re going, affirming yourself in the mirror can set you up for a positive day.
Oct 19, 2020
You Can Upcycle That Plastic Pizza Table Into a Useful Kitchen Tool—Here's How
Consider this an excuse to order takeout tonight.
Oct 15, 2020
The First 3 Things to Clean If You Want a Big Impact in a Short Time
The key to breaking free of the messy home cycle is knowing how to direct your efforts, and where to spend your limited time for the biggest impact.
Oct 15, 2020
I Asked a Therapist in Alaska About How to Cope at Home During Dark Winter Days
SAD isn't all in your head—and there are ways to feel better.
Oct 13, 2020
I Fought My Mom's Favorite Cleaning Ritual—Until I Got Homesick and Leaned In
Blasting Spanish-language music connects me to my heritage as much as it makes chores more enjoyable.
Oct 12, 2020
The One Room You Should Avoid From 9 to 5
Productivity experts say avoiding this space is one of the simplest—and most important—ways to remain efficient while working from home.
Oct 12, 2020
The First Thing You Should Do When You Get New Shampoo and Conditioner
The one tiny change that can cut down on hair-washing time, reduce consumption and packaging waste, and save money.
Oct 8, 2020
9 Industry Secrets That Can Save You Major Money at Home, According to Redditors
You might even avoid a house call altogether.
Oct 8, 2020
9 Ways to Make Your Space Feel Fresh Without Spending More Than $10
There are plenty of ways revamp for less than $10—it just takes a little flexibility, patience, and creativity. Whether your living room, kitchen, bedroom, dining room, or laundry room is driving you absolutely nuts, here are some suggestions to freshen up the space, so you can enter another season at home feeling just a little bit more content.
Oct 7, 2020
I Turned My WiFi Off at 7 p.m. Every Night for a Week—Here’s What Happened
Five stars. Would recommend.
Oct 5, 2020
3 Questions I’m Going to Start Asking Myself Before I Get Rid of Something
By asking these three decision-helping decluttering questions, you can help reduce the regret that sometimes follows lightening the load of your possessions.
Oct 6, 2020
11 Easy Weekday Habits That Let You Be Lazy on the Weekends
Go ahead and hit snooze.
Oct 5, 2020
7 Indoor Activities Guaranteed to Boost Your Mood During Winter
Now that it's getting dark earlier.
Oct 1, 2020
Don’t Skip the “Dry/Damp” Cleaning Rule When You’re Tackling These 5 Spaces at Home
You might end up making the chore harder than it needs to be, and in some cases, causing harm to your home.
Sep 29, 2020
This Reddit Tip Will Help You Save Money on Kitchen Supplies
Think of it as joining the chefs' club.
Sep 29, 2020
This One-Time-Only Step Makes Dinnertime Go More Smoothly, Forever
Weekend Projects
Having a plan for your plan limits your options. (This is a good thing.)
Sep 25, 2020
I Thought My Home Had to Be “Done” Before I Shared Pictures of It, But I Was So Wrong
Appreciate all the little physical details of this time in your life—the good, the bad, the ugly, and yes, the completely average, too.
Sep 16, 2020
The Surprisingly Emotional Side of Pandemic Home Projects
If you’re contemplating a home project (even a small one) during COVID-19, it may be wise to first consider the mental health effects of changing your space.
Sep 15, 2020
The 10/30 Rule Gave Me a Cleaner Home, a Healthier Budget, and Made My House More Efficient
Here are five different ways I've put this tip into practice around my home.
Sep 9, 2020
The Best Phone Games, According To 14 People With Stressful Jobs
For people with particularly stressful jobs, sometimes there’s nothing better than letting your mind turn off for a few minutes and instead playing a mindless game on your phone.
Sep 3, 2020
The G.I. Joe Bed in My Bedroom Reminds Me That Kindness and Whimsy Still Exist
Comfort Decorating
Most people don’t expect to see a grown woman photographing a 12-inch tall, half-naked doll, so Joe tends to attract attention wherever we go.
Aug 28, 2020
Washing the Dishes Has Become My Favorite Ritual and a Source of Comfort in Tough Times
When nothing could soothe me, my therapist suggested I focus on factors in my life that, in this moment, aren’t subject to change.
Aug 26, 2020
My Grown-Up Princess Bed Is Tousled, Ridiculous, and Completely Perfect for Me
Comfort Decorating
The best part of being an adult is being able to craft your life in exactly the way you want.
Aug 26, 2020
Theme Days Are the Secret to a Fun and Flexible Cleaning Routine
It not only makes your cleaning time more efficient and thorough, but also makes you feel like you accomplished more.
Aug 25, 2020
I Reluctantly Carried These Curtains from Pakistan to America, and Now They Remind Me of Home
Comfort Decorating
These curtains, their color and design, were my mother’s choice, not mine.
Aug 25, 2020
The Time-Saving Reason I Switched to These Smaller $8 Laundry Baskets
Simplifying almost always means less. But when it came to solving my laundry problem, it turns out that simplifying means having more of something.
Aug 24, 2020
I Added Pink Lightbulbs to My Living Room for an Inviting Glow—and Got the Bonus of Better Sleep
Comfort Decorating
I’ve found ideas for how to create my home are tucked into the grooves of good conversation.
Aug 23, 2020
This $25 Craigslist Papasan Chair Survived a Fire and All My Second-Guessing
Comfort Decorating
After the movers left, I found myself sitting in a papasan chair that smelled faintly of smoke, both of us dropped into a new place, a new neighborhood, a new life.
Aug 21, 2020
Try This Quick Weekend Project to Reset and Refresh Any Small Space
Weekend Projects
In an attempt to channel my energy into actions that actually produce calm and order, I've found myself not only addressing clutter, but also simplifying spaces at home where I can.
Aug 21, 2020
A Starlight Projector Makes My Adult Bedroom Feel Like a Sanctuary
Comfort Decorating
Even if you're not a space geek, this is perfect solution for an acceptable adult night light (seriously, no one will judge you, it’s that cool).
Aug 20, 2020
One Thing I Regret Decluttering—Because it Would Have Saved Time, Money, and Some Messes
I was in get-rid-of-everything mode that day I decluttered the garage. But here's the thing: I regret it.
Aug 19, 2020
This Little Mermaid Jewelry Box Reminds Me I’m Living the Life I’ve Dreamed Of
Comfort Decorating
I could only carry it with me, looking for and eventually creating a place where it would fit in perfectly.
Aug 17, 2020
Leaving Halloween Decorations Up All Year Long Is How I Reclaim My Independence
Comfort Decorating
The voice in my head parroting my mother's rules took some time to silence.
Aug 16, 2020
My Wall of Encouragements Might be “Unsophisticated,” But it Made My Dorm Room Feel Like Home
Comfort Decorating
The thing about being depressed is how tired you are all the time. Day in, day out, I couldn’t muster any energy to decorate—all I could focus on was dragging myself up and breathing.
Aug 12, 2020
Covering My Fridge with Travel Magnets Is Achingly Earnest, but I Don’t Care
Comfort Decorating
Our un-curated collection used to fill me with a soft shiver of shame. But not now.
Aug 11, 2020
Forget Aesthetics—Comfort Decorating is the Nostalgic, Pragmatic Trend We All Need Right Now
Comfort Decorating
Think of it like comfort food for your living space.
Aug 10, 2020
I Get Dressed Every Day to Work From Home, but Not for the Reason You Think
It's far more than merely a wardrobe change for me.
Jul 31, 2020
My Grandmother Put a Ping-Pong Table in the Entryway Because “We Like Unusual”
Comfort Decorating
Our neighbors have tennis courts, we have table tennis.
Aug 9, 2020
My Favorite Pillow Is Old, Tattered, and Smelly, and I’ll Never Replace It
Comfort Decorating
If you were to take a photo of my trendy and freshly-painted room, the chaochao would stick out like a sore, threadbare thumb.
Aug 7, 2020
My Grandparents’ Chirping Bird Clock Strikes at The Best Part of My Childhood
Comfort Decorating
It was a soundtrack to a simple period of time and I needed to translate it to my own kitchen.
Aug 6, 2020
64 Things Everyone Always Forgets to Clean
Check out this list of things that rarely see the touch of a rag or bristle of a broom—and then change that.
Aug 3, 2020
7 Home Habits Scientifically Proven to Make You Happier
Good news: If you're looking for a little more contentment in your day-to-day, you've got science on your side. Try incorporating these study-backed habits into your routine.
Jul 30, 2020
What Your Myers-Briggs Type Says About Your Bedtime Routine
It turns out the secret to your particular recipe for quality sleep may run deeper than just a day-to-day preference.
Jul 30, 2020
Therapists Share 7 Ways You Can Be “Good” at Getting Therapy
"The inside of your head is the most valuable real estate you’ll ever live in, so don’t put it in second place."
Jul 30, 2020
Is “Goodbye, Things” the New “Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”?
Marie Kondo is more than a household name. She’s crossed over to the next level and has become a verb for those of us who write, think and obsess about all things home. Yes, “KonMari-ing” and “Kondoizing” are things now. We need our socks to spark joy if we are going to keep them around; why should we settle for anything less?
Jul 18, 2020
The Introvert’s Guide to Entertaining
Are you an introvert who’s sworn off entertaining after too many exhausting events? Not everyone is cut out for every kind of hosting, but just because you’re not a social butterfly doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time with guests; you just have to do it the right way and play to your strengths. Here’s how.
Jul 17, 2020
The Best Plant for Every Enneagram Type
Not all plants are created equal—it’s almost like they have personalities of their own!
Jul 16, 2020
What’s Your IKEA Love Language? Take This Quiz to Find Out
With Valentine’s Day this week, we’ve all got love on the brain. And if you’re sitting in your apartment, lost for words to express how you feel to your loved one, maybe it’s time to figure out your IKEA love language. Do you love your partner like a BEKVAM or a MALM? Take this super scientific, highly romantic quiz to find out. A. Knowing someone is serious about our relationship B. Being one half of an “it” couple C.
Jul 16, 2020
5 Things You Can Do to Make Your Day Better Before You Even Leave Your Bedroom
Before you even leave your bedroom in the morning, there are a few things you can do to make your day a little better. So tomorrow morning, before you stumble out of the bedroom door to grab coffee or turn on the news, give one of these a try… Jennifer tried it — and wrote about it — and while it seems pretty simple, it’s a great way to start the day on a healthy note. And everyone could use a little hydration.
Jul 16, 2020
10 Ways to Enjoy Your Home to Its Fullest
It can sometimes be easy to mindlessly move through your home, just going through the motions of your daily routine. Are you just existing in your home? Or are you enjoying your home to its fullest every day? There are a few ideas I’m re-reading these days to help me remember to really live in my home. 1. Laugh in it What really makes you laugh? Is it the latest viral pet video? Watch a bit before you jet off to work. Love stand-up comedy?
Jul 16, 2020
Here’s What a List of “Home Goals” Should Look Like
Do you have goals for your home? I think it’s really effective–in all areas of life–to write down your goals and share them with others. And your home should be no exception. Whether you rent or own, whether you plan to be there for seven more months or seven more years (or forever!), you should keep a list of things you’d like to get done for a happy life at home. To get the most out of your list, make it a good mix of goals.
Jul 16, 2020
It’s Sagittarius Season: Here’s Your December Home Horoscope
Bigger, bolder, faster, brighter. December’s cosmic climate sends us speeding into Sagittarius energies, and the zodiac’s megawatt My-Little-Pony invites us to embrace the wild, wide open roads before us. Think voyages of all flavors, dancing ’til the break of dawn, and reinvesting in the radical, luck-be-a-lady faith that life is absolutely on your side. So roll the dice and pack up your rollerboards for flights far beyond the known.
Jul 16, 2020
7 Things You Can Do With Far-Away Friends That Don’t Involve Screens
Some of these ideas might require you to get outside of your comfort zone a little bit, but it will be so worth it.
Jul 16, 2020
10 Tips for Making Winter Wake-Ups Easier
Now that winter’s here, my reluctance to get out of bed in the morning has mounted exponentially. It’s much easier to snuggle deep into the covers when my alarm goes off, and I’m constantly oversleeping when I know that I should get up. In an attempt to curb this bad habit, I’ve compiled some tips for making waking up a bit more manageable. Drinking water as soon as you wake up will help stimulate the body and help you stay awake.
Jul 16, 2020
Why We Hold Onto So Much Stuff, and How to Let Go
We all know the role that clutter plays in our households. To varying degrees, it’s a nuisance, or it distracts us, and —in the worst cases — totally overtakes our lives. Here are some of the underlying reasons why you’re reluctant to let go of physical objects, and some steps to take towards living a life less burdened by stuff. What if you threw it out and missed it later?
Jul 16, 2020
Stop Worrying: 7 Things About Your Home That Aren’t a Big Deal
Do you fret over certain aspects of your home? Do they keep you up at night? Do you spend hours Googling (or Apartment Therapy-ing) for the answer that will fix your problem and tone down your home-related stress? There are plenty of things to worry about when it comes to home, but these seven things aren’t them. Take the worries after the jump off your plate and spend your mental energy on enjoying your space and your life! Don’t worry… 1.
Jul 16, 2020
Up Your Energy: Simple Workspace Feng Shui Principles to Try Today
When you’re busy working, it can be easy to let your workspace fall into a rut—I mean, who has time to redecorate their desk when they’re preparing for next week’s presentation? But because your work environment affects how energized you feel, taking a few minutes right now to optimize your workspace may just make your whole week more productive. Want to try it? Read through these five ways to improve and organize your desk according to feng shui—then get to work!
Jul 16, 2020
3 Tips For Getting Warm on Cold Mornings
These days I live in mild San Francisco, but I spent the first 23 years of my life in Chicago, a city where a windchill of -20ºF (that’s -29ºC) turns waiting for the bus into an extreme sport. I’ve learned a few things over the years… I like to keep my apartment as cold as possible while I’m sleeping, but even if you don’t, the transition from under-the-covers to real world can be a brutal one.
Jul 15, 2020
One Minute Tip: Build Your Own Snowblower Cab
At Apartment Therapy, we believe the more personal you make your space, the happier you will be in it (and that goes for the time you spend caring for the roads leading up to your space, too!). In today’s video, Grandpa Carl shows us his hand-built custom snowblower cab, which he invented and built for less than it would cost to buy one commercially.
Jul 15, 2020
Life at Home: Ways To Enjoy a Grown-Up “Snow Day” Anytime
During the first half of my life growing up in New York, snow days meant waking up early, gripping the radio in hope that my school’s name would be called out so I would get to spend the day playing in the snow with my friends.The second half of my life has been on the West Coast where snow and winter became foreign words. Until last year that is when I moved to the Pacific Northwest and entered the world of seasons once more.
Jul 15, 2020
How To Really Enjoy a Day Off
A day off is a gift and in today’s hard-working world, a thing to be savored. For some of us, that means a recuperating and revitalizing opportunity — a day without any goals beyond recharging batteries. For others, the idea of an “extra” day to accomplish a home-based goal, whether crafting, cleaning, decorating or renovating is simply too good to let pass by.
Jul 15, 2020
Sewing Masks for My Community Was a Gift for Everyone Involved
I joined a local mask-making group on Facebook, where a small army of amateur sewers gathered online, dusted off their sewing machines and did what we could with all our hearts.
Jul 7, 2020
The “Power 10” Method Gets Everyone in the House Inspired to Help Clean Up
When we're done, the house has been whipped into shape with seemingly little effort.
Jul 6, 2020
There Are 5 Quarantine Cleaning Personalities—Which One Are You?
Plus some tips that can help you harness your energy, or triggers to look out for to avoid burnout.
Jul 1, 2020