If you want to feel really accomplished right now, here’s a fun fact: according to experts, we take about 22,000 breaths a day. Give yourself a pat on the back (or chest) for that accomplishment. That said, it’s obvious to everyone that we’ve recently had some major wake-up calls in terms of the quality of the air we breathe. Extreme events, such as the wildfires we’ve seen this summer, affected air quality for millions. But there’s more in the mix than that.
The phrase “open concept” calls to mind breezy rooms, natural light, and fluid movement from one space to the next. And after nine months of construction dust in their L.A. home, that’s exactly what Kirsten and her husband had: Their newly completed kitchen and dining room renovation created a bright, airy footprint for entertaining family and friends. But it was also, for a moment, a big empty space.
When was the last time you stayed home and played? If your answer was “middle school,” then hear us out: Canceling your plans in favor of some low-key indoor activities is kind of the greatest and you should try it immediately. It’s just one of the ways that we at Apartment Therapy are honoring National Lazy Day: August 10 on the calendar; every day in our hearts. A lazy day is a moment to appreciate all the reasons that staying in is way more fun than going out.
Sometimes, self-care can sound a little too much like work. (If you’ve ever struggled to get the perfect coat of polish using your non-dominant hand, then you know what we mean.) On those days, self-care is about doing less of everything. And here at Apartment Therapy, we’re honoring National Lazy Day (officially recognized on August 10 but celebrated whenever we feel like it) by embracing the idea of doing less and resting more.La-Z-Boy® knows all about that.
Sometimes the plans you’re most excited about aren’t really plans at all: They’re the low-key, low-effort activities that happen when you don’t feel like making a big fuss. That’s why we’re honoring National Lazy Day (August 10 — but every day, honestly) with a celebration of all the ways that staying in can feel way more fun than going out. Spoiler alert: There are a lot of ’em.
Going out is fun, but staying in is divine. No reservations? Wonderful. Soft pants? Yes, please. We at Apartment Therapy think that doing nothing is underrated, which is why we’re celebrating our right to relax in honor of National Lazy Day. (It’s officially August 10, but really, it’s as often as you want it to be.) And here’s a secret: relaxed, restorative nights in can feel just as special as nights out.That’s a vibe that La-Z-Boy® understands.
“Forever homes” tend to get all the attention, but sometimes home is temporary. From sojourns in new cities to landing pads before a bigger move, there are all kinds of reasons why we might not want to spend forever-home energy (and dollars!) in our current living space. But whether you’re between more permanent solutions or just haven’t figured out what decor you want to invest in, you can still make your space your own.
For University of Miami architecture and interior design student Benedetto Rebecca, a beautiful home isn’t just a perk — it’s his major. When he lived in a dorm, he made the cinder-block space feel serene with textured curtains and warm neutral bedding. Now he shares a stylish off-campus house with friends, and he wanted to start the new school year by giving his bathroom a grown-up refresh on a student budget. “It felt a little too cold,” Benny says.
As a floral designer, Rachel Clark tended to keep her space neutral so that her designs could shine. But when her white walls started to feel boring, she wanted a refresh that added color but stayed subtle enough to let her decor — from floral arrangements to vintage furnishings — have center stage. The result was part art gallery, part secret garden, and all Rachel. But it didn’t happen by accident: A lot of choices go into one pretty “after”!
Admit it: You’ve got that house. The one where guests always gush over your great taste and even better ideas, from furniture and gallery walls to paint colors and pattern-mixing. Maybe you’re even taking on projects for family and friends, selling your furniture flips, or sharing DIYs on social media. If you’re dreaming of taking your design skills to the next level, there’s a free and easy way to start.
For artist and musician Raquel Lily, their home is an extension of their creative life. Raquel loves bold colors and big design statements, but they weren’t sure what hue to choose for their living room. As the first place visitors see, and the location of band rehearsals and other work projects, the room needed a shot of fresh energy.
When engineer-turned-comedian Ayanna wanted to add some color to her white-box Brooklyn studio apartment, we jumped at the chance to play with paint. Ayanna wanted to let her “controlled maximalist” style shine without taking over the 487-square-foot space, plus she needed a photogenic backdrop for recording videos and auditions. The result was dramatic, cozy, and as full of personality as the performer herself.
Every room starts with a vision. It gets filled in as you go — this lighting, that sofa — until your idea is so real you can almost see it. Or, until you can actually see it. That’s the idea behind Overstock’s new Design Boards: They organize all of your ideas and help you bring spaces to life.
One of the most surprising hurdles people run into when designing their own homes is coming to terms with the permanence of it all. Sure, you may love your sofa when you originally commit to it, but what happens if your tastes change as the years go by? The same question stands for your wall color, your linens, pretty much every element of your home.
Every aspect of Raquel Lily‘s life bursts with creativity, from their blossoming music career and cheerful fashion to their eclectic Atlanta home. But while this artist is never afraid to go bold, they weren’t sure which paint color would best bring their living room walls to life.“Being a total fan of statement colors, it was hard for me to commit to a shade,” they say.
There was already a lot to love about Dian and Tim’s primary bedroom. It got great natural light and, like the rest of their Chicago condo, had a lovely mix of architectural charm and modern updates. (Built in the 1880s, the condo building was rehabbed in the early 2000s.) But when it came to giving the white walls a coat of personality, Dian was so overwhelmed by the color choices that she didn’t know where to begin.
As a floral designer with her own business creating gorgeous arrangements and installations, Rachel Clark loves to let her decor speak for itself. She’s tended to keep the walls of her New York apartment neutral so that her flowers and knick-knacks can shine. But lately, those white walls were feeling a bit boring.“I love cool, neutral tones with fun accents, organized clutter, and a mix of vintage and modern pieces,” Rachel says.
There was nothing wrong with the guest bathroom in Dian and Tim’s cute Chicago condo, per se. But with white walls, a gray floor, and no windows, it just felt blah and dark — even with the couple’s contemporary, mid-century touches. And it certainly didn’t have the modern, airy charm of the rest of their home.Dian knew she wanted to use color to inject some energy into the bathroom, but with so many possibilities, she wasn’t sure what direction to go in.
Dian and Tim’s Chicago condo is the definition of “good bones”: Their 1880s building was rehabbed in the early 2000s, so it has that dreamy combo of architectural character and modern updates. In such a fresh space, the design possibilities are endless — so much so that Dian felt overwhelmed by all the options.This was especially true when it came to painting.
No matter how much you love design, sometimes your space is decidedly “in-between.” It’s just life! Maybe you’re saving up for your dream home, and your couch is on its last legs (literally). Or you’re relocating to a new city, but your first stop is temporary while you find the right spot. Or perhaps you know you want to change up your space’s aesthetic, but you’re still finding the style you want.
I’m a lazy cleaner and am not ashamed to admit it. For years, I’ve relied on a robot vacuum to help free up my Saturday mornings, but I’ve always been skeptical of robot vacuum/mop hybrids. I thought mopping required a little more elbow grease than a robot could muster.That was before I met this robot.
Fans of Ayanna Dookie‘s comedy might recognize her home workspace: The engineer-turned-performer often films clips in this corner of her Brooklyn studio apartment, using her stunning cheetah print wallpaper as a backdrop. Ayanna wanted the rest of her space to match that wall’s vibrancy and style and her “controlled maximalist” approach to design — while also feeling like a personal sanctuary post-divorce.
When Samantha and her family moved into their Los Angeles apartment, it was a big space upgrade — especially the 200-square-foot living room big enough for chill family hangs, parties with friends, and playtime for the kids. But moving into a larger place meant that their furniture and artwork weren’t quite to scale with the room, leaving it feeling a little disorganized and haphazard.
If you have little ones in your house, you know that — while they’re adorable — they’re not always the neatest. Between crayon marks on walls and toys all over the carpet, it’s tough to hit the right balance between wanting your kids to have fun and wanting your house to look its best. But it’s possible!Creating a dedicated play area in your living room can be a great way to corral the fun without compromising your design style.
Working from home, working out from home, hosting friends, hanging as a family: We ask a lot of our houses. Sometimes, we have to get creative to make everything happen in the same place while keeping our style intact.For professional photographer Samantha and her husband, the challenge was making their eclectic and artsy Los Angeles living room more efficient and multifunctional for the whole family.
In the days before a big trip, our to-do lists just seem to get longer: Pack an extra phone charger! Pick up that prescription refill! Don’t forget to check in for your flight! There’s so much to remember when preparing yourself for travel that it can be easy to forget to prepare your house, too.Making sure your home is safe and sound while you’re gone is a crucial part of travel prep — but luckily, it’s not complicated.
Back in April, with the launch of Color Search 3.0, we introduced the new Search by Room tool which lets you pick a palette and specify a room to find color inspiration from our House Tours. After a few months (and thousands of Color Searches) we were curious to boldly go where no Color Searcher has gone before! We dove into all that data to see what the most popular Sherwin-Williams® Color Searches have been, room by room.
Our dogs are family — and like family, we want to take the best care of them that we possibly can. That includes some obvious preparations to keep them safe and healthy every day: a sturdy harness and leash for walks, puzzle toys to keep their minds stimulated, and nutritious treats for when they’re the goodest boys and girls. (So, always.)There are also additional precautions you might not think of at first that can pay off big in peace of mind.
What’s our favorite way to get excited about summer? Updating our space! There’s something about these brighter days that helps us see our home in a whole new way. Maybe you want to take advantage of your living room’s natural light, turn your patio into a sun-drenched oasis, or get your dining room ready for summertime gatherings. We say ride that warm-weather energy and give your living, dining, or outdoor area a fresh new look.
It’s almost summer, also known as spend-every-possible-second-outside season. If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space at home, don’t just drag your beach chairs out of the basement and call it a day. Terraces, patios, backyards — they all become additional rooms when the weather is right. And just like inside, a thoughtfully designed space that matches your style will reward you every time you fire up the grill, sit outside to read, or nap in the shade.
There are times in life when “home” is decidedly in flux. Maybe you’re moving, living the digital nomad life, or trying different styles before committing to your forever design. Whatever the reason, buying furniture — and then lugging it around from home to home — might not be high on your to-do list. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for low-quality items or miss out on your favorite trends.
If there’s a word that’s dominating our decor these days, it’s calm. With all the tumult of the past few years, you don’t need to be a minimalist to appreciate a more serene aesthetic, from softer lighting to more sumptuous fabrics. These design elements are like little sighs, making your space more comforting no matter what’s going on outside.
When we finally start to get a peek of spring, the itch to refresh our space soon follows. The new season’s fresh scents and happy hues inspire us to zhuzh things up a bit: a bright throw pillow here, a fresh floral print there. It’s fun to infuse our homes with subtle updates that make us smile and celebrate warmer, sunnier days.We asked interior stylist Tanika Rottura how she’d welcome the seasonal shift into her space.
There’s no better feeling than the first spring day when it’s finally warm enough to open the windows. It makes us want to capture that fresh-air feeling in our decor, too. But you don’t have to go all out: Small tweaks like peppier colors, brighter lighting, and warm-weather scents are all you need to transform your space’s mood for the season ahead.We asked Monica Chavez, who’s known for her clever DIYs, how she’d welcome the seasonal shift into her space.
The transition from winter to spring is a joyful one: After months of gray and cold, the days get longer, the birds start singing, and the air fills with the sweet scent of new growth. And we get eager to bring this invigorating energy home. With a few small tweaks and touches, our spaces can take on all the color and dynamism of the season, giving us the feeling of a fresh start every day.We asked DIY maven Ursula Carmona how she’d welcome the seasonal shift into her space.
Picture it: It’s early spring, and the season’s first flowers are blooming. The air is warm but still a little crisp, with a tranquil, fragrant breeze. We’d love to hang out in this idyllic scene all day long, but since that’s not exactly practical, we’re settling for the next best thing: bringing this serene, sweet-smelling seasonal vibe into our decor.
While spring slowly reveals itself bud by bud and bloom by bloom, there’s always that one moment in the season where it just “clicks.” It’s that feeling that makes you want to leap into a brighter, breezier style moment as soon as possible. Which doesn’t have to be a major change!
We’ve all gotten heart-eyes-emoji for an expensive real estate listing. Maybe it features your dream gourmet kitchen, city view, or poolside cabana. (Or hey, all three!) It’s way out of your price range — like, way out — but you mentally save it to your “If I win the lottery” folder. Well, it’s time to find those dreams a home for real.
You might think that in order to change the look and feel of a space, you have to make big sweeping changes. Not so! Just look to DIY maven Ursula Carmona for proof. As the host of HGTV’s Table Wars: The Look For Less, she knows how little tweaks can lead to a big impact.“There is something magical about the change of seasons,” Ursula says. “It keeps life fresh and reinvigorates us. Small design changes also reinvigorate our homes and welcome the vibe of each new season.
Nothing says spring quite like breathing new life into something cozy and familiar. Enter Isha Verma, a data scientist by day and avid DIY-er and thrift store upcycler by night. We love Isha’s approachable way of teaching folks the value of sustainability through thrifting; after all, spring is about the old becoming new and beautiful again.Isha curated a mood board for a soothing, inviting living room refresh inspired by the Air Wick® Scented Oils Peach & Nectar scent.
While it can be tempting to save hot pinks and bold purples for the middle of a sweltering summer, interior stylist Tanika Rottura encourages spring to roar in like a lion in a whole new way. And as we scroll through her Instagram, we can’t help but think she might be on to something.When it comes to a seasonal refresh rather than a full-on makeover, it can be difficult to know where to start. What tweaks will be too much, and what changes will be too little?
DIY maximalist Monica Chavez knows there isn’t just one way to say spring. The first sign of warmer weather might make you think of blush hues and bold blooms. Monica, on the other hand, plays with the idea that darker tones and heavier fabrics can still signal the start of the new season. There’s a secret that makes her bold choices still feel light and airy: incorporating springtime scents.
For those of us who spent the winter battling wild winds and cold temperatures, we’re more than ready to welcome the spring season. But even folks with the perfect weather year-round eagerly await the shift in seasons and the fresh start that comes with them.If you’ve spent any time on designer and former set decorator Cynthia Moreno’s Instagram, you know that she leans into seasons hard. Her home is filled with holiday DIYs, seasonal tweaks, and renter-friendly changes.
Quality sleep isn’t just something we need for our health. Those eight (-ish) hours are important, but they’re also preparation for all the hours that come after: the time we spend on our passion projects, families, and goals. Waking up refreshed — as in actually awake — sets us up to live our best lives until it’s time to go to sleep again. And, like our best lives, our best night’s sleep looks a little different for everybody.
Finding the right mattress can feel like dating: You can kiss a lot of frogs on your way to the perfect match. Firm or soft? Spring or foam? Side or back sleeper? Well, Tuft & Needle just launched a new mattress that answers those questions handily: All of the above. The new Mint Hybrid is, quite simply, The One.
Name: Andreea Gaul, husband Bryan, daughter Alina, Marlo (German shepherd), Louie (corgi), Penelope (cat)Location: Charleston, SCSize: 2,600 square feetType of Home: Single FamilyYears Lived In: 6 months, ownedWhen lifestyle content creator Andreea Gaul and her husband, Bryan, moved from Chicago to Charleston, they were shocked at the amount of space they could get for their money. And they needed it!
Name: Camille, husband Jack, and son EastonLocation: AtlantaSize: 2,250 square feetType of home: TownhomeYears lived in: 1.5 years (owned)Camille Dobbins-Jackson’s very first DIY didn’t just change her home — it changed her whole career. She wanted to create a show-stopping foyer in the airy Atlanta townhome she shares with her husband and son: complete with new moulding, elegant lighting, and a museum-style gallery of family portraits.
Finding your own style can be tricky enough, let alone adding someone else’s into the mix. But when we’re sharing a space — be it with roommates, significant others, or family members — that’s exactly what we have to do. While mixing modern with traditional or boho with industrial may sound like mixing oil and water, there’s a way to do it that lets everyone feel at home. And it can actually be fun, too.
Our interior styles are always evolving — that’s half the fun of decorating! We’re constantly tweaking our decor to create a home that feels ever more ours. And while we love it when a guest compliments our efforts, like an area rug or accent chair, that’s not our favorite part. Our favorite part is getting to say, “You won’t believe the deal I got on this.” Enter Overstock.com.
This article is sponsored by Ring. All prices and savings listed in this post are as of publication and could change.There’s so much I love about living alone: decorating how I want, not hesitating to bring home yet another houseplant, never having to remind a roommate again to unload the dishwasher. But while living alone helps me feel more confident, more empowered, and more myself, it can also feel a little vulnerable sometimes.
There’s nothing like getting that big idea for a room makeover or DIY. Your mind is swimming with inspiration, ideas, and daydreams about your brand-new space. You think, “So many possibilities!” And then you think, “So. Many. Possibilities.”Don’t panic: When you’re dreaming big, the first step is always the hardest.
You can accomplish a lot in eight weeks — even a whole room renovation. That’s the spirit of the One Room Challenge®, a two-month event that encourages designers and DIYers of all experience levels to tackle that big room redo of their dreams. We’ve been following three participants along the way, from the full-of-ideas beginning to the what-was-I-thinking? middle. Now, it’s time to see the results of all their hard work.
There’s a secret step hidden in every big DIY project: not quitting. The beginning and end are a blast, with their fresh energy and job-well-done satisfaction. It’s the middle — where your room is still a mess, and you’re not sure you chose the right furniture, and why did you start this project anyway? — that can get sticky. These three designers are in the middle right now.
The holidays are about family, togetherness, and memories. They’re also a little bit about being the house that everybody wants to stay at. We kid, but there is something special about waking up to a home full of loved ones. So we want to make our houseguests feel extra welcome, with a comfortable guest room full of thoughtful touches to help them settle in.
We’re convinced that the first person to say “Work smarter, not harder,” was talking about cleaning. Of course, there’s a time and place for a roll-up-your-sleeves, crank-up-the-tunes deep clean. But keeping your home tidy day-to-day is all about efficiency: shortcuts and multitasking tricks to help your home feel clean even when it’s not, per se, spotless.
Pets love routine, and the holidays are anything but. Suddenly there are new house guests, an ornate tree in the living room, and a Santa hat they’re expected to don for family photos. Amidst all the (human) activity, it can be easy to forget that your pets, and their messes, might need a little extra attention this time of year. No worries: With some simple prep and cleaning tricks, everyone in your house can enjoy the season.
When you’re getting dinner on the table, there’s one step that often gets put off until the last minute: setting it. As prime entertaining season approaches, we challenge you to start by setting the table — and to go all out. (In fact, a common tip we hear among our favorite entertaining experts is to set the table the night before the party. It won’t get lost in the day-of chaos, and you’ll know that every part of the meal has its place.
The holidays will be here before we know it. While this season ushers in lots of excitement, the end of the year can often feel frantic and even stressful. Take gift shopping, for example: Whether you’re buying for a few close loved ones or your list is longer this year, choosing a present that shows you care — and one your recipient will actually be excited to receive — can pose a challenge.
In theory, doing our holiday shopping early is totally achievable. But in reality, that luxury is gone before we know it — whoops! December catches us off guard, and instead of having enough time to search for meaningful gifts for everyone on our lists, we’re left scrambling to find things that are still in stock and won’t be delivered (too) late.Which is why we appreciate Minted so much.
There are few big-ticket items that withstand the test of time and look amazing in your home for decades. Even fewer that double as conversation starters and instant, interactive icebreakers at those holiday parties. In fact, we can only think of one: a piano.You might not have a piano yourself, but we bet your parents or grandparents did. Pianos used to be staples and centerpieces of the home — part statement piece, part at-the-ready entertainment.
With 2023 just a few calendar flips away, we’re excited to see which trends will inspire our home decor. And as much as we wish we could check a crystal ball for next year’s styles, interior design doesn’t work like that. In lieu of gaining psychic powers, we asked three New York School of Interior Design professors to share their predictions for 2023’s most influential home trends.
When it comes to choosing a wall paint color, you can’t go wrong with neutrals. But in 2023, we challenge you to go big with color. Adding a vibrant accent wall to your living room, giving your entryway a pop, or painting your dining room ceiling (!) a dramatic shade is just the creative refresh your space needs.When you’re ready to bring more individuality to your home, look to the Benjamin Moore Color Trends palette for 2023.
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent are known for designing homes on TV that are both stylish and practical. Now your IRL home can get the same pampering, seriously! The secret is in their signature furniture line.We love how every piece in Nate and Jeremiah’s new fall collection gives you a little bit from each of them. So while Nate captures your attention with timeless and worldly designs, Jeremiah comforts you with luxurious fabrics and natural textures.
An eye-catching floral mural welcomes visitors to Mother’s Pantry in Inkster, MI, offering a preview of the positive spirit inside: As the area’s only client choice food pantry, they allow clients to shop like a grocery store, selecting items to suit their families’ dietary needs. Supporting its community’s health is a critical mission for Mother’s Pantry, and one its staff and volunteers take seriously.
Name: Bianca JadeLocation: Brooklyn, NYSize: 2,813 sqftType of home: BrownstoneYears lived in: 1 year, rentingWhether she’s reporting on the latest fitness trends, sharing skincare secrets, or posting pics of her amazing nail art, wellness expert and TV host Bianca Jade is always on the move. So she needs her Brooklyn home — a gorgeously restored brownstone full of natural light and warm wood details — to be a place of calm and relaxation.
Name: Lisa Hayim, MS, RD, and Evan Shlofmitz, D.O.Location: North Shore Long Island, NYType of home: Single-family homeYears lived in: 2 yearsLisa Hayim is the real-talk friend we all need when it comes to wellness. A registered dietician, yoga instructor, recipe developer, wellness pro, and mom-to-be, she’s just as concerned about what goes into her body as she is about the space around her.
Erin and Jimmy are the kind of newlywed couple you’d love to hate, but they’re just too adorable. They sincerely enjoy each other’s company, share each other’s interests, and have countless other qualities that the rest of us are looking for on sites like WhyCantIFindMySoulmate.com. When they’re not making each other laugh or playing board games (no, really), they’re serious football fans who love watching the game with their friends.
Painting is one of our favorite quick decor fixes. It’s such a reliable way to personalize a home, to add character, sophistication and depth to a space. But easy as it is to buy paint and rollers and get color up on the walls, painting is not without its challenges, especially for renters who are often faced with reluctant landlords or stuck with previous tenants’ color choices.
