Decor & Accessories Decorating

I’m constantly trying to predict what’s going to be the new “For Like Ever” poster. I’ve written about a potential typographic contender before, which I loved for its simplicity and reference to a Talking Heads song. And now I think I’ve figured out another heir apparent: Block Shop and their woodblock paper prints. This L.A.- and Jaipur-based studio’s stuff is everywhere, from house tours on AT to Instagram and Pinterest.

I’m not saying wall art is done with, or one-color painted walls are outdated. But from a spate of stunning recent house tours, it’s clear murals are a wall trend that deserves attention. The homes in this post are utterly one-of-a-kind, due in no small part to the fantastic wall murals seen within. And the best part: Painting a wall mural is affordable and totally DIY-able.

The Trader Joe’s hits just keep coming. I’ve written a lot about their fantastic seasonal pop-up items—most recently wheat stalks—which are my go-to favorite for lazy decorating on the fly, and on the cheap. Their latest offering is dried lavender, which you can find in bundles right inside the front door, and throw in your cart while you do the regular weekly grocery shopping. Buy these while they last at the store, because they’ll last forever at home.

‘Tis the season for holiday decorating! Year after year, I find myself wanting to spend a small fortune on mini trees, lights, and all things festive. But after the first year of going all out in my apartment, I had to pull back. Because there are only so many places you can add cheer to in 600-square-foot apartment, that is, without stumbling over faux reindeer or worse, blowing a fuse.

Lighting doesn’t have to be so serious all the time. I mean, don’t get it twisted. Lamps, pendants, sconces—they all still need to be functional, but if you can find something that looks cute and might get a chuckle or two from a houseguest, while still dutifully illuminating an area, I’m sold. And so, I bring you the latest trend to check all of those boxes: Animal lamps.

This time of year, there’s really nothing better than channel surfing and landing on a Hallmark holiday movie marathon or spending a whole weekend streaming classic Christmas movies. But as many times as you’ve watched “Home Alone” or “Love Actually,” have you ever really taken notice of the films’ holiday decor? I mean, you can’t have a Hollywood Christmas without lights, a tree, and other festive flourishes, am I right?

Well, the end of the year is upon us, and it’s time to look forward to what 2019 has to offer in terms of style and design. But I also think it’s fun to reflect on the past and think about what trends might be running their course. What I’m about to say might be a little polarizing, especially if you live in a rental and can’t really do much about your surroundings. But the one trend I hope stays in 2018 is: Bright white painted walls.

There’s some wacky but true stat that says we spend about one-third of our lives in bed. The bulk of that time is spent sleeping, but there may be a little bit of active awake time in there, streaming Netflix or otherwise hanging out. And no matter the activity, your surroundings are important. With that in mind, make 2019 the year that you actually get your act together—at least in terms of bedroom design.

Have you looked on Amazon for decor items recently? And I mean really looked. Since launching their private label home goods last year, Amazon’s offerings have really come a long way. Obviously, you can get other brands on the site too. But if you’re looking for something budget friendly that’s a little more under-the-radar, start with the site’s exclusives.

There’s a moment in the upcoming Warner Bros. romantic comedy, “Isn’t It Romantic,” when Rebel Wilson walks into a fancy New York apartment she doesn’t believe belongs to her. “Someone’s broken into my apartment and they’ve taken everything and replaced it with much nicer stuff,” Wilson explains to a 911 operator as she discovers pints of Talenti gelato in the freezer and rows of heels in the walk-in closet.

IKEA isn’t exactly the first place you think of when looking for wedding decor, but I’d argue that that’s actually a good thing for two reasons. First, the price is right, and there’s no “wedding upcharge” there—which is a real phenomenon and exists for everything from cake to candles and beyond with many vendors. Second, much of what IKEA sells doesn’t feel totally specific to a wedding, so you can actually use things again and again.

Styling a coffee table is an opportunity to show your personality to anyone who walks through your doors, either by displaying your prized photos and objects, your favorite books and magazines, or even some fresh flowers and plants. And, of course, you’re going to want a place for things like your TV and speaker remotes here too. Oh, and maybe some space for refreshments? So, it’s easy to go overboard with stuff on this surface. But it’s not inevitable.

Decorating isn’t cheap, especially when it comes to shopping for furnishings and finishes that are stylish, durable, and comfortable. Finding all of those qualities in a single piece for a sensible price is a little bit like finding a diamond in the rough, but it’s doable. And if anyone knows how to stretch a dollar, it’s a designer. I mean, no clients are ever mad when their project comes in under budget, right?

Monica Gellar’s apartment is iconic, mainly because over the course of “Friends'” 10 seasons, aside from inhabitants, it didn’t change very much. (Okay, so it looked very different with Chandler and Joey’s Lay-Z-Boys in there.) But just because the show never imagined the apartment differently, doesn’t mean we can’t.

If you like design, there’s a good chance you also like books—especially ones about interiors and art, which tend to be big. No matter the subject, books bring so much joy to a home—whether it’s by providing entertainment, education, or escape. And on a more superficial level, they add color and texture to a space to make it more visually rich and interesting too.

Decorating can be hard, especially when you move into your first apartment. The cards are kind of stacked against you—it’s small, you likely don’t have much furniture of your own, you might have a roommate (or several!), and you’re probably not making bank yet, meaning the budget is tight. So you’re bound to make a mistake or two in setting up your space. We have all been there, and the good news is most of these decorating issues can be solved pretty easily.

Two is always better than one, and the same rule applies to coffee tables. Over the last year, there has been a spike in styled living rooms that have taken the usual formula of one big coffee table and broken it up into two separate pieces. Nesting coffee tables don’t just apply to big living rooms that have the extra square footage for additional tables.

Q: Hi! My fiance and I recently moved into a Victorian terraced cottage in England. Our living room and and dining room are finally coming together and we’re ready to hang art on the walls. But there is this awkwardly high chair rail (or dado rail as the English call it) around the walls of both rooms. It is 44 inches (102 cm) from the floor [see photo below]. We’ve already hung two prints on one wall in the living room and they are okay (although a little too high in my opinion).

Q: I am wondering if it’s unlawful for a pest control company to take photos of a tenant’s residence while they are spraying the apartment. I was informed recently from my landlord that the exterminator takes photos while he sprays, and reports the photos back to the landlord. Is this even legal? I noticed flashes of light while he walks through my unit, but I’ve never actually caught him taking pics. Thanks for your reply.

Q: Hi! I am hoping you can give me some much needed advice. I am renting my first apartment—it’s a two story townhouse—and I think one wall in the foyer would benefit greatly from a really bold, patterned wallpaper (I have no restrictions on what I can do in the unit). There’s just one problem. I have always been told that paint and wallpaper should only end at a corner or some other break in the wall, and this particular wall has no breaks.

Name: Nadine Location: Sliema, Malta The apartment is on the first floor, very compact and enjoys a limited amount of light. Our main aim was to maximize usage of space and brighten it up, ideally with natural light. The apartment was in a very run-down state, had moldy walls and plumbing problems. The style inspiration was Scandinavian with vintage elements.

Q: I am moving into a studio apartment. This is my first time living on my own. I’m fairly certain I want a double size bed inside this place (pictured), but I also have access to a single size bed or sofa-bed. There is one main living area between the entrance, kitchen, bath and balcony. There are windows along the wall where the balcony is.

Q: Most of the country doesn’t really have to think about this, but living in California we do. We have a large and beautiful wall behind our bed that is directly where your eyes go when you enter the room. Typically we would splurge on a nice large piece of art, but living with earthquakes that is totally frowned upon. Obviously getting smacked in the face in the middle of the night with a painting or mirror would not be great. What other ideas should we explore beyond wall paper?

Name: Monica Wheeler Location: Bronx, New York Size: 600 square feet – built 1950 Years lived in: Renting 2.5 years Tucked along a grassy and tree-lined East Bronx street is the ground-level home of Monica Wheeler, an interior design enthusiast. This patterned, cozy, and wholly inviting space is subject to cycles of furniture, art, and trinkets coming in and out whenever the mood strikes her.

Do you love bread? Now you can—ahem—prove it, not just with a GIF of Oprah or by obsessively watching and rewatching every Bread Week episode of the Great British Bake Off, but with a lamp that’s actually made from baked goods. This glutinous carbo load of design decadence is the brainchild of Japanese artist Yukiko Morita, a former baker who has turned her love of yeasted dough into a design object.

Many artists fantasize about taking a retreat to channel their creativity in the most peaceful way possible. We say if you’re aiming to summon your inner artistic genius, there’s a breathtaking artist-in-residence complex in Norway named “Fordypningsrommet Fleinvær” (Refugium at Fleinvær) that’s designed to be a haven for innovative minds to convene and create.

When it comes to IKEA products and furniture, some items can feel a bit, well, over-exposed. Like if you see it one more time on Instagram or even in an Apartment Therapy house tour, your head might explode. Or is that just me? All kidding aside, there are more than a few IKEA pieces that have become cult-classics. And it’s not just because they’re cheap. They actually live up to the hype either in terms of form, function or both.

It's so versatile!

Renting? Sconces are most likely still a viable option.

If you thought jewel tones were best reserved for cold weather decor, you are sorely mistaken. Inspired by the natural shades of gemstones, such as amethyst, sapphire, and ruby, jewel-toned homewares are a colorful way to jazz up your space anytime of year. Still not convinced? We rounded up some stylish, jewel-toned decor items at Amazon to prove our point. From an emerald-hued serving tray to a canary yellow accent chair, here’s what we found.

Shopping vintage can be incredibly rewarding, yet equally as frustrating. Not only can it feel like a treasure hunt to find the perfect vintage piece, but oftentimes quality or style can be lacking. Rugs especially can be difficult to source, although several sites have popped up to meet the demand for authentic, gorgeous vintage rugs. That’s why we were intrigued to learn that genuine vintage rugs were being sold right under our noses on Urban Outfitters.

Get the season off to a smooth start with these tips.

Name: Kittie and Lotus Blossom (her Shih-Tzu)Location: Tudor City, Midtown East, ManhattanSize: 170 square foot studio coopYears lived in: 5 years Original 1928 Pullman kitchen and Murphy bed Kittie and her husband pulled out the original Murphy bed and the original Pullman kitchen in order to create a small office nook and a modern kitchen counter, bar and sink area, respectively.

Name: Tim TuckerLocation: St. Louis, MissouriSize: 3,500 square feetYears lived in: 7 — owned Tim Tucker likens his carriage house in St. Louis’ Benton Park neighborhood to an “old boot.” The reference, which calls to mind neglected and timeworn materials, is apt. Inside his home is a what’s what of architectural and industrial detritus from well-known and/or demolished buildings in the city. With its 16 ft.

Name: John and Stacey Cline (and dog, Laz)Location: Skinker-DeBaliviere Neighborhood — St. Louis, MissouriSize: 787 square feetYears lived in: 2 — rented Minimalists, avert your eyes. Stacey and John’s apartment is the interior equivalent of a crazy quilt. It comprises an eclectic mosaic of recycled items, vintage fabrics, and reclaimed tidbits that Stacey brings in, mainly from thrift stores. She’s not afraid of pattern and color, and mixes them liberally to good effect.

Sure, it may take a bit longer to make your bed each morning, but the added oomph is so worth it.

Today marks one hundred years since the German art school Bauhaus opened its doors. While it only remained functioning for 14 years, Bauhaus’s impact on unifying art, craft, and technology through design remains one of the most influential movements to this day—and now, it has its own Google Doodle. When you press play on the Doodle, the animated art show starts rolling to life, complete with objects created by Bauhaus moving in a simple, minimalist fashion.

Ever find a skeleton key? How quaint they look—what a throwback to another time! But if you’ve looked in the locks aisle at a big-box hardware store lately, that may be the way modern keys are headed, too.Smart locks are crowding out traditional locks, and they just keep getting smarter.

A front door is a little bit like a book: A pretty cover will get you excited to discover what's behind it.

It’s no secret that replacing standard dresser or nightstand knobs with more stylish options can do wonders to transform a piece. But finding the perfect drawer pull—or figuring out how to score a whole set of them without spending too much money—can be a bit of a challenge, especially if time is of the essence and you just want to finish decorating your bedroom, like, now. Luckily, all of these drawer pulls are eligible for two-day shipping (thanks, Prime!

A good bar setup at home ensures that you’re always ready for happy hour. Luckily, Amazon is brimming with cute and clever bar accessories—many of which are priced for 10n bucks or less. Read ahead for seven items that will transform your bar cart—for cheap. Looking for an easy way to squeeze some fresh lemon or lime into your cocktail? This savvy spritzer has serrated teeth, so you can stick it straight inside a piece of fruit and then spray away.

I'm a lifelong renter and IKEA products have come to the rescue for many of my rental conundrums over the years.

We pay special attention to lighting. The glitzy chandelier featured in that historic house tour. Those coastal-inspired pendants along the bar at that airport restaurant. The single Edison bulb that illuminates your favorite hotel’s bedroom. “Lighting is one of the most important parts of a design—both the physical fixtures, as well as the quality of lighting,” says Dan Mazzarini of BHDM Design.

Wallpaper has been in and out of style over the last few decades. People might think that wallpaper could never be “in” again but it is making a comeback. Goop has decided to put their hat in the ring for their first-ever wallpaper collaboration. Goop has teamed up with DIY textile brand Tempaper to release a non-toxic, floral wallpaper.

Growing up, we had a few trunks in my house from my mom’s and grandma’s childhood days. They were worn-looking and covered in stickers from summer camp and travels, but they didn’t exactly catch my eye. As I grew older and started decorating my own apartment, I began to spot brass trunks all over Pinterest and fell for them, hard. Unlike the black, weathered trunks we’d had in our basement, these were shiny, glam-looking, and much more my style.

Thanks to the evolution of residential spaces, the term “house-hopping” has gained an alternate meaning. Case in point: Berlin startup Cabin Spacey’s prefab tiny houses. Singularly known as the Minimal House, the conservatively-sized structures are designed to accommodate so-called “urban nomads” who are in search of instant housing.

Accent tables can do a lot to make a room feel finished, but for such a small piece of your room, they can end up being surprisingly expensive. Fortunately, one of our favorite online retailers, Amazon, offers an impressive assortment of accent tables that are both super stylish and inexpensive. From a pair of nesting end tables to a two-tiered coffee table, here are some of the best accent tables under $50 on Amazon. The only thing better than a sleek and space-savvy end table is two of them.

Because offering advice on small space living is kind of our thing.

It's taking over home design, one line at a time.

Sometimes it’s just more fun to let a little piece of paper make a decision for us, be it paint color, vacation spot, or dinner delivery. You might remember these paper fortune tellers (also known as cootie catchers, chatterboxes, salt cellars, or whirlybirds) from your grade school days, made to pass time and bring a laugh or three. They’re great to play around with for nostalgia sake, or when you just can’t make that really “difficult” decision on your own.

Think poufs are overrated? Not so fast. There’s a reason these guys keep popping up in room after room. After all, they’re portable, comfortable, colorful, and stylish… certainly not every piece of decor fits this description. Need a little more convincing? Check out the ways in which 14 different homeowners and renters styled poufs in their spaces. Ah, the classic moroccan pouf.

How long have you been living with that wallpaper you hate? If you answered “too long,” read on—we just might have the inspiration and know-how you need to get going on your long-awaited project. We recently moved into an 1870s home that was covered—with the exception of one room—in wallpaper. It was mostly Victorian (1980s Victorian), and we couldn’t wait to get in there and remove every last bit.

This simple DIY trivet is perfect for tea-brewing winter months and a great gift for design lovers. Not only does it embody two of my current obsessions— geometric shapes and color-blocking against unfinished wood—but it also is super practical and can be separated into three individual trivets. Here’s how to make your very own: 1″ Wood beads (I used 39pcs) Cording Paint Tools Paintbrush Palette ScissorsPaperclip or large needle (optional) 1.

Just because shelves are utilitarian in nature doesn't mean they have to look it.

If the kitchen is the stomach of your home, the living room is definitely its heart. It’s where you can curl up with a book on a lazy Sunday, catch up with some friends over a glass of wine, or spend the entire weekend binge-watching whatever’s on Netflix (hey, we’re not judging). Your living room is such an important part of your home, it’s important to keep it looking its best at all times.

Who doesn’t love a good record player? They’re functional, stylish, and keep popping up in home tour after home tour. If you’re worried about adding one to your own place without making your houseguests wonder if they’ve been transported back to 1962, fear not. The rooms below prove that these babies can look just as cool now as they did way back when. Placing an antique-inspired record player on a trendy storage cart helps combine past and present.

With more and more people committed to adopting a nomadic lifestyle, the case for making permanent living spaces out of campers continues to grow stronger. Recently, we’ve seen a family of four living in a Mercedes sprinter van and even received an up close and personal look at this newlywed couple who transformed a retro van into a cozy tiny home to travel cross country.

Anthropologie’s latest collection has gone to the dogs. Available as of February 19, the boho retailer released Bone Appetite, its tableware collaboration with Philadelphia artist Jay McClellan, most known for his lively dog paintings. Bone Appetit will feature 11 items in total, among them mugs, dessert plates, dishtowels and platters.

ICYMI: Living in a small space isn’t all Instagrammable tiny houses or fun D.I.Y. projects from Pinterest. Sure, small spaces offer the unique challenge of maximizing your design chops in a teeny, tiny space, but the truth is it can be really frustrating. Not only do you have to find sneaky ways to make your small space look bigger, but you also have to figure out clever ways to store your stuff without turning it into a cluttered mess. But hitting the refresh button on your small home?

And you need to peek inside right meow.

While she’s not on TV at the moment, Joanna Gaines has been busier than ever. The “Fixer Upper” star just partnered with Anthropologie for the boho collection we didn’t know we needed. Available online as of February 14, Joanna Gaines for Anthropologie is a collection of 19 pillows (starting at $48) and rugs (starting at $68) that reflect the Magnolia founder’s “gathered” approach to decorating.

Think you just don’t have room for an area rug? We’re not so sure. These tiny houses prove that even the smallest of homes can benefit from a bold rug, whether you prefer something plush or are drawn to colorful kilim. Take a peek at these beautiful setups; we guarantee you won’t look at your bare floors the same way again. No room for a coffee table? Try placing a rug in front of the sofa instead. It’ll add extra warmth and encourage guests to plop down as they please.

These white kitchens are packed with personality.

Reason one million and one why LEGO will forever remain relevant. In addition to being classic toys and reminders of the best of our childhood days, they serve us in the most unexpected ways. There’s the extremely eye-catching LEGO kitchen island, and the 6,000-piece Hogwarts set made entirely out of the colorful building blocks to satisfy your inner wizard. At the intersection of art and functionality are the LEGO repairs by street artist Jan Vormann.

The New York apartment of actor Jon Hamm is now available to rent. After recently purchasing a home in California, the Mad Men star decided to rent out the two bedroom, 1,000 square foot penthouse—for $14,995 a month. Recently renovated, it still has plenty of pre-war charm and, most importantly, offers you a connection to Jon Hamm.

Psst…you can order ‘em all from the comfort of your couch.

I have a confession to make. I used to be fully committed to and head-over-heels in love with Craigslist, and only Craigslist, when it came to buying secondhand furniture. The deals on there were just too good. That time I scored a Lucite console table for only $25? Gold. The scorched bamboo side table I snagged for free? Yes, please! Ok, I’d used LetGo a couple of times and was always curious about the other resale apps out there, but 99 percent of the time, Craigslist had the goods.

Like all the best trends—velvet furnishings, pastel kitchen appliances, even low-carb diets—animal prints have cycled in and out of style over the years (and centuries). At times they’ve been perceived as luxurious and expensive, at other times tacky, outdated, and even a little scandalous, but they never truly leave the cultural lexicon (most recently, Tom Ford’s 2018 Fall Ready to Wear Collection relied heavily on those wild patterns).

Anyone who has seen “Sex and the City”has coveted Carrie Bradshaw’s overflowing closet, but at least it was fake—no one could have such a perfect room in real life! Except, apparently, Mindy Kaling. When prepping with her team for this year’s Producer’s Guild Awards, Kaling took a few getting-ready photos in her dreamy closet.

Few things are more exhilarating than moving into your first real home. But as fun as decorating it can be, it’s also easy to make a lot of rookie mistakes. So to help make the process of decorating your first home go a little smoother, we called on a few of our favorite designers to share the mistakes they (and their clients) seem to always make. From awkward furniture arrangements to picking the wrong paint color, these are the decorating mistakes we all make in our first homes.

If we’re being totally honest, a walk down memory lane can be a very cringe-worthy experience. How many pictures have you looked at in total disbelief that you actually left the house with crimped hair, layers of eyeliner, and a hot pink velour sweatsuit? Yeah, not our finest moments. Looking at pictures of your previous living spaces can elicit the same embarrassment.

If your living room could use a jolt of color, these images are sure to inspire.