Decorating

Time to really own your morning coffee routine.

I personally can’t get enough of reusable totes — they’re compact, eco-friendly, and handy for every task imaginable. Whether you’re transporting a stack of library books to loading up on fruits and veggies at the farmer’s market, reusable totes are lifesavers. Luckily, there seem to currently be more amazing options for sale than ever before. We’re sharing five of our favorites for every task under the sun.

Thank you for being a friend, ladies.

True confession: I’ve been keeping something – a deep dark decorating secret – from you lovely people. Last week, IKEA sent me an advance copy of the new 2018 catalog. I’ve been carrying it from my desk to my bedside table and back again each day, sneaking peeks whenever I could.

Affordable and easy-to-install, removable wallpaper is a goof-proof way to revamp your space without committing to something permanent. And good news: Amazon offers an array of stylish peel-and-stick wallpaper options so you can upgrade your place in a pinch — for cheap.

Yes, even tiny bathrooms can benefit from a storage cart.

Ok, sure, sure. It’ll work well as a storage solution just about anywhere, but we all know where and how this would really shine: as a room divider! Buildable-to-size with a variable mix of open and closed storage, the adjustable heights will make it a possibility for all sorts of studios, apartments and homes that could use some more definition to their space.

Bonus: it's all on Amazon.

Because your books deserve to be housed in style.

You'll never think your toothbrush is boring again.

It's the perfect blend of contemporary, traditional, and eclectic.

It might not be fun to talk about, but with winter approaching you know it's necessary

You know when you see an accessory in house tour after house tour and just know it has to be good? I’ve seen the Serena & Lily La Jolla basket pop up all over the blogs I read, plus my Instagram and Pinterest feeds, and I’m now majorly in lust. What seems to make this basket so great? For one, it’s quite large–it comes in three sizes to meet your needs, but a medium is 25 inches tall. It’s also extremely versatile.

A good-looking mirror can upgrade any area of your home in seconds. But what to do when you want to be able to check your lipstick in something with a little more pizazz than a traditional wall mirror? Good news: we did our research and discovered that the web is brimming with beautifully designed mirrors that look more like artwork than functional decor. From a lip-shaped stunner to a woven starburst style, here are seven artsy mirrors that will instantly liven up your space.

These aren't your favorite dive bar's stools.

Within the past year and a half, I’ve become an even more active thrift shopper, having found some amazing scores on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and even at the local Goodwill. While searching through someone else’s old stuff with the hope of finding treasure can certainly require some time and patience, it’s so worth it—especially when it comes to lamps.

Sconces are the chameleons of small space lighting — they blend in anywhere, whether a bathroom, hallway, or bedroom. Here are 10 particularly compact and useful designs, from high-end Italian pieces to budget utility lighting. West Elm Their Flat Stock Single Sconce has a mirrored backing that reflects light, and it’s affordably priced at $59. There are double and triple versions as well. If you’re a renter, check out their non-hardwired Industrial Sconce, $79.

So, you’re shopping for a sofa that won’t overwhelm your tiny studio apartment or you’re looking for seating to fit inside an alcove. The problem is, you keep coming up short (bad pun intended — sorry). Most furniture stores tend to favor large sizes, especially when it comes to anchor pieces like sofas and beds. But if you know where to look, you can find moderately sized sleepers, settees, and loveseats that will work in a small home.

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?

When you’re living in a small space there’s always that difficulty of where to put all the stuff. Especially if you don’t have a broom closet, finding a place to store all your cleaning supplies and tools can be a real issue. One of my favorite solutions to this problem is a fairly simple one: just buy cleaning tools you won’t mind leaving out. Perhaps you never thought that a dustpan could be beautiful, but that’s because you haven’t seen these dustpans.

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?

The new fall Anthropologie home collection is here and it’s beautiful. As a young urban woman who enjoys traveling and scentscapes, Anthropologie is 100% my jam.

Half the fun of flipping through the glossy pages of a furniture catalog is fantasizing about the bed, sofa or chair living in your own home. But it can be tough to envision the design in your space when your home’s style doesn’t quite match the impeccably styled look on the page. So abandon the catalog and check out these gorgeous real-life homes. This contemporary dining chair is sleek, shapely, easy-to-clean and most importantly…versatile!

Before KonMari was a household word, the town of Stars Hollow was busy hoarding coffee mugs, antique china, and novelty egg timers. Today we peel back the layers of framed photos, cozy quilts, and valances-on-drapes-on-sheers to dissect the iconic interiors of your favorite Gilmore Girls interior sets: Lorelei and Rory’s house, Richard and Emily’s mansion, The Dragonfly Inn, Luke’s Diner, and Luke’s apartment. First, we have the home of our favorite Lorelais.

I’m not a person who has had my wedding mapped out since I was a little girl. So when it came time to plan my recent nuptials, I didn’t really know where to begin. Sure, there were lots of virtual visits to Etsy and Pinterest for table numbers, bridesmaid gifts, décor ideas, hair and makeup. But what about the gift registry? Where do we register and what do we register for?

Emily Waldman, an expert vintage decor hunter and owner of a treasure-filled Austin abode, knows how to pick out old-fashioned gems when thrifting—and how to fold them beautifully into a modern, eclectic home that exudes youthful energy. She’s a big fan of a certain item with a reputation for being outdated—but her success in incorporating it into her house may persuade you to start looking for one the next time you thrift. Sound, solid thrift shopping advice.

If the words sheet mask, Peach & Lily, 10-step skincare routine, and BB cream are familiar to you, then you’re probably up on the Korean beauty trend, which continues to grow in popularity in the US—partly because it’s lauded as a more natural, intentional approach to skincare, and partly because of the ridiculously cute packaging. I mean, moisturizing face mist in a pink bunny bottle? You had me at bunny!

Sometimes the bedroom is the last space in the home that gets the love when it comes to decorating because we’re not even awake to enjoy it right? Wrong! It should be your sanctuary, a place to unwind and relax at the end of the day. This boho-glam bedroom will definitely do the trick. See how you can get this look on any budget. This beautiful bedroom designed by Ave Styles is full of interesting textures and patterns that are a little unexpected but work so well together.

Time and time again, necessity proves to be the mother of invention. That’s certainly the case for Femke Furnée, founder of FEST Amsterdam. If you’re already hip to the awesomeness that is this Dutch home goods company, you’re definitely not alone, as the brand, in its four years of operation, has taken the design world by storm. But let’s go back to the beginning here.

Two years ago, I moved into a new apartment, and, upon reporting my change of address to USPS for mail forwarding services, the onslaught of store catalogs littering my mailbox began. I’ve since tried to cancel most of them to no avail (having the worst luck with a store I won’t name, but let’s just say it rhymes with Lottery Yarn, of which I now get two copies, rather than zero). There are two, however, that I receive with glee, one being West Elm (the other, Anthropologie).

You’re probably familiar with L-shaped sectionals—they’re kind of a living room staple. Unlike traditional roll arms, settees and other formal sofa situations, more than one person can lay on them in a fully horizontal position, thanks to their shape and oversized proportions. That’s kind of a game changer when you think of all the Netflix binge watching and movie marathoning that goes on nowadays.

The Golden Girls' Miami Beach home is everything we love (hate?) about '80s decor. Here, we break down the elements that forever implanted this TV set into our nostalgic hearts.

We all have those unassuming, everyday things we buy that become game changers for our homes, right? They might not be the flashiest most stylish finds, but they are products that just make adult life easier (or at the very least, more bearable). These are the items we tell our friends/family/anyone that will listen about. (For instance, a really good hair unclogging tool.

Whether you’re looking for a piece to complete a space or want to offload a room full of furniture before a big move, resale sites can often be your best bet for scoring something original or reaching lots of buyers with your listings. E-marketplaces can be competitive for both sellers and shoppers, but the good news is there are more resources than ever for getting into the re-commerce game, and each has its own special twist to offer users.

Home Depot is a home run when you’re in need of screws, plywood, and mulch, but it may not be the first place you think of when it comes to decorating. And while I’m not about to say that it should be, necessarily, it certainly shouldn’t be ignored.

While we’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of HAY’s collaboration with IKEA (due in stores this October!), the Danish brand has some more great news: They just launched a collection of kitchen items, and they’re available as of today at the MoMA store. HAY Kitchen Market is a curated collection of essentials from HAY’s co-founder Mette Hay.

Ahh, back to school. The heady smells of crisp notebook paper and waxy crayons are in the air, which means it’s time to figure out where your kiddos’ lunch will be served out of when it’s time to put those pencils down and beeline toward the cafeteria. Here, we rounded up 12 top-rated picks for kids of all ages, from of-the-moment-but-really-useful bento boxes to easy-to-carry top-handle bags.

It’s that time of year again—Halloween! And why should kids shopping for costumes have all the fun? Treat your house to a little bit of festiveness, too. But first, decide what your spook style is: glam goth and scary, modern and minimalist or classic/throwback. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, there’s plenty out there for you to pick from for both indoors and out. Just for you, here’s our Halloween decor shopping scouting report.

Whether in-store or online, any fan of H&M Home will tell you it’s their one-stop shop for stylish and inexpensive home decor. However, what they won’t tell you is that figuring out what to buy when you’re overwhelmed with tons of options can be tricky, so it’s important to have an idea of what products you’re interested in ahead of shopping time.

I LOVE those retro-style refrigerators that come in an array of colors and look 1,000 times better than a regular fridge. But some of the ones available on the market today are on the pricey side out of the budget of many. And also maybe you rent and don’t have the ability to replace an entire fridge?! Thankfully there’s a smaller, more affordable and more mobile appliance alternative that is still cute but something you can take with you when you move.

You can recognize a ban.do product from a mile away—whether it’s an exercise mat emblazoned with words of motivation in a retro font or a cooler bag that looks like a giant watermelon slice. In other words, it’s all stuff that you didn’t know you needed in your life. What started with a few hair accessories in 2008 is now a multimillion-dollar lifestyle empire, and it’s all the work of founder Jen Gotch. Today, Jen leads ban.do as the chief creative officer.

Have you seen Amazon’s series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? Of course you have. The Golden Globes loved it. The Critics’ Choice Awards loved it. It just took home eight Emmys including Best Comedy Series, and season two is coming before the end of 2018. We don’t just love it because of the acting and writing; the production design is breathtaking. Throughout the first episode, I simply repeated, “I want to go to there,” a la Liz Lemon. How can we go to there?

I always leave Costco a bit traumatized by my receipts. When you’re spending $24 on paper towels alone, the bill adds up fast. But even though buying in bulk costs more upfront, it’s usually cheaper in the long run (that’s actually the whole point, of course). The question is: how much cheaper is it? Is it really worth it to have to stash all those big bottles and tubs just to save a few cents (not to mention the cost of membership)?

As someone who has watched the Netflix reboot through twice, I’m confident in saying it is a smashing success. I laughed. I cried. I wanted another eight episodes. The new Fab Five are so charming; it’s hard to stop watching. They’ve retained the same format at the original: Five gay men make over a (usually) straight guy. They redesign his home, his clothing, his hairstyle, and his inner confidence.

We all know spring is the season for growing: grass, flowers, trees…and to-do lists. After a winter of cocoon-like inertia, it’s time to get busy deep cleaning, organizing, fertilizing and mowing. So to get the ball rolling, we made a list of some of the most essential things you’ll need, then compared their prices at two mega-stores known for their bargains: Home Depot and Amazon. Here’s how they stacked up.

We’ve all been there. After decorating our dream living room/bedroom/kitchen, etc., we discover all kinds of unexpected eyesores—a.k.a. unsightly cords, wall outlets, radiators, etc.—that definitely weren’t a part of our design vision. So what to do when faced with unattractive (but oh-so-necessary) visual clutter? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Read ahead for a handful of ways to conceal (and sometimes incorporate) five common eyesores around your home.

Spring is a season of new beginnings. By now, you must be ready to tackle shaking out the winter cobwebs and doing a bit of a refresh around your home. I’m not talking an extreme renovation and remodeling, but more like a decorating mini makeover with a new piece of furniture or lighting. Or even a seasonal swap of pillows, throws and rugs. The Internet is kind of amazing insofar as it puts the inventory of big home retailers at your fingertips. But the downside of that is, THERE. ARE.

Target sells just about anything, from motor oil to mattress pads to milk. But of course Walmart sells a lot of the same stuff, too (plus some). Both of these stores aim to be your one-stop shop, whether you’re shopping in person or online, and this got us wondering: Are their prices as similar as their inventory? We compared prices at both stores, evaluating some of the most common household goods and personal care items to see which one will offer the biggest bargains.

You’ve probably heard of the site Dormify, but didn’t consider giving it a second glance because, well, you’re not in college anymore. However, considering the brand’s well-curated selection of decor for small spaces, it’s just as ideal for the urban dweller as it is for collegiate dorm rooms. Check out some of our highly covetable finds below. This black-and-white Scandi-inspired pillow sham will take your bedding game to the next level.

Don’t want to shell out $60-$120 on a Costco membership, but do want to take advantage of the club’s low prices? Well, you’re in luck, because these five retailers helpfully offer price-matching to us lowly non-members. Read on for all the details. There are reminders for each of the retailers below, but it warrants emphasis: be sure to read the fine print for any price-matching policy you come accross.

New Girl’s L.A. misfit friends are returning for their final season on Tuesday, April 10. [Spoilers ahead] The ending last season was tough because we didn’t know if we were saying goodbye forever or see ya later. Nick and Jess were kissing, Schmidt and Cece got pregnant, Winston is…Winston. It didn’t leave me totally satiated, but I wasn’t mad either. It was just kind of ‘eh’. Lucky for us, the team gets one more shot to wrap it up the way they want.

Recently, my parents sold my childhood home and bought a grown-up condo. Gone is the lovely, comfortable suburban dwelling that housed countless birthday parties, homework cram sessions and dance recital practices. Their new home doesn’t have to be kid proof; it can just be cool. And no show’s design has been quite so cool as Mad Men (my dad loves mid-century furniture, so it’s fairly obvious inspiration). The set of Mad Men was notoriously well researched and designed.

By now you’ve probably heard of Gen Z Yellow. We first introduced you to term late last fall, and now that Millennial Pink fatigue may be starting to set in, and Pantone’s own Ultra Violet still seems a little esoteric and dark, perhaps you’re ready to take this shade of sunshine for for a test drive?

Fun fact: You don’t need to be a professional chef to take advantage of some of the smart tools used in restaurant kitchens. And no, we’re not talking about $200 knives or fancy sous vide machines. We’re talking about the inexpensive, everyday sort of stuff that’ll make your time in the kitchen neater, easier, and just a tad bit better. See, many of the gadgets and tools that professional chefs use in restaurant kitchens can be just as useful to us casual home cooks.

With the monster hit of Avengers Infinity War still going strong at the box office (topping $2 billion worldwide), I’d like to celebrate Tom Hiddleston in his role as…Jonathan Pine, The Night Manager! And by celebrate him, I mean focus solely on the Egyptian interiors of the Nefertiti Hotel in Cairo.

If you’ve been to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in midtown Manhattan, you’ve probably marveled at its permanent collection, which includes some of the most iconic and immediately recognizable works, ever — there’s the melting clocks of Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory, the soft-focus pastels of Claude Monet’s massive Water Lilies triptych, and everyone’s go-to poster from their freshman year, Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night.

We’ve sung the praises of Fouta (a.k.a Turkish Towels, Peshtemal, Hammam) before. They’re lightweight and thin, which is great for folding and storing, but still pretty absorptive. If they’re authentic, the cotton gets softer with every wash. They come in a bunch of shades, perfect for adding a pop of color to any space that needs it.

It only took 14 years, but we finally have the superhero film we deserve. The hero being mid-century modern design. Picking up right where the first installment left off, the Parr family is on the forefront of the fight to make superheroes legal again. During that process, they are set up in a mid-century design lover’s dream house. And lucky for you, Zillow created a listing so you can really get a sense of the home’s super features.

I might be a little biased, since one of the first things Aliza Kelly Faragher told me was that my name, which rhymes and has always made me weirdly self-conscious, holds a lot of power in spellwork and spiritual practice. Let’s just say it was a good way to kick off a conversation with Allure magazine’s resident astrologer and the author of the forthcoming book, The Mixology of Astrology: Cosmic Cocktail Recipes for Every Sign (it drops August 7).

“Crazy Rich Asians” is sparkly and colorful; the story is heartwarming and heartbreaking; the acting is joyful, and the fact that this is the first entirely Asian cast of a major studio film since “The Joy Luck Club” makes its success all the sweeter (a sequel is already in the works). It also happens to be visually stunning. The majority of the movie is set in Singapore, which main character Nick Young’s family basically owns.

Are you nervous about pulling the trigger on a possible new paint job? It’s only normal to have a bit of decision paralysis on such a seemingly big decision. What colors do you choose? What happens if you change your mind once it actually dries on the wall? What happens if–gasp–you don’t like it? We consulted several of our favorite designers to ask them what exactly you can do to prevent any paint-related disasters from occurring in the first place.

We’ve all been there. You just bought the sofa, bed, desk—whatever—of your dreams, only to find out that it doesn’t fit in your space. Or worse, in your doorway. And it goes both ways. A too small piece can be just as annoying to deal with, time and energy-wise. Instead of hoping for the best when you’re unboxing or waiting for that white glove delivery, take matters into your own hands.

In a small space, every inch counts. There’s quite literally no room for frivolous decor items that don’t also provide a function. But the items in this post—spotted in real homes from recent house tours—are hardworking and good looking. Melina Peterson’s 300-square-foot New York studio apartment is not just small, it’s an odd shape.

I’m not an IKEA hater, and I’ll never be. There’s a reason they’ve become such a success. Their pieces are functional and affordable, and there’s something to be said for that. IKEA also basically put flat-pack furniture on the map, which is a win for all of us. Other companies have followed suit, and if you’re looking for something that might last a little longer than IKEA’s entry point pieces, you’ve come to the right place.

You don’t often hear people complaining about the roll-arm upholstered sofa or white tulip dining table they bought. There are just some pieces that transcend whatever time, space, or style of interior they’re thrown into. Good bones and timeless materials equal design staying power, people! And though quality generally comes at a higher price point, you’d be surprised at the well-priced classics that some of your favorite affordable home furnishing brands offer.

I consider myself something of a candle connoisseur. I’ve smelled a ton over the years and lit plenty, from Diptyque to Yankee and everything in between. Tapers, votives, you name it—there’s some kind of candle in practically every room of my home. But I’ve never given much thought to my burning technique, that is, until a recent trip to Nashville, Tennessee. Turns out the country music capital also knows a thing or two about getting (candles) lit.

Now is about the time that fall lovers start bringing out—or going out and buying—cute home accessories to cozy up their spaces in anticipation of autumn. Whether you already have some fun fall-related decor or you’re starting from scratch, don’t spend a ton of money transforming your home for the season.

Recently, we teamed up with Amazon to bring you some first apartment essentials. When you have to start from almost nothing, it’s hard not to look towards budget. But rather than going generic, we found useful, design-forward buys that are also budget-conscious. Of course, you don’t need to be moving, or even in your first apartment, to want some of these affordable buys. Here are some of our favorites perfect for your living room, or anywhere you might want to hang out.

There’s nothing wrong with using outdoor furniture indoors. In many ways, it’s actually a smart move. Pieces created with outside use in mind are typically built to withstand things like wind, moisture and extreme temperatures. So if you have kids or pets, these items should be better suited to hold up to wear-and-tear. Some outdoor items have gotten a bad rap in the past for being not so stylish or crafted from less-than-cozy materials, which made them unfit for inside the home.

I just upgraded to a king-size bed, and sadly, I think my nightstands are going to have to go. This is New York City after all. It’s all about compromising. There just isn’t enough room for everything you want. All is good on the lighting front—I have a floor lamp that’ll suffice for reading in bed. But what about all the stuff I jam into that tiny nightstand drawer?

The hype is the well-deserved; Netflix’s summer smash rom-com ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ is sticky sweet, like cotton candy, perfect for when you’re in the mood for a burst of flavor—or color, as is the case for the design. Much like Lara Jean’s love life, her room is whimsical…and messy. A true romantic’s safe haven.

As the weather starts getting brisker, there are few things better than getting home and jumping into your coziest night-in uniform—especially when it happens to be Harry Potter-inspired. Sure, it’s thoughtful to get the entire family in on the wicked apparel, but there’s something about treating yourself to a unique set (and perhaps a plush wrap) that sounds much more…relaxing.