Decorating

Multipurpose seems to be in IKEA’s DNA—the Swedish brand is always churning out collapsible, mobile, and transformable products with handy features. Design chameleons, as I like to call them. You think something’s a table, then all of a sudden, pull the pieces apart and you’ve got a storage basket and a tray. IKEA also seems to understand that small space living is on the rise, and this trend calls for items with dual functionality.

Spoilers ahead for season one of “Forever.” With the Fall 2018 season underway, we are returning to some our favorite TV abodes, and getting invited inside a few new ones. Join us this month as we explore the best homes on the small screen. Show: “Forever”—Season one streaming on Amazon Prime.

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.

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.

Lighting can totally make or break a room, and it can be easier to change out than you think, even in a rental. Take it from me—I’ve swapped out three fixtures in my space and brought in my own special bulbs for the recessed cans in my living room and the strip above my medicine cabinet. Don’t be that person that lets a crappy builder’s grade fixture bring down your otherwise awesome room. You can find something cool without spending a fortune, I promise.

When you want smart space-saving strategies, you can pretty much turn to IKEA. Almost all of their interior images are built sets, so they’re jam packed full of editorial ideas that someone has dreamt up and turned into reality. Inspiration abounds, and yet, these IKEA “homes” still feel like real homes with actionable ideas beyond just buying a table or a sofa or whatever.

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.

Mattresses are not like makeup, people! They’re not an impulse buy you make after seeing an ad on Instagram or watching a YouTube video once. They’re pricey and not something you’re constantly adding to your cart, online or IRL. So when you hear about one that’s racking up Kylie Lip Kit or Glossier Boy Brow waitlist numbers—that is, thousands of people deep—home design enthusiasts like myself have no choice but to take notice.

A beach house can be so wrong or so right. You either fill it with all the crap you don’t have room for at your full-time residence or you make it a sanctuary with fresh, earthy tones and ocean-inspired artwork and collectibles. I would watch Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin anywhere, but watching them in a well-designed oceanside getaway is incredibly satisfying.

Remember when we all lost our minds over The Wing’s decor when founders Audrey Gelman and Lauren Kassan opened their first outpost in NYC’s Flatiron district back in 2016? With every subsequent club location, things have just gotten better and better. And it’s not just the broad strokes with furnishings and finishes—the details are on point, too. I mean, I even wrote a story about how pretty (and budget-friendly!) the blush dinnerware they use in their cafes is.

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.

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.

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.

I’ve heard designers say this, in one way or another, what feels like a million times: Shop your home to change up your decor for free. And you know what—it’s a good idea, in theory. You can’t beat free, right? But, it’s also a little soundbite-y. And by that, I mean, how does one actually go about doing this? I’ve never pressed a designer for actionable tips—that is, until now.

The only thing better than a stylish kitchen utensil is one that didn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Luckily, IKEA is brimming with inexpensive, Scandi-style kitchen essentials that probably cost less than your fancy morning coffee. From wine racks to colanders, here are 13 go-to kitchen wares at IKEA for under 10 bucks.

A good rule of thumb for home purchases is the following: if you use something regularly (at least weekly, especially if it’s daily!), you should always buy quality. A dirt-cheap blender (or even one that you might have “borrowed” from your parent’s garage) is almost guaranteed to leave you frustrated with leaky pitchers and clumpy drinks. Say “No more!

Parsons tables, whether in the form of dining room tables, kitchen tables, consoles, coffee tables, or even desks, have been a design staple for about 80 years, yet they still look fresh, modern, and at-home in nearly any decor. Their no-nonsense shape and clean lines allow them to balance out any amount of whimsy and ground whatever onslaught of ornamentation. Read on for more about this true design classic. What exactly is a Parsons table?

Kate Spade’s colorful style has attracted not only millennial shoppers, but also the devotion of another iconic brand. Coach announced today that they have acquired the fellow New York based company in a cash deal of $2.4 billion. “Kate Spade has a truly unique and differentiated brand positioning with a broad lifestyle assortment and strong awareness among consumers, especially millennials,” said Coach CEO Victor Luis in a statement.

Good news, FLW fans: Schumacher has re-released the starchitect’s fabric designs in honor of Wright’s upcoming 150th birthday. Frank Lloyd Wright’s collection with the 19th century fabric brand originally debuted in 1955, after former House Beautiful editor Elizabeth Gordon encouraged the architect to start a line for those who didn’t live in his houses.

In the world of IKEA tropes, “IKEA is a death trap to couples” reigns supreme. But coming in at a close second is “I (a non-Swedish speaking individual) am somewhat flummoxed by the name of this bowl.” IKEA product names have long since been a source of delight, confusion and humor for many IKEA fans. Lucky for us, a brave man has put together the ultimate IKEA dictionary.

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.

Rocking chairs are having a comeback, and the new fashion-conscious reimagined pieces will make you crave a rocker of your own. You can choose a wicker option to blend in with your Southwestern living room, or a blue velvet rocking chair to add a luxurious touch to a corner. There are tanned leather chairs that feel distinguished, and mid-century-inspired ones that will giving your room a vintage touch.

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.

When Target introduced their Opalhouse line last year it was a surprise departure from the more classic, everyday pieces the store was known for. All of a sudden we were hit with an explosion of texture and color and an array of furnishings that were at once boho chic and maximalist-friendly, and AT’s edit team was immediately hooked. In the words of our Managing Editor, Sarah Yang: “Opalhouse is my personal brand.

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.

While it can be tempting to embrace ALL of the prints, less is more when it comes to decorating with these fun fabrics.

A good over-the-door organizer can be a game-changer when you aren't working with a ton of storage space.

Everything you need to get the look of some of our most popular spaces.

I’m a creature of habit in that I always have to leave my keys in the exact same spot by the front door every time I come home, or else I just know I will forget them when I leave (trust me, it’s happened too many times to count). If you’re looking to streamline—or simply create—an entry organization system, we’re here to help.

It’s fun buying skincare and new lipstick shades, but it’s not fun being avalanched by those bottles each time you open your bathroom cabinet. If you have been trying to keep your products tidy but see them back to their old cluttered mess within a few days, it might be time for some reinforcement. There are a ton of bathroom storage products that will organize your beauty products once and for all.

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!

Is it just us, or does buying a bathmat feel like a Catch-22? On the one hand, you need a mat in your bathroom. What’s the alternative? Getting your floor all wet or, even worse, slipping after a relaxing bath or shower? Um, no thank you. But while bathmats are integral to every home, you have to admit they’re not always the most stylish accessories.

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

Some people can look at an empty room and visualize where every furniture item will go, what fabric will work for the curtains, and what planter they should buy for the corner by the window. Others need real, tangible inspiration—spaces they can shop like you might buy clothes off of a mannequin. And while there are showrooms for that, they can feel cold and uninviting—it’s hard to picture living in a showroom. Enter: the shoppable stay.

A sale is just a swipe away!

Sometimes you want your home to feel like Kate Winslet’s English cottage in “The Holiday,” and sometimes you want to go full Great Gatsby and drink champagne in your Art Deco-era settee. If you’re in need of some extra glamour in your space (who isn’t after this dull winter?), there are plenty of ways to do it, including adding gold accents with furniture and decor.

Looking to well, switch, your plain plate and outlet covers for something a little more stylish? It’s one of the easiest ways to update your space in mere minutes with minimal effort. And we’ve got you covered with these eight products, with options to please each member of the family. Oh, and the best part? Everything in this roundup is under $20. Add a stylish dose of on-trend brass to your home with this sleek cover. It won’t even set you back a full five bucks.

Springtime is the season to make big home changes and invest in larger furniture items—it’s that “out with the old, in with the new” vibe in the air. You don’t need a lot to refresh your space in small, subtle ways, but if you’re ready to commit to a piece of quality furniture, allow us to direct you to Interior Define.

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.

Am I the only one who wants a complete makeover every time another birthday rolls around? There’s just something about starting a new year that feels like the perfect time to try out a fresh look. My own is coming up next week and I’m already planning to dye my hair a new color and maybe get another ear piercing. And it turns out, IKEA furniture is a fan of the new year, new me mantra too.

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

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

When I moved to New York City last year I approached the prospect of furnishing and decorating my first “real” apartment with excitement and, in typical Virgo fashion, a vision. My main goal was to create a cozy abode that would be my refuge from the insomnia and nonstop hustle happening outside.

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.

Major blizzards or no, spring is on its way. And the first harbinger of warmer months? Spring collections rolling out at stores. Like a breath of fresh air after a long winter, it’s the perfect excuse to revive your space with pieces that are lighter, brighter, or just plain newer feeling. Urban Outfitters began to quietly roll out their spring collection last week, and while the full collection won’t be online for a few more weeks, much of it is available now.

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

Anthropologie just released a new collection and it’s a perfect match for those of us who love florals and bright colors and hate restraint when decorating. The exclusive collection reimagines the work of Paule Marrot (1902-1987), a French textile designer who favored bold patterns and rich hues in her work. Designed in collaboration with the editors of Paule Marrot Paris, the collection includes goods for the whole home, from the bedroom to the kitchen and everywhere in between.

Happy New Year to all of my fellow Trader Joe’s fans suffering from super-scaly appendages, thanks to this lovely cold front we are experiencing! It might be frigid and dry outside, but GUESS WHAT? You still have to wash copious amounts of dishes. Perhaps even more than usual. And go outside to brave the cold regularly. Yay! I have four words for all of you: Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream.

*Adds to cart*

The New Year is here and it’s bringing a whole slew of cool new home ddcor trends with it. According to our friends at Etsy, overly lavish decor is on its way out and more earth-inspired styles, particularly Southwestern motifs like colorful woven textiles and desert-style art, will be taking over our homes instead. So to jumpstart your design endeavors for the New Year, here are eight stylish Southwestern-inspired home decor goods you can order right now on Amazon.

Step aside, straight lines; in 2019, and it’s all about embracing your curves. Over the past few months, we’ve seen design blogs, stylish furniture designers, and cool spaces like the Wing ditch the boxy furniture for hip pieces with rounded edges—and we are so here for it. Don’t get us wrong: We love furniture and accessories of all shapes. However, curvy pieces energize a room in a way their square counterparts can’t.

Because anything that makes finding a rug easier is greatly appreciated.

Let’s face it: Finding the room to fit all your stuff in a tiny apartment is tough. Fortunately, one of our favorite online retailers, Amazon, offers an impressive assortment of wall-mounted furnishings that are both space-savvy and super functional. To prove our point, we searched Amazon high and low and rounded up seven wall-mounted storage solutions to help you make the most of your small bedroom.

In case you’re not familiar with the premise of Dollar Tree, here it is: Everything they sell is $1. Wander through the store, and you’ll find everything from dinnerware and kids’ gear to cleaning supplies and home improvement tools—all for a dollar (sometimes you can even get multiples for a buck!). Yes, while some stores with “dollar” in the name have strayed away from selling everything for $1, Dollar Tree has managed to stick with it.

A glass of wine is a unit of measurement (technically, just five ounces), but it’s also a state of mind. For the days that call for a more generous pour, there’s a surprisingly robust selection of wine glasses that push the boundaries of ‘really big’ right into the land of “freakishly large.” If you want a wine glass that will make you feel really tiny and really tipsy (but seriously, drink responsibly), we’ve got a few options.

Every once in a while I come across an organizer that seriously makes my heart skip a beat. It’s rare, so when it happens I have to take a minute to tell you guys about it. Earlier this year, I waxed poetic about this $10 flatware organizer for narrow drawers, which I’ll still talk about to anyone who will listen. And just a few weeks ago I came across this wire under-shelf basket … in copper! Yes, I’ve seen under-shelf baskets before.

Towels may serve a strictly utilitarian purpose—to dry you off after a shower, swim, or long bath—but, trust us, they’re far from basic. Truth is, choosing the right towel for your lifestyle and space can add a luxurious, spa-like quality to your standard bathroom. That’s why some people are willing to shell out the big bucks for ’em. (Need proof? Here are 14 bath towels that will rock your world!

If you thought those cheap plastic dinosaur toys from your youth would only come in handy when you babysit, it’s time to think again. Turns out those colorful cuties can be repurposed into some surprisingly snazzy home decor items—it just takes a little imagination. Read ahead for a few fun ways to upcycle those old plastic dinosaurs you and your cousins used to play with. The only thing better than a charming succulent planter is one that you made on your own.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Amazon has a bunch of home decor pieces that look expensive, but are ridiculously affordable. It’s not that surprising, right? After all, you can buy just about everything (and we mean everything) at the mega-retailer—and usually for a low, fair price. Of course, we’re not the only ones who think Amazon is a decorating enthusiast’s paradise.

When you think of monograms, do the frilly handkerchiefs from your grandmother’s handbag pop into your mind? Sure, monogramming has been around forever, but we’re loving all of the fresh, modern takes on the age-old classic that we’ve been coming across. Check out our favorite inspiration images and shopping picks below; we guarantee you’ll have a hard time settling on just one!

Do you ever walk into a stylish space and mentally try to decipher storied or custom pieces from those that were shipped in a flat pack from IKEA? That’s a cool game to play, right? IKEA, arguably Sweden’s finest contribution to the 20th and 21st century (I kid…?), has become a mecca of sorts for the broke-twenty-something-who-has-no-furniture folk to the high-caliber tastemaker fold, and for good reason: there is literally something for everyone.

When it comes to buying furniture, some pieces stay with you for a year or two, and some for a lifetime. But when it comes to buying furniture on a budget, more can fall into the former camp. And while some inexpensive options might be required to get started while you save up for more investment pieces, it’s also nice when those inexpensive pieces can grow with you.

Wouldn’t watching videos of adorable baby sea animals be so much more comforting if you were curled up on a sustainable sofa that was made from over 100 recycled plastic bottles? Enter: Lovesac’s new sofas, called “Sactionals”. Known for their eponymous next-level bean bags, Lovesac’s new modular sectionals look more like traditional upholstered couches that can be arranged and rearranged from one configuration to another in minutes.

Chunky sweaters, warm apple cider, and crisp, colorful leaves—what’s not to love about fall? Well, the decorations for starters. Don’t get us wrong: We love autumn as much as the next person, but the season is often associated with really, really cheesy decor. We’re talking about inflated ghosts and goblins in the front yard, garland covered in fake leaves, and mugs, throw pillows, and coasters declaring one’s love for pumpkin spice lattes.

There was a time when matching bedroom sets were de rigueur. If your bed frame, dresser, and nightstand didn’t match perfectly well, did you even have a bedroom? Alas, those years are far behind us, and now, full-on bedroom sets just feel too matchy-matchy. You’re much more likely to find bedrooms decorated with items that complement each other, but aren’t the exact same style, which gives you the chance to add your own personal style to the mix.

Book stacks, begone.

It’s been a big month for IKEA. First, the beloved Swedish furniture company debuted their 2019 catalog in stores on August 1, and now, they’ve released a slew of new products (some of which make an appearance in said catalog) that look surprisingly high-end. Of course, IKEA’s always been on top of the trends, but for a budget retailer some of these products really took me by surprise with their luxe touches and expensive appearance.

The 2019 IKEA Catalog is the gift that just keeps on giving. Beyond serving up tons of eye candy, painting ideas, and new collections, the IKEA catalog is a great place to go for a sneak peek at the home trends that will take the decor world by storm in the coming year. Ahead: A look at a few of our favorite home trends we spotted throughout the catalog. Get ready to see these everywhere in 2019.

Good news for farmhouse style fans: Chip and Joanna Gaines’ latest collection of Hearth & Hand with Magnolia is hitting Target stores this weekend. We have your exclusive sneak peek at everything new, plus tips from Joanna, below. There are over 50 pieces in the new collection, with prices ranging from $3.99 for a kitchen towel to $55.99 for a pouf, with most under $25.

The past seven days of my life have been shrouded in secrecy—like NDA-level secrecy—but I can finally open up and shout the big news from the rooftops (well, from Apartment Therapy, at least). The 2019 IKEA Catalog is officially here, and it’s a good one! Especially considering it’s the Swedish design giant’s 75th anniversary year.