Modern geometric tiny house with large windows on a grassy field at sunset.
This Uniquely Shaped Tiny Home Comes Fully Assembled
There’s no shortage of stylish tiny homes out there, but many still have some assembly required. This project—aptly titled Mobile Home—comes delivered, already fully assembled. Created by designer Ruzanna Andressa Oganesya, Mobile Home is built on a moving platform that can fit on a freight liner truck bed, and is therefore easily transported to any place you’d want to put a modern, off the grid tiny house.
Jul 17, 2020
The Psychology & Science of Decorating: Understanding the 5 Ways We Experience a Room
As anyone reading this site knows, design is about a lot more than just having a pretty room. There are many different elements that go into the experience of a space, and they can all have a significant impact on the way that we relate to our surroundings. In Environmental Interiors, authors Mary Jo Weale, James W. Croake, and W. Bruce Weale argue that human beings experience their environments in five ways: Through the senses—sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell.
Jul 17, 2020
Design Inspiration: Making the Most of a Bay Window
A window niche is design feature many would welcome. While this naturally lit offshoot of a room appears dreamy and wonderful, it can also be difficult to furnish. Finding a balance between maintaining functionality of the space while also integrating it into the rest of the room can be quite a challenge.Here in San Francisco, Victorians with bay windows can be found at every corner.
Jul 17, 2020
Renters Solutions: 7 Real Life Examples of White Walls that Work
Renters everywhere face a common enemy: the dreaded white wall. But should you have walls you cannot paint, fret not! These Apartment Therapy renters work with the white wall, not against it. Granted, we are not all blessed with crown moldings or 15 foot ceilings, but the principles ring true for many a space. The key element is natural light. Jesse’s Modern Bachelor Pad House Tour – Jesse’s space is a veritable tutorial in how to get the most out of a rental.
Jul 17, 2020
Urban Outfitter’s Latest Bedroom Collection Is An Updated Take On ’70s Boho
Once upon a time, Urban Outfitter’s home section was a place to go for inexpensive sleeper couches and duvet covers and not much else. Recently, however, the retailer has expanded its line to include a number of looks at affordable prices. The new Modern Boho collection is one such example. Rather than the “downtown loft” vibe of the UO days of yore, this is all sun-drenched Laurel Canyon bungalow.
Jul 17, 2020
Time to Bulk Up: You Can Now Shop at Costco Without a Membership
The old adage, “I don’t want to be a part of a club that would have me as a member” was clearly coined in the pre-Costco (pc) era. Costco memberships, while reasonable, are often just not worth it for the casual bulk buyer, but boy are they tempting. But good news abounds! You can now shop at Costco without a membership. Thanks to Google Express, you can now shop at Costco, a lone wolf without a membership, from the comfort of your own home. “There must be a catch!
Jul 17, 2020
Rules to Remember When You Want Dark Walls in a Small Space
Angie Teater‘s Midtown East studio apartment in Manhattan is, quite simply, stunning. There’s plenty of furniture arrangement inspiration for your own studio apartment, but there’s something special Angie aced in her home: She used dark wall paint without making her small (350 square feet, to be exact) apartment feel like a cave.Below, the smart ways she pulled it off translated into “rules” to keep in mind if you are planning on going over to the dark side.
Jul 17, 2020
How to Make It Work When You Have No Room for a Home Office: A Round-Up of Ideas & Inspirations
We know that it’s not always easy to visualize the possibilities of adding more into a small home, so here are some of our favorite posts—from roundups to Maxwell’s pro tips to a collection of small space house tours—to help you carve out a home office space when you’re short on space in general. Yes, You Can Fit A Home Office Into Your Tiny Home Try a small desk next to the sofa in place of an end table, as seen on Design Sponge.
Jul 17, 2020
How To Style Bookshelves Layer By Layer
Adding that last layer to a room means arranging and styling surfaces like windowsills, tabletops, and especially empty bookshelves. You can leave these to the last minute, as they are the finishing touches rather than the backbone of your design. Here’s how we tackled Ashley’s bookshelves during the makeover: Before you get started, gather lots of things in a variety of finishes, shapes, textures, and colors.
Jul 17, 2020
Marble Countertops 101: Yes, They’re a Great Idea!
I’ve always loved white marble countertops and I last wrote about them five years ago (43 comments BTW). They are bright, elegant, add character and are wonderful to cook on, particularly if you’re baking. They can also be one of the cheapest stone solutions if you choose Carrara marble, making them a great choice if you’re on an IKEA kitchen installation budget. However, many people are afraid of them due to the perception that they are high maintenance.
Jul 17, 2020
The Five Steps to a Beautifully Designed Living Room
I spotted the living room above in a recent Brooklyn house tour and instantly loved it. You can immediately see that it’s a balanced, well-appointed space. The arrangement is conducive for conversation, it feels sophisticated, and all the elements marry together beautifully. Not only do I think it’s a living room worth getting inspired by, it’s a living room that could be achieved on a budget and fit with many different styles.
Jul 17, 2020
Create More Visual Harmony in Your Home
What is harmony, when it comes to one’s home? Well, in general, it’s a feeling of peace and cohesiveness. It’s more than just feeling like everything goes together — it’s the sense that the whole space is better for every element in it. It’s a way to create a sense of calmness throughout your entire home that makes your life just a little bit better. And here are six ways to add more of it to your home!
Jul 17, 2020
A Foolproof Layering Formula for a Dreamy Rustic Glam Dining Room
The dining room — or in smaller homes, the “dining area” — has become a forgotten, cluttered spot in many homes. With our tables piled with old mail collecting dust, many of us eat our meals in front of Netflix or on the go. But whether you entertain guests or cook meals for one, you deserve a beautiful spot in your home just for enjoying eating a meal.
Jul 17, 2020
SMEG Adds Even More Appliances That Are Actual Works of Art
It’s Design Week in Milan and SMEG and Dolce & Gabbana are back with even more appliances turned art. If you thought the fridges were extra, just wait until you have a hand painted oven and range hood to match. The collection, called Sicily Is My Love, started as an exhibit at Milan Design Week in 2016. The fashion brand enlisted artists to paint traditional imagery on one hundred of the appliance maker’s hugely popular retro style refrigerators.
Jul 17, 2020
8 Discontinued IKEA Pieces We Wish They Would Bring Back
IKEA is always introducing exciting new products. The downside of this is that they’re always retiring old products. Some of them you may never miss, or never even notice that they’re gone, but the loss of others feels like the loss of an old friend. (Sure, I never did buy a canopy bed from IKEA, but it was nice to know that I could. You know?) A moment of silence, please, for these eight beloved IKEA products, taken from us too soon.
Jul 16, 2020
20 Ways to Customize the IKEA KURA Loft Bed & Make It Your Own
The KURA loft bed has earned its cred and its staying power. It’s cheap, ideal for small homes and, as you’ll see in these twenty examples, offers endless opportunities for customization. Paint, wood, fabric: choose your medium and make your KURA your own with a simple color upgrade or a full-on hack. 1. Wood slats cover this KURA to totally transform the look and lend it a tree house feel. (IKEAHackers) 2.
Jul 16, 2020
Home Again Is Out Today, And With It, A New Nancy Meyers Kitchen To Love
If your weekend calls for a dose of interior eye candy, allow us to alert you to the existence of Home Again. The latest Nancy Meyers produced film with droolworthy sets (including a stellar kitchen, obviously) is in theaters today. The film is produced by Meyers and written and directed by her daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, in effect making it sort of like but not quite your average Meyers rom com.
Jul 16, 2020
5 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Rental Without Losing Your Security Deposit
You're five decorating ideas away from your dream home.
Jul 16, 2020
The Best Paint Colors: 10 Valspar Bold Brights
Sometimes you want to paint your walls a nice color, but sometimes you’re looking for COLOR. These 10 hues from Valspar will kick things up a few dozen notches, even if they’re confined to one little wall. But why limit yourself? Be bold! I never knew until this moment that I needed a glamorously green dining room, preferably including mint green chairs, faux fur, and a pineapple (above). Valspar’s Luscious Green (6010-7) will take care of the walls, at least.
Jul 16, 2020
Work Spaces for Small Places: IKEA Expedit to DIY Standing Desk
Changing one’s workspace from a regular desk to a standing desk can be a big challenge, but I made the switch over a year ago and haven’t looked back. Attractive and affordable standing desks can be hard to find, but this DIY version from IKEA fits the bill nicely.
Jul 16, 2020
Just in Time for Fall: Our Top 10 Best Slow Cookers
If you’re looking for a way to make your hectic life just a little easier, look no further than the mighty slow cooker. There are a ton of options on the market, some bad, some good, some outrageously good, with a myriad of features. Here are 10 of our favorites for every budget. The site of this no-frills slow cooker instantaneously takes me back to my childhood.
Jul 16, 2020
15 Adorable Baby Room Ideas to Inspire Your Home Nursery
From neutrals to pastels and beyond.
Jul 16, 2020
Checklist: Basic Cleaning Supplies for a Small Space
Small spaces = less cleaning. It’s one of the best benefits of living in a tiny apartment. The only problem is that living small also means less storage space, so you want to streamline your cleaning supplies into a kit that can be easily stowed in a kitchen cabinet or closet.Here’s our basic checklist for everything you need to keep your tiny home clean… Broom, Dustpan, and Mop: These are the basic tools of floor cleaning. We use a small interlocking broom and dustpan.
Jul 16, 2020
The Best Paint Colors: 10 Glidden Pearly Pales
Picking a paint color and not sure where to start? If you have a soothing, but not sleepy pale tone in mind, here are some terrific choices all pulled from the Glidden palette and, best of all, featured in real homes. Take a look… Glidden’s Misty Moonstone (#GLN34-01E), above, is as pale as blue can possibly be without just being white with blue undertones. Nearly every time I saw a room painted in a prettily pale Glidden paint, it turned out to be Smooth Stone (50YY 63/041).
Jul 16, 2020
5 Things You Can Do to Make Your Day Better Before You Even Leave Your Bedroom
Before you even leave your bedroom in the morning, there are a few things you can do to make your day a little better. So tomorrow morning, before you stumble out of the bedroom door to grab coffee or turn on the news, give one of these a try… Jennifer tried it — and wrote about it — and while it seems pretty simple, it’s a great way to start the day on a healthy note. And everyone could use a little hydration.
Jul 16, 2020
Raise the Roof: Kids’ Loft Bed Inspiration
When I was in college, my roommate and I got a loft bed system, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Not only did we have lots of floor space to hang out and study, I loved having the privacy and coziness of my own secret bed platform. For small spaces, a loft can be a great way to open up floor space, but even if you don’t feel you need the extra room, a loft can be a great hideaway for a kid.
Jul 16, 2020
Polly’s Bold & Colorful Retro Room
Name: Polly Age: 3 Location: Totnes, Devon, UK Room size: 16.4 x 11.4 foot Chances are, you’ve probably seen Jane Foster’s work, and we’ve featured her many times ourselves. Her work whole-heartedly celebrates the bold shapes, patterns and colors from the 60’s and 70’s – one can’t help feel a bit nostaligic when admiring her designs. When it was time to create a space for her daughter Polly, she replicated this passion for vintage and retro design.
Jul 16, 2020
10 Tips To Make Any Small Space (Feel) Bigger
I get asked about how to make small spaces feel bigger all the time and have done numerous interviews going over these points, BUT I’ve never written them down for myself or for you readers here, so here we go. These are my totally evergreen, classic tips, which come from years of practice. Please add your own!
Jul 16, 2020
This $13 Find is My Secret to a Better Looking Dining or Living Room
One item can completely transform a room!
Jul 16, 2020
This $14 Amazon Buy Solves Your Ugly Window Slat Blind Woes
We’re always on the lookout for smart, renter-friendly products that won’t risk your security deposit, and make your space better than the day you moved in. Slatted window blinds are one particular sore spot for a lot of folks: They look generic, have constant problems, and landlords don’t always let you remove them. Well, tenants rejoice, because we found a way to work around those ugly window coverings, and dramatically change the look of your whole room.
Jul 16, 2020
Design Basics: 9 Easy Ways to Add Texture to a Bedroom
Has your bedroom been feeling flat and lifeless? Uninteresting? Too…boring? It might need an infusion of texture — a basic design element every room needs to make it feel rich and like a place worth spending time in. We’ve got nine different and easy ways you can add the feeling of texture to your bedroom. 1. (Pictured above) Plants are a fast and easy way to add mother nature’s texture to your bedroom (plus some lovely and life-affirming green color).
Jul 16, 2020
Make it Work: 8 Combination Nursery & Office Shared Spaces
Let’s face it—kids don’t really take up too much space. It’s all of the junk we buy for them that gets in the way! In an effort to downsize and share space, some savvy folks turn to shared offices and nurseries! Mom or Dad can work while the little one snoozes. We’ve scouted out some favorite office and nursery combos to inspire you. Take a look! 1. Teressa and Ryan’s Fresh & Friendly Home 2.
Jul 16, 2020
5 “Future Heirloom” Investment Pieces that are Worth Every Penny
There are plenty of home goods that are fine to buy cheap (I put shower curtains and bathmats in that category), and then there are those worth shelling out some cash for. These are investment pieces that will travel with you from home to home, and that could one day be given to a loved one. Here are our picks for 5 items you’ll love using every single day, and that you’ll look forward to owning for years to come.
Jul 16, 2020
Have a Bad View? 10 Ways to Creatively Upgrade It
We aren’t all lucky to get an amazing view from our home’s windows. Sometimes instead of gorgeous urban skyline or serene forest to gaze out onto, you’re stuck with an unwanted sneak peek of someone’s apartment through their window, a bland and boring brown plain fence or visions of neighborhood cats using your side yard as a litter box. Instead of keeping the blinds down and the curtains drawn, let the light in and take control over your perspective.
Jul 16, 2020
How to Redecorate Your Home Without Spending a Dime, According to Designers
Style
The pros sound off.
Jul 16, 2020
Beautiful Oversized Hanging Plants
Plants are well known as great way to add some color, texture and life to a space, and when they also happen to be beautifully oversized hanging plants, they also bring the drama. We’ve rounded up some examples from our archives and around the web. 1. An oversized Boston Fern adds texture and brings character to the room. Gregory and Jenny’s Relaxed Hippie Bungalow Tour from Apartment Therapy. 2. Following curve of a staircase these Bears-Paw Ferns have a cascading effect.
Jul 16, 2020
5 Things That Take a Room from Good to Great
Have you ever looked at a room in your home and thought “it needs a little something else” — but not quite been able to put your finger on what? If so, then this post is for you. In the same way that the right accessories make any outfit better, these five things will take any room in your home from good to great. There’s nothing like a rug to really tie a room together.
Jul 16, 2020
Up Your Energy: Simple Workspace Feng Shui Principles to Try Today
When you’re busy working, it can be easy to let your workspace fall into a rut—I mean, who has time to redecorate their desk when they’re preparing for next week’s presentation? But because your work environment affects how energized you feel, taking a few minutes right now to optimize your workspace may just make your whole week more productive. Want to try it? Read through these five ways to improve and organize your desk according to feng shui—then get to work!
Jul 16, 2020
But First, Coffee: The Top 13 Best Espresso Machines Under $1,000
Let’s set something straight before we begin: espresso machines—good espresso machines—are expensive. Like, really expensive (think comparable in price to an entire living room’s worth of furniture.) So when we were rounding up our list of top-notch espresso makers, we had to cut ourselves off at $1,000 before things got astronomical. With that budget in mind, here are the best 13 machines on the market.
Jul 16, 2020
Famous Writers’ Small Writing Sheds and Off-the-Grid Huts
When I hear the phrase “writing hut” or “backyard shed” my imagination practically squeals with delight. A small, intimate space furnished with the essentials. Low impact, high inspiration. This is probably why I love going to North Dakota and why I want to pull a Pollan and build my own little house.
Jul 15, 2020
4 Ideas For Finding More Meaningful Art
We often share ideas about how to make sure your art complements your decor. Or talk about where to find affordable art to fill up your walls. Or post about DIY art projects you can do quickly, easily and within your budget. Though these are all valid ways to add a little color to your rooms, there’s another aspect to consider when on the hunt for art.
Jul 15, 2020
Daphne’s Glamorous Nursery
Name: Daphne (1 month)Location: Charleston, SC Size: 10′ x 13′ Many nurseries start off as home offices that are then bequeathed to the newest family member upon their arrival. This was the case with Deirdre’s office which she used for three years before finding out she was expecting. Luckily, the paint color worked well for the nursery she had in mind.How did your office become Daphne’s nursery?
Jul 15, 2020
14 Ways to Decorate with Vintage Pieces in Your Bathroom
Despite being small, bathrooms can be the trickiest to decorate. We find ourselves thinking wisely about every decision, since this room holds a captive audience. If you’re looking for a little country or vintage charm in your bathroom, try recycling or repurposing something you may already have.
Jul 15, 2020
The Best & Worst Times to Go Thrift Store Shopping
After years of thrifting, and knowing myself, I’ve figured out when it makes sense to head to Goodwill, and when I should just stay home. If you aren’t a diehard go-every-day-as-if-it’s-a-religion kind of shopper, then choose your strategy carefully and save yourself a world of hassle and time. Right Before Halloween: There’s just no point.
Jul 15, 2020
How to Shop for Kitchen Cabinets on the Cheap
Cabinetry usually adds up to about half of kitchen renovation expenses, so if you have a small budget, you’ve got to find ways to cut costs. Shop sales, check second-hand and salvage stores, try a demolition auction, or find ways to get a custom look from big box sources.For kitchen cabinet sources, click here. Home Depot Big box stores like Home Depot have frequent discounts on stock kitchen cabinets.
Jul 15, 2020
Energy Saving Task Lighting in the Kitchen: 10 LED Under Cabinet Lights
I recently installed under cabinet lights in the kitchen of my rental apartment, and for a relatively small investment, they have made a big impact: They provide lighting for such kitchen tasks as dish washing and food prep, and their ambient glow is a pleasant alternative to the harsh overhead lighting I relied on previously. Fluorescent, halogen and xenonTOP ROW1. NON LED Countertop Light, $20 from IKEA2. LEDme Button Light, $54 from WAC Lighting3.
Jul 15, 2020
A Stylish Kitchen for Less: 10 Great Looking Kitchen Faucets Under $200
Not only does the faucet you choose for your kitchen affect the overall look of the room, but if you cook a lot (or if you don’t own a dishwasher), the convenience of its design will affect you every day. For our 2016 faucet guide, we’ve taken both form and function into consideration—and to raise the stakes even higher, set a price cap at $200. These options meet the trifecta—they’re pretty, practical, and very well-priced.
Jul 15, 2020
Best Bedside Water Carafes: Esque, Crate & Barrel, Canvas Home & 11 More
I’ve been rounding up these little luxuries for a number of years and have even been corrected (happily) that a “bedside carafe” MUST (in order to earn its name) have a glass attached to it. Agreed. So this is my biggest selection yet of the best options out there right now, from traditional to modern, from high to low. The one up top is my top pick this year, because the shape is unexpected but still elegant, and it’s totally affordable.
Jul 15, 2020
An Instagrammer is Reviving Khokhloma, a Near-Extinct Folk Art
From Russia with love…gems, beads, pearls, and a complete and total explosion of color. These studded and sparkling plates, and their insanely intricate embellishment work, are the ultimate in bedazzling. These decorative plates are the handicraft of a Russian artist named Daria.
Jul 15, 2020
The Broke Person’s Guide to Decorating: The Cheapest, Chicest & Most Effective Tricks
Have hardly any money to spend on your home decor? Have NO money to spend on your decor? It might seem impossible to design a home that won’t end up looking like your budget was zero, but it is possible to get creative and design a home that still looks great despite your small (or non-existent) budget. Here are some of our favorite tips. Really work on designing your spaces to optimize each room’s flow and feeling.
Jul 15, 2020
The One Bathroom Storage Spot You’re Probably Overlooking
Taking advantage of this space will only set you back $10!
Jul 15, 2020
This Trend is the New Terrazzo, and It’s an Easy Way to Add Color to Your Home
Meet 2020's new speckled home decor trend.
Jul 15, 2020
These 8 New Sofa Trends Will Make a Statement in Your Living Room
Move over, navy blue velvet!
Jul 15, 2020
Here’s How ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Characters Would Decorate If They Lived In Studio Apartments
Which character most represents your style?
Jul 14, 2020
Say Goodbye to Soggy Bath Mats with This Quick Drying Stone
It’s ultra-absorbent, sustainable, and even resists mold.
Jul 13, 2020
These Are the Best Vintage Shops in Every Single State
Shop small from your sofa!
Jul 13, 2020
This House in England Looks Like a ‘Giant Wooden Spaceship’
After only a few months on the market, the unusually shaped Roundhouse in Deanshanger, England, listed for £900,000 ($1.1 million) is now sold, subject to contract. The home was featured on “Grand Designs,” a British TV series highlighting people building their dream homes themselves, in 2014. During the episode in the fourteenth season of the show, the property was described as a “giant wooden spaceship, ” Curbed noted.
Jul 12, 2020
The Ridiculously Easy Curtain Hack That Can Save You Hundreds of Dollars
This bathroom staple looks chic all throughout the house.
Jul 11, 2020
The Surprising Place to Shop Affordable, One-of-a-Kind Home Decor from Indie Designers
Snag unique throw pillows, lampshades, wallpaper, and more.
Jul 10, 2020
3 Low-Key Genius Things Restaurant Kitchens Have that You Might Want in Your Own Kitchen
These affordable upgrades can make your day-to-day way easier.
Jul 7, 2020
Why Ditching This Living Room Staple Was the Best Design Choice I've Ever Made
One small tweak can really open up your space.
Jul 7, 2020
A 42-Day Meteor Shower Starts This Month—Here’s When You Should Look Up
Plus, viewing tips to enhance your chances of seeing the space rocks.
Jul 7, 2020
90 Black-Owned Businesses in the Home Space To Support
Use your dollars to support Black-owned businesses.
Jul 7, 2020
Back to Work: Desk Lamp Shopping Guide
Do we really ever grow out of the ‘back to school’ routine? I think for many of us, September will always mark that time. Even if you’re not in school or sending any of your mini-me’s off to learn, it’s still a great time of year to regroup and re-organize your working space.
Jul 6, 2020
4 Tips for Using Color in a Bedroom if You’re Not into Color
Bright and bold—but also chill.
Jul 6, 2020
This $18 Hack Helped Me Fake Wall Color When I Couldn’t Paint My Living Room
And it's available on Amazon, too.
Jul 5, 2020
This $18 IKEA Item Is One of Instagram’s Hottest Trends Right Now
That price even includes a lightbulb!
Jul 3, 2020
How ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Marries ’90s Nostalgia with Modern Technology
The show reimagines Ann M. Martin’s beloved book series in the 21st century, where five of the original club members live during a time when cell phones and scrunchies coexist.
Jul 3, 2020
This Twitter Account Rates Zoom Backgrounds, and It Hates Your Color-Coordinated Books
Plus, other decorating tips to enhance your Zoom room.
Jul 2, 2020
This Smart Sofa Hack is How I Faked a Luxe Sectional
It's so easy!
Jul 1, 2020
This Disney Lover Turned Her Bedroom Into a Real-Life Fairy Tale Inspired by Cinderella
One Cinderella fan transformed an empty bedroom into a storybook fantasy and shared the makeover on TikTok and Instagram.
Jul 1, 2020