Decorating

Maxwell started Apartment Therapy here in New York. Lots of folks in this city were in need of design solutions tailored for their specific small-home challenges. Here, let’s take a look at some successful small homes from this capital of tiny apartment living:Most of these are from previous Apartment Therapy house tours, which are brimming with small home solutions that lots of us can take inspiration from. The homes’ locations vary from Brooklyn Heights to Chelsea.

Name: Suzi and Tchotchke, a 3-year-old schnoodleLocation: Yukon Studio Lofts, in Columbus’ Short North neighborhoodSize: 557 square feetYears lived in: 3 Suzi West has gone big by going small in her Short North studio condominium, which, in the living room alone, features show-stopping “branchelier,” a 3-foot-wide chandelier of white willow; an oversized zebra-print ottoman and an 8-foot-tall cupboard.

Name: Heather Moore & Paul Edmunds Location: Gardens, Cape Town Size: 860 square feet Years lived in: 9 When the opportunity came to visit the studio and home of textile designer Heather from SkinnyLaminx, we jumped at the opportunity! She shares her home with husband and fellow artist Paul Edmunds. It’s a living mood-board — with pieces of inspiration splashed about in a beautifully creative and aesthetic way.

Breathable sheets and lightweight blankets are ideal for keeping you cozy without making you feel overheated.

Approximately five million of the 20 million new homes built between 1946 and 1966 had a cotton candy pink bathroom.

Getting super creative can save money and give you a good story behind your dorm decor!

Name: Viivi Arela Location: Helsinki, Finland Size: 230 sq ft room in a 805 sq ft apartment Years lived in: 1 year; Rented Living and working in a shared rental apartment hasn’t hindered Viivi’s creativity in personalizing her space. Pastel hues, simple silhouettes and inspiring color-coordinated vignettes lend to a peaceful and personal urban atmosphere, without (potentially landlord-upsetting) permanent modifications.

Name: Saana Sipilä & Olli Sallinen Location: Pohjola, Turku, Finland Size: 516 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; Rented Finnish textile designers Saana and Olli have made their home in a tiny yellow wooden house in Turku, Finland. Built in the 1890s, the space shows signs of age, but the couple’s thoughtful styling and furnishings compliment its well-worn appearance so well that one wouldn’t really want it any other way.

Remember the excitement when the [Sears/JCPenney/Delia*s/American Girl/insert your favorite childhood catalog of choice here] arrived? For me, that feeling is still alive and well. Last week, I eagerly awaited a certain special delivery, and I was not disappointed. In my mailbox I found an advance copy of the 2020 IKEA catalog, and today I get to share it with all of you. The catalog theme is Save Our Sleep, and it’s not hard to imagine why they’ve chosen that focus.

You don't necessarily need a refreshing glass of lemonade or blood orange sorbet to enjoy this fruity fad.

Thanks to this soothing shade, it's pretty easy being green.

Trust us, there's a power paint color for the entire family.

This has both form and function.

I'm an extrovert, but I need a little alone time to transition from work, errands, or social activities into home life.

They're trendy, pretty, and relatively affordable.

Aside from obvious signs like yellowing leaves, it’s difficult to determine your plant’s “mood,” but the Lua makes greenery-to-human communication pretty clear cut.

Awesome (and affordable!) pieces to add to your gallery wall.

Did someone say hygge?

Switching area codes, coasts, or continents? Here's what professional designers say you need to buy for your space, stat.

We’re dreaming up how four classic characters—Ramona, Nancy Drew, Eloise, and Junie B. Jones— would design their spaces today.

Built for a book collector, this fairytale home stuns in its historic detail with all the modern upgrades fit for royalty.

When people find out I just got home from a two-week trip to Japan with my mom, they invariably say, “I’m so jealous! It’s totally on my bucket list.” And I say, “Yes, up until a few weeks ago I was on your side of this conversation!” I have spent my whole life wanting to go there, and for a recent big birthday (cough) my mom made it happen. It totally lived up to expectations: the temples, the culture, the beauty, and, of course, the food.

Whoever said money can't buy you happiness has clearly never been to a dollar store.

Love marble as much as we do? These accessories are an easy way to bring a sleek edge to your space.

The pixel pattern is a modern spin on the nostalgic graphic style

Austin is known for its live music scene, funky boutique hotels and nearby Hill Country, and one of its newest places to stay, The Wayback Cafe and Cottages, combines the charm of all three. Located on three Live Oak-dotted acres in the exclusive West Lake Hills neighborhood, The Wayback boasts eight board-and-batten style cottages, a restaurant led by the flavors of Central Texas and a handful of communal areas including a pool, fire pit and cabana.

Get your space back on track with these helpful tips.

You don't need to have a dinner party to create a gorgeous tablescape.

You can't always get what you want, but you can use your design chops to hack your way to your dream house.

Here to assist side-sleepers everywhere with getting those recommended seven to eight hours of nightly shuteye is the PillowCube, the self-professed “bed for your head.”

Just when we thought we couldn’t love Target more, we’ve found a new favorite section to browse both in-person and online.

Goodbye, neutrals. Hello, bold, beautiful black rooms.

Here's what to hang and how to hang it!

Want to zhuzh up your bathroom walls, but don't know where to start? Let these rooms give you design inspiration.

Your tastes might've changed since you were a kid, but the color of your childhood bedroom might inform your current style.

Trends come and go—and these four fads have already had their 15 minutes of design fame.

Six setups that rival a single, minimalist bookshelf.

If color-coded shelves feel played out, feast your eyes on these stunning alternatives.

Believe it or not, wall-to-wall carpets aren't as awful as they're cracked up to be. Style your carpet to perfection with these savvy tips.

If your grandmother was suffering from an illness and she didn’t know, but you did — would you tell her? That’s the conflict Awkwafina grapples with in her starring role in Lulu Wang’s feature directorial debut, “The Farewell,” out Friday, July 12.

Give the classic art style a modern twist with these tips.

Put the spotlight on your space with these illuminating tips.

The kitchen rug trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon, so here's how to incorporate it into your space.

Plus, five fresh ways to bring this viral design trend to your home.

You’ve probably noticed the spike in popularity with everything astrology. It’s no different here at Apartment Therapy, where we write about monthly home horoscopes and the best affordable cities for each zodiac sign. Our latest astrological obsession? Birthdate Candles.

Do any of their picks match your favorite room?

Dorm walls can be an eyesore. But removable wallpaper is an easy way to add some easy, impactful, and personalized flavor to your living space.

Bunk beds usually conjure the image of summer camps or crowded kids’ rooms, but not here.

I’ve spent many years of my life living in and loving the city of Chicago, where interior spaces are relatively small and people can’t wait for the warmer months (40 below, no thank you). As soon as summer hits, folks flood the parks, beaches, and rooftops to host picnic after picnic. Picnic baskets aren’t hard to assemble—in fact, they’re pretty straightforward despite their loosey-goosey nature. You just have to think about what you may need in a pinch.

Live a little with these contrasting mixes of wallpaper and carpet.

These bedrooms prove exposed beams are great for interiors.

Name: Joan Hiller Location: North East, Portland, Oregon Size: 432 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; rented Joan is a music publicist, painter and all–around creative, energetic lady. Her apartment functions as her office and her painting studio; she shares the space with her companion of almost thirty years, her turtle Sheldon. Spending time in Joan’s apartment was like watching her consciousness explode into a living space.

Name: Sarah Schmitz and Fred Gray Location: Berkeley, California Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; OwnedPlants make a house feel fresh. Just take a look at Sarah and Fred’s leafy Berkeley abode. The beautiful one-bedroom house came with the Christmasy poinsettia out front, but the rows of potted succulents and happy houseplants are the result of Sarah’s own green thumb.

Let me tell you, this thing works.

Everyone has a bit of a different take on small space living: it’s all about purging your stuff. No, it’s all about organizing your stuff. Wait, it’s all about storing your stuff! But one thing is for sure: you know an amazing small space when you see it. Small spaces are king on Re-Nest. Yes, we love them for their lower energy and heating bills, and yes, we love them because they force us to edit, organize, and reduce our accumulation of stuff.

In case you’re still judging yourself for using furniture as a makeshift clothes rack, here’s a reason to shirk your shame immediately: a coat check chair. The tagline for the Kickstarter project sums it up nicely: “Your closet. Reinvented. Into an iconic designer chair. Let your closet join the party.

Because pride doesn't end with June.

Who could’ve predicted that living in a bus would be considered #homegoals? Well, when you get a tour of Buster, a former mining company bus-turned-decked out home, it’s not difficult to envision yourself setting up shop inside of a repurposed vehicle. Another one of Paved to Pines’ projects, Buster is one of those conversions that elicits an instant chorus of “oohs and aahhs,” and “When can I move in?

The story of chintz' '80s heyday and its subsequent decline and return to popularity are just a small part of its evolution.

When’s the last time you ventured over to #FurnitureTwitter? Don’t let the hashtag fool you: This home-centric corner of the web isn’t as bland as it sounds, especially since IKEA now allows you design your own sofa online, and some sofa artists have created truly hilarious masterpieces.  If you’ve never used it, here’s how the customized planning tool works: It gives users the options of size, color and layout.

Even if you can cram 100 people into your tiny apartment for a party, it doesn’t mean you have room for 10 to sit down to dinner together. If you’re lacking seating, here’s a few ways to help your guests find a place to land!1. Folding Chairs: When extra seating is needed, folding chairs always seem to come to the rescue. They can be plain or they can be elaborate in design, but one thing is for sure, we appreciate their ability to tuck out of sight when not in use!

You spend time there every day. Isn't it time for an upgrade?

Blessed with only enough room for a twin bed? Trying to make a double work for two while you save up for that California king? Buying a bed that’s properly in proportion to your space (or your budget) means you’re usually left wishing there was a little more room to spread out at night. Not all of these strategies will work for your life, and some of them only give you extra space visually.

Name: Beth, Jeff, Ruby, and Fiona Location: Bixby Knolls, Long Beach, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 6 years; OwnedSet back off of a quiet street in Bixby Knolls is Beth and Jeff’s lovingly crafted one-story 1920s home, shared with daughters Ruby, 4, and Fiona, 9 months. But it wasn’t always so quaint. When they purchased the home six years ago, it was dilapidated and in desperate need of TLC.

Name: Michael MurphyLocation: Brooklyn — New York, New YorkSize: 615 square feetYears lived in: 5 — ownedAs an interior designer, Mike is used to working on high-end projects for which he might source a sofa for $45,000 without blinking an eye. But when it comes to his own home, he intentionally aims for a more relaxed look through a combination of vintage modern furniture pieces and his own personal handiwork.

Get inspired for a boho-chic home.

We asked some of our readers what Pride means to them and how they celebrate at home or in their communities. Here’s what they shared.

The effort is to minimize waste and improve the lives of our furry, four-legged friends.

The prefab cabin is on a peaceful, remote spot in New Zealand.

You never forget your first time.

Parents don't always know best... at least, not when it comes to design.

You're totally embracing the plant parent life and don't care who knows it.