Decorating

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

If you’re looking for the best way to maximize a one-bed or studio, here’s an unexpected source: New York City real estate agents, who are in and out of these small apartments all day long. Here, seven of the smartest real world small-space hacks these agents have ever seen. “The sweetest thing I’ve seen in a one bedroom was in the home of a single mom who had a trundle mattress underneath her four poster bed.

Fake fanciness, without looking cheap.

Of all the ways to become one with nature, a pretty straightforward path to convene with Mother Earth is by living in a forest. For some, it may sound like quite an outlandish proposal but this off-the-grid, open-air cabin in the mountains Panama makes the thought much more palatable. To bring the project known as Cabin 192 to fruition, architect Jose Isturaín of JIA enlisted the help of family members, friends, and area builders.

For those who have small living rooms, picking out paint colors can be a little tricky. On the one hand, painting the whole room white can open up the walls and make the small room feel a little more airy. On the other hand, limiting yourself to just one stark color can put a cramp on some people’s creativity.

Imagine when you moved into your apartment, you knew you were going to be out of there in about a year, two at most. Same for the next place, and same for the place after that. For members of the military and their families, that’s often the reality. Moving around so frequently has its downfalls, but it also can serve as a kind of design bootcamp.

If you compulsively follow #TinyHouse and #TinyLiving on social media or consider yourself a full-fledged follower of the Tiny House Movement, it can be easy to forget that tiny houses aren’t just a social media phenomenon. It can be hard to remember that people actually live in these teeny, tiny spaces. Truth is, it can be a wonderful way to have the house of your dreams—without spending a fortune. Of course, tiny houses aren’t all Instagram likes and easy, breezy living.

It’s time to ditch this classic living room item.

How do you make an home that measures just 484 square feet seem positively palatial? In the case of this Amsterdam apartment, the answer is: with really smart use of vertical space. Heren 5 architects, the designers behind this very modern pad, have managed to fit in a living room, dining room, kitchen, lofted bedroom, and even a walk-in closet and a hidden second bed.

This is how we "play" American Girl Dolls as adults.

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.

These are the bedroom trends that are seriously past their prime.

If you’ve been clamoring to get your hands on some famous furniture, here’s a piece that belongs at the top of your most urgent shopping list: a chair Frank Lloyd Wright designed for himself is for sale. While Wright is frequently lauded for designing a slew of homes, hotels, offices, and other structures around the world, the famed American architect also designed more than 1,100 pieces of furniture throughout his illustrious career that remain in high demand.

On Thursday, Pantone announced their 2019 Color of the Year is Living Coral. We’ve already rounded up paint matches and affordable items for your home, but if you’re on the fence about how to feel about next year’s hue, we asked some of our favorite design pros for their hot takes (and cool tips) on using this bright shade at home. “I just learned that the collective noun for a group of flamingos is a flamboyance.

As someone who lives in just 570 square feet with no closets, I’ve come to know a thing or two about storage; when you don’t have it you deeply appreciate it. Chances are, whether you live in a tiny house, a small apartment in a crowded city, or a dorm room, the same is true for you. You also probably don’t think of a walk-in closet as a realistic amenity ready and waiting to walk into your life at any moment—but well, that’s where you’d be wrong.

Welcome to My First Apartment! Whether it’s your first studio, a four-bedroom deep in the city shared with a handful of roommates, or even an entire house (lucky you!), there’s something special about moving into the first place that’s truly your own. In this series, we’ll showcase actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and beyond—asking them to revisit that oh-so-sweet nostalgia of newly-found freedom. “The Marvelous Mrs.

Many homeowners know the experience of moving into an outdated space and planning some much-needed renovations. For the 102 women elected to Congress during the 2018 midterm elections (a record, by the way), they may not be able to gut the place but they could influence some major building changes. Now that nearly one in five legislators on Capitol Hill will be a woman, the building needs to prepare for these leaders and their teams.

We shared our favorite tiny houses sourced straight from Instagram, but now it’s time to give our micro properties on Pinterest a little bit of lovin’, too. Since Pinterest is where visual imagery comes to life in the form of shareable pins, it only makes sense that a hub of beautiful tiny homes would exist on its platform.

Teeny bathrooms in tiny homes can be big on smart ideas for small spaces. The 10 bathrooms below are chock full of prime examples. Find smart and stylish ideas to steal for your bathroom of any size. This tiny (and practically perfect) modern shed in California has so many beautiful elements to be inspired by. From the organic materials palette to the custom dividing wall in the living room, this home is completely livable and totally lovely.

The seven deadly sins of living room decorating—and how to fix ‘em.

Because looks are just part of the equation. You gotta be able to drink from it, too.

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.

It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year. You know, when the color experts at Pantone will be announcing the 2019 Color of the Year, which will likely happen any day now. We’re on the edge of our ultra-violet seats waiting to see what hue it could be. To help ease and abate our anticipation, we called on some of our favorite interior designer friends to find out what shade they could see Pantone choosing as the Color of the Year.

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.

When you’re curled up inside on a gross, snowy day, the last thing you want to see more of is gray. Escape into a wonderful world of color — without leaving your couch. These bold, beautiful Instagram feeds showcase ultra-radiant homes stuffed full of funky, colorful accessories. Neon accent walls? Hot pink furniture? These designers and home lovers do it right. Liven up your life by following these 11 striking feeds.

New year, new you. Once January 1 rolls around, we all make these grand resolutions to make ourselves healthier, more positive, more productive, and all-around better people. We buy a fancy gym membership. We forgo our favorite takeout spot in favor of a healthy, home-cooked meal. We even promise ourselves to not hit the snooze button more than once (okay, twice). We commit to bettering ourselves—and rightfully so—but what about our homes?

Thanks to scores of innovative, forward-thinking designers, the process of building a home continues to evolve into one that prioritizes convenience, cost and the well-being of our ecosystem. Yves Béhar is one of the latest contributors to the accessory dwelling unit market with a line of prefab homes.

Are you kind of over mid-century modern design? Do you roll your eyes whenever you spot a knock-off Eames dining chair or faux Saarinen tulip table? Do you look at your MCM couch with a tinge of disdain, wishing you could redesign your space? It’s okay, you’re not alone. If I’m being totally honest, I too am tired of the MCM madness. Don’t get me wrong, I love the aesthetic; however, the style is becoming too ubiquitous that it no longer feels special.

Don’t get mad, but we’re kind of over millennial pink. Make no mistake, we were all about the hue when it first burst onto the design scene a few years ago. Part bubblegum pink, part salmon, it was once the coolest way to embrace your feminine side. But now? It feels, well, overplayed. While there are still some ways to make millennial pink look and feel cool again (hint: try pairing it with red!), we’re itching for a new “it” color.

Available in a dizzying array of colors, materials, patterns, sizes, and shapes, tiles are the incredibly versatile and durable decor tool that’s been adorning interiors for thousands of years. Whether you’re looking for fresh inspiration or overwhelmed by all the choices available, these 10 one-of-kind rooms narrow in on unbelievably bold and unique looks you can achieve with tile. In Daniel and Diego’s small Buenos Aires, Argentina home, they went BOLD in the bathroom.

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!

With the abundance of tiny homes cropping up every day, constructing a stand-out residence requires more and more creativity, and designers appear to have an endless supply of it. The latest adorably small house we’re crushing on is this moss-adorned cabin designed by Jacob Witzling, the same builder who had us wanting to permanently camp out in his whimsical tiny house on a truck bed.

Snap out of it!

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.

When I was little, my sisters and I had a pop-up Barbie camper, and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. This real-life camper is just like that, right down to the kitchen in a slide-out drawer—and unlike the Barbie version, it can be ready to go in just 30 seconds. This one, called the iCamp, is a design of Dutch company Udo Camp. Making Barbie’s camper move-in ready required painstakingly fitting together a series of teeny-tiny connectors and support poles.

They say good things come in small packages—and fans of the tiny house movement seem to agree. More and more people are giving up typical homes (and typical mortgages) and choosing the pared-down experience of living in small prefab homes—but that doesn’t mean sacrificing luxury or comfort. Here are five examples of prefab homes that pack a ton of upscale amenities into tiny spaces.

The old adage is to take off at least one accessory before leaving the house, but that doesn’t ring true when it comes to house decor. When it comes to art in your home, sometime more is really more. Floor-to-ceiling gallery walls not only bring a touch of color and busy-ness into a room, but it also lets you flex your creative muscles, allows you to bring character into the space, and lets you show your personality through the paintings and prints you choose. So why not layer up on it?

With the cold weather comes the opportunity to snuggle up to the fireplace, cuddle under a fleece blanket, and cradle a hot cup of tea for the entire day (or entire season, whatever your availability allows.) And what better place to do that than in the comfort of a snug tiny cabin? In short, these micro wooden wonders that we speak of are tiny houses with a rustic twist. Think log cabin, but shrunken down a size (or two).

When taking on a home improvement project as major, time-consuming, and expensive (!!!) as designing a new kitchen, the last thing that you want to do is make a few choices now that you end up regretting later—especially if that ends up meaning you wasted money. To help identify the biggest money-wasting no-nos to avoid, we consulted a few kitchen design experts. Having been around plenty of renovations, they had some good live-and-learn lessons and what-not-to-dos to share.

You don’t need to be an interiors expert to be familiar with mid-century modern design. Even if you can’t spot its signature clean lines and minimal details from a mile away, most stores have products that are blatantly labeled “mid-century inspired.” The mid-century modern movement first broke onto the design scene over 50 years ago and is showing no signs of slowing down.

You don’t need a huge house in order to have fun with bohemian themes. The style looks just as beatnik and free spirited in a studio apartment or small outdoor porch as it does in a sprawling home. One could even make the case that those bohemian accents help a small space feel even more cozy, what with boho’s reliance on layered rugs, fur throws, and intricately woven wall tapestries.

When I moved from a two-bedroom townhouse in Houston to a 250-square-foot studio apartment in New York, I was ready to do without. What I didn’t know, at the time, was what that would look like. I was all idealism, sure that I could blaze new trails, go bravely without things many Americans couldn’t imagine giving up. Three years in, this is what the reality of that transition looks like.

Living in a small space sometimes isn’t as fun as all those Instagrammable tiny houses make it look. With square footage at a premium, smaller apartments and houses come with their unique hurdles that make it challenging to decorate your space. Where are you supposed to put all your clothes? How do you fit an entire dining room into an area that’s as big as most people’s closets?

Going directly head to head with low-cost, eco-friendly temporary housing from the likes of IKEA, Italian production company WASP (World’s Advanced Saving Project) has just debuted a $1,000 3D printed tiny house—and it’s made of materials as old as civilization itself.

If you didn’t already know, tiny campers are having a major comeback. And the Droplet Trailer—a modern camping pod inspired by traditional models—is further proving that notion to be valid. Constructed around a queen-sized bed that comfortably sleeps two, this mini-camper embodies Scandinavian design that is seen through its minimalist approach. With a wood interior and aluminum composite exterior, the 950-pound Droplet is “bright, spacious, and robust.

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.

I’ve been cooking for most of my adult life, and I’ve never actually been completely sure just what that drawer under the oven is for. It seems like a good enough place to store baking pans, but that also feels like wasted space, or that it should actually be for something besides storage. I’ve never really used that drawer for anything.

Need more proof that wallpaper just might be the perfect decor accessory for your home? These 31 rooms are bursting with vivacious, energetic wallpaper designs that will inspire. Some homes features every wall covered in pattern, while others just have a small accent—but all the rooms prove that graphic, bold wallpaper is your design best friend.

Unless you just moved into your home—and purchased brand-new pieces to fill it with—you’ve probably had your furniture for a long, looong time. Your rug dates back to your college days, your mattress has lasted longer than most of your relationships, and you don’t even want to think about how many hours you’ve spent binge-watching TV on your couch. Once you’ve found a piece that fits with your space, aesthetic, and budget, you never want to let it go.

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!

Last Sunday we had a glorious day in Brooklyn with Molly Andrews Burke of Chairloom and more than a dozen remarkable, chic textiles designers from all over the country for the first Textile & Upholstery Tent Revival. Apartment Therapy was proud to help sponsor the day, and loved being back in touch with so many artists that we knew and others we hadn’t met yet.

At first glance, Jacob Witzling’s tiny truck cabin makes you think of what the Weasley’s wonky home (aka the ever-chaotic Burrow) would look like if the wizards shrunk their family residence, then hauled it around on the back of an old pickup. (Honestly, Witzling’s tiny design still looks that way after staring at it for a bit longer.

When you picture your dream house, chances are it features a big, beautiful closet. You know, kind of like Mariah Carey’s wardrobe in her iconic episode of MTV’s “Cribs.” Or maybe like Cher Horowitz’s, complete with a computer that puts together great outfits for you. Or maybe it has a rotating shoe cupboard like Goldie Hawn’s closet did in “Overboard.” You get the picture, right?

Granny-chic decor is having a moment. You know, the heavy floral prints, patterned wallpapers, retro furnishings, and other kitschy decor items you used to see around your grandma’s place. Recently, these kinds of nostalgic interiors are popping up all over the ‘gram, and we’re here for it. Don’t believe us? Read ahead for seven Instagram accounts you must follow if you’re a fan of all things kitsch and granny-chic. 1.

Americans spent the last three or four decades tearing out pretty-in-pastel bathroom tiles. Pale pinks and greens surrounded every toilet, every shower, every sink. After spending decades finding the same shades everywhere, it’s no wonder we grew tired of the trend. But it’s time to break out your mortar and grout: Colorful bathroom tiles are coming back.

The possibilities are endless, but if you're stumped on how to style your floating shelves, these inspirational shelfies are sure to point you in the right direction.

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.

Did you know the mirror, as we know it today, was invented fewer than 200 years ago? According to LiveScience, in 1835 German chemist Justus von Liebig coated a pane of glass with a thin layer of metallic silver and successfully coaxed out mankind’s inner Narcissus for decades to come. Since then, mirrors have come to be a solid fixture in interior design and, more recently, round mirrors seem to be challenging the rectangular norm (and for good reason).

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.

With a new year comes the opportunity for a new start, including a fresh coat of paint for your living spaces. But with so many color swatches to choose from, HGTV HOME By Sherwin-Williams just made your life a lot easier with their 2019 Color of the Year unveil. The winner is Reflecting Pool (SW6486), a hue of “many personalities” that communicates “a life of balance with a little bit of flair” with its versatility and adaptive skills.

Is it just us, or are pops of color officially played out? Make no mistake, we love a good use of color as much as the next design lover. But when every single room has a pop of color, the styling tactic feels, well, dull. If you’re looking for an alternative, you may want to consider tone-on-tone decorating. Turns out, using one color throughout your space is unexpected, impactful, and totally Instagrammable.

Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals. For the next week, we’ll take a look at all of it—cleaning, pop culture, and of course tons of eye-popping design inspiration.

Bohemian looks have always been trendy, but not many people go full-blown flower-child in their homes. If you’re a true maximalist at heart and love going full steam with a trend, then you will love the maximalist bohemian aesthetic. Utilizing bold, look-at-me wallpaper prints, a dizzying array of clashing patterns, saturated colors, and layered textures, just about every detail in the space competes for your attention.

Gallery walls fill a void in our heart we didn’t know we had: the need to show off all of our artwork, all of the time. But after a decade exploding with galleries, it’s time for something a little more streamlined. Enter the gallery grid, where themed artwork is hung in a grid—think of it as a gallery wall, sans clutter. The result adds a pleasing sense of order to your living spaces.

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.

Ah, home sweet home. Well, for now, that is. Whether you recently graduated from college, are moving in with your partner, or are renewing your lease, there’s a good chance you’re living in a rental apartment. Studies show more people are renting than at any point in the past 50 years. We’ll let that sink in. Sure, there are a lot of perks to living in a rental.

From inventive dining options, to world-class music, to ample outdoor recreation, these five college towns tick all the boxes for non-student residents.

The result is a beautiful space that's stylish, not saccharine.

There is undeniable mixed feelings about Starbucks opening its first store in Italy, where cafes serve their espresso much differently than the American coffee company. But it is obvious that the new Roastery in Milan—which opened last week—is different from its sibling stores in the U.S. All you have to do is look at the design.

Backyard sheds are all the rage right now. They provide convenience for homeowners who have hobbies, but don’t have the square footage to bring their vision to life indoors. For avid readers, the image of a perfect home includes an elaborate library; fully stocked with first edition novels and a rolling ladder for easy access.