Re-Nesters 2026
Re-Nesters 2026

Whether you’re retiring, downsizing, or adjusting to an emptier home (or experiencing all three!), Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn want to help you plan your new home life. From inspiration for spare rooms to tips for cooking for one or two people, here’s everything you need to celebrate what’s to come.

The One Thing That Surprised Me Most About Our Home After the Kids Moved OutLife
You miss so much more than your kids’ physical presence.
Cherith Fluker
May 5, 2026
21 Easy and Delicious Meals for One (15-Minute Dinners and More!)Recipes
With leftovers you actually want to eat.
Stephanie Ganz
May 5, 2026
A Pro Organizer Shares Exactly What to Do Before Downsizing Your Home Real Estate
Start early!
Mary Cornetta
May 5, 2026
How Searching for a New Dinner Routine Helped Me Reconnect with My Husband After Our Kids Moved OutKitchen
You learn a lot when the house goes quiet.
Sandra Gutierrez
May 13, 2026
Don’t Stick to the Same Cleaning Routine After Your Kids Move Out — I Cut Mine in HalfCleaning
I still miss my kids, but I appreciate the time I've gotten back.
Erica Lamberg
May 7, 2026
7 People Share Their Favorite Hobbies to Do in Retirement Life
"Retirement’s greatest gift is the pleasure of focusing on one thing at a time."
Michele Shapiro
May 21, 2026
21 Actually Easy Meals for 2 (Because You Don't Want to Wash 100 Pans Tonight)Recipes
Including a 15-minute dinner!
Stephanie Ganz
May 20, 2026
6 Actually Exciting Ideas for Your Spare RoomDecorating
It might be your new favorite space in your home.
Dana McMahan
May 29, 2026
My Mom Turned My Childhood Bedroom into an Art Studio She Totally DeservesHome Projects
As a college graduate, I had officially moved out — it was time to say goodbye and let my parents have the home they always wanted post-kids.
LJ Smelker
Jun 2, 2026
An Empty Nester Turned Her Dark, Dated House Into a Home That’s All HersTours
Julie Andrea’s house was once dark, dated, and full of brown carpet. After three and a half years, she's created a bright, deeply personal space where every room finally belongs to her.
Adrienne Breaux
May 27, 2026
5 Mistakes People Make When Downsizing Their StuffOrganizing
According to a minimalist lifestyle coach.
Dara Zycherman
Jun 3, 2026
Designers Want You to Stop Playing It Safe with Your Spare RoomDecorating
You don’t need a guest bedroom.
Dana McMahan
May 28, 2026
The 36 Best Storage and Organization Ideas for Even the Tiniest KitchensKitchen
Make the most of the space you have with these smart tricks.
Alyssa Longobucco
Jun 5, 2026
Before and After: A Designer Revamps a Desk Area in Her Son's Childhood BedroomHome Projects
With leftover materials and some clever repurposing!
Sarah Lyon
Oct 26, 2022
How I Downsized from a Walk-in Pantry to Only a Few Cupboards (Without Losing Any Essentials)Kitchen
Yes, it’s possible — and we even prefer it now.
Dana McMahan
Aug 17, 2023
I’m a 92-Year-Old Retiree Living in New Mexico — Here’s What I Make with a $64 Weekly Grocery HaulGroceries
She does grocery pickup at Walmart and only made one trip to the store all week.
Mara Weinraub
May 4, 2023
3 Things People Forget to Do While DownsizingReal Estate
According to experts.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Aug 7, 2022
4 Reasons Why Some Boomers Don't Want to Downsize AnymoreReal Estate
Not everyone wants to pare down their belongings.
Jennifer Prince
Feb 16, 2023
I Downsized My Home, but Not My Parties — How to Host Big Fun in a Small SpaceKitchen
For starters, serving buffet-style is a must.
Katy Kostakis
Jun 18, 2023
How Two Retirees in South Carolina Spent $189 (Mostly) at Publix on Groceries for the WeekGroceries
So many BOGO deals!
Mara Weinraub
Aug 15, 2024
One Thing You Should Never Do When Downsizing Your ThingsOrganizing
According to a minimalist lifestyle coach.
Dara Zycherman
Nov 4, 2022
I Moved into a Trailer Park as an Empty Nester — And I Love ItReal Estate
I’m never leaving.
Tamara MC
Oct 12, 2023
I'm Retired and My Husband Works in Public Relations — We Spent $60 on a Week’s Worth of Groceries
Grocery Diaries
"I love being able to put a dinner salad on the table in 15 minutes."
Mara Weinraub
Jan 20, 2022
I'm a Boomer and I Don't Want to Downsize — Here's WhyReal Estate
To me, there's really no place like home.
Brenda Richardson
Aug 2, 2022
This Is the Best Cheap Place to Retire in the U.S., a New Study Finds
NEWS
Retirement doesn’t necessarily mean you have to break the bank.
Inigo Del Castillo
Nov 27, 2023
My Husband and I Are Both Retired Teachers in Arizona — We Spent $146 on a Weekly Grocery Haul Groceries
Meats are frequently added as a “condiment” in vegetable dishes.
Mara Weinraub
Aug 23, 2023
These Are The 10 Best U.S. Towns To Retire InReal Estate
Time to consider greener (and greyer) pastures.
Abby Monteil
Jun 26, 2024
Nearly 3 Out of 4 Empty Nesters Renovate Their Homes, Survey Finds
News
Goodbye kids, hello home office.
Abby Monteil
Aug 10, 2022