Apartment Therapy | Saving the world, one room at a time

Ideas for Soundproofing Bi-Fold Doors? — Good Questions

Regina Yunghans — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT

Q: I live in a den that's been converted into a bedroom. My doors are bi-fold and have a gap at the bottom, the top, and in the middle. They provide very little privacy and sound passes through them rather easily. In addition, one of the walls has a door that can't be opened but is very poorly sealed off, making all the building hallway traffic highly audible. Any ideas for soundproofing?

The Seasonal Clothing Shuffle: What's Your Strategy?

Tara Bellucci — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Boston temperatures reached the 80s last week, but I've yet to break out the sundresses and put away the coats. The warm weather wear is still in the basement, while my puffy jackets are taking up space in the closet. I'm making myself tackle the change this weekend, but what motivates you to switch your clothes out for the season?

Small Scale Landscaping: Reel Mowers

Jason Loper — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Spring showers and abundant sunshine bring beautiful green grass ... and that grass is going to have to be mowed. Small yards are ideal for old fashioned reel mowers, which rely on blades powered by your own energy. Reel mowers are smaller than bulky gas and electric mowers and you can pretend it's the 1950's while you push one around.

Where to Store Extra Mattress in One-Bedroom Apartment? — Good Questions

Regina Yunghans — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:15:00 GMT

Q: My husband and I are downsizing from a two bedroom apartment to a one bedroom. I would love to keep the mattress that currently is in our second bedroom for when we have guests in the new place, but the big question is, where do we store it? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

Small Space Solutions: Make the Most of the Warm-Weather Coat Closet

Regina Yunghans — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Adios, coats, mittens, hats and scarves. I'm emptying the entryway coat closet of all of its winter contents. Despite its name, though, my small house can't afford to let this prime storage space go to waste. Here are some ideas for what to do with your coat closet during the warm weather months: More

The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit

Tara Bellucci — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:30:00 GMT

With the season of flea markets and antique fairs now upon us, I'm prepping for the summer influx of secondhand furniture finds and putting together the ultimate used furniture cleaning kit. With most of these household items already in your kitchen, you'll be ready to get any grimy piece sparkling in no time.

What's in Your Fridge? 6 Apps to Help You Manage the Refrigerator — Weekly Smartphone App Roundup

Jason Rodway — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:00 GMT

Whether home owners really want or need apps connecting their fridge to the internet is still yet to be seen. But there's no need to purchase a whole new fridge to tap into online services and apps designed to better manage the biggest plugged-in device in your home and its contents...

Shoe Storage Solutions: Under $100 — Small Space Shopping Guide

Jason Loper — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:15:00 GMT

In my apartment with just one small closet, shoe storage is my biggest challenge. This is compounded by the fact that I have a definite shoe shopping problem. (Why must there be so many great looking shoes!) To help the other space challenged shoe collectors out there, here's a handy shopping guide with storage pieces and ways to use them.

Moving In Together: What Do You Do With The Ex-Boyfriend/Girlfriend Box?

Tess Wilson — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

I was first introduced to the concept of the ex-boyfriend (or girlfriend) box by the one and only Lorelai Gilmore. She advised her daughter Rory to throw all the mementos from her just-ended relationship into a box. That way, Rory wouldn't have to look at them, but someday, when she was old and grey, she could go through all her old boyfriend boxes and think, "My, what an interesting life I've had." Does that work in real-life, or just in Stars Hollow?

Solo Life at Home: Using TV Shows for a Little Bit of Background Noise

Tess Wilson — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Even when I was little, I was flummoxed by friends and relatives that would keep the TV on in the background: are you watching or not? Why add noise to the world? I held onto that point of view for decades, but now, after three years of living alone, I find myself soothed by the sounds of Liz Lemon's misadventures unfolding in the next room...

Best Modern Table & Desk Fans 2013 — Apartment Therapy's Annual Guide

Jason Loper — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

So often fans feel like a necessary evil over the warm months. They're great for keeping you cool but they're often total eyesores that you'd rather hide. This is a group of fans that you won't mind incorporating into your room.

Where to Squeeze a Home Office into a Full House?

Roni Shapira Ben-Yoseph — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

It's a perennial small space question that merits revisiting. Under ideal conditions most of us would love to have designated workspace at home, but sometimes square footage and circumstances get in the way. So if your home doesn't have an office where do you put it?

Saying Goodbye to a Home-Away-From-Home

Tess Wilson — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

For the last 4 years, I've house-sat and dog-sat for my friends whenever they travel. I love their home (and the dogs, of course) dearly, and am going to miss it so much when I move away next month. This is their home, but a little part of my heart will stay here...

Things Fall Apart: Living Alone in a Space After a Breakup

Julia Brenner — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Last year, one of my good friends found a new job, packed up his belongings, and moved hundreds of miles away, for love. He was even talking of proposing this spring. Fast-forward to the present, and instead of planning a wedding, my friend and his (now) ex-girlfriend are going their separate ways. He is now living alone in the apartment they had picked out together, the space they chose to start their life together.

5 Tips for Living Without a Washer/Dryer

Alison Gerber — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

There's a debate that is always going on among the Moms of my building: if you could choose just one upgrade for your apartment, would you get a washer/dryer or a dishwasher? For me, the dishwasher wins every time. Life goes on just fine without a washer/dryer. Here is how we do it:

DIY Ideas:Closet Hangers with Panache

AnnaMaria Stephens — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

I've been working on my closet for some time now, trying to figure out how to maximize space and make it feel less utilitarian and more glamorous. Now that I've made some progress — or at least have a solid plan — I can focus on the little details. Pretty frocks deserve pretty hangers, don't you think?

How to Get Purchases Home from Vacation

Kim Lucian — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:15:00 GMT

We've all been in that position — you're on vacation and find a lovely rug, tea table, vase, etc for a price you can't beat. You would love to bring it home with you- but how? Oversized, heavy and otherwise cumbersome pieces present a unique set of challenges but can be well worth the hassle. Here are a few tips.

Will Gen Y Ever Move to the Suburbs? — The Wall Street Journal

Tara Bellucci — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

Married friends of mine announced this week they were moving from their cute place in Arlington, MA. Not to New York or San Francisco, like the many previous relocations I've had in my circle, but to the suburbs. The news was accompanied by a map, slideshow, and public transit access points for us car-free city folk. As the upper age limit of Generation Y enters their mid-30s, will more Millennials follow in my friends' footsteps, or stay in the city?

Apartment Therapy Tips: Living in a Small Space with Pets

Andie Powers — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

We've all got friends like this (or maybe you're the friend). You go over to their house, and it's covered in pet hair and smells like a barn. There's no reason to blame the pets in this instance — there are certainly things that you can do, even living in a small space, that will keep you from being the "smelly house friend."

Tips for Living in a Small Space with Pets (aka: Don't Be the "Smelly House Friend")

Andie Powers — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Exercise at Home: A Compact 7 Minute Workout — New York Times

Janel Laban — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Working out at home, especially in a small space, can be a huge hassle and feel potentially less effective, making hitting the gym seem like a necessity. This latest news has me thinking that maybe a quick, effective and compact at-home exercise routine not only exists, but is worth a try. Check out the full regimen below...

Tips for Moving a Mirrored Dresser? — Good Questions

Regina Yunghans — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:45:00 GMT

Q: I'm moving in a few weeks and I'm not sure how to handle this piece of furniture. It's a dresser similar in style to the one in this photo, and it's on the heavier end. About three flights of stairs are involved in this move (we're only relocating across town, thankfully). My instinct is to cover this bad boy in bubble wrap galore... any thoughts?

Humanscale ZŌN Personal Air Purifier — Tech Test Lab Review

Joelle Alcaidinho — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Product: Humanscale ZŌN Personal Air Purifier
Price: $239.00 (Amazon)
Rating: Recommend*

Doesn't it seem like every allergy season seems to be the worst ever? So when I was offered an opportunity to review the ZŌN Personal Air Purifier, I leapt at the chance. Initially previewed at the New York International Gift Fair 2013, the ZŌN stood out on the show floor, yet inaudible amongst the din of the show floor. Advertised as extremely quiet, yet effective for combatting allergens, I was definitely curious as an allergy sufferer myself about the ZŌN's effectiveness...

Airocide: The $800 Filterless, NASA Technology Air Cleaner

Gregory Han — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

We often hear about the harmful and to-be-avoided effects of volatile organic compounds, especially when it comes to household paints and cleaners. But VOC's also once hampered astronauts aboard the International Space Station, making fresh produce brought up to space ripen too quickly. Born from this problem, NASA engineers devised what would later become an effective consumer air cleaning solution...

Quick Tip for Easier Bathtub Reading

Carrie McBride — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Maybe it's the librarian in me, worried about damaging a book, even a used paperback, but the idea of reading in a warm tub sounds a lot more relaxing than it actually is. Which is why I love this simple and clever tip devised by an 8-year-old.