Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
Call it zen or hygge or just plain cozy, we look to our homes to be a welcoming refuge, especially during the current times. From creating a reading nook to setting up a bathroom “spa,” we’ve rounded up the best projects to help you carve out a tranquil space in a stressful world, no matter what size your apartment or home.
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If you’re starting to get a little stir crazy working from home, why not take this as an opportunity to spruce up your home office setup. Ahead, we’ve put together some suggestions for setting up the perfect work-from-home scenario, even if you’re stuck in a tiny apartment. From practical solutions like wall-mounted desks and storage drawers to fun furniture ideas like an ergonomic stool and even something for your furry friend.
Image courtesy of Snowe
In any season, we spend a significant portion–and probably not as much as we’d like–between the sheets. Assembling a dream-worthy bed can be confusing, not to mention expensive. As with all things home-related, much of it comes down to personal preferences, trends, and pricing. Below is a guide to the best bedding available online, what’s new, and where to score fabulous sheets, duvet covers, and more, for less.
Image courtesy of Tuft & Needle.
Buying a mattress is no longer like buying a car, requiring showroom visits that put us at the mercy of unctuous sales agents and an SUV-sized investment. The advent of “bed-in-a-box” disruptors changed the game (and your new mattress may very well arrive in a bafflingly small box). But this new era has brought so many options that it’s impossible to comparison shop. Articles and sites that attempt to evaluate the contenders use criteria as diverse as sleeping style (back, side, etc), weight, softness, heat, bounce, and durability. But there’s no perfect formula, and it really comes down to personal preference–which isn’t always easy to put into words. While we can’t tell you which mattress is perfect for you, below is a roundup of the current important entries in the mattress field, and why they’re so popular.
Image courtesy of Pantone
Since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute graphics company has chosen a Color of the Year, and the 2020 hue is PANTONE 19-4052 TCX, otherwise known as “Classic Blue.” The blue hue is indeed a classic–a primary color that’s simple, bright, and doesn’t pull any punches. It calls to mind blueberries, nautical motifs, and, yes, Facebook. Below are some ideas for putting a pop of this cheery color in your space and your life, from apartment-friendly sofas and chairs to necessary accessories like a self-cleaning water bottle.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the sitcom Friends, Lego next month will release a new collectible set featuring one of the show’s most important characters: the Central Perk cafe. Available starting September 1, the set includes the cafe’s iconic seating, including the orange couch, armchair, and two chairs. You can recreate the show’s classic moments with seven new Lego mini-figures of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey, Phoebe, and Gunther.
“Friends” is set to leave Netflix by the end of the year, but devoted fans now have a new way to keep their favorite moments close by. As the show prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Pottery Barn has just launched the much-anticipated FRIENDS x Pottery Barn collection, comprised of furniture, tableware, and other household accessories inspired by the classic ’90s sitcom. Ranging from a $1,099 apothecary coffee table to a $29.50 throw pillow featuring the iconic shade of purple in Monica’s apartment—there’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re a Rachel, a Joey, or a Phoebe.
Always on the cutting edge–as with this genius furniture for small spaces–IKEA is introducing SYMFONISK, a collaboration with Sonos that mixes great design with wifi-enabled sound. The all-new sound collection includes a luminous table lamp and a slender, minimalist bookshelf speaker; both are wifi speakers. Even better: The speakers can be used with the Sonos system and controlled through the company’s app.
Images courtesy of Ikea
The World Health Organization estimates that 90 percent of people worldwide are impacted by the harmful effects of pollution, which provoke a range of life-threatening diseases. While pollution is thought to cause around eight million deaths a year, more than half of those are the result of indoor pollution, not the smog-filled city streets we’re more commonly wary of. To help with this problem, IKEA is preparing to launch GUNRID, an air-purifying curtain. The low-cost, low-tech option will give New Yorkers (who are always short on space) a simple way of destroying indoor air pollution without using any bulky filtering systems.
In addition to the emotional baggage an ex-lover leaves behind after a breakup, they typically leave their literal stuff scattered across your apartment. Instead of being forced to remember happier times, a new startup is offering to remove or store anything that reminds you of your ex (h/t apartment therapy). The company “ExBox” will send a box to your apartment, ready to be filled with your former sweetheart’s junk.
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