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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.
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The gym is closed. It’s still too cold to hit the park, beach, or local outdoor track (or you’d just rather stay at home). There are only so many times you can walk the dog. But your health and fitness–and sanity–depend on being able to get some exercise. This could be the best time to put that at-home workout plan into action–especially since exercise is one of the best ways to boost your immune system. Whether it’s a yoga practice, cardio, training for a race or building strength, let the list below inspire you to get moving, even if you’re in a small NYC apartment.
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.
Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash
From purifying the air to making your apartment feel more welcoming and alive, there are a multitude of reasons to incorporate plants into your home decor. However, for many of us, keeping these precious specimens alive can be a small but legitimate challenge—especially when space and natural sunlight is limited (like many apartments in New York City). To make the commitment to caring for and sustaining the life of greenery a bit easier, we’ve put together this list of special and very sturdy plants perfect for apartment dwellers like yourself.
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 The Sill.
Long after the day of chocolate boxes and candy hearts is over, these gifts will still be as cool as the person who gave them. Because if you’re going to wear your heart on your sleeve, it had better look good! Ahead, we’ve rounded up 15 great gift ideas, from chic pottery and lamps to heart-shaped succulents to a hot sauce kit to spice things up.
Photo by Altifarm Enverde on Unsplash
As climate change and environmental issues continue to be hot topics on a global scale, more and more people are trying to do their small part at home. To get some easy lifestyle tips on how to “green” your apartment right here in New York City, we spoke to an NYC-based zero-waste expert and an eco-conscious interior designer who filled us in on things like eliminating single-use items, saving energy, and composting.
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.
Photo credit: Dipankan001 for Wikimedia cc.
You may or may not be on board with the idea of starting the new year with a set of fresh and fabulous resolutions. But everyone has goals, and if yours are among those mentioned here–from getting more sleep to seeing more art–read on for helpful hacks, simple solutions, and total game-changers.
Image courtesy of The Sill.
Plants don’t just make our rooms look great, they also purify indoor air by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen. They’ve been known to boost mood and creativity and reduce stress (and they sure do look good in apartment spaces, for a relatively low cost). They require care but far less than the average pet. And it’s rewarding to see them grow. Even if plant care and feeding lies just outside your skillset, faux foliage, like the life-like specimens from The Sill, has come a long way. Plants and everything you need to nurture them can be easy and convenient to order online, and plants and accessories make great gifts for both experienced “plant people” and newbies. See our guide below for some great green thumb gift ideas.
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