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Articles by Eleanor Busing
7 Genius Ways to Make a Long, Narrow Living Room Feel Way Less Awkward
Eleanor Büsing August 5, 2024 at 2:15 PM 1 / 8 7 Genius Ways to Make a Long, Narrow Living Room Feel Way Less Awkward Long, narrow living rooms (or family rooms) can be a chore to lay out and decorate, not to mention live in. Nobody wants to feel like they're entertaining in a train carriage or watching TV in a hallway. But with some layout tweaks and a few visual tricks up your sleeve, you can learn to love your long room.
Be Your Own Designer: 10 Flawless Ways to Lay Out a Living Room Original
Design Ideas By Room Living Rooms Save facebook pinterest email comments We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. Save Pin It See More Images (Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Our living rooms wear a lot of hats: we watch TV, entertain friends, have conversations and spend time reading in them. Sometimes they double as home offices, playrooms for kids, or even dining rooms, too.
5 Ways to Arrange Furniture in a Small Bedroom
Of all the rooms that you might consider "too small", the bedroom isn't the worst one to deal with. Despite the obvious storage issue, you don't need too much extra space here (just hold your dance parties elsewhere). However, flow of movement and a serene feel are important, so here are five ways to arrange a seriously small bedroom, and some bonus tips and tricks, too. If you do it right, it can look as impossibly chic on this featured space from Domino.
7 Genius Ways to Make a Long, Narrow Living Room Feel Way Less Awkward Original
Decorating By Room Living Rooms Save Your Favorites Whenever you see the heart icon, just tap it to save it to your account! comments48 We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. Create your own custom boards and keep all your inspiration in one place. See More Images Credit: Erin Derby Long, narrow living rooms (or family rooms) can be a chore to lay out and decorate, not to mention live in.
The 10 Commandments of Furniture Placement
Here at Apartment Therapy, we've been banging on about furniture placement for years, and it seems we've got a lot to say on the topic. Between all the advice, visuals and case studies, there are some gems of information to be discovered. Read on for our top 10 tips for nailing your furniture layout, with links to our archives to expand on each one. The most important factor when arranging any room is to understand, and have the layout reflect, how the space will be used.
Things to Do on Thanksgiving Instead of Having a Big Dinner
When it comes to Thanksgiving, the meal is the main event. It sometimes seems as though the entire point of the holiday is to eat a massive, rich dinner before retiring to the sofa for a nap. But what if you don't have the room to host a big dinner, don't want to bother with all that cooking, or it just plain doesn't jive with your schedule? Here are a few ideas for Thanksgiving Day that don't involve a turkey. 1. Have Brunch Ok, this is cheating slightly—it's still a meal, after all.
Property Ladder Angst: How to Deal with the Urge to Buy a Home
The UK, my adopted home for the past eight years, has what I would call a "home ownership fixation." When I first moved here, I was perplexed when getting on the property ladder came up in conversation nearly as often as, say, tea or the weather. I'd also wager a guess that there are more reality television shows geared toward buying and renovating houses here than in any other country. For a while, I listened to those conversations and watched those shows with amused disinterest.
Find Your Best Bedroom Layout with a King-Sized Bed
In this space planning series, Layout Lessons, we'll be exploring layout options for different bed sizes within various shaped bedrooms because things can get tricky sometimes. We tapped Eleanor Büsing, a contributing writer for Apartment Therapy and an interior designer in her own right, for her expert opinion on the matter. Here, how to deal when only a King bed will do.
Real Life in London: 7 Things You’ll Need to Be OK With To Love Living Here
Real Estate Moving New Home Save facebook pinterest email comments We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. Save Pin It See More Images (Image credit: Eleanor Büsing) Years ago, I wrote a post about surviving and thriving in London, and it’s one of my favorite pieces I’ve written for Apartment Therapy.
Ideas for Laying Out Two Twin Beds in a Bedroom
We spend approximately one third of our lives sleeping, so it goes without saying that our bedrooms are an important room in our homes. They're also storage areas and often working spaces as well, creating layout issues. Furthermore, not every size and style of bed works for every lifestyle, and neither do they necessarily work with the space in our homes. In this series, we'll be exploring layout options for different bed sizes within various-shaped bedrooms.
Be Your Own Designer: 10 Flawless Ways to Lay Out a Living Room
published Feb 6, 2019 We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. (Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Our living rooms wear a lot of hats: we watch TV, entertain friends, have conversations and spend time reading in them. Sometimes they double as home offices, playrooms for kids or even dining rooms, too.
Find Your Best Bedroom Layout with a Queen-Sized Bed
In this space planning series, Layout Lessons, we'll be exploring layout options for different bed sizes within various shaped bedrooms because things can get tricky sometimes. We tapped Eleanor Büsing, a contributing writer for Apartment Therapy and an interior designer in her own right, for her expert opinion on the matter. To kick things off, let's start with the classic Queen.
8 Times Vintage Textiles Completely Made the Room
Vintage (and vintage looking) textiles are all the rage right now. Used as upholstery, on walls, floors, windows or accessories, they can add that much-needed dose of color, texture and pattern to a space. But what if your style veers more modern and crisp than global and eclectic? Fear not, you can still rock this trend—here are examples of spaces that rock vintage right.
4 Common Furniture Layout Mistakes (& How to Fix Them)
Furniture buying is hard; even harder still might be where to put it all and how to arrange a room. You might be inclined to just throw everything up against the wall, or set up your stuff the way your parents did in your childhood home. And though it might not seem like rocket science, the littlest tweaks in flow and placement can really make a colossal difference in the way a room feels and how you live in it.
8 Vintage Pieces Used in Unexpected & Brilliant Ways
I'm a big fan of vintage furniture: well-made and well-loved, the right piece can add a focal point to any space. But keeping in mind the old adage of having nothing in your home that isn't beautiful or useful, you want to be sure that you aren't just adding vintage pieces for the sake of them being, well, old. Check out the following for examples of vintage being brilliantly repurposed, reused, or just given the right surroundings.
Are White Walls the Ultimate Decorating Secret Weapon?
White is arguably the most versatile of paint colors, especially when it comes to that which surrounds us—walls. Would you agree? Although I love a pop of bold color (or a dramatic dark, or a well-considered neutral...), even I have to agree that white can be seen as one-size-fits-all, serving as a backdrop for spaces overflowing with interest and personality. It seems that no matter the style, from classic and cozy to clean and contemporary, white just works.
10 of the Best Things You Should Make Instead of Buy
Over the years, we've shared a lot of money-saving projects, large and small. If you can make something at home easily and cheaply, why wouldn't you? Save some cash and flex those DIY muscles with these ten ideas for things to make rather than buy, from the Apartment Therapy and Kitchn archives. Your wallet and your home will thank you. Household cleaners. Ban chemicals from your home once and for all, and save pennies too with these recipes for eco-friendly cleaning products. Toothpaste. Hey, why not?
5 Homes That Show Off How to Live Large in a Small Space
Living large in a small space is all down to planning: planning storage, planning layout, planning decor so it's neither too boring nor too overpowering. Here are five well-planned small spaces that work hard for their size, and the tricks they use to do it.
Unexpected Color Combinations That Make The Ugliest Colors Pretty
Here at Apartment Therapy we love our color, and unusual combinations are our Achilles' heel. If you're tired of neutral spaces, the same old "pop" colors or just want to feast your eyes on something new, read on for seven inspiring, invigorating and quirky color schemes to try out today.
The Unwhite Kitchen: Kitchens That Really Celebrate Color
Look, I love a white kitchen. In the past, I've gone so far as to say that certain things — namely, kitchens and linens — always look their best in cool, crisp white. But these days, while you won't find me outfitting my bed in say, cerulean sheets, I'm definitely on Team Color when it comes to kitchens. There are loads of ways to go about injecting some color into the most utilitarian (yet also, most welcoming) room in the home.
Not-Boring Beige: The Modern Way to Rock Neutrals
Beige gets a bad rap. Too often the innocent color becomes synonymous with other words in our minds: bland, boring, dated, '80s... I could go on. But beige has a lot going for it: it's timeless, calming, is far less trendy than gray and less sterile than white, and it serves as a great backdrop for more exciting things. Read on for several ways to rock beige without falling asleep in the process.
7 Rooms That Break Rug Size "Rules" (And Still Look Good)
I'll be honest, when I got the brief for this article, I took one look at the title and thought: no way. I've gone on record around here as a rug-size militant, and one who believes that bigger is nearly always better. But before dismissing the idea completely, I decided to have a hunt for rooms breaking traditional rug rules and still managing to look good. Lo and behold, what I found was eye-opening to say the least.
Need to Put Your Bed in Front of a Window? Here Are 15 Ways to Make This Tricky Layout Work
Decorating By Room Bedrooms Save Your Favorites Whenever you see the heart icon, just tap it to save it to your account! comments45 We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. See More Images Credit: Leela Cyd Most people will do anything to avoid placing their bed in front of a window. After all, if there’s a view involved you want to be looking at it from bed — not have it be behind you.
Design Lessons: How To Spot (& Fix!) an Off Balance Room
Design Ideas Interior Design Save facebook pinterest email comments We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. Save Pin It See More Images (Image credit: Nate Berkus Interiors) Balance is a tricky beast when it comes to interior design. Some people love perfectly symmetrical spaces, and others are utterly bored by them.
Trend-Proof Decorating: Classic Paint Colors That'll Stand the Test of Time
In theory, the paint on the walls is one of the easiest things to change about any space. In practice, however, it can be costly, time-consuming and downright annoying to re-paint a room, let alone a whole home. That's why many people worry about choosing colors that stand the test of time, and will look as fresh 10 years from now as the day they went up. If you're looking for some trend-proof shades for you home, read on for a few ideas. I hear you—duh.
Plagued With Dated Mirrored Walls? 5 Design Ideas to Make Them Work
Sometime a few decades back, it seems that designers cottoned onto the fact that mirrors are (er, make that can be) fantastic for interiors. They reflect light, thus making a space look brighter and larger. There's also a certain shiny-glam factor to them, owing to the fact that traditionally, glass is an expensive finish to splash about. That all being said, there can definitely be too much of a good thing, especially when mirrors are concerned.
The Pinterest-Proven Formula for the Ultimate Cozy Bedroom
Let's do an experiment. Navigate over to Pinterest, type the phrase "cozy bedroom" into the search bar, and see what comes up. Pretty specific, right? It seems the internet has decided there's a clear-cut formula to having a beautiful-but-cozy bedroom, and it involves lots of texture, a lack of housekeeping and copious amounts of tea. If you're after this look for yourself (I don't blame you, it is lovely), hang around while I break down this blueprint. Forget vibrant brights and dramatic darks.
UK Style: 5 Particularly British Design Lessons I've Learned
I've been living in London for nearly a decade now, having moved here from Canada as a bright-eyed university graduate, in search of tea and adventure. Through my friendships and work as an interior designer (not to mention my work for Apartment Therapy— I love a good House Tour snoop), I've been lucky enough to have been invited into countless English homes over the years, from Cornwall to Yorkshire and nearly every county in between.
Paint Color Ideas That Work in Small Bedrooms
It's no secret that we at Apartment Therapy love color, even (er, make that especially) in small spaces. While the rest of the internet might still be spewing the "paint it white to make it seem larger" line, we know that a bold shade can bring energy and a sense of expansion to a modest room. Have a small bedroom and want some paint ideas beyond white and gray? We've got you—and your walls—covered.
My Capsule Wardrobe Experiment: Part Three - Lessons Learned, Tips & Takeaways
This is the final post in my mini-series on capsule wardrobes. If you've been following along, you've seen why I decided to give this a go and how I created my first capsule, and now it's time for the results. Read on for my thoughts (warning: I've got a lot of 'em) on living with a 37-piece wardrobe for three months. First up: I really loved opening my closet every morning to see a small, edited collection of clothing that I really wanted to wear.
My Capsule Wardrobe Experiment: Part Two - How I Created My Capsule
Previously, I introduced you to my recent wardrobe obsession: capsule wardrobes. This on-trend idea (hi, KonMari!) was everywhere last year, and for me, a lifetime of loving fashion, a penchant for organization, and a tight budget came together and created the perfect environment in which it could take root. This week, I'm showing how I made my first capsule back in September 2015 and sharing tips for the structure and creation of capsules in general.
My Capsule Wardrobe Experiment: Part One - Why I Decided To Pare Down
published Jan 27, 2016 (Image credit: Chocolate Heels) Not my wardrobe. Sigh. (It belongs to Amanda of Chocolate Heels.) In the middle of 2015, I wrote a post on ways to reduce clutter in the closet and money spent on clothing. Among the ideas presented was the Capsule Wardrobe, an idea which has long been hanging around the internet, but which really took off that year.
Are You Making These 7 Rookie Decorating Mistakes?
Since we spend so much of our time discussing design on Apartment Therapy, I'm willing to bet that most of us have pretty good-looking homes. But style is all in the details, and sometimes it's easy to overlook things that are right in front of you, day after day. Read on for the small things that might be letting your home down, and the easy tweaks you can make to change them.
5 Ideas to Make The Most of Your Closet
Your clothes aren't one-size-fits-all, so why would your closet be? Whether you've got a walk-in wardrobe, an open clothing rail in your bedroom, or something in between, you'll want to make it work for you and give you a thrill every time you visit. Here are five ideas for customizing your closet. So maybe your wardrobe isn't the walk-in you dream of. It might not even be stand-in. But if you can treat and decorate it like the closet of your dreams, you're halfway there.
Plants to Replace the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
The fiddle fig has been dominating the corners of trendy, well-designed rooms for years, but all good things must come to an end. Awhile back, we proclaimed the pothos as the new fiddle fig, and more recently, gave you seven reasons why the rubber tree plant was "next", but I'm not convinced. The monstera plant was everywhere this summer, and I think it might be primed to become the reigning flora du jour.
Over-the-Top Decorating Ideas for the Hardcore Holiday Enthusiast — Minimalist/Maximalist
Sometimes, more is more. For many, one of those times is Christmas, and all the decorating opportunities the holiday brings with it. If you're more of a maximalist than a minimalist when it comes to decking your halls, feast your eyes on the following ideas— they're a little OTT, but in the best way possible. Above: Why decorate one tree when you can trim six trees? This room spotted on Becoration will make you question everything you ever thought you knew about Christmas decorating.
A Minimalist Christmas: 12 Understated (But Still Gorgeous) Decorating Ideas — Minimalist/Maximalist
"Decorating for the holidays" often feels like an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, but there's another way to do Christmas: embracing the Danish concept of hygge (simple, cozy and comforting). Often nature-inspired and monochrome in look, check out these ideas for a Scandi-inspired, minimal holiday at home. Above: A clever DIY advent calendar via My Scandinavian Home counts down to Christmas in a minimal and modern way.
Classic Interiors That Stand the Test of Time: Why They Work
What is it that makes some rooms utterly timeless? The type of space that feels comfortably classic yet up-to-date at the same time? It's in the furniture, the function, the overall vibe of the place. Read on for six spaces that embrace classic style, and see how they do it. The gorgeous living room here (and in the lead image) is modern, designed by McGrath II, but I'm sure you'll agree that it has an ageless quality to it.
My Pantone Color of the Year Predictions: My (Mainly Green!) Guesses for 2017
Let's leave aside, for a minute, all discussions of how "color of the year" became a thing that I spend my time thinking about, and focus instead on the wonders of what I've come to embrace as Color Season. Benjamin Moore announced recently that Shadow, a deep, rich amethyst, is their color of 2017. Sherwin-Williams went with Poised Taupe, a neutral which perfectly straddles the warm/cool divide.
Cookie Cutter No More: 5 Ways to Customize Your Kitchen
The kitchen is often said to be the heart of the home, so it's a shame when they feel, well, heartless. Although it's a work space, a kitchen is more than the sum of its functional parts. Make sure yours works for you and reflects your style with these tips for customization in the kitchen. It's an easy change to make (and maybe a cop-out on a post like this), but it's surprising to me how many people just don't bother.
5 Things You Can Do (in a Weekend!) to Customize Your Living Room
Your living room is arguably where you spend the most time at home (at least when you're awake), so it goes without saying that you want this room, above any, to feel inviting, personal and comfortable. But beyond choosing furniture you like and hanging a few pictures, it can be difficult to decide where to focus your efforts, especially for renters or those on a budget. For a truly "custom" home, think about focusing on these few areas...
5 Ideas for Customizing Your Bedroom
Of all the rooms in your home, your bedroom is arguably the most personal. Don't let it feel bland or generic—read on for some tips on creating a unique oasis which satisfies all the senses. Every kid loves a bed fort, and the big kid version is a DIY canopy bed. Canopies are whimsical, elegant, and can be yours with some curtain rails or industrial pipe, and a few yards of fabric. Nothing ordinary here. (Image via This is Glamorous) If a canopy isn't your style, look to your headboard.
Dos and Don'ts of Hanging Art: Tips & Measurements
As a designer, poorly hung art is probably my number one design bugbear. I'll walk into an otherwise lovely room, and immediately want to re-position pieces I see as too high, too low, or not suitable for the space (don't worry, I don't actually do this—I'm detail-oriented, not crazy). Avoid these all-too-common design pitfalls by referring to our pictorial guide to hanging art like a pro.
How Do I Figure Out the Right Size Rug to Buy?
A new rug can be one of the most anxiety-inducing purchases you can make for your home. For one thing, even the small ones seem shockingly expensive. For another, once you understand the importance of rug size in creating a comfortable space (spoiler alert: bigger is better here) they become even more so. There's also room use and orientation to contend with.
Do's & Don'ts of Hanging Curtains: Tips & Measurments
Nothing makes a room feel well-dressed quite like a carefully chosen, expertly hung curtains. When done right, your ceilings can look taller, your overall space larger. Unfortunately, some rooms are let down by their window dressing: hung too low or too narrow, not enough fullness...the pitfalls are plenty. Don't let this happen to you—check out our visual guide to the Dos and Don'ts of curtain hanging so your windows will always be dressed to impress.
How To Pick a Color Palette That Will Pull Your Home Together
You know the feeling when you walk into a space and something isn't quite right? The furniture is great and the layout works, but it feels chaotic or piecemeal? Nine times out of 10, that feeling is due to the (lack of) color scheme: homes are often designed over time, and without a color plan to work from, can wind up feeling haphazard. It's one of the reasons restaurants and hotels can look so inviting: designers know there is nothing quite like color for creating a mood and a sense of flow.
No-Fail Recipes for Artfully Arranging Your Sofa Pillows
Nobody likes a sad, empty sofa. A cushion or two (or five!) is always welcome for snuggling into, and the aesthetic boost your room gets from the extra textures and patterns is the icing on the cake. While there are many different ways to create an eye-pleasing cushion arrangement (and with practice, you can knock 'em all out of the park), here are a few simple tips that I use regularly when styling my clients' homes.
You Do You: How To Rearrange Your Stuff To Suit How You Really Want to Live
Did you know that in some European countries, apartments are advertised according to how many rooms they contain, but these are not specifically denoted as bedrooms, living areas, etc? I think they've hit on a good thing: we don't all have the same home needs, after all. No matter the size of your home, you can think creatively about its space and not be constrained by words on a floor plan. Read on for some ideas on how to adjust your home's available space to align with how you live in it.
Redefining Modern: The Once-Cold Aesthetic Gets a Warm Upgrade
Modern has had a makeover: push from your mind any images of stark, white, ultra-minimal interiors that you associate with the word. The new modern is warm, cozy, tactile, and even a little glamorous. Read on for five hallmarks that are redefining the aesthetic. Warmer Metals The warm metal trend has been going strong for a few years now, and it shows no signs of slowing.
Home "Alone": Small Space Hacks for Creating Privacy At Home
We're all about small space living here at Apartment Therapy, but even we admit that it can be difficult to find privacy in a tiny home. But whether it's from the other people in your household, occasional guests, your neighbors or even just your own work, separation can be achieved. Read on for some ideas on how to carve a bit of "me space" in your place.
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