#space-saving

#space-saving

My laundry setup is light-years better in my current apartment than in my previous one - at least in my eyes. In my last place, the stacked washer and dryer sat right next to the fridge, leaving barely any room to store detergent, let alone a dirty hamper. While I still have a stacked washer-dryer setup now, it lives inside a closet, which drastically reduces visual clutter and keeps all my laundry essentials in one easy-to-access place.

We're no strangers to controversial design features making a major comeback: From soapstone kitchen countertops to seashell decor, things that were once "out" always seem to make their way back "in" in the design world. (Design déjà vu is kind of the industry's thing.) As part of the sixth annual State of Home Design survey last month, Apartment Therapy asked 140 interior designers which once-controversial trends they thought were poised to make a resurgence in 2026. Some answers were more surprising than others, of course, but one stood out more than all the rest: When it comes to bathrooms, interior designers say the built-in bathtub is back - and in a big way.

One thing about me: I love a feature that fills a home with character. Wood-paneled ceilings? Yes! Sunken living rooms? Sign me up! Crown molding? Please, please, please! The house my parents moved into after I graduated college is a split-level ranch meets mid-century modern home in Texas that isn't overwhelmed with this level of character but does have some very fun quirks - including a pocket door that leads to one guest bathroom.

You know that awkward moment when you walk into someone's home and realize your dripping umbrella is about to become everyone's problem? We've all been there, clutching a soggy umbrella while desperately looking for somewhere (anywhere) to stash it that won't create a puddle or knock things over. Enter the Justin Case umbrella stand by Eduardo Baroni, a piece that proves even the most mundane household items deserve a glow-up.

Travel bags take up a ton of storage space in your home when not in use. A typical full-size suitcase is 27 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 14 inches deep, which can be hard to find a place to store, let alone the other travel bags you have, such as carry-ons, weekenders, toiletry bags, and more. To save precious space, one genius workaround is investing in collapsible travel bags that fold up to almost nothing, which means you can fit more in less space.

If you're having trouble fitting all of your friends around the table, Crin said to consider installing banquette seating. "Manufacturing a banquette will not only save space, but done right, will add at least one extra seat at the table, making this dining nook more inviting towards social gatherings," Crin told Tasting Table. Banquettes require less space than traditional dining chairs, because they don't require room for the chair to be pulled out.

Home fitness equipment typically falls into two categories: expensive machines that dominate entire rooms, or cheap gadgets that get shoved into closets after a few weeks of use. Neither option works well for people who want to stay fit without sacrificing their carefully curated living spaces. The challenge becomes even more complex when you factor in busy schedules that make gym visits feel impossible.

Your kitchen cupboards and pantry can get messy and out of control quickly. If you have trouble arranging items, you aren't alone. Even Christina Haack, host of HGTV's "Christina on the Coast", needs professional help with pantry organization. She stated in a now-deleted Instagram post that she used Simply Luxe Professional Organizers to finally tame pantry mess and clutter and revealed the tip that she still uses in her kitchen today.

To fold reusable shopping bags efficiently, lay the bag out flat, fold it in thirds, then wrap the handles around the body to form a tidy rectangle.

Walking into a home where something delicious is baking is one of those classic comforting experiences, making you feel warm and cozy as you breathe in the enticing aromas.

As far as furnishing your home goes, a desk might initially seem low on the priority list, but it’s one of those pieces you don't realize the importance of until you find the right one.