Family Homes

You'll never look back.

It's my go-to for stains — and keeping my hands super soft — from now on.

The redo turned a "meh" sleep space into a dreamy retreat.

This is a classic example of “Do as I say, not as I do" — but I've also got some solutions to try.

They’ll be snug as a bug in these sheets!

When artist Josie Azuma and her husband bought this house in 2015, it was in rough shape and too small. They renovated it to be a larger, light-filled, and functional home for their family.

Sade and William's house was built in 1837 and had been well maintained when they bought it three years ago; they've added their personality through a little cosmetic work, including paint and refinishing the floors.

What are your thoughts on the best things to bring new parents? I struggle with helpful gifts they’ll actually want!AmandaDear Amanda,I have a very strong opinion on this one, so forgive me if it’s not within the majority’s view. Outside of close family, who often help out a new parents with purchasing the basic things you need to transform your home into a nursery, etc., I feel that the last thing they need is more toys, doo-dads, cute clothes, and clutter for their home.

Some big-impact strategies here — as well as simple little ones you can employ today!

This New Jersey bungalow has original built-in shelves, a "Wes Anderson bathroom," and wood paneling galore.

These resale-friendly hues come highly recommended.

They're easy to recreate at home.

Use it to clean your shower, degrease cabinets, unclog drains, and more!

According to designers!

I live with my husband and three young children in the northwest corner of the state of Arkansas. The kids fill our days with parenting responsibilities: school, extracurricular activities, meals, and bedtime. On the weekends, I look for parks, libraries, and other places of interest. But I’ve run out of ideas and am just bored with where I live. Add in the pandemic and my mid-40s slump and I’m mind-numbingly bored. Plus our weather changes day to day!

From kid-focused kitchen design to grown-up escape zones, there’s something for everyone in the family home of tomorrow.

Whose ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.

With IKEA cabinets, Semihandmade fronts, and a $100 "marble" backsplash hack.

Plus: tips on shopping Facebook Marketplace on a budget and simple furniture redo tricks.

Karri Bowen-Poole of Project Playroom transformed a former den into a bright and airy space for open-ended play.

My father always hounded me to pick up after myself and I developed a real resistance to it. Now, with my own children, I don’t want to spoil them, but I don’t want to hound them all the time either! Anthony, father of threeDear Anthony,First of all, I wanted to add in what you sent to me — that you are a father of three — because I think it lends color to how much picking up you might be dealing with.

Lime-green sconces, vintage art pieces, and lots of perfect imperfection. This home is an unexpected haven for the family of four.

From sneaking in a workout to a time-saving sock system, here’s how parents start their days right.

Vertical storage is the way to go.

From storage to layouts to sleeping arrangements, there are all sorts of considerations that have to be figured out when sharing a small home with a family (of any size).

There's a lot of style packed into this little half bath.

Two words: declutter caddy.

From "art" on walls down to pesky food stains on carpets, we've got solutions to life's little messes.

I’m in the market for a new rug for the kitchen, but I need something that’s durable and will stand up to lots of kid-spills and foot traffic. Do you have any rug-shopping tips?AliceDear Alice,I’ve got the perfect solution for you and you couldn’t have done this so well when I started Apartment Therapy back in 2004.

Sorting laundry is my own personal hell. Until now.

Finding the perfect home decor piece comes with a little thrill, and that’s only amplified when said item is a one-of-a-kind family heirloom, estate sale discovery, or thrifted gem. These 13 house tours are filled with unique items big and small.

Name: Gianna Marzella-Vazquez, husband David, 5-year-told son Leo, and 2-year-old son Noah. Location: Beechhurst — Queens, NYCSize: 1800 square feetType of Home: TownhouseYears lived in: 5 years, owned This project is near and dear to my heart as it was my first home where I lived with my husband David and two young children, Leo and Noah. We took on a massive renovation while I was pregnant with Leo.

This IKEA classic shows its versatility once again with a gorgeous, expensive-looking transformation.

Rather than waiting until it's time to put it all back and bemoaning the amount of stuff you have that, once again, you didn't use, go through it now.

It's not in the box it came in.

Give your kitchen a much-needed clean-out.

It doesn't fare as well in living rooms.

Beyond bulk food, this warehouse store offers deals for the kitchen and bedroom, too.

And it can be done with scrap wood!

Dear Cubby Fans (and those of you who like to trip down to the bottom of the email each week and read this column),It has been an amazing year of growth here at Cubby. While we’re technically a year and a half old at this point, time has gone quickly and it only feels like now, at these holidays, that I can look back and take stock of how much Cubby has grown.

And some of these must-clean items are rather unexpected.

The before-and-after shots are pretty impressive!

Liz S. and her daughter Olivia share this Pittsburgh rental apartment that's filled with a beautiful yet budget mix of decor from thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace, along with a few splurges like Panton chairs.

With plans for a larger gut reno in the future, Katrina and her family to still wanted to make their old, shabby home look good for them NOW. Using smaller, high-impact but low-budget ideas helped transform the space from blah to “I really want to hang out here."

Another highlight: Countertops that look like marble, but cost way less.

The most important step starts with your utensil drawer.

From a sweet little moon that goes along with their favorite bedtime story to a colorful snail that lives inside a solar-powered mason jar, these night lights promise a glow so nice that kids will actually want to go to bed.

According to paint pros.

These parents have thought of everything: vintage rugs, multi-tiered ottomans, and other tiny smart hacks to maximize family spaces.

I wanted to learn how to alter my bad-smelling home habits — for my own nose and to be more hospitable to my guests.

Here are some tips to help you reclaim your couch for resting, not folding.

Some lemon wallpaper, room screens, and tons of house plants give this dank space some fresh life.

We're not sure which one we like more!

Come for the slopes, stay for the fabulous amenities — spas, hot chocolate, kiddie centers, and more!

For the holidays, Beth Sayler wanted her decor to add to their neutral, beachy color scheme, so she carefully selected items that matched the neutral colors and materials that felt natural to the beach vibe.

Since she was a little girl, Sunita Chhabra has loved collecting colorful, beautiful things — and her house is covered is vibrant hues and cool objects. It's travel-inspired, mural-filled maximalism.

I’m looking for good stories to share with my children about these Christmas holidays that are accessible, reverent, and not Hallmark cliches. Any good suggestions? MartyDear Marty,What a nice question you ask. While I wish we had comments working on the site (they will come) so others can chime in, I’m going to give you the answer where my head goes right away: Peter & Lotta’s Christmas by Elsa Beskow.

A few words to describe this one-bedroom apartment? Maximalist, Eclectic, Graphic, and Neon. And the best part is that all of the added details are renter-friendly. (You've probably never seen such creative uses for washi tape or such colorful cabinet upcycles!)

Whether you're decorating a big tree or a small one, let these affordable redos inspire you.

Here are the destinations that topped the list.

If you have kids or pets, you'll want to read this.

We rounded up the most festive and glam hotels to steal some decoration inspo for you.

We’ve rounded up 15 of the best bookcase makeovers, from painted Facebook Marketplace finds to newly-crafted built-ins and more.

If you’ve ever sat in a waiting room under the harsh glow of a fluorescent fixture, then you likely know the power of a bad light bulb.

NOTE: These short memory stories, dropped in as they are to my Ask Maxwell column, do serve a purpose. While definitely different, my aim is to provide context for what we were thinking when we were children, which will help us to understand our own children. I find that in going back into my own childhood and sharing stories of my own struggles and what I was thinking at the time has been very helpful in connecting with my own daughter as she has grown.

"Furnishing our home with unique Facebook Marketplace finds and old pieces my family was getting rid of has become one of my biggest passions," explains Leslie Jarrett. "There is something special about bringing pieces that were on their way to the landfill back to life!"

From neutral and soft decor to bold pops of color, the possibilities are endless when it comes to designing a home nursery. A baby room should be a warm and comfortable space for them to sleep and grow up in, but it should also be a well-organized, savvy space that parents also enjoy spending time in—after all, between nap time and night feeds, they’ll also be regulars in the room.If you’re looking to give your nursery space an overhaul, take inspiration from the latest trends.

Completed in just four months, this tiny DIY kitchen in Chicago is now a total showstopper.

The set comes with all the tools you could possibly need for the little detail work that makes a big difference.

Interior Stylist Jessica Nickerson of House Homemade loved the layout and charm of this house when she first saw it ... but it needed A LOT of updating. Thankfully, this DIY maven isn't afraid of doing the work!

This little fairytale house will make you want to be a kid again.

Just stick to these easy design rules to create a delightful and super-functional room that kids and adults will love.