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

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).

Vertical storage is the way to go.

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.

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.

Sorting laundry is my own personal hell. Until now.

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.

It's not in the box it came in.

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.

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

Give your kitchen a much-needed clean-out.

It doesn't fare as well in living rooms.

And it can be done with scrap wood!

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

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.

The before-and-after shots are pretty impressive!

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

Find inspiration for creative kids’ rooms, playrooms, and generally child-friendly living spaces. 

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.

An aunt created a brand-new, totally cute and chic bedroom for her niece that can change as her style and interests change.

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

According to paint pros.

This piece was created for Cubby, our weekly newsletter for families at home. Want more? Sign up here for a weekly splash of fun and good ideas for families with kids. Join us over on Instagram for more! When Rachel Thomas and her family moved into their new home, a ‘90s builder special in Pickering, Ontario, she knew exactly which room she wanted to work on first.

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

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

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

Sometimes small changes make the biggest difference.

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!

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.

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.

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.

It was also the easiest! And, you probably already have what you need!

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

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

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.

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

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

Here's how a family home manages to have minimal design AND lots of kid-friendly play spaces.

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!

It all started with one great rug.

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

And you can get it at The Home Depot!

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

These two mistakes can make or break a home sale.

Now my son has escalated a new situation in our house of which my wife and I are both apparently guilty — we don’t lower the toilet seat before flushing each time. My son says we’re both disgusting. What is the truth here?!?!CarlDear Carl,I thought you might be back. 🙂Since Covid began germ etiquette has definitely ratcheted up and this is one that my own daughter brought into our home two months ago when school began again IRL.

Interior designer Catherine Armstrong lives in Byron Bay and recently completed an inspiring full renovation of the home she shares with her family.

This piece was created for Cubby, our weekly newsletter for families at home. Want more? Sign up here for a weekly splash of fun and good ideas for families with kids. Join us over on Instagram for more! I grew up binging “Leave it to Beaver” — you know, that 1950s sitcom about a family of four without a hair out of place — with my Dad. Now as a frazzled parent myself, some elements of the series seem more than a little ridiculous.

East Fork Pottery's founders Connie and Alex Matisse share this incredibly cozy cabin in the woods with their two young daughters (and lots of fantastic ceramic dish and tableware).

You've gotta see the smart closet hack in this room.

You heard it here: It's OK to store toys in every room.

(Image credit: Esteban Cortez) Preparing for Thanksgiving is by no means a one-day affair. If you’re hosting, you’ve been getting your house and kitchen ready, and spent days making lists, shopping, and cooking. Once the feasting is over, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cleaning up—and you shouldn’t have to! Here’s our fail-proof, get-it-done method for getting your kitchen back in shape so you can relax.

Courtyards, curved staircases, and stunning balcony views ... this French Quarter rental apartment is a dreamy New Orleans home for a family of four.

When you’re a teacher, there is no holiday like Thanksgiving. The fall semester starts after Labor Day and you endure nearly three months of grueling class time to get your children in shape and moving meaningfully through the curriculum. You know the clock is ticking, parents are watching and your fellow teachers, all more experienced than you, are probably farther ahead. Teaching is very competitive.

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, or Friendsgiving, or reserve the big holiday meals for later in the year, you can't deny that your kitchen gets a lot of use this time of year.

On Kitchn: A Thanksgiving Dinner Outdoors (Image credit: Leela Cyd) Thanksgiving is almost upon us. And you’re hosting. If you started planning weeks ago, you’re in great shape to pick up and get to the real work of having guests and preparing a very special feast. If you’re only getting around to preparations now, don’t despair!

This super-easy hack gives us so much more time to spend together on weekends.

Woodstock-era inspiration and beautiful boho touches take this mobile bedroom from brown and drab to bright and modern.