Have you ever grabbed your phone in the morning and felt like social media was out to get you? There's a notification that your mom liked your #TBT, which is cute. So you open up Instagram to see what else has happened while you were sleeping, and it feels like, oh, okay, everyone bought a cuter apartment than yours in the dead of the night.There are tiny plants everywhere in adorable little cups that seem totally impractical, the walls look almost bleached (again, totally impractical), and a chair juts out from the desk just so, with a Textural Accent thrown ever-so-gingerly across its back. Do these people live in houses or on sets?
We're kind of over lifestyle Pinterest-mageddon and would love to see some fresh ideas for the new year. Here, we've rounded up the worst trend offenders and offered up some alternatives for your space — "Like" counts be damned.
It's like, we get it — you have a big window. Maybe two big windows. When the sun shines in, everything just sort of glows. A chorus of angels hums your ringtone to wake you up every morning. White walls are nice.
But did you think about...
While a white wall can be incredibly practical, especially for color-averse renters, we feel like there are a few worthwhile risks that could be taken. Take a page out of designer Justina Blakeney's book and try a spot treatment, or really go out on a limb and paint your furniture.
Lofts are great in moderation, but despite what Pinterest would have you think, sometimes a girl needs her privacy.
But did you think about...
Why not find some cute ways to divide up your space? Whether it's a screen or a bookcase, there are a ton of simple ways to create rooms-within-rooms that won't negatively affect your chi — or cramp your style.
We get it. Succulents are cute and easy to take care of. But your colony of tiny plants has overtaken the window ledge and is now impeding on what little floor space you have.
But did you think about...
As someone whose own plants persistently live at death's door (I can never quite figure out that precarious balance between over- and under-watering) I know the temptation to keep it simple is real. But a gorgeous trailing ivy in the window or a fresh bouquet of tulips never hurt anybody. And who's down to bring back potpourri?
We know — you have as many hours in the day as Beyoncé. Us, too.
But did you think about...
Maybe you could upgrade to an Adele mug? Or swap out all of your more gimmicky dishes for something a little more sophisticated.
It's not that we want you to call your landlord and suggest tearing down the building because you woke up one day and were like, This just isn't chic. On the contrary! We love a building with solid bones just as much as the next house-hunt-weary New Yorker.
But did you think about...
Maybe exposed brick doesn't need to be the focal point of the room, or maybe it could handle a coat of paint. Or, if you are currently designing your dream loft (using Pinterest or otherwise), go light on the brick.
An exposed bulb felt very Brooklyn-design-renaissance five years ago (which, in turn, felt like the 19th century, what with all the homesteading accoutrements involved), but now we're wondering: Whatever happened to good old-fashioned lamps?
But did you think about...
Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, just get an energy-efficient bulb (no gold tips here) and put it in a cute light where no one will have to see it, just like your parents did.
Do you bask naked in the warm blue glow of your laptop while Netflixing and think to yourself, thank God someone at Ikea invented $12 fur throws? Well, maybe you do — but stop.
But did you think about...
Yes, everyone loves texture. Everyone loves cozy things. But take this as an opportunity to inject some personality into your space. Go for a quilt (they're making a comeback) or invest in a heavyweight linen throw.
Brass is having a moment, yes. But like, this moment is stretching into eternity and then looping back around and eating itself.
But did you think about...
Finding some other metallic accent to obsess over? We're all for hits of gold in small doses, but it takes a masterful hand to make a room full of brass feel bold rather than twee.
It's a philosophical question: If you keep calm and carry on, but don't get it put on a poster, did you ever really carry anything?
But did you think about...
No more inspirational quotes. Please. They're sort of the new slogan tees. Frame something awesome and personal, like an old note you've kept around since childhood, with particularly beautiful handwriting (remember when people wrote things with their hands?) or vintage family photos.
Actually, no one does this any more, right? Right?
But did you think about...
It is totally okay to use books as props. We're not saying they can't be decorative at all — but, again, this is best done in moderation. A color-coordinated stack of coffee-table books with an objet on top? Cute. Great. It's just not something that should scale to an entire wall of your room. Sorry, not sorry.
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