There’s no way around it: Kitchen renovations can be costly, and as much as we’d love a custom-designed set of cupboards, it’s simply not in the (credit) cards for some of us. The good news: There are some clever work-arounds you can do to come in under budget, like saving on inexpensive kitchen cabinets. And the better news? Affordable doesn’t mean having to sacrifice style or functionality.  

We tapped nine designers to spill their inexpensive kitchen cabinet secrets that offer the best value, like their go-to materials and how to get a professional paint finish every time. A kitchen full of gorgeous, custom-ish cupboards has never felt so obtainable.

What’s the Average Cost of Kitchen Cabinets? 

To be sure you’re getting the best possible deal, it helps to know what the going rate is for custom cabinetry. According to HomeAdvisor, most projects fall in the range of $4,000 to $13,000 for an average 10-by-10 kitchen. On the high end, you could be looking at a cool $24,000. 

Aside from the type of material you choose, another budget-influencing point to consider is the kitchen layout. If you’re making any changes to your floor plan that require moving your oven, you’ll want to bring in a pro to relocate electrical, gas, and ventilation systems. The final touches such as paint or hardware also add to your bottom line. A single stain, for example, will cost less than a multistep finish or paint. 

9 Inexpensive Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

Choose a Less Expensive Wood

“Kitchen cabinets can be a huge financial piece of the puzzle,” says Minneapolis-based designer Anne McDonald, who passed along some key advice when crunching numbers on your budget. “Wood type matters!” she stresses. “Natural-grade birch is one of the cheapest species and it’s domestic, so there’s no guilt that it’s being pulled out of the rain forest or shipped from Europe. It’s also very hard and durable, so it will stand the test of time.” Win-win.

Don’t Underestimate IKEA

Even high-end designers who generally work with custom cabinetry can’t deny the appeal of IKEA’s. Michelle Lisac, owner and principal designer of Michelle Lisac Interior Design, says, “Since they come in a wide range of colors, finishes, and affordable prices, it’s easy to configure a design that works well for your space.”

Upgrade IKEA Cabinets With Semi-Custom Fronts

Meagan Camp of New York City–based Meagan Camp Interiors suggests jazzing up your simple (sometimes too simple) IKEA kitchen cabinets with new fronts and pulls. “The brand is everyone’s go-to for budget kitchens,” says Camp. But there are some innovative companies making semi-custom door fronts that are stylish upgrades to what’s available at the famed Swedish retailer. “Superfront and Plykea are two we’ve used, and they’re surprisingly affordable,” she notes.

Choose a Full Overlay Design

Victoria Sass of Prospect Refuge Studio breaks down the three types of primary cabinet styles: partial overlay, full overlay, and inset. Partial overlay, meaning you can see part of the cabinet frame between the door fronts, looks dated and inexpensive, while inset requires the most skill and is, therefore, the most expensive. The Goldilocks of inexpensive kitchen cabinets is a full overlay design. The door fronts fully cover the cabinet framing. “It looks supertailored but requires less precision than inset, and so is less expensive,” says Sass.

Design Affordable Kitchen Cabinets Online

Marie Trohman and Ashley Drost, the designers behind Los Angeles–based Proem Studio, vouch for Barker Modern as a great option, even if you have to buy cabinets sight unseen. “It gives advice on what size to make a refrigerator opening, how to design the toe-kick, and where to use finished end panels,” Trohman says.

Go DIY

DIYer Erin François of François et Moi suggests that you give your existing kitchen cabinets a makeover. “Fresh paint and new hardware are cost-effective ways to breathe new life into your kitchen without tearing everything out,” she says. You’ll need patience and one particular tool for a professional look. “If you’re going this route, I highly recommend renting or investing in a paint sprayer for that professional cabinet-shop finish,” she adds.

Search for Secondhand 

Designers often swear by vintage stores and flea markets for unearthing the best lighting and furniture finds, but what about cabinetry? British creative Caroline Briggs stumbled upon a nearly complete Victorian kitchen set for just under $2,000 at a charity shop—a fraction of what big-box and custom will cost you. 

“I got my joiner to meet me there the next morning, and he was beside himself,” she remembers. “It sat in my friend’s outbuilding for two months while the construction was going on.” Her builders pieced it together in the renovated space, filling in the gaps with reclaimed timber.

Open It Up

Open shelving in place of upper cabinetry has been trending for a while thanks to its streamlined look and ample display space for all your vintage glassware. But it offers the best value by cutting costs in half. Wendy Lau’s wood shelves were only $200, with knotty pine beams from Home Depot and brackets from Etsy. On the other hand, a single standard cabinet will set you back about $150 on average.

Play With Plywood

Making brand-new cabinetry from scratch is a splurge—unless you’re using über-affordable (and on-trend) plywood. “We chose plywood because it was inexpensive, around $2,000, and it’s a pinky blond that I think is pretty,” says designer Megan Pflug of her upstate New York kitchen. The finished project looks anything but builder grade.

The post Kitchen Renovations Can Be Expensive, But Your Cabinets Don’t Have to Be appeared first on domino.

Drew Barrymore is in her neutrals era. Proof: When we meet, she’s wearing a cream-colored suit and lounging on an ivory bouclé swivel chair—one so wide and cozy that someone on set described it as seating for “one and a half.” Barrymore is surrounded by furniture made from light wood, and a soothing sage blanket rests by her side. Welcome to her new Beautiful by Drew furniture collection. 

“I need neutrals more than ever,” she says. “I’m never not going to be colorful and layered, but I need things quieter in my spaces.” Which explains why the Drew chair, out today, is the ideal introduction to her full collection, which will slowly roll out over the next few months. 

Just like so many of the pieces in the line—from knit throws to ultra-soft sofas—the Drew chair, that swivel-y bouclé one she’s resting on, feels like a big hug. Yes, you could call that a tired metaphor, but also during the shoot for this story, Barrymore actually fit herself inside one of the storage coffee tables. So quite literally, her furniture envelops you like welcoming arms.

Barrymore says that the toned-down palette will appeal to minimalists and maximalists alike. For the former group, the pieces allow for a quiet moment that’s modern, crisp, and clean. For the more-is-more crowd, she says the calm shades in her collection are a dream: “You’re not fighting with pattern, so it allows for even more color and pattern,” she says, suggesting everything from red and navy to greens and terracotta. 

Still, one of her favorite aspects of the line is affordability. The Drew chair comes in at $298, and the rest of the products are just as easy on your checking account. “I wanted to make a lovely, timeless, but also on-trend bouclé chair that elevates your space, but at a very different price,” she says. “That’s just how it should be.”

And just because her collection dips into neutral territory, she swears she’s still a design obsessive who’s in love with color, texture, and patterns:  “I can’t ever keep it too minimalist and serious!”

Drew Chair, Beautiful by Drew Barrymore ($298)

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The post We Got the First Look at Drew Barrymore’s Furniture Line (Including the $298 Bouclé Chair) appeared first on domino.

While you’re sure to find us surfing Amazon for unique gifts, we’ll be the first to admit that it isn’t exactly our go-to destination for furniture. Even so, we aren’t above dropping a purchase in our carts when we discover one of the infamous e-tailer’s hidden gems. You know the kind: reasonably priced, positively reviewed pieces that look deceivingly expensive and on trend. Unearthing these diamonds in the virtual rough boils down to possessing free time, patience, and the right search terms—and we’re here to help you with the latter of those three.

To better equip you on your hunt for the best Amazon furniture, we’ve outlined a guide of our editors’ go-to keywords. These hot-button phrases include brands, both in-house exclusives and cool names you didn’t know Amazon carried; quality materials, like solid wood and durable metal; and buzzy trends, from modular sofas to bouclé armchairs. The insider tips along with accompanying product picks await you, below.

Our Top Amazon Search Tips

The Best Cool Brands to Search on Amazon

Kartell

This iconic Italian furniture brand is all over Domino home tours and, frequently, the storage-filled Componibili takes center stage. The side table/storage unit was originally introduced in the 1960s and remains a timeless design classic with two- and three-container configurations available on Amazon. Other highlights include the Upper step ladder, a favorite step stool of ours; Ghost chairs by Philippe Starck; and the Air du Temps table clock, among others.

Componibili Container Red, Kartell ($230)

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Upper Step Ladder – Transparent Crystal, Kartell ($515)

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Yamazaki Home

Carried by Domino favorites Food52 and West Elm, among others, the beloved Japanese home goods company holds perhaps the widest range of offerings within its official Amazon storefront. The popular brand is a boon for affordably priced organizing essentials that look stylistically minimalist but function at maximum capacities, such as barely noticeable dish-drying racks, rolling storage carts with super-slender frames, and futuristic toiler paper stockers. The products are typically made from durable metals or plastics with the occasional light wood accents awash in either a matte black or bright white colorway.

Toilet Paper Stocker, Yamazaki Home ($56)

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Rolling Slim Storage Cart With Handle, Black, Yamazaki Home ($135 was $145)

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Alessi

Alessi’s accessories are nothing less than perfection—that’s no surprise given the brand has continued to work with design superstars over its 100-plus-year history. With ingenious and winking products, like these bottle holders, Alessi offers more than just a pretty face. Case(s) in point: this teapot designed with a wide bottom to heat up water faster; the Pulcina moka pot with a specially designed boiler that stops filtering the coffee at the right moment; and Jasper Morrison’s dishwasher-safe everyday wineglasses.

Noe Modular Bottle Holder In Thermoplastic Resin, Black, Alessi ($93 was $100)

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Barkcellar Bottle Rack, Steel, Alessi ($140)

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Loloi

Loloi collaborates with some of the best in the business on all kinds of sizes, styles, and colors of rugs. We’re talking Amber Lewis, Justina Blakeney, Angela Rose, and Rifle Paper Co.—just to name a few. A large portion of its offerings is available on Amazon, where you can often get a deal on 4- and 5-star-rated options.

Teal Tiger Area Rug, 4’0″ x 6’0″, Loloi Feroz x Justina Blakeney ($165 was $269)

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Billie Collection Area Rug in Rust, 5′ x 7’6″, Amber Lewis x Loloi ($127 was $149)

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Fatboy

Beanbags are having a renaissance lately, and in stylish fashion at that. Fatboy has the best colors around and also offers inflatable recliners. Pair the brand’s cheerful LED lamps with a few outdoor-friendly beanbags, and your patio will be difficult to vacate.

Stripe Beanbag Chair, Ocean Blue, Fatboy ($299)

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Bolleke Indoor/Outdoor LED Lantern, Lemon (Set of 2), Fatboy ($219)

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The Best Amazon-Exclusive Brands to Search

Stone & Beam

If transitional or farmhouse is your style, Amazon’s Stone & Beam collection should be your go-to. Club chairs and sofas with solid wood frames and leather or linen-look fabric are highly rated, and the armless dining chair, below, has feather-filled cushions and hidden wheels.

Writing Desk with Recessed Metal Handles, 48″W, Black, Stone & Beam ($307)

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Vivianne Modern Upholstered Armless Dining Chair with Casters, 19.7″W, Linen, Stone & Beam ($275)

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Rivet

The mid-century modern craze continues to endure, and Amazon’s Rivet line leans into the colors, designs, and materials of the era. These pieces are a good primer if you aren’t yet in the market for (far) more expensive classics.

Modern Sofa Couch with Metal Legs, 85″W, Teal Velvet, Rivet ($878)

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Olander Mid-Century Modern Ottoman with Self-Centering Swivel Base, Rivet ($207)

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Creative Co-Op

You may need to dig a bit with the Creative Co-Op designs, but its metal accents are quality finds that will bring in some texture. Also, peep this well-priced set of tapers and tiny three-leg stool. There is a lot to be had with just a little search here.

Metal Martini Table, Creative Co-Op ($126 was $180)

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Black Rattan King Size Headboard, Creative Co-Op ($377)

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The Best Furniture Materials to Search on Amazon

Rattan, Wicker, Wood

It’s hard to go wrong when searching for natural rattan, sturdy wicker, and solid wood. Look for the material line and then drill down to the specifics further along the page to reconfirm what each piece is made of. Take a look at reviews to get even more details about the assembly, color, and weight.

Mid-Century Dining Chair with Arms, 21.9″W, Beech Wood, Natural, Stone & Beam ($253)

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Vegan Leather Solid Beech Wood Stool, Sobaria ($149)

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Natural Rattan Shoe Cabinet, ZeHuoGe ($116)

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Metal, Antique Brass, Glass

Anytime a product is described as being constructed of 100% metal, brass, or glass, you can generally bet on the quality. It’s all about getting a read on the durability of powder coating, wobbling, and any shipping issues from the reviews.

Pulaski Mid-Mod Aluminum Midnight Black Accent Table, Right2Home ($136 was $245)

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Dimmable LED Pharmacy Floor Lamp, O’Bright ($74 was $89)

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Glass & Metal Retro Sideboard, Generic ($335)

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Leather, Velvet, Bouclé

Always check if a product claims to be made 100% from a specific fabric or if it’s a fabriclike material. That’ll help weed out the fakes. If you don’t mind, that’s fine, too—but taking the time to check means you’ll know what you’re getting.

PU Leather Armless Office Desk Chair, EMIAH ($219)

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Athena Performance Velvet Headboard, Modway ($147)

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Madison Swivel Glider in Ivory Boucle, Babyletto ($499)

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The Best Furniture Trend Words to Search on Amazon

Modern, Deco, Retro

Pop one of these terms into the search bar on Amazon and then whittle down from there. Add in extra search terms on sizing, material, or color to find what you want.

Convenience Concepts, SoHo Coffee Table, Faux Birch / Glass ($99 was $113)

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Fireside Chair, 1inchhome ($659)

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2-Tier Acrylic Bar Cart, Meberam ($57)

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Chic, Vintage, Fancy

This is a favorite group of terms that we use on Amazon and when searching for furniture in general. They’ll turn up slightly (and in some cases incredibly) elevated options across the Internet. Gilded mirrors, anyone?

Arendahl Traditional Arch Mirror, 19″ x 30.75″, Kate & Laurel ($122 was $138)

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Pine Wood Corner Hutch, Sawdust City ($560)

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Yolanda Velvet Upholstered Ottoman with Gold Fringe, Jennifer Taylor Home ($152)

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Coastal, French, Cottage

While you’ll have to dig through the more kitschy cottagecore finds, utilizing these three search terms is sure to generate a few hidden gems with enough aesthetic charm to be mistaken for an heirloom estate score. Think: skirted upholstery, spindle legs, and painted wood pieces.

Horizon Slipcovered Sofa, Sunset Trading ($2,440)

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Classic Accents Brandi Oval End Table, Convenience Concepts ($64 was $75)

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Ivy Robins Egg Blue Vanity Chair, Safavieh Mercer Collection ($224 was $448)

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Scalloped, Tufted, Woven

Take these search terms for a spin and you’ll get pigmented lighting options, mid-century–style armchairs, and woven side chairs.

Scalloped Metal Pendant Light (Green, 12”), LAKIQ ($55)

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Katherine Tufted Accent Chair, Siren Red, Jennifer Taylor Home ($545)

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Hooper Woven Indoor-Outdoor Bistro Chairs (Set of 2), Safavieh ($330)

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Modular, Slipcover, Spindle

If you’re in search of a sofa that’ll easily reconfigure or something with Jenny Lind flavor, try one of these terms to help clear the Amazon clutter.

Convertible Modular Sectional Sofa, Melpomene ($699)

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Faraday Down-Filled Slipcover Ottoman, 47″W, Charcoal Grey, Stone & Beam ($372)

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Kaylee Spindle Accent Chair, 26.5” W x 32.25” D x 37” H, OSP Home Furnishings ($337)

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Checkerboard, Striped, Plaid

Looking for stripes that don’t lean too nautical or Domino-favorite gingham? Just use these variations and couple them with a color or style to find what you want.

Reversible PVC Outdoor Rug, Green Checkerboard (5’x8′), Kurala ($34)

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Connie Black and White Stripe Upholstered Camelback Headboard, Safavieh ($233)

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Plaid Upholstered Wooden Armchair, Blue, Hulala Home ($293)

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The Best Kids’ Furniture Words to Search on Amazon

Cute, Colorful, and Scandinavian

To rustle up the best Amazon kids’ products, keep your search tailored to the specific things you need—whether that be “kids storage,” “kids furniture,” or “kids decor”—and simply pad it with one of our above keywords. The potential results for cute and colorful are clear enough. But if you’re curious what “Scandinavian” will bring about, picture smooth-lined pieces made from wood materials.

Pink Bouclé Pouf, LUGSHIREE ($160)

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Yellow Non-Slip Children’s Stool, Lan Fei ($40)

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Bebble Bunk Bed White & Natural, Twin, South Shore ($699 was $794)

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The Best Small-Space Furniture Words to Search on Amazon

Nesting, Convertible, Folding

The secret to small-space furniture isn’t exactly all about size, it’s about multifunctionality. To find the most streamlined pieces that will work hard inside limited quarters, search for goods that wield the ability to shape-shift: from nesting tables to convertible seating to folding ladder-chair hybrids.

Acrylic Nesting Tables, Set of 3, Pure Decor ($170)

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Convertible 3-in-1 Wood Ladder Chair, LIEHD ($118)

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Adjustable Backrest Chaise Lounge, HomSof ($409)

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The post 40 Trusty Search Words Domino Editors Use to Find the Best Amazon Furniture appeared first on domino.

Whatever advice you’ve been given about buying something on Craigslist, it probably included a warning to “bring a friend.” And to be fair, that’s pretty solid counsel. It’s always smart to keep safety top of mind, but the idea that the online marketplace is only a hotbed for scam artists isn’t the whole truth. “I’ve met lovely people, with no truly harrowing experiences,” says Ciara Benko, whose New York City apartment is loaded with Craigslist steals. “But let’s just say that one particularly ominous visit to a warehouse in Brooklyn is enough to spook you into always bringing a buddy. Besides, it never hurts to have a second set of hands!” 

At its best, Craigslist is a treasure trove of bespoke goods and charming antiques; a virtual flea market, if you will. Anyone can find incredible bargains—it just takes a little patience and know-how. In the hopes of demystifying the platform, we turned to a few experts, including Madison Brill, Los Angeles-based interior stylist, sourcer, and founder of ILoveCraigslist, to get the scoop on their best practices.

Do…

Be Strategic About When You’re Searching

Otherland founder Abigail Stone relied heavily on Craigslist to fill her Manhattan apartment, and she attributes much of her success to knowing when to search. The best time to hunt? The last two weeks of the month. “Often people won’t get around to listing their furniture until right before their lease ends,” she explains. “It can be easier to get a bargain, too, because there’s a finite date for the seller to offload or they’ll have to deal with the hassle of moving it.”

If you’re a more casual Craigslist scroller, Brill recommends spacing out your searches to keep the thrill alive. Especially in a city like New York where the volume of listings is higher. “You don’t want to search every second of every day,” she advises. “It kills the dopamine hit when you aren’t able to find exactly what you’re looking for.” What she does recommend is that you scan the site for moving sales. More on that later. 

Shop Smarter, Not Harder

A great deal of the frustration that arises from Craigslist shopping is the sheer number of products to weed through. To eliminate the headache, it’s important to curate your search, and there are myriad ways to do this. Former Domino editor Alex Redgrave recommends searching for the place of origin (think: Sweden or Copenhagen if it’s the Scandi aesthetic you’re after).

For the more patient shopper, Brill believes that the real scores come from the people who don’t know what they have and that the “magic is often in the misspellings and mislistings.” Going too narrow with a designer name or description could throw you off track, so she suggests keeping your search terms broad and mixing things up. Try searching for “couch” in addition to “sofa,” or make things either plural or singular (“chair” versus “chairs”) to cast a wider net. If you are hunting for something very specific, Brill says your best bet is to search by time period, like Art Deco or mid-century modern, for example.

Download the App

“I only use the app,” Brill says. Not only does it give you something productive to do when waiting in line at the DMV or dry cleaners, but there are two features she says are really clutch. Only the app lets you favorite the items you want to keep an eye on, and there’s a chat feature that allows you to quickly and easily converse with the seller, so you no longer have to obsessively refresh your email waiting for a response. 

Think Laterally

“If you find a seller with rad stuff, click the link that says ‘more from this user,’ and it will show you everything they are selling, which may include more rad stuff,” offers designer Jesse Kamm, whose minimalist L.A. office includes some cool pieces sourced from the marketplace. Rather than start a brand-new search, consider each seller as a mini boutique that specializes in a certain style. This way of searching has a secondary benefit: “Sometimes you can negotiate a lower price if you buy multiple things at once,” adds Benko.

Similarly, Brill recommends scoping out the surrounding items in the photos for anything that might catch your attention. “I’m not just looking at what’s listed, so I’ll email people, saying, ‘I know you’re listing your coffee table, but is your rug for sale?’” And more often than not, she finds many people are willing to cut a deal on unlisted items, too. Her favorite success story? After falling in love with a vintage headboard that was snagged on Kaiyo before she could make a move, she spotted the same piece in the background of an old bed ad on Craigslist. For the record, Brill doesn’t recommend buying used mattresses, but the seller was happy to accept her offer on the headboard and the matching nightstands (pictured below).

Go Ahead and Nitpick

Do your due diligence. Benko suggests emailing the seller to ask for more photos and information if there is only one image in the ad. Adding to that, Brill recommends asking questions to find out where the item is from (if the brand is not listed), how long they’ve had it if they’re the original owner, and why they’re selling. It helps her determine the value of a piece and the legitimacy of the seller. But there’s an art to the inquiry, she says. One caveat: “If it’s a really good deal, don’t ask those questions off the bat,” she advises. Asking too much too early could bump you down the ranking of potential buyers if someone else is willing to grab it no questions asked. Wait until you’ve already negotiated the deal or are going for the pickup to get your follow-ups in. 

Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate

Just because this isn’t an IRL flea market doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in a little haggling—just be polite about the way you do it. “Everything’s negotiable,” Brill says. “But I never negotiate in person.” Email is always best. Unless the item is not as described when you show up, it’s unfair to try and negotiate in person—it makes most people uncomfortable and could come off as disrespectful to that person’s time.

Benko adds that your ability to negotiate the price down may have to do with timing. “Check how long the item has been available. If it’s been up there for a while, I usually will lowball the price because they’re trying to sell it ASAP,” she says. “OBO (or best offer) means that you can throw in your bid and then negotiate back and forth from there.” She also notes that ads will often include a link to the original item they bought. Always check it out to see the original price and use that as a negotiating tool. “Never pay close to full price; after all, this is Craigslist,” she says. 

Don’t…

Sleep on the Moving Sale Section

There’s a hidden gem on the Craigslist website, and it’s parading under the “garage sale” link in the general “for sale” category. This is the moving sale portion, and it’s often where you’ll find both the best deals and widest variety of items. Redgrave is a regular of this portion of the site and suggests checking on a Thursday, since people usually hold these moving sales over the weekend.

“I map it, so if there are a few in Williamsburg or Greenpoint, I can walk around and visit a few,” says the Brooklyn local. “Moving sales are where I got all my plants. It’s a cool idea: People who are leaving the city, passing on their things to the next residents.” 

Judge a Listing by Its Photo 

Sometimes, the worse the photo is, the better the deal, according to Brill at least. She doesn’t let a poor picture or description steer her away. Most people aren’t harnessing their inner stylist or photographer when creating a Craigslist post, so Brill tends to ignore the photo quality and instead focus on the environment. “It tells you more important things like the type of household you’re buying from,” she shares. “I won’t buy something from a photo where the entire living room is really messy because you can instantly assume they haven’t taken good care of their things.”

Take Something at Face Value

Whether or not you are an avid DIYer, remember that most things can either be reupholstered, repaired, or repainted. Brill believes refurbishing something that is well made (like most vintage pieces) retains more value than buying something new. A favorite reminder for Brill is Jenna Lyons’s pink velvet sofa—which the designer snagged for free off the street, reupholstered, and regularly shows off on Instagram. On Craigslist, however, the key is to keep this extra work in mind when negotiating the price. 

Forget Cash

Don’t forget this basic but important last step. Most Craigslist sellers are not professional retailers and likely don’t have a credit card–reading machine at home. “I’ve started bringing a little extra just in case, because you never know what else they’re trying to get rid of that would look perfect in your home,” says Benko.

However, you can ask if they accept Venmo, which Brill uses often. But she warns that whether you’re buying or selling, if someone exclusively deals with either cashier’s checks, Zelle, or CashApp, there’s a 95 percent chance it’s a scam. “They have fewer safety measures,” Brill explains. “Once payment clears, they can block you.”

Be Naive

Okay, not to sound like your mother, but consider this your final safety reminder. “Make sure you send the address you are going to to someone who loves you—just in case,” says Kamm. Yes, most Craigslist appointments are totally safe, but if you ever get weird vibes from a seller’s space, don’t go in. “If it’s a smaller item, have them bring it out front into the yard,” she continues.

Brill also always makes it a habit to look up the location ahead of time and scope it out on Google Maps. There’s a big difference between meeting outside a home in a well-populated area and meeting at a random warehouse in a remote location. Thanks to the chat feature on the app, you can also opt out of exchanging phone numbers as an added precaution. If it’s a smaller item, ask to meet the seller outside. And yes, it’s always a good idea to bring a friend. At the very least, they can talk you down from impulse buying something else you don’t actually need.

The post 11 Craigslist Shopping Tips So Good That We Almost Didn’t Share Them appeared first on domino.

Rushing the decorating process mostly leads to impersonal panic buys and, with that, regret, returns, and more stuff in our landfills. As the pros advise time and time again, it’s best to decorate slowly. Meander your local flea market, scour eBay late into the night, keep your eyes open for garage sale signs. As British art director and designer Emily Henson argues in her new book, Create: Creativity Before Consumption, you’ll end up with both a truer reflection of who you are and a healthier planet.

“Consuming less and shopping more consciously may be a slower way of decorating, but it is thrilling when you succeed in achieving the look you love while often spending less in the process,” she writes. For the ultimate inspiration, look no further than Henson’s tour of a couple’s reimagined post office on England’s Kent coast, excerpted below.

Who: Karone Pack-Lum and Jon Agrippa

What: A post office and sorting depot dating from 1910; 1,895 square feet 

Where: Kent coast

Buying three floors of a 1910 post office and sorting depot in need of redevelopment was not what Karone Pack-Lum and Jon Agrippa had in mind when they decided to leave London and move to the Kent coast. They originally had their sights set on a big old brick house, but the sale fell through. When they heard about this property through word of mouth—it wasn’t even listed—they immediately recognized an exciting opportunity: good bones, a unique building, a great location, and a creative challenge. 

Self-described die-hard Londoners, the couple previously lived in East London; Jon working in fashion and Karone in interiors. But they were tiring of city life and craved a more peaceful lifestyle that didn’t revolve around paying the mortgage. Their seaside life is a far cry from their fast-paced city days. Jon is now a personal trainer and Karone designs jewelry while taking on the occasional interior design project.

Once they’d found the property in this up-and-coming coastal town, they struggled to find builders who could carry out work within their budget. The section of the sorting depot they bought hadn’t been developed like the rest of the building—in fact it was nothing but a shell. There was no electric, gas supply, or even stairs connecting the three floors. The lower level—now the main living area—had been a loading bay and had two huge openings in the walls, as big as the Crittall-style windows that now fill that space. The upper floor, where the main bedroom now sits, was a warren of staff rooms and toilets, with a gaping hole in the floor where a chute dropped down to the basement level.

At first sight the house looks luxe, and certainly money has been spent here. But much of the budget went into the structural changes necessary to convert the building from a mail sorting depot into a home. The couple moved in once the major structural changes were complete, but the decorative work is an ongoing process. Karone and Jon sought cost-effective ways of achieving the look they desired and worked with existing finishes and flooring wherever possible. Many of the walls are finished with bare plaster, a look they love and that has the added bonus of saving on a hefty painting bill. The kitchen was built from moisture-resistant MDF and left unpainted, which was intended as a temporary cost-effective solution to tide them over until they build their “real” kitchen. However, they have grown to love it and may simply update it with a green marble work surface in the future. 

Most of the lighting and furnishings are secondhand, bought at house clearances, on eBay, or from salvage yards. Even the luxurious bathtub was found on eBay, and many other items that look like pricey designer pieces were discovered through diligent searching. Karone claims that it is possible to get deals on almost everything if you’re willing to look around: “It is truly amazing the amount of stuff that is ripped out and thrown away.”

Five Minutes With Karone and Jon

Do you have a decorating/design philosophy?
We like to work with the space using a limited color palette, then adding texture.

What’s the most important thing for you at home? 
Loving where you live is key.

Where do you shop for your home? 
We like scouring online auctions, e.g., eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and also salvage and house clearances.

Describe one of your favorite creative solutions to a challenge you faced with your home. 
The whole build was a creative solution. We had many people, such as the architect, builders, and numerous others, convinced that we could not achieve our goal on the budget we had—hey, what did they know!

Do you prefer to stay in one property for a long time, or do you like moving or even reinventing your home frequently? 
We tend to stay put.

Is there something you haven’t done to your home yet and would like to? 
There is definitely a list of both cosmetic and essential jobs that we are working our way through.

Create. Creativity Before Consumption by Emily Henson, Amazon ($35)

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Reprinted with permission from Create: Creativity Before Consumption by Emily Henson. Photography by Catherine Gratwicke © Ryland Peters & Small 2022. Published by Ryland Peters & Small.

The post Their First Home Purchase Fell Through—Then This Couple Bought a Post Office appeared first on domino.

Solo living is becoming less and less of a reality for 20-somethings. “As rents have outpaced incomes, living alone is no longer an option for many working-age adults,” Zillow senior economist Aaron Terrazas explained in a 2017 report. That makes divvying up rent and living costs with a roommate pretty much the standard—not an easy task given no two bedrooms are exactly alike. How do you determine a rent price for a room (especially in high-priced cities) that make sense for everyone involved? We’ve outlined five solutions to help you do the math—hooray for rent split calculators!—and avoid any roomie awkwardness.

Grab the Measuring Tape

One of the easiest ways to divide the rent among multiple people is to base each person’s payments on the square footage of their bedroom, and we have a surefire formula: Calculate the footage of each bedroom (length times width), including closets, bathrooms, or balconies located in or off of the room. Then divide that number by the total footage of all bedrooms—this will give you the percentage of space (and therefore rent) each person is responsible for. 

Rely on a Rent Split Calculator

Sometimes it’s just easier to let a computer do the hard work for you. Luckily, there are dozens of online rent split calculators at the ready. Some of our favorites: Splitwise and Spliddit.

If you find yourself in a position where the bedrooms are almost identical in size, head to The Rent Is Too Damn Fair. This website allows each roommate to “bid” the max rent they are willing to pay for each space in the apartment. Once everyone has submitted their bids, the program computes the most economical arrangement for you and your crew. It will also assign rooms to each person based on their bids, thus eliminating any resentment anyone might have about getting the “worse” space—a major plus.

Go by Aesthetics 

If one room has massive windows, cool exposed brick, and a walk-in closet, while the other has…well, none of that, it only makes sense for the lucky resident of the former to pay more. It will be clear from the second you first tour the place, helping you avoid hard feelings later on either side. 

If you want to get more granular, try assigning an extra cost to each amenity and tack it onto a fairly divided room price. (We recommend making these features cost no more than 2 to 5 percent of the total rent.) For example, if the total rent is $2,000, the windows and brick could cost an extra $40 each, while the closet might add a little more at $100.

Use an Income-to-Rent Ratio

As a general rule of thumb, you should never budget to spend more than one-third of your monthly salary on rent. And if you and your roommate(s) have vastly different incomes, that should definitely be a factor when apartment hunting. Have a discussion beforehand: Is the one with the larger paycheck willing to shell out more in return for first pick of the rooms? 

Call It Even

If this is more stressful than it is useful (and all parties are okay with it), just split the rent evenly across the board. At the end of the day, it’s an entirely personal decision. Just be sure to draw up a written contract in case things get complicated down the line. 

The post The Best Way to Split Rent When Your Rooms Are Different Sizes appeared first on domino.

Cassidy Iwersen always fantasized about becoming a real-estate agent. “I just felt like maybe New York wasn’t the place to start that kind of career,” she says. So when the longtime art director and interior stylist moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2019 (one of the top destinations for people relocating during the pandemic), she decided to take the leap, get her license, and join Compass as a sales agent. “I was gaga over what you could get for $500,000,” she recalls. After living in New York and San Francisco prior to that, this was a good kind of sticker shock. 

While Iwersen works plenty with sellers, listing and staging their spaces, she’s got a soft spot for first-time buyers trying to navigate a hot market. “I feel like their big sister,” she says. “I want to help them, because it’s scary and overwhelming and there’s a lot [to do] in a short amount of time.” Her experience working in a very visual, creative industry for so long comes in handy when she needs to help nervous buyers see the potential. “Pairing this with my real-estate knowledge, we’re able to make decisions that will save or make them money,” explains Iwersen. Whether you’re navigating booming Denver or thinking of putting down roots in bustling Salt Lake City, we asked Iwersen for her tips for getting through it all stress-free. 

Consider Living With—Wait for It—A House with One Bathroom

We know what you’re thinking: deal breaker. But let Iwersen help you see the potential.  “A lot of older homes still have just one bathroom, which can deter a lot of buyers,” she notes. “But if you can live with that for a minute while you add a second, you’ve instantly increased the value and marketability next time around.” Still, the thing to ask yourself before you commit to a total fixer-upper is, will the other houses in my neighborhood keep (or appreciate in) value over time? “It doesn’t matter how much you put into a house if the houses next to it aren’t as nice or worth as much,” Iwersen points out.

Speed Up Your Timeline From the Get-Go

Start watching the market and getting to know the different neighborhoods so you can see what is available in your price range and how long things are coming and going, that way you’ll be able to spot a good deal when you see it. “It will help you move quickly when you’re ready to put in an offer,” says Iwersen. In superhot markets, there isn’t a lot of time to research or ask around about the neighborhood, school district, or commute times after you’ve seen a listing. 

Get Friendly With a Trusted Lender

In many of these booming markets where houses are selling in 20-something days, it’s often required that you send in a prequalification letter (a document that signifies a lender has reviewed your financial information and confirms you’ll qualify for a loan) with your offer. “It’s not the time to start thinking about your mortgage. Sellers want to see that you are ready to go and have everything queued up and in order,” says Iwersen. Meeting with a local lender early on will help you determine your purchasing power, clean up any credit issues you might not be aware of, work out your monthly mortgage payments, and get an idea of how the process will work. 

Look at Listings That Have Been Around for at Least a Week

Great move-in ready listings go fast, so you’ll need to use your imagination and be open to homes that might need some paint or fresh lighting. “If you can look past wallpaper or dated decor, you can possibly avoid a multiple-offer situation and even have some negotiation power,” says Iwersen. “I’m finally hearing about sellers giving concessions or credit to buyers to help buy down their mortgage rate on properties that are sitting a while on the market.” 

Seek Out Timeless Architectural Details

Details that make a house worth buying come down to quality of materials: hardwood floors, walls with trim or molding, brick or plaster walls. “Like a well-made pair of jeans or a leather jacket, these elements stand the test of time while gaining character and charm,” says the pro. 

Win a Bid by Making the Seller’s Life Simpler

Your purchase price isn’t the only thing that can stand out in a bidding war. Waiving contingencies and appraisal, having the shortest option period possible, and offering to pay for the seller’s title insurance (or survey or closing costs) will put you ahead of the group. “Sometimes it’s not just ‘highest and best,’” says Iwersen. “Perhaps the seller needs a lease back (time in the home after closing while they look for their next home or extra time to pack or finish out the school term), and if you can extend that to them, it could really be beneficial.”

Offer Cash Through a Third Party

There are a number of newer programs that have grown this year in response to the increase in cash-only offers. Companies such as Ribbon and UpEquity can work with your mortgage lender (or act as one) and present your offer as cash. “They actually purchase the house for you and then you get a certain amount of time to secure financing and buy it back from them,” she says, noting that they will charge you a percentage of the purchase price to do so, but it might just be worth it.

Renovate Intentionally

Part of feeling ownership is putting your stamp on your space. Luckily, if you’ve spent most of your savings on a down payment, less is truly more. “By adding in a few intentional updates, it diverts attention away from a countertop or backsplash that might not have been your first choice,” she says. Here are some simple changes Iwersen often recommends: 

In the kitchen 

• Paint or stain the existing cabinets
• Change out the ceiling fans or light fixtures
• Add a fresh sink and faucet 
• Lay down rugs 
• Shop for new appliances 
• Swap out the cabinet hardware
• Hang up window treatments 

In the bathroom

• Switch out the vanity (some start at just a few hundred dollars!) 
• Hang a statement mirror over the sink 
• Wallpaper above dated tile
• Go with matte white or black plumbing fixtures

And when in doubt, paint the walls white. “And the ceiling!” says Iwersen.  

The post We Asked a Real Estate Agent How to Navigate a Hot Market as a First-Time Home Buyer appeared first on domino.

You might think an interior designer’s day is filled with combing through custom fabrics and perusing the latest in high-end furniture—and generally speaking, you’d be correct. Though sometimes, their daily activities include a trip to the nearest Target. Designers, they’re just like us!

Which totally makes sense, because the store is pretty hard to beat if you want to find the perfect budget-friendly item—if only because it’s constantly releasing so many great new products. Like a $25 woven wall hanging that looks like a bespoke art piece, or the tiny pinch bowls that Chrissy Teigen herself swears by. And remember the hotly anticipated Anniversary Collection? We’re still thinking about those Marimekko prints. 

We asked seven designers to share their shopping lists, which include everything from larger furniture to smart storage finds. Suffice it to say, they gave us yet another reason to make a spontaneous run to the store this weekend: 

The Multipurpose Bench 

Windsor Metal Stack Patio Bench, Target ($110)

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If you’ve been hunting for the perfect indoor seating, expand your search criteria to include patio furniture. Designer Kate Lester swears by this black metal bench, which she’s since used in both dining rooms and entryways. “I love that because it’s meant for the outdoors, it’s easy to wipe down and keep clean,” she says. Style it with a custom cushion to make family dinners way cozier. 

The Decorative Object

Wooden Oval Bowl, Target ($35)

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This wooden bowl may seem like a small detail, but Shea McGee loves putting it alongside more expensive pieces on a bookshelf display: “Built-in styling can add up pretty fast, which is why we love mixing high and low,” she explains. The natural wood tone (and unusual shape) complement any vignette. What would you put in it?

The Just-Boho-Enough Pendant 

Cabana Large Pendant Ceiling Light, Target ($87)

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Rattan isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but if you’re looking for a fresh twist on the material, Dee Murphy recommends this sleek light fixture. “It feels more modern than trendy,” she explains. Murphy would finish off a built-in kitchen banquet or breakfast nook with a contemporary marble table and patterned upholstered seat cushions for the perfect medley of contrasting textures. 

The Everyday Dinnerware

Stoneware Mini Bowl, Target ($16)

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“The whole purpose of open shelving in a kitchen is to be pretty and functional,” says Ashley Montgomery. “These pieces check both off the list.” Montgomery mixes her stoneware bowls in with other one-of-a-kind pottery she’s collected over time.  

The Mini Table 

Lanham Marble Top Side Table, Target ($100)

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The mango wood and marble combo strikes quite the balance; it reminds Katie Hodges of an antique you might find in a French farmhouse. “The juxtaposition is perfect!” she says. Pair the side table with a cushy English arm chair or slipcovered sofa (trust us, they’re making a comeback) for a prime living room nook you’ll want to spend all your weekends in. 

The Classic Chair

Esters Wood Arm Chair, Target ($285)

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With its neutral fabric, timeless silhouette, and vintage inspiration, is it any wonder that this budget find is an allover favorite? “When this chair ‘happened’ at Target, I was so pumped,” says Emily Henderson. “I’ve used it in countless projects, including both my homes.” (Hodges is also a fan.) The beauty of something so simple is that you can quite literally style it with whatever you want—from quiet minimalism to bold prints, there’s no wrong answer. 

The Stylish Storage

White Rope Toy Storage Basket, Target ($25)

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Anyone who has ever tried to corral kids’ toys and knickknacks feels Kathy Kuo’s pain: Finding organizational pieces that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are durable is tough. “I have two young children at home, and this storage basket is the best of both worlds,” says the designer. She loves the rope and fringe detailing that gives it an upscale look—so much chicer than plastic bins, right? 

See more designer recs: 5 Designers Predict the Biggest Decor Trends of 2020 The Most Common Decorating Mistakes, According to Designers  The 9 Vintage Chairs Interior Designers Are Buying Right Now

The post Shea McGee, Emily Henderson, and More Share Their All-Time Favorite Target Buys appeared first on domino.

Renovating can be a daunting process, so we asked Jean Brownhill, founder and CEO of Sweeten, a platform that helps people find expert advice and get matched with vetted general contractors, for her best remodeling tips and tricks.  

Once you’ve figured out how much your house remodel is going to cost, reality really sets in. Now you’ve got to ascertain how to actually pay for those Shaker kitchen cabinets or new hardwood floors. There is no one right way—it depends on the size of your project, your financial situation, how long you want to be making payments, and whether you already own your home or are in the process of buying it, among other things. Here’s my beginner’s guide to how to finance a home renovation.

What Your Renovation Payment Schedule Will Look Like

Most home renovation projects require a deposit up front, with installments made at specific points. On a smaller project, you might only make two payments, with 50 percent due up front and 50 percent due at completion. For a midsize project like a kitchen renovation, you might agree to pay 15 to 30 percent up front, 40 to 50 percent at the midway point, and the final 15 to 30 percent upon completion. Larger remodels tend to require a smaller deposit up front but more payments along the way.

In general, you can expect to set three to five payment milestones, such as demolition, the midpoint of the renovation, and upon punch-list completion (a punch list details tasks that still need to be addressed, typically after inspection). Negotiate with your general contractor—I recommend finding your perfect match on Sweeten—to establish these terms and get them all in writing!

How to Finance Your Home Renovation

Cash

Saving up and paying in cash is your most straightforward option. 

The upsides: No debt is the big one. Also some contractors may offer you a discount if you choose to pay in cash, but I suggest checking with your general contractor to make sure everything is aboveboard from a tax perspective. 

The downsides: You will need to have all that cash on hand, which can be a challenge, especially with larger contract sizes and quick timelines (saving large amounts of cash can take a while). Additionally, there is no recourse using this method outside of suing, which makes it inherently riskier.

Credit Card

This is another quick form of payment that is relatively easy to execute, assuming you have a large enough line of credit. 

The upsides: Paying via credit card comes with some buyer protections (such as insurance against goods being stolen or damaged for a certain amount of time after they’re purchased) and can earn you valuable points or mileage. 

The downsides: Credit cards can have very high interest rates, so if you don’t pay it off right away, your renovation could cost you much more than expected. 

Personal or Unsecured Loan

If your renovation will cost under $50,000, you might want to consider a personal (or unsecured) loan from a credit union, bank, or other lender. With a good credit score, you can expect to get an interest rate in the range of 5 to 6 percent on a $50,000 loan over 24 months for personal unsecured loans. 

The upsides: These loans don’t require collateral, meaning the loan isn’t tied to your home and won’t jeopardize your ownership if you default. They’re also usually fairly easy to acquire. 

The downsides: Rates tend to vary quite a bit for personal loans—the ceiling is around 30 percent—so do your research to figure out what makes the most sense for your renovation.

Renovation Loan Bundled With Your Mortgage

If you are currently in the process of purchasing a home, this may be your best bet. Alternatively, if you already own but are considering refinancing, this option can help you adjust your mortgage rate while rolling new financing into it. (This process is known as cash-out refinancing.) As with regular mortgages, you can choose between a conventional loan from a company like Fannie Mae and one backed by the Federal Housing Administration, known as a FHA 203(k) loan. 

The upsides: Either way, you go through both the mortgage and renovation financing application process just once and you’ll end up with one monthly payment for both. However, a FHA 203(k) has lower down-payment and credit-score requirements.

The downsides: Mortgages with built-in renovation financing may have additional requirements with regard to timing. FHA loans have a limit to how much you can spend, which might not jibe with big project plans. Perhaps most important, many contractors don’t work with FHA loans, so do your research before going this route. 

Home Equity Loan 

A home equity loan (HEL), often referred to as a second mortgage, is an option if your house is worth more than what you now owe on your mortgage. You’ll receive a lump sum with a fixed interest rate. You can typically borrow up to 80 percent of the value of your home, depending on how much equity you have.

The upsides: This type of loan is similar to a conventional mortgage in two ways: It offers tax deductions on interest payments and you make payments over a similarly long time frame. Plus the interest rates will almost always be lower than a credit card or personal loan because this debt is secured by the collateral (your home). 

The downsides: There may be closing costs, which you should factor into the cost of your renovation. And some lenders charge a penalty for paying off the loan early.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

A home equity line of credit is similar to a credit card, in that the lender gives you a credit limit and charges you interest only on the amount you use. You can obtain these types of loans from all the usual sources—banks, finance companies, brokerages, and credit unions.

The upsides: Instead of receiving a lump sum up front, you borrow what you want, when you want. This makes it a good option for a series of projects or if you anticipate having a long renovation. 

The downsides: HELOCs have variable interest rates, so payments may go up and then be out of your budget. Also, undisciplined users could decide to make interest-only payments during the period when you can withdraw money, then find themselves paying very sizable amounts afterward.

Domino’s editors independently curate every product and service on our site, because we’re just as obsessed with a great deal and an under-the-radar discovery as you are. Items you purchase may earn us an affiliate commission.

The post How to Finance a Home Renovation Without Going Broke appeared first on domino.

No piece of furniture blends into the background of a white room quite like IKEA’s Malm dresser. The sleek six-drawer piece doesn’t even have hardware (just seamless indentations on the doors). That’s all great news if you’re going for a whole minimalist look or just don’t care because you bought it for your starter apartment anyway. But for DIYer Kayla Nelson, a disappearing act wasn’t what she was after. “I wanted to inject some color, personality, and texture,” says Nelson. Her take on the Malm dresser? Exactly 228 wood slats. 

Don’t let that big number scare you. The process (we’ll get to that in a minute) was intuitive, and the final result looks so much more expensive than the original $180 piece. In fact Nelson was partially inspired by a wood dresser with vertical ridges she spotted at CB2 that’s $900. With a touch of green paint, she made the piece completely her own for $200. Ahead, she dives into the step-by-step. 

The Supplies 

Materials

• ½-inch-thick MDF panel
• Tape measure
• Sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Angled brush 
• Paint tray
• Foam roller
• BIN Primer
• Paint (Nelson used Gray Heron by Behr)
• Level
• Paint mixing sticks
• Liquid Nails 
• Drawer hardware

Tool 

• Miter Saw

Step 1: Color Your Dresser Pretty

Using a medium, 150-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the entire dresser—a quick once-over to scuff up the surface will do. Clean up any debris with a tack cloth. Coat the surface with the BIN Primer (this product guarantees your paint will adhere to IKEA furniture, which is known for being superslick and chip-prone). Once that’s dry, paint everything with a foam roller to get a smooth finish in the color of your choice.

Step 2: Chop, Chop

Head to your local hardware store or Home Depot and pick up a sheet of half-inch-thick MDF. While you’re there, have the store’s pros cut the board into three rectangular sheets that correspond to the height and width of each row (see the exact dimensions below). Because they won’t be able to make all the individual cuts for you there, each vertical piece will need to be trimmed using your own (or a handy friend’s) miter saw. In total you need 228 slats, as each drawer has 38. The ridges for the top row should be 9 and ⅞ inches tall, while the ones for the middle and bottom row should be 8 and 13/16 inches in height. 

Step 3: Pick the Roller Back Up

Lay down a drop cloth, display all your slats, and prime them one by one. Be sure to only cover the three sides that will be visible. Psst: Applying primer to the MDF edges will cause the material to “raise the grain,” or feel rough to touch. “No need to panic, just sand after you’ve primed,” says Nelson. Then paint each one the same color as the dresser. 

Pro tip: To avoid the step above altogether, consider painting the MDF while it’s still in panel form, that way it’s not so tedious (that’s Nelson’s only regret). 

Step 4: Get Gluing

Starting with the right middle drawer, wedge a paint stick in the center gap between the left drawer and another one below it. Check that the sticks are level. Apply nail glue to the back of your first slat, using just enough to cover the surface area it will share with the drawer (Liquid Nails dries white, so keep a steady hand). Line the slat up flush with the paint stick to your left and the bottom edge of the drawer. This will leave you with a bit of an overhang at the top, but that’s a good thing: It will hide the drawer indentations. 

Take two paint mixing sticks and balance them on the right of your newly glued slat and glue on the next slat. “I used paint stirrers, because I was paranoid that I was going to have a weird sliver of space or maybe my math wasn’t going to be correct,” explains Nelson (two paint sticks is the equivalent of ¼ inch). Keep going until you reach the end of the drawer. Repeat for the rest of the fronts, always starting in the center and working your way outward. 

Pro tip: Keep the bottom paint stirrer in place for at least 15 minutes as you work your way down the line, that way there is enough time for the fresh glue to dry. “Otherwise, gravity will work against you,” says Nelson. 

Step 5: Push to Open

Because the slivers of wood will cover the divots that would allow you to open the drawers, you’ll have to swap the hardware inside to push-to-open versions in order for them to function. Nelson sourced her fresh latches on Amazon (all you need is a screwdriver).

The post An IKEA Malm Dresser Hack That Only Costs $200 (But Looks Like It’s Worth $900) appeared first on domino.