We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I have a teeny-tiny studio and I never have enough storage space. So, as you’d imagine, I’m constantly on the hunt for ingenious organizing finds that make my less-than-roomy apartment feel a little less claustrophobic. While I’ve discovered a handful of drill-free finds that added more real estate for my impressive olive oil collection in my kitchen, and even sleek cat accessories that aren’t a total eyesore (yes, even stylish litter!), there are some other spots that still need some work. The biggest stressor for me lately? My bathroom that is barely big enough for me to stand in. And as an avid beauty junkie, I spend a lot of time in there. The problem? There’s absolutely no more space for my ever-growing beauty collection — it’s basically a mini Sephora. And let me tell you, I’m not going to throw out any of my precious products.
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So, it was time to get creative. Luckily, AT-loved brand Umbra answered my organizing SOS and sent me their super sleek Bellwood Bathroom Caddy, and it instantly corralled my cluttered beauty collection. Before I had this game-changing find, I had a pile of clutter on top of my toilet that was constantly on the verge of toppling over. But thanks to this stylish caddy, I’m not only able to keep my overflowing assortment of skincare and haircare products contained neatly, but it also added additional space for more products! And best of all, the compartments make it easy to see everything, so I can quickly grab what I need as I’m rushing to get ready.
Basically, this wooden-accented caddy is the upgraded, adult version of that flimsy plastic caddy we all had in college. Another bonus about this clever accessory is that it’s portable. So, when I have a bigger apartment or home in the future, I can easily pick it up and take it with me if I want to get ready somewhere else. Here’s to dreaming about having multiple bathrooms one day!
This versatile accessory also gives you tons of options, so you can customize it to your needs. The removable insert lets you group products however you’d like and helps keep products upright. But if you need more room inside the caddy or have wider objects that won’t fit into the compartments, you can take the divider out, too. The rubber feet also ensure that it stays in place.
If you don’t have an extensive beauty cabinet like me, this multipurpose organizer is also perfect for craft supplies, office supplies, or even kitchen items! And if you love the looks of this sleek organizer, you’ll want to check out the other products in Umbra’s Bellwood collection, including this elevated planter one of our other editors loves.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
If there’s any spot in your home where you want to feel extra bougie, it’s your bed. Don’t get me wrong, this is the place for lounging and streaming your favorite TV series as you sprawl out in every direction, but you also want to feel like you’re surrounded by the softest, comfiest sheets and covers as you do so. Finding your perfect bedding set doesn’t seem too difficult when you consider all the brands and retailers you have at your fingertips, but finding something of high quality for a reasonable price? That’s another story. Among all the bedding brands we know and love here at AT, there’s one we frequently return to when we want low-cost staples that rival those from any luxury brand, and that’s Quince. They have so many bedding essentials to choose from in different colors and materials, you’re sure to find something you like. If you need a little help getting started, not to worry — you’ll find our top 10 picks below.
Olivia Harvey is a freelance writer and award-winning scriptwriter from outside Boston, Massachusetts. She’s a big fan of scented candles, getting dressed up, and the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley. You can make sure she’s doing okay via Instagram and/or Twitter.
Stylist and Instagrammer Carly Fuller had been craving a bit of a refresh in her NYC rental kitchen. For years, she had filled a corner nook with IKEA’s open-back VITTSJÖ shelf unit, an under $60 find that housed her various entertaining pieces and barware. This solution worked just fine, but at a certain point, she felt like this area could reflect her evolving aesthetic a little better — and have more of a bespoke, built-in look. “I had the idea of mounting shelves there for the last couple of years,” says Fuller. “I just needed the motivation to finally do it.”
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An avid DIYer, Fuller chose to make her own floating shelf setup, which set her back just $45 total. First, she measured the length and depth of the kitchen nook and then went to a lumber store to purchase wood. “I looked for a piece of scrap plywood since I didn’t need much wood at all, and I’d be painting it,” she says. “It didn’t need to be anything special.” An employee at the store made the cuts for her, so she left with her “shelves” in hand and ready for mounting. All she needed at this point was shelf brackets.
Luckily, Fuller also had some pieces of 3/4”x 1/4” wood on hand from a recent wall paneling project. She used these leftovers to fashion brackets, which she mounted to the wall. “I cut down these wood sticks to the length I wanted and then pre drilled two holes in each piece before screwing them to the wall so the wood didn’t split,” she explains. She then applied wood glue to the brackets and placed each shelf on top of bracket pairs.
Once the glue was dry, Fuller caulked all of the edges and then painted her shelves. “I used one coat of primer and two coats of paint in the same color as the walls, as I wanted the shelves to look built in,” she says. “It’s my style — I like simplicity — but it would be pretty to add wallpaper on the back wall or paint the shelves a different color.”
Fuller couldn’t be more pleased with the end result, especially considering the project’s low cost. “I feel like it’s such a game changer,” she says. “I honestly think it’s elevated the kitchen so much; they look like they were always supposed to be there, as if they came with the apartment.”
Fuller found the styling process extremely enjoyable, too. “I never had space for accessories before, and I love shelf styling,” she says. “I added greenery and gold to make this area pop. I played around a bit until I was happy, and I’m sure I’ll switch pieces around often, like I do in my entire apartment. Moving around accessories in my home helps it stay feeling fresh and new.”
Olivia Harvey is a freelance writer and award-winning scriptwriter from outside Boston, Massachusetts. She’s a big fan of scented candles, getting dressed up, and the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley. You can make sure she’s doing okay via Instagram and/or Twitter.
Madeline Bilis is a writer and editor with a soft spot for brutalist buildings. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Boston magazine, the Boston Globe, and other outlets. She has a degree in journalism from Emerson College and published her first book, 50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts, in August 2019.
