Podcast Summary: All Of It — "Decorating Your Apartment on a Budget"

Date: September 4, 2024
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Lauren Phillips (Associate Editorial Director, Better Homes and Gardens)

Overview

This episode of "All Of It" explores practical, creative, and affordable strategies for decorating apartments—especially pertinent during New York’s peak moving season. Host Alison Stewart and guest Lauren Phillips discuss how to develop an aesthetic vision without overspending, where to find budget-friendly décor in NYC and online, and share listener tips and stories about decorating in small spaces, with roommates, or as renters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Where to Begin: Essentials First

• Lauren Phillips (02:26):
  • Start with the bedroom: "You want a place you can sleep, of course, and the things that really contribute to sleeping. Think about like that bed, that mattress and curtains."
  • Build in layers: Begin with essentials, then add key furniture (like rugs and sofas) before accent pieces.
• Developing Your Aesthetic:
  • Try things out: “It's all about trying. Trying things, right?...Building on top of what you establish in your previous apartment.” (03:05)
  • Find inspiration: Use magazines and online platforms to pinpoint what you like.

2. Living with Roommates and Shared Spaces

• Adaptability is key (04:14):
  • Communication avoids duplicate items in shared spaces (e.g., two couches).
  • Choose furniture (like neutral couches) that can move with you or adapt to changing roommates.

3. Trends in Design (05:17)

• Personalization rules:
  • "People are really dialing into what speaks to them. Dopamine decor is huge right now...just styling their homes with what makes them happy." (05:17)
  • Organic, natural palettes and textures (mossy greens, creamy whites) are trending, alongside personal, joyful décor choices.

What is Dopamine Decor?

• Lauren Phillips (06:07):
  • "Dopamine decor is really decorating in a way that gives you that little bit of rush when you look at your space...there's no one size fits all when it comes to dopamine decor. It's whatever makes you happy."

4. Color Trends for 2025

• Varied Choices (06:49):
  • Muted colors, timeless blues, and unique shades like Behr’s “Rumors” (a red with brown undertones) are hot—but there is no single dominant color family for 2025.
  • The takeaway: Pick the color that you love.

5. Resourceful Shopping & Sourcing Decor

• Stooping, Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing Groups (07:35):

  • Lauren Phillips (08:43):
    • "Stooping...is such a special element of shopping for furniture in New York…You can find incredible gems. But...check for bugs, check for damage."
  • Cautions: Be vigilant about checking for bedbugs or major flaws when picking up furniture from the curb.

• Consistently Cheap Items that Elevate Spaces (09:34):

  • Rugs: Inexpensive rugs make a huge difference—bonus: many leases require rug coverage.
  • Mirrors: Add light, create the illusion of space, and double as wall art.
    • “Mirrors really help to lighten and brighten a space as well.” (09:34)

6. Making the Most of Walls & Small Spaces

• Vertical space = storage and style:

  • “We love to talk about vertical space...hanging shelves or hang a lot of things on the wall.” (11:19)

• Removable wallpaper (11:50):

  • “It absolutely does [work]. I just moved and...stripping the wallpaper off...was actually really fun…no sticky residue.” (11:50)
  • Peel-and-stick wallpapers, backsplashes, and even countertop covers: High impact, low commitment—perfect for renters.

7. Listener Insights and Calls

Mike from Brooklyn – Indoor Gardening (12:48):

• Affordable local gardeners can transform your indoor plant setup and teach ongoing maintenance.
• Cool resources: Jungle Love NYC, Gnome Network for plant advice.
  • “They even gave us an application that we could follow to help take care of our plants.” (13:28)

Robin from Melville – Measuring is Everything (14:09):

• "The most, most, most important thing ever is to measure—measure your windows, measure your space so that you know what size bed you can fit." (14:15)
• Peel-and-stick solutions work for backsplashes and countertops too.

Tony from Pennsylvania – Personal Photos as Art (15:30):

• “Instead of buying $150 photos, I looked through my own pictures...you go to Staples, it cost you $35 to blow them up to poster size.”
• DIY framing: Use one-by-one wood and canvas wraps for professional-looking, personalized artwork that connects to your own life.
  • “Everybody's got a phone in their pockets and they take great pictures.” (16:52)

Nasozi from Bed Stuy – The Joy of ‘Stooping’ (19:14):

• Found a Hans Wegner replica chair on the street with a friend, which inspired a love of Danish modern furniture.
  • “You never know what you can find on the streets of Brooklyn in New York City.” (20:51)
• Marble contact paper for kitchen upgrades—sometimes, even landlords will keep a renter's improvements!

8. Hacks for Decorating Small or Rental Spaces

• Lauren Phillips (17:46 & 21:27):
  • Prioritize what you actually use (e.g., skip a big dining table if you eat on the sofa).
  • Be practical about size—large art can overwhelm a small wall.
  • Creative hacks: Paint an accent sliver, use prints instead of original art.
  • Renter-friendly upgrades:
    • Removable wallpaper and contact paper
    • Rugs and curtains (tension rods for non-damaging installation)
    • “Curtains and window treatments...bring so much color to your space and enhance the comfort of your home.” (21:27)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Lauren Phillips, on stooping safety:
  “Check for bugs, check for damage. Honestly, a nightmare scenario for me is you find the perfect, you know, side chair and it has bed bugs.” (08:43)

• On dopamine decor:
  “Dopamine decor is really decorating in a way that gives you that little bit of rush when you look at your space.” (06:07)

• Robin (retired interior designer):
  “The most, most most important thing ever is to measure, measure your windows, measure your space...then anything can be changed as far as design.” (14:15)

• Tony (DIY art):
  “Everybody’s got a phone in their pockets and they take great pictures.” (16:52)

• Lauren Phillips, on removable wallpaper:
  “The science of it has come so far. There's even no sticky residue. I love those.” (21:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Framework for Decorating on a Budget: 00:49–02:26
• Finding Your Aesthetic: 03:01–03:55
• Roommates, Communication, and Adaptable Decor: 03:55–05:08
• Latest Trends & Dopamine Decor: 05:17–06:37
• Color Trends: 06:37–07:35
• Shopping Resourcefully (Stooping, Online Groups): 07:35–09:34
• High-Impact, Low-Cost Decor Staples: 09:34–10:27
• Mirrors & Wall Strategies: 10:27–11:41
• Removable Wallpaper, Hands-On Tips: 11:41–12:42
• Listener Calls – Gardening, Measuring, DIY Art, Stooping Finds: 12:48–21:00
• Renter-Friendly Upgrades: 21:00–22:07

Conclusion

This episode celebrates creativity and resourcefulness—making it clear that you don’t need a large budget to create a personal, joyful, and functional home. Success comes from prioritizing essentials, embracing your unique style (and letting it evolve!), and taking advantage of the abundance of resources—from NYC stoops to online groups, DIY tricks, and renter-friendly upgrades.

Host Alison Stewart and guest Lauren Phillips encourage listeners to experiment, make smart, practical choices, and enjoy the adventure of making a space truly their own—even on a budget.