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October 29, 2020

How to plan a safe COVID Thanksgiving

Here in NYC, Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo have both advised against traveling for Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate. One option is to host a virtual holiday. It won't be the same, but it's got its selling points (i.e. no squabbling with your mother-in-law in the kitchen or having dad refuse to turn the game off during dinner); it'll just take some extra planning in advance. If you have family and friends local, you may want to consider a safe, outdoor meal. But we recommend buying a heater now and figuring out how you'll keep the food warm. Ahead, we've put together a guide to planning a COVID Thanksgiving, no matter how you plan to enjoy the day.
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September 16, 2020

7 ways to soundproof a noisy apartment

No matter how long we live in New York City, it's hard to get used to the sounds of jackhammers, children screaming, or our neighbors getting a little too, um, frisky on the other side of our apartment wall. And with noise complaints up a whopping 300 percent during the pandemic, many of us are actively seeking solutions to help muffle (or hopefully mute) these urban intrusions. From sound-proofing wall panels and curtains to white noise machines, we've rounded up some simple soundproofing home upgrades, as well as a couple more robust improvements, that will help you achieve a quieter household.
Get started soundproofing here
August 28, 2020

New IKEA, LEGO collaboration makes it fun to clean up toys

For parents tired of picking up and stepping on their kids' pesky LEGO blocks, a new collaboration between the toy company and IKEA may be a perfect solution. The companies on Thursday unveiled their BYGGLEK collection, which includes a series of storage boxes for kids that have LEGO studs on them, perfect for both storing the toys and playing with them. The collection will be available at IKEA stores beginning October 1.
Details this way
August 25, 2020

The Sill partners with the Met for a new art-inspired plant collection

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is marking its 150th anniversary this year, and as part of the celebration, they're embarking on new exhibits and collaborations, one of which is this fun partnership with The Sill. The "Met 150 Edit" is a multi-designer capsule collection from the plant company that features limited-edition earthenware planters and fun art-inspired message pops ("Vincent Van Grow" and "Untitled Greens #1").
Shop the collection here
July 23, 2020

12 tips for hiring movers and making sure things run smoothly

From big corporations to small family-run operations, movers in NYC run the gamut in terms of services, pricing, and proximity, but regardless of which route you take, there are several things to consider before deciding. Ahead, 6sqft has rounded up 12 tips for hiring movers, including performing background checks, making sure you've accurately counted your boxes (no one wants to be that person), and negotiating the estimate.
All the tips ahead
July 14, 2020

The 15 best air-purifying plants for your home

Toxins from carpet, paint, upholstery, and cleaning products are just a handful of modern-day, airborne pollutants that can degrade indoor air quality, and studies have shown too much exposure to these manmade elements can cause lung and respiratory issues over the long run. Luckily, there are a number of houseplants that moonlight as efficient purifiers. Ahead you'll find 15 of the best air-purifying plants suited for apartment living, according to Dr. B.C. Wolverton, a scientist who worked with NASA to develop a breathable environment for long-term lunar habitation.
15 plants to help keep indoor air its purest
June 18, 2020

16 books about New York City by Black authors

The Black Lives Matter movement has strong roots in New York City, and with this in mind, 6sqft has put together a list of books about or related to New York City, all by Black authors. Including fiction and nonfiction, our list includes classics like Paule Marshall's Brown Girl, Brownstones and James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time to contemporary works like Kiley Reid's Such a Fun Age and Elaine Welteroth's More Than Enough.
Check out the full list
April 28, 2020

25 great ways to turn your apartment into a calming home

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash Call it zen or hygge or just plain cozy, we look to our homes to be a welcoming refuge, especially during the current times. From creating a reading nook to setting up a bathroom "spa," we've rounded up the best projects to help you carve out a tranquil space in a stressful world, no matter what size your apartment or home.
relaxation, this way
April 23, 2020

Top NYC chefs featured in a new e-cookbook to benefit the restaurant industry

Everyone's experience during this current crisis is a little bit different, but the one thing that's emerged as the great unifier is cooking. From sourdough starters and banana bread to chefs cooking at home on Instagram, we can't get enough of both trying new recipes ourselves and seeing how the pros do it in their own kitchens. Family Meal, a new e-cookbook from Penguin Random House, combines the best of these comforts, featuring 50 recipes from famous chefs and home cooks. But the best part is that 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Restaurant Workers’ Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
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March 31, 2020

12 flowering houseplants to brighten up your home

With New Yorkers stuck indoors with kids, work from home, and a barrage of ever-changing news, it can seem like even spring is on hold. But adding some flowering houseplants to your space is a great way to enliven it with the colors and energy of spring. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a collection of potted blooms that will make your home, and your mood, just a little brighter.
Potted blooms, this way
March 20, 2020

30 home office ideas to work in style

If you're starting to get a little stir crazy working from home, why not take this as an opportunity to spruce up your home office setup. Ahead, we've put together some suggestions for setting up the perfect work-from-home scenario, even if you're stuck in a tiny apartment. From practical solutions like wall-mounted desks and storage drawers to fun furniture ideas like an ergonomic stool and even something for your furry friend.
What's your home office style?
March 18, 2020

Stay fit while staying home: The best home gym equipment

The gym is closed. It's still too cold to hit the park, beach, or local outdoor track (or you'd just rather stay at home). There are only so many times you can walk the dog. But your health and fitness–and sanity–depend on being able to get some exercise. This could be the best time to put that at-home workout plan into action–especially since exercise is one of the best ways to boost your immune system. Whether it's a yoga practice, cardio, training for a race or building strength, let the list below inspire you to get moving, even if you're in a small NYC apartment.
Get moving
February 25, 2020

The 10 best plants for apartment dwellers

From purifying the air to making your apartment feel more welcoming and alive, there are a multitude of reasons to incorporate plants into your home decor. However, for many of us, keeping these precious specimens alive can be a small but legitimate challenge—especially when space and natural sunlight is limited (like many apartments in New York City). To make the commitment to caring for and sustaining the life of greenery a bit easier, we've put together this list of special and very sturdy plants perfect for apartment dwellers like yourself.
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February 10, 2020

Renters insurance in NYC: Why you should get it right now

Renters insurance is one of those things that you know is a good idea–and like so many New York City renters, you’ve been meaning to do it, but you may not have gotten around to it–until you wish you had. And though we hope we’ll never need it, it's one of the few things in city life that's simple, inexpensive, and worth every penny. Below, we explain why it's an important investment to make, how to navigate the process of getting a quote and getting covered, and which provider might be best for you.
All about renters insurance, this way
January 6, 2020

How to decorate your apartment with the Pantone Color of the Year, Classic Blue

Since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute graphics company has chosen a Color of the Year, and the 2020 hue is PANTONE 19-4052 TCX, otherwise known as "Classic Blue." The blue hue is indeed a classic–a primary color that's simple, bright, and doesn't pull any punches. It calls to mind blueberries, nautical motifs, and, yes, Facebook. Below are some ideas for putting a pop of this cheery color in your space and your life, from apartment-friendly sofas and chairs to necessary accessories like a self-cleaning water bottle.
A Classic Blue mood, this way
December 10, 2019

2019 holiday gift guide: 20 gifts for the New Yorker who has it all

Not sure what to get the New Yorker who has it all? We've put together a list of 20 items at every price point that will satisfy even the most jaded New Yorker. From historic prints of old New York and classic mom-and-pops to skyscraper champagne flutes and Brooklyn map coasters to some more offbeat items like a sew-your-own Jane Jacobs doll and an authentic Katz's deli apron.
Check them all out here
December 10, 2019

2019 holiday gift guide: The best gifts for kids in New York City

Nobody appreciates a great gift like a child, but New York City kids are a tough audience. They've already got the world at their feet, even if they're not possessed of a pile of material goods. Fortunately, there are lots of options for cool presents for your favorite pint-sized architects, athletes, fashionistas and foodies as well as the Big Apple babies on your list. Check out our list below for a handful of gift ideas for New York City kids.
Great gifts for NYC kids, this way
December 6, 2019

The best holiday decorations for modern apartment living

So maybe you don't have room for a Norway spruce big enough to rival Rockefeller Center's. Maybe you don't even have a chimney from which to hang stockings with care. Or maybe holiday decorating seems a little old fashioned–which might be just what you're looking for. The good thing about the season is that adding sparkle doesn't take up a lot of space. The choices are nearly endless; what you choose should reflect nothing so much as your own personal style. From classic to retro to contemporary to some more out-of-the-box picks, here are some ideas for small-space holiday decorating.
What's your holiday decorating style?
December 2, 2019

The 13 best Advent calendars of 2019

Advent calendars–those countdown calendars with little doors or tabs that can be opened each day of the month–are a visual, hands-on way to deal with counting the days 'til Christmas. The idea falls somewhere between a card and a gift, with the added excitement of having each day be a chance to reveal a new bauble, bonbon, potion or prize. Both the ritual of finding out what’s behind the door–and getting to enjoy it–can be almost as fun for grown-ups as kids. Below are 12 cool countdown calendars stocked with treats from chocolates and tea to Marvel figurines and "Game of Thrones" socks (yes, really.)–and one DIY version you can fill with whatever you like.
cool advent calendars, this way
November 22, 2019

When the big dinner is at your (tiny) apartment: How to host a holiday meal in a small space

Don't let apartment life stop you from hosting! Forget the turkey and tradition, or start one of your own with a November (or December) dinner to remember. You can even tackle the classic Thanksgiving, or have a low-key, festive "Friendsgiving." The key is to find your own collection of small-space, less-fuss entertaining ideas and go-to goods. Below, a few suggestions to get you started.
Ideas for a holiday feast, apartment-style, this way
October 29, 2019

9 best dog breeds for NYC apartments

Many New Yorkers live in spaces that barely appear large enough for their human occupants, but this doesn’t prevent them from adopting dogs of all breeds and sizes. By one estimate, there are more than half a million dogs in New York City (that’s more than the human population of Atlanta and most U.S. cities). To find out which dogs are best for NYC’s finicky indoor and outdoor environments, 6sqft reached out to Lauren McDevitt, the founder of Good Dog, which is, in essence, an online platform designed to promote responsible breeding and make it easier for people looking to adopt a dog to avoid scams. Ahead, McDevitt shares some tips for New Yorkers looking to adopt a canine companion and helps us put together a list of the best dog breeds for apartment dwellers (French Bulldogs, Boxers, and Golden Retrievers all made the cut!).
Check out the full list
August 12, 2019

Lego celebrates the 25th anniversary of ‘Friends’ with Central Perk set

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the sitcom Friends, Lego next month will release a new collectible set featuring one of the show's most important characters: the Central Perk cafe. Available starting September 1, the set includes the cafe's iconic seating, including the orange couch, armchair, and two chairs. You can recreate the show's classic moments with seven new Lego mini-figures of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey, Phoebe, and Gunther.
All the details this way
August 2, 2019

Pottery Barn’s new ‘Friends’ collection will be there for you…and your apartment

"Friends" is set to leave Netflix by the end of the year, but devoted fans now have a new way to keep their favorite moments close by. As the show prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Pottery Barn has just launched the much-anticipated FRIENDS x Pottery Barn collection, comprised of furniture, tableware, and other household accessories inspired by the classic '90s sitcom. Ranging from a $1,099 apothecary coffee table to a $29.50 throw pillow featuring the iconic shade of purple in Monica’s apartment—there’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re a Rachel, a Joey, or a Phoebe.
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