By now you likely have your skin and haircare routines down to a T. From your favorite cleansers to serums, and maybe even retinoids to shampoos, hair masks, and everything in between—you know what you like and what you don’t. But, here’s a newsflash: your bedding can be majorly screwing with your hair and your skin.
Cotton pillowcases are menaces, TBH. They can cause unwanted frizz and major breakage to your strands. And your skin? I’m talking dullness and dryness…not to mention those creases on your cheeks that you wake up with after a fitful night of sleep.
But, that’s where silk pillowcases come into the picture. Unlike cotton or linen covers, silk pillowcases can reduce friction when it comes to your mane—so think fewer split ends, zero static, and no flyaways. As for your skin, silk doesn’t draw out moisture and won’t leave your skin feeling extra dry in the am. But the most best thing about them is that they can actually help slow down the development of wrinkles. How? They’re so smooth that they won’t pull at your face throughout the night. (Your precious face glides on silk, but tugs onto cotton).
In other words, silk pillowcases give the term ‘beauty sleep’ a whole new meaning, and it’s time to add one, or several, to your bed STAT. Not sure where to start? Don’t stress. Ahead, shop the best silk pillowcases that won’t f*ck up your skin and hair.
Slip Silk Pillowcase
Slip’s silk pillowcase is arguably the most popular of the bunch. Nearly every IG influencer has posed with the brand’s iconic bedding staple (or its viral sleep mask), and that’s because it actually works. This one is made of pure silk and designed to visibly improve the appearance of fine lines, skin texture, hydration, and radiance. Plus, you can see results after two nights of sleeping with it. Win!
Shop It: Slip Silk Pillowcase, $89, Sephora
Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
This mulberry silk pillowcases is all about reducing friction— AKA no tugging at the strands that you’ve spent growing out the past year. It’s also cool to the touch, so if you’re hot sleeper you won’t spend all night tossing and turning trying to find the cooler side of the pillow. This celestial print one is just one of the pattern options you can pick. Not your vibe? There six other colors and patterns to choose from.
Shop It: Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, $69, Brooklinen
Kitsch Satin Pillowcase
As the most affordable pillowcase of the bunch, this piece by Kitsch still give you the same benefits as the expensive cases. Think less hair breakage, less frizz, hydrated skin, and fewer facial creases. (Because who has time for premature wrinkles!?)
Shop It: Satin Pillowcase, $19, Kitsch
Blissy Silk Pillocase
Looking for a more sustainable option to channel your best ‘green’ life? Well, here’s the pillowcase for you. Blissy’s mulberry silk pillowcase has a cult following for good reasons. It’s hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and non-toxic. Plus, it has endless skin and hair benefits.
Shop It: 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, $67.46, Blissy
Lunya’s Washable Silk Pillowcase
Lunya has expanded its Washable Silk line from viral pajamas to cool, soft pillowcases. This one is 100% machine washable, adjusts to your body temperature throughout the night, and helps minimize frizz, static, and flyaways on your hair. Plus, if you’re really feeling it, you can get the full bedding line made of the same fabric.
Shop It: Washable Silk Good in Bed Pillowcase, $78, Lunya
We all know the feeling—we wake up to our alarm blaring, startling us out of sleep. On top of that we feel groggy, have lines on our faces, and definitely some drool on our pillow. It’s not a good look, and an even worse way to wake up. But I’m here to tell you that there’s a way to wake up feeling refreshed and in a way that feels like you did it on your own without an obnoxious iPhone sound on repeat. Say hello to the JALL Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock from Amazon.
I know what you’re thinking. “How can an alarm clock not be annoying?” Well, for starters, it replicates the effect of a natural sunrise. You can set it to start shining a light that brightens gradually 30 minutes before the alarm sound goes off, so you can pretend to be waking up with “nature.” Another bonus? It doesn’t use traditional sounds that like horns, sirens, or old-school clocks, which are super stressful IMO. You can choose different sound methods for waking up, like an FM radio setting that scans through stations, or natural sounds like ocean waves, birds chirping, streams…you know. Relaxing sh*t. As for the lighting, if you’re not into the classic sun yellow, you can swap the colors for blue, indigo, purple, red, orange, or green. Plus, the brightness is totally adjustable.
If you’re one of those people that rise early without an alarm clock, first of all we’re jealous. But second of all, you can use this light/clock combo for so much more than your morning wake up call. It can work as a reading light for all you bookworms out there, a bedside lamp, or a night light if chilling in the dark truly isn’t your thing. At night, the lamp can also replicate a sunset to help you wind down. We know we could use the help after scrolling TikTok for hours…and hearing so many trending sounds that can cause literal nightmares.
All this is great, of course, but what about the most important thing—the snooze button? Yes, it comes with one, but it’s not your standard option. If you press the snooze button, you only get nine minutes of extra sleep before the real alarm actually starts. This thing really wants you to get the f*ck up and not feel like crap while doing so.
Listen, we get it, sleep is precious. But it’s not always easy to reach cloud nine with so many other factors keeping us busy and on high-alert all of the time. The last thing any of us want is to miss a morning Zoom call, hit snooze one too many times, or just feel like overall sh*t by the time work starts. So, if you’re not getting the best sleep of your life right now, why not try and start with this popular sunrise alarm clock? Get yours for under $40 at Amazon today.
JALL Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock, $32.88, Amazon
I, like many others during this time, have been itching to redecorate my apartment. Naturally, after 60-something days of staring at the same four walls, it’s easy to get bored of the same decor. But, I like many others during this time, do not have money to splurge on fancy furnishings.
That being said, I did some digging, and I’m here to present you with the best items and accessories to make your apartment look expensive *Erika Jayne voice* on a budget.
Wall Art
Not only does Society 6 have the cutest wall art, it’s always on sale. It’s affordable and you can find some hidden gems.
Simple staples are your friend here, because a lot of the “abstract” choices on these sites are interpretations of famous artist’s work. I recommend keeping it classy with a three-panel wall stack. My personal favorites from Society 6 are The New Yorker prints. Pair three classic covers with black frames and thank me later.
TheNew Yorker Art Print by Naveenart107, from $16.19
Coffee Table Books
Coffee table books are a super simple, affordable, yet impactful way to add some style to any table. Of course, my go-to here is my bffl, Target.
Whether or not you give a sh*t about fashion, I always recommend designer coffee table books because they’re just about the only affordable thing with a logo.
If you’ve got a marble, black, or white coffee table, grab Chanel, Collections and Creations by Danièle Bott, and if you’ve got a wooden table or want a pop of color, grab Chanel: The Making of a Collection by Laetitia Cenac.
Chanel: The Making of a Collection by Laetitia Cenac, $24.49
Accessories
Candles and mirrors and plants, oh my!
Before anything else, a theme is the most important way to tie in accessories and make them look flattering. The more cohesive a space is, the more sense it makes. The end goal is always to have someone walk in and believe that an interior designer spent a ton of money to make your spot perfect, when in reality you are said interior designer, and all the items are affordable.
I’m currently obsessed with Jonathan Adler candles—they’re cool, different, and… $90. BUT, they currently sell the candle holders for $28, and it’s items like these that we call “expensive on a budget”. You can even purchase the matching condiment bowl for a full ~lewk~. It will turn heads (literally).
Jonathan Adler Muse Votive Candle Holder, $28
Mirrors are hard because everyone has the same one, so you want to stand out. I found this cute mirror from Patten Wall Decor on AllModern, but it was $102 so I decided it was not going to fit into my “affordable” category. That is, until, I found the SAME mirror from Patten Wall Decor at Target for $42. My initial thoughts are wtf, but now that I’m over being mad at AllModern, I’m just happy to share it with you all. Throw this bad boy on an accent wall to double as an art piece.
Accent Mirror Gold – Patton Wall Decor, $42.49
I’m not going to mislead you with links to cute faux plants, because truth be told, they are not the same as the real deal. I DO recommend purchasing fresh plants and treating them with TLC and lots of light. I recommend a Fiddle Leaf, because they live for 25+ years when cared for properly, and that is super convenient when not wanting to spend money repetitively. You can purchase them at any local nursery, including Home Depot. Use your candles as a color guide to your pots, a subtle yet important way to tie things all together.
Kitchen/Bathroom
With a full-size home, the possibilities are endless, but my fellow city livers (whether it be NYC or not) know the kitchen and bathroom struggle. Peel and stick contact paper for your countertops and wallpaper is your best friend here, if applied properly.
For the bathroom, I recommend a busy print, because 9/10 times the appliances will be all white, allowing for some pop. I love this Speckled Dot Paper from Opalhouse™, available at Target of course.
Opalhouse Speckled Dot Peel & Stick Wallpaper, $34.00
For the kitchen, go marble for the backsplash and counters for a subtle, pretty moment. Less is more here, so I opt for a more gentle print like Brewster Carrara’s Marble Peel & Stick Wallpaper.
Brewster Carrara Marble Peel & Stick Wallpaper, $35.99
Final Touches
I leave you with some final ways to accessorize and spruce your apartment that work in any space. We’re getting a little fancy shmancy here, but West Elm is having a major sale, so take advantage!!!
These Agate Bookends are striking and unique, whether they live in your living room or bedroom. They look expensive AF, but are currently on sale for $40, so that’s a win in my book.
Agate Bookends at West Elm, $42.70
These stackable Glass Shadow Boxes are also the perfect accessory to add in any room, whether it be jewelry and sunglasses, or statement accent pieces. They’re a pretty and easy way to make a regular item look luxurious, and that’s why we’re here!
Floating shelves are a cute way to make handy wall decor, without having to purchase a bulky piece of furniture. I love the Shelfmate Collection at West Elm, because they are as aesthetically pleasing as they are practical.
Shelfmate Collection, from $50
Last but not least (in fact, maybe the most important) we have the ever popular bar cart. A bar cart has never been more important, because if you’re like me, you’ve run out of room to stock the endless wine supply necessary to survive this quarantine. I love this Laurence Mid-Century Bar Cart from Wayfair, because the modern style shape and gold accent is the perfect touch of opulence but doesn’t break the bank.
Laurence Mid-Century Bar Cart, $102.99
If you’re scrolling through this list, there’s a 50% you’re thanking me, and a 50% chance you’re mad at me. Either way, most of, if not all of this is currently in your cart so at least your apartment will be looking good.
As always, feel free to DM me with your favorite sales and I’ll continue to provide you with mine.
Images: Cody Black / Unsplash; Society6.com; Target.com; JonathanAdler.com; AllModern.com, HomeDepot.com; Wayfair.com; WestElm.com
Betches may receive a portion of revenue if you click a link and purchase a product or service. The links are independently placed and do not influence editorial content.
Now that we are trapped at home literally all of the time, you may notice some things about your place. Like, how your bedspread is getting pretty ratty. Or how your cat really did rip your couch to shreds. Or how you’re pretty sure you’ll f*cking die if you have to look at the mismatched table and chair set you bought from Ikea when you got your first apartment 10 years ago for one more second. I’m not dramatic, these are facts. Being home really makes you reevaluate your space and want to live in a cleaner, less cluttered, and new environment. Lucky for you, redecorating is something that you can totally do online. (My new bed frame comes Monday.) And you don’t have to spend a ton of money to do it. Businesses are throwing out sales left and right to stay afloat, so I found some great sales on home decor so you can upgrade your place and not drain your savings!
Crate & Barrel
God, I love Crate & Barrel. It’s normally quite a bit out of my price range so I like to online window shop (which is the saddest thing ever, FYI) and pretend like I can afford it. However, they’re having sales pretty regularly. Right now they have free furniture delivery and 40% off outdoor furniture, 20% off outdoor rugs, 20% off furniture/lighting/wall decor, and 20% off clearance rugs/bedding. The nice thing about buying from here is that the stuff is definitely good quality, so now is the time to upgrade your space with investment pieces at a discount. If you’re lucky enough to have a yard, please get their gorgeous outdoor sets so I can live vicariously through you while I’m trapped in my tiny LA apartment this summer.
Aaro Planters with Stands, $59.95 $47.96
Lanai Orange Mesh Lounge Chair, $219.00 $131.00
CB2
CB2 is super chic and definitely where real adults shop. Since I feel like a weird, fake baby-adult, I really appreciate when they have insane sales to make it more affordable. Right now, they have 40% off gifts, 30% off planters, and 30% off outdoor furniture. It seems like everyone’s getting a yard makeover before we’re out of quarantine. Must. Be. Nice. Anyway, I would definitely check out their gifts section, but like, for yourself, because these super luxe pieces are totally affordable and will make your apartment seem more adult and put together.
CB2 Florence Brass And Glass Vase, $24.95 $21.21
Tack Metallic Candle Hoarders, $24.95 $14.97
Grace Bone Inlay Mirror 32″, $249.00 $199.00
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is having a 50% off furniture, bedding, and more sale right now AND has code “Summer” for free shipping. Were you thinking of investing in a gorgeous made-to-last new couch? Now it is the time to do it. All I can think about with Pottery Barn is that one episode of Friends and the apothecary table. Let me tell you, if you want to buy everything in the sample image to match the catalog, no one would blame you.
Jake Upholstered Wood Base Sofa, $3,399.00 $1,399.00
Belgian Flax Linen Handcrafted Quilt & Shams – Charcoal, $69.50 $48.00
Faux Succulent Wall, $199.00 $159.00
Target
No list would be complete without Target, the Holy Grail of… well, everything. While Target is not running any specific home decor promotions right now (probably because everything is already pretty affordable), their sale section has a ton of deals on everything from rugs to storage to wall hangings and more.
Southwest Geo Square Throw Pillow, $19.99 $16.99
Abbyson Living Lexington 4 Tier Shelf Gold, $453.99 $363.19
Plano Square Storage Ottoman Blue Stripe, $89.99 $49.49
Wayfair
Wayfair is my go-to for cheap furniture and a variety of styles. My friend just bought the cutest dining set from them literally last week. All of my balcony furniture is from them because I needed benches and a patio table that had storage but could still fit on my small balcony. They are having sales of up to 85% off, and they have literally every style you could imagine. Even if you have a tiny patio, I definitely recommend upgrading it with their outdoor sale and creating a cute little place to have a drink and get some fresh air.
Hallsville 3 Piece Bar Set, $309.99
4 Artificial Cactus Succulent in Basket Set, $58.99 $47.99
Marietta 3 Piece Bar Set, $414.99 $349.99
West Elm
West Elm is where my new bed is from, and I cannot wait because… it has storage! My secret to living in a small studio apartment is that literally everything has secret storage. And everything is on sale at West Elm now, with 40% off furniture, 50% off home decor, 60% off rugs, and 40% off bedding. Now is the perfect time to give your bedroom an upgrade. West Elm is much like Crate & Barrel, where the quality of furniture is great and worth investing in. Also. they have tons of couches, tables, etc. all with storage! Can you tell I really like storage? Say storage again. But like, think how much better you’ll feel being able to shove away all your clutter into convenient hidden spaces!
Haven Storage Bed, $1,799.00 $1,199.40
Cotton Knit Throw, $79.00 $19.99
Have you been playing Home Makeover with your space, too? Where have you found the best deals lately? What are your storage tips for living in tiny spaces?
Images: Nathan Fertig / Unsplash; West Elm (3); Target (3); Wayfair (3); Pottery Barn (3); CB2 (3); Crate and Barrel (3)
Betches may receive a portion of revenue if you click a link and purchase a product or service. The links are independently placed and do not influence editorial content. Price and availability subject to change.
I recently heard something about how millennials can’t afford to buy houses because we spend all of our money on avocado toast or something. Fair. But like, in our defense, we also have a harder time getting into colleges, getting a job after college, and are pretty much guaranteed no social security. Cool. So anyway, that being said, most of us twentysomethings aren’t living in houses right now the way our parents already were at our age. Most of us are still living in apartments, and you know what? I’m okay with that. But we’re also not in college anymore, so we don’t have to subject ourselves to below average, frat-house-style living conditions. And, one of the best ways to make a less desirable space more desirable is by elevating it with decor. For example, you shouldn’t have one of those tacky Walmart college-dorm-special desk lamps in your new grown-up apartment. Rather, you should have a more mature and chic lamp, such as a Himalayan salt lamp. So here is some more apartment decor under $50 (wouldn’t want you to sacrifice your avocado toast, I get it) that will elevate your living space, regardless of whatever exactly that is.
1. Himalayan Salt Lamp
I just alluded to it, but an easy way to make your space more elevated and zen is by getting yourself a Himalayan salt lamp. I actually had one in my room my senior year of college, and everyone gave me sh*t for having a new-agey crystal. Which, when I bought it, I didn’t even realize the health and mood benefits the lamp actually offers. Honestly, I just bought it because I thought it was cute. The soft lighting it creates is pretty much the holistic equivalent of taking a Xanax, and you can easily get one for under $50 at your local Home Goods.
2. Flowers and Fake Plants
Peony Faux Flower Bouquet, $29
If you live somewhere hip like LA, you probs have the luxury of picking up fresh flowers at your weekly farmers market to bring life to your apartment. For the rest of us, fresh flowers may not be that practical or financially responsible to have in our apartment every day. That’s why it’s great to buy some fake plants to mix in and elevate your space during the off-seasons when you don’t have the luxury of real ones. Just the sight of the plant (fake or not) will make your place look a little more boho and natural. Plus, fake plants are a great filler for dead floor or wall space. You could also buy a few different succulents to keep around all year because they last a while and require less maintenance.
3. Coffee Table Books
The Swimming Pool in Photography, $37.40
It may seem like a basic way to decorate but, as basic as coffee table books may be, they are an easy way to up your apartment game. Whether you’re into fashion, architecture, food, or whatever, there are coffee table books that make sense for you. Personally, I love using them to create depth to an otherwise flat space. Meaning, besides just on my coffee table, I use cute books in my bedroom to raise my jewelry dishes, etc. It’s an easy way to make the space more lived-in and create added visual interest.
4. Rugs
House of Hampton Charlotte Hand-Woven Faux Sheepskin Area Rug, $41.99
It may seem obvious, but adding rugs in your apartment is an easy way to elevate your space by making it seem bigger, while also bringing the room together. Look for rugs with simple patterns or texture details to make your space more homey and overall more chic. I personally am a sucker for a faux fur rug, but you have to be careful not to buy one that looks tacky. The faux fur should feel soft, not rough, and should appropriately match the space.
5. Neon Sign
I know neon signs are a very “trendy” thing right now, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that they really add a cool vibe to any space. They legit elevate any otherwise boring space by making it feel instantly edgy and gram-worthy. Pro tip: just make sure you only get one. You want your apartment to look adult and glam, not like DayGlow.
Overall, finding apartment decor is a process that shouldn’t be rushed, or else it’s going to look cheesy and inauthentic. You know, like when a natural brunette tries to go platinum blonde overnight. Unless you’re Kim Kardashian, it doesn’t work. Buy things here and there, and slowly build your apartment into a masterpiece that truly embodies you and your tastes. Just like you don’t want to end up with macaroni-and-cheese-colored hair, you also don’t want to end up with an apartment that looks like you built the whole thing on Sims 2.
Images: @daniellajardim / Unsplash; Urban Outfitters (3); Amazon; Wayfair
Betches may receive a portion of revenue if you click a link and purchase a product or service. The links are independently placed and do not influence editorial content.
