Curbed Handbook
Everything you need to know about your home, from securing a mortgage to painting your living room.
How to turn your home into a smart home
Home technologies can offer unprecedented levels of information and automation, but with so many places to start, it’s hard to know where to start. Tech mavens from Nest, Amazon, and more share their tips for how to make your dumb home smart.
How to design the perfect bedroom
"The bedroom is the last secret place of refuge and peace in a home," says interior designer Emilie Munroe. Here, she outlines the seven steps to creating the bedroom of your dreams.
15 renovation apps to know for your next project
Embarking on a home renovation project is no easy feat, but thanks to today's advances in internet technology, there is probably a stellar app out there ready to assist with every part of the process. Below, we rounded up 15 standouts.
What's the deal with wireless charging furniture?
We talked with Grant Reig, Product Manager at the MIT-born wireless energy company WiTricity, to find out everything you need to know about this brave new world of cord-free, device-charging goods.
How to make your home energy efficient
To find the most effective energy-saving tactics at all price points, we checked in with Christina Kielich of the U.S. Department of Energy and certified home energy auditor Erlend Kimmich for tips on how to make your home more energy efficient.
How to install solar panels on the roof of your home
In this new section of the Curbed Handbook, a New York solar pro walks through the process of designing and installing a rooftop solar system in a historic district. Have a closer look.
What is a passive house?
Curbed spoke with passive house pros Ken Levenson of NY Passive House and San Francisco-based architect Bronwyn Barry to understand the green building trend that’s cutting carbon emissions and energy bills.
How to design the perfect living room
Living rooms are just that: The rooms where we live. "It’s where we now do everything," says Portland-based designer Lynne Parker. Here are her nine tips and tricks for making your home's most-used room the best room.
How to find the best architect for your home improvement
An expert from the American Institute of Architects outlines five steps for finding an architect, and notes "This is a relationship that you’re entering, so it should be with someone that you feel you can work with over a period of time."
The truth behind 11 renovation myths
Like relationships and fame, renovations are seemingly made-for-television. We fantasize about them, dreaming of a beautiful home whose transformation is easy, fast, and affordable. According to the pros, the reality can be a lot grittier.
A guide to interior lighting
The owner of lighting design shop Cedar & Moss shares her foolproof tips for navigating the lighting market to find the perfect fixtures for any space.
DIY interior design: Is it a good idea?
Taking the DIY approach to interior design projects can be creative and rewarding, as well as riddled with potential pitfalls. Here are seven questions to help you decide if DIY is right for you.
Guide to how architects charge for their services
If you feel in-the-dark as to how architects charge for their work, you’re in good company—it’s a system that mystifies architects, too. Here’s a breakdown of the three basic fee structures that clients can expect.
After Ikea: 8 mid-range furniture stores that won't break the bank
Where do you shop when you graduate from Ikea?
The 8 most important principles of interior design
To find interior design nirvana, experts always follow these eight underlying principles. Space planning is key, and less really is often more.
Explaining the abstract aspects of interior design
There’s more to designing a room than picking out furniture. Interior designer Andee Hess explains how design is like psychology, the importance of creating a visual language, and why setting the right mood is key.
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Tips for designing and decorating your interior space
Expert advice for designing every room in your home.
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Furniture 101: Tips on how to buy and what to look for
Expert advice for everything you need to know about buying furniture—from how to spot quality at Ikea to the basics of buying investment pieces.
10 questions you must ask your architect
We spoke with different architects and checked in with the American Institutes of Architects to see what questions firms love to get asked by clients, but often don’t.
A guide to deciphering architect lingo
Architecture boasts a language all its own. To help you avoid confusion, here’s a comprehensive list of the most important words to familiarize yourself with before you sit down with your architect.
6 common mistakes first-time homebuyers make
Making the wrong move in a saturated housing market leads to financial remorse or house buying misery. To prevent this agony, here are six common mistakes you should avoid as a first-time buyer.
Where to buy affordable home essentials, from furniture to kitchenware
A brief guide to buying quality items at retailers from Ikea to Target, West Elm, and more. Here now, where to buy key items for every room in your new home.
A step-by-step guide to the homebuying process
Assuming the title of homeowner is one of the most significant financial commitments you will ever make, and the process can get messy if you’re not properly prepared. Here's a breakdown of what to expect.
The basics of getting a mortgage
Creating a timeline, educating yourself about the market, and understanding your unique financial situation and budget will make the mortgage process easier.
What to expect when working with an architect
The process of working with an architect is quite fluid, with the architect donning many hats at various times, from big picture thinker to detailed project manager. No matter what type of project, be prepared to follow these five basic steps.
Brownstones vs. Greystones: Why They're Different, and Why It Matters
Each week, we see a healthy number of houses come across our desks—many of the now-fashionable and well-known Brooklyn brownstone types among them. Recently, though, our counterparts at Curbed Chicago introduced us to the lesser-known greystone.
How to design the ultimate backyard retreat
When faced with a bare and unappealing yard or patio, it can be hard to see the potential for creating a dynamic and inviting outdoor room, but these seven tips will help you turn your backyard into an oasis.
How and why to shop at your local garden center
When shopping for plants, or just looking for some garden inspiration, your first stop should be your local nursery—here are four reasons why.
Where to start when designing your garden
Lauren Hall-Behrens, landscape designer and founder of Lilyvilla Gardens in Portland, Oregon, outlines nine guiding principles to follow when designing your garden.
How Historic Homes Are Moved
The task of moving a house is not an uncommon one. Here's how it's done.
How to Work With (or Avoid) a Rental Broker in NYC
Industry experts explain why rental brokers are so prevalent in New York City—and offer advice on how to avoid being scammed when searching for an apartment.
Restoring a Historic House: 7 Tips and Tricks
Restoring a historic house can be one of the most exciting—and overwhelming—experiences. We spoke with interior designer (and serial old-house renovator) Steven Gambrel to find out his must-know tips for taking on any restoration project.
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Working With an Architect on a Big Renovation
Working with an architect may be unfamiliar territory for many just getting started with their first big renovation. To help answer some of the basics, we reached out to Matt Nardella of moss design.
How to Replace Facade Elements on a Historically Protected Building
A New York architect walks through the process of replacing the facade of a townhouse in a historic district.
The Biggest Renovation Mistakes—And How to Avoid Them
Architect Melody Emerick reveals the biggest renovation mistakes, and offers advice on how to make sure they don't happen. Spoiler: Stop worrying so much about who might live in your home next.
How to Find a NYC Tenants Rights Attorney
From firms that specialize in tenant law to free online resources if you plan to tackle the court system solo, there are plenty of options if you're seeking justice.
Urban gardening: Tips and products for the space-starved
To help those with little to no outdoor space get started on growing this season, here are some new products for small-space/hydroponic growing, as well as advice from pro gardeners who specialize in city environments.
