Well, you did it. You finally packed up that little life of yours and are officially moving into your first apartment. Look at you, adulting and stuff! Once you get over the chaos of putting everything you own into cardboard boxes and hauling it to your new abode, there’s just one thing left to do: make that humble abode a home. And nothing says “home” like the decor of your apartment. But wait a minute…are you thinking, “Decor? Isn’t that a fancy word for ‘decorations’? Sounds expensive.” Fear not, my budget-conscious friend. We’re here to give you some ways to save on turning your place into a whimsical wonderland (or a decked out den, or a pretty pad…whatever you want to call it, really). Follow our guide and you’ll be the king or queen of your quaint castle in no time.
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5 Simple Things You Can Do to Upgrade Your Apartment Kitchen
When you rent an apartment, you sometimes have to live with a look that’s less-than-perfect. After all, in most cases it’s not like you can tear down walls or make permanent changes to a space you don’t own. This can feel especially limiting in kitchens, where storage can be short and the design pretty plain. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t do some things to make your cooking space a happier place to be. Whether you are in a studio, a two-bedroom apartment, or a two-story townhouse, here are 5 simple options.
A Guide to Furniture Rental Feng Shui
When you retreat back home from long day, are you coming back to a place of rest? If not, a little feng shui may be the answer. Start with the room that welcomes you home – the living room. Here are 6 simple ways you can achieve balance in your living room with your furniture rental pieces.
1. Stay organized and clutter-free
A living room that is clean and clutter-free is a good foundation of feng shui. Little things lying around the living room aren’t just an eyesore; they disturb the balance of the room. Solution: Use a cocktail table with drawers (think the Union Square Cocktail Table) and give small items like remote controls a new home so they’re out of sight and off your mind.
Taking Down the Tree: The Best Way to Pack up Your Holiday Decor
As we head toward the end of January, it may be slightly embarrassing to admit that you’ve still got decorations from the holidays decking the halls of your home. If you’re an apartment renter, the prospect of squeezing that artificial tree back into the corner of the coat closet may seem especially daunting. Whether you rent a one-bedroom apartment or a studio, have no fear! Here are 4 space-saving tips for how to pack away the holiday chaos in an orderly fashion.
Tip #1: Use old egg crates to store ornaments
Looking for a quick and easy way to store fragile ornaments? Simply take an old egg carton out of the fridge and place an ornament in each cranny and close the lid! Your ornaments are protected and organized in a snap! It no longer takes professional boxes, bags and tissue paper to store the tree décor.
Tip #2: Use leftover cardboard boxes to wrap up lights tangle-free
Over the years, you’ve filled your apartment with things you love — and plenty of other junk you don’t. If you feel clutter is overwhelming your space but don’t know where to start, read on. Here
5 Reasons to Choose a Furnished Apartment
Furnished or unfurnished: that is the question. Should you look for an
Everything You Need to Know About Renting With a Pet
Everyone is a pet lover until the time comes to welcome one
6 Tips for a Renter-Friendly Apartment Makeover
A bland or outdated apartment doesn't have to drag down your style
From gift exchanges and office parties to Black Friday and Christmas at grandma’s, the winter holidays are all about making memories and celebrating with loved ones. And all these festivities mean there are plenty of reasons for renters to leave their apartments.
7 Ways to Make Money for the Holidays
The holiday season is full of love, joy, and, unfortunately, expenses! Even with fun things like gifts and travel on your mind, you still have to pay for rent, utilities, and food. But you can beat the budget blues this winter with these seven ways to make extra cash for the holidays!
No-Cook Potluck Ideas to Celebrate Friendsgiving
First holiday season away from home? Chances are you’re feeling nostalgic, homesick, and a little clueless (and that’s okay). You’re used to eating the traditional family Thanksgiving dinner — not making it!
Do You Have Bed Bugs in Your Apartment?
A bed bug infestation is no laughing matter. In many states, it’s standard for landlords to add a lease clause holding tenants responsible for bed bugs that come into the apartment during their rental period. As a renter, you need to know how to protect yourself from pest-related liability.
From Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day to National Popcorn Day (yes, those are two “real” American holidays), there’s always something to celebrate in the good ol’ U-S of A. Few other days, though, are as important as National Armed Forces Day, which is celebrated each year on the third Saturday in May.
Thanks to the efforts of President Harry Truman and Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson, Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 as a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service. On May 21, join your community in saying “Thank You” to service men and women near or far, with one of these five creative ideas!
7 Awesome Ideas for Celebrating Mom on Mother’s Day
Remember all the times you asked your mom, “Can I go out and play?” or “Do you think this outfit looks okay?” or “What the heck is a tax bracket and why am I paying the government when I make no money. This is ridiculous!” That’s what this day is for – to celebrate the woman who always has the answers. Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday, May 8th, and we’ve got some fun suggestions on how to show her that you care. Read on to find out!
How to Celebrate Rhode Island Independence Day Like a Local
Happy Rhode Island Independence Day! Okay, so maybe it’s not as well known as the good ol’ U.S. Independence Day, but that’s because it’s so darn special. A little backstory: Rhode Island was the first of the original thirteen U.S. colonies to gain independence, declaring itself independent on May 4, 1776, a full two months before any other other colony. Talk about ahead of the game. In honor of this momentous occasion, we’re giving you a few tips on how to celebrate like a true Rhode Island native.
Top 5 Cities for Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Cinco de Mayo has become known as one of the happiest days of the year. The day itself commemorates an against-the-odds victory of the Mexican army over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, and today it’s celebrated in many places all over the world. It’s a chance to relax with some friends and kick back with a cold cerveza or frozen margarita, if that’s your thing. In honor of the 5th of May, here are five cities where you can find the liveliest and best Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
The search for a new apartment can feel overwhelming. Time is often against you, and you may even begin your search from another state or country. You start by finding apartment options that fit within your desired area and price range. (Tools like ApartmentSearch are great to help you save time on this first part.) But usually, once you have the list narrowed down to a handful of options, you will want to visit the apartments in person. After a long day touring apartments, they often all begin to look the same.
However, there are some important differences you should look out for. Not all apartments are the same and sometimes the challenges can be hard to spot. This list will help you discover the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
It’s Renewal Time! Should I Re-Sign My Lease?
For some apartment renters, it is a day of much anxiety. You arrive back to your apartment to the note that your lease will soon expire and you must decide whether to stay or go. Many renters are seeing rate increases included as part of the new rental agreement. This may leave you asking: Is it time to move on or should I renew my lease? Here are some things to consider…
How Much Space Do You Need in Your Apartment?
It has often been touted that bigger is better. But that is not necessarily so. In some instances, the practicalities of smaller can be just as alluring as the trappings of a larger option. Great things come in small packages…right? The debate gets even more complicated when you talk about living space and apartments. Who really knows the actual square footage they need in order to live comfortably? What does 750 square feet actually look like — and does it look that much different from 850 or 950? So when searching for your next apartment, how much space do you really need?
3 Lessons on “Adulting” For First-Time Apartment Renters
Spring is here and for thousands of college students across America, it means one thing… spring break. Visions of beaches, parties and a week-long celebration of their youth fill the days leading up to mid-terms. However, for some college students, spring brings to mind a harsh reality. In just a few short weeks. the ride is up and life in the real world begins. They might be spending spring break apartment hunting to get ready for what lies ahead. Very soon, it will be time for Adulting 101.
There are a million and one “best places” lists out there. The best places to find a job, best places to get a cup of coffee, top cities to save money, and so on. We’ve read them all, but the most important list we watch is where people want to move to get a great apartment. While all the lists have their own unique spins, ours is a little different.
We have analyzed all of the lists and also taken a close look at jobs that upcoming college grads are seeking. All of this, combined with the cost of living, ways to have fun, and the availability of affordable apartments, have led us to bring you our list of the top 5 places you should consider moving to this summer.
It’s Renewal Time! Should I Re-Sign My Lease?
For some apartment renters, it is a day of much anxiety. You arrive back to your apartment to the note that your lease will soon expire and you must decide whether to stay or go. Many renters are seeing rate increases included as part of the new rental agreement. This may leave you asking: Is it time to move on or should I renew my lease? Here are some things to consider…
10 Places You Can Find Free Moving Boxes
Moving is an expensive process. A $1,170 process in fact, according to an average from the American Moving & Storage Association – and that’s when you’re staying in the same state! If you’re looking for ways to cut costs on your next move, start with the basics. You won’t find movers or a moving truck for free, so take advantage of these ten places you can find free moving boxes!
Best Moving Info for Military Families
It’s no secret that the heroes among us, our servicemen and women and their families, have to move…a lot. If you’re part of a military family, you know that the experience can be hectic and unpleasant. The whole thing gets old, doesn’t it? And you definitely don’t want to forget something important just because you’re sick of moving. You’ve got a lot of choices to make and things to keep track of, whether it’s your first move or your fifteenth. To help out our men and women in uniform, we’ve compiled some of the best moving info to make the transition as easy as possible.