What to Keep

The two most important questions to ask regarding the items you are considering for the “keep” category are: Do you love it? And/or do you use it on a consistent basis? Both questions are important! There are some items that have no intrinsic value, but you love them all the same. Mementos from your past, a favorite outfit that you’re saving for a special event, or decor that perhaps doesn't fit your current living situation, but you know will be perfect in your next home. If any item that you want to keep ticks those boxes for you, absolutely keep it! Also, don't get rid of anything that you use on a regular basis, even if it is slightly worn. There's no point in discarding something that you will simply have to replace before the season is out.

What typically merits keeping?

• Clothes for the next season (that you have worn in the past year) and/or that still fit and look good on you
• Any items you use on a regular basis—from kitchen gadgets to furniture items and beyond
• Sports equipment you actually use
• High value items you’ll want to keep “forever”
• Holiday decorations or season-specific décor

What to Donate

Donating can be a bit of a landmine. You want to do the right thing and donate items that still have use, but you don’t want to offload items that someone else will simply have to throw away. How to choose? The key question is: does this have any value left for someone else? If the item is in good condition, or is high quality, or is in particularly high demand, like winter jackets, definitely consider donating. Here’s a full list of items to consider:

• Clothing that is still in good condition and of higher quality (not “fast fashion”)
• Shoes, sneakers, boots
• Winter coats, scarves, hats, gloves
• Small appliances that still work – especially if you have the original boxes
• Sports equipment in good condition
• Toys in good condition
• Books, costume jewelry, dishes, art, or decorative items – again, in good condition!
• Furniture items that are sturdy and well made

What to Discard

This last category will probably be your largest, and that's okay! Even if you have to fill up your apartment complex’s dumpster a few weeks in a row, or line up bags at the curb, it’s far better for you to get these items out of your apartment than to leave them cluttering up your space. If you’re stumped on what merits a short trip to the trash can, here are some ideas:

• Clothing too threadbare to donate
• Anything missing parts or pieces
• Broken or outdated electronics (no one needs them for spare parts, truly!)
• Broken-down furniture
• Anything that makes you sad or reminds you of unhappy times

It can be difficult to make decisions in the moment, especially if you find the Spring Cleaning process has been taxing for you physically (or even emotionally!). By establishing a plan up front and tackling one room a time, you’ll be on your way to a brighter, more open apartment—and a whole new start on your year. Happy cleaning!

The post Spring Cleaning? Here’s what to keep, donate, or discard appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Whites are for ceilings and small spaces

White corresponds with cleanliness, and for some can seem sterile or hospital-like, but white can serve an important role in apartment color combinations. Not only can white walls or ceilings make your home feel bigger and more open, it can have a calming effect on people living in those rooms. Not ready to go all-in on white? Consider adding a few white spaces to breathe serenity and contrast into a room.

Yellows are for kitchens (or rooms you want to be bright!)

Kitchens are a natural fit for the color yellow, as the hue brightens the mood and increases energy—something we all could use when stumbling into the kitchen for that first cup of coffee. If your kitchen is well-lit, yellow walls can help catch the sunlight and lighten the space even more. A softer yellow can be a good option for bedrooms, too, especially if you balance it with other calming colors.

Blues are for accent colors—not whole rooms

Blue is a very relaxing, soothing color that’s perfect for helping you feel more serene…but too much blue can result in a room that makes you feel chilly and even depressed. This is especially true of rooms without windows or those in a basement space. If you’re determined to incorporate blue into your color scheme, opt for lighter, warmer blues and match them up with warm complementary colors to make the room more inviting.

Going green? Head for the home office

Looking to add a little wealth, abundance, or the warm tones of nature to your space? Green is the color you want. It’s a lovely, restful color for the eyes and can help clear the mind and inspire serenity—without letting you get overly relaxed.

Power up your palette with purple

Purple can span the color wheel from deep and vibrant to the faintest lavender, but it’s a fantastic addition to nearly any room. Deep purples can add romance, mystery and luxury to a space, while lighter lilacs may be better suited to a bedroom or powder room. But get creative! A bold pop of purple may be just what your room needs to feel royal. (We’ll slide pink in here, too—a great color to induce calm and playfulness, but a little goes a long way in most spaces.)

Orange will get your toes tapping

Ready to add a burst of pizazz to your rooms? Think orange. This exciting color is perfect for home gyms, offices, or studios, but it might be a little high energy for bedrooms or areas dedicated to relaxation. Before you cover an entire space in orange, experiment with pops of orange in throw pillows or accent pieces.

Red is ready for a party (so you better be, too!)

Like blue, too much red can risk overwhelming a small space, so it’s best to use it as a color accent rather than blanketing a room in the color. That said, if you have a place that’s dedicated for socializing and celebration, an entire accent wall of red can make a bold and inviting statement.

Above all, color should be a joyful part of your decorating plan. Have fun, experiment, and may all your decorating dreams be bright!

The post What colors go where? An apartment decorating guide appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

These tips will help get you started.

1. Decide on your priorities—and the order of those priorities

There are many (many!) options when it comes to apartment homes, so it’s worth taking the time to decide up front what are your “must-haves” vs. your “nice to haves.” To start your hunt off right, create a list of every consideration before you hit the listings, and prioritize it for YOU. Here’s a typical order of importance of apartment features, but your mileage may vary!

• Location/Proximity to work or school
• Cost of Rent
• Lease Types (one-year, month-to-month, etc.)
• Size of Apartment/no. of bedrooms
• Neighborhood features
• Parking availability
• Apartment features (Is there a washer/dryer? A balcony? A nice view?)
• Apartment community amenities (Is there a pool? Fitness center? Community center?)
• Pet-friendly? If yes, is there a dog park nearby?
• Cost of utilities

2. Budget for unexpected rental costs (or savings)

You may feel like you have a handle on apartment costs such as monthly rent and basic utilities, but you should be ready for unexpected (or higher-than-expected) costs, particularly as you move in. Moving costs, the need for one (or more) months’ rent up-front, additional pet costs or pet rent, and monthly costs for items like parking spots, storage units, internet fees, etc. can add up. Pro Tip: Sometimes apartment communities run seasonal specials on rent, especially during the Christmas holidays. Definitely ask about rental specials if you’re apartment hunting at this time of year!

3. Prepare for the application process

Unless you are renting a room from a family friend, your apartment management company will almost certainly require an application—and will run a credit check to determine if you can afford the monthly rent. If you have any negative assessments on your credit, take care of those before you apply for your dream apartment. In many cases, all it takes is a simple phone call (or paying that small bill you have long since forgotten about) to improve your credit score. Some management companies also run a background check, so be prepared for that.

Other application requirements typically include a state ID/driver’s license, proof of income (such as pay stubs or similar), vet records if you have a pet, and even personal or professional references. Create a folder of all these items so you have them with you when you are ready to apply.

Also, bear in mind that many apartment management companies require a non-refundable application fee, so before you start applying, narrow down your choices to your top picks in the area of your choice.

4. Be prepared to ask questions

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a beautiful apartment with great views in the perfect neighborhood—but the application and tour process is your best time to ask critical questions. An apartment community’s pet policies, parking situation, amenities, renters’ insurance requirements, application fees, past rental renewal increases, construction plans, and even noise policies can be deal-breakers (or deal-makers) for you. Write out your questions in advance so you don’t forget any when you arrive onsite.

5. Take the time to review your lease

Congratulations! You’ve found your perfect home, and you’re ready to sign on the dotted line. Now’s not the time to cut corners. Your rental agreement or lease not only includes important information such as rent amount, rent due date, late fees, the amount of your security deposit (if any), and lease expiration date, it also usually includes apartment policies and maintenance procedures that you will want to thoroughly understand before you sign. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification—again, BEFORE you sign.

Searching for your new apartment can feel daunting, but with a little preparation, you’ve totally got this. Happy hunting!

The post Apartment hunting? What to know before you go. appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

That said, where do you begin? Whether you decide to do a solo sale or team up with several other renters or even local homeowners in your neighborhood, these tips can help ensure your garage sale will be a success.

1. Plan for the win (create your categories now)

Once you make the commitment to host a garage sale, start with a small, but critical task—sorting your belongings into categories. There are three key categories as you begin your sorting project (and only three): Sell, Donate, Discard. Any items you come across that don’t fall into one of these three categories should be something that has either a strong personal meaning for you, or you use it on a regular basis, OR you know as an iron-clad fact that it will have an honored place in your next home. As Marie Kondo would tell us, if it doesn’t spark joy…out it goes.

Bonus tip: stock up on supplies in advance, including boxes, bins, tape, labels, markers, price tags, trash bags for your discard or donation items. Gathering supplies up front will save you both time and stress down the line.

2. Find a buddy

Garage sales can be daunting, and so can the idea of launching one alone. Check local listings for neighborhood garage sales or talk to some of your friends or neighbors to see if you can team up. This tip is particularly helpful if you don’t have a garage, or if your apartment community isn’t keen on you staging a sale on their property. Join forces with a friend or family member who has an easy-access location, and you could see your sales increase dramatically. Plus, teaming up with friends will help keep you accountable for actually getting the work done.

3. Set a date (and tell people about it)

Speaking of accountability, setting a date is one of the most critical steps to making sure the garage sale happens. Bonus points for making up flyers/signs to post at local hangouts, getting listed in your church bulletin, or posting your sale on sites like Next Door, Facebook, etc. The more people who know the garage sale is coming up, the more likely you are to stick to your plans.

NOTE: choose a date that’s soon but not too soon. Make sure you give yourself enough time to pull together as many items as you can without adding unnecessary stress to your life!

3. Don’t just clean…deep clean

It’s one thing to set aside that extra shelf unit you simply don’t use anymore, or the exercise bike that mostly (okay, only) serves as a clothing rack. But if you’re going to take the time to host a garage sale, don’t stop there. Target every closet in your place, and pull out all the extra boxes that you haven’t looked at since you moved in.

Do you really need fourteen crates of Christmas decorations? Do you seriously want to wear clothing that fit three years ago and went out of style two years before that? What about those shoes you used to wear during your “clubbing” years back before you cared about not having sore ankles? This is your chance to get real about the person you’ve become, and to make room for him/her in your life.

4. Price for success

Try to be as rational as possible in setting your prices. Remember, your primary goal is to get rid of unwanted items, not to make a killing with your extra stuff. Fortunately, there are many online sites that helpfully provide a good rule of thumb for pricing the most common items in a garage sale. Just do a search on “how should I price my garage sale items?” and you’ll come up with roughly 163 million Google answers (ask me how I know). Also, don’t think you should price high and expect people to haggle you down. Many shoppers don’t have the time or the temperament for that, and it’s not worth losing the sale.

5. Get ready to shine on Garage Sale Day

It’s the big day! How do you stage your items for success? Here are some quick, last minute tips:

• Bundle similar items together. Maybe you won’t be able to unload 15 books for thirty cents each, but a bundle of 15 for $5? Now you’re talking!
• Present higher ticket items attractively, with plenty of space for people to see them from a distance.
• Draw people into your garage sale with items you know will go quickly (like children’s toys) in a highly visible position.
• Make your prices easy-to-find and easy-to-read.
• Have plenty of change on hand.
• Have a truck rented (or borrowed) and at the ready to take what’s left over to a donation or discard site. (You *will* have stuff left over!)

6. Celebrate!

Congratulations! You’ve cleared some unwanted items from your apartment or townhome and possibly earned some sweet cash in the process. Now, it’s time for you and your friends to celebrate. Here’s to a successful Garage Sale!

The post How to make the most of your garage sale appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. Absorb the sound with a few fantastic décor hacks

Sound loves empty spaces and flat, hard surfaces, so if your apartment is extremely minimalist, there are a few quick fixes that will provide you with instant relief. With the simple addition of furniture, throw rugs or pillows, or carpets to your floors, you’ll be amazed at how quickly the decibel level drops, even if the sound that bothers you is coming from outside your home.

2. Invest in earplugs and/or white noise devices

While this tip isn’t a foolproof solution, it can help take the edge off, especially as you begin your quest for a more serene space. Today’s noise cancelling headphones are remarkably effective even at lower price points, and phone apps or white noise machines designed to help you sleep peacefully can help you get the rest you need (which will help you be more productive once morning comes.)

3. You’ve heard of blackout curtains? They work for sound, too.

Heavy drapes aren’t just for minimizing light anymore. Check out curtains designed specifically to limit sound for rooms such as your home office and bedroom. While they’ll certainly help shut out noise, you’ll find they’ll also reduce light and conserve your heat/air conditioning, depending on the season. Another option is to use a door draft stopper at the base of your office door or front door.

4. Bring in the experts—contact your rental management team

If the noise that you’re dealing with on a regular basis isn’t due to forces outside your apartment community’s control—traffic noise or construction work, for example—but instead is the result of particularly noisy neighbors, do *not* attempt to solve this problem on your own. Chances are, if you’re distracted or annoyed by your louder-than-reasonable neighbors, other renters in your building are as well.

What to do? Contact your apartment management team and ask them to step in on your behalf, for the good of the entire community. In many cases, your rental manager will be able to speak with the noisy neighbor about toning things down, especially during work hours or late at night, and you won’t be drawn into a one-on-one confrontation over noise (which we never recommend). You chose your apartment home because you were looking for a fantastic place to live that allows you to work and relax in a supportive environment. If you’ve tried all the tips above and still are finding yourself losing sleep or work hours due to your neighbor’s noise levels, let your apartment management team know that you’re losing sleep (or productive work time)—they can take matters from there.

The post Shhh!!! How to dampen outside noise in your apartment appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. Make your space work double- or triple-time

When is a sink not “just” a sink? When it can double as an ice chest for drinks or chilled appetizers! As you plan your party, map out the main areas where guests will congregate, and consider how you can maximize your space. That coffee table could be a second dining table, especially if you pull it out and surround it with pillows. The stairs that lead to your (off-limits) second floor could be an easy location for plates, utensils and cups. Bonus tip: label drink cups with your guests’ names in advance—and maybe include a fun fact to break the ice of meeting new people.

2. Go for a streamlined party space

If you’re starting out with a small space, keep extraneous décor to a minimum—think one or two large statement-making pops of color, and that’s it. Fussy, bulky streamers or even balloons can make your space seem smaller than it should. And if you really want to go streamlined, identify the few rooms your guests will be in, and move everything out of those rooms you can, temporarily storing the extra items in your bedroom, closet, or other out-of-the-way area. Opening up the space a little and rearranging your furniture for the most party-friendly flow will make a huge difference!

3. Make the most of your ceiling and walls

If you are looking to spruce up your living space to create a party atmosphere, keep an eye on areas that are out of common foot traffic. Fairy lights hung across the ceiling, temporary wallpaper or wall decals, or even balloons hung high above your guests’ heads can create a festive air without blocking anyone’s movement.

4. Maximize your menu

Rather than choosing a fussy menu with lots of separate parts, or stocking your fridge with a multitude of beers or liquor mixers, consider creating “signature” meal and a couple of drink combinations specifically for your party. One or two large carafes filled with a fun, fruity concoction (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) will satisfy a crowd without overloading your refrigerator. And easy-to eat, hand-friendly menu items like fruit kabobs, roll-ups, veggie tartlets, or mini stuffed peppers will keep your guests well fed while helping you ensure your space stays neat and tidy.

5. Set up your refreshments strategically

Who says everything needs to be served in the kitchen? By splitting up your food stations and creating refreshment locations in unexpected places—on a coffee table, a cleared bookshelf, or even on the balcony—you can encourage guests to mix and mingle as they graze their way through the party. Bonus tip: invest in a few tiered trays and risers to present food with vertical access points, and fill these with brightly colored food items to draw the eye and add to the festivity!

Throwing the perfect party doesn’t require acres of space and a huge budget. With a resourceful attitude and a few tweaks to the menu, décor, and the layout of your space, you will deliver a fantastic party experience for you and your guests!

The post How to host a big get-together in a small space appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. Assess your space and crafting passion (honestly!)

As you consider creating dedicated space for your crafting, take the time to go over every project for which you have accumulated supplies, and determine if it's something you want to continue. You may WANT to knit, make jewelry, paint watercolors, cross stitch, and create custom greeting cards…or you may find that a few of those activities no longer interest you. Choose the ones that mean the most to you, and let the others go. (This means donating all those supplies the first chance you get, too!)

You also may find that honestly assessing the available space you want your crafts to occupy in your apartment helps you make this decision. If you have just one small corner for all of your crafting supplies and your workspace, then assembling model cars or quilting may not be an ideal choice for you. The best combination is a craft that makes you happy, and one that also doesn't take over every square inch of available space in your apartment.

2. Assemble your supplies

Once you have identified the craft you want to make room for, assemble all your supplies in one space. Will you want to keep all these materials within arm’s reach, or can some be tucked away most of the time? Only you know what works best for your particular needs. Once you have identified all the craft tools and supplies you will need to keep within easy reach, it's time to select your ideal crafting location.

3. Choose your studio space

Many of us began our crafting adventure in a common area, like the kitchen table or living room couch. But is this the best choice for you long term? In assessing your ideal craft location, choose a space that is near natural light, has comfortable seating, and offers plenty of wall space as well as room for a table, depending on what your specific craft requires. You could find that your ideal location remains at the kitchen table, possibly with a rolling cart that you can pull into place when you are ready to craft. Or you may find that your projects are better suited to a room with a door on it, say a spare bedroom that also doubles as your home office, so you can get as messy as you need to without having the clutter spill into your main living area.

4. Set up dedicated work and storage space

No matter how much space you have to work with, setting up dedicated space that is only for your crafting can be a really good idea. You will want enough table space for your specific craft that always stays clear, as well as neat, easy-to-see and reach bins, cubbies or shelves for your craft materials. Map out the floorspace and wall space you can dedicate to your craft—and remember to leave yourself some elbow room! Feeling crowded by your supplies does not make for happy crafting.

5. Get creative!

With a quick search on Google or Pinterest, you will find more storage options then you know what to do with, including DIY pegboard cubby systems, cute rolling shelves or drawers, and basket or bin combinations that you can mix and match to your heart's desire. Just remember to leave plenty of open space! And no matter what you choose, be proud that you’re continuing to make time to create. Happy crafting!

The post How to create the perfect craft space for you appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. Tap your existing social network

Ask your current friend group if they know anyone in the town or area where you’re relocating. They can facilitate an introduction, especially for something easy like a quick coffee to learn more about the area or to suggest fun things to try. You can also update your social profiles on Facebook and Instagram asking for recommendations on everything from restaurants to grocery stores in your new neighborhood. If nothing else, you will get some excellent suggestions and conversation starters for future posts!

2. Visit your local coffee shops (and check out their community board)

How many times have you seen those bulletin boards at small coffee shops lined with classes, meet-ups, upcoming events, or classes? Take the time to peruse the boards and mention to the baristas that you’re new in town. Coffee shops are hubs (and often meeting locations) for lots of different types of groups, and you may find one that interests you off the bat…or get the encouragement you need to post a message of your own about starting a new group.

3. Hit the gym

Are you a fan of killer group classes at the gym—from spinning to Zumba to cardio kickboxing? Search Yelp and Google for reviews of local gyms that have the mix of classes you enjoy. When you go, chat with the instructor after you’ve attended a few sessions and let them know you’re new in town and (possibly) looking for some workout buddies!

Prefer other active events that aren’t indoors? Pop in to your local runner’s store or bike shop, and ask the workers there for groups of folks with similar interest to yours. From kayaking to walking to motorcycling and everywhere in between, shops that cater to your interests are a great way to meet like-minded new friends. (More on this in the next tip!)

4. Shop local

As you get to know your neighborhood, stop in and browse the local gift shop, card store, flower market or specialty food store (or sporting store!). Say hello to the store proprietor and see if there are events in the area that might be fun—like upcoming festivals or street parties. Now that the pandemic is easing, more people will be looking to get out and about, so there may be more opportunities than usual to get social.

5. Find your faith group

No matter your faith, chances are there is a group near you who would love to share their fellowship with you. Whether you go simply to feel a sense of connection to your most loved traditions or you actively seek out opportunities for connection, faith-based communities can be a great way to expand your social network.

6. Volunteer for events that make you smile

First, check out fun events in your area—from gardening expos to art shows, farmers markets to food truck rallies. There are probably more than you expect. You can get ideas for these events by visiting your local chamber of commerce’s website or simply googling “fun things to do in my neighborhood.” Then, find out who puts on these events and see if there’s some way you can be a part of the setup or working the event. Be prepared to donate your time and maybe some effort, but if it’s for a cause or a purpose that makes you happy, this may not even feel like work.

Above all else, give yourself some grace. It’s not always easy to move to a new place and start over with a new social group, so take your time and go at your own pace. Here’s to many successful meet-ups in your future!

The post Making friends in a new city appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. Start with the smallest space that is still meaningful

A lot of clutter-clearing professionals suggest that you begin with a space that won’t cause you any stress at all…like a junk drawer. That’s a fine idea, but an even better one is to pick a space that you can actually see—like a cabinet that you open often, or a small shelf or table that you notice every time you walk into a room. If you take the twenty minutes tops necessary to clear a small but visible space, you may be inspired to continue, and either way, you’ll feel better every time you see the results of your effort!

2. Set a timer

This one is critical. If you’ve never spent meaningful time clearing clutter, it can feel like a monumental task. But it doesn’t have to be! In the same amount of time that it takes you to heat up a frozen pizza, you can clear a drawer, a cabinet shelf, or the top of your refrigerator. Ten- to 20-minutes is the preferred amount of time for clutter-clearing mastery.

Added bonus: When you make the process a game, you’re much more likely to return to it. So in addition to setting a timer, consider keeping track of how many bags of trash or donatable items you clear out in a given week. Or put a star on the calendar for every day you fill up a full bag of clutter AND remove it from of your space (whether via donation or putting it in your outside trash bins).

3. Choose the process that works best for you

There are two general approaches to clutter clearing: slow and sustainable, or clean sweep. Which one is right for you?

Slow and sustainable starts with that junk drawer or shelf you cleared, and makes that place sacred. You will *not* put anything in that space that doesn’t belong there, and you slowly, deliberately expand from that space or add other spaces that are also officially “cleared.” Make sure each of these spaces have a chance at staying cleared…if you have roommates, pets, kids or other clutter-collectors, this isn’t always easy! So start with areas you can control, and continue from there.

Clean sweep is for those who have an uninterrupted weekend or week to tackle your entire living space…without the input of others. It also works best if you have a hard deadline—like guests coming to visit. This fast and complete decluttering approach is a full-on “out with the old/worn-out/unused/unloved” clearing. It can be invigorating, but also incredibly emotional, so it’s usually not the preferred approach…but you know best what will work for you!

4. Save the sentimental items for last

We all have them. Those stuffed animals from your youth, the boxes of letters you haven’t read through in decades, the shirt you wore when you met your spouse or won that tournament. Don’t start there. In fact, save all these items for after you’ve cleared everything else out. You may find you don’t need to part with your treasures…or you may find that your definition of “treasure” has changed, now that you are enjoying the sense of lightness that living in an uncluttered home brings. You be the judge!

5. Create a strategy for long-term success

Once you have opened up some space in your home, how do you maintain it? There are several strategies:

1. Assign a specific spot for commonly used items. In other words, all vitamins go on a certain shelf, medications on another, cleaning supplies in their own little nooks—even scissors, tape, rubber bands, etc. can have their own home. Then, when you find one of these items out in the wild of your apartment, you’ll know exactly where to put it!
2. Adopt a “one in, one out” rule…If you bring something new into your home, another item has to go. This is an especially good rule for your clothes closet!
3. Go on a purchasing diet. Make a game out of limiting your incidental “stuff” purchases to only a few times a month, or add possible purchases to a list and wait a period of time before buying them if they’re not groceries or necessary personal care items. You may be surprised at how much money you save when you cut back on impulse spending.
4. Cut down on temptation! Toss those catalogs immediately as they come in the door, ignore the coupons to stores full of stuff you don’t need, unfollow social media influencers peddling products of the type that already fill your medicine cabinets.
5. Celebrate! Set a date for when you want your apartment (or garage, or basement, or spare room) officially clutter free, and take the time to show it off and really enjoy that newly cleared space. You’ve earned it!

The post Five pro tips for clutter busting appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Know your goal!

Like every apartment-improvement project, it’s important for you to lay out your goals first. Are you looking to supplement your vegetable and herb selection for all those summer meals? A cozy retreat for you and a friend? Or just a bright splash of happy color every time you step outside? By knowing your ultimate goal from the beginning, you’ll streamline your time and effort—and you’ll be much more likely to love the result.

Survey your space—the good, the bad, and the possible

Does your patio or balcony get blasted with sunshine or is it tucked into the shadows? Is it a private nook or open to the elements (and passersby?) Adapting your garden plans to work with your space, not against it, is key. Shade and privacy can be created with screens and awnings, and you can work with a shadowy space by choosing plants and flowers that love cooler temps and less sunlight. No matter what challenges your space provides, there’s a workaround if you are willing to get creative!

Translate your personal style to your garden

What style defines you inside your apartment—do you prefer sleek lines? Lots of color? Defined angles or rounded edges? Take those preferences outdoors to make your garden feel like an extension of your home. You can always surf the latest design magazines to see what trends are popping, but for a garden space you’ll truly love, be true to your style soul.

Figure out how you’ll make it rain

If you live in a rainy area, plan on incorporating lots of drainage options to your garden, whether it’s container-focused or in-the-ground. If you worry your plants will get too dry, look into portable irrigation solutions or ways to establish a watering schedule that will carry you all the way to Fall. A little planning up front can save you tremendous frustration in the height of summer.

Draw it, then do it!

If it’s currently winter, you have a few months before you will be able to spend much quality time outside, so take the opportunity to draw out your ideal patio or balcony garden, even to a very basic scale. Then, take your design to a local nursery or home improvement store and show it to an expert to get advice on materials, drainage ideas, and the perfect plants for your climate. By the time Spring rolls around, you’ll be able to create the garden of your dreams—more quickly than you think

The post Planning a patio (or balcony) garden? Here’s what to keep in mind. appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.