1. The wonderful world of stickers (and vinyl cling wallpaper!)

Trendy wall decals are all the rage for decorating, from small flowers, stars, and artfully stenciled words to full-wall images of Starry, Starry Night. With minimal prep (clean, flat walls are the best for these kind of stickers) you can dramatically change the look and feel of a room without any special skills, other than the patience to hang strips of sticky paper straight. Do a quick internet search on wall decals and lose yourself in the idea of sleeping next to a serene tropical beach or beneath a tree swaying in the breeze or beside a spray of positive messages!

2. Make a splash with colorful furniture

If you can’t do anything about the walls, what about your furniture? With some brightly colored throw pillows, blankets, and furniture coverings for your couches and chairs, you can make your furniture do the heavy color lifting in the room, serving as a bright distraction from the cool stillness of the walls behind them. Area rugs with bold color and funky patterns can also give some much-needed dimension to a neutral space.

3. Hang a collage of fun and funky art

Pick a theme—any theme—and start hunting for great art to transform one (or more!) of your walls into a celebration of what matters most to you. Whether you find your artistic treasures at thrift stores, flea markets or garage sales, you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg to make a fantastic statement. Most art can be hung with your basic hammer and nails, but if you purchase a particularly heavy item, you may want to invest in a stud finder as well to ensure that your art stays on the wall.

4. Light it up!

Whether your idea of a star-filled night is a curtain of falling strands of fairy lights or a delicate twine of lights strung along the ceiling, there are dozens of artful light options from classic white to multicolor to LED. Just make sure to have sufficient outlets (and extension cords) that make sense for your space, plus an easy one-click option for turning your lights off and on, and you’ll be ready to light up the night.

5. Drape your walls in color

For an easy solution that requires nothing more than a few yards of fabric (or colorful bedding) and tacks or wall staples, consider draping your walls in fabrics. From pretty silks to airy gauze to bright cotton, there are literally thousands of patterns, colors, and textures to choose from. Cloth is an easy-up, easy-down decorating option that can help your rooms stay fresh and fun all year round. Be careful to keep cloth away from any sources of heat, and if you have pets (or small children) this may not be your best decorating option. If it suits you, however, decorating with fabric can be an inexpensive, artful feast for the eyes.

Bottom line, let your imagination flow and cover that creamy canvas in whatever bold color you wish—without cracking open a single can of paint!

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1. Double Duty Storage

1. it’s a chair, couch, bed, or any table other than a dining room table, your furniture has potential to live a double life as a storage unit. Consider ottomans with lids, beds with “hidden” drawers beneath the mattress or in the headboard, and coffee tables with built-in storage. Whenever you purchase a new piece of furniture, visualize how it might work for storage. Already have items in your home you don’t want to replace? There are dozens of under-bed or under-table storage bins you can purchase that you can hide away with tablecloths or bed skirts.

2. Make your furniture (almost) disappear!

While most apartments don’t come equipped with a Murphy bed, which folds up into the wall for storage, the idea has caught on for other furniture items. You can find chairs, tables, footrests, and even desks that can be folded up and stored in a fraction of their usual space, giving you room to breathe when they’re not in use. Another advantage? Some of these lighter pieces can be hung on the walls in their folded position, clearing floor space as well.

3. Add storage to unexpected places

One of the most underutilized space for storage in an apartment is the bathroom. With a collection of wall-hanging baskets or under-the-sink stackable bins, you can double or even triple your bathroom storage possibilities. Looking for other ideas? Try installing shelving high on your walls that you need a stepstool to reach (but which are perfect for a line of cute, tidy bins that store away lighter items you don’t need all the time), or over-the-door hanging cubbies for closets, cupboards, bedrooms and (once again!) the bathroom.

Get creative! You can use behind-the-door shoe holders for all sorts of small items besides shoes, putting everything at your fingertips—or hang pegboards on your kitchen walls to keep your pans within easy reach.

4. Repurpose closets more thoughtfully

Speaking of closets, do you really need to stuff your clothes, coats, shoes and old paperwork into every corner, or could one or two of your closets be used for other purposes—such as a mini-office or craft area? By upgrading your closet to functional space, you open up possibilities for other rooms in your apartment (and finally have the excuse to purge all those clothes you’re never going to wear again.)

5. Set an intention for light living

It goes without saying, if you have less stuff to store, your organizational problems will be far easier to solve! Most of our belongings have sentimental value that far outstrips their actual usefulness, so consider rethinking your attachment to your stuff.

If an apartment is truly a short-term housing solution for you, and you plan on using your belongings to set up house in a larger home within the next several months—that’s understandable. But if you’re holding onto furniture that’s dated, cheap, or damaged, consider discarding it or giving it away. You can always visit a thrift store when the time comes if you don’t want to spend a lot of money outfitting your new home.

Alternatively, if you truly can’t part with an item, consider storing it at a trusted friend’s house in a tidy, well-labeled bin. But by developing a mindset of being able to move lightly through this world, you may find yourself ridding yourself of items that no longer serve you…and enjoying the space you have so much more!

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Or, if you’ve already moved in together and are beginning to feel the strain, gather your roommates together ASAP and discuss these five recommendations (and don’t stop until you work out answers to the following questions that you all can support!)

1. Decide who pays for what

In many apartment homes, landlords prefer a single rent check no matter how many tenants occupy a given unit. That means one of your group will have to take charge of collecting rent payments, depositing them into an account, and writing the combined rent check. You can set up a separate checking account for this, or one roommate can choose to be the payer for the apartment through their personal account, but this is a huge decision to work out ahead of time.

You’ll also need to establish how you’ll pay for shared expenses like electricity, gas, cable, and internet. Once again, if all of you will be splitting the costs, then you’ll have to get individual checks to the roommate making payments, in plenty of time for them to pay the bill! To make this process smooth and hassle free, consider setting up due dates and reminders either on your phones or in a central place in the apartment.

2. Identify the House Rules

Sharing space with multiple people can be a wonderful experience, but it can also become very stressful if there is no clear understanding of what’s acceptable behavior and what isn’t. Don’t just assume your roommates understand your preferences! It’s best to lay everything out in writing so that everyone can sign off on an agreement of shared living space. Some areas to include in your House Rules are:

• Kitchen Activities: set rules for things like food prep and clean-up, with a priority that no dirty dishes or open containers of food are left out. Nothing appeals to bugs and rodents more than food they can get to easily!
• Noise: identify designated quiet times for the apartment—including entertainment streamed in your room. Chances are, your roommates can hear it!
• Space: identify how to divide up space in common areas—kitchen cabinets, bathroom areas, closets, etc.
• Chores: list all the chores you want to split evenly, and set up a schedule. Those could include doing dishes after a common meal, vacuuming, dusting, taking out the trash, etc.

3. Establish a Plan for unexpected situations

What happens if one of your friends needs a couch to stay on, or one of your roommates wants to adopt a puppy (and your apartment allows pets), or if one of your roommates decides to move out? You can’t predict everything that will happen, but you can set up a plan to handle it. For instance, you could establish a monthly meeting (maybe when you hand over your rent check to your designated payer) and use that time also to go over anything that needs to be discussed, such as any decision that will affect your living situation.

4. Be prepared to compromise

Living with multiple roommates can be an amazing experience, but you should know going in that you and your roommates are all very different people, with different expectations and preferences. By talking out as much as possible in advance, you can head off a lot of problems and misunderstandings before they begin! But rather than thinking of these conversations as opportunities for you to ensure you get your way all the time, look for ways that you can accommodate others’ preferences. That will often make them far more likely to accommodate your preferences as well.

5. Most important of all: Communicate

Nearly every failed apartment-sharing situation has its roots in faulty communication. Don’t let yours be one of them! Set regular times for you to check in with your roommates (even the shy ones!) and make sure everyone is on board with the house rules as well as unexpected changes. Things WILL happen that will require you all to work together to maintain a happy living situation, so expect it! By keeping the lines of communication open, you and your roommates can handle just about anything.

The post How to manage multiple roommates (don’t miss the final tip!) appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Ready to get started? Here’s our top three low-cost decorating ideas for fall:

1. Light up the night 

Candles aren’t always a good idea in an apartment but battery operated “flickering” candles solve this problem masterfully. Many of these candles have timers so once you set them up, they switch on every evening to set a cheerful mood! Pick up a set or two of cream colored battery-operated pillar candles or tea-lights, and you’re halfway there. Then it’s time to get creative! To tailor your candles for fall, you can:

• Purchase a small packet of cinnamon sticks and secure them to your candles with twine
• Get a small fall-themed wreath and place a large pillar candle (or 2! Or 3!) inside it
• Fill a shallow glass bowl with fake cranberries then nestle your pillar candle in the center
• Set up several tea lights on a long dish and surround them with candy corn…then try not to eat your own decorations!
• Make a mini arrangement with dried leaves, small gourds, and fake berries and position your candles in the center

2. Got Gourd?

Speaking of gourds, there simply is no other design element that so immediately conjures up thoughts of fall, than the humble pumpkin. Setting aside its association with Halloween – no jack-o-lantern carving necessary! – gourds of all sorts are fair game for fall: mini pumpkins, squash and more. You can get the real deal from farmers’ markets or health food stores or even many grocery stores, or you can find faux gourds in a variety of sizes and colors at craft and hobby retailers. Once you have an armful, get creative! Decorate the gourds with paint pens, sticker, stencils, chalk paint or glitter spray, then position them on your window sills, on your balcony or peeking out from your shelves. Whether your designs are whimsical or classic, gourds are your go-to!

3. Get hung up on fall’s magic

There’s something about hanging strands of lights and garlands of decorations that really spruces up your space, but you don’t have to wait for Christmas to light up the night! You can find low-cost strands of illuminated fall leaves or pumpkins at the hobby shop, or go no-electricity and craft your own strands of pine cones and artificial leaves and berries strung with twine. Extra points for spraying gold paint on your pine cones (or miniature pumpkins) to give them an extra pizzazz! Another great choice is to cut out squares of burlap, add stencils of letters and leaves (perhaps spelling out FALL or AUTUMN or HARVEST) and then string the burlap squares on a length of thick twine. Even coiling a strand of plain white miniature Christmas lights through a basket of pine cones can make a beautiful fall welcome next to your fireplace or front door.

With the start of fall, now’s the perfect time to add all the welcoming touches of the season to your home. Here’s to a fun—and creative—autumn!

The post The Frugal Decorator’s Guide to a festive fall! appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. Assemble all your paperwork early

Particularly in competitive rental markets, prospective tenants are required to produce a remarkable amount of paperwork to reassure landlords that they can meet their requirements regarding the lease and upkeep of the apartment or townhome. In most cases, you’ll need proof of employment, your three most recent pay stubs, a tax return, and bank statements. If you don’t have one or more of these documents, ask your prospective landlord immediately what your options are. You may need to have someone else co-sign on your rental agreement, or there may be other paperwork you can supply. But get the information you need away so you don’t miss out on your dream apartment!

2. Reduce your belongings BEFORE you move

Moving can be an exciting, exhausting day, but to cut down a little on the exhaustion part of the equation, take a hard look at your belongings. Do you really need to move that fifteen-year-old loveseat to your new digs? Do you actually wear all the clothes currently stuffed into your closet and drawers? By selectively paring down your belongings before you move to a new place, you not only will cut down on the time (and expense!) of your move, but you’ll start life in your new home with some space to breathe.

3. Measure first, buy once!

Speaking of moving day, before you go out and buy fantastic curtains that will be perfect for your new home—measure the windows. In fact, measure all the walls and create your own grid for where your furniture might go. Don’t just eyeball it and hope for the best. Many apartment homes provide you with schematics with accurate measurements of each unit’s dimensions, but before you buy anything new, it pays to double check!

4. Don’t forget the boring stuff

Nothing will make you appreciate living at home more than your first apartment—at least when it comes to everyday essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, laundry and dishwashing detergent, waste baskets, trash bags, and linens—not to mention a full set of cookware, kitchen knives, and serving utensils. Before you leave home, take a hard look at everything stored in your family’s linen closets, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and pantries and create a list of “essentials” you never really noticed before. You might save yourself a late-night Target run!

5. Read ALL the fine print on your rental agreement (including any move-in instructions!)

This isn’t as fun as picking out curtains or rearranging your bedroom layout, but it’s perhaps the most important thing you can do. Every rental agreement has its own specific requirements, and some apartment homes have move-in instructions you might not be expecting—like how to use the freight elevator (What? There’s a freight elevator?) or whether or not you need to move in during a specific time period of, say, 2-4 hours, depending on the day. If you have any questions, make sure you ask your apartment’s front office or your landlord well before move-in day, to save yourself time and hassle.

Moving into your first (or first-in-a-long-time) apartment should be a fun, uplifting experience—and with these quick tips, you’ll make it a more relaxing experience, too!

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Keep your body cool and hydrated

During the summer, we all tend to perspire more, which means you need to pay extra attention to hydrating effectively. Water is the best choice, but any drink without caffeine or a lot of chemical additives can help! In addition to drinking more water, consider changing up your clothing style to looser, thinner materials that breathe, such as cotton. The more comfortable—and cool!—you feel, the better your body can adjust to rising temperatures.

Have it made in the shade

One of the easiest ways for it to lower the temperature in your home is to close your blinds when the sun is directly hitting your windows—especially if this is during a part of the day when you’ll be at work or running errands. Blocking the sun’s powerful rays can reduce the strain on your air conditioner and keep your home feeling like a cool oasis, no matter how hot it gets outside.   

Enjoy those long summer evenings

With the days getting longer and the sun setting much later, why not try switching up your exercise routine from early morning to early evening? It’s a great time to enjoy long walks along nature trails or to visit metro parks, as both are usually less crowded. Add to that the cooler temperatures and usually breezier conditions, and it’s a perfect time to get outdoors!

Did someone say “pool”?

One of the best amenities of most larger apartment communities during the summertime is, of course, the pool! Take advantage of yours, whether you get in a morning swim when the pool first opens, drop by for a quick refreshing dip after your work day, or enjoy the later hours of the pool’s operation. Even a short plunge will lower your body temperature and melt away the day’s stress, making you feel like a kid again. Even better, swimming is great exercise, easy on your joints and good for your heart.

Hit the gym (especially if you’re new to working out!)

What’s one of the best times to join a gym, or to get the most out of your community’s fitness center? That’s right, summertime! Most die-hard exercisers venture outside during the warmer months, which means that fitness centers are often far less crowded, giving you access to the best machines as you figure out what kind of exercise regimen works best for you. You might even try a few fitness classes if your community offers them, knowing that you’ll get more personal attention with a smaller group. Even better, by working out in an air-conditioned environment near plenty of water, you can monitor your body’s reactions to exercise more easily than if you are battling weather elements too. Then, once fall rolls around and indoor fitness centers get more crowded, you’ll feel far more comfortable hitting the gym no matter how busy it is! 

Summer doesn’t mean you have to suffer through your own personal heat wave. By working with the season and making choices that support your body’s needs, you can enjoy the long hot days and cool summer nights all summer long. 

The post How to Beat the Summer Heat! appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Make it a priority—and start right away!

It’s easy to get into the habit of heading straight up to your apartment when you get home after work—or dashing to your car when you’re ready to leave, even if there are other people around. But if you set a goal to meet one new person a day, you’ll find you’ll have more opportunities than you expect! However, make it a priority to reach out the first time you come into contact with someone, vs. letting a few weeks go by without saying a word to them. If you’ve already been in your community for awhile, no problem! The next tip is tailor made for you.

Take advantage of pre-planned social events

Many communities have weekly or monthly social events that take place in their clubhouses, specifically created to help residents get to know each other. Even better, you know that, like you, anyone else attending actually such an event wants to make new connections. This way, you don’t have to worry about seeming too forward when you introduce yourself. In addition to events arranged by apartment management, communities also sometimes have a general bulletin board or Facebook page where residents can post information about upcoming parties, or athletic/social events. Make it a point to check with your community’s office staff to see what options your community provides!  

Make the most of your community’s amenities

Does your community have a pool, fitness facility, walking path, or sports courts? If so, you’ve got another avenue to meet like-minded residents. Hit the gym or the walking path and introduce yourself with residents who appear to be interested in the same sports you do. If you’re just getting started with a particular sport, such as tennis, ask if they know of any “beginner-level” players who might want to meet for a game…or, if you’re more advanced, see if they might want to drill or play a quick pickup game sometime. In addition, some communities have organized leagues in various sports. If so, you’ll definitely want to check those out! 

Start your own group

Interested in books? Love painting watercolors or doing crafts? Know everything it takes to create a killer fantasy football league? Don’t wait to find your people, get them to come to you! If your community has opportunities for meet-ups that residents organize (you can find out by contacting your office staff), follow their guidelines and start a community book club or crafting circle, or recruit for a fantasy football league. Don’t despair if it takes awhile to get started—good friendships are worth taking some time to cultivate.

Above all, congratulations on following up on your interest in getting out and meeting new people! Making connections with people your neighbors can help you become part of a robust and vital apartment community.

The post Get Connected! How to meet people in your community! appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

According to the Chinese practice of Feng Shui, certain colors help attract energy to your living space, and by using these colors consciously, you can draw the things you want into your life. Why not give it a try the next time you’re shopping for throw pillows or curtains?

Get your calm on with Blue

The colors Blue and Black are associated with water energy, and make great choices for anyone who wants to focus on meditation, contemplation, and creativity. While Blue is the perfect choice to create a calm, private space, Black is considered a fantastic color for stimulating your career. Additional Feng Shui tip: your entryway is an ideal area for career energy, so consider putting something Black in this space (such as a floor mat or a wrought iron mirror on the wall) to amplify your career fortune even more

Grow your fortune with Green

Linked to wood energy, Green is the ideal color to focus on growth, decision-making, and taking action on your most cherished dreams. The color of health and vitality, it’s also associated with abundance and can help you motivate yourself to make the changes you need to improve your life. After all, Green means go!

Heat things up with Red

Not surprisingly, Red is known for its connection with fire and life energy—and it’s also a tried-and-true favorite for bringing romance into your world. Add a bit of Red to any room in your home where you want to rev up your mood. Additional Feng Shui tip: As you consider your home, think about the section of your space that’s against the back wall and all the way to the right. Is that room a bedroom? Living room? Kitchen? That area is considered the “romance” section of your home! Add a little Red to this space to attract loving relationships to you.

Sunny days are here with Yellow

Associated with earth energy, Yellow can cheer you up, infuse you and your space with hope, and take your mind to a higher level. It’s considered particularly helpful for any space where you need to be very focused. So next time you take a look at your desk area, consider adding some bright Yellow to the mix!

White is for creativity and hope

The color White as well as metallic colors are associated with mental energy—as well as a certain playfulness that emphasizes fun and creativity. Add White to any room where you want to add purity and hope to your thoughts!

Decorating is about the whole look—finding the right item to fit your space and your lifestyle, in a color that brings you joy. And now you know how to make that color bring you abundance, romance and career success too. With these ideas as your guideline, go forth and Decorate!

The post A Decorator’s Take 5: Supercharge your space with color appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.