Kitchen

When in doubt, start with your kitchen—it’s the room you arguably spend the most time in, and it can be absolutely transformed by a solid cleaning. Before you do anything, clear as much off your counters as possible, and try to figure out how to keep your counters clear—even if you end up storing some items in other rooms! A clean, open kitchen can make a huge difference in your mood.

Then, get to work on your appliances, cleaning them inside and out—taking out shelves and wiping down the interior surfaces as well. Empty out your fridge (and your freezer too!) of all those food items you never quite got around to eating and discard anything that has expired or seems unappealing. Get a pro-level degreaser to clean off your cabinet doors and backsplash, and dust every surface—the tops of your cabinets, the front and top of your refrigerator, your microwave, even your shelves! Then it’s a matter of wiping down your walls and baseboards, mopping the floors, and you’re done!

Living Room/Hallways

Some apartments open directly into a living area, some have a foyer or short hallway—either way, these areas receive some of the heaviest traffic of anywhere in your apartment. Start by picking up anything washable and throwing it into the laundry—slip covers, blankets, pillows, throw rugs, even curtains—or giving these items a thorough cleaning. Next, tackle the dust. Dust and polish your furniture, blinds, window sills, curtain rods, ceiling fans, lamp shades, electronics, artwork…you will be amazed at how much dust has accumulated on every surface in this area. Wipe down walls and baseboards too if you notice cobwebs and gathered grime. After you’ve eliminated the dust, vacuum your sofa, chairs, floors, carpets and anything that isn’t washable.

Pro Level Tip #1: Wash those windows! Whether yours open to the outdoors or not, deep clean any surface you can reach to let the sun shine in.

Bedrooms

For your bedroom, in addition to dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down walls, side tables, ceiling fans and electronics—consider washing all your linens, including your curtains, bed skirt, and mattress pad. These items collect a lot of dust over the months, and are rarely cleaned. Vacuum under your bed and nightstands too, and don’t forget to wipe down those baseboards!

Bathroom

Chances are, your bathrooms are in pretty good shape—this is not an area that generally needs a seasonal cleaning! Still, you can take this opportunity to deep clean your cabinets, discarding items you haven’t used in the last several months (and likely won’t use), and deciding what you truly need to keep in this room on a regular basis. Deep clean every surface (tile grout, fixtures, mirrors, vanity, sinks, toilets, tub) and wipe down the walls and baseboards as well. It’s a small room, so spend some time on it!

Pro Level Tip #2: If you keep containers on your countertop, consider emptying them out and tossing them into the dishwasher for a thorough clean…those makeup, toiletry and brush holders probably need it.

Safety First

In addition to all the dusting and cleaning, Spring is an excellent time to make sure your apartment’s safety features are up to date. Use this time to test and replace smoke alarm batteries, replace air filters for your furnace, update light bulbs throughout your home as needed, clean air vents/registers and your laundry filter, and update your batteries in any security systems that aren’t hard wired.

Here’s to a healthy (and sparkling clean!) Spring!

The post Ready to Spring clean your apartment? We’ve got you covered appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

For many parts of the country, it’s taken a little longer for spring to decide it’s here to stay. Now that flowers and trees are finally blooming, the days are staying warmer longer, and everything is fresh and new outside…it’s time for you to bring some of that great energy into your apartment. And not just to pay your respects to the season, either. Studies have shown that the drab, dark colors of winter can dramatically affect your mood once the chilly months have passed, and that adding some pops of color to your environment can truly help energize you.

Stumped on how to begin your spring apartment makeover? Start with these easy ideas!

1. Add some flower power

Whether you have a green thumb or the closest you like to get to nature are wooden tulip cutouts, nothing says spring like brightly blooming flowers. If you’re feeling ambitious, invest in a few live flowering plants to add to your kitchen counter, dining room table or window sills. Otherwise, consider posting pictures of flowers, picking up some inexpensive wall or table décor at a thrift market, or even spray painting gardening equipment like trowels and watering cans with bright colors to create a spring focal point for your living room. Everything counts!

2. Get colorful

Speaking of color, look for ways to easily add fun, fresh, spring-like color to your space without breaking the bank. Get a couple of new, bright throw pillows, switch out that heavy wool blanket over the couch with a light, open-weave afghan, or even paint an accent wall a cheerful bright color if your apartment community allows. Another option is to buy inexpensive plastic picnic-ware in fun colors to add some zip to your daily meals. Let your imagination wander to see how you can brighten every room in your home!

3. Lighten Up

Pull back those shades during the days and let the sun shine in! In most areas of the country, temperatures don’t get too hot during the months of spring, so enjoy the season to the fullest—and if you have a balcony or outdoor seating area, spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the longer, sunny evenings or the cool morning sunshine. Brightening up your interior spaces with natural sunlight might also encourage you to do some spring cleaning, so give into that urge to tidy up, and donate or discard those items you don’t truly love.

4. Brighten your balcony

Speaking of balconies, decorating your outdoor space is a great way to encourage yourself to get out and enjoy the mild weather more frequently. Adding a chair with inviting cushions and throw pillows as well as a small bistro table can be just the ticket to creating an outdoor oasis. Once again, get creative, and decorate with items that fit your lifestyle…don’t choose fussy furniture that can’t stand up to rain or too much sun unless you have covers at the ready to protect it during inclement weather.

5. Say goodbye to winter

If your apartment has extra storage space—say, beneath your bed or in the back of your closet—consider storing away all your heavy blankets, winter jackets and thick wool sweaters and jeans, so that every time you look inside your closets and drawers, all you see are the light, bright clothes suitable for the season. Pro Tip: If you find a sweater or jacket you haven’t worn all winter long…consider giving it away. You’ll be glad you did!

Here’s wishing you an absolutely beautiful spring, and a colorful, bright apartment space to go with it!

The post Decorating your apartment for spring! appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.