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.

The right answer on pet ownership depends on your unique circumstances, but if your community allows pets in your apartment or townhome and you’re thinking about taking the leap, read on for some questions you should consider first!

1. Does my lifestyle support pet ownership?

This is probably the most important question you should ask yourself, so plan on spending some serious time working through the answer. Owning a pet is more than making sure it’s fed on a daily basis. If you’re considering owning a dog, you will need to be home often enough to take it outside to use the bathroom—and you’ll need a place where you can easily walk it. Even a cat requires some maintenance, including regular feeding and litterbox cleaning. If your job requires a lot of travel, who will watch your pet while you’re gone? And if you are always on the go and spend long hours away from home—is that fair to your pet (or to you, since you’ll be the one feeling guilty?)

2. Can I afford a pet?

The most beguiling words in the animal kingdom are “free puppy.” Even if you adopt an animal from the local shelter (which is a wonderful path to take!) you need to be aware that a pet is not a free proposition. In addition to regular (or semi-regular) vet visits, starting with a pet’s initial battery of shots or the procedure to spay/neuter the animal, you’ll be paying for food, treats, toys, medicines and even the occasional reindeer antlers and winter sweaters. No really, you will. So make sure you have enough in your monthly budget to allow for the expense of a pet!

3. Am I a pet person?

This one is harder to answer, especially if you had a pet as a child and remember little more than rolling around in the yard, laughing and having fun. Now, as an adult with some ingrained habits, are you prepared for a cat to pounce onto your bed at 4 a.m. demanding to be fed, or a puppy needing desperately to go outside—even though it’s pouring rain? Pets also can have different personalities. Some are a little standoffish…while others want to be in your personal space all the time! Are you ready to be the pet owner your pet believes you can be?

4. Where will you be in a year—or five?

While it’s difficult to predict the future, owning a pet isn’t a short-term proposition. If you plan on leaving for a year of backpacking Europe within the next several months, this would not be the time to adopt a pet. Conversely, if you’re planning on moving apartments soon, it may be a better decision to wait until you are settled before adding a pet to your life. Animals need time to acclimate to a new environment—especially after being rescued from a shelter—so keep this in mind as you consider when to adopt.

If you’re ready to move forward with adopting a pet (and your apartment community allows it!), then prepare yourself for an adventure that will likely bring you more joy and love than you could ever expect. With the right mindset and a willingness to work through any challenges, pet ownership can be a life-changing experience that you’ll never regret!

The post Is adopting a pet right for you? 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!

The post Preparing for Your First Apartment 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.