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5 Ways to Dress Up Your Apartment Using Cool, Colorful Wallpaper Swatches

August 18, 2016 by

While you may not be able to wallpaper your entire wall in a rental apartment, there are still a number of ways to use wallpaper to add some color to your space. Check out these creative tips for using wallpaper swatches all over your home at Lantana Hills.

  1. Line your bookshelves. Give your bookshelves a colorful makeover by adding colorful, patterned wallpaper to the backs of the shelves.
  2. Create framed art. Fill some small frames with mix-and-match wallpaper scraps to create an eclectic (and budget-friendly) gallery wall.
  3. Line your drawers. Keep drawers clean while also making them more festive by lining them with wallpaper (just make sure that you can remove it once you move out).
  4. Revamp an old lampshade. Cover an old lampshade with a larger piece of decorative wallpaper. Simply cut it to size and attach it using tape or hot glue.
  5. Top a table. If you find a sturdy but scratched table at your local thrift store, give it an easy makeover by placing a piece of wallpaper on its top. Simply cover it with a piece of cut glass to keep the corners from peeling.

Creative Uses of Wallpaper in Any Room [Better Homes and Gardens]
10 Uses for Wallpaper Scraps [This Old House]
Unexpected Uses for Leftover Wallpaper [Real Simple]

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Clever Ways to Keep Your Cleaning Supplies Neat and Tidy

June 16, 2016 by

Make cleaning less of a hassle by organizing your supplies. A neat and clean supply area will save you time and make you more motivated to clean. Follow these simple, clever tips to make your chores a little easier to tackle!

  • Use a cart with wheels to store all of your supplies. You can move all of your products from room to room as you go.
  • Free up your shelves by using a hanging shoe organizer to store your spray bottles, wipes, and cleaners.
  • Buy a few plastic tubs for each room of your apartment and label them to make it easier to sort through what you need for each room.
  • Get more use out of the space under your sink by using a tension rod. The handles of spray bottles sit perfectly on top of the rod, freeing up more space for other supplies.
  • Use hooks to hang your brooms to keep them from falling out every time you open your closet door.
  • Make it easier to find your supplies by placing them on a Lazy Susan underneath your sink. The spinning turntable keeps all of your items easy to grab and within reach.

10 Ways to Organize All of Your Cleaning Supplies [Good Housekeeping]
Clever Solutions for Under-Kitchen-Sink Storage [House Logic]
Stylish Storage: 10 Ways To Organize Under Your Sink [Apartment Therapy]

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Think Outside the Frame With These Unique Wall Art Ideas

March 17, 2016 by

Looking for a way to decorate your walls without using the usual photos and posters? Here are three fun ideas that go way outside the frame—and best of all, you can even make them yourself.

3D Colorblock Wall Art [curbly.com]
If you’re a fan of all things mod, you’ll love this 3D display of colorful circles. Take a few different sized wooden circle cutouts from the local craft store and paint them in your choice of bright shades (or even soft, neutral hues). Use dowel rods to make some of them stick out farther from the wall, and then arrange them in a burst that creates a focal point in any room.

Paper Wall Art [ohohblog.com]
Attach two layers of decoupage leaves, flowers, or any other shape of your choosing to a large, paper sheet. Hang it banner-style using sturdy dowel rods for a modern take on the old-fashioned nature print.

Pixel Painting [witandwhistle.com]
This relaxing project is a fun one to do with a few free hours after work or on the weekend. By reducing the size of a photo down to just a few pixels wide, you’ll be able to see the photo in square, colored blocks. Imitate these blocks in a large scale on watercolor paper and then arrange them to create a truly unique work of art.

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Dependable Virtual Destinations for Apartment Decor and Accessories

November 5, 2015 by

It’s no secret that shopping online often yields affordable results, and the same goes if you’re looking for home décor items and accessories for your apartment. Any renter on a budget will love to browse those finishing touches that really make a house a home, and these are some of the best places to find them.

Urban Outfitters
While you may already shop at the trendy clothing retailer for all of your favorite T-shirts, Urban Outfitters also offers a great selection of stylish home goods. From eclectic art prints to colorful duvet covers and even mid-century modern inspired furnishings, you’ll find a number of great items on the convenient website.

Wayfair
If your home décor style is classic with a touch of modern, Wayfair is just the place to shop online. Here you’ll find chevron print area rugs, gold metallic picture frames, and antique-inspired clocks to hang on the wall.

CB2
For those who prefer sleek, minimal décor and bold pops of color, CB2 is a great option. Discover things like low-profile sofas, interesting throw pillows, and industrial bar stools, or browse the limited edition art selection to find affordable pieces from some of the biggest up-and-coming artists in the art world today.

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Make Your Own Trick-or-Treat Bags With These Easy DIYs

October 22, 2015 by

Whether you’re preparing for Halloween for your own kids or you just enjoy handing out candy to the little ones in your neighborhood, it’s always fun to make trick-or-treat bags filled with tasty candy. Use these easy DIY projects to create your own bags that no one else will have.

DIY Trick-or-Treat Buckets [simplykierste.com]
If you’re only making one or two treat bags, this fun DIY project will show you how to make very sturdy bucket-style options using a recycled ice cream tub or a similar bucket. Simply wrap Halloween-colored felt around the entire surface, and then add your kids’ names using foam stamps and craft paint.

Pillowcase Trick-or-Treat Bags [marthastewart.com]
Take the classic pillowcase trick-or-treat bag and make it a bit more decorative with this easy tutorial. Use heavy rope or string to create a drawstring closure at the top, then take iron-on patches and create a fun ghost face that’s right on theme with the evening’s spooky festivities.

Candy Corn Trick-or-Treat Tote Bag [positivelysplendid.com]
If you’re an avid crafter with basic sewing skills, this candy corn tote bag is a fun project to work on in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Simply sew together white, yellow, and orange fabrics in the shape of the chewy candy, and then add a handle to make it easy to carry while collecting candy.

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Easy Decorating Tips Every Renter Needs to Know

September 17, 2015 by

Decorating the bare walls of your new apartment may seem overwhelming at first, but even if you’re not a professional interior decorator, you can create a magazine-worthy rental by following a few simple tips. Here are just a few smart tricks that you should know before hitting the home goods store.

  1. Incorporate storage wherever you can. Choose furniture items that contain built-in storage, and make sure to hang shelves in spaces like the kitchen or bathroom.
  2. Replace the hardware. Showerheads and drawer pulls are easy to replace to reflect your style. Hit up your local hardware store and invest in a high-pressure, filtered showerhead, and then choose kitchen and bathroom pulls in whatever style you like. You can easily switch these back once you move out.
  3. Work around a rug. Unsure about the color scheme for a room? Choose a rug first, then decorate around it since it will likely be the largest item in the space.
  4. Add temporary wallpaper. Try temporary wallpaper in a fun color or edgy pattern to create a designer-inspired look that you can easily remove.

The 10 Commandments of Rental Decor [PopSugar]
5 Easy, High-Impact Rental Decorating Ideas (That Can Move With You) [Apartment Therapy]
6 Ways to Decorate Your Rental—Without Losing the Deposit [Oprah]

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Plan Your Dream Wedding With Help From These Two Websites

August 20, 2015 by

The wedding-planning process is an exciting time in the life of any bride or groom, but it can difficult to know exactly where to start. Whether you're planning backyard nuptials or an elaborate affair on a tropical island, these two image-heavy websites can help point you in the direction of your dream wedding.

Style Me Pretty
Arguably the most popular wedding blog out there, Style Me Pretty posts user-submitted photos from newlyweds. Each post tells the story of the bride's day through beautiful photos, which are supplemented with wedding planning advice and tips from the bride.

Once Wed
Similar to Style Me Pretty, Once Wed is eye candy for brides-to-be. Ooh and aah over images of real brides' gowns, bouquet, and shoes, then scroll down to learn how she coordinated her bridal party, decorated her tablescapes, and decided upon invitations. Borrow some of her ideas for your own wedding.

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Curtains 101: How to Choose and Install the Right Window Treatments for Your Apartment

July 23, 2015 by

One of the fastest, most fail-proof ways to breathe new life into your home's decor is by swapping out your window treatments. Here are a few smart ways to help you choose the perfect curtains for your apartment and install them to best suit your specific space.

  • Choose the right size. When choosing curtains or drapes, go for something that is approximately 2 to 2.5 times the width of your windows. As for the length, make sure that they touch the floor when you hang them at the top of the window (or slightly above).
  • Keep it sheer. Unless you want to use your curtains for privacy, it’s best to go for something sheer so that you don’t block natural light.
  • Choose high quality hardware. If you have the extra funds, choosing a pricier type of curtain rod can make all the difference. This creates a more luxurious look, and you may find that the rod stands up to daily use a bit better than cheaper options.
  • Hang them high. Most interior designers recommend hanging your curtains all the way at the ceiling instead of just above the window. This creates a dramatic, catalog-worthy look and adds the illusion of height.
  • Add Roman shades. If heavy curtains aren’t your style, add Roman shades in a color that matches the rest of your room instead.

8 Window Treatment Ideas [Apartments.com]
Decor PSA: Hang Curtains High & Wide [Apartment Therapy]
Ask a Designer: How Do I Choose Window Treatments? [House Beautiful]

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Where to Shop for Temporary Wallpaper and Wall Decals Online

June 18, 2015 by

When living in a rental, temporary wallpapers and removable wall decals add a fun pop of color or pattern to your space, but they can be easily taken down at the end of your lease. Here are just a few online retailers that sell different types of temporary wallpapers and decals.

Swag Paper
With a name like Swag Paper, it’s no surprise that this site sells wallpaper that’s cool, chic, and statement-worthy. Geometric diamonds, Art Deco designs, and minimalist poppy flowers are just a few of the wallpaper styles, and you can purchase strips in different heights to get exactly the amount that you need.

2Modern
If your style is a bit more colorful, 2Modern offers retro-inspired wallpapers and options with big, bold stripes. You’ll even find children’s wallpaper covered in zoo animals, robots, or silly cityscapes that the little ones will love.

Blik
Blik offers temporary wallpapers in traditional strips to cover the whole wall, but it also carries more unique designs like stick-on headboards and individual decals. Add a large tree in your living room, a sea of fish in your kitchen, and even some music notes in a child’s room.

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How to Get the Best Prices on Furniture

May 21, 2015 by

Purchasing furniture can be a big investment, and it can take quite a toll on your bank account no matter your budget. Here are a few smart ways that can help you save money on furniture while still investing in high quality pieces that will last for years to come.

  • Don’t fall for zero percent down. Many furniture stores offer deals like this in order to get you to purchase all of your furniture at once, but it usually isn’t worth it. Instead of paying a large markup for zero percent down, be patient and space out your purchases to get what you really want.
  • Visit estate sales. If you’re searching for bargains, estate sales are a great option. You can often find gently used furniture that was once very expensive at a markdown, provided that you don’t mind hunting for buried treasure.
  • Seek out floor sample sales (and ignore most other types). While most furniture sales are gimmicks or hardly very helpful, you’ll get the best bang for your buck from a floor sample sale. Because these items are technically “used” (though only in the store), they’re always marked down significantly.
  • Shop at furniture outlets. Instead of shopping at discount furniture stores full of poor quality pieces, shop high quality items with very minor damage at a furniture outlet.

Furniture Shopping Tips: The Best Secrets For Furnishing A Home On A Budget, From Real People [HuffPost Home]
How to Save Money When You Buy Furniture [About Home]
How to Buy Furniture [WikiHow]

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