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How to Give Your Rental Home More Pizzazz and Personality

September 15, 2016 by

You want your home's surroundings to reflect your personal style, but this can sometimes prove difficult as a renter. Follow these tips to help give your rental home more life and character!

  • Keep fresh flowers and potted plants around to add warmth and life to your space.
  • Change out the hardware on your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers. It will make a big impact, and it's easy to change back when you move out.
  • Add area rugs to help define your space and to add warmth and color.
  • Use temporary wallpaper to create a statement wall and bring some color or bold patterns into your space
  • Changing out your light switch plates is such a small detail but can really make a difference. Plus, this is also something you can change right back when you leave.
  • Hang your favorite art pieces around to brighten your mood and inspire you. Instead of hammers and nails, use 3M hooks to hang framed photos and posters.

How to Decorate a Rental [Style Me Pretty]
Dos and Don'ts of Decorating a Rental [HGTV]
5 Easy, High-Impact Rental Decorating Ideas (That Can Move With You) [Apartment Therapy]

Public Domain/Flickr/Anna Bieniek
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Where to Buy Furniture and Home Decor That Won’t Bust Your Budget

July 21, 2016 by

Finding stylish home decor and furniture doesn't have to bust your budget. Visit the following stores to find unique and trendy home decor and furniture at prices that won’t break the bank!

  • Cost Plus World Market is an affordable retail store that sells unique home furniture, decor, rugs, curtains, gifts, coffee, wine, and so much more. They offer original, high quality items at a great value. World Market brings the beauty of global markets to you and their large selection of original items is constantly changing. They have stores all over the nation and you can also shop online.
  • Christmas Tree Shops offers a surprising variety of items that are always changing, at prices you won’t find anywhere else. The buyers at Christmas Tree Shops travel all over the world to find products that are distinctive and intriguing.
  • Pier 1 Imports is well known for their fun, inspiring, colorful, and unique furniture and decor. They use fashion-forward trends and even handcraft exclusive items with the customer in mind. The products at Pier 1 can really inspire and ignite your creativity.

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Clever Ways to Organize Shoes and Boots

May 19, 2016 by

If it seems like you never quite have enough room for all of your shoes, regardless of how hard you try to keep them in line, maybe it's not a matter of volume. It could just be that you need to organize your shoe collection more effectively. Here are four clever and practical ways to do just that (without spending too much).

  1. Mount colorful crates. If you want to show off your shoes instead of tucking them away beneath your bed, take this opportunity to exhibit them as works of art. Ask around at local grocery stores to see if they have any wooden crates they intend to recycle, snag a few, and paint them cute colors that match with your existing decor. Then simply mount them to the wall in your bedroom and fill them with shoes, making your own kind of gallery wall.
  2. Enlist a glass cabinet. Another great way to display your shoes (and keep them in order) is to stack them on shelves inside of a glass cabinet. Arrange them by color or other defining characteristics to create a piece that not only organizes but also adds to your room's aesthetic.
  3. Invest in a shoe bag. If you're more concerned about keeping everything orderly, and not so much making your bedroom look extra cute, then buy a simple hanging shoe bag from Amazon or Target. Make sure its cloth shelves are large enough to set your shoes side by side. You can also get an over-the-door organizer to hang on your closet door.
  4. Hang your boots. Maybe it's just your space-consuming boots that always seem to get disorganized. In that case, try hanging them using the clips attached to pant hangers. They'll be much easier to sort through hanging than strewn in a pile at the bottom of your closet.

13 Creative Ways to Organize Your Shoes, Inspired by Pinterest [whowhatwear]
40 Awesomely Clever Ways To Organize Shoes [livingino]
The Best Shoe Storage Options [Apartment Therapy]

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Wallet-Friendly Ways to Revamp and Rejuvenate Your Rental’s Decor

April 21, 2016 by

Regardless of how on-trend your decor was when you initially adorned your apartment, it's only a matter of time before you feel like your surroundings are outdated. But when a home makeover isn't really in the budget, you might feel stuck with the interior design you've got. You aren't, though. There are tons of budget-friendly approaches to decorating that can spruce up your apartment. Here are just three of them to get the creative juices flowing.

  1. Upcycle existing embellishments. If your home-decorating instincts take you to Amazon, let your money-saving instincts lead you to Pinterest instead this time. Look for DIY ways that you can revamp that old coffee table or update worn throw pillows. It might be as easy as picking up a can of spray paint or some ribbon and fabric glue.
  2. Frame free pieces of "artwork." You don't have to break the bank on a piece of art in order for it to add something to your room. Prints or photos from magazines and books can have just as great an impact on the aesthetic of your bedroom or living room as expensive artwork. Just find a cheap frame at Target or the thrift store to complement your makeshift work of art.
  3. Break out the sewing machine. If you're handy with a needle and thread, there's a lot you can do in your apartment without spending much money. For example, you can easily create new curtains or pillowcases. These are both simple ways to spiff up your apartment that conserve both time and money.

Budget Decorator: 15 No-Cost Ways to Invigorate Your Space [Houzz]
15 Budget Decorating Secrets [HGTV]
The 10 Most Important Tips For Decorating On A Tight Budget [freshome]

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Where to Shop Quirky-Cute Kids’ Lighting Online

November 19, 2015 by

You don’t want your little ones to feel afraid of the dark every night at bedtime, which is why every child’s room should contain a fun and functional light that chases away the monsters that live under the bed. Here are three great places to shop for quirky-cute kids’ lighting online.

The Land of Nod
This mega-popular kids’ online retailer offers modern furniture and home decor items that will make your kids’ rooms look a whole lot more stylish. Their selection of kid-friendly lighting sources includes lamps in the shapes of clouds, nightlights with cute faces, and colorful floor lamps that channel classic mid-century designs.

ModCloth
If you’re looking for lights that even quirkier, ModCloth is your online go-to for all things sweet and silly. Check out updated versions of the usual light socket nightlights and retro-inspired wall lights, as well as twinkling string lights that add a festive flair.

HearthSong
From plasma ball lights that produce bolts of electricity wherever you place your fingers to funky, miniature chandeliers and machines that create shooting stars indoors, this unique online retailer offers one of the most creative selections of quirky kids’ lighting.

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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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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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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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Add a Splash of Green to Your Apartment With These Easy-Care Houseplants

April 2, 2015 by

There’s no better way to breathe new life — quite literally! — into your apartment than by adding a few lush, green houseplants to every room. Even if you don’t exactly have a green thumb, these low-maintenance plants will last for years with minimal care.

  1. Pothos. The pothos plant is one of the most common houseplants, and you’ve likely noticed its trailing stems filled with marbled green leaves in many offices and homes. Aside from its beautiful appearance, this plant also requires little light, minimal watering, and even helps to remove toxins from the air.
  2. Aloe. Spiky aloe plants do best in direct sunlight on a windowsill, and because they prefer dry soil, they’re perfect for the forgetful indoor gardener.
  3. Jade. This succulent plant is one of the most interesting in appearance, as it contains thick, rubbery leaves that grow across criss-crossing branches. It also has a very long lifespan of a decade or more.
  4. Snake plant. The snake plant, also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” is an affordable alternative to pricey floor plants, as its long, snake-like leaves grow upright in a unique and attractive way. It requires little watering, and it doesn’t mind low sunlight.
  5. Fiddle Leaf Fig. Although it can be a bit finicky, few plants make as much of an impact as the stylish, trendy fiddle fig. If you keep it in bright sunlight it can even grow as high as the ceiling.

24 of the Easiest Houseplants You Can Grow [Better Homes & Gardens]
The 15 easiest indoor house plants that won't die on you. [Today Home]
Easy Houseplants [This Old House]

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How to Save Time and Money in the Kitchen

December 4, 2014 by

Between family, friends, work, and errands, there's often little time left in the day for cooking a wholesome, healthy meal. Whether you're cooking for one or preparing a feast for your entire extended family, these time-saving cooking tips can help you stretch those seconds in the kitchen.

1) Keep your cabinets well-stocked.
Before you make a trip to the grocery store, do a quick assessment of your cabinets. Are you low on essentials such as rice, flour, cooking stock, basic seasonings, and pasta? Keeping these kitchen staples on hand will prevent hiccups in your meal planning process down the line. Consider printing this handy grocery checklist from Martha Stewart.

2) Plan ahead.
Establishing a meal menu for the week will not only make dinner prep easier, it'll also help you save money. Scan the newspaper for coupons, then flip through your grocer's circular for any notable bargains. Afterwards, plan a menu based around the food that's on sale. For instance, if chicken is being offered at a discount, capitalize from the deal by creating a chicken-centric menu for the week. Assemble oven-ready dishes, such as casseroles and soup stock, that you can freeze and eat at a later date.

Menu Planning: Save Time In The Kitchen [Organized Home]
Save Time in the Kitchen [Martha Stewart]
5 best time-saving cooking tips [EatingWell]

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