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How to Get the Most Out Your Apartment’s Square Footage

June 10, 2016 by

Whether your apartment measures 200 square feet or 1,000 square feet, how large it feels depends on how it functions. Artfully arranging your furniture and incorporating smart storage solutions can make even the tiniest studio apartment feel like a luxury penthouse loft, and these space-savvy tips will show you just how to make the most of each square foot in your rental unit.

  1. Use light to your advantage. No matter how limited you are on space, having good lighting can make all the difference. Play up your apartment’s natural light sources by using sheer curtains or blinds in light colors that invite the maximum amount of sunlight inside.
  2. Arrange – and then rearrange. Instead of moving in and leaving your furniture right where you first placed it, don’t be afraid to rearrange multiple times until you find the situation that best suits your space.
  3. Make your furniture play double-duty. Adding furniture pieces that double as storage systems (such as using a chest as a coffee table or a kitchen table as a desk) is one of the best ways to maximize the space in your apartment.

Creative Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces [Real Simple]
Make the Most of Small Spaces [Real Simple]
Designer Tricks for Small Spaces [Coastal Living]

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How to Hang Curtains the Right Way

June 3, 2016 by

Something as small as adjusting your curtain rods can quickly change the look of your home. Follow these tips to create a better look for your window and the rest of your space!

  • Always hang your curtains up high to the ceiling. It makes your ceilings look higher and your space look larger and will enhance the overall atmosphere of your room.
  • If your curtains aren’t wide enough it will block light and make the window look smaller, therefore making your whole room appear smaller. When the curtains are pushed open, you want to see almost all of the window.
  • The most common mistake in hanging curtains is hanging them too short making it look awkward. Make sure the bottom of the curtains just kiss the floor.
  • You can also make the curtains puddle on the floor to give your room a romantic, feminine, and European vibe.

Quick & Affordable Home Makeover Task: Adjust Your Curtain Rods [Apartment Therapy]
Hanging Curtains All Wrong [Emily Henderson]
It’s Curtains, Hang Em High [Home Goods]

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Handy Storage and Organization Tips for Renters

June 2, 2016 by

There are a number of smart and design-savvy ways to clear the clutter from your space and add storage, and it just takes a few clever tricks (and maybe a weekend) to get it together.

  1. Add under-bed storage. Whether you use store-bought shoe boxes or even wood palettes, adding storage underneath the bed is a great way to get shoes, clothes, and even books out of sight.
  2. Tackle the closet. Don't feel limited to the two or three clothing bars in your closet. Add your own temporary shelving, shoe racks, and other storage items from the local home goods store.
  3. Add additional bathroom storage. Create your own storage by hanging shelves or even investing in an affordable over-the-toilet storage system.
  4. Use double-duty living room furniture. Instead of letting clutter take over your living room, use furniture that doubles as storage. Try an antique chest as a coffee table or a sofa with hidden storage inside.
  5. Add a kitchen island. Adding a simple kitchen island is an affordable way to create more room for cooking.

7 Storage Ideas Worth Considering [PopSugar]
12 Big Ideas for Creating More Storage Space in Small Apartments [Rental Living]
8 Decorating Tips for Renters [Lowe’s]

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Creamy Meets Sweet in These 3 Tres Leches Cake Recipes

May 27, 2016 by

Whether you’re interested in the cuisine of Latin America or you’re simply searching for a unique dessert to try out, the traditional tres leches cake is a truly decadent option. Evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream fully saturate a delicious sponge cake base in this rich dish, and a fluffy whipped cream topping is the icing on the tres leches cake. Try out one of these three recipes at your next gathering.

Premium Tres Leches Cake [Betty Crocker]
This recipe from the Betty Crocker website recommends using a box of yellow cake mix to cut down on the prep time for your tres leches cake. The milk mixture is the same as the traditional recipe, which makes this the perfect choice if you want an authentic taste in a shorter amount of time.

Emeril Lagasse’s Tres Leches Cake [Food Network]
While this recipe from Emeril Lagasse takes longer to make than most cake recipes, it’s well worth the effort. The cake is made from scratch using only real ingredients, like whole milk and flavorful vanilla, and the decadent icing topping features subtle notes of mango and papaya for a tropical flavor.

Martha Stewart’s Tres Leches Cake [Martha Stewart]
This is a fairly simple, traditional tres leches cake recipe that incorporates the usual three milks to create a moist mouthful with each bite. Martha Stewart’s version also adds fresh fruit to the whipped cream topping to add a refreshing contrast to the cake’s rich flavor.

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5 Stylish Alternatives to the Traditional Nightstand

May 20, 2016 by

Whether you're working with limited space or you're simply looking for something more unique than traditional furniture, there are a number of reasons why you might want to skip the usual squared nightstand and opt for something a bit more tailored to your needs. Here are just five great alternatives to the usual bedside table — and even a few that aren't tables at all!

  1. A chair. Visit your local thrift store or a stylish home goods store to pick out chic chairs that can double as bedside tables. They're perfect for creating a base for your current reads and an alarm clock, or if you prefer to go the minimal route and leave the chair's base bare, you can even use it to sit on.
  2. A sturdy shelf. If you only have a few feet to spare on either side of your bed, simply attach a small shelf to the wall and use it as a compact nightstand alternative.
  3. A vintage milk crate. Hunt for these rustic wooden crates at local antique sales or even the farmers market if you're looking for a bedside table with a bit more personality. Simply flip it upside down or on its side, depending on how tall you want your "table" to look.
  4. A desk. If you're on the other side of the bedroom spectrum and actually have more space than you know what to do with, use a desk as your nightstand. That way, you can fill empty space and create a private area for answering e-mails or planning your week.
  5. A bar cart. Everyone loves the retro bar cart, but this piece isn't just designed for housing your favorite spirits. Use it in a guest bedroom to provide your guests with a carafe of water, fresh flowers, toiletries and more.

Rethink the Table: 22 Bedside Alternatives [Brit + Co]

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Spruce Up Your Windows With These Creative, Affordable Window Treatment Ideas

May 19, 2016 by

If you’re looking for an alternative to the usual heavy drapes or vertical blinds for your apartment at Reserve at Garden Oaks, these unique and affordable ideas just may be the answer.

Stick-On Window Coverings
If you’re looking for a truly creative window treatment alterative that still blocks out glaring sunlight, try frosted window stickers. This fun and modern DIY project shows you how to create your own choice of pattern, and best of all, it comes right off when it’s time to move out.

Coffee Sack Curtains
If your style is more rustic and antique-inspired, create your own affordable curtains using recycled coffee sacks. Because the sacks are supposed to have a bit of a rough edge, there’s absolutely no sewing required for this simple project.

Flower Chain Curtains
For fans of all things bohemian, this simple DIY project is the perfect choice. Simply string faux flowers to clear fishing thread, and then tie a row of 10 or so across a slender curtain rod. This one is ideal for anyone looking to create a bit of privacy without blocking out too much sunlight.

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Last-Minute Guests? Plan a Dinner Party in Under One Hour!

May 13, 2016 by

We've all been there: you get a phone call from an old friend saying that he or she is passing through town, and you're pressed to throw together some type of meal with just a few hours to spare. Before you start to panic (and maybe even suggest going out for pizza), use these smart and time-savvy tips for putting together a dinner party in just one hour.

  1. Clean up only the common areas. You won't be able to clean your whole house, but you can make the common areas look a bit tidier. Put away any stray items in the living room, dining room, or other hangout area, and give the bathroom a good wipe-down. As for the other rooms? Well, that's what closed doors are for!
  2. Think of a main course. Check out your current groceries to plan the focal point of the meal. Have a few frozen chicken breasts? Maybe some extra dried pasta? Keep things simple with these dinnertime basics — anything too elaborate will only add more stress.
  3. Use the quickest cooking method. Simple preparation is key: go for a classic spaghetti and marinara sauce or some grilled chicken with olive oil, salt and pepper.
  4. Create a smorgasbord of sides. When it comes to last-minute sides, go for a variety. Toss together a kitchen sink salad with whatever you have on hand, create a cheese plate of cheeses, crackers and spreads, or even set out chips and dips in attractive bowls.
  5. Add some ambiance. Light a few candles, fill a vase with branches to create a makeshift centerpiece and turn on some soft music to improve the mood. Voila! That's all it takes to throw together a dinner party on the fly.

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Try Your Hand at the Bridge and Torch Problem

May 6, 2016 by

There are a large number of “river crossing puzzles” in the world of logic puzzles, in which people must cross a river with a variety of constraints. One of the most popular of these puzzles is the Bridge and Torch Problem, which tests your logic skills and your rational thinking. Though it may seem like a simple enough question, the answer to this tricky word problem eludes many of the people who try to solve it.

In the Bridge and Torch Problem, four people approach a riverbank at night. The narrow bridge nearby can only hold two people at a time. They only have one torch, but it has to be used when crossing the bridge. It takes Person A one minute to cross, Person B two minutes to cross, Person C five minutes, and Person D eight minutes. Two people crossing the bridge together must move at the slower person’s pace.

Can all of the people cross the bridge in 15 minutes or less? Once you reach an answer, check it here!

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4 Foods to Avoid Before Bedtime

April 29, 2016 by

If you’re the type of person who loves a good midnight snack, you may be wreaking havoc on your quality of sleep without even realizing it. While some foods are okay to eat right before bed, others will make it much more difficult to drift off into a dream state. Here are a few foods to avoid before hitting the hay!

  1. Potato chips. Foods that are filled with grease and fat, such as potato chips or French fries, take quite a bit more effort to digest. With your stomach working overtime, it is much more difficult to fall asleep.
  2. Ice cream. Think twice before having that bowl of ice cream while watching late night TV. Fatty foods like this are also more difficult to digest, which could lead to you lying awake with cramps and discomfort.
  3. Candy. Sugar-packed candies will cause your blood sugar levels to spike, leaving you feeling too restless for rest.
  4. Red meat. If you grab a fast food burger on your drive home after a late night, you may not be able to fall asleep once you actually crawl into bed. Red meats like this sit in your stomach much longer than other types of foods, and your body uses a lot more effort to digest them.

9 Things Your Should Never Eat or Drink After 9PM [Bodybuilding.com]
The 5 Worst Types of Foods to Eat Late at Night [Prevention]
The 10 Best and Worst Foods to Eat for Sleep [Fitness]
10 Foods to Avoid Before Bed [Fox News Health]

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Speed Through Household Chores With These Cleaning Shortcuts

April 22, 2016 by

The faster you get your cleaning done, the more time you’ll have to spend time with friends and family. The trick to quick cleaning is to have a system and to stick to it. Set a time limit for each room and you’ll be finished before you know it. Follow these tips for quick and efficient cleaning!

  • Keep up with daily cleaning tasks to help maintain your home's tidiness. By doing simple tasks every day, the cleaning will be much easier and not be so overwhelming.
  • Use a tote or bucket to keep all your cleaning supplies in. You can bring this from room to room and you won’t need to waste time searching for the supplies you need.
  • Use a vacuum to clean all of your floor surfaces. You should also use an extension cord for the vacuum to allow you to reach multiple areas without taking the time to keep plugging it in.
  • On your shower walls and door, use a squeegee after every use. This will prevent soap scum and water spots later on.
  • Focus on what you are cleaning and cut out anything that might distract you, e.g., your phone and the TV!

13 Tips to Help You Speed-Clean Your Home [Better Homes and Gardens]
Clean Your House in Less Than an Hour [Woman’s Day]
Speed Cleaning: Tips For Fast & Efficient Housekeeping [The Inspired Room]

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