How to Outfit Well-Dressed DigsFurnishing your first apartment? Think small and versatile.By Amy Esbenshade Hebert From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, May 2005
Brienne Collison needed a couch for her new apartment. So she headed for Craigslist.org, a popular starting point for twentysomethings hunting for apartments, roommates and affordable used furnishings. Collison, 24, found a stylish sofa that looked almost new and fit her budget, and she figured she had covered all the bases after measuring her apartment doorway to make sure the couch would fit.
But she neglected to get the dimensions of the service elevator. "My building is fairly old, and the elevators are very narrow," says Collison, who lives in Falls Church, Va. After struggling to carry the couch upstairs, she found that her measurements were slightly off and the sofa was about an inch too big to fit through the door. Collison ended up parking the couch at her boyfriend's apartment until she could sell it.
For first-time apartment dwellers, whose digs are often tiny and temporary, the keys to making a new place livable are to think small and versatile. Look for pieces that can do double duty -- they'll work now and can make the transition if you plan to move in a couple of years.
Tammy Schoppet, founder of Rental Decorating Digest (www.rentaldecorating.com), is a fan of storage ottomans, which can serve as footrests, tables or extra seating while concealing blankets or magazines inside. JCPenney's Storage Ottoman with Tabletop, for instance, sells for $150. If you have room for blankets but not overnight guests, Plow & Hearth (www.plowhearth.com) has an ottoman that opens into a bed ($200 plus $30 shipping).
To organize your clutter, look for a coffee table or side table with drawers, advises Jill Davis, an interior decorator in Geneva, Ill. For a wide selection of such pieces, as well as trunks designed to double as coffee tables and end tables, check out Home Decorators Collection For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
How To Sign an Apartment Lease:
How To Sign an Apartment Lease: From Viewing the Apartment to Signing the LeaseBy Jennifer Lai, About.com
Lease Form You’ve found an apartment you love. Now what? Well, now you begin the process of signing the apartment lease, during which you must not let your desire for the apartment turn off all critical thinking faculties. You are about to part with a lot of money and sign a legally-binding document that is difficult to get out of, so remain focused during this last stretch by familiarizing yourself with how the lease signing works.
Difficulty: EasyTime Required: Anywhere from one day to a weekHere's How:Submit an apartment application. Not all landlords use apartment applications. Typically, only property management companies, who lose out if the apartment is taken off the market, require an apartment application.
Individual landlords most likely won’t have you submit an application.
Pay an application fee (if any). When submitting the application, you’ll also pay a non-refundable application fee (also known as the application deposit). If you decide not to sign the lease, the application fee will not be returned to you. If you do sign the lease, the fee will either be returned or go into your security deposit.
Give the landlord the okay to perform a credit check. The purpose of the credit check is to check out whether you pay your bills on time. The landlord will ask you to pay the amount to cover the cost of the credit check and ask for your social security number. Or you can submit a copy of your credit report, which you can obtain prior to looking for apartments. Please note that many landlords consider a tenant with no credit history to be just as undesirable as one with a bad history.
Give the landlord the necessary information to contact your previous landlords. In addition to checking your credit history, the landlord verifies that you are a reliable tenant by contacting previous landlords. If you want to expedite this process, you can contact them prior to looking at apartments and ask them to write you a reference letter. You can then present this to the landlord right away.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Lease Form You’ve found an apartment you love. Now what? Well, now you begin the process of signing the apartment lease, during which you must not let your desire for the apartment turn off all critical thinking faculties. You are about to part with a lot of money and sign a legally-binding document that is difficult to get out of, so remain focused during this last stretch by familiarizing yourself with how the lease signing works.
Difficulty: EasyTime Required: Anywhere from one day to a weekHere's How:Submit an apartment application. Not all landlords use apartment applications. Typically, only property management companies, who lose out if the apartment is taken off the market, require an apartment application.
Individual landlords most likely won’t have you submit an application.
Pay an application fee (if any). When submitting the application, you’ll also pay a non-refundable application fee (also known as the application deposit). If you decide not to sign the lease, the application fee will not be returned to you. If you do sign the lease, the fee will either be returned or go into your security deposit.
Give the landlord the okay to perform a credit check. The purpose of the credit check is to check out whether you pay your bills on time. The landlord will ask you to pay the amount to cover the cost of the credit check and ask for your social security number. Or you can submit a copy of your credit report, which you can obtain prior to looking for apartments. Please note that many landlords consider a tenant with no credit history to be just as undesirable as one with a bad history.
Give the landlord the necessary information to contact your previous landlords. In addition to checking your credit history, the landlord verifies that you are a reliable tenant by contacting previous landlords. If you want to expedite this process, you can contact them prior to looking at apartments and ask them to write you a reference letter. You can then present this to the landlord right away.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Can't find a place to put your recycling bins?
Can't find a place to put your recycling bins? Here's a simple guide on setting up a system of recycling bins in a small kitchen.
How many recycling bins do you need?Most recycling services want different recycling materials to be separated from each other. Designating a recycling bin for each material you want to recycle will save you lots of time sorting them.
Figure out how many recycling bins you need, one for each material you wish to recycle. I recommend one each for aluminum, plastic, glass, cardboard and newspapers.
Using Space-saving Stackable Recycling BinsStackable recycling bins are the answer to cramp kitchen space, because they use up vertical space, instead of spreading out like fungus.
If you cannot find stackable recycling bins at your local convenience store, you can buy them online. Buy Direct
Using Recycling Bins that Sit in Bottom CabinetsIf you're only recycling one or two materials, I recommend buying a pull-out recycing bin system. The bins sit on sliders, which are installed in a bottom cabinet, thus remaining out of sight. When you need to recycling something, simply pull the bins out for easy access. If you're only recycling one item, use the other bin for trash. Buy Direct For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
How many recycling bins do you need?Most recycling services want different recycling materials to be separated from each other. Designating a recycling bin for each material you want to recycle will save you lots of time sorting them.
Figure out how many recycling bins you need, one for each material you wish to recycle. I recommend one each for aluminum, plastic, glass, cardboard and newspapers.
Using Space-saving Stackable Recycling BinsStackable recycling bins are the answer to cramp kitchen space, because they use up vertical space, instead of spreading out like fungus.
If you cannot find stackable recycling bins at your local convenience store, you can buy them online. Buy Direct
Using Recycling Bins that Sit in Bottom CabinetsIf you're only recycling one or two materials, I recommend buying a pull-out recycing bin system. The bins sit on sliders, which are installed in a bottom cabinet, thus remaining out of sight. When you need to recycling something, simply pull the bins out for easy access. If you're only recycling one item, use the other bin for trash. Buy Direct For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Monday, July 21, 2008
Length of Lease
Length of Lease
The quest to find an apartment can be both fun and stressful. There are so many exciting possibilities and as many potential obstacles. This article will guide you through the process, so you can find an apartment with confidence.
First, you must decide how long you will live in this space, which will dictate what kind of apartment to look for. Most leases require at least one year's commitment, so if this is too long for you, consider a sublet or a month-to-month apartment.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
The quest to find an apartment can be both fun and stressful. There are so many exciting possibilities and as many potential obstacles. This article will guide you through the process, so you can find an apartment with confidence.
First, you must decide how long you will live in this space, which will dictate what kind of apartment to look for. Most leases require at least one year's commitment, so if this is too long for you, consider a sublet or a month-to-month apartment.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Housewarming Gifts
Housewarming Gifts
One nice thing about housewarming gifts is that they don't need to be wrapped. Pull something together, put it in a gift bag or basket, and ring the doorbell.
If you're making a first visit to a family member's new home, you might have had a hand in helping with the move. If so, you might know exactly what they'll need in the new home. If they've moved from a large home to a smaller one, organization supplies might come in handy. But if they're moving from a small home to a larger one, a set of towels for the new extra bath might be practical.
We've come up with some ideas for both traditional gifts and new, fresh ideas. Choose what will best represent you, your friend, and your relationship. Then show up and enjoy a wonderful visit!
A gift for a housewarming gift for newlyweds is simple--just check out their bridal registry and fill in any holes.
Fresh PlantsA new home, even before the furniture is arranged and the drapes are up, looks more welcoming with a live, flowering plant. Plants are better than fresh cut flowers, as they live longer and don't need as much maintenance.
A Wreath for the DoorChoose a wreath for the season, for a holiday, or just in colors that will look pretty on the house. If you get one that will last through the years, include a wreath storage box, too.
A Gift of FoodThere's so much work involved in moving and setting up housekeeping, that anyone will welcome a casserole or full dinner to enjoy as a break from all the work. Something that will go into a microwave and onto paper plates (why not include them, along with plastic silverware?) will make the meal a breeze.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Renting an Apartment?
Renting an Apartment?
Make it feel like home with easy decoratingBy Diane Benson HarringtonLean artwork against your mantel or walls to prevent nail holes. Interior designed by Alan Nugent Photo courtesy of Decorating Den InteriorsIt's hard to get worked up about decorating an apartment that you don't own – but it's equally as difficult to live in surroundings that don't reflect your style."A lot of people make the mistake of thinking, 'I'm renting, so I'm not going to do anything to this space, because I'm eventually going to move.' And then they end up staying two, four, five years," says Anita Wiklem, who owns Wiklem Designs in Toronto. "Even if you stay somewhere two years, when you get home at the end of the day, if that place is to your liking, it makes such a difference in your psyche."So what do you do if you yearn for a personal touch but have to contend with a limited budget or landlord restrictions? Plenty.
A multihued rug brings color to a room when you cant paint your apartments walls. Photo courtesy of Pier 1 ImportsDealing with institutional trappings Perhaps the best thing about most apartments today is that the slate is blank – and usually neutral. Virtually anything you lay on top of this canvas will work."If you can't paint your walls or if you have an ugly rug, you can put color into your furnishings with a big, colorful rug or throw pillows or even accent lamps with colored or textured shades," says John Meaney, visual merchandising manager for Pier 1 Imports.Be sure to use a pad between your area rug and the apartment carpeting so the rug won't slide and the carpet won't suffer from color transfer.While most apartments already have mini blinds on the windows, some landlords allow you to add curtains as well. Simple side panels on a decorative rod can make a dramatic difference in a room by adding a jolt of color and personality. Weave your color choices throughout the apartment with pillows, throws or accessories. A white kitchen can come alive with a colorful teapot on the stove, some attractive dish towels and zesty countertop accessories, such as flour canisters and oversize salt shakers.If you can't make nail holes in walls, a large, framed mirrors you can lean against the wall will add far more personality than one attached to the inside of a bathroom door. Lean smaller pictures against a wall atop fireplace mantels, chest-height armoires or bookcases. Pier 1 Imports offers a handsome wooden easel you can set up in a corner or behind an angled sofa to display framed artwork. Consider making changes that you can easily reverse.Wiklem put new knobs on her kitchen cabinets and new lighting fixtures in the bathroom and foyer. She put the landlord's knobs and lights in storage, and will switch them back when she moves. She'll incorporate her own choices in her new home.If you simply must have color on the walls, Lauri Ward of Use-What-You-Have Interiors in New York City suggests creating simple rectangular frames with 1-x-2s from the lumberyard and attaching swaths of fabric with a staple gun. Lean three or five of these against the wall with a bit of space in between. Your fabric can be a solid, print or texture. When you move, Ward advises, use hinges to turn the panels into a folding screen, or remove the fabric and use to make pillows or other decorative touches.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Make it feel like home with easy decoratingBy Diane Benson HarringtonLean artwork against your mantel or walls to prevent nail holes. Interior designed by Alan Nugent Photo courtesy of Decorating Den InteriorsIt's hard to get worked up about decorating an apartment that you don't own – but it's equally as difficult to live in surroundings that don't reflect your style."A lot of people make the mistake of thinking, 'I'm renting, so I'm not going to do anything to this space, because I'm eventually going to move.' And then they end up staying two, four, five years," says Anita Wiklem, who owns Wiklem Designs in Toronto. "Even if you stay somewhere two years, when you get home at the end of the day, if that place is to your liking, it makes such a difference in your psyche."So what do you do if you yearn for a personal touch but have to contend with a limited budget or landlord restrictions? Plenty.
A multihued rug brings color to a room when you cant paint your apartments walls. Photo courtesy of Pier 1 ImportsDealing with institutional trappings Perhaps the best thing about most apartments today is that the slate is blank – and usually neutral. Virtually anything you lay on top of this canvas will work."If you can't paint your walls or if you have an ugly rug, you can put color into your furnishings with a big, colorful rug or throw pillows or even accent lamps with colored or textured shades," says John Meaney, visual merchandising manager for Pier 1 Imports.Be sure to use a pad between your area rug and the apartment carpeting so the rug won't slide and the carpet won't suffer from color transfer.While most apartments already have mini blinds on the windows, some landlords allow you to add curtains as well. Simple side panels on a decorative rod can make a dramatic difference in a room by adding a jolt of color and personality. Weave your color choices throughout the apartment with pillows, throws or accessories. A white kitchen can come alive with a colorful teapot on the stove, some attractive dish towels and zesty countertop accessories, such as flour canisters and oversize salt shakers.If you can't make nail holes in walls, a large, framed mirrors you can lean against the wall will add far more personality than one attached to the inside of a bathroom door. Lean smaller pictures against a wall atop fireplace mantels, chest-height armoires or bookcases. Pier 1 Imports offers a handsome wooden easel you can set up in a corner or behind an angled sofa to display framed artwork. Consider making changes that you can easily reverse.Wiklem put new knobs on her kitchen cabinets and new lighting fixtures in the bathroom and foyer. She put the landlord's knobs and lights in storage, and will switch them back when she moves. She'll incorporate her own choices in her new home.If you simply must have color on the walls, Lauri Ward of Use-What-You-Have Interiors in New York City suggests creating simple rectangular frames with 1-x-2s from the lumberyard and attaching swaths of fabric with a staple gun. Lean three or five of these against the wall with a bit of space in between. Your fabric can be a solid, print or texture. When you move, Ward advises, use hinges to turn the panels into a folding screen, or remove the fabric and use to make pillows or other decorative touches.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
During the apartment walk-through…
During the apartment walk-through…
Do all the appliances work? Check all the appliances and sinks to be sure they are working properly. Are there insects or rodents present? If the current tenant is there ask them about the severity of the problem and what is being done to fix it. How old is the wiring? If there are very few outlets or if you see two-pronged switches, it probably is older wiring. This may be a convenience and safety issue. How much closet/storage space is there? Don’t underestimate how much space your belongings will take up. Are there enough windows to provide ample light for your taste and do they open and close properly? Are the rooms big enough to fit your furniture? Take a tape measure with to be sure. How do guests obtain entry and what type of security is in place? If there is an electronic system, test it out to make sure it works. Make sure that the apartment will be cleaned and have the paint touched up before you move in.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.
Do all the appliances work? Check all the appliances and sinks to be sure they are working properly. Are there insects or rodents present? If the current tenant is there ask them about the severity of the problem and what is being done to fix it. How old is the wiring? If there are very few outlets or if you see two-pronged switches, it probably is older wiring. This may be a convenience and safety issue. How much closet/storage space is there? Don’t underestimate how much space your belongings will take up. Are there enough windows to provide ample light for your taste and do they open and close properly? Are the rooms big enough to fit your furniture? Take a tape measure with to be sure. How do guests obtain entry and what type of security is in place? If there is an electronic system, test it out to make sure it works. Make sure that the apartment will be cleaned and have the paint touched up before you move in.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Keeping Warm
Keeping Warm
Nothing is nicer than coming home to a warm apartment. But nothing is worse than getting the electric bill for all those warm, toasty winter days. Running the central heat or air conditioning unit is the number one cost of your electric bill. So now would be a good time to learn how to cut those costs and decrease those nasty bills.
Balancing the heat: You may have noticed already that some rooms and areas of your home gets warmer than other areas. This is the impact of air balancing. If you have a central heating unit (which most units have), the heat goes along some duct-pipes in the ceiling and through room vents into the room. To prevent heat from coming into the room, simply close the vent or close the path in the actual duct.
Rooms that you don’t use very often or closets should have their vents closed to prevent wasted heat loss. This will direct the heat to other more used rooms. If there is more heat blowing into those rooms then the heating unit does not have to work as hard or as long (and thereby saving you money).
If you live in a two-story or multi-story unit or an apartment with a loft, close the vents on the upper floors. As we all know, heat rises. The bottom level will warm up and eventually the heat will dissipate to the upper floor. As the heat from the bottom floor rises, the heating unit will not have to work extra-hard to heat the upper level.
Keep doors closed to rooms that do not need heat. As heat flows through a home, it moves into rooms with open doorways. This means it takes longer for the entire home to heat because the heat keeps spreading out or thinning out. If, however, some of the closets and bathrooms are closed, the heated air will move down the hall to the next room which needs more heat. Or, if you want those rooms to be heated, leave the doors open. Keeping doors open also increases the circulation throughout the entire house. It is good practice if you don’t have roommates.
Lower the Temperature: A good way to save money is simply to lower the thermostat. If you followed the above suggestions, you won’t need to run the heating unit on a high temperature to feel comfortable. The heat should be balanced and your entire home comfort-level should remain constant. It takes some trial-and-error to get a balanced home (and you will need to re-balance for the summer months when you run the air conditioning unit), but in the end it is worth it.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Nothing is nicer than coming home to a warm apartment. But nothing is worse than getting the electric bill for all those warm, toasty winter days. Running the central heat or air conditioning unit is the number one cost of your electric bill. So now would be a good time to learn how to cut those costs and decrease those nasty bills.
Balancing the heat: You may have noticed already that some rooms and areas of your home gets warmer than other areas. This is the impact of air balancing. If you have a central heating unit (which most units have), the heat goes along some duct-pipes in the ceiling and through room vents into the room. To prevent heat from coming into the room, simply close the vent or close the path in the actual duct.
Rooms that you don’t use very often or closets should have their vents closed to prevent wasted heat loss. This will direct the heat to other more used rooms. If there is more heat blowing into those rooms then the heating unit does not have to work as hard or as long (and thereby saving you money).
If you live in a two-story or multi-story unit or an apartment with a loft, close the vents on the upper floors. As we all know, heat rises. The bottom level will warm up and eventually the heat will dissipate to the upper floor. As the heat from the bottom floor rises, the heating unit will not have to work extra-hard to heat the upper level.
Keep doors closed to rooms that do not need heat. As heat flows through a home, it moves into rooms with open doorways. This means it takes longer for the entire home to heat because the heat keeps spreading out or thinning out. If, however, some of the closets and bathrooms are closed, the heated air will move down the hall to the next room which needs more heat. Or, if you want those rooms to be heated, leave the doors open. Keeping doors open also increases the circulation throughout the entire house. It is good practice if you don’t have roommates.
Lower the Temperature: A good way to save money is simply to lower the thermostat. If you followed the above suggestions, you won’t need to run the heating unit on a high temperature to feel comfortable. The heat should be balanced and your entire home comfort-level should remain constant. It takes some trial-and-error to get a balanced home (and you will need to re-balance for the summer months when you run the air conditioning unit), but in the end it is worth it.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Monday, July 7, 2008
How to Move to a New Apartment
How to Move to a New Apartment
Moving can be a fun and exciting adventure. But it can also be lots of work--not to mention very stressful. Here are some suggestions that might make your transition a little easier.
StepsGet boxes from grocery stores (or other stores) rather than buying them. Don't disregard the value of large plastic trash bags - just be careful not to throw them out!! Choose boxes in sizes that will be easy for one person to carry, just in case you find yourself moving most of it on your own. Start the moving process as soon as you can find time to. The more unessential items you can pack as early on as possible, the less you'll have to worry about when it gets down to the wire. Make sure that you wrap breakable items (dishes, knick-knacks, pictures, et cetera) in old newspaper, towels, bedsheets, even clothing. If you have a lot of books, pack a few in many boxes, rather than all in a few. Label your boxes as you pack - kitchen, living room, bath, etc. Also make a list of contents on each box, to make it easier to find certain things when unpacking. This will save you loads of time and grief when you arrive at your new place (and label BREAKABLES as such so your movers will know to be careful--hopefully they will be). Color-coding can be a good idea too. Just get colored stickers, and slap a red one on the box for kitchen, blue for bedroom, green for living room, etc. After you have securely packed all of your belongings... now you face the decision of hiring movers, and finding out who your real friends are or being a real friend (and saving $$$) and doing as much of it on your own as you can! (if you CAN afford it, hire a reputable, insured moving service listed with the BBB for the heavy stuff and transporting it all) (*save $ by doing your own packing!) GOOD LUCK & GET MOVING!!
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.
Moving can be a fun and exciting adventure. But it can also be lots of work--not to mention very stressful. Here are some suggestions that might make your transition a little easier.
StepsGet boxes from grocery stores (or other stores) rather than buying them. Don't disregard the value of large plastic trash bags - just be careful not to throw them out!! Choose boxes in sizes that will be easy for one person to carry, just in case you find yourself moving most of it on your own. Start the moving process as soon as you can find time to. The more unessential items you can pack as early on as possible, the less you'll have to worry about when it gets down to the wire. Make sure that you wrap breakable items (dishes, knick-knacks, pictures, et cetera) in old newspaper, towels, bedsheets, even clothing. If you have a lot of books, pack a few in many boxes, rather than all in a few. Label your boxes as you pack - kitchen, living room, bath, etc. Also make a list of contents on each box, to make it easier to find certain things when unpacking. This will save you loads of time and grief when you arrive at your new place (and label BREAKABLES as such so your movers will know to be careful--hopefully they will be). Color-coding can be a good idea too. Just get colored stickers, and slap a red one on the box for kitchen, blue for bedroom, green for living room, etc. After you have securely packed all of your belongings... now you face the decision of hiring movers, and finding out who your real friends are or being a real friend (and saving $$$) and doing as much of it on your own as you can! (if you CAN afford it, hire a reputable, insured moving service listed with the BBB for the heavy stuff and transporting it all) (*save $ by doing your own packing!) GOOD LUCK & GET MOVING!!
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Rethink Your Rental
Rethink Your RentalMake a rental space your own on a modest budget by creatively updating your current wares and adding a few new items to the bunch. Check our tips and inspiration below.Living RoomThink of your apartment as your own -- ask your landlord for permission to paint (offer to repaint when you leave), hang plenty of art, and install draperies. If wall color is off-limits, rethink the furnishings. Use large pieces, even in small spaces, to create interest in place of paint. Trying changing the shape of the room by placing a room divider in a corner -- it allows the eye to flow evenly across the room rather than interrupt it with abrupt corners.Apple green is stylish without being too trendy. Pair it with a neutral brown sofa -- this custom design boasts clean lines and didn't cost much more than a retail sofa. A $99 IKEA coffee table makes a modern statement (and adds precious storage) in the small space.It's the little things that make a white-box rental a home, such as adding graphic accent pillows for the couch and a rug to cover up standard apartment flooring. Even something as simple as placing a table lamp on top of a stack of books sends the message that the space belongs to you, not your landlord. If your living room must double as a home office, don't let the work space overpower the room. Opt for spacious filing cabinets topped with an inexpensive sheet of melamine for lots of storage space and minimal impact on the rest of the room. The lamp is a $10.95 thrift store find with a new shade.Looking for another deal? These floor-to-ceiling drapery panels are sewn from silk shantung found online for only $11 a yard.Keep office supplies from taking over your work area by storing them on a vintage tray. Adding personal trinkets affords you a moment's distraction while checking e-mail or paying bills.For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.
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