So you're ready to take a big step moving into your first apartment in one of our Springs luxury communities. It's time to move up from dorm room decor, but it doesn't mean you need a big budget to create your own style.Here are some tips from members of our Springs on-site management teams, who have welcomed residents with a wide range of personal styles. Use these ideas to design your own individual look. 1. Function Before Form You may have your eye on those Martha Stewart 360-thread count sheets, but they won't do much good without a bed to put them on. Focus on furniture and other necessary items that will set the overall tone of your style, then you can begin filling in with artwork and other accessories. 2. Take Your Time Dealing with the must-have furnishings first gives you time to shop around for other items. You might feel efficient by staging a blitz attack at Ikea or Pier 1, but the faster you finish shopping, the more time you have for second thoughts. Don't compromise your wishes just for the sake of getting it done. In the end, you'll be glad you took the time. 3. Thrift Shops and Resale Stores are Your Friends As people become more accustomed to recycling and repurposing, thrift shops and resale stores have become great resources for quality items at bargain prices. Create a trendy retro or shabby-chic look, or customize a piece with a little DIY magic. 4. Think Multitasking Your decorating dollar will go further if you invest in some pieces that serve more than one purpose. For instance, you can find several items like benches and ottomans that provide hidden storage as well as seating. 5. Lighting Makes a Big Difference You're no longer stuck with those harsh overhead fluorescent light fixtures. Lamps are nice decorating pieces in and of themselves, plus light is an effective way to create an ambiance. Options include table lamps, floor lamps, lights with dimmer switches, string lights and colored light bulbs. 6. Don't Go Overboard with ColorAfter the sterile confines of a dorm room, you may be just itching to surround yourself with color. You know how awkward it looks when your outfit includes clashing colors? The effect is multiplied tenfold when it involves furnishings. Stick to neutral shades for your furniture and larger items, then use accessories to add pops of color. 7. Use an Online "Decorator"Technology puts an infinite number of resources literally at your fingertips. Sites like Pinterest and Apartment Therapy are full of design inspiration and clever solutions to decorating problems.What one item do you wish you had included in your first apartment? Tell us about it in the comments!
You found the apartment of your dreams; now comes the fun part – or the anxiety-inducing challenge, depending on how you look at it. Many people struggle with how to arrange furniture, add color (but not too much), accessorize properly and create a space that facilitates entertaining. So, we’ve gathered some tips from professional decorators to help you turn your apartment into a warm, welcoming home that reflects your unique tastes and style:
Introduce color by using accessories. You may be tempted to buy a chair with a lively tropical print, a sofa covered in a neon green fabric or an entertainment center finished in cinnamon-red lacquer. But you’ll extend the life of your furniture if you limit the color of your larger pieces to solid “background” hues (brown, tan, gray, etc.) and use accessories to add that pop of color you want in the room. Pillows, pottery, artwork and throws can add the bold statement you’re looking for and keep you from having to buy new furniture when you get tired of a print or trendy color.
Hang appropriately sized pictures at eye level. One of the biggest mistakes people make when hanging art is to position it too high on the wall. Hang pictures at eye level (the average adult is about 5’ 6” tall) and make sure the size of the piece you’re hanging isn’t too big or too small for the space. A tiny picture hanging alone on a large span of wall looks unbalanced and “floaty,” and those too big for the wall overwhelm a room. It’s also best to “anchor” your picture (or group of pictures) by placing it above a piece of furniture, like a sofa, a hall table, or a chair and end table.
Keep the clutter at bay. The principal of “less is more” certainly applies to decorating. Lots of small objects and knick-knacks clutter your space and distract the eye. Choose a few of your favorite pieces and use them to accent and enhance areas throughout your apartment, but keep the majority of your odds and ends out of sight rather than out on tables or shelves.
Think of every area as its own little project. Don’t try to decorate your apartment as a single entity, though you do want it to be consistent in its overall feel (contemporary or traditional or Southwest, etc.). Every different living space – your living room, kitchen, eating area, hallway, bedrooms and entry – should be considered and decorated separately. When you decorate by looking at the whole instead of room by room, you won’t have the mindset needed to create purposefully arranged and decorated spaces and instead dilute the impact of each.
Don’t overwhelm your space with large furniture. Apartment residents occasionally make the mistake of putting big, overstuffed sectional seating areas in a space that’s better suited to a “normal” sofa and loveseat or chair. Large furnishings eat up too much space and make it tough to decorate around. Worried about having enough seating? Remember that when entertaining, most people are happy to pull in a chair from another room, sit on comfy pillows or extend the gathering to the patio or balcony.
Buy what you like – it’ll work. Don’t worry about upholstery fabrics coordinating, artwork colors being exact matches, or wood having the same stain color. Choose pieces you like and, chances are, they’ll work very nicely together. Typically people don’t like both Victorian-era draperies and sleek, modern lines of Italian furniture, for example, so if you stick with what speaks to you, it will all look good together. Decorating is first and foremost an expression of you, so go ahead and show people what you’re all about!
Lighting. The proper amount of lighting is key to creating cozy reading areas and comfortable conversation spaces. Place table lamps or floor lamps wherever you have places to sit. A small countertop lamp is a nice touch in a kitchen when you don’t want overheads on, too, but make sure it’s plugged in far from the faucet in a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet and in a spot where it won’t get knocked over.
It doesn’t take special talents to decorate an apartment. It’s all about showcasing and arranging the things you love and being smart about your budget by investing in the things you’ll have for years and spending less on those things that might turn out to be short-term style trends.
There are a number of holidays just around the corner (you can’t deny it any longer – summer is over!) and that means it’s nearly time to get your apartment dressed up for the season. Springs Apartments has your decorating needs covered, with simple ideas to help make your end-of-year holidays a little more festive. All our ideas are budget-friendly, simple to do (they require little or no creative or crafting ability), and take very little time to put together.Pumpkin VasePick up a pumpkin at your local grocery store, cut out a top (just as you do when making a jack-o-lantern), and clean out the inside. Now use the pumpkin like a vase, filling partially with water (make sure to move the pumpkin to its final destination before adding water, and place on a plate to avoid water marks on your furniture), and adding a bunch of cut fall flowers or a potted mum. You can also buy mini pumpkins (about the size of a grapefruit) and similarly cut and core each and drop in a votive candle. Sprinkle the inside of the pumpkin with cinnamon before adding the candle and your apartment will smell like pie!Holiday-themed “Candlescapes”Candles lend a festive touch to your apartment when you add color-coordinated trinkets around the base. In fall, add pinecones, brightly colored artificial leaves (don’t use real leaves if you’re using a real candle) and mini pumpkins. In winter, add red and green wrapped mints or candy canes and some glittery artificial snowflakes to catch the light. Candles are available in just about any color you can imagine, so pick a variety for fall holidays as well as winter. Selecting a battery-operated candle eliminates wax dripping and the risk of fire and now come with a realistic “flicker.”Mason® Jar CollectionsMason jars – old-fashioned glass canning jars – are great for showcasing fall- or winter-themed elements. In fall, fill them with acorns, small artificial pumpkins and candy corn; wrap an orange ribbon around the neck. You could also drop a battery-operated candle and colorful leaves in the jar for a warm glow. In winter, fill a large Mason jar to the top with red, green, and silver ornaments and top with a pre-made bow, or fill multiple jars with different colorful holiday candy assortments and use them together as a centerpiece; place a scented votive candle on the top of each.Holiday SprayA spray is essentially a bunch of greenery or branches tied together at the top or center, mounted on a door or above a doorframe. Go to your local park or natural trail and find fallen branches that still have leaves, or go to a garden center or hobby store and buy real or artificial pine branches; take 4 or 5 and point them in one direction, then take an equal number and point them in the opposite direction, overlapping stem ends with the other bunch. Take wire or twist ties and, in at least two spots, bind the two bunches together. Now, find something to put in the center to cover the stems. For fall it might be artificial mini pumpkins; for winter it might be a felt snowman or a small empty box wrapped in shiny gift wrap. Hot glue the item onto the branches. Create a wire “hook” and attach to the back of the spray so you can hang this on your door, either on the outside to greet visitors or inside to add cheer inside!Colored LightsLight sets are available at home centers and hobby stores in a variety of colors and color combinations – even black and orange for Halloween; they come in plug-in and battery-operated styles. Drape a set over your windows (attach using a removable product, like Command® strips), over doorframes or even just as a “pile” in the center of a table, dotted with colored ornaments. You can also dress up your light strings with non-flammable ribbons and lightweight ornaments.Home AccentsOne of the simplest ways to dress up your apartment without having to do any work is to put out holiday-themed accessories, like a welcome mat, throw pillows, guest towels, and placemats and napkins. You can also purchase inexpensive reusable plastic holiday dinnerware and paper cups for entertaining.Decorating your apartment for any holidays makes it feel more like home and lifts your spirits and those of your guests. Pick a few of these ideas to get your apartment in the spirit of the season, then take a picture – we’d love to see your home all decked out for the holidays!
Top decorators will tell you that a green plant or two will help your apartment feel more like home, give it a pop of color and soften angular lines with organic shapes. Studies by scientists at NASA and other institutions also suggest that houseplants can improve the quality of indoor air! That’s because plants absorb gases through pores on the surface of their leaves, including some bad ones, like carbon dioxide, benzene, and formaldehyde.Don’t have a green thumb? Don’t fret – we’ve rounded up a list of “can’t kill” houseplants that will add to your décor without adding much in the way of responsibility. Of course, when we say “can’t kill” we don’t mean that literally – they all need regular watering and a bit of sunlight!1. Jade plant The unique rounded, almost fat, leaves of a jade plant are filled with water, making these desert natives able to go dormant if they don’t get enough water.2. Prayer plantThe large leaves of the prayer plant feature a striking light and dark green pattern, making this houseplant an artistic addition to your apartment. Fun fact about the prayer plant: it’s leaves fold up at night, as though praying.3. Phalaenopsis orchidThis plant produces beautiful flowers, from white to deep, mottled purple, depending on the variety. Orchids, despite their reputation for being difficult, are actually quite content with a once-a-week watering. Best in humid climates. Image credit: Ikea4. PhilodendronPhilodendrons grow just about anywhere in any conditions. They’re not as flashy as the 3 plants listed above (in fact, some varieties are pretty boring), but they can take low light conditions and like to be somewhat dry, so caring for them won’t stress you out. Image credit: yourdictionary.com5. Mother-in-law’s tongueThis unique plant is seeing a revival (it was very popular in the 1950s and 1960s) because of its very vertical leaves, zebra-like pattern and low-maintenance needs. It’s native to the desert so it can stand being dry (i.e., forgotten about once in a while).6. Ghost plant This plant looks much like the jade plant but with smaller clustered leaves. It’s got beautiful silvery lavender-blue leaves and just asks for a bright spot and barely moist soil.7. ZZ plantThis plant makes a great room accent and practically thrives on neglect. It’ll forgive you for forgetting to water it, tolerates low light, and rarely needs to be fertilized.8. CactusThere’s no plant tougher than a cactus. Because of its ability to store water and nutrients, a cactus seldom needs watering and thrives on a warm, sunny spot on a table near a south-facing window.9. Dragon tree The dragon tree is a great roommate because it’s good-looking, and isn’t high maintenance. It’s only requirements? Sun and good drainage (keep it in a pot with holes in the bottom).10. Aloe Aloe is not only useful (you can use the gel contained in its leaves as a way to reduce the sting of a minor burn), but it’s attractive, too. As a plant native to the desert, aloe doesn’t require a lot of care other than to keep it barely moist and give it plenty of sunshine. Image credit: wikihowNot sure you’ll be a good plant parent? Select one of the plants listed above, follow its care instructions (most all plants come with care instructions), and see how it goes. Before you know it, that thumb will be green!
At a recent outing to my local bookstore, I found no fewer than 15 home design magazines on the shelf. Pick one up and it’ll tell you the latest trend is European-inspired minimalist; another will tell you Mid-century Modern is the be-all, end-all. How are you supposed to know where to turn as you make interior design decisions about your apartment home?We’ve scoured some resources and found a few immutable laws of design to help you out. Follow these basic “musts” and at the very least you can be sure you’re not making any big mistakes!1. Be Careful When Mixing Scale and Style (unless you know what you’re doing) A big overstuffed sofa looks really silly next to a dainty metal end table; a sleek contemporary entertainment center looks out-of-place next to chairs upholstered in country-ish quilty fabric. Think of the main pieces in your room as a family; you want them to get along nicely. You don’t want to get too “matchy matchy,” either, but in general the pieces should feel similar in style and weight. Some professional decorators can pull off mixing styles and scale, but it’s a skill and a talent most of us don’t have.2. Don’t Create a Sea of BeigeYour mother probably told you that beige and other earth tones go with everything and don’t offend anyone. That’s somewhat true but, on the other hand, they don’t make a statement, either. Too much beige is bland and boring. Find a color you love and incorporate it – either in lots of small ways, like accent pillows, or in a couple anchor pieces, like the sofa or two arm chairs.3. Don’t Go For “Safe”No one ever died because they bought a cow-skin ottoman (at least we don’t think so). Don’t be afraid to try new things; what matters most is that you really, really like the pieces you put in your home. If it still scares you to buy a floor lamp made out of an old gas pump, just make sure you don’t spend too much, and enjoy it for as long as you can.4. Don’t Dive Headfirst Into a TrendDuring the 1950s, bathroom faucets that looked like rockets were all the rage. If you saw one today (unless you’re a Midcentury Modern aficionado), you’d wonder what the heck people were thinking. Be aware of the relative newness of the style you’re buying and ask if you can see yourself still loving it in 10 years. If yes, buy it. If not, take a pass. 5. Don’t Buy It If You Don’t Love ItIf that sofa or cocktail table doesn’t grab you – if you have to convince yourself it could work – then the minute you get it home you’ll be disappointed every time you look at it. It might take you 3 months to find the right piece of furniture, but once you do, you’ll be happy you spent the time looking.6. Don’t Shy Away From Big-ticket ItemsIf you have some wiggle room in your monthly budget and you like the idea of beginning to accumulate nice furnishings, then make buying them part of your budget. A $650 bureau you love and will be with you for 20 years is a better investment than a $180 bureau that’s going to fall apart – or willingly get left behind in your next move.7. Don’t Forget The WallsYou have a lovely suite of living room furniture: sofa, chair, end tables, coffee table and lamps. But without something on the walls to tie into, your room is going to be very bottom heavy. You need to “attach” the items that are on your floor to the walls with pieces of art that feature colors complementary to those in your upholstery or accent pillows.8. Don’t Overdo Any One StyleSo you like weathered barn board, do you? Well, limit your collection to one or two pieces. Once you have multiple throughout the home it begins to feel like a showroom and forces you to tie everything else into those pieces. Plus, once you tire of barn board (and you will), you’ll be getting rid of half your belongings, not just one or two pieces.You don’t have to be a professional decorator to make your apartment a cozy, classy, comfortable space. Just stick to these tips and buy things you’re going to love being around for a long time, and you’re on the right track!Did we miss any design tips that you’ve relied on to create just the right ambiance in your apartment home? We’d love to hear what you have to say!
The holidays fill just about everyone with a sense of wonder and excitement. Some of us, though, are also filled with anxiety about entertaining, gift-shopping and wrapping, expenses and other unavoidable “joys” of the season. If you get a little overwhelmed heading into the holidays, we have some simple hacks that will save you time and money…so you can focus on being merry!ENTERTAININGFood. Cooking can ruin any host’s or hostess’s holiday; by the time guests arrive you’re ready for bed! Here are some celebration-worthy recipes that look and taste special but take next to no time at all – and require just 3 ingredients (courtesy of buzzfeed.com): Genius 3-Ingredient Recipes. Note: If you make the Nutella® Brownies, be prepared to share the recipe with guests!Serving pieces. Many apartment residents don’t have the variety of serving pieces to accommodate all the great food required of holiday gatherings. Everything from hors d’oeuvres to main dishes, sides and desserts can be served from a clean cutting board covered in colored plastic wrap, or a cookie sheet covered with colored aluminum foil (colored, food-safe foil is available at craft stores). A pretty framed mirror laid flat on the table works great, too, and adds a little sparkle by reflecting the light of candles.Centerpieces. Creating a dramatic centerpiece that reflects the festivity of the season doesn’t have to take much time. Try these simple, inexpensive ideas for dressing up your table:
Crisscross two burlap runners, one lengthwise and one width-wise, on your table (burlap is cheap and available at most craft stores); arrange battery-operated votive candles in wide-mouth stemmed wine glasses lengthwise on your table or in a circle if your table is round. Add a couple artificial pumpkins for Thanksgiving or an assortment of holiday ornaments and you’re set!
For a Hanukkah or Christmas table, arrange small boxes wrapped like gifts and a few small winter-themed figurines of different heights in the center of the table, along with a large battery-operated candle. Add sparkle by incorporating a thin strand of tinsel garland or scattering plastic “diamonds” around the candle
Set 4 or 5 tall wine glasses on the table; add a single pine sprig to each and one or two tiny ornaments
GIFT-GIVINGGift wrapping. Each year in the U.S., 4 million tons of logs are used to make wrapping paper and holiday shopping bags, according to the Clean Air Council. Instead of loading up our landfills, place gifts in containers that then also become a gift, like a decorative wicker basket or fabric-covered organizer box. If you can’t do without the sound of paper being ripped off gifts, Kraft paper is a cost-effective alternative you can easily dress up with a tinsel garland ribbon or holiday-themed Washi tape.Ribbons and bows. Instead of ribbon, tie packages with plain ol’ twine from the hardware store, or colored twine from a hobby store. Then attach pine greenery, twigs, pinecones, or an ornament.DECORATINGHoliday tree. Avoid the cost and hassle of a tree by purchasing some quality artificial pine greens (you’ll find a variety at your local craft store) and placing them in a heavy, wide-based vase to prevent tipping. Now decorate with small ornaments, a homemade construction paper garland and a string of indoor lights. Here’s another tree substitute that adds real drama and can be reused each year. Find an old window screen at a local salvage yard; after cleaning it thoroughly, attach ornaments by their hooks to the screen in the shape of a tree (use only lightweight ornaments). Now lean the finished tree up against the wall on a table (use felt self-sticking tabs on the back of the screen to avoid damage to the wall). Find instructions here. Tree skirt. The two ideas above require no tree skirt, but you’ll want one if you’re going to put up an artificial tree…but these can run you anywhere from $45 to over $100! Make a DIY version by wrapping a clean white sheet loosely around the base, then sprinkle liberally with silver snowflake sequins. Another inexpensive option is to look for clearance holiday tablecloths; square or round work best but oblong works, too. Cut a hole in the center, then cut a line from the circle directly to an outer edge, allowing you to wrap the skirt around the base of the tree.
They say “clothes make the man”… that people tend to judge others based on how they’re dressed. That might not be fair (especially when you’re in your grungiest sweats and run into an acquaintance at the grocery store), but that’s how it is. In the same way, people judge others on their homes – how they’re decorated, what types of items are showcased, and how well stocked they are with the basics of homemaking.When you have friends, family or coworkers over, what do they see? And what does it say about you?If the way your apartment looks and feels is a mirror to your personality, what might you do differently to make sure people get the most accurate picture of you? Here’s a tongue-in-cheek look at what your apartment home and its contents might suggest about you.A Well-Stocked BookshelfUnless your shelves are filled with lurid romance novels and slanderous biographies, people will see you as an intellectual…or at least as someone who enjoys learning and exploring. Besides, a collection of books on shelves makes a great focal point for any room. If you don’t have much in the way of a library yet, start by collecting some of the classics (you know: the ones you were supposed to read in high school) from your local bookstore, or make it simple and sign up to have popular and highly reviewed options delivered right to your door by Book of the Month Club.A Kitchen Worthy of A ChefPeople walking into a kitchen outfitted with all the latest gadgets, an assortment of cookbooks, and a refrigerator stocked with food and beverages will come to see you as a gourmet cook. But beware: they’re going to expect a meal at some point! If, on the other hand, you use a kitchen towel for an oven mitt, open beer bottles with your teeth and haul out a bag of stale chips when asked about appetizers, yours definitely won’t be the go-to spot for gatherings. If your kitchen isn’t quite ready for entertaining, stock up on the essentials at retailers like Williams-Sonoma or Chefs.Lots of Stuff/Junk/KnickknacksWhat do an empty wine crate, a broken lamp, old glass jars and your collection of wine corks have in common? They say “I’m a hoarder.” This kind of stuff clutters up an apartment and gives the place a really-needs-to-be-cleaned feel. Pick a few favorites and showcase those. The rest? Donate. Better yet, find something new to do with them on Babble, or try some of these upcycle ideas from Pinterest.An Enormous TVYour apartment might be the place to go when a big game is on, but if that big-screen TV takes up more than a quarter of your living room, you’re sending the message that lying on the couch is your favorite pastime; certainly no one is going to mistake you for the adventurous outdoors type. Maybe all you need to make your TV less intrusive is an entertainment center that makes it feel more like a piece of furniture and less like a Jumbotron®. Here are a few economical choices.Family PhotosAwww…pictures of your mom and dad? That’s a nice touch that tells people you’re invested in family and work to build relationships (an especially good signal to send if you’re a single person looking for a soulmate). There are plenty of ways to showcase photos beyond a frame perched on the end table. Try a few of these great ways to display them.Travel MementosIf you’ve got a couple matchbook covers from your trip to California, a woven bowl from Mexico and a beer stein from Munich, display them! It tells people you’re eager to learn about and experience other cultures. Here are some interesting ways to display all your stuff.PlantsPlants, like pets, tell people you’re responsible and nurturing. Read our previous post about the houseplants you just can’t kill so you don’t have to resort to fake ones.ArtworkUnless they’re Elvis-on-velvet or dogs playing poker, artwork tells people that you’re cultured…that you value artistic talent, and that you can make emotional or intellectual connections with imagery. If you don’t currently have much hanging on your walls, try sites like posters.com where you can get inexpensive reproductions of everyone from Dali to Van Gogh, as well as the work of little-known artists.Not only does your apartment say something to others, but it can affect your mood and outlook. The right atmosphere can turn your apartment into a relaxing respite from everyday stress, and the place where you feel you’re at your very best. Try some of these tips to create a space that says something wonderful about you!
Few activities are more satisfying than creating a living space that reflects your unique personality. Our Springs apartment homes accommodate a wide variety of decorating styles, so they provide a perfect backdrop to showcase your creativity and flair.Maybe you have clear ideas about designs that you like, but you're unsure of how to go about executing them. Perhaps your tastes run across a variety of styles and you want to know how to blend them together harmoniously. Whatever your decorating question is, chances are that someone has found an answer to it.Decorating books that focus on apartment living are a valuable resource to help you fulfill your vision. You can take advantage of the know-how of design experts and browse pictures that give you a visual guide. Here is a guide to some of the best titles on bookstore shelves.
First published in 1896, House Beautiful has been the gold standard for interior decorating ideas and tips. The Apartment Book: Smart Decorating for Any Room is their classic guide that is periodically updated to keep pace with current trends. Each room gets its own section showing appropriate techniques and tips.
Noted designers such as Jonathan Adler and Kelly Wearstler give you the benefit of their experience in Decorate: 1,000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home. This book offers the answer to any question you have and many that you haven't even thought of.
Popular decor magazine Domino is the basis for The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy. The book includes a helpful review of budget, function and other vital considerations to answer before starting your plan.
Domino is also the genesis for The Perfectly Imperfect Home. Author Deborah Needleman was its founding editor-in-chief and has since gone on to the same position at the New York Times Style Magazine. Her book offers humorous but knowledgeable ideas for creating a stylish decor that looks like a home, not a museum.
Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions is from the people who created the popular website that draws more than three million viewers per month. The book follows the same format of showing pictures and giving how-to steps for hundreds of real-life decorating ideas.
These books will give you plenty of material to jump-start your own creative juices. Have fun designing a home that is unlike any other because it showcases your individuality!
Thanks to the Internet, you now have more robust resources for buying and selling secondhand items than shoppers' gazettes or grocery store bulletin boards. One of the more familiar and frequently used options is Craigslist. This site features community-specific classified, personal and help-wanted ads along with information about local groups and events.With spring cleaning on the horizon, this is a good time to sell that old dresser or find a bargain on a new coffee table. These tips from experienced Craigslist users will have you buying and selling like a pro.BUYING
When viewing a category, select the "Thumb" or "Gallery" view. This saves you from endlessly clicking individual listings to see the actual item.
Broaden your search to include synonyms or related terms for the item you want. For instance, if you're looking for a dresser, try "chest", "armoire", or even the generic "wood furniture". You never know what language a seller will use in his listing.
On your first email to the seller, keep it simple. Ask if the item is still available and confirm that you will be paying cash. (With rare exceptions, Craigslist is a cash-only operation.) If the ad is still open, you can ask direct questions regarding size, color and other features. A vague request for "more information" will likely be ignored.
No price is final, even if it's specified in the ad. Don't be afraid to bargain, especially if you've done your homework and determined an average range of prices.
Whenever possible, arrange to meet in a public place. If you're shopping for large items and you have to go to a specific location, always take a companion and have your cell phone with you.
Take time to thoroughly examine the item. Craigslist is not Nordstrom, where returns are cheerfully accepted. All sales are final.
Keep in mind, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
SELLING
Make your ad as descriptive as possible. Not only does it help potential buyers get an accurate sense of your item, it keeps you from wasting time with people just looking to kick the tires.
While your goal is to sell the item, don't try to hide any damage or imperfections. No one is expecting products in mint condition, and they will tend to trust you more for your honesty.
Many people won't even consider ads without pictures included. Use them to document negative features as well as highlight positive ones.
Other sellers often overprice their items to leave room for negotiation, so you can price yours slightly belowto be competitive while still getting market value.
Cash is king. If a buyer offers to pay with check, credit card or anything other than cash, end the discussion immediately. Never hold an item for a promise to buy.
With some careful buying and selling, you can welcome spring with a whole new look at your home in Springs Apartments. What's the best find you have made shopping online?
When it comes to furnishing and decorating your home in Springs Apartments, do you identify with the saying, "champagne taste on a beer budget"? You may have resigned yourself to shopping at resale stores or modestly priced outlets, thinking quality pieces were out of your reach. While you can certainly make some unique finds there, the Internet puts a variety of bargain furnishing resources at your fingertips.Check out some of these popular online sites whether you're in the process of creating a new decor or you want to get ideas for future design projects.1. One Kings LaneYou may have seen blurbs for this five-year-old site pop up in your Facebook news feed. One Kings Lane is one of a number of flash-sale sites that feature specific items available for a limited time. Vintage lovers will go wild for the items curated by a team of merchants with academic and professional backgrounds in vintage and antiques. Their blog is also a good source of design ideas, such as a recent entry that revealed the secrets of one woman's chic but kid-friendly home.2. Overstock.comEstablished in 1999, Overstock.com is one of the pioneers of online retailing. The site has recently expanded to include new merchandise, but it originally made its name as a place to purchase surplus and returned merchandise at below-wholesale prices. In addition to home furnishings you can shop for electronics, jewelry, and health and beauty aids. All orders over $50 receive free shipping.3. Wayfair.comChances are you've heard Wayfair.com's catchy jingle a time or two. They carry furniture and accessories from more than 5,000 brands including Howard Miller, Simmons and Pfaltzgraff along with designer names like Kathy Ireland, Rachael Ray and Tommy Bahama. Limited-time themed sales such as "Seaside Style" and "Industrial Chic Entryway Essentials" feature price tags up to 70 percent off. Orders over $49 ship for free and the cost for non-qualifying orders is only $4.99.4. Cost Plus World MarketTrue to its name, Cost Plus World Market stocks an eclectic mix of unique furniture and decor accessories with a global focus. Their CRAFT boutique features limited-edition handmade items that are available if a specified number of shoppers pre-order by a certain date. Recent offerings include a floral medallion wool throw from India and a "Tree of Life" decorative serving platter from Turkey.5. Home Decorators CollectionThe Home Decorators Collection website is an offshoot of the Georgia-based company's retail stores. Thanks to strong relationships with a number of manufacturers both domestic and foreign, they buy in volume and the savings get passed on to you. Find brand names like Martha Stewart Living in their outlet section at prices up to 50 percent off.
Do you have an instinctive knack for creating stylish decors in your Springs Apartments home? Or are you all thumbs when it comes to interior design? Whichever side of the fence you fall on, there are several apartment decorating books on the market to provide help and inspiration. Here are some great resources to have on hand whenever the design bug bites. The New Apartment Book: Inspiring Ideas and Practical Projects for Decorating Your Home Author Michele Michael does more than simply offer pictures of beautifully decorated rooms. She provides a solid base for developing your own style with discussions of function, color and other elements along with budget and time considerations. You'll also get helpful "tricks of the trade" used by professional home decorators. Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure Does the idea of decorating overwhelm you? Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, frequent contributor to HGTV, outlines practical strategies to develop a workable game plan. Tips include a questionnaire to zero in on your personal taste and identify specific issues in your home as well as a regular maintenance schedule for your home's "ongoing health." The First Apartment Book: Cool Designs for Small Spaces You don't have to be living in your first apartment to benefit from the ideas in this inventive guide. Designer Kyle Schuneman includes 30 DIY projects like no-sew pillows along with tips for personalizing your style based on your passions. He also gives resources for all items shown in the book and lists the must-have contents of every apartment dweller's tool box. Apartment FENG SHUI The ancient Chinese art of feng shui has gained popularity in the modern world as a way of creating balance and harmony through design. This is a perfect primer if you want to explore the idea of feng shui and learn how it might benefit your home. It gives a history of the practice, the five elements of feng shui, and specific room-by-room tips. Fifth Avenue Style: A Designer's New York Apartment You may not think you would find anything of practical use in a book centered on an upscale Manhattan apartment. While opening up his legendary home for display, noted designer Howard Slatkin shares his methods of making any space comfortable and stylish. Ideas range from furniture floor plans to decorative use of family photos and other personal collections.
Creating your own decor items and accessories is the most effective way to personalize your Springs Apartments home. You don't have to worry about a piece coming in the wrong color or wrong size, and the finished product is one-of-a-kind. We've put together a list of some of the hottest DIY blogs around. Not a crafter? Check them out anyway. You just might surprise yourself!Vintage RevivalsNovice DIYers can take heart from the story of Mandi Gubler, a stay-at-home-mom who had zero experience with crafting until she started her blog. Today she's gained a following as a "fearless" decorator who isn't afraid to take on any project. Topics that she has tackled range from creating a leather journal to reupholstering a sofa. For the MakersLooking for a natural face scrub or some jazzy cocktail stirrers for your next party? For the Makers can show you how to make these items and other health and beauty products, jewelry, home decor accessories and much more. Projects are categorized into thematic collections so you can mix and match looks.Dream Green DIYGiving new life to outdated items is an eco-friendly way to get a fresh look. Carrie Waller takes you through the steps of renovating tables, chairs, headboards and hutches. You will also find tips on creating shelving, arranging flowers and making your own photo frames and picture magnets.Damask LoveDon't let the name fool you. This is not a sewing-centric blog. It grew out of Amber Kemp-Gerstel's love of card-making and stamping and now encompasses DIY entertaining, home decor projects and recipes. Recent posts include how-tos for stenciled coffee mugs, canvas tote bags and desktop planters.Smile and WaveThis blog's motto sums it up perfectly: "Vintage, Home Decor and Big Messes." As a military wife with three kids and a dog, Rachel Denbow is well-acquainted with all three. Along with entries about DIY projects and lifestyle tips, Rachel offers a selection of e-courses on topics like scrapbooking and journaling.Art BarLet your kids in on the DIY fun with this blog that helps youngsters nurture their creativity. Barbara Rucci is a working artist and teacher who believes that every child is born with an artistic sensibility needing care and feeding to stay with them into adulthood. Kids will have a blast with her colorful projects like paper mâché ice cream sundaes and washi tape leaves.
Patios and balconies are luxury features that let you enjoy the advantages of being outdoors without any of the upkeep. People are often content to just put a couple of lawn chairs out and call it good, but it takes only a bit of imagination and planning to turn your patio or balcony into your personal retreat.We'll get you started with these suggestions for decorating the patio or balcony at your Springs Apartments home. Select the ones that mesh with your style, or use them to get your creative juices flowing!Start From the BottomThe impact of a beautiful floor is sometimes overlooked, but placing a ground cover on your balcony or patio makes it feel like an extension of the interior. Interlocking deck tiles are attractive, durable and easy to clean. If you love color and patterns, get an inexpensive tablecloth and coat both sides with polyurethane for a customized area rug.Choose the FurnishingsWouldn't it be nice to have a relaxing area where you can enjoy your morning coffee or settle in with a good book and a cold beverage?
A round table with two café chairs is a charming way to play on the open-air ambiance.
Don't feel obligated to purchase new furniture. Pieces like Adirondack chairs picked up at a resale shop can be personalized with just a little TLC.
A narrow bench with hidden storage is a great multitasking piece. It serves as additional seating or a plant stand and you can keep a throw, a couple of pillows or other items inside.
Experiment with different arrangements. For instance, you can place your seating against the railing if you want a roomier feel.
For truly unique furnishings, go with DIY pieces like this rustic cocktail table made from discarded pallets.
Bring the GreenPlants are the perfect accessories to bring another touch of nature to your balcony or patio. A big plus is the infinite variety of containers available to accommodate a multitude of styles.
Think vertical to save valuable floor space. This inventive pallet garden rests against a wall, holding lots of plants while taking up minimal horizontal space.
Add depth and visual interest by staggering the heights of your plants.
For a simple but functional plant stand, use tiers of wooden planks separated by cinder blocks.
A balcony railing makes a great home for plants with containers like these unusual styles.
Enhance your dinner table with fruits, vegetables and herbs grown right outside on your balcony or patio.
As a Springs Apartments resident, keep your ears open for our occasional patio decorating contest. You may have a chance for bragging right, and maybe some great prizes!
When you plan the decor in your Springs Apartments home, does your attention go much below eye level? Area rugs are a stylish way to add comfort and warmth while defining different areas. Use these helpful guidelines to solve tricky issues including size, shape and placement.Bigger is (Almost) Always BetterThe bathroom is a place for smaller rugs that can double as bath mats. When you place an area rug in a living room, bedroom or dining area, it should be the focal point that anchors the entire space. A handy rule of thumb is to select a rug two feet shorter than the shortest wall in the room.
In a dining area, the rug should be large enough to encompass the furniture and extend far enough beyond the seating to avoid catching a chair leg when moving away from the table.
For the living room, choose one that extends underneath the front set of couch and chair legs. This tricks the eye into seeing the rug run indefinitely, making the space appear larger.
A bedroom area rug should be placed under the bottom two-thirds of the bed at right angles, allowing sufficient room for you to be able to place your feet on it when getting up in the morning.
If you're using an area rug to create a space like a reading nook or office, it should be large enough to accommodate all the corresponding furniture pieces.
Pattern or Solid?Don't be afraid of patterns, even if you already have other patterned pieces. Just make sure the patterns are different sizes so they complement each other rather than fight for attention. If the rug has a central design or asymmetric pattern, be careful that the main features are not covered up by furniture.Don't Forget About TextureIt's easy to get caught up in thoughts of size, shape and color or pattern while overlooking the matter of texture. Contrasting textures add depth and interest to a room. For instance, if your living room furniture is upholstered in soft fabrics, an area rug in a natural fiber such as sisal or jute would be a good choice.Think Outside the BoxYou're not restricted to a single area rug. Maybe you have an area where two rugs would be better. Layering is another attractive option. Try a round rug on a rectangular one, or use a second rectangular rug placed at an angle.
So you're ready to take a big step moving into your first apartment in one of our Springs luxury communities. It's time to move up from dorm room decor, but it doesn't mean you need a big budget to create your own style.Here are some tips from members of our Springs on-site management teams, who have welcomed residents with a wide range of personal styles. Use these ideas to design your own individual look.
Creating your own decor items and accessories is the most effective way to personalize your Springs Apartments home. You don't have to worry about a piece coming in the wrong color or wrong size, and the finished product is one-of-a-kind. We've put together a list of some of the hottest DIY blogs around. Not a crafter? Check them out anyway. You just might surprise yourself!
