Revive Your Bed and Bath with These Simple Changes

A little home refresh can go a long way. If you’re feeling uninspired with your bed and bath, you’re not feeling a sense of tranquility or peace, and you don’t look forward to the sweet oasis at the end of your day, then it’s a wonderful time to do a little update. Sprucing up your bed and bath doesn’t mean a full remodel. All it means is bringing some new life to the rooms by making little changes here and there. Here are some ideas to get you started on your refresh:

 

Operation Declutter

Before you bring in the new, take an assessment of what you have, what you need and what you can get rid of. As Verywell Mind explains, clutter can cause stress. If that’s not tackled first, it can cause you to become overwhelmed and block your vision for creating a welcoming and relaxing space. Declutter by removing any and all items that you don’t use, don’t need, or are broken.

 

Apartments in New York tend to be limited on storage space. If there are items you don’t need or use but you can’t bear to part with them, they don’t need to be hanging around and getting in the way. Just rent a storage unit, but to avoid the high storage unit costs you can encounter in New York, spend some time searching for deals. For example, SelfStorage notes Manhattan Mini Storage (Lower East Side, South St.) offers a 20% discount for the first five months with a five-month lease agreement. In addition to this great deal, you also get free moving services when you reserve online.

 

Simple, Significant Updates

You don’t need all new furniture, paint, flooring, and fixtures to make a bedroom or bathroom look refreshed. Simply updating bed linens can make the bedroom feel brand-new, lighten the space, and create warmth where it was missing. Soft color schemes, neutrals mixed with color, added texture, and layering in bed linens will provide a welcoming space at the end of the day.

 

A dull bathroom is uninviting. Why would you want an uninviting bathroom when you start and end your day by getting ready in there? If you find your bathroom is in need of a refresh, consider updating the following:

  • Lighting
  • Color of towels
  • Softness of towels
  • Shelves
  • Hooks
  • Soaps

 

A Spark of Pizzazz

Any space can be transformed by adding some new art and decor. If the room is missing a touch of natural elements, color or creativity, consider these tips:

  • Bring in some fresh or faux plants or flowers.
  • Introduce some art you love.
  • Add mirrors to open up space.
  • Use wood pieces as accents to tabletops or shelves.
  • Swap out lamp shades.
  • Transform the bed with new decorative pillows.
  • Add some new seating to a corner of the bedroom or to the vanity in the bathroom.
  • Incorporate various textures and shapes.
  • Highlight antique pieces that are personal.

 

Change of Paint

An inexpensive, easy update to any room is a simple change in the wall color. Many landlords will let you paint, so long as you return the walls to the original color upon moving out; or if they like what the color choice does to the rental space, they may ask you to leave it. Bedrooms and bathrooms can automatically be made into a relaxing, welcoming space by painting the walls a shade of green, blue, or gray. Dark spaces can be made light and large spaces can be made cozy with one simple can of paint.

 

A full remodel is not necessary to revive your bed and bath. Start by decluttering and storing items you don’t need. Then, add in new linens, lighting, accents, art, and decor. If you want an easy but drastic change, consider changing the wall colors. In no time, you will be relaxing in your revamped bed and bath.

 

Image via Unsplash

Written by: Erin Reynolds of diymama.net | erin@diymama.net

For: Metropolis Apartments | Contact us for for all your real estate needs | info@metropolisapts.com

The Stratford

The Stratford, a luxury, residential building on York Ave in the Upper East Side.

The Stratford has spacious, sunny 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments available. All of the apartments have high floors, and great views of the East River.
The kitchens feature brand new appliances and granite countertops. You will have Marbled stone bathrooms. This building offer luxurious living with its superb white glove service for a great price on the Upper East Side.

The bedrooms are king sized and features ample closet space and some with walk in closets.

The building features a roof top, outdoor swimming pool with separate children’s pool. There are individual men and women’s Saunas available.

 

 

Elegant Lobby with attentive 24-hour doorman and white glove service.

 

Fitness Center: Complimentary and fully equipped.

 

There’s a landscaped garden and recreational lounge with great views of the City. You can book private parties at the Stratford to entertain your guest.

The other amenities include:

  • 24-hour attended garage
  • Windowed laundry facility with air conditioning
  • Valet and maid service

No Fee units are available at the Stratford.

Metropolis Apartments | Contact us for for all your real estate needs.

6 Reasons Why You Need a Buyer Broker Representative in New York City

6 Reasons Why You Need a Buyer Broker Representative in New York City

Buying a home, condominium, townhouse, or co-op in New York City can be far more challenging than buying a property elsewhere in the United States. The neighborhoods in NYC were established a century ago and have their own unique stamps on the landscape. Hiring a buyer broker representative or buyer’s agent can shorten your search for the right home in NYC. The legal hoops to jump through and the municipal bureaucracy can make buying a home in NYC an exhaustive process without the help of a buyer’s agent.

1.  Local Expert

A buyer’s agent has thorough knowledge of the neighborhoods in the five boroughs of Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. The agent will know about availability, comps, and comparable market values. Want to know which neighborhood is best for families? How about the neighborhood closest to the most popular restaurants and social scenes for singles? The buyer’s agent will be able to tell you all of this and more.

2.  Buyer’s Advocate

When you hire a buyer’s agent, that person is on your side from day one until closing. They work on your behalf, not the seller’s. It’s important to have an agent on your side to advocate for your best interests. This most likely is one of the biggest financial investments of your lifetime, so you would not want to go it alone.

 

Real estate negotiation is an art in and of itself. Trying to negotiate the purchase of a home on your own can cost you thousands of dollars in lost profits. If you’re concerned about paying a buyer agent’s commission, not to worry. The buyer does not pay the buyer’s agent commission, so their services are free to you. The seller’s agent pays the buyer agent’s commission.

3.  Financing Options

A buyer’s agent is aware of all the financing options available in New York City, so they can help you decide what type of mortgage is best or direct you to the best mortgage experts in the city.

4.  Comps

A buyer’s agent should be able to “show you the comps.” Comps is short for comparable sales. It refers to properties similar in size and amenities located in the same neighborhood and seeing how they compare in price with the home you wish to buy. This helps when planning a bid for the house. You wouldn’t want to overbid and lose the home to another buyer.

5.  An Eye for Trouble

A buyer broker representative or buyer’s agent has an eye for spotting problems. Your buyer’s agent has seen many problems occur in the purchasing of homes, so they want to save you from buying a home riddled with future repairs.

Many properties in NYC date back to the 1800s. These antique properties are treasures, but they can also harbor costly and even deadly problems such as asbestos, lead paint, broken sills and foundations. Also, electrical systems from the old days sometimes are unable to work with the new technologies of today. Old knob and tube wiring in old homes can create problems when trying to obtain homeowners insurance. You would not be aware of that if you didn’t have a buyer’s agent to warn you. Buyer’s agents save their clients thousands every day. Other problems that can be spotted by the buyer’s agent are: ungrounded outlets, lack of energy efficiency, pests, roof issues, and potential mold issues.

 

A buyer’s agent should attend the home inspection and take notes. If they don’t, then you need a new one. METROPOLIS APARTMENTS’ agents always attend the home inspection and ask plenty of questions so there aren’t any hidden maintenance surprises for the buyer.

6.  Real Estate Contracts

Real estate contracts can be complex and full of surprises if you are unfamiliar with them. A buyer’s agent knows all about real estate contracts and can recognize problems or issues that may burden the buyer. Contingencies such as a purchase offer as well as important deadlines need to be considered before signing a real estate contract. Your buyer’s agent should have extensive knowledge of these.

 

METROPOLIS APARTMENTS has a team of buyer’s agents well-versed in real estate contract law. We can answer any questions you may have about real estate contracts and the home buying process.

 

Whichever agency you choose, always ask who the agent represents. They must by law have you sign a disclosure form, confirming that you know who they represent in the real estate process (buyer or seller). You will want a buyer’s agent who represents you exclusively, not both you and the seller. That is called dual agency where the agent represents both parties, which is not in the best interest of the buyer.

 

This is the largest investment you’ll make in your lifetime, so why try to handle it alone? A buyer’s agent will be your advocate and can filter the emotional aspects out of the process for you. Often buyers get caught up in the dream of buying a specific type of property and then overlook problems in the home’s structure or in the contract. A buyer’s agent can help you in all aspects of the real estate transaction, and best of all their services are free of charge. The seller pays the commission for both the buyer’s agent and listing agent.

 

METROPOLIS APARTMENTS can help you every step of the way and negotiate the purchase of your next home in New York City. Email us at info@metropolisapts.com to start your home search.

 

 

Buyer Broker in New York City

Claridge House

Claridge House is a full service residential building on the Upper East Side.

The building features a Swimming Pool, 24 hour doorman service, and a beautiful lobby. It’s just around the corner from Whole Foods and blocks from Central Park. The Upper East Side neighborhood is so lively with access to many restaurants, retails shops and more; the Claridge House is in a great location.

The apartments get great sunlight and have great views. Hardwood floors, spacious living rooms and large windows are some of the apartment features you will find.  The kitchens have high end stainless steeel appliances, granite counter tops and either Modern white or Maple Cabinetry.

Some of the other amenities at Claridge House include a roof deck, laundry, health club, valet service and parking.

 

 

TRANSIT INFORMATION

86 St (0.10 miles)
86 St (0.15 miles)
96 St (0.41 miles)
96 St (0.44 miles)

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking to rent an apartment at the Claridge House for No Broker Fee.

115 EAST 92ND ST