Apartment Aesthetics: Renovations for Apartment Dwellers

Apartment Aesthetics: Renovations for Apartment Dwellers

There are plenty of advantages to apartment living. It’s less expensive, there are few if any expensive home maintenance concerns, and you’re free to move elsewhere at the end of your lease. That said, you sacrifice certain things for that flexibility. You can decorate and renovate to an extent, but it’s not your space to do with as you please. There are restrictions based on the terms of your lease, and breaking them may cost you dearly or, at worst, get you evicted. It may take some research into the details of your lease agreement and possibly a little negotiating with your landlord, but in many cases, you can affordably and easily make changes that will put your special mark on an otherwise humdrum space.

Painting

Painting is the most basic and simplest renovation for apartment dwellers. Some rental companies have restrictions concerning colors or whether you’re allowed to paint at all. A landlord may withhold your security deposit or levy a fee per wall if you don’t repaint over the color you add before moving out. Try to agree with your landlord on a shade that works for both of you so you don’t get charged extra, and ensure the color you select can be easily painted over. If you are granted permission to paint, look to calming, comforting colors like blue and green shades, and avoid reds which can be stress inducing.

Wall Decoration Options

Wallpaper is a more problematic situation than painting over a few walls. If you put up wallpaper only to remove it when your lease is up, you’re creating a lot of work for yourself, and any damage will mean a hit to your bank account. Wallpaper is usually not the best choice for an apartment, but there are wall-decorating alternatives. You can go with removable wallpaper, or vinyl decals that can be removed without damaging the paint. Or, you could get creative with wallpaper by adding the pattern you like to the back of a large frame that can be hung from the wall. And there’s always the option of hanging your favorite artwork throughout the apartment.

The Right Tools

You may have a nice, powerful canister vacuum cleaner and full-sized brooms and mops, but you may need to find cleaning tools that are better-suited to the needs of cleaning an apartment rather than a house. If your intention is to renovate your apartment, you’ll need a versatile vacuum cleaner capable of picking up grime, hair, and dust from small crevices and behind furniture. You’ll need a vacuum with attachments that doesn’t take up much space but which is effective on multiple surfaces, from carpet to hardwood and tile.

Kitchen Creativity

One of the most common drawbacks of apartment living is the lack of kitchen counter space. There’s usually not much you can do to improve the situation, but you can always get a little creative and use your imagination. Add a small, wheeled table that will fit into small spaces and can be removed as needed. Or, look for a narrow sideboard that won’t take up much width but will come in handy if you need to chop an onion or toss a salad but don’t have anymore counter space left for it. When not in use, it could make an attractive decorative element covered with a decorative tablecloth and fresh flowers or pottery.

Creating an apartment living space that’s uniquely yours takes a little creative thinking, but there are many ways to put your stamp on it without getting into hot water with the landlord. If you intend to paint or make other changes to the wall space, always talk to your landlord first and get in writing any agreement you come to that’s beyond the terms of your lease.

Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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

For: Metropolis Apartments| Contact us for all of your NYC Real Estate Needs | www.metropolisapts.com |

Downsizing During Retirement? Avoid These Stressful Mistakes

Think you’re ready to downsize your home? If you haven’t taken the time to plan properly, you could end up making quite a few mistakes. Downsizing can be a complicated and stressful process, and mishaps can make it worse for seniors. So before you start planning your downsizing move, make sure you can avoid these common missteps.

Not Weighing Pros and Cons of Downsizing

Before you start working on any other downsizing step, you need to decide whether downsizing is right for you. Ask yourself some serious questions to make an informed decision, and be sure to weigh any risks against possible benefits. For example, you could sell your home to buy a smaller one, but you may also need to adjust your profit expectations to account for selling expenses. Those expenses can include, but are not limited to, agent commissions, repair costs and staging fees (which average $2,300 to $3,200 nationally) to help your home sell. Of course, you can also save on utilities and rent or a mortgage with a smaller home or apartment, which may outweigh any potential profit losses from selling your old home.

Not Researching Assisted Living Options

Assisted living can be a scary prospect for many seniors, but it really shouldn’t be. This housing option provides seniors with the extra care they need without any major sacrifices in life quality or independence. So before you put a lot of time and effort into finding a smaller home, think about whether local assisted living may be a better fit for your golden years. With the expenses for assisted living centers in New York City ranging from $1,500 to $17,250 per month, you will want to tour facilities and look for a community that can provide your preferred level of care without any excess costs. While cost shouldn’t be your primary consideration, knowing this information can help you plan for expenses more efficiently.

Not Creating a Financial Plan for Retirement

Saving for retirement is a smart move for adults of all ages, but too many people fail to address two questions when creating their financial plan. In order to enjoy the years ahead and afford your downsizing move, you need to know what age you plan to retire (many people aim for 65, but this doesn’t always happen) and whether you will continue to work during retirement. Answering these two questions will allow seniors to plan out their expenses and adjust spending to cover potential downsizing costs, such as new furniture or storage fees.

Not Asking for Help From Experienced Pros

If you have decided to downsize your home, and know you can afford it, then you need to seek out the right professionals to guide you through the process. Before you make any major financial decisions around retirement, you may want the expert advice of a financial planner. In a single consultation, you should be able to figure out whether retiring and downsizing makes financial sense, and how to begin living off of your retirement savings without major sacrifices. Once you have your finances squared away, reach out to an experienced realtor, who can take the stress out of searching for a smaller home and also help you navigate the homebuying process.

Not Beginning Moving Tasks Early Enough

There’s a lot to think about when planning a move, which means the chances for missing important details is pretty high. To avoid this mistake, take care to create a moving checklist that includes minor tasks, like changing your address, as well as major undertakings, like decluttering your belongings. Decluttering can be especially challenging for older adults, so allow yourself enough time to process related changes and emotions. Look online for decluttering tips to make the work a little easier, and don’t be too shy to ask close friends, family members or neighbors to help you, if needed.

Managing a move can be stressful for anyone, including seniors looking to downsize. Make sure your plan will help you avoid common downsizing mistakes, like the ones mentioned above, so you can avoid additional stress and start enjoying your retirement sooner.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Written by: Suzie Wilson ⎸info@happierhome.net ⎸Happier Home

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

SIMPLE MAKEOVER FOR YOUR APARTMENT BEDROOM

How to Makeover Your Apartment Bedroom Without Making Major Changes

Tired of dealing with a boring bedroom? It can be tricky to know how to add some personality to your bedroom when you are renting an apartment. You don’t want to commit to any permanent changes, but you also don’t want to lose your personal style. So, how can apartment dwellers find a compromise? By using these tips to create their dream bedroom.

 

Add Some Style to Walls, No Painting Required

A splash of color on your walls can make the biggest difference in your bedroom. When you live in an apartment, however, a new paint job may not make sense, as it’s not easily reversible. So, how can you makeover your bedroom without losing your deposit? Well, you actually have quite a few options! One way to add some personality to apartment walls is with your very own gallery wall, which you can accomplish without damaging walls. You can use a simple tool to hang prints from your favorite local artists or any other decor that compliments your personal style. Want to make an even bigger statement but still don’t want to paint? Modern wallpapers make it easy with soothing prints that cling to your bedroom walls without causing permanent damage. When you’re ready to move, you can simply peel it off.

 

Save Bold Patterns and Colors for Pillows and Curtains

If you want to be able to relax in your bedroom, you need to stick to calming colors for the wallpapers and artwork mentioned above. Earthtones are often the easiest ways to blend your decor with white or off-white apartment walls, and they can also enhance your sleep. When you have your heart set on adding some pops of color to your room, you can do so easily with textiles. As you decorate and refresh your bedroom, be sure to focus on window treatments as a way to liven up the space. In addition to using bold, fun patterns and colors, you can also opt for blackout curtains that will turn your room into a sleep haven. You can also try some DIY throw pillow covers, which require no sewing to update the look of your bedroom.

 

Look for Furniture That Will Serve More Than One Purpose

Living in the city often means dealing with limited space, and your bedroom is no exception. If you plan to makeover your furniture, you need to ensure you choose options that are made for multitasking. That means shopping for a bed that has some space for storage underneath or a bookcase that can also serve as a laptop desk. Still wishing for more room in your bedroom? If space is really tight in your home, you can easily makeover your bedroom with a stylish Murphy bed. This can be a fun DIY project if you’re up to the task and can help you make the most of the square footage you do have in your bedroom. You can use a screen and some pillows to turn that extra space into a meditation zone, for even more relaxation in your bedroom.

 

Find Ways to Save on All of Your Bedroom Makeover Materials

Since you’re making over an apartment bedroom, chances are you will be moving again at some point in the future. So, it may not make sense to splurge on pricey furniture and decor, just to have those items not work in your next home. That’s why it’s smart to stick with budget-friendly retailers when you are buying new items for your bedroom. You can usually find small space-friendly furniture at stores like Target and World Market, and IKEA is always great when it comes to buying items you can easily hack into statement pieces. Another easy way to add unique style to your bedroom without breaking the bank is to shop for flea market finds that you can upcycle into furniture and decor for your makeover project.

 

Don’t settle for a basic bedroom just because you live in an apartment. With some simple changes, you can have a dreamy bedroom you cannot wait to come home to every night. So, have fun making over your bedroom!

 

Photo Credit: Unsplash

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

Contact Metropolis Apartments for all your real estate needs.