Showing posts with label apartment decorating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apartment decorating. Show all posts

Tuesday

Home Design - Excerpt from What Else Can I Do on the Internet? by Nicholl McGuire

Home Design
Whether you live in an apartment or home, there is so much on the Internet to inspire you to decorate, rearrange furniture or declutter. You might have already searched for specific items to beautify your residence or purchase new appliances online. But how about using the Internet to build your own virtual house if you live in an apartment, but plan on buying a home one day? What about checking out home designs and floor plans to improve your exterior and interior?

Many television shows have episodes on their websites that assist with everything from kitchen and bath design to landscaping. So if you missed something on TV you will most likely find it uploaded on the 'Net.

One of the things I like to do is check out the before and after images of home designs. I also like watching decorating and organizing tips. Some sites are interactive and you can find those by keyword searching "interactive home design tools." You can also search for "virtual room designer" include a store name and see what some of them have to offer online when it comes to home design. You can print out the layout of your desired room and then get to work making your dream happen. There are sites for children to get started with home design as well.

I conduct specific searches based on what my needs are so for instance, if I want something for the kitchen or I am interested in changing a room around then I would search "living room design" "living room organizing" "how to organize living room furniture."

Now when it comes to organizing everything from socks in a drawer to tools in the garage, some of the best tips come from novice organizers. I have visited video sites, popular magazine websites, and blogs to get tips. You can also find a variety of home organizing products and watch buyers use them on video sites. But if you don't want to brave the task of organizing your home, there are many professionals available for hire.

I have visited sites that offer certified apartment maintenance classes. You can also research for local classes offered at some popular stores that sell home merchandise.

Be inspired to do more on the Internet with this helpful guide!  Purchase your copy of What Else Can I Do on the Internet? by Nicholl McGuire

Thursday

7 Popular, Affordable Places to Shop for Apartment Decor, Organization Supplies

Sometimes your mind draws a blank when it comes to buying necessary items for your residence.  This is a simple list of popular places you can begin looking for needed items.
 
 
Check out coupon codes and discounts when you sign up here.
If you are considering on doing something nice for others, why not purchase a gift card at one of the stores above?  Shop Black Friday, Cyber Monday, get tips. Click this link.
 
 
 
 

Saturday

How to Find Lowest Prices When Decorating Apartment

You need to add a little life to a drab looking apartment or town home, but you have little money to do it. You may have received the overpriced catalogs in the mail with the pretty pictures tempting you to decorate on borrowed money. How do you get started with very little money and time?

Make time to read about low cost apartment decorating and/or watch television programs for tips.

The more knowledge you receive when it comes to apartment or town home decorating, the easier it will be for you to come up with a simple plan that usually includes the following when decorating: great lighting, interesting art and novelty items, window treatments, and useful furniture. However, too much researching and you just might get a headache!

You may be indecisive when it comes to colors and themes for your apartment or town home, but don't be. A great way to eliminate your confusion would be to check the prices of items you like then check your bank account. For example, you see an image of palm trees you really like, so you might concentrate on the color scheme then look for things that center on the image. You may find a couple of pictures with palm trees, a small area rug, or a few decorative mugs. Now you have some items to include in a certain part of your home to get you started. However, don't do like some people just keep stockpiling on the same image, find related things that may go along with your image such as: an island, tropical birds, a hotel or plane image. Before long you have a vacation theme for some place in your home. Keep thinking of other interests.

Review what you already have in your apartment or town home that you aren't using or haven't used for a long time.

Sometimes we have things in our possession that could be revived if we just get them fixed, painted, or upgraded. You may have a broken treasure, but haven't used it because you haven't gotten around to placing an order or shopping for a part. Try doing that first before buying something new. When you are ready to part with it, sell the item (making sure you list what is wrong with it) then take monies received and put them toward your apartment decorating fund (you do have a budget, right?)

Ask and you shall receive (or maybe not) what you need from a relative or friend.

Some things you simply don't want to spend your cash on if you can help it. The trick to purchasing decor for your apartment or town home is to get as much stuff as you can for little money. Those little things like cups, wine glasses, or novelty items you want to decorate a shelf or space in your corner, might be given to you if only you would ask. So make the time to hang out with a relative or friend who has been wanting you to come around and see what they might be willing to give you.

Make a list of necessities items, then add how much you are willing to spend on them.

When you have a very limited budget, you don't want to go into any store or shop online without a list. Ask yourself, “What do I really need? What will be used almost daily? What will make me feel comfortable in my new living space?” Without a budget, you will find yourself impulse shopping, experiencing buyer's remorse and running up your credit card.

Check local ads for yard sales, estate sales, and/or flea markets for any goods you don't mind buying used or refurbished.

People on the side of the road selling their wares, a local rummage sale or an invite to a flea market, are all great places to find some affordable décor. Don't let pride or ego get in the way! You will often see some of the best interior decorators on TV going to these places to find interesting pieces of art work and novelty items.

Visit local stores including discount and thrift stores.

Although slightly priced higher then going to a home owner's yard sale, discount and thrift stores are great places to find all sorts of book shelves, small tables and chairs, glass art, cups, and wall pictures.

When buying new products, research the latest local circulars first.

Why waste gas shopping at different stores? Find out who has a sale on the items you want. For instance, maybe you are in need of a dresser for your bedroom. You don't want to visit any store without knowing what discounts they are offering. If your store isn't advertising any specials in circulars, why not call them?

Remember the sales clerk hopes you visit the store so that they can get you to spend as much money as you can buying their goods. Keep in mind, he or she is already prepared to get you to sign up for a credit card and purchase the most expensive item you most likely can't afford. Avoid the pressure before visiting the store, do two things: know exactly what you want and research for the lowest price possible!

Avoid partnering with a relative or friend who is eager to get you to spend more money.

Why should they care that you have other bills? Your “big spender” relative or friend is going with you to the store for a good experience and helping you watch your budget is not in the plan. Too often shoppers take someone with them to make a major purchase who isn't very good at helping them make wise decisions. This person may or may not have your best interests in mind. Sometimes people tend to forget that they aren't shopping for themselves, so they suggest items they would buy, but not necessarily what you would buy. Use caution when bringing someone along. One way to keep from spending more money on merchandise then you intend to pay is to let the relative or friend know in advance what you want and ask them to hold you accountable for your budget.

Shop the Internet only if you have found the price lower and/or can't find your product elsewhere, and always avoid paying shipping and handling costs.

Notice Internet shopping is listed as the last thing to do when shopping for home décor for your apartment or town home. The reason for this is simple, items usually cost more online once you factor in shipping and handling charges and local sales tax. Let's say you visit a website for a nice framed poster you could quite possibly find offline if you take your time, the site claims “free shipping,” but upon closer inspection you notice that just about every item on the site seems to be a tad bit overpriced. They are more expensive, because the seller figured out a way to camouflage the shipping and handling charges in the price—click off sites like these! If you must have a poster with a certain scene, entertainer, or symbol, look for something similar offline for cheaper.

Once you have made your list of items that you need for your home, visited various offline stores, thrift stores, yard sales and other places, consider what more you might need. You might find a great sale on much needed merchandise at the right time! Enjoy your shopping experiences!

Things You Might Find Useful on this Blog

apartment shopping apartment decorating moving apartment organizing lease contract about this blog apartment problems maintenance property management apartment hunting how to rent an apartment landlords pest control roommates apartment searching eviction notice leasing consultants security deposit tenant screening Internet apartment shopping apartment move in apartment move out apartment noise blog owner first apartment how to organize apartment mold rent increases renting section 8 30 day notice apartment checklist apartment inspection apartment leasing apartment management apartment rental guides apartment rules apartment tour appearance bad landlords bankruptcy buying rentals curb side appeal disgruntled residents electricity fair housing furnace heat moving to New York City neighbors new apartment renters real estate relocation tips rental application renters senior adults senior housing shopping for the apartment shower toilet windows English phrases for apartment problem English phrases to rent apartment FEMA HUD Tokyo air conditioning amenities american disabilities act annoying visitors annual inspection apartment abroad apartment budget apartment furnishings apartment investing apartment marketing apartment mobile apps apartment pool apartment renovation apartment rent assistance apartment reviews apartment tips apartment townhome tours apartment waiting lists apartment workout apartments for rent approval process bad credit bad property management signs bad rental properties bed bugs bug proofing cable can't afford rent canada carbon monoxide cargo container cargo container apartments carpet stains children city apartment rentals clogged kitchen sink clogged shower drain community managers community party rooms couples court credit reports death discrimination domestic violence duct cleaning fall move in date gangstalking garbage disposal gas heater ghost stories gifts good residents guest cards guests haunted hoarding homelessness hot water heaters how to avoid rental scams how to find an apartment how to sell your stuff humor leaky roof living alone lofts move in date move in inspection move in specials move out date move out inspection move out parent's house moving to Houston moving with children natural disasters new neighbors no hot water in shower no job no rent cap odors on paying rent packing partial rent pets pipes problems paying rent public transportation qualifying quiet hours refrigerator rent to own rental fees rental housing help rental insurance renting a home renting apartments overseas resident retention second hand smoke serviced apartments snow plowing and salting snow shoveling still living with parents stress free apartment move studio apartments suite upgrades tardy rent tenant laws tenant rights websites terrace level apartments thermostat trends types of dwellings unemployment unpacking utilities walk through wall paper water water damage water pressure what not to rent work order request