How Not To Be "That" Roommate

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As a college student, one of the biggest adjustments you’ll ever have to make is learning to live with other people. I went into my freshmen year thinking that living with a roommate would be a breeze because I grew up living with two rowdy brothers. Boy was I wrong. Roommate horror stories are pretty common, and I’ve had a few of my own. To ensure that you’re not that awful roommate everyone talks about, follow some of these tips I’ve provided.

Be honest from the beginning 

Do you hate when people snore? Are you a neat freak? Need absolute silence when you study ? Let your roommate(s) know about your preferences and quirks immediately. Upfront communication is one of the best ways to solve problems before they become real problems. Setting boundaries and understanding each others flaws will help build a lasting relationship.

Respect your roommate’s stuff 

Don’t borrow, use, or take any of their belongings without asking permission first. I can’t emphasis this enough. Even if you don’t think they will mind, it’s respectful to always ask first. This tip is especially true for girls. I’ve learned from experience that nothing is worse than looking in your closest and realizing one of your favorite shirts is missing.

Do your dishes 

Dishes left in the sink is one of my biggest pet peeves. The apartment I’m currently living in has one of the worlds worst dishwashers and because it hardly ever works, my roommates and I have to resort to hand washing all our dishes. I’m sure you can guess why this has become an issue. I couldn’t count how many times I’ve heard myself and my roommates say, “I’ll clean my dishes tonight, I promise.” There are days when I swear the dishes are piled to the ceiling. And not mention they smell horrible. So try and make a serious effort. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to clean your dishes as you use them instead of waiting to clean a bunch of them at the same time.

Keep your area clean 

Similar to the last tip, this one is just as important. It may seem that one of the joys of college is your mom isn’t there to yell at you to clean your room, but I’ve learned that this can be both a blessing and a curse. If you’re a neat freak you don’t need to worry about this tip, but what should you do if your roommate is messy? After doing some research I found a great website that provides a list of the top ten ways to help keep your dorm room clean. Maybe you could explain to your roommate you prefer a clean space and show them this list? Three years later and I’m still trying to figure out how to handle this.

via BethanyGuideToCollege.Wordpress.com

Easy DIY Wallpaper Paneling for Rental Apartment or Home

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If you're interested in how to panel for rental apartments, check this video out. This is definitely a useful DIY, and something that you should check out if you have a rental space!

Inexpensive Apartment Decorating Ideas

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At our apartments in West Columbia, SC spring is here! The warmer weather has made many of us want to bring light and airiness into our apartments.  Do you want to do some spring renewal redecorating in your apartment home? Here are some suggestions that will not break the bank.

Fresh paint-  For under $100 you can dramatically change any room’s appearance with paint and a few basic supplies. Pulling a vibrant color from a room’s patterned upholstery or rug and putting it on the walls can have a dramatic effect.

Throw rugs -  Roll up or throw down a rug as the seasons change. A soft area rug could really pull all the colors together in a room, and reduce echoes from hardwoods and tile.

Add throw pillows and place mats -  Fabric can really brighten up a room.  Plain sofas can be livened up with patterned pillows. New place mats are a great way to change the presentation of a meal. Pair a contrasting color or a pattern with plain plates. Dining room chairs or bar stools can be recovered for a whole new look.

Add a photos collage to the wall -  Use family photos and mismatched frames to fill a blank wall space in a family room or hallway. Lay them out on the floor and make a grid. Play with the design until it feels balanced and looks good. If you have trouble following the pattern, make paper bag cut-outs of the same pictures and tape them to the wall for the placement of the frames.

Sheers and Curtains – inexpensive sheers and sheer curtains can really change the feel of your room. Take down the drapes or blinds and put up shears for spring instead. See how the light changes the room.

New Hand Towels - New towels and a bath mat in can give your bathroom a whole new look.


via LiveAbberlyVillage.com

How to Pack Breakable and Valuable Items for a Move

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Packing for a move is the most time-consuming task you might have to tackle during the relocation process. Sure, professional movers offer packing service, but sometimes requiring packing services might increase your moving expenses significantly. Since you likely want to save money on your upcoming relocation and arrange a safe transportation for your valuable items, here are some tips that will help you to pack breakable items.

To save money on your move, look for free boxes in the local vendors. Take only sturdy and clean boxes, ones that will endure the move. Supply yourself with all the needed protective packing materials: roll of bubble wrap, peanuts, cushion foam, corrugated packing paper (not printed), shipping tape, markers and scissors.

How to pack glassware

Let’s start with the most fragile items, your dishes and glasses. Use a mid-sized, sturdy box. Put a thick layer of the packing paper on the bottom of the box for cushioning. That will prevent from damages in case of a collision.

 

Pack with a bubble wrap each dish individually. Put a dish in the middle of two sheets of bubble wrap and then fold each corner of the sheets to the center of the dish and tape it. Put packed dishes vertically in the box, and put a sheet of corrugated paper between dishes. After you put all of the dishes in the box, make sure there is no empty space in the box. Fill empty space with peanuts or crumpled paper.

When you pack glasses, it is advisable to use cardboard dividers to secure the transportation. Pack each glass separately and put it vertically in the box. Use a couple of sheets bubble wrap for each glass. Fill empty spaces with peanuts to prevent damages.

How to pack home electronics

Moving with home electronics can be hectic. Here are some tips to take into consideration when packing your valuable electronics like TV and personal computer.

TVs are delicate and their screens can be easily scratched and damaged. If you don’t keep the original box, you can buy a special TV box. Disconnect all cables, tie them with a cord and put them in a plastic bag. When packing your TV for the move, enwrap it in two layers of foam to protect the screen from damage. You can use a bubble wrap for the remote control. Put the cables and the remote control in the TV box and fill the empty space with peanuts.

When packing a personal computer, it is recommended to use the original box. If you don’t keep it, use a larger box so you can use a lot of packing materials, especially on the sides. Pack your monitor, case, keyboard and mouse with bubble wrap individually. Then you can put them in the box. Put a layer of crumpled paper on the bottom of the box. Place each piece vertically. Put a layer of crumpled paper between each part. Do not forget to put all of the cables in plastic bags and then in the box with the PC. You can take a photo of the wiring configuration to help you connect your system at your new home, or you can label each cable according to its corresponding piece of hardware.

How to pack arts and wine collection

Packing arts like paintings and sculptures, or a wine collection is tricky. At the very least, you need to buy special boxes for your valuable paintings. You will have to enwrap them in packing paper, use a couple of layers of packing paper. And do not forget to layer the bottom of the box with crumpled paper and fill the empty space with paper or peanuts. For your wine collection, you should use wooden boxes. Moreover, you should discuss the transportation of antiques and artwork with your mover. Moving such items requires climate-controlled vans. Your mover might provide special custom-made crates for your sculptures.

After taping each box, do not forget to label it “fragile” and “this side up”. Mind that your items should be packed and loaded properly in the moving truck. Light items go over the heavier ones. Write descriptive labels on boxes to facilitate the unpacking process.

via ApartmentRatings

How to Organize Your Car when Moving

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Moving house is a hugely stressful situation that can even lead to illness. The hassle is not just on the day of the move itself but the weeks and months building up to it too. Thankfully, being organized can make achieving the move with your own vehicle that bit easier; cutting out the stress and expense of using professional movers.

Is Your Model Suitable?

If you plan to make the move yourself, your first consideration should be the vehicle you have and whether or not it is fit for the job. A mini may well be modern and stylish but will not exactly cater well for transporting the entire contents of your home form one location to another. It is not recommended to purchase a new car purely to facilitate your house move.

Overhead Storage

Overhead carriers not only add additional space to transport items but can be a great way to move precious goods without packing them in the back with all the other bulk. You must ensure that the rack or carrier you use is suitable for your particular model – the manufacturer should be able to tell you – and you should have it properly installed by a professional mechanic if not by the manufacturers themselves.

Repeat Trips

There is no point in trying to conduct the entire move in one go if you plan to transport all of your belongings by yourself. If you can initially retain access to your old home, begin moving the most important belongings first – beds, clothing, toiletries, etc. – then make repeat trips to gradually transport over the rest. Roping in family and friends to help can be a good way to speed up the process and if you have to vacate your old property before you can complete your move, storage facilities – or kindly loved ones – can be a great option.

Pack Properly

Sealing and labeling boxes makes conducting your move much easier as you know what is being loaded into the car with each journey. This means you can transport like items within the same trips; for example, all the clothes in one journey then all the books in another. Fragile items can be placed on top to protect them and as soon as boxes arrive at your new home, they can be taken to the relevant place for unpacking; making the endeavor run much more smoothly.

Safety First

Loose items rattling around in a moving car can be very hazardous and can even become projectiles that could cause serious injuries should the vehicle come to a sudden halt. Items should be boxed, wrapped and packed tightly to reduce any risk.

When moving large or heavy items, it is best to leave the children at home. This not only keeps them safe but allows you to fold down the back seats and capitalize on space.

Have Essentials at Hand

Food, water, medical supplies and toiletries should all be at hand when you come to making the final move. If you have children, it is also a good idea to have books or toys to keep them occupied and stop them feeling bored during the trip. With all the stress of the packing and transportation of your belongings taken care of, the last thing you need is a family feud or an argument riddled journey on the way to your new home.

via InOrderToSucceed.com

Find an Apartment as a First-Time Student Renter

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Final exams are fast-approaching, and college students are probably more focused on making it through tests than starting to find an apartment.  However, it’s important to start the search as early as you can, especially if you are a college freshman or sophomore and are renting your first college apartment.  Apartments aren’t usually available for more than two months before your preferred move-in date, so time your search accordingly.  Here are some tips for first-time student apartment-seekers.

What Do You Want?
Before you start the search to find an apartment, it’s important to figure out what your needs are.  Would you rather be close to campus, or further away?  What is your price range?  Would you rather find an apartment with a fitness center?  Do you want an apartment that allows pets?  It can help to make a list of the things you need in an apartment before you continue your search.

Go Online

Next, use an online service like ApartmentSearch to find an apartment.  Websites like ApartmentSearch.com have information regarding community amenities, amenities unique to the apartment, a price range, square footage, and more.  Keep a list of potential properties, call them, and follow up regularly.  Especially as summer draws to a close, apartments will fill up fast, so staying on top of your options is key.

Tour the Apartment

When you go on apartment tours, each leasing agent will give you all kinds of information about the apartment that may be hard to remember, especially after your fifth apartment tour.  Writing everything of interest down will help you compare notes later to choose the best apartment for you.

More Apartment Tips

For other apartment living tips, including student apartment life, small apartment living, and more, search our Apartment Life blog, and see how ApartmentSearch can help student renters find an apartment!

via ApartmentSearch.com

5 Steps for Decorating Your First Apartment

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Accent pillows, artwork and other accessories are great options for incorporating color and personality into rented spaces.

When you move into your first apartment, you’re initially thrilled to finally have your own place and that all your stuff made the move intact. For the first couple of weeks your priorities are just getting the basics set: finding your coffeemaker, stocking your fridge and making sure all your clothes fit in your closet. You place your furniture, if you have any, purely based on functional terms: the dresser goes in the bedroom, the couch in the living room and the bookshelf against a wall.
Eventually, though, you get tired of living in a moving zone: You want to start to arrange and decorate your place in a way that makes it feel like home. While it’s tempting to rush and just get it done, a thoughtful process will pay off in the long run.

Step 1: Find the look you like

Before you buy any furniture, assess the pieces you already have and carefully plan each addition. Go online or look at some design catalogues to see which styles and colors you like. Do you want furniture that’s a dark wood, a blonde wood or perhaps metal or painted furniture? Do you like a mid-century modern, vintage, shabby chic, or traditional look, or something more eclectic? And don’t just look at pieces of furniture; also look at fully decorated rooms for ideas. This will give you a sense of the possibilities available to you as well as inspiration.

Step 2: Pick your colors

In addition to a style, you should think about the colors you want to live with. Even if your landlord won’t let you paint, the color of your couch, end tables and other pieces of furniture will affect the feel of the room and provide its main color accents. Later, you can use simple add-ons such as a new rug, curtains or throw pillows to enhance the look and color of a room. Also, you can use posters or framed prints to add color to your walls without a paint job.

Step 3: Measure twice, buy once

Before you step a foot in the furniture department, measure your space carefully and carry those measurement with you. And don’t just measure your apartment; also measure the doorways and halls, stairwells and elevators that your furniture has to pass through on its way to your apartment. Having to return a couch you had your heart set on because it cannot make a turn on your stairwell is not only disappointing, but also expensive.

Step 4: Buy big pieces first

Your biggest pieces of furniture will anchor the look of the room, so buy them first. Even if you’re not planning to buy much new furniture, make sure that whatever you do get, even if it’s stoop sale or Goodwill finds, goes with the look and color you have chosen.

Step 5: Be patient and shop around

If your budget allows it, it’s tempting to try to do all your shopping in one trip, but if you have several pieces to buy, it’s best to be patient. You can often find deals by shopping around, or waiting for sales. Thrift stores are a great wallet-friendly option, as is Craigslist, but don’t overlook places such as Ikea, Target and World Market. At large chains you can find good pieces at reasonable prices if you wait for their sales. The key is keeping your eyes open. Decorating your apartment should be a fun project, not a rush job. By taking your time, you’ll have much better results, and your newly decorated place will be the home you always wanted.

via ZillowBlog