Tag Archives: storage

Solutions to The Common Apartment Living Challenges


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When you sign on the lease and you move in, life seems so great and happy. For the first few weeks, it will seem that life is so good and that your apartment is perfect. However, there will come a time that you will finally meet your apartment for what it really is– a rented apartment that comes with various problems and challenges.

What happens when you have encountered a threat to your happy apartment living? When you come across various bumps along the way, our natural tendency is to react negatively. However, acting that way would actually do you more harm than good. If you wish to successfully address any apartment living concerns, you need to be rational and strategic about it.

To help you out, here are some of the highly recommended solutions to the most common challenges that people living in apartments for rent have encountered.

Problem #1: Inadequacy of Storage

Apartment Storage Problems

This is a problem that most renters would expect but hope that they would never experience. No matter how hopeful you are, most apartments today lack storage solutions that you will definitely need, especially if you have too many things at home.

Recommended Solution:

With a problem like this, what would be the best solution? You are actually lucky (even if you have no adequate storage) because there are a lot of solutions that you can take advantage of today. There are actually many space saving furniture that you can use today. These include coffee tables, hanging storage and many more. You can also try taking advantage of discreet places, like under the bed and under the stair well, to store your things

Problem #2: Inconsiderate Neighbors

Bad Neighbors

Dealing with annoying neighbors is one of the most common problems that you will encounter when living in an apartment. People usually deal with this problem in two extreme manners. One would yell and pound on the doors of their neighbors while others would just try and hold it in.

Recommended Solution:

There is no need for you to fight with your neighbors– that would only lead to more problems. On the other hand, holding it in would just result to unnecessary suffering. The key here is to act somewhere in the middle. You can try talking to your neighbors in a calm and polite manner and explain to them what bothers you and try to find a middle ground with them. If all else fails, you can just always bring the matter to the landlord.

Problem #3: Too Good Apartment Advertisement

Too Good to Be True Meme

Let’s face it– not all apartments look as good as its pictures on the posted ads. But after signing the lease and moving in, you have discovered that the apartment (in real life)  is not as beautiful as it looks on the ads.

Recommended Solution:

The best solution here is no other than prevention. When an ad seems to good to be true, then it might just be. Do your research first and manage the process with great caution, Ensure that you will get what you will pay for.

Innovative Uses For The Space Under A Staircase


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Does your home featuring a staircase leading up to the second level? If so, you should consider taking advantage of the additional space underneath this area. While millions of homes are built with staircases, very few homeowners actually use this additional space underneath them. However, properly decorating and setting up this otherwise wasted space will offer multiple benefits. For some ideas on how to use the space under a staircase, keep reading.

#1 – Home Office

Under Stairs Home Office Storage

One solution that’s incredibly easy and efficient is to turn the area into a functional home office. Depending on the size and shape of your staircase, this may or may not be easy. Traditional non-spiral staircases will typically feature a large space underneath that can turned into a desk area complete with an office chair and file cabinet. All that’s required to accomplish this is to install a desk, electrical outlet and light in the space. Congratulations, you now have your very own office set up directly under the stairs!

#2 – Storage

Hidden Storage Under Staircase Storage

Another innovate use for the space under a staircase is to transform it into a storage area. If you can’t seem to find enough room to store all of your clothes and belongings, then you should turn this area into a storage area. There are several different ways to approach this, but the easiest technique is to install drawers into the staircase. You’ll likely have to custom design them, but it’s well worth it in the long run. Once the drawers are installed under the stairs, you can store additional clothes, books, DVDs, electronics, remote controls, mail or practically anything else you can think of.

#3 – Bookshelf

Under Staircase Book Shelf Storage

A third option is to turn the additional space into a large bookshelf. This technique is especially beneficial for staircases in the foyer and/or living room. Bookshelves offer a unique decorative touch to the atmosphere that’s simply not found in other furnishings. Installing one in the open communal area such as a foyer staircase will provide a stylish touch, helping to achieve a more attractive and complete home decor.

You can even go one step further by installing multiple bookshelves in this area, essentially creating a small library. Individuals who enjoy reading books the old fashioned way rather than tablets will likely enjoy this technique. Libraries are rarely found in modern-day homes, so friends and family members are sure to compliment you on it.

#4 – Lounging Area

Under the Stairs Seating

As long as there’s enough space, you can turn the area underneath a staircase into a full lounge area. The dark, cozy atmosphere is perfect for kicking back and relaxing. Just add a comfortable daybed along with some pillows and you’ll have a wonderfully relaxing lounge area. Lounge areas are ideal for kicking back and catching a daytime nap.

While most people will be resting in their lounge area, it’s still a good idea to install a light socket here. Having a light in your newly created lounge area will give you more freedom and options regarding its use.

Evan is a content contributor for Stair Supplies. Evan enjoys writing about home improvement projects and much more. He suggests going here to find the best stair parts available online.

5 Simple Steps to an Organized Garage


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The garage is one of the most underutilized areas in the home. Many times people begin to place boxes, totes, and miscellaneous items in their garage. Soon enough, the garage becomes a cluttered dumping ground for the whole family. The garage is the optimal space to store and organize your family’s things and should be fully taken advantage of. Here are a few simple steps to an organized and functional garage.

Decision Time:

The first step to an organized garage is making decisions. If an item hasn’t been used in the last 3 years, chances are you’ll never use it in the next 3 years. Make decisions based on this rule of thumb to rid yourself of a lot of unnecessary clutter. Separate items in a “keep” pile and a “donate” pile.

Donate:

Once you’ve separated your things, donate gently used and useful items to your local charity. Donating to a local charity is a great way to give back to your community, recycle and receive a tax deduction. Who wouldn’t find those reasons appealing? Now, you’re ready to start organizing your garage!

Designate:

Now that you’re left with the items you could never part with, it’s time to assign them to a designated spot. Sports equipment, off-season items, tools, and yard equipment should all have a space of their own to call home.

Bins and Labels:

Store things in clear plastic bins to easily identify its contents. If you prefer a more uniform look, store things in a colored bin and label them according to their contents.

Bring Everything Up:

Garage Storage System

In order to maximize on your available space and create more usable square footage, store things up on the wall, above windows and doors and from the ceiling. Utilize shelving, hooks and overhead racks to take advantage of wall and overhead space to store things up and out of the way.

Store off-season and less frequently used items up high. This keeps them out of the way while still allowing for easy access when they are needed. Store more frequently used items, such as kids’ toys and sports equipment and yard tools lower on the wall and in cabinets for daily easy access.

By taking full advantage of your garage you will discover just how much space it actually has to offer. By storing and organizing your items up off the floor you will once again feel in control of your garage.

Monkey Bars Garage Storage Systems is a garage storage and organization company serving Sacramento homeowners with solutions and tips for an organized garage.

Wasted Space In Your Garage? Then Make The Most Out Of It!


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In the past, garages were primarily meant for vehicle storage. Today, garages serve other purposes as well, such as storage space for old furniture and other unused items that can not be stored inside the house. After all, most garages have wasted space and what better way to make the most of it than by utilizing it for storage space? In fact, there are various storage space solutions that can help you use every bit of wasted space, especially space above the ground. If you have a house without an attic and desperately need storage space, consider your garage that offers convenience, efficiency and security.

Storage Space For Your Car And Other Belongings

Conveniently, cars are not the only belongings you can store in your garage. Since garages have garage doors, you need not have to worry about your other belongings from being damaged or stolen. Just like your car being securely stored, other items can be safely stored too. All you need to do is organize your garage to create designated spaces for easy sorting and retrieval.

Furniture pieces can be covered with thick packing plastics or cardboard boxes and placed at the back of your garage. For smaller items, you can invest in garage storage cabinets and organize your belongings in them. There are also stackable storage cabinets with small and large drawers that you can use if the space in your garage is limited. Simply group your things so you do not need to rummage through everything when you need something in particular. If you really want to be organized, you can also label each cabinet chronologically for easy sorting.

Making Use Of Dead Space

What is dead space? That is the space overhead or above the bonnet of the car. For those with smaller garages, making use of dead space is very convenient. You can look for storage units that are designed especially for such purposes too. They can be hung from the garage’s ceiling, mounted on walls or mounted on legs. The most commonly used storage units are those mounted on adjustable legs to fit the height of the car’s bonnet. These legs can support the shelves as well as boxes you will be using to store your belongings. You can assemble several of these units in your garage to ensure that you do not waste any available space.

Convenient Garage Storage Solutions

Aside from storage cabinets and storage units for dead spaces, you can also opt for other storage solutions. There those created with rails and hanging vertical tracks which can be attached to the wall. These come with brackets that can be clipped into the tracks for adjustable shelves. If you are on a budget, you can install ready-made or old cabinetry on the walls, but you if you prefer to customize your storage space; you can have cabinetry made according to your needs. Hooks and clips are other storage solutions you can use for other items that can be hung.

Garages were invented for additional and safe storage space with cars in mind. But if you have the opportunity to store other belongings, then why not use the space wisely? Just remember to always check your garage door to ensure that it is functioning properly. If you detect a problem with it, have it repaired immediately to avoid getting robbed.

Valerie Hills is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, garage maintenance and garage door repairs by Longmeadow Garage Doors. She also provides useful information for homeowners who want to renovate their homes, organize their home spaces and upgrade their garages.

5 Top Tips To Make Moving More Manageable


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Moving TipsMoving houses can be a daunting task for the best of us. Here are 5 top tips from moving experts to help you pull it off hassle-free.

Professional moving company or DIY? That is the question

The first thing you have to decide is if you want to hire a professional moving company. It is not uncommon to come across people who had originally planned to get the moving done by themselves, only to change their minds and opt for a moving company. Often, the task is a lot more herculean than we imagine it to be. The best way to make a decision is to give yourself plenty of time. Start planning the move early on and a clearer picture will emerge regarding how much effort will be needed.

Lists, lists and more lists

Moving is a logistical challenge and the ‘list’ is your best companion throughout the way. Itemize and catalog every single object is going to the new residence with you. Have multiple lists to make the job easier. If you have a smartphone, managing multiple lists should be a piece of cake. Ideally, you want a separate list for every room in the house. The more detailed the cataloging system, the less likely you will lose something during the move.

For the fragile items, call in the experts

If you want all your possessions to reach the new house undamaged and unharmed, it is crucial that they be packed properly. Usually, this is not such a challenging task; a generous amount of bubble wrap is good enough to keep anything safe. However, fragile items need to be handled with special care. Love those Parisian wine flutes you got as a wedding gift? If you were to pack them yourself, the chances of them making it to the new house intact are very slim. The same goes for the antique mirror you scoured in the markets of Morocco and had it carefully brought in. For fragile items, the best option is to always call in the professionals.

Get an industrial strength label maker

Everyone says that you should have a label maker handy when packing things for moving. Sound advice, but it doesn’t give you the whole picture. Regular label makers are great for craft projects or to put price tags on a packet of biscuits; as far as moving is concerned, these labels prove to be pretty lousy. To label all your boxes when moving, it is highly recommended that you get an industrial strength label maker. If you feel that it is too big of an investment for an item you will use only once, don’t fret. You can rent an industrial label maker for a fraction of the cost of buying a new regular label maker.

Look into temporary storage facilities

Sometimes, the new house you are moving into will not be completely ready. In such a situation, you will need a place to put some of your stuff. Look into the possibility of renting a unit in a storage facility. Ideally, look for storage unit facilities that are closer to your destination.

Just keep these 5 tips in mind the next time you plan to move and you will thank yourself for making your own life a bit easier.

Jim Terry is an avid blogger and a moving expert who makes use of various labels and markers including pipe markers for more effective management of his daily functions.

How to Maximize Space in a Studio Apartment


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Our homes are our safe havens. They are where we retreat to at the end of a long day at work, after a dysfunctional family gathering, or at the conclusion of an enjoyable vacation weekend. Whether we are happy or sad, our homes provide us with a specific kind of comfort unlike any other. It is important that we love our homes and feel safe and happy there, no matter what the size. For those of us that live in small spaces, it can feel like a stretch of the imagination to think that we can transform a tiny studio into a majestic castle. But whether you are a starving artist, a student living in debt, or simply a working adult getting a small paycheck in an expensive city, you can turn your studio into a comfortable living space. Here are some ways to get you started.

Get rid of stuff

When you live in a studio or a loft apartment you need to maximize your space, and that means keeping it clutter free. So before you do anything else, go through everything you own and make three piles: keep, store, donate. Anything you need on a daily or weekly basis, keep in your apartment. Anything you need once a year or less, store elsewhere. And if there is anything in your apartment that you never use – clothing, furniture, kitchenware – donate it to a local Salvation Army or Goodwill. The less stuff you have, the more space you have!

Get organized

Now that you have purged your studio of everything unnecessary, take what is left and organize it. More clothing fits in a drawer if it’s folded and more dishes fit in a cabinet if they are stacked in size order. Organization will help you create space and keep it. Buy large plastic containers for clothing that is off-season and store them under your bed. Organize your shoes with stacked shoe shelves in your closet instead of just leaving them all over the floor.

Try using multi-functional furniture

When you don’t have a lot of space, you need to make sure everything in your apartment serves a purpose. Even better? When something serves two or more purposes. Consider a futon instead of having both a bed and a couch. If your bookshelf has extra space, fill the unused shelves with towels or dishes. Don’t be constrained by how things are “supposed” to be used. Get creative!

Use smart lighting

Lighting is a great tool to make a room look bigger than it is. This can be especially important in a studio. Using bright lights and mirrors is a great way to create the illusion of space where there isn’t any. Mirrors can be purchased inexpensively at Salvation Army type stores and other home décor stores. Standing lamps and table lamps are easier to install, but hanging lights on the walls saves space. Before adding any light fixtures to the wall, though, check your lease for what you are allowed to do.

Use light, bright colors

Small spaces feel even smaller when the walls are painted a dark color. So paint your studio with white, eggshell, or any other light color. Decorate with these colors, too. You would be surprised by how much bigger your apartment will feel after a simple coat of paint.

About the Author: Robert Mansions is a property management professional specializing in Chicago apartments for rent. When he’s not working, you can find Rob training for the Chicago marathon.