Moving To A New Apartment? There’s an App For That!

(Image courtesy of Bill David Brooks)

It goes without saying that technology has made our lives easier. Staying connected with friends and loved ones and answering questions can all be done with a few clicks on a smart phone’s screen. There are so many useful apps on smartphones anymore, that it only makes sense that there would be apps to help you during your move to a new apartment.

Taking the stress out of your move is now easier than ever with a number of affordable apps available on both droid and iPhone. This article from apartmentguide.com walks us through some of the best apps to use during your next move.

Apartment Guide Mobile

Why: Before you move, scroll through thousands of apartment listings near you, available either in list or interactive map views, using the GPS feature. See full property details, view photos and floor plans and select amenities to help you find the perfect place to live.

Best feature: Save apartments to your favorites list and call or email properties, all from your phone.

For: iPhone and Android

Cost: Free

Moving Planner

Why: As the move draws closer, keep yourself organized with this app. Create moving checklists for four to six weeks in advance, including tasks such as purchasing moving supplies, setting up utilities and unplugging electronics, or save time by using the pre-populated list of more than 210 house moving-related items.

Best feature: The color coded interface (green, yellow and red) makes it easy to visually determine which tasks are high priority.

For: Android

Cost: $0.99

Moving Van

Why: Make packing and unpacking a breeze with this app that lets you keep an accurate inventory of every single item that you pack into your boxes. To save time, take photos of the items in each box instead of listing them on the app, allowing you to know exactly where your favorite pair of socks is at all times.

Best feature: Export your inventory list as either a PDF or as text in the body of an email for added security.

For: iPhone

Cost: $1.99

Trucker Tools

Why: So you’ve got everything packed in your U-Haul or other moving truck, but what about the drive? Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, you’ll want to make sure the route you take is truck-friendly. Trucker Tools gives you accurate turn-by-turn directions to ensure you don’t end up derailed by a low hanging overpass.

Best feature: The app can also find nearby truck stops, rest areas, fuel optimized routes and weigh scales.

For: iPhone

Cost: Free

Bubble Level

Why: After you unpack everything, it’s time to add the decorative finishing touches that help make your new apartment feel like home. If you don’t carry around a stocked toolkit, download this virtual spirit level. Hold any of the phone’s four sides against an object to make sure the things you’re hanging up are straight, or place it on a flat surface for a 360 degree level.

Best feature: The level shows the angle or inclination and offers orientation locking, allowing for the most accuracy.

For: Android

Cost: Free

Get Creative With Your Wrapping Paper

(Image courtesy of erika g.)

The Holidays can be tough on the environment. Between all the trees being harvested for decorations, the increased travel as we hurry to finish shopping and visit loved ones and the thousands of holiday cards that are sent., it’s no wonder that our carbon footprint increases during this time of year. Though it may seem impossible, it’s easy to have a festive and fun holiday season while still being conscious of our effects on the planet.

Wrapping gifts if just one of the many traditions that, with a little tweaking, can be turned from an environmental detriment to a fun and green way to show your loved ones that you care. This article from apartmentguide.com offers a few great ideas to keep your holidays earth friendly.

1. Reuse those brown paper shopping bags.

Paper or plastic? During the holiday season, opt for paper – you can reuse it to wrap gifts. Simply cut the sides of the bags so they lay flat, just like regular wrapping paper. Use colorful ribbons and bows to add some pizzazz to the package, or you could even decorate it with your own artwork. It’s like a blank canvas! And remember to save ribbons to use on other gifts next year.

2. Pick out some pillowcases.

You know you’ve got a few extra pillowcases hiding in your linen closet. Why not put them to good use during the holidays? Just drop a present inside and cinch the top with a brightly colored ribbon. You can use them over and over again, and there’s an added bonus: It’s a much faster way to wrap gifts than bringing out the wrapping paper and tape.

3. Find the funny papers.

Remember when people used to wrap gifts with the comics section of the newspaper? That’s still a good system! Even if you don’t subscribe to the paper version of your local news anymore, you can pick up a Sunday newspaper at all sorts of locations around your town. Just lay the comics section flat and get wrapping. You won’t even have to add any extra decorations to the gift; it’s already colorful enough!

4. Break out the boxes.

Think about it: If a gift is already enclosed in a box, why do you need to wrap it? You don’t! A regular box tied up with a colorful, reusable ribbon makes for an attractive, simple presentation, and you can keep the box and bow for years to come.

5. Wrap one gift with another gift.

Are you giving someone a scarf and another small gift? That’s a gift wrap in itself – just wrap the scarf around the smaller gift and secure the ends. This also works with bandanas, small blankets, and all sorts of other reusable wrappers.

And if you do use regular wrapping paper, you can toss it in the recycling bin instead of the trash after you unwrap gifts.

The Best Plants For Your Apartment

(Image courtesy of Jushih / 種種; 日常。)

Now that winter is here and the days are getting shorter, it's a little more difficult to get outside and enjoy the great flora around us. One alternative to get your green fix is to adopt a houseplant or two. Even if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, there’s no need to worry.

There are plenty of apartment-safe and easy to care for plants, that are sure to make you feel like spring is just around the corner. This article from renters.apartments.com lists some of the easiest plants to care for. Keep reading to find the right fit for your apartment!

The Unstoppable Jade.

Even if you’re so far from having a green thumb that plants wilt upon hearing your name, chances are still very strong that the jade plant will more or less take care of itself in your hands. Just a little bit of water every now and then, a little bit of light (just in the same room as a working lamp will cut it) and this plant means business. I dare you to kill it.

Herbalicious.

The best plants in my opinion are those you can eat! What’s better yet, those that smell terrific. And finally, plants that are easy to grow. Boom! Herbs hit all three of those criteria. All you have to do is get some pots, plant some herb seeds, throw in some dirt, and water. Place them in the kitchen or in an area that sees adequate natural light, and you've got an edible garden. Best bets to start: Oregano (grows like a weed, good luck failing on this one!), chives (doesn't even need that much light), mint (mojito anyone) and basil (smells heavenly, but is a bit more difficult – give extra light in winter). Need a head start? Try this read-to-grow herb kit from Wind & Weather.

Fiddle-dee-do!

The Fiddleleaf Fig Tree is not only really fun to say, but it’s really easy to care for too. And I’ll admit, a lot of easily-cared-for plants can be on the less attractive side, but not this bad boy! Nope the Fiddleleaf Fig is gorgeous—so gorgeous it looks almost fake. Medium light and light watering is all you need (soil does not need to remain wet; let it dry before watering again).

Tea Time.

English Ivy looks as quaint as a British garden at teatime. Put in shabby chic pots and let the ivy do its job! Meaning let it go crazy and spill over the edges and creep along the furniture; it’s charming and beautiful. Keep the ivy’s soil moist.

Palm Beach.

 If you’re like me, the closest beach you've got is at a lake. I have no palm trees in my zip code so I rely on the Ponytail Palm. Voila, instant tropical feeling indoors! And believe it or not, this guy doesn't require constant watering. Want to take it up a notch? Buy a couple Ponytail Palms, string tiki lights around them, place around your dinner table and suddenly you’re dining al fresco—on the beach for that matter. Cocktail umbrellas not included.

How To Decorate Your Apartment Kitchen

(Image courtesy of Atlanta Scott)

Every kitchen has mostly the same features like a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a table and chairs, but what makes your kitchen unique? We’re all individuals and our traits should be reflected in the room we spend the most time in-the kitchen!

From the furniture and silverware that we choose down to the color of the walls, your kitchen provides ample opportunity to express yourself. This article from renters.apartments.com has a few great ideas to insert a little more personality into your kitchen. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Change up your walls: Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral like beige or gray. These colors won’t date the room and will prevent you from possibly getting quickly tired of a more drastic color palette.
   
2. Brighten up the kitchen: Use mirrors to capture the sunlight and bounce it around. Try putting a mirror across from a window or on a wall that corners against the window wall for the most light distribution.
   
3. Make seasonal changes: Moving the kitchen furniture into a 'summer arrangement' can optimize your space and give it a more airy feel. Make it light and breezy - think about removing some of the furniture and decorations for a lighter feel. Open those curtains and let the sun shine in!
   
4. Use slipcovers: Slipcovers over your chairs can soften the room and add to your decor. For the holidays, try using special covers in holiday patters or colors. For a nice summer change, use white cotton or canvas slipcovers on the chairs.
   
5. Get ideas from the pros: Look in magazines, books, television or the internet to get a flavor of the accessories and designs you would like to see in your kitchen. If you see a kitchen decorated in a way that you like, think about how you can duplicate the same decor in your home.
   
6. Decorate with cookbooks: You can make a nice display with your cookbooks. Try grouping them in interesting configurations with some lying down and some standing. Don't put small books next to tall books but align them in graduating sizes.
   
7. Warm it up with rugs: Area rugs can add a splash of color or cover up an old or unmatched floor. When buying rugs, measure your space so you can be sure to get the right rug size. Rugs used under a table should be large enough to also accommodate the chairs when fully pulled out.
   
8. Bring the outdoors inside: Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Plants provide interest and soften up the room. For above the cabinets or hard to reach places, silk plants work just as well as real ones, however, if you do buy silk, go with a good quality arrangement that looks realistic.
   
9. Change your look with accessories: A few strategically placed accessories can change your kitchen from dull to dramatic! Choose a theme and you could give your kitchen a whole new look just by replacing some key accessories like toaster covers, dish towels, canister sets, salt and pepper shakers and pot holders.
   
10. Change your cabinet pulls: There are so many different styles of cabinet pulls these days - figural, wooden, ceramic, glass - you should be able to find a design that matches your new decor easily. They are easy to install yourself and your friends will think you got new cabinets!
    
11. Add a border: Wallpaper borders are easy to put up and can add color and interest. You can use them at the top of the wall or go with a less traditional use underneath the cabinets. Use them at chair rail height to break up long walls. An even less expensive (but more labor intensive) alternative is to use stencils and paint.