Incorporate Items of Special Interest and Nostalgia
Being able to design a space that is uniquely you includes incorporating items and keepsakes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort. For instance, that “well-loved” – but equally tattered blanked your grandmother knitted for you, those cheesy souvenirs you purchased on a recent trip to Peru or the comic book collection you have poured countless hours curating over many years. While these types of items may not fit within the parameters of traditional décor, they may be the difference between the feeling of home versus staying the night in a trendy hotel. There are several innovative ways to showcase your memories within your space.

Create Warmth With Removable Wallcovering And Carpeting
There may be certain restrictions that come with your new place. For instance, the walls and floors may be what they are – but you don’t have to be limited by them. If your lease agreement does not allow for painting, you can consider peel and stick wallpaper. Most are both removable and repositionable, come in a variety of colours and prints and guaranteed to spice up any living space! Choosing to add a great area rug can add a splash of colour and warmth. The addition of an area rug can both make a space more inviting and warmer on your feet!

Go Vertical
Empty spaces can feel cold and uninviting – the same holds true for empty walls, especially plain light-coloured walls. The selection of wall décor is seemingly limitless and can include anything from creative art pieces – purchased or home made, personalized photo galleries and space-enhancing decorative mirrors. Going vertical and adorn your walls with art, photos and mirrors.  

Brighten Your Day
Lighting can drastically alter the vibe of any space. Not many people enjoy the feel of a cold, sterile florescent lighting. There are countless ways to incorporate lighting to create an inviting place to call home. If a major overhaul of fixtures just isn’t in the budget – simply choose bulbs that emit a softer more yellow less white light. Adding a few lamps with dimmers allows you to both inject personality into your apartment while maintaining control over the lighting as you please.

The post Four Simple Ways to Make a Rental Apartment Feel Like Home appeared first on Realstar Blog.

1. Location, location, location
Many first time home buyers “settle” on neighbourhoods they don’t necessarily love because they can’t afford the price tag associated with more central or desirable areas. Renters have more options at various price points within the communities of their choice and they aren’t locked down. When life changes, like having a baby or taking a job in a new city; it’s much easier to up-grade or relocate.

2. Cash in hand
 Real estate is not the only option when investing. Often renters have more disposable cash because they aren’t weighed down by things like initial down payment, repairs and property taxes. On a month to month basis, renting is also less expensive then owning a home after you factor in all the utilities and maintenance. So that extra money can be easily put into investments that offer more liquidity in the short term should you need to access your savings for a sudden expense or that trip to Amalfi coast you’ve been dreaming of.

3. Time is on Your Side
Owning a home comes with extra work which can be physically demanding, as well as, a drain on something most people already feel really stretched for – time. Whether it is regular lawn maintenance or ripping out the early 80’s wood panelling in the basement, the time involved in the general up-keep of a home, coupled with increasing it’s value is something renters just don’t have to contend with. Choosing to opt out of buying a home leaves more time for the important stuff like hot yoga and weekend wine tours.

If the concept of purchasing feels like pressure, then it may be best to hold off and evaluate whether becoming a home owner is really in line with your overall lifestyle preferences. If you think outside the box, there’s more than one way to create a life you love – mortgage or not.

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1. Beauty by Bloom 
Nothing captures the essence of spring quite like a vase of tulips or hydrangeas to instantly rejuvenate any space.  Perfect as a centre piece to grace any table, mantle, counter or shelf. You can go subtle with a delicate sprig of your favourite fresh cut flower or elaborate with a multi-bloom bouquet – the results are equally simple and stunning.  In fact, any seasonal greenery will do wonders in up-lifting your décor and mood.

2. Colour Therapy 
Another easy way to chase away the winter blahs is to incorporate some colour into your décor.  Toss out the basic beige throw pillows and replace them with seasonally inspired hues like lilac, primrose pink, celery green, peachy orange, and citrine yellow.  These soft dreamy shades blend beautifully against any standard neutral backdrop. In fact the interior design blog, Italian Bark, proclaims that “pastels are the new neutrals of 2019”. So dare to be inspired and boldly bring a splash of spring to your accent pieces like throws, pillows, vases and candles. The beauty is these items are interchangeable and can be easily stored away when you find yourself back in the spiced pumpkin frenzy of fall.   For inspiration see Pier One’s Chenille pillows in an array of shades like Lilac and Blush.

3. The Glass Menagerie 
Since the season is all about ushering in the long awaited light, the reflective property of glass accent pieces can’t be underestimated. Candle holders, vases, jars, bowls and picture frames will capture the luminous glow of early sunshine and brighten up any room.  Anthropologie’s Gilded Lantern candle holders or Bauble Vases are both inexpensive and interchangeable ways to achieve this look. 

4. Woven & White
Natural fibres like wicker and woven textiles speak to spring with a textured, light earthy feel.  Wicker baskets, place mats and small throw rugs are both functional and neutral, making them easy to incorporate into any apartment.   White accent pieces like Wayfair’s Burrville Hand Woven White Area Rug re-create that ethereal, woodsy feeling of early spring and blend well with most décor.  

The post Four Easy Ways to Infuse Early Spring into Your Apartment appeared first on Realstar Blog.

1.            Create Some Space

Here’s where you want to get creative and maximize your space to ensure your guests have room to mix and mingle in comfort:

• • • Open up the main entertaining space by clearing out any bulky furniture and moving all seating out of the center of the room
    • Make the most of every surface for serving, for example drape a festive table cloth over a TV stand or sofa table to create a serving station
    • Utilize your front foyer to welcome guests by setting up a side table for hors d’oeuvres or laying out decorative party favors

2.            Pre-Prep

To avoid losing precious counter space in the kitchen, do as much pre-prep as possible so you don’t have the clutter of pots and pans taking away from serving space or preventing guests from fanning out into the kitchen.   Doing as much pre-cooking as possible before guests arrive will also help keep your apartment cooler, so guests won’t feel like they’re celebrating in a sauna. 

3.            Serve a Signature

An easy way to add an element of luxury to your party is by serving a signature cocktail with a festive theme like Mix that Drink’s featured Candy Cane Martini.  Don’t worry if simplicity is more your style, a classic cran vodka is sure to please, just add a splash of festive garnish like fresh cranberries and a wedge of lime to capture that Christmas colour scheme.   A signature drink also saves you from needing a fully stocked bar, but don’t forget to make a virgin version for guests who don’t drink or are driving.  

4.            Decorate to Scale

Your main priority for hosting in smaller, apartment space is your guests comfort but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on décor, just scale it down to size.   If a full sized Christmas tree will eat up too much floor space, why not opt for a mini table top version that doubles as a center piece or use evergreen wreaths to create that same woodsy, holiday vibe.   Again, if simplicity is your style some strategically placed candles and fresh florals will infuse any space with ample warmth and festive charm. 

The post Four Fail Safe Tips for Holiday Entertaining – Apartment Style appeared first on Realstar Blog.