If you’re looking for a way to feel more at home in your new apartment, we have a solution for you. It’s economical, challenging (but not too difficult) and it allows you to explore your creative side. Herb gardening, either from a window box planter, on your kitchen counter or in an outdoor space is a great way to personalize your home with the look and smell of these useful plants. Some of the staff at Apartments.com find that herb gardening can save money, since buying new herbs from the store can really add up. Plus you’ll be getting fresher versions that can even encourage you to stay in and prepare your own meals more often. So grab a shovel and start planting today!Here’s how to get started:

Herbs for planting are purchased in small plastic containers. A nice collection that can be grown in the same container includes basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and chives. You can drop this combination into a stew, soup or salsa for an amazing flavor burst. Starter kits are also available at most garden centers.

Choosing your container is no time to be boring! They come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Be resourceful and use an old mug or teapot. Be unconventional—herb gardens have even been grown in old hiking boots and shoes. Just be sure you can punch drainage holes into the base.Choose a potting soil mix (don’t use garden soil!) to ensure the healthiness of your plants. Your local garden center should have pre-mixed bags.

Most herbs require at least four hours of sunlight every day, so find a place in your apartment where your plants can flourish. If your apartment is especially dark, use a fluorescent light.

You can choose as many types of herbs as you like; just be sure that you have adequate planting room. You’ll be planting the seeds 2-3 inches apart. The best way to choose which herbs to plant is by seeing what dishes they compliment. Use this list to determine which herbs work best with your tastes:

Dear Apartments.com,

At a recent party a “friend” punched a hole in the wall during a fight. How do I fix it?

Punched in Plainville, KS

Dear Punched,

This seems like a major problem, but it’s really not too hard to fix. First you need to cut the drywall back until you reach the non-damaged part. Measure and cut a piece of plywood ½ inch thick that is 2 inches wider than the hole on all sides. Cut the plywood in half. Fit the first piece of plywood through the hole and pull it tight against the backside of the wall. Screw in 1”or longer drywall screws, pulling the plywood tight against the drywall. Place screws 3 inches around the circumference of the hole and tighten the screws with a drill so that you sink the screw head in the drywall (but not so much that it goes completely through). With the second piece of plywood, start one of the screws in the center of the piece of plywood, leaving half of it showing. You’ve just created a handle to pull on. Insert and screw in the panel just like you did the first. Lastly, cut a replacement drywall piece to fit the hole and screw to the plywood backing. Finish it with tape and spackle as with any drywall seam.

Dear Apartments.com:

I love my glass sliding doors but they are constantly coming off the track! Is there an easy way to fix them?

Off Track in Ocean Springs, MS

Dear Off Track,

Sliding doors are beautiful, but you need to keep the track area clean in order for the doors to slide easily and stay in place. First, check the floor for dirt or debris that may be obstructing the rollers. Squirt some powdered graphite onto the rollers and rub a block of paraffin onto the tracks. Check the alignment of the latch if it’s not catching properly. Keep the screws that are holding the track in place tight. You also might want to raise the door on its track by adjusting those same screws (turn then counterclockwise to raise the door). If you’re still having problems, replacing the rollers is a relatively easy way to solve this annoying problem.

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you’re looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten:

1. Rearrange the Furniture- Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. For example, a sofa arranged diagonally across a narrow living room will make the room look wider.

2. Paint A Wall- Paint one wall your favorite color and make it the focal point. Hang interesting art on that wall and move a nice piece of furniture there. (Note: Make sure that the color is one that is shared with several other objects and fabrics in the room.)

3. Bring in Plants- Greenery always adds a breath of fresh air to a room. If you don’t have a green thumb, try silk plants and trees. The quality has gotten so good that it’s hard to distinguish them from the real thing.

4. Lay An Area Rug- An area rug is a wonderful way of defining a conversation area. Try one that complements the room. Lay it at an angle beneath your coffee table.

5. Hang Pictures or a Mirror- Hang pictures that reflect your personality. Try frames that are more ornate. When hanging a mirror, try and position it so that it reflects a nice view or an interesting architectural element.

6. Group Figurines- Pull out your favorite collectibles. Show off your personality. Find a display area and group related objects together, in sets of three or five. Try and vary the shapes.

7. Add Decorative Pillows- The good news about decorative pillows is that they are an easy way to add textures and patterns to a room. Still better, they can be changed to jazz up a sofa or chair before your room is ready for a major makeover.

8. Replace Lamps- Lamps are probably the one thing in your home that will give others a clue that your room is outdated. Seek out new and fresh lamps that make a statement.

9. Add a Throw or Afghan- Similar to decorative pillows, throws and Afghans add texture to your furniture. They come in all kinds of natural and man made fabrics. Find a pattern and style that you like.

10. Eliminate Clutter- Clutter has a way of eliminating the desired mood and effect of any room. Find storage spaces for papers, toys, and other items that take from the personality of a room.

About the Author: Michael Holland is the creator of the Web sites http://www.kids-rooms-and-crafts.com and http://www.home-decorating-made-easy.com. His sites offer lots of FREE home decorating tips and ideas.

Do you dream of adding style to your apartment but don’t have a lot of money? Don’t despair! Here are 5 things you can do that will help your apartment look beautiful without spending much money.

1. Declutter your apartment.

Nothing zaps a great look like clutter. Look around you. Do you have paper plies or mail stacks? Do you just add to your knickknack collection rather than rotate your select favorites? When was the last time you saw the front of your refrigerator? A few simple solutions that cost very little money are to invest in nice office trays, pretty bulletin boards and frames for your child’s artwork. Make the trash can handy to immediately toss unwanted mail. Taking away the clutter will make your space appear larger and help your treasured objects be emphasized rather than lost.

2. Make display surfaces pretty.

A key element in apartments that are decorated by a professional rather than a want-to-be is the art of accessorizing. Flat surfaces such as mantels, bookcases, and coffee tables are the perfect places to restyle for less. The one important point here is to keep it simple. Bookcases should only be 2/3 full. A mantle should not have mirror above it (a very dated look) – choose artwork instead. Place no more than three items on an end table – cluster these varied but related items together for more impact.

3. Paint to Impress.

Paint, as you know, makes the most dramatic change for the money. Be bold, be daring and most importantly — don’t do white! Choose a complex color. This simply means if you would use several different words to describe the color than it is probably complex. For example; if you said it was a kinda “gold, straw, beige-y color” than it is probably a complex color. If you said “just yellow” - it probably is not a very inspiring look. A beautiful color on the walls can make the room go from ordinary to extraordinary in less than a day and usually for less than $50.

Part 1: Protecting your possessions

The first thing a cat owner should know about home décor is to keep it simple. Our feline friends are convinced that they are in charge and will destroy at will. Even a well trained cat will occasionally get overzealous and with an inadvertent sweep of their tail will knock your favorite decoration from its place to a pile on the floor.

This disregard for your possessions, overt or otherwise, requires that you use some strategy when deciding on the placement of various decorative pieces. Any surface that a cat can reach, they will walk on. Therefore low shelves or dressers should not contain any objects that are fragile. Items should be moved towards the middle of a surface, or back against the wall, to prevent them being knocked to the floor. Items that have a broad or sturdy base should replace other more top heavy objects. Decorative accents that can shatter, such as ceramics or stone statues, may have to be replaced by steel or wood.

One way to display fragile items is to move them up. High shelves that are isolated from cat “stepping stones” will be out of dangers way. The same may be true of tall dressers, although unfortunately some cats will take a tall isolated dresser as a personal challenge, which they simply have to climb. Your décor will have to be matched to the personality of your cat.

Mirrors can also provide a problem, as some cats tend to attack their own reflection. If your cat has a problem with this, buying velvet or satin cloth and draping it over the mirror can be a decorative way to solve this.

Plants can be one of the biggest décor problems a cat owner will face. Your pet can chew on leaves, dig in the soil, or urinate in them. Luckily, there are ways both to decorate around these problems as well as to train your cat out of them. For biting and chewing of leaves, a natural spray repellent applied to the plant will cause most cats to avoid it. To stop a cat from rooting in or excreting in your plant you have to realize that the dirt in the pot is reminiscent of the cats litter box. In order to change this, use stones or gravel to fill over the top of the dirt. This will remove the cat’s fascination with the soil, and can be a lovely decorative accent to your plant

Cat grass is a special kind of plant you can grow in your home that is specifically formulated to be safe for felines, and to provide them with certain vitamins they may be lacking. Purchasing this can give your cat an acceptable alternative to messing with your plants. When you see your cat eating the cat grass, reward them lavishly. When you see them going near other plants, pick them up and place them in front of the cat grass. If they eat the offered vegetation, then reward them. In this way you can use positive reinforcement to turn one behavior into another one.

Cats will scratch anything that is made of cloth, including couches, drapes, and pillows. Because of this, you may want to start by spraying natural cat repellent on your more attractive pieces. A plastic couch cover may need to be used for a short time while the cat learns to behave itself. Buying your pet a scratching post and praising it for scratching that instead of your couch is a good way to positively reinforce the negative behavior out of the cat. You will have to carefully monitor their progress and only remove protective coverings from your furniture when you are sure they are safe.

While cats are a hazard to most décor, planning ahead can minimize these problems. Cats are so difficult to train that it is often easier to simply decorate around them. Using common sense, and paying attention, should allow you to develop a setting that compliments your pet owning experience.

Apartments.com recently conducted a survey to current renters about decorating, ninety percent of renters will decorate when moving to a new apartment; and of these renters, eighty-one percent will decorate within the first three months of their move.

Most renters said that their biggest decorating challenge is staying within a budget (38%). Other survey respondents stated their challenges when decorating include: not having enough space (23%), need help with organization (12%) and unsure of what colors to use (12%).

In our survey, we also found that the majority of renters, sixty-five percent, plan to spend $500 or less on their decorating budget while eighteen percent of respondents will spend between $500 and $1000.

But decorating does not have to break the bank, as Eva the Shopping Diva, shopping expert and blogger from ShopLocal, offers this advice for renters decorating on a budget:

• First try a small yet important room, like the bathroom. Simply hanging a new shower curtain with a gorgeous pattern can really change the look of the room. Add a great bath mat that compliments the pattern and a new look is born.
• Re-covering old dining room chairs or a worn-out ottoman are easy ways to subtly change the style of a room. Select a fabulous fabric and use a staple gun to give old furniture a new life.
• Wall decals are a snap to apply and if you get tired of them you can easily peel them off. You can get very creative with this great alternative to wallpaper.

This article was created from survey results generated by the Apartments.com What Renters Want monthly survey. If you have an idea for a survey topic, or would like to receive information on how you can make your voice heard by responding to one of our surveys, please send us an email at whatrenterswant@apartments.com.

Small changes can have a big effect on how your kitchen looks. Below are 11 decorating ideas that you can do yourself in a day or less. Not only are these simple changes easy to do, but they are inexpensive too!

1. Afraid of changing your drab white kitchen 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.

About the Author: Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com where you can find tips to decorate your kitchen no matter what your budget. Find out more about decorating your kitchen for less at http://www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com/decoratingkitchenonabudget.html

After searching decorating books, using trial and error decorating, and growing up a little bit, you have finally found the style of decorating that you really love. Your style could be Arts & Crafts, French Country, Asian, or Metro Hip. If you are still searching for your style or want a second opinion on what your general home style really is, try taking the fun style quiz at The Home Stylist.

Now that you have identified a décor style, the challenging part may now be to implement that style and make it substantial enough so others will notice.

There are seven simple elements that will really help you emphasize this great look.

1. Choose a focal point that will reflect your décor style.

This signature piece is usually the most dominant item you see and sets the tone of the room. If this piece is not your specific style, the room will not look its best. An example could be a beautiful Queen Anne armoire for a classic traditional style or a large rustic log mantel for the mountain lodge look.

2. Use colors that are common to that specific style.

Different décor styles are usually shown with a collection of colors that are prominent for that palette. Make sure your room has those colors. For example, French country is well known for its pretty yellows and blues. Americana style would not be the same without red, white and blue.

3. Collect in a theme that emphasizes that style.

Every ones needs a conversation piece or collection that demonstrates the owner’s personality and interests. A collection also doesn’t need to be large, just three to five objects. Ginger jars for the Asian décor or cute porcelain teapots to emphasize an English garden style.

4. Frame an authentic object that is original to the country or era.

This simple task does not have to be expensive. Old postcards from Italy for your Tuscany villa style or wine labels from France for a European look will add authenticity and personal touch to the décor.

5. Purchase a large coffee table book to demonstrate that décor.

Large beautiful books can subtly emphasis the style you enjoy. The book does need to be a decor book but rather a topic that is related to the style. For example, a book about vintage advertisements for the shabby chic look, or an Andy Warhol book for a metro-modern look.

6. Use plants or flowers that coordinate with the décor.

The greenery can be real or artificial as long as they look healthy. Nothing spoils a designer-look like a dying plant. Use cactus for the Southwestern look or a great palm tree for tropical style.

7. Review all your accents and accessories to make sure they blend with your new found style. By reviewing each element individually to see if it blends (not necessary perfectly matches), you can make sure you have a well-coordinated look. Look for a geometric patterned pillow for a Modern look; search for fringed lampshades for an Old World style.

Remember decorating is a process. Searching for those perfect accessories to emphasize your style is part of the fun. These tips will help you add the style you want to the home you love.

About The Author: Julie Dana is a professional Interior Redesigner and Accredited Staging Professional with www.thehomestylist.com. She can be reached at mailto:julie@thehomestylist.com.

If you’re having trouble finding that theme that will bring your whole décor together, you might be looking too hard. A simple trick is to design by the numbers. Buy furnishings in sets of three, and use the novelty of number themed rooms to set the tone for your home.

Try hanging three Van Gogh prints on a wall. Quickly you will find that room referred to as the Van Gogh room. Try the same thing with a different artist in each room and transform your home into an elegant art gallery, with visual decoration in every space.

The same can be done with almost any of your home furnishings. Three clocks hanging in formation on a wall, each loosely related to the other in theme, will create an eye-catching effect. Statues of similar shapes or natures can be arrayed in this numerical method as well; perhaps in three corners of the room, leaving the fourth corner as a focal point.

There are any many novel ways you can use this idea if you are willing to use your imagination. Three decorative lamps, placed on a table can be used to create various lighting effects. Beat the boring rectangular restrictions of your fish tank, by buying three and arranging them in a pattern of your choice.

By using several items in groups of threes you turn the room’s theme into the number itself or your home into a gallery of numbers. While this is a cute method, you don’t want to go too far and end up with something that looks silly. This is a trick to be used with a light touch. Everything in decorating has to remain balanced, and going too far with an idea as unique as this one may bring you into the realm of weird.

About the Author: Joey Lewitin is an author, artist, and designer of home décor accessories made from imported stone. Original designs from him and other artisans can be seen at www.pebblez.com.

Changing dull beige walls to a serene pale yellow or splashing a fresh coat of shimmering white paint on an over killed red room can magically transform your apartment. It is tempting to want to paint every room once the idea crosses your mind but always check with your landlord first. You may have to repaint before you leave or risk losing your security deposit. If you have a painting plan that will improve the apartment for future renters, however, or if you are planning on staying for more than year, talk to your landlord and discuss your plans. Most landlords will not be opposed to your efforts to make their property more appealing.

Painting a room or an entire apartment in that case, is a major undertaking. Making the job look professional may be more difficult than you think. Before beginning your project read over Apartments.com’s guide to a successful painting project. And remember, colors like plum-tastic purple and guava-green often look better on sample strips than they do sprawled all over your walls. Choose those colors carefully!

The Paint

You can choose either latex- or oil-based paint. Latex is easier to work with and can be cleaned up with soap and water. Oil-based paint requires turpentine for clean-up, but is stain-resistant and works well in kitchens and bathrooms.

Then you need to choose your finish:

A flat finish doesn’t reflect light so it’s best for large surfaces.

Satin finish paints will brighten up hallways, play areas, children’s and guests’ rooms and casual living spaces. It softens bright colors but still allows the color to shine through.

A semi-gloss finish is the easiest to clean and so it is the best choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

Use a gloss finish sparingly or risk wearing sunglasses indoors. Gloss paint reflects light and is good for trim or small spaces.

Check out our article on color and mood, Decorating with Color, to help determine what affect your choice of color will have on your roommate’s attitude. In general, however, these are the color-choice basics:

When creating your color scheme, choose one color as a predominant color and add complimentary accent colors.