Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean that your new place can’t reflect your personal style. It’s a daunting task, after all, you’ve been living with lace doilies and plastic lawn ornaments for quite a while… But hey, it’s not a dorm room either.. It’s time to toss out the milk crates, cardboard boxes and oversized sheets.

Along with freedom comes a feeling of utter joy and abandon, but STOP….. Before you get carried away, PUT AWAY the credit cards! The last thing you want to do is start off your new life in debt (or in even more debt). Don’t try to fill up your apartment all at once. Just with a good wardrobe, there are things that you’ll want to splurge on and some things you’ll want to go bargain…

Think good investments for items you’ll have for a minimum of 5 years. Stuff you don’t want to skimp on:

A good mattress - There is NOTHING that beats a good night’s sleep!

A sofa - This important piece of furniture is often the focal point of a room, select one that will stand the test of time and in a pattern that will mesh with your changing tastes. You can always get a sofa cover if you want to go funky or check out your local craft and fabric store for a quick and easy handmade throw.

A table - Think about it this way, you’re going to want quality where you sleep, sit and eat…

Although you’re probably going to have a lot of friends and family members that are going to want to help you out, be cautious about accepting hand me downs. If the piece is broken or worn or just plain tacky, don’t feel bad about saying no. On the other hand, don’t look at the piece for only what it is. Would a fresh paint job do wonders? Is that armoire an antique? Can you cut that tablecloth into curtains? Throws?

Go to your local thrift shop. It might be dirty and dingy, but sometimes, you’ll find the most eclectic kitsch, perfect for your retro or post-modern theme.

Before you start filling a room, take a step back and look at your space. Think about the things that you do daily and how to best use your space. Although a music room would be cool, will you be working from home a lot? If so, you might want to create office space instead of getting a new home entertainment center. If you’re moving far away from home, will you have many overnight guests? Would a guest bedroom be needed?

Think form and function, can that table also be used as a desk? Is that a sofa bed? If you’re limited in space, find furniture that can easily be folded up or put away to make room for guests or project space. We know that some of you will be coming from a one room environment, but sometimes, that studio apartment doesn’t offer much more room than what you’re used to.

Some great books that can be referenced….

How to Decorate and Furnish Your Apartment on a Budget by Lourdes Dumke

Use What You Have Decorating : Transform Your Home in One Hour With Ten Simple Design Principles - Using the Space You Have, the Things You Like, the Budget You Choose

Decorating Idea Book by Heather Paper

Quick Decorating Ideas Under $20: The Budget Decorator’s Bible by Kathleen Wilson

But just remember, have fun, after all, this is your place….

Not sure what to hang on those blank walls? Choosing art for your new apartment can be an intimidating task, considering the variety of choices available and the statement any given piece can make. Apartments.com has assembled this list of artwork, arranged by personality type. Find yourself in this list for prints that will match your tastes!

The Purist

The Dog
Pablo Picasso
This black-and-white painting has a minimalist look to it and the solid white background really makes it pop. It’s a great print for modern décor.

Oak Tree, Sunset City, California
Ansel Adams
The purist will appreciate the form and use of color in this simple but breathtaking photo.

The Creation of Adam
Michelangelo Buonarroti
The symbolic beauty of this print has made it a treasured painting for centuries. It creates a sense of spiritual connection for those who gaze into it.

Kitchen in Tuscany
Karel Burrows
The palette will be excited by the delicious foods ready to be eaten in this colorful print. The shades are bright and exude a golden glow, making this print a perfect addition to a kitchen wall where it will inspire you as you cook.

The Romantic

Rooms by the Sea
Edward Hopper
An American realist, this print will draw you into that serene beach house room overlooking the ocean. You can literally smell the salty water and feel the sand between your toes when you look at it.

Starry Night
Vincent Van Gogh
A pioneer of Expressionism, Van Gogh died in poverty but has become one of the world’s most famous painters. Adorn a main wall with this, his most popular, which displays the night sky over a village scene.

Sunset Beach
Diane Romanello
Described as a romantic realist, her paintings create a soft, peaceful feeling. This painting makes the viewer feel as if he or she were about step out onto the sand during sunset.

Cool Re-Uses

We all have a little creative side, here’s the perfect opportunity to let it shine. How many things to we throw away each and every day that are perfectly good items if we just think of another creative way to use it. How about:

Use plastic grocery bags to line smaller garbage cans.

Old wine and micro-beer bottles make great taper candle holders. Wine bottles will also work well as a vase for a single flower.

Got some scratched up CD’s? Or ones that you know no one will want to buy? Use them for coasters.

Cut images from greeting cards and use as holiday decorations, scrapbook elements or gift tags.

Paint and decorate the lid and remove the label from a baby food jar. Fill it with bath salts, candy or a candle and use as a gift or a wedding or baby shower favor.

Use your empty mint tins for a sewing needle and threat for a travel mending kit.

Use newspapers as packing material when shipping those homemade cookies to your family or use it to wrap fragile items before storing them. Don’t laugh, newspaper can be used as gift wrapping paper. Use colored markers and ribbons to personalize the wrapping. Newspaper works great when used to clean mirrors and windows, no streaks.

Make economical confetti by hole punching used paper scraps.

Paint or draw designs on used paper and then cut into strips. This can be used as the “grass” in Easter baskets.

Empty plastic butter or sour cream containers can be used as an alternative to more expensive Tupperware. They can also be used as outdoor bowls in hot summer weather for your pet.

Local schools often use empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls for art projects. You can also use empty toilet paper rolls to help organize extension cords and holiday lights. Roll the cord or light strand and feed through the roll and you’ll avoid messy untangling when you need them. Mark the outside of the roll with the length of the cord that is contained inside.

Old toothbrushes are great for cleaning grout, polishing your shoes or for any cleaning project where you need to get into a small or tight space.

So what can we do?
Here are some tips on what you can do in your home to help conserve, recycle, reduce and reuse. Every little bit helps, so even if you don’t turn into a Mean GREEN Recycling Machine, at least throw your office paper into the recycling bin, instead of the regular trash.

Recycling Plastic BottlesThe bottled water fad seems to have exploded. You can pay upwards of $3 for a half liter bottle, water with vitamins added, water with flavors added (isn’t that just soda?), water that gives part of their proceeds to charity, there’s hooks and gimmicks all over the place but net net, water is water. The majority of bottled water is sourced from a municipal supply and further treated to remove any impurities that may be found in the source water. You will find some bottled water that is sourced from a Mountain Spring (FDA regulations stipulate that bottlers must reveal the source of the product on the label, if the label doesn’t say where its from, and you assume it is from a Spring, it probably isn’t). But, the only difference is not the purity of the product, but the mineral content (nothing to get alarmed about, it’s just that different minerals affect the taste in different ways).

The bottled water fad seems to have exploded. You can pay upwards of $3 for a half liter bottle, water with vitamins added, water with flavors added (isn’t that just soda?), water that gives part of their proceeds to charity, there’s hooks and gimmicks all over the place but net net, water is water. The majority of bottled water is sourced from a municipal supply and further treated to remove any impurities that may be found in the source water. You will find some bottled water that is sourced from a Mountain Spring (FDA regulations stipulate that bottlers must reveal the source of the product on the label, if the label doesn’t say where its from, and you assume it is from a Spring, it probably isn’t). But, the only difference is not the purity of the product, but the mineral content (nothing to get alarmed about, it’s just that different minerals affect the taste in different ways).

On average, Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour. This number has escalated since the increase in sales of single serve bottled water. Sadly, the majority of these bottles do end up in landfills. Plastic bottles can be recycled but because they are made from petroleum, take between 50 and 100 years to decompose if added to a landfill. More than 45,000 tons of plastic trash is dumped into the world’s waterways every year, killing up to 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals annually.

Some garbage pick up companies across the United States actually charge based on the amount of garbage they pick up from any given location. The more garbage you create, the more you have to pay to have it picked up and brought to the landfill. Even if you don’t live in one of these areas, every person in the US creates an average of 4.4 pounds of waste per day. The majority of this waste either ends up in landfills or is incinerated, creating drastic and growing environmental concerns. Being more cautious about the items that you purchase will end up saving you some big bucks each year, plus you’ll have a clear conscience knowing that you’re helping to create a greener, cleaner planet.

In the US, 50% of the manufactured paper, 8% of the steel, 75% of the glass, 40% of the aluminum and 30% of the plastics are used only for the packaging and decoration of other consumer products. When you’re shopping, purchase items that you use often in bulk. Not only are you helping the environment by cutting down on packaging, but you’re also saving money. If you’re choosing between two products in the store that cost the same, choose the one with the least amount of excess packaging.

Let’s face it, if you don’t have a dishwasher, paper plates and plastic utensils are a god-send. But one use items are just not that great of an idea for the environment. Buck up and do the dishes. If this is a major issue for you, something that you just can’t stand to do, make sure you search for an apartment that has dishwashers in the unit. Environmentally speaking, a dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand.

Instead of stopping by the coffee shop every morning, make coffee before you leave for work or school and bring it with you in a thermos.

When you do purchase coffee, use a metal spoon instead of a disposable stir stick.

Use soy candles instead of regular petroleum based wax candles. Soy candles last longer, spills can be cleaned easier and more of the wax evaporates into the air. If the wick burns down and there is leftover wax, place it into a piece of netting and tie the ends. You can toss this into your car during the summer, the heat will cause the soy to evaporate and pleasantly scent your vehicle with no mess.

Avoid using sticky notes and use a chalkboard or whiteboard instead.

Instead of using paper lunch bags, purchase a lunchbox or insulated lunch bag.

Use a fabric carry all when you go to the mall and when you purchase something tell the cashier that you don’t need a bag. Don’t hesitate to tell them that you don’t need your new pair of jeans wrapped up in tissue paper either.

Heating is the single biggest energy use and cost in a home, air conditioners give off CFC’s that are destructive to the ozone layer and lets not forget how high the gas and electricity bills sky rocket during times of weather extremes. When you save energy, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also helping to reduce the demand for fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). The following are some quick tips to help you save some extra cash as well as do something great for our environment.

Weatherize your apartment by using caulk and weather stripping to plug air leaks around doors and windows.

In the winter, don’t forget to put up your storm windows as they will help protect against cold wind chills. They can reduce heating costs by as much as 15% by also preventing warm air from escaping. If you’ve moved into your apartment in warmer weather and don’t know where the storm windows are, call your building management.

Open the blinds and curtains over windows that face direct sunlight. The sun rays will help heat the room and the extra light will eliminate the need to turn on lamps. Alternatively, keep blinds and curtains closed at night or on overcast days to keep the warmth inside.

Keep your home humid! Dry air makes you feel colder than most air at the same temperature. You can either get a humidifier, or simply place shallow pans of water near radiator tops or close to warm air vents.

In hot weather, do your baking, cooking and laundry (activities when appliances that throw warmth, oven, dryer, hair dryer, steamer, etc., are used) in the early morning or later at night when the weather is cooler. You won’t feel the need to crank up your air conditioning so high.

Get a timer for your thermostat. There’s no need to run up high energy bills when no one is home. Set the timer to shut on about 30 minutes before you get home so that your place is cooler or heated to your comfort level. In the winter, turn your thermostat down during the night and opt for a down comforter instead.

Fans use only about 1/10 the electricity of a typical air conditioner unit. During moderate heat, try using a ceiling or freestanding fan instead of turning on your air.

Drying your clothes on a high heat not only uses a good chunk of energy, but you’re also making your home hotter than it needs to be (in the summer, your air conditioning will need to work harder to cool your rooms). Plus, for some fabrics, heated drying shortens the lifespan of the garment. Line drying also eliminates static cling! You’ll be able to conserve energy and save some money by line drying some of your clothing items. Don’t have a yard? No worries. There are many size indoor drying racks and lines available. And you could always just throw your clothing over the shower rod…

Organizing Your Tie Rack

Okay guys - admit it. Your tie rack is a mess. Take these simple steps to straighten it all out.

1 - Get two plastic bags - one for Discard and one for Donate.

2 - Lay all your ties out on the bed or floor.

3 - Discard ALL that are stained, torn or discolored.

4 - Donate ALL that:

• Don’t match any of your clothing
• Are really out of style for good
• You haven’t worn in a year

Who knows? When you get through, you might be glad to get a tie for your next gift!

Organizing Your Jewelry Box

You keep wearing the same accessories over and over because your jewelry box is such a mess. With a little organization, you’ll enjoy what you have a lot more. Take these simple steps:

1 - Get three plastic bags - one for Discard, one for Donate and one for Repair.

2 - Untangle everything and group like objects together.

3 - Discard ALL the pieces that are broken beyond repair.

4 - Discard ALL single earrings.

5 - Put the pieces that you always wear in one spot.

6 - Put all the valuable or sentimental pieces in one spot.

7 - Be very critical of what is left. Donate what you know you’ll never wear.

There are lots of places to donate jewelry. Maybe one of your friends would like to have a look, or your kids. And just think - if you empty some of that space, you’ll have room for something new!

Apartments.com recently asked renters who they buy gifts for during the holidays. Thirty-nine percent said they purchase a gift for their roommate and fifteen percent of these givers will spend more than $50.

Thirty-six percent of renters will give a gift to their neighbor and one-third of renters will give a gift to their postal carrier. Thirty-five percent of survey respondents plan to give to those who directly service their apartment building. Property managers/landlords topped the list of gift recipients, followed by maintenance personnel and doormen.

How much do renters spend during the holidays? Six percent spend $1000 or more, eighteen percent spend between $501 and $1000, twenty-six percent spend between $101 and $500 and less than twelve percent spend under $100.

Barry Boone, CEO of DealHunting.com provides the following advice for those renters looking to stay on budget as they shop for holiday gifts:

• Prepare before you shop. Think about your gift recipients and make a list of things you would like to purchase for each person on your list.
• Go online and research your gifts. Through shopping search sites you can find and compare items from multiple stores as well as find special coupon codes, rebates, free shipping and other offers.
• Avoid the impulse buy.

If it’s not on your list, don’t get it.

As the demand for apartment housing rises, Apartments.com conducted a survey to current renters to find out why they choose to rent. The results of the survey reveal that maintenance free living, cost and flexibility are the most common reasons to rent!

The largest number of respondents (43.7%) rent primarily for the maintenance free living apartments provide. Many respondents have a strong desire for the convenience of a maintenance person available for common household repairs as well as the freedom of not needing to tend to a lawn, garden or landscaping.

More than twenty-three percent of renters choose to rent for financial reasons. According to the National Multi-Housing Council (NMHC), if an individual plans to live in one place for less than five years, it may make the most financial sense to rent. The costs of buying and selling a home can total 10 percent or more of the price of the home. Additionally, home ownership in a desired neighborhood may be much more expensive than renting in the same neighborhood. Some of the survey respondents indicated that they chose to rent in a preferred school district when owning in the area was not within their budget. Renting also affords individuals the freedom to invest in a variety of stocks, bonds and mutual funds that can provide a higher return on investment as opposed to property ownership. According to the NMHC the average home value increases only five percent each year, whereas the average stock value increases seven percent and bond value increases eight percent each year.

Nineteen percent of respondents indicate that relocation flexibility and the lack of a long term commitment in an apartment is the primary reason they choose to rent.

The NMHC suggests that renting may be a good choice for the following types of individuals:

• Young adults just beginning their careers.
• Single parents who do not have time for maintenance or the money to buy a house in a desired school district.
• Empty nesters who want to travel.
• Anyone tired of long commutes to work.
• Anyone who wants abundant amenities and social activities where they live.
• Professionals who transfer often.

For those who choose to rent, apartment selection hinges on specific available amenities and community features. Our survey revealed that in-unit washers and dryers and air conditioning are the most desirable amenities. Properties that allow pets and have ample parking for tenants top the list of community features that increase renter satisfaction.

Let us know why you choose to rent!

Love is in the air and Apartments.com wants to share with you the results of a recent survey about the love life and dating behaviors of renters. More than twenty one percent of our survey respondents say that they’ve been in a relationship with someone they met while living in the same apartment building and about one in ten renters has had a romantic relationship with a roommate.

Although most people shy away from dating someone in such close proximity, three percent of survey respondents actually met their spouse while living in the same apartment building. A survey respondent said, “I met my husband in April of 1996. On my first day on the job at a large apartment complex, he came in to see apartments. He came back the next day and was my first rental. Now we are married and have 2 kids.” In addition to actual dating, more than sixteen percent currently have a secret crush on someone that lives in the same apartment building and more than twenty four percent state they have had a crush on someone who works at their apartment community.

Fifty-nine percent of renters aren’t very optimistic about dating close to home and don’t think it’s a very good idea. One renter replied, “It’s not a good idea to date someone who lives in your apartment building or complex (unless it is a large complex and there is no chance you would see each other that much) because if it ends badly you would have to endure seeing that person all the time and possibly see them with a new boyfriend or girlfriend.”

Hooking up with someone who lives in your same apartment building can be too close for comfort for some people, after all, you share the same address and even the same mailroom. While the convenience factor is appealing, the awkward run-ins in the laundry room while sorting through dirty clothes can often be too uncomfortable to bear,” says Sarah Preston, a relationship expert and writer for Playboy.com and Chicago magazine. She offers the following advice for those considering dating someone within the same building or apartment complex:

• If knock, knock, knockin’ on your neighbor’s door can be kept discreet, go for it. But don’t be surprised when your doorman is telling other tenants he saw you two canoodling in the corridor.
• A fun affair down the hall can be the easiest kind of fling but please keep your hands to yourself in the common areas to avoid embarrassing looks in the elevator.
• If you have a crush on someone who lives in your building, the likelihood of running into that person around the building is better than bumping into him/her at one of the zillions of bars in your city. Figure out his/her schedule and linger around the lobby when you know he/she’s coming home from work. Be friendly, hold the elevator, and make sure you look cute that day.
• Prepare yourself for when the relationship goes sour, because you’re likely to see your ex with another love interest at some point. Breakups are hard; breakups when you have to see each other every day are a nightmare.

Tell us about your Leasing Office Romance!