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Going to college marks the beginning of a new phase in your life, and what a better way to celebrate it than by decorating your student apartment? Besides the fact that it’s simply fun, decorating your new place can make you feel more comfortable, and if you do it right, it can also help you study better. So, here are a few tips that should help you make your student apartment more stylish. 

Show your colors

One of the best ways to make your apartment truly yours is to decorate it in your favorite colors. Whether you like lively, bold colors or a milder blueish palette, your choice of colors says a lot about you. Now, painting the walls is usually not allowed in college apartments, but there are plenty of other ways to add color to your room. For example, you can use removable decals and wall tapestries, you can find pillows and blankets in your favorite colors, and you can always introduce your colors through smaller, stylish accessories. After all, details matter, so even if you add only a few colorful items, they can still give your apartment a lot of character. 

Light it up

student girl
Although lighting is more about functionality, there are many ways in which you can use it to make your apartment more chic. For starters, not having lighting fixtures that match makes any room seem more eclectic and unique. Then, there are always string lights, which can be hung from pretty much anywhere. They are perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere after a lot of studying. Finally, if you get a lamp with a lampshade, you can poke holes in the lampshade and project any pattern you want all around the room. 

Choose the right furniture

When it comes to furniture, it should be both practical and comfortable. Therefore, make sure the chair that you use when studying is ergonomically correct and that your desk has plenty of room for everything you use while studying. Also, look for furniture that doubles as storage, since you can never have too much storage. Finally, for an extra boost of style, choose one or two comfortable sofas that you’ll enjoy sitting and sleeping on. The thing is, your furniture options might be limited by the size of your apartment and the items it comes with. However, this only means that you need to choose wisely.

Make a custom bookshelf

study desk
With a bit of creativity, you can turn anything into something else. For example, a small stepladder that you don’t really need can easily become a cute bookshelf that you definitely do need. You can personalize it by painting it in the above-mentioned colors, and you can also add some photos to it. This way, you’d have plenty of storage for your books, and you’d also have motivational photos when the exam period comes. 

Introduce a bit of homey comfort

Assuming that your college is far away from your hometown, it’s completely normal for you to miss your room at home and the comfort it provided you with. No matter how excited you are about your new college life, it still implies many new things you’d need to get used to. One way to make this transition easier is to make your student apartment more comfortable. You can do so with soft pillows, which you can bring from home, fuzzy rugs that you’ll enjoy walking on, and some throws that you can wrap yourself in while studying. It’ll make you feel more at home, and such accessories are never out of style. 

Add some greenery

student apartment
This tip might not sound very chic, but there’s much more to it than it might seem at first. For starters, plants purify the air, which can help you be more productive and energetic. Next, they give you an opportunity for personal expression – you can use them to introduce a pop of color into your student apartment, and you can always decorate the planters. Finally, they also provide you with something to care for, which might actually make you feel better if you have a pet at home that you miss.

 

Your student apartment will be your home for quite a while, so might as well make it feel like one. There’s no reason for it to be bland and barely practical when you can turn it into a chic resort that is just as stylish as it is functional. So, pay attention to the little details, introduce your favorite colors through accessories, and emphasize the visual appeal through light fixtures. Add some greenery, pick your furniture wisely, and you’ll be enjoying your new college life in no time.

Even though you might not be a metalhead, chances are you’ll become one – at least in terms of design – once you see what we have in store for you. Various metals and metallic finishes have taken the worlds of fashion and interior design by storm, which comes as no surprise considering their aesthetics. More and more people around the world are choosing to implement more metallic decor in their home design and thus make a statement.

If you’re still not convinced, don’t stop reading. Soon, you’ll be introduced to the amazing world of metallic interior designs that will simply blow your mind. Let’s dive into it, shall we?

The golden ratio

Gold is one of the most cherished metals in human history. Therefore, it’s no wonder that it’s the most commonly used metal in today’s world of design. Contrary to popular belief, gold comes in various shades – from almost silvery white gold, over the typical yellow gold all the way to the most recent sweetheart, rose gold. This diversity is probably what makes it so popular. When incorporating gold in your home decor, you can choose to stay subtle and only add a few golden decor pieces here and there. However, keep in mind that “subtle” is usually a euphemism for “boring”. So, let your inner diva shine, and create a gold accent wall. You can either choose to literally paint the wall in one on the aforementioned golden shades and then contrast it with dark furniture, or you can paint the accent wall in a bold hue and hang a huge statement wall piece featuring all the shades – the choice is yours. No matter what you decide, remember that the point of a metal decor is anything but subtlety, so don’t shy away from going a bit overboard.

Copper, bronze and brass

Copper, bronze and brass are known for their warm shades and work best in bringing some warmth and creating a cozy feel in a room. These metals are the perfect choice if you want to turn your industrial interior into a steampunk oasis. To do so, you’ll need to “attune your ears to the grinding gears” and let your inner automaton fill your interior with various statement pieces made of copper, bronze and brass. To create a true steampunk haven don’t just leave your pipes exposed but create an elaborate pattern with them and paint them in one of the aforementioned shades. The true beauty of this design lies in mixing all of these metals with various shades of browns, maroons and other dark earthy tones. These bright metals will be in a perfect balance with dark elements, creating a truly unique, luxurious space.

Silver, iron and steel

On the other side of the metallic rainbow, we have silver, iron and steel. These metals are more appropriate choices if you wish to create a subdued minimalistic interior with a bold twist. They work perfectly when implemented in a monochromatic design. However, these metals tend to look a bit cold and create a somewhat a sterile environment, so be careful when implementing them into your decor, to avoid making your room feel unwelcoming and cold.

See? We told you it’s going to be unusual and fun. Just remember, choosing to implement various metals in your home decor is not for the faint of heart. With it, you’ll be making a real statement and expressing your personality to the fullest. If you are an unyielding spirit, embellishing your personal surroundings with a similar material is probably the only logical way to go.

Renting an apartment can be tricky, but it can also be a lucrative business decision and a long-term investment that can pay off in kind. One of the main problems modern landlords face is decorating an apartment to be aesthetically pleasing enough without busting the bank and running the risk of guests, to put it simply, thrashing the place.
While there are limited ways you can prevent the last scenario from happening, there are plenty of things you can do to inexpensively elevate the decor and design of your rental property, and attract new business. Here are the top five tips on how you can decorate a rental apartment on a budget.

Source your furniture

sofa, room
Image source: peschekinteriors.com
Who said that quality furniture needs to be expensive? There are plenty of ways you can obtain excellent pieces that work with a variety of interior designs for half the retail price or less. You simply need to turn your attention from the nosy ads to the hidden furniture stores around the city.
From antique to thrift stores, from the flea market to the local landfill, the possibilities are numerous. The best part is, you are more likely to find quaint, beautiful furniture pieces that work wonderfully with a modern design approach, and even better in a charming, rustic setting. Be sure to search online for furniture you can obtain from other people, and visit a salvage yard as well.

Floor covers can save your budget

couch, chair, rug
A beautiful stone or marble floor is bound to increase the value of  rental properties. Wooden floors in particular. However, naked surfaces such as these aren’t a landlord’s best friends, as they require maintenance, and can be easily damaged. Enter, the area rug.
Area rugs excellent at preventing damage and skid marks, and even concealing damage if need be while being an inexpensive way to spruce up your apartment and incorporate a unique flair into the design. If you are really keen on preserving your floors, you can even introduce rubber matting, however, this solution might not be as aesthetically pleasing as a colourful rug.

Soundproof and beautiful

wall, apartment
One of the biggest problems landlords face is actually keeping the neighbours happy. Due to the large volume of people passing through the apartment on a regular basis, the neighbours can start feeling unsafe, not to mention that you can get into a lot of trouble if they report noise and disturbance coming from the apartment.
You need to preserve a good relationship between your Airbnb rental apartment and your neighbours, so it’s best to invest in some simple sound-proofing for extra privacy, and top it off with replaceable wallpapers. This way, you can easily replace any wallpaper that might have suffered damage during your guests’ stay.

Manipulate the ambiance with lighting

lamp, hallway
Another inexpensive way to introduce an up-scale vibe into your apartment’s interior design is to simply add warm lighting across the board. Start with the hallway where you can introduce coned lights and work your way in towards the living room, and the bedroom.
In the living room, the bedroom, and even the bathroom, you want to add programmable lighting so that the ambiance can be easily modified to correspond with the mood and the occasion. Think free standing lights in the living room, and fixed lighting in the bedroom.

Add a variety of interesting details

wall art
Finally, you want to make the apartment feel homey with a positive vibe, and a serene ambiance that inspires creativity. To that end, think about all the accents and details you can introduce into the setting without making it feel cluttered or overstated.
After all, every guest has their personal taste, so while you want it to be aesthetically pleasing, you also want to leave it neutral enough so that the design is not actually screaming at them. So think framed wall art, quote art, various potted greenery scattered throughout, and a few details here and there on the shelves and the windowsills. A bookcase is always a great option as well.

Getting your rental property up and running and generating revenue is not an easy task, especially in the first year. Luckily, by following these inexpensive tips you will have no problem decorating your apartment on a budget.

So, you want to live on your own; you are too old to share the place with roommates or your parents any longer, but you haven’t decided where to live. Choosing a real estate property is one of the most important and difficult choices in everyone’s life. Everyone has a different lifestyle, habits, wishes… In accordance with our wishes, interests and abilities we are trying to create and organize our own lives in the best possible way. But, should you choose a house, apartment or condo? Check out the pros and cons.

Regardless of which of the three options above you chose, each of them has its pros and cons. To realize which option is the best for you, smart thing would be to compare them through several universal parameters.
Apartment

Maintenance

Condo: Living in a condo doesn’t involve a big commitment when it comes to keeping your living space well maintained. Keeping your condo clean and tidy is easy, fast and convenient. However, living in a condo involves dealing with other tenants when it comes to maintaining the mutual parts of the building (hallways, lights, heating  …).

Apartment: To maintain your apartment, you will need as much time and money as for maintaining the condo. But the big difference between condo and apartment is that you wouldn’t have to worry about the common parts of the building, if you chose the apartment, because there are none. The building is owned by one owner, who is leasing the apartments and taking care of its maintenance.

House: Home maintenance requires more time, especially when it comes to gardening; but many homeowners consider everyday chores as an excellent relief from everyday stress and other obligations.
House

Comfort

Condo and apartment: Your financial possibilities and individual choices are crucial for the level of comfort in the apartment or a condo. However, given that residential buildings are mainly located close to all necessary facilities, a gym, shop, park, market and other necessary facilities will be at your hand which is great comfort is to have. Bear in mind that if you chose the apartment or a condo, you will need to have consideration for other tenants and will have to reduce the noise and partying to a minimum.

House: The house is definitely the queen of comfort. Besides the fact that you can customize it and adjust it to your own requirements and preferences, you will be able to fully enjoy the privacy and peace. Also, you can enjoy the fresh air in your own backyard, save money if you make your house earth friendly and have any pet you want.
Condominium

Lifestyle

Condo: Condo is an ideal choice for those who lead an active life, regardless of whether it is a family or a single person. People who choose to live in the condo are usually those who spend a lot of time outside, working, traveling or enjoying the various events and outdoor activities.

Apartment: Ask yourself: ”How long am I going to stay in this city”? If you buy, you are attached to the location and it is important to know for how long you are planning to stay at one place. The real estate market is characterized by low flexibility lately and buying a real estate to own it for a few years is not a profitable investment. You should know that buying a property includes a number of other costs, taxes, real estate agency fees, etc. Overall, in the short term, that is less than 10 years (especially if your property is financed by loans), renting an apartment is always cheaper and smarter option.

House: The house is the ideal choice for people who like to spend time at home with maximum privacy. House gives a lot of freedom. Large spaces, privacy, nature, doing your favorite hobby in a workshop or a garage, uninterrupted playing or listening to music are just some of the privileges that homeowners have. If you’re thinking about starting a family, this is definitely the best option for you.
House, Apartment, Condo

With such important decisions, you need to realistically and objectively view the situation, evaluate your own capabilities, your lifestyle, needs and goals in life. If you think it through carefully, I’m sure you will make the right choice, if you are not sure – lease the apartment.

At first glance, one-room apartments do not seem like a perfect stage for design ideas. On the contrary, these cramped spaces give decorators many headaches. However, one Swedish small haven is about to change this notion. The irresistible charm of the Scandinavian decor was used to pull together a striking home, which responds to obstacles with stylish ingenuity and interior design prowess. It demonstrates the art of making every inch count, and deploys smart design tactics: This is a master class in how to engage in decorating a small space.

White sensation

The first thing that stands out in the unique shelter is the monochrome visual appeal, as this enthralling all-white space embraces the Scandinavian color philosophy. Gorgeous white floor and walls are accompanied by pastel accents that make the room more captivating. Furthermore, the clutter is kept at bay, which provides enough room for daily activities and for people to move around freely. Finally, a large count of windows infuses an airy and spacious feel, which is paramount to Nordic flats.

A photo of a small white kitchen

This shows in the open kitchen and dining area that emanate a sense of freedom. Differently-colored pastel chairs add drama and deliver a whimsical touch to the room, which is complemented by minimalistic wall art. An industrial pendant light draws the eye up, and reminds us of the importance of lighting in assembling a stunning environment. Wall shelving provides storage space in the kitchen, with effective lamps located above it. A small ’50-style, pastel green refrigerator is a spectacle in its own right, and it also acts as a room divider.

A photo of a small apartment in Scandinavian decor

Make room

A comfortable sitting area is the hub of domestic life. It serves as a convenient place for various household activities and social gatherings. There are many windows that let the natural light and fresh air in, summoning the sense of openness and calmness. A grey ARÖD floor lamp compliments the natural blessings, and with its adjustable arm and head, it is a highly-functional source of directional light.  The statement wall on the opposite side introduces some style with the wacky artwork, and shows us we should not shy away from daring focal points when decorating.

Small Apartment

A private sleeping nook is concealed behind the wall, offering sublime coziness. There is also a door that breaks the room and creates an illusion of more space. Behind it, an open wardrobe is located, which is a nice solution for the shortage of storage capacities. There was even space left even for a chill-out corner, which is located above the bedroom. This is a great way to maximize the horizontal space and take advantage of the high ceilings. Make an effort to nurture such strategic thinking whenever decorating and designing a spatially challenging home.

Scandinavian Inspired Apartment

More power to you

Sometimes less is more. Nothing proves this statement as superbly as a tiny, adorable Scandinavian-style home. It has everything one could need, and it is astounding indeed how much style and beauty were packed in 45 m2. This proves that by making the most out of small space, it is possible to transform it into a retreat that transcends the spatial limitations. Merging unparalleled functionality with minimalistic edge and appealing design, this is a small dream home come true.

Images via vaningen.se

Renting a home shouldn’t make you care less about it. If you don’t look after your space, you can’t expect the tenants to do the same. Empty property and a loss of income is something no landlord wants.  A well-kept one is not likely to receive such fate, and aesthetically pleasing homes will make it easier for tenants to accept the rental price. Hence, go ahead and decorate with style, aiming at those groups who might be your most likely customers.

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Image source: www.houzz.se

Rental facts and figures

More and more people are giving up on owning a property, and rents have risen rapidly in recent years.  It is estimated that there are 11 million private renters in England alone and by 2032 private landlords will own one in every three homes in the whole UK. Half of the 25 to 34 years-old population rent their homes, which is why the university towns are a fertile ground for investment. There, tenants often bid against each other and push the rents up.

Being a landlord comes with both many benefits and responsibilities indeed, and you need to be aware of your legal rights and obligations. Rental property must be, for example, safe to live in and free from potential health hazards. Still, many landlords fail to give accurate information on things like decoration to tenants and this gives rise to redecoration disputes. On the other hand, a thorough account of the décor and a clearly defined tenancy agreement prevent disputes and other unpleasant situations.

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Image source: homesick.nu

A long-lasting investment

According to industry guidelines, the landlords should make an effort to redecorate every three to five years. The responsibility, at least the financial one, lies with them, unless a tenant has caused damage that calls for redecoration. Keep in mind that what many students and younger generations want is a neutral blank canvas they can add their own personality to. It means that you should refrain from turning the place into your personal retreat full of statement pieces.

The focus should be on practical and durable solutions. A long-lasting property that endures all the trials and temptations of tenants is the best investment there is. Thus, a healthy balance between durability and visual appeal spurs best long term benefits for landlords.

Don’t go overboard with furnishing and stocking the property, because it won’t add much value to it. Your decorating budget should depend on your monthly income from rents. Yet, don’t get discouraged by high up-front costs and avoid things like shinny but cheap fittings- they are a false economy. The same goes for bathroom fittings- this is not the area where you should try to cut the costs.

A bulk of landlords tends to ignore the flooring because it’s costly, but it’s the part of the home that is most prone to damage due to physical contact. Bear in mind that floor tiles are sturdier than paint or laminate, and should be the only solution in moist rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. They are also easy to maintain, even more so if they are dark-coloured.

Furthermore, note that unlike most families, students don’t bring their own furniture. It should be in a good decorative order and kept clean. Not every piece can be trendy, but try to replace the unfashionable ones. It’s best if the furniture is versatile and can fit in a variety of places. Also, don’t forget that as a landlord, you are responsible for the fire safety of all the furniture and furnishings. If it was made before 1989, it probably doesn’t meet the safety regulations.

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Image source: decoholic.org

United colours

Light paints and carpets might give the illusion that the space is bigger and cleaner, but this trick has a short lifespan. It’s quite difficult to keep light walls and carpets clean, and they are most likely to become murky in a matter of months. Then you would have to come up with some money for repainting or replacing, something your budget could do without.

Go for mid-toned greys or browns which go excellent with most of the other colours, and remember that natural lighting complements them well. Apart from the blessings of the Mother Nature, make good use of other sources of light. Proper lighting is crucial for every living space, so invest in lamps and funky lampshades, or brighten up your space with some pendant light. Led lighting products are always a smart solution, since they are economical, yet trendy.

An alternative for bringing life into outdated rooms with poor colour palette is fabric. Use wall coverings to give a fresh look to the place, and you can easily remove them if you are not overly satisfied with the results.  This inexpensive solution sure can save landlords the headaches and provide tenants with a more pleasing living environment.

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Image source: decoholic.org

Safe and sound

Rising house prices create a great demand for rental spaces, but tenants still want to see some style and substance. Spend your pennies wisely, and stick to your decorating budget. At the same time, have in mind that redecoration increases the rental’s property value and makes it easier to rent the space. It’s thus in every landlord’s best interest to treat the rental space as his own living area. Create a safe and visually appealing living environment that will please your target audience and make sure you enjoy the perks of being a landlord for many years to come.

Selecting new windows takes more than just going with the looks that match the house they are about to be built in. Aside from acting as source of daylight and architectural accent, windows also give shape to the room, provide ventilation and emergency escape route. These are the most popular window styles.

Broad Division

Generally speaking, windows can be fixed or operable. Fixed windows re used solely as architectural feature in places where there is need for natural light and view but ventilation is not a concern. They often come in unusual geometric shapes like round-tops or relatively new type of seamless bent-glass windows that provide unobstructed corner view. However, operable windows are what most people consider for their homes. They can be sided sideways, vertically or hinged outwards or inwards on both vertical and horizontal panes.

william hefner dining room paneled walls doors gray blue cococozy interior design leather chairs encasement windows interior design
Image source: http://www.gharbuilder.com/

Double Hung and Tilt-Turn Windows

This classic design has survived centuries and not without a reason. Apart from having excellent ventilation control, they have a very simple construction. Their upper outside sash can be lowered, while the lower inside sash can slide up. Some types even feature sashes that can be removed easily for cleaning. A sub-variant of this type with only one sliding sash is called single-hung. Tilt-turn windows are popular in Europe. They tilt inside at the top but also have a feature that allows them to swing at 180 degrees for easier cleaning, which doubles as convenient emergency exit.

Casement Windows

These side-mounted windows are made in single or paired configuration and are operated by a crank that rotates the sash inward or outward. They can be fully opened for easy cleaning and maintenance, while their excellent ventilation properties come from their breeze catching effect, in which they act like sails on a boat.

Awning and Hopper Windows

It is easiest to describe them as horizontal casements. While awning windows are top hinged, so that they offer partial ventilation, unobstructed views and respectable security. Hopper windows are their inverted image. They hinge at the bottom and due to their very good ventilation properties are often used as a complement for a door or another window.

pinterest image
Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/

Horizontal Sliding Windows

They feature a single or multiple panels that are fixed and one or more panels that slide in horizontal tracks. The drawback of this design is that in the best case only half of the window can be opened at a time, providing only partial ventilation. However, an advantage of sliders is that no space is required for a sash to swing in or out, making them ideal for small spaces.

Bay Windows

This three-window set is easily recognized from the outside as it protrudes from the house wall, and forms an interior bay. In addition to great light gathering characteristics, bay window offers much wider view angle than any other type, save the seamless corner windows. A central window is flanked by two side ones that make 30 or 45 degree angle with the house wall.

In order to fulfil their different needs, windows come in many sizes, types and functions. When choosing windows for your home, consider architectural aspect, the window purpose and budget.

The place you live in usually reflects who you are as a person. If you live alone, that is, lead single’s life, you are bound to decorate it the way you feel it is right, and make it feel warm and welcoming when you come home.

We all know that there are some stereotypes, and when someone shows us a picture of an apartment we would immediately know if there is a girl living in it or a guy. When you were in college, the only difference was that boys’ room was always messier and full of junk and dirty plates, whereas girls always keep their rooms fresh and clean, with the smell of vanilla in the air from one of those scented candles and sticks.

When they grow up and get their own places, both guys and girls spend a little bit more time and imagination when it comes to decorating their home to suit them, their needs, and personality.

 

His Place

In a bachelor’s apartment, you are bound to see more darker tones, from the walls, hardwood floors to furniture, and it is probably because one of the stereotypes that start as early as ‘baby boys wear blue and baby girls wear pink’. That is why a guy will always have black, grey, dark brown or olive things surrounding him, making him feel manlier.

Even though you are a guy, if you are a true bachelor at heart, you will always look neat and polished, and your wardrobe will have to be full of high quality suits. Trust me, a good walk in closet is not just for girls.

The most important thing every guy needs is a corner in his apartment where he will keep his gaming gear, with a comfortable couch where he can lay back, relax, take a joystick in his hands and stare at the screen all day. Here he will spend a lot of time with his other single friends, but also invite the ones who have already tied the not, but are looking for an hour break from the real life.

 

Her Place

On the other hand, girls will have livelier colors in their apartment. They are much bolder with colors, and if it is not on the walls, then there are a lot of red, yellow, orange and pink details that give the space that warm feeling.

In a girls apartment you will always have that one corner with comfortable couch with a coffee table in front of it, where they gather with their gal pals for a regular Sunday gossip session. There will be many cushions, colorful covers on the furniture, and most commonly flowers or scented candles on the table.

In a single girl’s bedroom you will find the most comfortable bed ever, covered with colorful linens, and way too many cushions. Above the bed, if there are not any shelves with books, then she will undoubtedly decorate it with interesting pictures and paintings.

And like in the guy’s apartment, girl will also dream of having a big walk-in closet filled with designer clothes, shoes, and accessories. She will need a big mirror so she could try out different clothes and combinations when preparing for a night out with her single girlfriends.

The Bathroom

Probably one thing that will differ the most when it comes to girl vs. guy’s place is the bathroom. Men tend to have only the most necessary things like shampoo, shaving cream, razor, perfume and maybe, but just maybe, some would have a comb. However, in a girl’s bathroom you are bound to find a lot of different beauty products, and a guy could not identify at least half of them.

 

Things change as we grow up, and stereotypes that say how guys do not worry about their looks, or design of their apartment break. Both girls and guys spend a lot of time thinking about decorating, the only difference is color, the amount of details used for decorations, and how they spend their free time in there with their friends.