Every so often a new social media outlet is introduced and slowly, but surely, users increase and it is adopted into everyday life.  Most recently it was Instagram, before that Twitter, Facebook and the list goes on and on.  The new up and comer is an app called Vine.  Currently, Vine is only available for iPhone/iOS users (much like Instagram was in the beginning.)  Vine allows you to piece together a 6 second video directly, and only, from within the app itself.  Whether you want to take the entire 6 seconds in one shot, or several shots in a fraction of a second each, is completely up to you.  After you have finished, it then loops that video for you over and over again so you can share a part of your day with family and friends.

This allows you to celebrate life in new and fun ways.  Vine lets you use social networking like you are accustomed, but still taps into a new experience that can really get the creative juices flowing.  Sharing special moments with family and friends just got even better.  It’s more than just a traditional picture, and a lot less time consuming than shooting an entire video.  It allows you to capture what really matters in the moment, and invites all of your friends and family to experience it with you.  Capture your favorite DIY projects for your apartment, or share a recipe with a friend.  Use your 6 seconds however you would like.

After you record these short clips, it gets posted onto the Vine wall.  In addition, much like a Twitter feed, you are able to ‘like’ and comment on videos that have been posted.  Recently, Facebook and Twitter both announced integration with the Vine app.  After you take your video and write your description with all of your necessary hash tags, you will also have the option of uploading the video directly to your Facebook and Twitter feeds.  ForRent.com is very excited to take part in the growth of this new application.  Take a look at Vine and come follow our page AptsForRent.

Can you tell a story in 6 seconds? You’d be surprised how much you can fit into such a small amount of time. Are you the type to organize every little thing, or do you simply throws everything in a bag? Whatever style suits your personality, ForRent.com wants to see it. Share your moving moment video on Vine for your chance to win $200!

What: Record a 6 second film about your moving experience with your smart phone, using the Vine app.

How: Hashtag your video with #MovingMoments and tag and follow @AptsForRent.

When: The #MovingMoments Vine contest starts Monday, May 20, 2013 and ends Monday, May 27, 2013 so enter now before it’s too late!

Prize: $200 Gift Card

ForRent.com is very excited to announce its first Vine video contest and can’t wait to see your entries!

See official rules.

Seeing your Moving Moments images on Instagram has been a blast, and the contest isn’t over yet so keep them coming!  While you have been planning your move, ForRent.com has reached out to a veteran moving expert, Jamie, from C.R.A.F.T. to share insider tips and tricks to make your next move a successful one!

Jamie has moved 6 times in her adult life, and they were big moves at that.  She moved from Texas to New York City, back to Texas, followed by a move to Florida and then back to Texas – just to name a few.  Shew, we are tired just by reading this!  Having moved across the country so many times, she knows what it takes to stay organized during a move and how to make the process as painless as possible.

You can’t start organizing and getting ready early enough.  “I start collecting boxes the day I realize I will be moving!  Once I have secured the boxes, I’m a pretty speedy packer,” exclaims Jamie.  Once you begin packing, she recommends beginning with your closet.  Start with all the different items on your closet shelves that you rarely use, or out of season clothes.  The first items packed should be things you won’t need immediately.

You probably have more stuff than you think.  It may not look like a lot at first glance, but once you start packing it away, the boxes seem to fill up quicker and quicker.  Jamie urges you to get more boxes than you think are necessary.  She has some great tips on ways you can secure free boxes, which is a huge money and time saver!

Once you are at your new place, she recommends unpacking your kitchen items first.  It’s a great way to empty a lot of boxes quickly because you know exactly where your pots and pans are going, as opposed to other items around the house.  Plus your instinct to survive comes into play, and you will need to eat!

Save some time and boxes by leaving clothes in your dresser.  Also, if you are moving across the country, hiring a moving service is a huge help; however, if the move isn’t far, recruit some friends and bribe them with food!  It will save you some serious coin.

Once you are moved into your new space, you need to familiarize yourself with your new area.  Jamie recommends going out into town and just getting lost.  Discover what the area offers or use a service like MeetUp.com for some great ideas.

When it comes to decorating your new space, get creative and make it fun.  DIY projects can help personalize your new apartment while saving money (since you’ve probably just spent it all on your move), and give you a break from all the unpacking.

Hopefully Jamie’s extensive moving history and expertise has helped steer you in the right direction for your next or upcoming move.  We would like to thank her for sharing her awesomely helpful moving tips!  What is the most important thing that you have learned from a move?

With another semester coming to an end at the University of Florida, you may find yourself ready to leave the dorms in search of off-campus apartments near UF or rental homes. Before you take the leap, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of moving off-campus to see if it’s the right decision for you.

Moving to the University of Florida off-campus housing isn’t going to be perfect. The most glaring adjustment is the distance from the UF campus.  With dorm life, you can wake up at the last minute and class is just a short walk away.  Depending on how far from campus you are looking to move, you will need to need to make arrangements to drive or use public transportation.  Moreover, off-campus housing near the University of Florida doesn’t have a cafeteria downstairs that you can go to virtually any time that you are hungry.  You will have to budget groceries, gas and possibly even car payments along with your new monthly rent and utility bills.

UF off-campus housing can bring on more responsibility; however, that’s not a bad thing.  It helps prepare you for the real world after your experience at the University of Florida.  Most likely, you won’t have to share a bathroom with 4 people, or an entire floor in some cases, which is a HUGE plus.  Also, you will be able to choose your roommates instead of being assigned one by UF.  With no RA, you can have get-togethers and hang out with friends on your own terms (just don’t break anything-you are going to want that security deposit back)!

Now that you’ve read the pros and cons list, you can make the best-informed decision for you!  Discover off-campus housing near the University of Florida that best fits your needs. With ForRentUniversity.com, you can sort through UF off-campus apartments by map, distance from the University of Florida campus, price, name and much more.

Spring is in full effect and with that, there’s nothing better than changing your apartment to create a fresh, new feel.  ForRent.com has teamed up with Mandi from Vintage Revivals to “shed some light” on your space.  Mandi recently wrapped up an awesome thrifting series for the ForRent.com blog showing you how to mix old with new.

Now Vintage Revivals is giving away a custom-made, revived from the dead, schoolhouse light fixture! It’s the perfect example of how stylish it can be to remake older items into new treasures.

Mandi has a gift for finding the best items in any thrifting scenario, as seen in the blog about finding the perfect vintage piece for your apartment.  So you know that this handpicked piece will  add a unique flair to your space that will make everyone jealous!

To enter this awesome giveaway, simply tell us where you would put this custom light fixture in your apartment and like us on Facebook!  Enter to win today, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Another HUGE thank you to Mandi from Vintage Revivals for this amazing thrifting piece!

Are you considering moving soon?  Or are you gearing up for an upcoming move? Have no fear! ForRent.com has rounded up the top 5 most helpful moving tips that are sure to make your next move an easy one!

Tip 17: Your things are heavy.  Be a social butterfly and lift as little as possible.

Tip 89: Just buy new things instead of packing old ones.

Tip 56: Get your priorities straight and stay focused.

Tip 9: Do you really need all of your stuff?

Tip 119: When moving furniture, don’t be the person who has to walk backwards.  You’re going to trip, then fall…it doesn’t end well.

Follow these simple tips and you will be sure to have a successful move. We hope that you have found these tips helpful, in an effort to make your next move go off without a hitch! If the ForRent.com top 5 tips have left you hungry for more moving knowledge, check out some other great moving articles! Best of luck with your next move – and remember, it will get done one way or another – ForRent.com will provide you with the tools to make it as easy as possible.

Finding a great apartment in a competitive rental market can be challenging to say the least.  The number of potential places is limited and you’re constantly competing with other renters to view apartments and submit your application first. The last thing you need is to limit yourself even more by ruling out locations that have poor cell phone coverage.

Many renters are unaware that there are options available to increase the cell phone reception in your apartment, without having to switch to a completely different carrier and pay hefty fees. With a better understanding of why cell phone reception problems exist and what the available solutions are, you’ll be able to choose from all of your apartment options, not just the ones with good cell coverage.

Causes of Poor Cell Phone Signal

Dropping calls and missing text messages can be the worst.  Everyone has that one special spot of their apartment where they can always get a signal, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  Apartment buildings are notorious for having poor cell phone reception, much of which stems from the building materials used in their construction.  Materials like wire mesh, electrical cabling, sheet metal, plumbing and others all cause varying degrees of interference with a cell phone signal.  When compounded together, these factors can result in an extremely frustrating cell phone experience for the renter.

Solutions

Don’t panic!  The good news is that there are a couple of different options for solving this problem, depending on your situation.  Let’s explore each in more depth:

Cell Phone Signal Booster

The first option is a cell phone signal booster, which is designed to bypass many of the causes of bad cell phone reception and provide you with amplified signal in your apartment.  It works by taking an existing cell phone signal from a good location, such as outside your apartment, amplifying it and rebroadcasting it inside. Once in place, cell phone signal boosters are carrier independent, so they can boost the signal of multiple cell phone carriers to multiple different users as the same time, without restrictions.  So even if your friends are on different carriers, you all will be able to text away without searching for separate signals.

Microcell

The second option to consider is a microcell, which is a device that connects to your broadband Internet and creates a local cell signal inside of your apartment. The major requirement of this option is that you must have a consistent, quality broadband Internet connection; otherwise you might experience latency while talking on your phone.  Additionally, each mobile device must belong to the same cellular provider and be authorized before using the microcell. Finally, microcells are sold by your wireless company and are restricted via GPS tracking to the location in which you register it.  This option clearly has more variables that go along with it, however, if you have no signal at all for a cell phone signal booster to use, then this option is your next best solution.  Even though it will only work for your carrier, it’s still better than no signal at all while you are in your home.

Conclusion

Cell phones are the way we stay connected with friends and family.  We use them as cameras to capture parties, precious moments, and everyday life to share with the ones we love.  With this in mind, having a strong signal in your house should be important and these options present a way to give your phone the reception it needs.  Each option is ideally suited for different situations.  A cell phone signal booster is a better option if you have a stable signal in an accessible location, and a microcell is better if you do not have an inconsistent signal or lack of signal altogether.  If a signal booster sounds like the right option for you, then check out the different cell phone signal booster options available for your situation.  Otherwise, if a microcell makes more sense for you, then contact your wireless provider directly for more information.

So next time you’re looking for a new apartment be assured that while the lack of closets, windows, or space can be a deal breaker, poor cell phone reception in the apartment doesn’t have to be.

Jeff Morin “I work every day with people who run into this sort of problem, and help them solve it with different signal boosting solutions.”

Hello ForRent.com buddies!!  Mandi here and I am back with part 2 of our Thrifting series!  In the last blog, I shared some great tips for how to find the goods when going thrifting.  Today we are talking all about mixing vintage and new furniture for that perfectly collected cohesive look.  Last time I gave you some great thrifting tips to help you hunt down the treasure and what you should look for, we are going to go a little deeper into the best types of furniture to buy secondhand.

Let’s use my living room for an example.  I have labeled the furniture vintage or new, so you can see the collection.

When it comes to the new pieces, the purpose is to not try to make them look old and vintage.  In any other setting they will clearly look new, but because of the mix they arent blaringly store bought.

When buying vintage furniture the easiest things to find are hard wood pieces.  Think along the lines of Dressers, Credenzas, End Tables, Desks, Coffee Tables, Hutches, Wooden Chairs, etc.  The good news about buying things like this is that they are easy to refinish.  You can always turn a dresser or old stereo cabinet into a tv console, or 2 end tables side by side make a fantastic coffee table.  There is nothing better that a vintage piece of furniture to make a room feel more homey.

via

My favorite way to liven up old wood is to give it a good rub down with Danish Oil.   You can find it at any home improvement store.  Basically it is a tinted wood conditioner,  you apply it with a soft rag and it brings the wood to life.  (It also gets rid of heat rings and water staining!!)

When you get into vintage upholstery it can get a little bit hairier.  If you can find out where the piece came from, if you cant make sure that you clean it really well.  If you are out thrifting and find a great piece of upholstered furniture stick your nose in and smell around.  As strange as it may seem to be doing that in public to a strange couch, you would rather find out there that it smells like cats, then find out after its already in your house.  So sniff away friends.

Take off all of the cushions in the store, sit in it and make sure its comfortable.  Look for any horrifying stains.  You know, give it a good once over to make sure that its REALLY something you love.  If it needs work, reupholstery is always an option, but it can be mighty expensive.  So think before you buy.  This is a couch that I found on my local Craigslist that I think has GREAT potential.   Its going to need between 10-13 yards of fabric.  With the price of the couch and fabric and the time it will take me (or the time I will need to pay someone) to do it, would it be cheaper to just buy a new couch?

You cant beat the spirit or the story of a truly vintage piece.  Someone love it enough to buy it once and you love it enough to buy it again.   So feel the love and buy vintage!
Hey there new BFF, I’m Mandi from Vintage Revivals, and I love your guts! I started Vintage Revivals in July of 2010.  I had discovered the vast world of DIY blogging and I was hooked.  All of my neighbors called me and were wondering what the crap I was spray painting in 119 degree heat, so I kind of started it as a way for everyone to keep track of the craziness that is Mandi Gubler. I describe my style as Thrift Shop Glam.  Sounds awesome right? Ya, I made it up.

Spring is here and that means spring cleaning is in full effect.  Decorating your apartment with plants and flowers is a great way to liven up your space.  Bringing nature in your home and watching everything bloom is a great reminder of the warmer months that are on the way.

If you have pets, however, it is very important to find out which plants are harmful to your furry friends.  The last thing you want is to bring in a new plant and then have your pet treat it like a new toy, only to find out that your new decorative plant is poisonous to them.

Listed below are “house plants” that can be potentially dangerous for your pets.  For a full list of plants and flowers (indoor and outdoor), please look at this table from the Humane Society.

Most people know about dark chocolate being poisonous for dogs, but poisonous plants aren’t as widely known.  Do you know of any other things to avoid to keep your pets healthy?

ForRent.com is excited to announce our Moving Moments contest for Instagram!  Do you have pictures from a previous move?  Are you currently in the process of moving?  Share the pictures of your Moving Moments on Instagram and make your move work for you!  All you need to do to enter is tag @AptsForRent and use the hashtag #MovingMoments on your photos and you’ll be eligible to win a $200 gift card!  The Moving Moments contest for Instagram ends May13, 2013, so get your pictures in while you can! See official contest rules for details. Good luck!

“Home is where the heart is,” says an English proverb. Home is where we get comfortable – we loosen up our ties, take off our shoes, and put up our feet. Home is where our loved ones are (our spouse, our parents, our children, our pets). Home is much more than just a place and it would be an understatement to say so.

Our home should reflect our personalities, our passions, and the way we see the world. Personalizing your living space is challenging enough, but it can be especially difficult when you are a renter. Your landlord or management company comes with a vast list of rules and regulations. Most lease contracts will not allow the tenant to make permanent changes to the property; this means you might not even be able to so much as hang wall art or paint.

With that in mind, Dezign With a Z has developed a wide range of completely removable wall decals that are easy to install and remove. Their entire line of wall products is ideal for tenants who are looking to turn their leased property into a home that really expresses who they are, even if just for a relatively short time.

The decals are easily customizable to fit your needs. They each come in 24 different colors with a selection of 3-5 sizes to match your interior and personality perfectly. Your lease may keep you from painting, but never fear – with Dezign with a Z, your walls don’t have to be boring!

Add a tree wall decal to any room for an elegant look.

This before and after speaks for itself:  Great design is fundamental for a great home.

These decals can also be used in humid environments, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Removable decoration also means that it’s possible to change your décor as often as you wish. Instead of completely overhauling your kid’s entire room as they grow, simply freshen up by replacing the decals. There are entire lines available for kids of any age, from nursery wall decals to toddlers, school-age kids, and even teenagers.

Use simple shapes to break up solid color walls for a custom look.

Visit www.dezignwithaz.com to browse through their wide collection of designs. There is a little something for everybody. Your re-wall-ution starts here!

Today, Mandi from Vintage Revivals has stopped by our blog to share some great thrift store secrets with us that will help you score big!

There are 2 constants when it comes to Thrifting. The smell, and the huge amounts of random crap that you will find.  The good news though is that there is probably a treasure or two hiding among the tacky dust covered floral arrangements and craft projects gone awry.

That is what I am here to teach you about today.  How to look past the horrible and find the goods.

Tip #1:  Get to know your store(s).  Where I live there is one main thrift store,  the inventory is always changing, and most great items dont last a day.  I know that if I am going to find something, I need to go regularly.  Get to know the layout,  is there a spot where they seem to stash all the good stuff?  Do they negotiate on their prices?

Tip #2:  Dont be afraid of a little work:  What happens if you spot a great dresser that has a cracked drawer front?  Everything else about it is ideal.  More often than not things that end up at a second hand store are there for a reason (every once in a while this is not the case)  they may need a little TLC but there is so much satisfaction to be had from taking in an outcast and making it beautiful.

There are huge transformations like this cane chair overhaul

Sometimes things just need a good wipe down like this industrial cabinet.

Tip #3:  Find A Partner In Crime:  You need someone in your corner that will tell you if you are taking things just a little too far.  Send them pictures of an item before you buy it.  Try clothing on and get an honest opinion.  It may be just a few dollars for a shirt or a picture frame but that adds up.

Tip #4:  Keep a list of Wants, Needs, and “I Will Tattoo Your Store Name On My Forehead If You Ever Have This” items.  The chanced of your local thrift store having your dream West Elm couch that is still in catalog is probably not going to happen.  BUT. finding things like industrial shelves, Mid Century coffee tables, or stacks of old books is MUCH more likely.  If you keep a list (mental or otherwise) of what you are hunting for it makes the deciding process a little bit easier.

Tip #5:  Gather Inspiration From Other Thrifters.  There are hundreds of DIY/Shelter blogs that show how to overhaul thrifting treasures.  Here are some of my faves:

Vintage Revivals

All Things Thrifty

Southern Hospitality

Young House Love

A Beautiful Mess

I hope that these tips inspire you to get outside your comfort zone and score your own thrifty treasures!  I will be back next week with some inspiration on mixing new and vintage furniture to create a one of a kind space.

–

Hey there new BFF, I’m Mandi from Vintage Revivals, and I love your guts! I started Vintage Revivals in July of 2010.  I had discovered the vast world of DIY blogging and I was hooked.  All of my neighbors called me and were wondering what the crap I was spray painting in 119 degree heat, so I kind of started it as a way for everyone to keep track of the craziness that is Mandi Gubler. I describe my style as Thrift Shop Glam.  Sounds awesome right? Ya, I made it up.

The capabilities of smart devices are growing every day.  In addition to banking, paying bills, starting your car, video chatting and recording your favorite show, you can now control the lights in your apartment all from your mobile phone.  Recently, Phillips released “smart” light bulbs (called Hue) that can be controlled using your iPhone.

The starter pack includes the bridge (that needs to be plugged into your router at home), 3 “smart” light bulbs, and all necessary cables.  The light bulbs use LED lighting, instead of a traditional filament, which gives you a 15 year life span per bulb!  The bulbs can be screwed into any traditional light fixture or lamp you have around your home.  At the base of each bulb is a sensor that keeps it connected with the system.  Simply download the free “Hue” app in the App Store on your iPhone (this app is currently for iOS only) and you have control over the lights in your house from anywhere, at any time!

As if that wasn’t cool enough, since the bulbs are lit with LED’s, they can reproduce almost any color.  The “Hue” app comes with several preset color schemes that you can switch between, or you can completely customize and create your own color combos.  Upload your own pictures and have the lights mimic the colors from the picture, or have individual control over each light, or group together if you want them to be the same.  Hue also gives you control over how bright or dim you would like a light or group of lights to be.  In addition to that, setting the lights to turn on or off at certain times is a breeze.  Imagine, you can have them fade in or out over a period of time just like a sunrise or sunset!

The starter pack comes with 3 lights, so if you would like to wire your entire apartment, you will have to buy extra lights separately.  They are a bit pricey ($199.95 for the starter kit and $59.95 for each additional bulb), but keep in mind they last 15 years.  If you move to a new apartment, simply unscrew the light bulbs from light fixtures like you normally would, and screw them right back in once you are in your new space.  Imagine how fun it would be to create settings for parties, date nights, or even relaxing evenings after work.  So tell us, what would your “Hue” color combos be for your rental?

Photo courtesy of Phillips.

ForRent.com recently reached out to industry professionals for some insider information on apartment shopping.  Beginning your apartment search can be stressful, so it only makes sense to get advice directly from the pros so that your upcoming move can go as smoothly as possible.  Here is what the experts had to say.

Ask Questions:

When shopping around for new apartment communities, potential renters miss opportunities to ask questions.  Renters shouldn’t be afraid to reach out and have a conversation with the leasing staff; it will allow you to learn a lot about the community.  Here are some important questions to consider asking:

• What are the hours of the common areas and other amenities and how many guests can I have with me when using them?
• Is the leasing team the same management team that will be taking care of me if I become a resident?
• Do you accept online payments?  Is there a fee associated with it?
• What is the pet policy?
• What is the average annual increase in rent?
• Do you require renters insurance?

Protect Yourself, Give Notice & Make Preparations:

Planning on moving out of your current apartment?  It is suggested to start shopping around for
your new apartment 4-6 months before your lease is up, and to let the current management know 60 days before you intend to move out. Once you move into to your new apartment, take photos of the condition, that way when you chose to move, you will have a better chance of getting your security deposit back.  Also, prior to moving out, make sure the apartment is thoroughly cleaned and any damage has been fixed.  Schedule and be present at a move out inspection with the property manager so that everyone is on the same page about what has or has not been damaged.  Finally, save receipts from things like carpet cleaners and other services as proof of your maintenance efforts.

Ask if Rent is Negotiable:

Most people don’t realize that you can negotiate the rent amount in some cases.  “Winter months are slower and, therefore, make it easier to find special offers and deals,” said Tarra Secrest, Management Specialist from Drucker & Falk.  Familiarize yourself with the rent prices of other similar communities in the area.  Let them know how much a month you are comfortable with spending, and see if they can accommodate that amount.

There are a lot of things to consider when searching for a new apartment.  However, if you take the time to find the community that best fits all your needs, all of your hard work will be rewarded with the new apartment of your dreams.

We would like to thank Katherine Gibson, Director of Marketing, from the Harbor Group Management Co., and Tarra Secrest, Management Specialist, from Drucker & Falk, LLC for their time and advice.

A great way to welcome the new season is by spring cleaning. Start anew and refreshed with a clean apartment! The warmer weather will have us spending as much time outside as possible; therefore quick cleaning solutions are always welcomed. Here are some tips to get you on your way!

ELIMINATE DIRTY STOVE BURNERS

For those who enjoy cooking, you know that dirty stove burners are a pretty common occurrence in the kitchen. Scrubbing stove burners can be a hassle and according to the V Spot blog there is a simpler solution. Take 1/4^th cup of basic ammonia and put it in a Ziploc bag with the stove burner. Seal it up and leave it on a cooking sheet over night; the cooking sheet is just in case the Ziploc bag leaks. Take it out in the morning and wipe with a sponge. Now you have clean stove burners!

RID YOURSELF OF DIRTY AND DULL FAUCETS

Frequently used faucets can become dull and dirty quickly; it’s necessary to be proactive and clean them often to keep them looking shiny and new. There is a way to keep their brilliant shine without having to manually scrub them often. The trick is car wax. Car wax creates a barrier against water and soap buildup, therefore, all you need to do is wax on, wax off, and you are done!

AN UNCLEAN MATTRESS: NEVER AGAIN

It is safe to say that most of us probably do not wash our mattress often, if ever. That is about to change! For those of you unaware, there are many dust mites living in your mattress; to avoid an infestation, simply use this simple solution to clean your mattress. All you need to do is first, take off all your bedding and put it in the washer. Let the bedding wash in hot water to kill the dust mites. Second, take some baking soda and lavender oil (or any scent that you enjoy) and mix them together in a bowl. TIP: For every 1 cup of baking soda you use, use 4 to 5 drops of the scented oil. After you have mixed the baking soda and oil, put it in a sifter and sift the mixture onto your mattress then let it sit for an hour. After an hour, use the hose of your vacuum and vacuum the mattress. The baking soda removes dirt, oil, moisture, and odor. It also deodorizes the mattress and the scented oil leaves your mattress smelling extra clean. It is recommended that you do both sides of the mattress. Voila, now you have a clean mattress!

Let these simple spring cleaning solutions motivate you to clean your apartment with little effort. These tips can help you welcome that warm weather quickly by saving you time and giving you more time to enjoy the warm weather outside! For additional spring cleaning and organizing tips, visit the Homes.com blog article by Chelsea McDonnough.

Going for a chic look doesn’t require a lot of money or space; it requires just mixing one bold print pattern and a few other complementary patterns to your apartment’s decor. The inspirational bold print fabric can be something you already own; and adding a few pillows here and there, curtains, or a rug will complete the tastefully chic apartment space you desire. Here are a few tips on mixing prints to achieve this look:

START WITH A BOLD PRINT FABRIC

Before you pick out colors, take a look around the room in your apartment and notice if there is a bold patterned rug, chair, couch, maybe even bedding. If you have bold print on anything already, then use that as your inspiration for additional prints and colors. If you do not, then think about incorporating a piece inside your room that has fabric with a bold pattern and at least three different colors. Floral is the most common pattern but you can choose whatever you like to complement your place.

CHOOSE A COLOR PALATE      

Once you have your inspirational fabric picked out, pick no less than 3 colors and no more than 4 colors that are more prominent in your pattern. In this case we have raspberry, marigold, sea-green, and citron.

MIX THE PATTERNS’ SIZES

Now that we have a color palette, it is time to find additional printed fabrics using the 4 other colors we picked for our color palette. Here you can see the marigold taking action with the chevron print. Why it works: because the chevron pattern is a smaller scaled print. Other options would include geometrical shapes, checks, solids, and any smaller pattern that is repetitive.

What you do NOT want is two patterns that compete with each other. As you can see below, both patterns are busy and although have similar colors, they compete too much with the original inspirational print we picked. Both patterns have big scaled prints.

PLACEMENT WITHIN THE ROOM

After you have picked your fabrics it is time to place them in your room. If you have more than one heavy pattern, you should place them on opposite sides of the room. This helps to balance the space. Bold fabrics work well in curtains, drapes, temporary wallpaper, rugs, and bedding. Once you have placed the bold fabrics inside your space, you can now pair them with the rest of the patterns you picked out, such as our chevron example or solids.

By using more than one pattern correctly, you can make your place look chic without it looking too busy. Most importantly, pick patterns and styles that you love because that is the most important part about decorating your apartment!

For more tips on mixing and matching patterns visit the Homes.com blog article by decorating expert Beth Hunter.

While some renters feel that decorating a rented space can be difficult, ForRent.com feels that it allows your creativity and outside-the-box thinking to shine.  There are plenty of decorating options to display your personality in your apartment.

Some apartment communities and landlords will allow you to paint your walls as long as you paint them back to the original color before you move out.  If that doesn’t appeal to you, there are still many ways to add color to your apartment without paint.  Using colorful drapes, curtains, throw blankets and rugs can add a splash of color to any room without all of the trouble or commitments of painting.  Additionally, hanging artwork, mirrors and shelves can really maximize unused wall space.  Check out the ForRent.com Art & Murals Pinterest board for creative ideas that you can use on your walls.

 Another decorating solution for your apartment is furniture pieces.  Mixing reclaimed or second hand pieces can add character to a space (and save you some serious cash) especially when combined with newer furniture pieces.  Coffee tables, night stands, bookshelves and even light fixtures are great ways to mix in vintage with current furniture pieces.  Repurposing furniture and everyday items will also give your space a completely unique look and feel; plus, it’s a great sense of price when you complete the project.

Lighting is also something you can use to your advantage when decorating your rental.  Different color lamps and shades can add style to a room in addition to providing light.  Installing dimmers can be advantageous to the renter looking to spice up their apartment.  Additionally, patterns on your lamps or shade add personality to a functional piece (check out this DIY craft project from Jamie with C.R.A.F.T. for some great ideas).  If you are a bolder renter, switch your white light bulbs for colored ones to coordinate with your décor or party theme!

 No matter how big or small your rental space may be, there are always ways to decorate it so that your personality shines through.  What tips and tricks have worked best for you in your apartment?

When you hear the words, “St. Patrick’s Day” what kind of food comes to mind? Corned beef and cabbage, right? Well, the truth is that corned beef and cabbage is actually an Americanized dish! As a matter of fact, the majority of the Irish population does not eat corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. This is earth-shattering information to many, no doubt.

History states that corned beef was considered an expensive delicacy in Ireland and most people couldn’t afford to eat it. Once the Irish immigrants got to America, they found that corned beef was extremely affordable, and thus began the corned beef and cabbage “tradition.”  So, in honor of those first immigrants, celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day with a casserole version of the iconic Irish (American) dish of corned beef and cabbage.

St Patrick’s Day Casserole:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/St-Patricks-Day-Casserole/Detail.aspx

Ingredients

Recipe makes 8 servings

• 1 1/4 pounds red potatoes cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 4 cups chopped cabbage
• butter-flavored cooking spray
• 1 1/2 pounds cooked corned beef, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/3 cup coarse-grained mustard
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 4 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions

1. Place red potato cubes into a large saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook potatoes over medium-low heat until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
2. Place chopped cabbage into a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the cabbage until tender and softened, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with the butter-flavored cooking spray.
5. Lightly toss potatoes, cabbage, corned beef, and Swiss cheese in a large bowl until well combined.
6. Stir together mustard, white wine, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl until smooth. Mix into corned beef mixture.
7. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
8. Lay a phyllo sheet onto a work surface and spray with cooking spray. Place the phyllo sheet onto the casserole, folding the overhang back over the dish. Spray the dry side of the overhang with more cooking spray.
9. Repeat three more times, spraying, folding, and respraying the phyllo sheet each time.
10. Brush the top of last sheet with melted butter.
11. Bake in preheated oven until phyllo sheets are crisp and browned, and the casserole is hot. About 45 to 55 minutes.

There you have it – a unique twist on this surprisingly American tradition of an Irish holiday. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

ForRent.com has already shared how to simplify your closet in our Organize Your Closet: Part 1 post, now it’s time to organize the simplified space.  Having an organized closet will not only make your place more comfortable, but it is also a great way to kick start your spring cleaning duties.

Here are some easy tips that will help you organize your closet.

• Store Away Seasonal Clothes – As the cold months start winding down, find storage bins or bags to stash away your winter clothes, to make more room for your spring/summer items.  Bed risers are a great way to utilize the room under your bed to store away seasonal items.
• Use Colorful Storage Solutions – Your closet is something you are going to be looking in everyday, so make it colorful and an enjoyable space to look at.  You can find storage racks and bins of all shapes and colors that will appeal to any taste.
• Use All Available Space – The back of the closet door is often untouched by most people.  You can hang shoe racks from the door to store your shoes, scarves, belts and other items.  Additionally, utilize the wall space with nails or hooks to hand purses, hats or other items, which will keep them organized and free up space in your closet..
• Use Multi-functional Items – Reuse shoe boxes or bags in your closet by storing accessories and other small items inside.  Also place smaller purses in larger bags or purses for additional space saving.
• Have Self Discipline – Make a conscious effort to keep your closet organized once you have it set up the way you like it.  It may take a few extra minutes out of your week to place items back in their organized location, but the payoff is well worth it.

An organized closet does more for you than you might think.  Not only does it eliminate all the clutter, but it also helps to make your morning more efficient when deciding that day’s wardrobe.  Who knows, it may even influence you to organize other things in your life outside of your bedroom closet…and that’s definitely not a bad thing!

ForRent.com is all about discovering you, starting with where you live! Whether it’s renting a new apartment or updating the one you currently live in, ForRent.com takes pride in being a part of you achieving your dream space. Spring is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate the new season than with a closet makeover!

Have you ever seen a gorgeously organized closet in a magazine and thought, “I wish I had that?” Or pinned an overly organized closet on Pinterest and wished it was yours? Well, one lucky participant will be one step closer to making your dream come true.

Every day from March 6 – 27^th ForRent.com is giving you the chance to enter to win a $3,000 Ultimate Closet Makeover by providing you a theme on Facebook. Once you know that day’s theme head over to the ForRent.com blog and pin your favorite image of a tip or idea in that theme that you love using the hashtag, #ClosetMakeover.

How you enter to win:

1. Tune in to the ForRent.com Facebook page for our daily theme.
2. Visit the ForRent.com blog & search for your favorite tip or trick in that theme.
3. Pin your favorite, using #ClosetMakeover in the pin description to enter. Get started by searching the ForRent.com Organization articles.

Good Luck & Happy Pinning!

For complete rules click here.