How To Keep Your Bed Toasty Warm This Winter

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Now that the weather is starting to get colder, it gets harder and harder to get out of bed in the morning. Between the lack of sunshine to wake you up and the chill that hangs in the air, we understand why you may want to spend a few extra minutes buried in your pillows and blankets.

Though it may be counter-productive to helping you get up in the morning, using the right bedding will help you stay toasty as the nights get colder. This article from apartmentguide.com walks us through some of the best accessories to keep your bed warm. Keep reading to learn more!

Down comforters are what’s up

For fluffy warmth, it doesn’t get much better than down. Your most expensive down comforters – designed to be covered by a duvet, or just thrown on top of the bed as they are – will be filled with 100 percent goose down, but a more affordable alternative is a comforter filled with a mixture of down and feathers.

These comforters come in a variety of fill powers, which describes the quality of the down. A higher fill power means you’re getting higher-quality down, and it probably means you’re paying more money. If you live in Alaska, it might be worth it; if you live in Florida, probably not. And definitely look for a comforter that’s baffled, meaning there are pockets sewn in that trap the down in an evenly distributed pattern.

Depending on the fill power, down comforters range in price from about $40 to several hundred dollars.

There are also a few down alternative comforters out there that’ll still keep you plenty warm, but without costing you as much money. Expect to pay anywhere from $25 to about $500 for a high-end down alternative comforter.

Curl up under fuzzy flannel sheets

Switching out lightweight sheets with something fuzzier is pretty common for most people when the nights start to get chilly. Flannel sheets are made from cotton or a cotton-wool blend and are warm and soft, yet lightweight. You’ll pay about $20 for a low-end queen set of flannel sheets, up to about $180 for a high-end set.

Power up with heated mattress pads and electric blankets

Electric blankets are a more efficient way to stay warm than turning on the heat.

When it’s really frigid, there’s no shame in turning to electricity to keep yourself comfortable – sure, it’ll cost you money and energy, but it’s a more efficient way to stay warm than turning up the central heat. Heated mattress pads and electric blankets create a warm cocoon under your blankets. Turn them on a few minutes before crawling into bed and you’ll be welcomed into a blissfully cozy pocket. Turn them off before you fall asleep – the blankets on top of you will keep the heat trapped, and you’ll be snug as a bug all night long.

Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $100 for a queen-sized electric blanket or mattress pad. You can spend more if you want to be fancy, but it’s probably not worth it.

Warm up with wool blankets

In the centuries before electricity, people used wool blankets to keep themselves warm at night. Today, those same properties apply – a thick wool blanket on your bed will do wonders to keep you comfy and cozy. Just be sure to have them dry-cleaned, because you know what happens to a wool sweater when you put it in the dryer, and that’ll happen to blankets as well. And when winter’s over, store wool in a sealed chest where moths can’t get to it.

Prices will vary depending on the size of your wool blanket and where you buy it.

Most affordable option: Hot water bottle

It’s not glamorous, but it works. Boil some water on the stove and pour it into a temperature-safe water bottle. If it’s too hot to handle right away, wrap it in a cloth until it cools down a bit. Keep it close to you while you’re in bed, and you’ll be surprised at how toasty you’ll be.

Freshen Up Your Apartment With An Unexpected Twist

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No matter how much care you took in designing the way that your apartment looks there comes a time when cushions on the couch begin to look a little stale. If you’re beginning to tire of your plain white dishes, there are simple solutions that you can take to avoid starting over and redesigning your whole apartment from scratch. Sprinkle a few visually appealing, eclectic elements throughout your apartment to add a little visual interest.

The changes that you make to your interior design don’t have to be drastic to achieve the desired effect. This article from renters.apartments.com is full of great ideas to add a little exotic spice to your interior decorating. Keep reading to learn more!

Color palette

The heart of an exotic design in décor is mostly achieved through the creation of a vivid backdrop. Indian décor may use saffron or mango colors and textiles in colors such as turquoise, jade, amethyst, orange and fuchsia. A typical Moroccan look can be achieved through turquoise and white tiles and dark wood. African décor, for example, features more earth tones and animal prints. Asian styles focus on faded browns, shiny black, red and white as well as green. Tropical hues include green, bright orange, sky blue, red and lovely bright yellow. Or, you can always go for some mottled green or blue in a traditional French style.

Flowing fabric decorations

Fabrics in lovely tones, loosely draped over the walls can truly transform a given room, giving it a completely new look. Adding a lantern or something similar will allow the lighting to give soft shadows and a different sense of space. This could help make your apartment feel like a Moroccan home – and you easily can find lanterns, sconces and more lighting fixtures at most home good stores.

Its all about the details

Regardless of whether its tiles or something else, the design is mostly felt in the small touches that add character. You can go one step beyond the usual decorations by adding Moorish symbols, changing your interior so it can closely resemble the traditional styles seen in the East and more.

Mosaic tiles

Complex tile work is something of a driving feature in Moroccan design as you can find it pretty much everywhere from floors to tabletops and walls. You can install mosaic tiles that look as close to zillij as possible, so you can achieve the same sense of aesthetic typically seen there. Many stores offer plenty of different opportunities to buy interesting designs when it comes to mosaic tiles.

The use of stencils

Stencils can be used more like an alternate solution you can do yourself so you can create the feel of a zillij tile. Just using a stencil pattern in the according colors can truly transform an entire room for a boring uniform color to something teeming with life and character. If you look up photos of Marrakesh you will see these patterns present in their more traditional interiors.

Don't Miss Your Workout!

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Now that the weather is getting colder, the idea of getting dressed and going all the way to the gym can seem like such a hassle. On the days that a gym-run just doesn't seem like it’s going to happen, you don’t have to worry about missing your workout! There are simple exercises you can do in the comfort of your own apartment to make sure you burn calories and keep in shape for the next beach season!

Your health, and your workout, don’t have to hinge on you leaving your apartment. This article from renters.apartments.com has a great list of simple exercises to do at home. Keep reading to get toned while you stay in!

Quick Cardio Blast: Burn up to 150 calories

• Minutes one to two: High-intensity cardio, jump rope or run up and down stairs.
• Minutes three to four: Do as many push-ups as you can.
• Minutes five and six: Jump rope or run stairs again.
• Minutes seven and eight: Do squats by standing with your back against a wall and squatting as low as you can. Focus on form rather than speed.
• Minutes nine and ten: Back to the high-intensity cardio, but this time give it your all. Try to get in ten more jumps or stairs in the same amount of time.

Tone and Strengthen

Do each of these exercises for one minute. The goal is to move continuously for the entire series.

• Squats against a wall: Stand with your back against wall and squat down as far as you can.
• Push-ups: Focus on form, not quantity. Knee push-ups are perfectly fine until you have the strength for military style.
• Walking lunges with a front kick: Step forward with one leg and lunge until your knee is above your front foot. Stand and kick up, lower your leg and repeat with the other side.
• Squats/Chest squeeze: Hold a weighted object and pull it in towards your chest as you lift up.
• Dead lifts: Stand with a weighted object in your hands and bend forward until your back is parallel to the floor. Keep your back lifted the entire time. For an extra challenge, stand on one leg and alternate.
• Shoulder raises: Keeping your arms straight, lift the weight to the front of your body and hold. Lower slowly and repeat.
• Side raises: Stand with your upper torso parallel to the floor. Raise your arms to your sides with your thumbs pointing up. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold.
• Triceps Dip: Support yourself on a couch or sturdy chair with both hands behind you, facing away from the chair. Bend your knees and lower yourself using only your arms. Lift and repeat.
• Wide-leg squat: Stand with your legs spread open past your shoulders and squat as low as you can.
• Crunch: Lie on the floor and do a set of traditional crunches, with your arms behind your head and your knees bent. Lift up your upper torso, squeeze in your abs, lower slowly and repeat.

Stretch and Lengthen

These five stretches will target the major muscles in your body. Hold each stretch for one minute on each side.

• Hamstrings: Sit with your legs in front of you and reach for your toes with your hands, keeping your back straight. Then alternate the same stretch on each leg, bending your other leg inwards.
• Triceps: Hold one arm under your head, bend it and use your other arm to gently push it back, stretching the muscle on the front of your arm.
• Shoulders: Stretch one arm across your chest and hold it in place with your other arm. Gently pull the straight arm towards your chest.
• Quadriceps: Stand up and bend one leg back behind you. Pull the leg in with the same-side arm until you feel a stretch.
• Spinal twist: Sit with one leg straight and the other bent. Twist your torso toward your bent leg, supporting yourself by resting the opposite elbow on your leg. Use your other arm to hold yourself up by resting it on the floor behind you.

Refurbish Your Furniture

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Sometimes we all need a little change of scenery in our apartments. But this time, rather than packing up all your furniture and heading to donate it why not take those old pieces and transform them into something unique? Turning old and and dated pieces of furniture into something new can be a great way to release your creativity into your apartment and increase your sense of ownership over the pieces you keep in your home.

Recreating older pieces of furniture doesn’t have to be difficult or overly time consuming. This blog from renters.apartments.com has some quick and simple ideas to update old furniture. Keep reading to learn how you can refurbish a number of old pieces.

• Slipcover an old armchair, sofa or ottoman: For instant furniture revival without any staples, find a slip cover that fits your chair, sofa or ottoman to give it a facelift. If needed, remove old upholstery on hand-me-down furniture and replace it with fabric that matches the room’s decor. While you’re at it, replace any foam or batting that has seen better days. Straight forward pieces are fairly easy to reupholster yourself, but if you feel overwhelmed by the project, take the furniture to a professional for guaranteed results.
  
• Repaint a tired dresser, nightstand or armoire: Whether the piece was painted previously or not, prep the furniture by sanding and priming it. Apply two coats of your favorite colored paint. Stencils and painter’s tape allow you create customized designs for added interest. Finally, replacing old hardware completes the makeover.
  
• Rescue a worn-out cart: Give media carts, movable kitchen islands, utility tables and other furniture-on-wheels a new lease on life with a properly executed makeover. Sand, prime and paint your old wood cart to freshen it up. New casters are probably in order as well, since these rust and wear out with age.
  
• Recover a chair or bench cushion: Kids and animals wreak havoc on cushion covers, staining and tearing them when your back is turned. Save the furniture by removing the existing cushion and recovering it with a new fabric of your choice. All you need to complete this DIY project is a staple gun and a screwdriver. You might also choose to repaint wooden portions of the chair or bench for a complete furniture transformation.
  
• Restore a shabby bookcase: Wooden shelves are as ho-hum as they get, but you can liven up even the shabbiest of bookcases on a Saturday afternoon. Sand and prime every surface and apply white paint to the exterior and shelf fronts. Then, paint a bright color on the insides of shelves to add contrast. White crown molding along the top adds a stylish finish.
  
• Update a drab headboard: Statement headboards are more fashionable than ever right now. If you have a stately headboard with a drab, damaging finish, update it with fresh paint, maybe even a unique stencil design. Upholstered headboards also add value and interest to the bedroom, as well as a comfortable way to prop yourself up.

Tips To Throwing A Successful Dinner Party

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If you’re new to the art of throwing a dinner party, taking that initial leap can be a bit daunting. The important thing to remember when inviting people over is that you’re supposed to have fun- don’t let the menu and trying to make your apartment spotless get in the way of your good time.

The basics that you need to remember are the gues list, the menu and how to be a good host. Thankfully, this article from renters.apartments.com has a great guide to getting your started on your way to dinner party success. Keep reading to learn a few tips and tricks to make your first dinner party go off without a hitch!

The Guest List

One of the most important aspects to planning a dinner party is inviting the right people, as well as inviting the right number of people. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, and to keep food costs down, invite a maximum of ten people. If possible, choose to invite people that will likely mix well, but are different enough from each other to spark interesting conversation. When inviting guests, be sure to specify the type of dress (casual, formal, and so on) so they can plan accordingly.

Plan a Menu

A menu that includes some appetizers, a main course, and a dessert is ideal for any dinner party. When selecting a menu for your party, consider any special dietary restrictions that your guest may have, as well as your cooking ability. If you aren’t that skilled in the kitchen, stick with simple recipes that everyone loves, such as macaroni and cheese. It is more important that the menu be well-prepared than to be fancy.

Beverages are also important. You may choose to serve wine, beer, cocktails, or even a single “signature cocktail.” If you are serving alcohol, be sure to offer water and other non-alcoholic options as well. If you find yourself having a hard time deciding what to put on your menu, try choosing a theme for the entire party, and then choose foods that make sense with the theme.

Be a Good Host

A good host has a clean home, a welcoming attitude, and is attentive to their guests’ needs. Greeting guests with drinks and a selections of appetizers is a good way to start the evening, and makes hungry folks feel at ease. Giving guests a tour of the house, or at least, directions to the bathroom, is always appreciated.

Keep the conversation flowing by bringing up subjects that everyone can relate to, or by letting people know things that they may have in common with each other. It is also a good idea to have some activities around in case you sense that people are beginning to tire of table conversation.

When the party is over, be sure to thank you guests for coming, as well as for any hostess gifts they may have given you. Depending on the formality of your event, you may want to send a written thank-you note to those who attended your party. By inviting a great group of people, planning a menu that you can execute well, and being aware of your guests’ needs, your first dinner party is sure to be a hit.

Finding The Perfect Vacuum

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A vacuum is one of the staples of apartment living. Whether you’re just engaging in your routine cleaning of your apartment, or picking up after having friends over for a game night, a vacuum is one of the few pieces of equipment it is difficult to get by without. Because the vacuum is essential to so many people there are many different choices and styles to take into consideration with choosing a new one.

The amount of space you have and how tidy you like to keep your apartment are all factors that you need to take into consideration when choosing a new vacuum. This article from apartmenttherapy.com walks you through the steps to finding the right vacuum for your needs. Keep reading to find out what important questions you need to ask before buying this essential tool.

Uprights

Many people prefer upright vacuums because they cover a larger area, they fit well in a largish closet, and they're generally the best option for cleaning carpeted rooms.

Desco Vacuum: Located in Manhattan, this store is a good source for reliable information and reasonable prices on high-end vacuum cleaners. They carry Miele, Sebo, Pullman, and Dyson, as well as specialty brands like American-made Riccar vacuums, which come with 5-year household warranties. (Shown left is the Riccar Radiance.)

Overstock.com: Always a good source for deals, Overstock has a rotating supply of upright, canister, and handheld vacuums. They sell new and refurbished models, which are offered at deep discounts since they've been returned by customers, then examined by Overstock to make sure that they're in like-new condition.

Canisters

The attachment makes it easier to clean upholstery, curtains, and other hard-to-reach areas. Canister vacuums are also recommended for bare floors, since they can easily suck the dirt that collects near baseboards, but are more difficult to maneuver over a fully carpeted room.

Best Vacuum: Based out of Chicago, this online store has detailed reviews of their products, as well as guides to which vacuum is best for pet owners, allergy sufferers, people with thick carpets, or people with wood floors. For instance, they recommend the $680 HEPA Miele Pisces for people with allergies. (Apartment Therapy blogger Aaron has one if you want to read his take on it.)

Amazon.com: This ubiquitous online retailer is a great place to comparison shop, since they carry most major brands. Do your research and check out the prices on Amazon versus other stores, since their deals vary. We found a good price ($330 compared to $400 and above at other retailers) on the Electrolux Oxygen, a canister vac that's recommended by Consumer Reports (although reader comments seem to be split between strong positive and negative reviews).

Hand-Helds and Small Vacuums

Handheld vacuums are good for light jobs, but don't expect the coverage or power of an upright or canister. They're useful in small apartments that don't have a lot of carpeting, and they're great for upholstery or curtains.

Abt Electronics and Appliances: Headquartered outside of Chicago, this online store has received good customer service reports from Apartment Therapy readers. They carry the full range of vacuums, from uprights to handhelds, and their prices are on par with and sometimes below other electronics stores. The popular Dyson Handheld DC35 Multi Floor Vacuum is listed at $329.

Fry's Home Electronics: On the West Coast and in the Southwest, Fry's is a go-to source for household electronics. They sell a bunch of different vacuums, including the $100 Electrolux Ergorapido 2-in-1 Sweeper, which is actually a stick model with a built-in handheld vac. Gregory has one and he recommends it for pet owners with hard floors.

There are TONS of product reviews and information out there on Vacuums. Here are a few good sources if you want more information and recommendations.

• Vacuum and Floor Care Stores on Marketplace

• Best Vacuum Roundup: Dyson, Miele, Electrolux, Airider...

• Vacuums on Unplggd  

Is Your Apartment Pet Friendly?

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Adding a pet to your home can be a great change. You’ll always have someone there to greet you when you come from work, and having a pet can make your apartment feel more like a home. As many long time pet owners know, though, bringing a pet into your home requires more than just love- there are some very important steps that need to happen first.

Caring for your pet in an apartment is different than caring for your pet in a home. When you bring a dog or cat into the picture, even the set up of your apartment can change. This article from renters.apartments.com walks through the steps all pet owners (new and old) need to take to make sure their apartment is pet ready. Keep reading to learn more.

Pet supplies: Before bringing your new pet home, you need to have food (and a bowl to put it in), somewhere for him to sleep, a collar and leash if it’s a dog, and maybe some treats and toys to help ease his transition into his new space. If you got a puppy that will need to be housebroken, a crate is a good idea to help prevent accidents in every corner of your apartment (not to mention a serious dent in your security deposit). Other necessities may include medicine, poop bags, a hair brush, shampoo and toothbrush.

Cleaning supplies: As cute as they are, pets can also be messy, especially a dog who needs to be walked in all types of weather, thereby bringing mud, ice and snow back inside with him. Stock up on carpet and floor cleaner for whatever he tracks in, as well as inevitable accidents and sickness. Another key factor is hair – consider investing in a heavy-duty pet vacuum if your new companion is a big shedder, and stock up on lint rollers for your clothes and furniture.

Pet proofing: Another thing to consider before bringing your pet home is what hazards he could get into. Anything that lives close to the floor – like trash cans, power cords, stuff crammed under the bed – could look like enticing chew toys to your dog or cat. Get as much off the floor as you can, especially potentially hazardous items like pills, cleaning supplies and electric cords. When you’re not home, be sure to close off any rooms you don’t want him in unsupervised. And if he learns how to open cupboards and trash cans, it’s time to get some locks to keep him – and your stuff – safe.

Training: Just as important as making your apartment suitable for your pet is making sure your pet respects your apartment. Sign up for obedience classes right away if you get a dog, and set limits for what’s OK and not OK at home. It may be cute the first time your dog grabs a sock out of the laundry basket, but your roommate won’t be happy if she comes home to a half-eaten shirt. Make your house rules – whether the pet is allowed on furniture, if he can eat table scraps, etc. – and stick to them to maintain a happy household.

Learn more about living with pets in your apartment.