Treat Your Tech Right

(Image courtesy of Tom Taker)

It should come as no surprise to anyone that technology has moved in, and it’s here to stay. For most of us, we can’t make it through a single day without coming into contact with some tech gadget or another - many of us carry around at least two or three at a time!

Regardless of how careful we are with our own devices, whenever we share borrow a cell phone to make a call, or a laptop to take a glance at our Facebook wall, we’re bound to notice how other people treat their devices. One blogger from apartmenttherapy.com took a moment to reflect on the kinds of behaviors that irritate him the most when it comes to electronice devices. Read on to see what he has to say:

My very first computer was a desktop my family and I shared. It was a Dell from the era of the Dell Dude, complete with a 25 pound monitor and a loud and hot tower which held the keys to Minesweeper and the world wide web. It was also my first and my last shared computer, because as a tech lover, I picked up a few tech pet peeves.

It may seem strange, but we all have unique habits when it comes to how we consume technology. For instance, there's nothing I hate finding on a computer more than:

• A messy desktop with no filing system in place at all
• Illogical file naming — especially when it comes to hard to find files
• Leaving millions of tabs open on the browser
• Loud notifications from email or chat clients
• A gross keyboard covered in dirt or dust

Do you have a list of pet peeves when it comes to technology? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Need More Space In Your Commode?

(Image courtesy of Melissa Lynn)

Even in the biggest bathrooms, space can be an issue. There always seems to be a wealth of half-empty shampoo bottles, toothbrushes, hair care products and other essentials hanging around-if you’re not careful things can get tight very quickly.

Though we each have our own particular essentials in every commode, that doesn’t mean that the space can’t be stylish, controlled and organized. These tips courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com will be sure to have your bathroom looking more spacious in no time!

1. Keep only the products you use daily in a small bathroom

What hair and makeup products do you actually need to get ready each morning? Which do you actually use when you shower? If you're lacking in lots of bathroom storage, remove everything you only use occasionally — special hair products, medicine, first aid — and consider finding another spot in your home to keep it. (Yes, if you have a small bathroom you probably have a small home, but maybe there's a titch more storage somewhere else!)

2. Create and disguise new storage

If you absolutely can't get rid of all of the items, assess your storage situation and see where additional or hidden storage can be installed. If you've got under counter storage, maximize it. These under sink storage ideas can easily be applied for bathroom storage. Over the door solutions work, but use sparingly since they don't really hide the clutter well. Install small or narrow cabinets with doors in tight spots for a custom, hidden storage look.

3. Collect, corral & beautify

Trays are an old organizing trick that's always in style; use them to turn a pile of unsightly hair and make-up products into something resembling decent. Baskets and boxes work great on open shelves and tucked uniformly on ledges and in corners. In fact you could make your own today! Want to take it up a notch? Transfer beauty products into new or DIY (and labeled) bottles and containers that are all uniform and nicer to look at so your bathroom counter doesn't look like a drug store.

4. One in, two out rule

For every new lipstick you bring into your bathroom, toss or give to a friend two shades that don't work and you'll never wear. Same applies to shampoo, conditioner or whatever products are causing clutter piles in your bathroom.

5. Pick up and put away daily

This is more chore reminder than actual organizing tip, but some people still need to hear it! You can't let even one bottle stay where it's not supposed to be in a small bathroom — it'll look cluttered instantly. Figure out the decluttering and storage methods that work for you, and then stick with it daily until you create a habit.

Be Guest Ready Anytime

(Image courtesy of FotoLogic)

We’ve all been there - that awkward moment when a relaxing Saturday at home suddenly turns into a hangout session with twenty of your closest friends! Even worse than not having the apartment scoured and ready for guests, what are you going to feed everyone?

There’s no need to panic as long as you keep your pantry stocked with this shopping list courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com. With a little forethought, you can enjoy your emergency party just as much as your guests!

BAR ESSENTIALS:

Alcohol - Bottles of red and white wine, champagne or Prosecco, a light and dark beer, vodka, gin, a whiskey or bourbon.

Mixers - Tonic water, club soda, ginger beer or ale, cranberry juice, peach puree (for a simple Bellini), lemon and lime juice, sour mix, simple syrup, quality sparkling water for non-drinkers.

Garnishes - Sugar or sugar cubes, salt, cherries, pickled onions, cinnamon sticks, dried rosemary sprigs.

A rule of thumb for a stocked bar is to plan on three to four cocktails per guest, and three bottles of wine for every four people (for a three-hour party).

FOOD ESSENTIALS :

Hors d'Oeuvres - Dried herbs (thyme, sage, oregano, crushed chili pepper, garlic, onion salt, nutmeg, peppercorns, ground mustard, cumin), olives, pickles or cornichons, tapenades, roasted peppers, canned tomatoes, nuts (raw and roasted/salted), dried fruit, palm tree hearts, green chilis, beans (white, black, garbanzo, etc. great for homemade dips and spreads), jar of chopped garlic, black-eyed peas, wasabi peas or spanish cocktail mix, rice paper (for summer rolls), dried mushrooms, silken tofu (great for vegan recipes), vegetable bouillon cubes, cream of mushroom or celery soup (for sauces), dip mixes, pita chips, variety of crackers, tortilla chips.

Condiments - Olive oil, sesame oil, balsamic vinegar, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, hot sauces, Sriracha, mustard (dijon, grainy, honey, etc.), mayo or Veganaise, salsa, a good chutney, nut butter, spreads, soy sauce or tamari, a couple dressings (vinaigrette & creamy).

Baked goods/Desserts - Brownie mix, cake or cookie mix, corn bread mix, Girl Scout cookies or Oreos (great for being vegan-friendly), soy milk (great to have on hand for times you're out of milk), dark chocolate, baking soda, baking powder, flour, vanilla, confectioner's sugar, brown sugar.

This list is by no means exhaustive — you could add to it if you want to be the hostess with the mostest, or swap out certain items for your favorites (like rum or tequila for gin). Do you have any pantry party favorites that didn't make the cut? If so, please tell us what you couldn't be without.

Banish Design Disasters For Good

(Image courtesy of daryl_mitchell)

Let’s face it, we can’t all be masters in apartment decorating. Though it’s really easy to make a design plan for any room, there are certain little tricks to taking a good design to the next level. Instead of settling for a room that only looks ok, don’t you want a room that looks great?

Well, now you don’t have to! Listed below are a few of the most common design mistakes renters make, courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com. Read on to determine if your apartment is guilty of some of these basic design flaws and what you can do to fix them!

1. Art that's hung too high.

The problem: If all your art is hung within a couple feet of the ceiling, you might be a high hanger. The trouble with this is that no one can see your art without craning their neck. Also, it just looks weird.

The solution: With a few exceptions (like pictures leaned on top of a console, or art hung directly over a piece of furniture, which should relate to the height of the furniture), all art should be hung with the center of the piece at exactly 57" off the floor. The idea is that you want your pieces to be at eye level — this will make your place feel comfortable and human scaled. (Adjust a little if you are really really tall.)

2. Art that's too small.

The problem: Lots of people think about color when they're buying art, but not scale. That 24" wide print is going to look pretty silly swimming in the wide expanse of wall above your eight foot long sofa.

How can you tell if your art is too small? Compare the scale of the art to the scale of things around it. A smaller piece that would look just fine hanging over a toilet or bar cart may look strange positioned behind a dining table or hanging by itself on a long wall.

The solution: Bigger art, naturally. Of course, buying large art pieces can be pretty expensive. If you're not willing to invest a lot, you could try some of our tips for making large scale art on the cheap, or consider a gallery wall.

3. A rug that's too small for the space.

The problem: We know — large rugs can get really expensive. But a rug that's too small can leave a room feeling bizarre, disjointed, and unfinished.

The solution: How do you know if your rug is too small? You can check out these tips from Emily Henderson. And if you decide your room needs something a little bigger, check out our roundup of giant, affordable rugs.

4. Furniture that's the wrong scale for your space.

The problem: The oversized pieces that you find in modern furniture stores may look great in a newer home with 12 foot ceilings, but in an older house or apartment with a more modest scale, newer furniture can look strangely Dali-esque, as if the whole room is slowly shrinking. Conversely, smaller, more delicate pieces may be swallowed by cavernous spaces.

The solution: Pay attention to the scale of your space. And before you bring in any new furniture, measure, measure, measure! It may be helpful to make an outline (with paper, or tape on the floor) of a piece you're thinking about buying, to get an idea of how it will fit into your space. What if you already have furniture that's a little off scaled for the space? A bigger piece can work in a smaller space if it's the center of attention: try balancing it out with more delicate items. And the old wisdom holds that light colors make things look smaller — so consider, for example, a light-colored slipcover for a larger sofa.

5. Thinking of lighting as an afterthought.

The problem: Lamps and overhead lights aren't just accessories, little things to layer on after you're done designing a space. Lighting, in fact, is everything, and poor lighting can make a space unattractive or even uncomfortable to be in.

The solution: Every room needs a few different light sources: at the very least, an overhead light, and a few smaller lamps for cozier occasions. If you suspect your current lighting scheme may be less than ideal, then check out our guide to evaluating the lighting in your home and these 10 easy tips for improving your lighting.

6. Considering color but not texture.

The problem: When many people decorate, they put lots of thought into the colors in a particular room, and don't think about texture at all. This can result in a room where the colors seem over the top, but the space as a whole is a bit dull and flat.

The solution: Every room needs a little bit of texture to make it interesting. Check out our handy guide to 5 different ways you can add texture to a space.

7. Trying to make everything match.

The problem: Thinking everything in your home has to come from a matched set, or that all your furniture has to be the exact same shade of walnut, or designed in the same decade, may lead to your home looking a little blah (or a little like the set for a period film).

The solution: Mix it up! A few vintage pieces can add texture and personality to a modern interior, and vice versa. Focus less on what 'matches' and instead think about what 'goes'. Put two pieces next to each other and think: do I like the way this looks? If so, go for it.

8. Forgetting that furniture is for people.

The problem: Has this happened to you? You go to a friend's house, and the host suggests that you retire to the living room for cocktails. You sit down, only to realize that you can't possibly have a conversation with the other people in the room, who are marooned on a sofa that's anchored to the opposite wall, fifteen feet away.

The solution: Try not to let the shape of a room dictate how you arrange your furniture. Instead, think about how you plan to use the space. If you're trying to create a conversational grouping, none of the seating in the group should be farther than eight feet away than any of the other seats. Don't be afraid to float sofas or chairs away from walls. Another helpful hint: arranging your living room with conversation in mind, and not just TV watching, will help it feel cozier and less like a movie theater.