Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Getting the Most from Your Studio Apartment Living Experience

Studio apartments traditionally consist of a single multipurpose living area designed to act as both a living and sleeping space. Renting a studio apartment in Playa Vista, CA, is an amazing opportunity to enjoy small-space living with upscale amenities and features that will turn your home into a modern oasis. Not only are studio apartments comfortable and cost-effective, they are also a wonderful opportunity to create a clean, organized, and personalized space that suits your every need.

Use Your Space Intelligently
The key to getting the most from your studio apartment is laying out your space in a way that is intelligent and purposeful. Because your apartment doesn’t feature separate rooms, you can benefit from visually defining several spaces, such as an area for working or hobbies, an area for relaxation or socialization, and an area for rest and sleep. Using rugs or furniture arrangements to create separate areas for daily tasks can help you find space for your everyday needs, while also making the most of the open floor plan featured in a studio apartment. Don’t be afraid to position furnishings in the middle of your space, rather than pushing everything against the walls; as long as you leave an accessible footpath between areas, using your furniture to create borders for each space is a great layout that works well in studio apartment homes.

Opt for Multipurpose Furniture
One of the simplest ways to enjoy a smaller apartment space is to choose furniture that performs multiple functions. A table that can double as both a kitchen table and a workspace for hobbies and other tasks allows your dining area to act as a home office; a futon can double as both a couch and either as your personal bed or a guest bed when you’re hosting friends or family. Other great multipurpose furniture solutions include end tables and ottomans that that incorporate shelving or internal storage, an entertainment center with built-in shelving for DVDs, games, remotes, and speakers, and a bed that includes drawers, cubbies, or shelves for added storage in your sleeping area.

Evaluate Your Necessities and Store Them Wisely
Because studio apartments have limited storage space, it’s important to evaluate your possessions and cut down on extraneous purchases. Choosing multipurpose cleaning solutions and tools will reduce the amount of cleaning supplies you must store; this technique is also a great way to cut down on clutter in your kitchen, ensuring every item you do own serves more than one purpose. If you’re short on storage, consider unique and easy ways to keep your possessions organized; for example, setting your table is both decorative and an efficient way to maximize the storage space in your kitchen by reducing the amount of dishware in your cabinets and drawers. Using hooks and floating shelves helps you get the most from your apartment’s vertical space—store towels, coats, and other items by hanging them up, rather than trying to find space on a table or in a closet. Luggage can also be stored via hanging; alternatively, you can keep your out-of-season-clothing in your luggage and store it in plain sight as a unique statement piece.


Runway Playa Vista features upscale modern studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments for rent in Playa Vista, CA, as well as amazing loft layouts you’ll love. Please visit us online for more information about our apartment community and available floor plans, or contact us to discuss move-in dates or scheduling an in-person tour.

Lighting Your McKinney Luxury Apartment

One of the most essential components of any living space is lighting. Lamps and lights play a part in both the style and function of your apartment, providing comfort, safety, convenience, and atmosphere. Choosing and implementing smart, stylish lighting choices isn’t difficult and can be a fun and exciting part of developing your personal style when it comes to putting the finishing touches on your Craig Ranch apartment.

Benefits of a Well-Lit Apartment
Lamps and lights are not only excellent accessories—they are also everyday tools that make living and working in your apartment easier and more comfortable. A well-lit apartment creates a cozy and welcoming atmosphere in which you can work or relax. Good lighting has been shown to improve mood and productivity, while the ability to easily adjust the levels of lighting in your home helps to prompt either wakefulness or relaxation to help regulate your daytime and sleeping schedule. When your apartment is lit from many angles, you’ll also reduce the risk of trips and falls by easily visualizing footpaths; accessible lights also make it easy to turn on a light from anywhere in your home, rather than grasping for the nearest light switch.

Types of Apartment Lighting
There are several lighting options you can include in your luxury apartment’s decor. Lamps are the most common form of lighting, and are a versatile solution that can be added to tables, desks, and even countertops to provide both ambient and focused task lighting, depending on your needs. Other lighting solutions include rope and holiday lights, lanterns, and other types of decorative lighting that add style and personality as well as light to your space. In most cases, you’ll want to place brighter lamps in your living areas, while leaving softer lighting solutions for areas such as your bedroom or master bath. However, mixing various types of lighting throughout your apartment offers greater versatility and the ability to easily control the mood and atmosphere in any room.

Light Bulb Considerations
In addition to the many types of lamps and lights available today, there are also a variety of light bulb solutions you can choose. Traditional light bulbs are the least expensive lighting option, and are manufactured in a variety of brightness options. These simple solutions are the most common type of bulb in use today, and can be replaced easily once they burn out. Options such as CFLs and LEDs are slightly more expensive, but are also commonplace, easy to replace, and will last longer and generate less heat than a traditional bulb. CFLs and LEDs also use significantly less energy than traditional bulbs, helping you to reduce your monthly lighting costs. Smart lighting options incorporate wireless technology into the light bulbs you purchase, offering the ultimate control over the lighting in any room. Using this smart technology, you can turn lights on, off, and even adjust brightness levels or create lighting programs using your computer, smartphone, or any other wireless device.


Are you looking for a luxury apartment living experience in McKinney, TX? Parkside at Craig Ranch features upscale urban apartments with modern style and convenience. You can check out our Craig Ranch community and explore our available floor plans when you click through our comprehensive website, where you’ll also discover details about our local neighborhood and find out what our tenants have to say about the lifestyle they enjoy in our community. If you’d like to take a tour or have further questions, we invite you to contact us online for the answers to your questions about our McKinney apartments.

Enjoying an Effective Color Scheme in Your Apartment

Color adds appealing visual variety to your apartment home, and can also have an effect on mood, improving productivity, cultivating creativity, and promoting relaxation it your various living spaces. Choosing a great color scheme for your luxury apartment in San Antonio means enjoying every moment spent in an appealing and personalized environment where you feel comfortable and can focus on the tasks at hand, whether you’re cooking, reading, socializing, or relaxing.

Consider Each Room’s Purpose
The color scheme you choose for each room in your apartment will often depend largely on the room’s purpose. Color can have a profound effect on the finished appearance and atmosphere of a room, creating an energizing, creative, relaxing, or professional environment. Before choosing your color scheme, first focus on the purpose you want each room to serve. Rooms that will be used for socializing or hobbies should promote greater mental energy and focus, while a bedroom or bathroom should help you feel calm, relaxed, and comfortable. Bold colors are typically associated with more energetic environments, while cooler and more neutral colors are better for relaxing and private spaces. Regardless of the colors you choose, make sure that the color scheme you select for each room is appealing to your personal tastes to create a feeling of comfort and belonging in your apartment home.

Start with Small Color Choices
Small color choices refer to your selection of accessories, such as lamps, throw pillows, curtains, rugs, and even flowers or houseplants. These choices can guide your color scheme for an entire room by helping you focus on a color or pattern you like most for each space. If you are bringing existing accessories into your new apartment space, consider where you will place each accessory for the greatest impact and the most inviting environment. Alternatively, you can start fresh by selecting new accessories after you move in, allowing the feel and flow of your apartment space to determine the types of colors and accessories you want to use. When adding small color choices to a room, keep in mind that the most effective color schemes typically involve two to four colors. Avoid adding too many disparate color choices to a single room, which can cause visual confusion and make the room feel more chaotic, rather than calming. If you’d like to add a range of color, consider instead choosing items in varying shades of a single color for added texture without a discordant feel.

Rotate Seasonal Colors
If you love a variety of colors and have a difficult time choosing just one scheme, consider rotating your colors by season or year to include all of your favorite shades in your apartment’s decor. Modifying your color scheme with brighter colors in the summer and cooler colors in the winter is a great way to give your apartment a periodic refresh without the need to rearrange furniture or perform any other type of major work. Transferring accessories from one room to another is also a simple way to change up your color scheme without the need to purchase new items; adding small punches of unexpected colors is a great way to personalize and energize your living space throughout the year.


The Grand Estates at TPC is a luxury apartment community in San Antonio, TX, featuring studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments for rent just a short distance from the city center. You can discover the many amenities and features you’ll enjoy when you rent an apartment with us when you visit our website or contact us online.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Planning an Easy Wintertime Move


Summer is the most popular time for moving, but there are several reasons to opt for a wintertime move instead. Whether your desired apartment is simply not available available until this time or circumstances require you to move during the winter months, there are many ways you can ensure that your wintertime move is easy and convenient so you can start life in your new apartment in Houston, TX, off on the right foot.

Plan for the Weather
Moving during the winter is an excellent way to avoid the hot, humid weather that can affect a summertime move. Although Houston does not often see much snowfall during the winter, the area can be prone to wintertime storms, including ice and rain. Thus, it’s important to keep an eye on the weather in the days leading up to your move and plan accordingly if conditions will be poor. Keep in mind that a move may take longer if the weather is cold or stormy; if you are concerned about items or boxes getting wet, consider packing them in plastic containers or wrapping them with tarps or plastic wrap to keep rain and ice away. Finally, plan for comfort on moving day and beyond—if the weather will be cold or rainy, make sure to keep your jacket, gloves, and waterproof outerwear accessible so you’ll be able to dress appropriately on moving day, as well as remain comfortable until you are completely unpacked after arriving in your new apartment space.

Schedule Utilities in Advance
One of the simplest ways you can make moving an easy and comfortable task is planning ahead when it comes to setting up your utilities. Calling several weeks in advance to have the water, electricity, and internet service in your new apartment turned on before you arrive will ensure that your apartment is ready for you from the moment you walk in the door. Because winter days feature cool weather and fewer hours of sunlight, you’ll want your electricity and HVAC system ready for use from the very first day. Rather than activating services the day you arrive, have your utilities turned on at least once day before you move in. If you must be present for cable or internet service installation, schedule these for a day or two after moving day to ensure you’ll be available and able to give any service providers your undivided attention. If your provider will need access to jacks or connections, try to keep the area around them clear of boxes for accessibility and safety.

Alta West End features luxury studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartment floor plans designed to provide you with all the space you need for a comfortable lifestyle in Houston. You can find out more about our amazing apartment community, located along the Washington Avenue Corridor, when you visit us online to check out our floor plans, availability, amenities, and community features. You can also contact us for additional details or to schedule an in-person tour of your next apartment home in Houston.