Children's Room

Children's Room DecoratingThe Elementary Age Child
It goes without saying that most people want to give their children the best of everything. And at times like this when the economy is flush, with more working people having more expendable income than we've seen in a few decades, many parents are taking every opportunity to bestow upon the their little ones all the attributes of the good life. From private schools to new clothes to flat-screen digital TVs, spending on children has exploded in huge ways in the last few years. Pair that with interior design and decorating being industries whose fates are intimately linked to the ups and downs of the economy, and it only adds up that decorating for kids is currently all the rage.
Whereas once upon a time it was considered going all out to have a matching football-themed bedspread and curtains in a child's room, now entire sets of sheets, duvets, curtains, rugs and even wall hangings all featuring the same Powerpuff Girls or N'Sync motif can be acquired for a song at places like Kmart and Bradlees. And any respectable wallpaper outlet will have not just a few, but a vast selection of kid-themed patterns, as well as the all-important matching borders. (FYI, wallpaper borders are now a very big deal in the kids' decorating world.)
But with so many options now available, it can be hard to know just how far to go with it all. Or even where to begin, for that matter. It's always an option to go out and get all-matching everything and cover every surface of the room with all one theme, be it flowers, gorillas, The Little Mermaid, or Mack trucks. But all but the most die-hard matching maniacs out there, including the child who's obsessed with whatever it is, will most likely find such an environment more than a little overwhelming.
The best strategy to use when you're about to begin decorating a child's room, just like when you're designing any other space, is to keep in mind what the room will be used for first and foremost–then get into what it will look like. Ask questions like these: How many kids will be sleeping there? If it's just one, do you expect that he or she will have to share sometime in the next few years? Will the bedroom be his or her main space for play as well as sleep, or will there be a separate play area? Is he really into arts and crafts, which would mean the floor and work surfaces should be easy to clean up? Is she likely to get very tall and need a double bed? All these questions are much more important than whether to paint the walls powder, shell or rose pink. Not that color isn't important, for it most definitely is. But function should be your first consideration.
That having been said, let's take a look at the usual basic elements of a child's room:
a bed with a good mattress bedside table with a lamp desk with a chair and lamp for homework surface for art and play (can be the floor) a mirror places to store hanging and folded clothes storage for books, toys and games Bedrooms A bed with a mattress that provides good support is extremely important. Kids' bones are still growing and solidifying at a fast rate, and spending long sleeping hours in bad positions can lead to or exacerbate serious posture problems. Different cultures have different ideas what constitutes support and what constitutes torture–sleeping on a Japanese futon (the kind you find in Japan, not our cushy American version) feels like sleeping on pavement to your average westerner, but many Japanese find our much softer beds overly indulgent and worry about their backs. It's all a matter of preference, but most doctors around the world agree that too soft is a big no-no. Use your best judgement, and keep in mind that in the world of mattresses, you usually get what you pay for. Skimping on a cheap mattress for your child now just might cost you more in medical bills later.
A bedside lamp is also important, if only because it's really nice to be able to turn on a light without getting out of bed–especially if you're afraid of the dark, which most children are at one point or another. It's also nice to have a close light for reading bedtime stories, and a table underneath it is handy for a glass of water, a nightlight, or any favorite books.
And just like it's good for you to have a home office area if you ever work at home, it's a good for a child to have her own place to do her homework–a place that's just for study, with ample light for reading and writing and a comfortable chair that provides good back support. Sure, homework can be done at the kitchen table, and often is. But providing a place that is just for study, separate from the rest of the house and in the child's own space, is a good way to convey the message to him that homework is something that should be taken seriously and consciously made a priority.
If the room is also the child's primary play area, you'll want to keep this in mind when considering the flooring. Granted, children have played on bare wood floors for centuries with no problem. But something softer like cork, or soft rubber tiles that come in bright colors just for kids (available at many carpet and tile stores) will hurt a bit less when they fall and will go easier on their knees when they're kneeling. While it's far from necessary, it's something to consider. And if the child loves to make a mess, rubber flooring is an even better idea, since it easily wipes clean.
And speaking of wiping clean, a popular trend right now is to cover the lower half of one wall with blackboard paint (available at most paint and hardware stores) so the children can draw with abandon–and it also saves paper. If something so permanent doesn't appeal to you, a real blackboard hung on the wall or propped on an easel will serve the same purpose.

Apartment or Rental Home Walk Through

Apartment or Rental Home Walk Through
What To Look For Before You Sign A Lease When walking through the home or apartment you are thinking of renting or leasing, whether it’s brand new or used, here are a few things to check before signing a lease or rental agreement. Drywall, paint, baseboard, light fixtures, carpet, windows, roof tiles, doors, tile, granite, tubs, and appliances. A typical property management company will have a checklist with them during your move-in walk through, to note any preexisting conditions of the unit or home. When you decide to move from this rental, they will do a move-out walk through, comparing the condition of the property at move-out to what it was at move-in. It is in your best interest to have a move-in checklist of your own, to make sure the property manager notes all preexisting conditions, so you won’t have to pay for conditions you didn’t cause when it is time to move.
Drywall -Make sure you check this well. Look for marks made by door knobs and baseboard installation. Look also for holes.
Paint -When checking the paint look for uneven coloring and chips. Make sure the baseboard does not have any wall paint on it as well as wood handrails, kitchen counter tops, tubs, cabinets…etc. Look for any stains in the paint, especially on ceilings – this can be an indication of water damage.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you

Decorating Baby's Room

Decorating Baby's Room
Decorating The Nursery
In recent years as the economy has boomed, a certain sector of the retail industry has enjoyed a remarkable explosion: products for babies and kids. In days of old, the prevailing attitude most people had toward clothing and furniture for their kids was one of economy–after all, kids outgrow everything in a just a couple of years. But nowadays it's more common for parents to go all out for everything. All the very latest fashions for their little one, right down to the label on their jeans, and the indulgence doesn't stop with outfits. The home decorating sector for kids has had a boom as well. For many families, hand-me-downs are a thing of the past.
There's now an absolutely vast selection of not just the usual wallpaper and bed linens aimed at the little people, but serious furniture–club chairs and ottomans, sofas–scaled down to kid sizes; things that they used to have to grow into are now being made just for them. Some say it's great: kids are finally being catered to on their own terms, even in the furniture world. Some others say the trend only encourages people to spend more money on things they don't need.

For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.

Apartment Safety

Don’t be so excited about decorating your bedroom and getting your Internet hooked up that you forget about safety. Apartments.com wants to make sure you’re taken care of and while we can’t replace your mothers (sigh), we can offer some friendly advice to make your apartment a place where you’ll feel safe and sound.
Our biggest “mom” tip is to purchase renter’s insurance to protect your valuables. Even with insurance you still need to take steps to protect yourself. Here are some other easy ways to make you, your apartment and your belongings much safer.
Do…
Write only your last name or initials on your mailbox. Although you may have to pay a small fee, it’s a good idea to have an unlisted phone number for safety reasons. Having an unlisted number will also cut down on solicitation calls. Make sure the locks on all doors leading into your apartment have been changed since the last tenant was living there. You may need to make copies of your keys for roommates but most apartment owners forbid copies made for anyone not living in the apartment. This includes your best friend, boy/girlfriend and parents. For safety reasons, keep copies of keys in your hands only. Apartment doors should all have peephole viewers. If you don’t have one, ask your landlord to install one. On the elevator, avoid riding alone with a stranger. If you get stuck with someone you do not know, stand near the control panel so you can exit in an emergency or if the stranger makes you feel uncomfortable in any way. Stay alert when entering your apartment. Don’t talk on your cell phone or look preoccupied when walking toward your building. Criminals look for a weak target and are more likely to pass up someone who appears focused, aware and strong. Report bad lighting or overgrown shrubbery to your landlord. You are never being too picky when it comes to your safety. Inventory the description, serial number and cost of your valuables. Keep a copy of your records online, in a fire-proof locked box or in a safe deposit box in a bank. Take pictures of your most valuable items and attach those to your receipts to make any insurance claims run as smoothly as possible. Keep a broom handle or other long stick in the track of sliding glass doors. This may deter a break in. Purchase light timers and set them so that your lights turn on when you’re away from home in the evening. Take in your newspaper and packages on a daily basis.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.

General Tips -- The Bathroom and Utility Room

General Tips -- The Bathroom and Utility Room© Wendy Waid Nov 4, 2001
I have been getting plenty of emails from people asking me about certain tips and hints about various topics. For my dear readers, I thought I would post some of my tips here. Feel free to put your own tips in my discussion forum or email them to me. Everyone loves tips. Thanks. This article is second in the series. Come back again for more tips and hints!
Clarifying Confusion in the Bathroom: The bathroom is one of the dirtiest and most difficult to clean quickly. I receive dozens and dozens of pleas from readers asking for bathroom tips ranging from how to clean to how to repair. For now, we’ll just focus on cleaning and other useful tips for the “throne room”.
Invest in those new sweepers with the disposable cloth covers (like Swifter). Get both the dry and wet cloths. Sweep the floor with the dry cloth to collect all the loose hair, then wipe clean with the wet cloth. Works great! Get a card at your local wholesale warehouse (like Sams Club or Costco). You can find giant-sized cloth refills really cheap there. The toilet paper bundles are usually not much cheaper than the stores. Cover the floors with bathroom rugs. Not only do they keep your feet warm in the cold and clean after showers, but they keep the floors a lot cleaner and make it easier to clean. Simply shake the rug before sweeping. Get a rug that can be washed in the wash machine. You only need to wash these occasionally. To clean the bathtub and counter, get some scrubbing powder. Personally, I found the cheaper generic brands work the same as the more expensive known brands (such as Comet). Sprinkle the powder on the surfaces and scrub with a wet sponge. Works really great on mildew-covered surfaces and those ugly orange rings around the tub. If you have too much mildew build-up or have some areas that are hard to reach (like around the base of a faucet), spray with a wipe-less mildew remover spray. These strong sprays require a lot of ventilation, especially since they have strong odors. Keep doors open and fans on to ventilate. Be sure to spray with water after a few minutes, otherwise the spray might begin to cause damage. Buy toilet paper when it goes on sale and stock up. Buy an extra package of white dish cloths or facial cloths to wipe sinks and counter tops. Use white since the dye on the colored cloths may rub off onto your surfaces. You can find large cheap packages of cloths at Kmart and Walmart.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.

Renting a House

Renting a House© Wendy Waid Dec 16, 2001
Although my topic area focuses mainly on apartment and small unit rentals, most renters find they want a larger place to rent. There is nothing nicer than having a large house all to yourself without the massive down payment and 30-year commitment to worry about. And you still have the flexibility to move out at the end of the lease and find something different. If you have never rented a house, duplex, or condo before, you will find this article particularly helpful.
Why Rent a House? If you’re like most renters, you will have almost every nook and cranny of your small apartment cluttered with knick-knacks, collectibles, boxes, and piles of magazines. For these packrats, it appears the apartment keeps getting smaller every year. Eventually, you’re forced to either get rid of all your stuff or find a bigger place. Houses, condos, and duplexes usually have extra storage closets, maybe a garage, and often several rooms. Perfect for all your treasured valuables.
Or, perhaps you are not a packrat but have a large family. A small apartment is not very comfortable for a large family. People like to have a little space. A house or duplex usually have several bedrooms and bathrooms and plenty of space for everyone. Often these larger properties have yards where the kids will love to play.
Or, maybe you have some pets. Most apartment complexes are not friendly to pets, especially to larger dogs or large collections of animals. Finding a private house might be just what you need.
Is Renting a House For You? Renting a house is not cheap. Usually the rent is a lot higher than an apartment. In some cities, renting a house is about the same as renting a townhouse. Of course, this depends entirely upon the location of the property, the landlord, and how eager the landlord is to rent it out. If the landlord hasn’t been able to rent for the past few months, the price is going to come down. However, if the property is in a popular location, the rent is going to rise.
Like most other units of rental, renting a house will most likely require a year-long lease (or maybe even a 16-month lease). If your income might decrease within that timeframe, being locked into a high monthly rental amount might not be a good idea. Most landlords will check your credit and income to be sure you will be able to afford the lease, just in case.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.

10 Tips for Small Spaces

10 Tips for Small Spaces From Fred Albert,Time-Tested Advice From AFMA Helps Make Small Spaces BiggerThe 87 percent of Americans who describe their home as small to medium in size know the importance of using every square inch to maximum efficiency. Rather than making their space look bigger, people want a cozy, intimate feel and prefer to use their space wisely and get the most out of it. "One of the great things about small rooms is that they help us think creatively about the way we live," said Jackie Hirschhaut, Vice President of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. "Furniture is a true complement to a small abode – it helps you maximize your space by providing function, comfort and style."
AFMA suggests the following tips for ways to increase square footage without building on an addition:
Go Vertical Consider tall furniture rather than wide to preserve precious floor space.
e taken advantage of the valuable space under the bed – in style. Use decorative boxes and storage bins to stow out-of-season clothing, wrapping paper, sporting goods or anything else.
Retractable Doors When shopping for an armoire or entertainment center, look for ones with retractable doors to provide more space when the doors are open.
Try the Kids' Department Youth furniture is designed to fit into smaller rooms but also accommodates adults just fine. Have a small guest bedroom or a little alcove office? A child's dresser or desk might be the perfect fit.
Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' Many pieces of furniture have wheels – whether it is a sofa, a coffee table, a storage shelf, kitchen table or an ottoman. Enjoy extra mobility and function with a wheeled piece of furniture that is fashionable and practical.
Don't Leaf It Out If a full-size dining room table is just too big for the dining area, ask your retailer about one with removable leaves.
Accent It A mirror is always a nice accent to any room, but especially a small one. Mirrors add light and depth when space is limited. And the right accessories will highlight one's personal style and enhance the intimacy of a small space.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you.