Plan a Labor Day Bike Picnic

"Ross Eurosport and a Batavus" by Jason McDowell is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Labor Day may be the unofficial end of summer, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the most of the day off! Your apartment is located close to a lot of fantastic trails and outdoor areas, so why not plan your traditional Labor Day picnic in a scenic spot, and enjoy the exercise and weather on the way there? The Kitchn offers these useful tips for an enjoyable afternoon bike picnic:

Picnic Food Tips

1. Pick sturdy foods. The key to a good bike picnic is bringing packable foods that can survive a bumpy journey. For example, fragile lemon tarts aren't quite as bike-friendly as a dense chocolate cake.

2. Go with variety. As with any outdoor eating menu, I think smaller is better, and having an assortment of small dishes makes the food easier to pack as well as more entertaining to eat.

3. Think versatility. An assortment of good cheese and a loaf of bread will always go far. Throw in some fresh basil and an avocado and you've got yourself the fixings for a lovely picnic sandwich. I also love bring along easy-to-pack things like olive tapenade, as it works well as a spread or as a dip for vegetables.

4. Protect fragile purchases. For picnics that are based off of market foods - think a bunch of fresh fruit and vegetables - just be sure to take a few reusable containers with you to the market. That way, your purchases are easily transportable and won't get crushed and bruised during your journey.

Don't Forget Drinks

You can't have a good picnic without something fun to drink now can you? Beer and wine are easy, just make sure you have an opener with you. If you're in the mood for cocktails, the easiest is to prepare a mixer at home, which you can bring along in a bottle and finish making your drinks on site.

For colder weather rides and meals, invest in a good thermos. That way, you can fill it with whatever you like: coffee, hot chocolate, or maybe even apple cider with a little bourbon?

Essential Bike Picnic Tools

The first essential thing to remember about a picnic à vélo is that you want to be packing things that are unbreakable. That means investing in good utensils and dishes that are lightweight and reusable but won't get crushed when you pack them.

My personal cycle picnic pack includes:

• Swiss Army knife
• reusable cups
• reusable silverware
• something to eat out of
• tea towel for use as a small tablecloth
• lightweight wooden cheeseboard, perfect for serving and cutting on
• if room allows, a blanket or sheet is always a worthwhile item to bring along

Bicycle picnics are the perfect blend of exercise, fresh air, relaxation, and simple but good food. These tips will make planning and packing for your next picnic ride a snap!

Kitchen Storage Hacks

"Kitchen" by jen robinson is licensed under CC BY 2.0

If you have a small kitchen in your apartment, it’s important to get the most efficient use out of the space you have. The coffee pot alone takes up valuable space that could be used in food preparation. To take advantage of the space you have, try following some of these hacks from Apartment Therapy.

1. Pegboards, more like awesomeboards

Pegboards are a utilitarian's dream: They can hold just about anything with the right hooks, can be made as big or as compact as you'd like and can be arranged throughout the year as your storage needs change. How do you keep your kitchen from looking like someone's workshop in the back of a garage? Consider painting it a bold color, and really pay attention to how you arrange elements on the board; make it more like an art display.

2. Tension rods

Why we're not all using tension rods in all the places I'm not sure, but if you haven't yet experienced the organizational wonder of these cheap and handy tools, you should experiment. From keeping your cutting boards from looking like a pile of scrap wood to creating a cozy little space for your cleaning supplies to hang from, your use of tension rods in your kitchen is limited only by your own imagination.

3. Mounted magnetic knife block

Get a heavy duty magnetic block to mount and forever save your counter tops from those standing knife blocks that always seem to take up so much space and kind of always look like they need to be nudged to a slightly different angle. Want to get even more handy? Make a double magnetic knife block and use that side of the refrigerator.

4. Storage on wheels is a go

Hey if you have room for a larger rolling kitchen cart, then you know the pleasures of having mobile storage. But don't discount the helpfulness of smaller rolling storage shelves and carts that can fit in weird nooks, be pulled out when needed and pushed away when finished with.

5. Above-the-cabinet storage

Don't decorate with dust-catchers in the small space you might have above your kitchen cabinets; use that as extra storage by incorporating some uniform, enclosed, sparsely spaced baskets or boxes to hold the stuff you need but don't need all the time (we're looking at you light bulbs, batteries and tools).

6. Drawer dividers are delightful

If you're not using drawer dividers yet, consider changing course. Taking an afternoon to add a few bought or DIYed drawer dividers to your kitchen drawers will make them go from "almost junk drawer" to "Martha Stewart would be proud."

7. IKEA's array of affordable organizing tools for small spaces

Take full advantage of the products IKEA offers when it comes to hanging, storing and displaying. Done neatly and with intention, you can cover nearly every vertical surface in a tiny kitchen to add storage to your space without sacrificing style.

8. Pantry risers, small shelves and lazy susans

If it seems like a lot of work to get nit-picky and organize even your smallest spaces into even smaller compartments — well, it can be. But the extra space you'll gain won't just mean you can stuff more stuff into your space, it'll (hopefully) mean you won't forget about cans of food for months at a time (because you can't see them).

What small-space tips do you have? Share them with us!

Decorating Myths Debunked

We’ve all heard the famous “no white pants after Labor Day,” but there are plenty of myths floating around about home decor, too. Ultimately, your decor is your choice and should be a reflection of you and what makes you happy. However, if you’re curious about some common interior design fact and fiction, Elle Decor (courtesy of House Beautiful) will give you the truth.

Photo courtesy William Waldron

MYTH: Throw pillows must appear in odd numbers only

REALITY: It's more about what you feel works in the room. Here, in a Long Island home, designer Robert Stilin alternates two pairs of pillows in a similar color scheme for a look that's perfectly serene and symmetrical.

Photo courtesy Simon Upton

MYTH: Trends should be incorporated only in the form of small, replaceable accessories

REALITY: If a trend—say, metallics—speaks to you, you should feel full license to use it with abandon. Here, Jean-Louis Deniot's hammered silver kitchen cabinets show that going big on a trend you love can end up being the most show-stopping part of a home.

Photo courtesy William Abranowicz

MYTH: Collections are only meant to be decorative

REALITY: A collection can be something as simple, beloved, and downright useful as a stack of magazines, as seen here in Eric Hughes and Nathan Turner's Malibu apartment.

Photo courtesy William Waldron

MYTH: Choose one pattern to be the star of the room

REALITY: Through artful pairing you can feature two, three—even five!—fabulous patterns as long as you keep the color scheme similar, and get creative with scale.

Photo courtesy William Waldron

MYTH: Your ceilings must be white

REALITY: A dramatic color can actually draw the eye upward, plus it gives you an extra surface to make a major impression, as Richard Mishaan illustrates in a Westchester home.

Photo courtesy Eric Piasecki

MYTH: All 4 chair legs must be on (or off) the rug

REALITY: It's more important that the space can morph and adapt to however guests configure themselves. In Michael Leva's Manhattan apartment, a flexible seating arrangement is constantly in flux to make room for everything from cocktail to dance parties.

Photo courtesy William Waldron

MYTH: All "ugly" architecture must be hidden

REALITY: Even something like exposed ductwork, as seen here in a D.C. apartment decorated by Nestor Santa Cruz, can be embraced for what it is. "It gives a rhythm and movement that flows through the rooms," says Santa Cruz. Something to consider before taking on a massive cover-up process.

Photo courtesy Richard Powers

MYTH: All artwork must be at eye level

REALITY: Art can live wherever it feels at home—to your eye, at least. In Susan Hable Smith's Georgia home, a piece tucked up at the top corner of the room offers a moment of surprise beauty, while silk screens and drawings add pizzazz even from the floor.

Photo courtesy Richard Powers

MYTH: Once is enough, when it comes to a busy pattern

REALITY: If you truly love a pattern, why limit it to only one surface? In Alex Papachristidis's Manhattan apartment, the same cotton fabric covers the walls, sofa, canopy, and curtains...and still looks fresh and modern thanks to the artfully-chosen prints that balance the entire room.

Photo courtesy William Abranowicz

MYTH: The most expensive piece in a room should get pride of place

REALITY: It's the piece with the most character, not highest price tag, that deserves the spotlight. For example, this chair, in William Abranowicz's entry hall, was found in the dumpster!



What other myths have you heard? Do you believe them to be true?

Spare Bedroom Solutions

Terms of use: These works are licensed under a Creative Commons 2.0 Generic
License. They are attributed to Maegan Tintari (L) and kori monster (R).

If you find yourself with a spare room, maybe your roommate just moved out or you’ve upgraded to a 2 BR apartment, it can be tricky to figure out just what you should do with that space. Depending on your interests, you can customize that space to be completely you! Do yoga a lot? Make it a meditation room! Here are some ideas from Apartment Guide to inspire you!

1. Get Crafty

If you love to spend your down time getting creative, an extra bedroom is the perfect place to put your hobby to good use. A sewing machine table, a drafting table for drawing or scrapbooking, or a canvas for your latest painting could be the centerpiece of your spare room. And with all that space, you’ll have plenty of room for art supply storage.

If you’re just looking for something new and crafty to try, check out our Pinterest board: DIY Inspiration for Your Apartment!

2. Create a Workspace

If you work from home, it’s nice to have a dedicated workspace that you can leave at the end of each day. A spare bedroom is the perfect place for a home office or, if you’re a student, a studying nook. Even if you’re hunting for a job, having a special space that’s organized just the way you like it, with all your necessities within easy reach, will make the process go a lot more smoothly.

Read more: How to Create a Job-Searching Space at Home

3. Give Your Pets Their Own Playroom

If you’ve got a dog that loves his toys, or a cat that just wants to be left alone, your spare bedroom is a good place to create a pet paradise. If you’re the type to buy your pet a lot of toys to chew on or pillows to lie on, this is a good way to get that stuff out of your living space and tucked away for when guests come over.

Read more: Catify Your Crib (or How to Create an Awesome Cat Wonderland in Your Apartment)

"yoga" by Natalie Lucier is licensed under CC BY 2.0

4. Get Fit

If you like to work out in the privacy of your own home, it can be hard to do it in your living room – maybe your coffee table always needs to be moved out of the way, or you’re always dodging furniture. Using a spare bedroom as your workout room will give you all the space you need to get in shape, without having to worry about knocking into stuff.

Read more: How Your Apartment Can Help You Lose Weight

5. Turn It Into a Guest Room

A spare bedroom that’s used as a bedroom … crazy, right? A nice bed, some curtains and some creative wall decorations can make your extra room a cozy space for your guests. Heck, you might even curl up in there yourself sometimes.

How have you transformed the spare bedroom in your apartment? Share your pictures and ideas with us!

10 Ways to Feel Like You’re Home

Photo courtesy Emily May

Creating a home is more than just moving all of your stuff into an apartment or house--it's a feeling you get when you walk through the door after a long day, the people you're with and the memories you create there. What are some things you can do to create that feeling of "home?" Apartment Therapy offers these tips:

Do This:
Change the lighting. We say it all the time: if you want your home to have a golden glow, good lighting is the easiest and fastest way to get there. Each room needs at least three separate lighting sources (and that ceiling monstrosity doesn't count). Here are some of our lighting tips to get you started.

Get a plant. Bringing a living thing into your space will help the whole place (and you) feel fresher and more alive.

Clean the windows. You'll be amazed at how much brighter (literally) your outlook on the world will be if you're not looking at it through a layer of grime.

Decorate with something sentimental. This is a great way to feel connected to your home. Adding some family history or travel souvenir with memories attached will give even a cold, impersonal space instant personality.

Buy a little treat. Something new (make it bright!) will give you a little lift and punch up your space. Treat yo'self.

Feel This:
Focus on one thing you love. Every room has something you love in it. Make a conscious effort to train your eye to go to that thing the moment you walk into the room. Those positive feelings will start to add up over time, really!

Relax and restart. Bursting through the door after a rough day doesn't start your evening in a good mental place. Don't take your bad mood out on your house! Rest, grab a shower, get yourself a snack, whatever you need to reset your attitude and begin the next portion of your day on the right foot.

Ignore the decor. There's so much more going on at home than simply pillows and paintings. No matter the state of your space, the people and pets will always be up to par. Hang out with them for a while and forget your house woes.

Get grateful. You have a lot to be grateful for so write it down. Seriously, get out a pen right now and write down one thing you're grateful for in your home (even if it's just that you have a home!).

Do something fun. Making memories is key to feeling connected and at home in your space. Like game nights? Go for it. More the quiet type? Curl up with a book and get cozy.

What other tips would you add to this list? What things make you think of "home?" Share your thoughts below!

7 Pre-Vacation Tasks to Tackle

Whether your idea of a vacation is going to a big city or laying on the beach, it is a time that should be as stress-free as possible. Aside from the normal tasks of packing and making sure you have all of your travel necessities, here are 7 less thought of tasks to take care of before your trip, courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

1. Tell your neighbors and/or friends. Inform your neighbors and friends of the dates that you will be gone and ask them to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around your home. Leave an extra set of keys and contact information with a trusted neighbor or friend. If you will be gone for more than a few days, ask your neighbor or friend to pick up your mail. You can also go to the USPS website to place a “stop” order on mail and newspapers. Consider asking a friend to check in if you have plants that need to be watered.

2. Tidy your kitchen. Clean out your fridge. Dispose of food that will spoil, eat your leftovers and take out the trash and recycling. Any food left in the trash or the sink will spoil and stink up your home, so make sure to do the dishes.

Photo courtesy THOR.

3. Tend to the bathrooms. Sprinkle a little baking soda in toilets and down the sink drains to avoid coming home to the stench of stagnant water dripping.

4. Take safety precautions. If you are concerned about safety, invest in a light switch timer that can turn lights on and off according to a programmed schedule, park a car in your driveway, and leave curtains or blinds exactly as they usually are. Make sure all windows and doors are locked before you leave and double-check that the alarm system is armed, if you have one. It is also a good idea to place any valuables in a locked safe or in a part of your home that is out of plain sight.

5. Pay the bills. This is especially pertinent if you are going to be gone a few weeks. Plan ahead and pay all the bills that will be due while you are away. You shouldn't need to worry about when bills are due while you are on vacation.

6. Conserve energy. Adjust the thermostat so that it saves energy. Make sure all faucets are turned off and no water is dripping. Consider shutting off water lines to washing machines to avoid flooding problems. Make sure all lights of the home are turned off. Double-check to make sure all appliances are turned off and unplug electronics to save on power.

7. Clean the house. Tidy up and clean up the clutter! I love coming back home to a clean house; it makes you appreciate your home that much more and will make unpacking and getting back into the routine that much easier.

What is your normal pre-vacation routine like? Is there anything you would add to this? Share your thoughts below!

Make a Bold Decor Move

Photo courtesy Wicker Paradise

We have all seen something on Pinterest that we thought would look so cool, but then said, “I could never do that.” Yes, you can! Aside from things that you may have to ask your landlord for permission for, there are still many things you can do to take risks as you decorate--from furniture, to rugs, to accessories. So here’s that motivation you need to actually put those Pinterest boards to use, courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

1. Decide to do it — This is both the easiest and hardest part. You've thought it through, debated endlessly and now it's time for a simple yes or no. It's liberating! No more, "Gee, I'd really like to have..." or "Someday I'll try a..." That day is today! Don't dawdle, say yes and don't look back.

2. Get inspired — Time for the eye candy. You have a general plan, sure, but browsing some great inspirational images will help you really nail down what you love and what turns your stomach (and with risky decisions, it's usually one or the other). This is also when you'll start to get really excited about your project, which will further cement your decision to do it. Remember: this is fun!

3. Tell everyone — Now that you've made your decision, it's time to share. Telling everyone your plan is an insurance policy that you'll actually follow through. You're accountable, see? Sure, people will have their own opinions (and may decide to share them, unsolicited) but that won't bother you because you're solid in your knowledge that you've made the right decision for you.

4. Baby steps — Don't get overwhelmed and derail your decision. No matter how big or small, breaking down your project into baby steps will help you see a clear, do-able path to the finish line. It may be scary to paint a wall pink, but it's not scary to drive to the paint store — you can do that. It's not scary to grab some paint samples, piece of cake! Now, wash your wall, no problem. Baby steps are everything.

5. Repeat after me: nothing is permanent — There's nothing you can do to your home that you can't undo; it's as simple as that. Don't overthink this. If you don't like it, you'll try something else. Yep, you've spent some time and money to learn what you don't like (a very valuable lesson by the way) and next time you'll do better. The journey to your perfect home is never-ending and that is part of the fun, so don't be afraid to make a mistake once in a while.