Unless you travel for a living, suitcases fall in the category of necessary but infrequently used items that take up space — probably in a closet or under the bed. Perhaps you even have vintage pieces you just can’t bear to part with, but never use. Whatever the reason you have them, suitcases don’t have to be deadweight in your …
When you think of composting, what is the first image that comes to mind? I’ve always pictured a large pile of scraps and leaves and a fruitful, sprawling garden in the heart of farmland (or at least the suburbs). Composting is often seen as a practice limited to people who are serious about growing their own organic gardens, and not …
Recycling is an important environmental duty that demonstrates good stewardship of the resources we’ve been given, saving both materials and energy while reducing waste. Many cities provide tax-paying homeowners with both curbside waste and recycling pickup, and a large number of apartment complexes provide recycle bins for their residents near trash dumpsters. In fact, valet trash services used by some …
Closets are one of those structural elements we tend to take for granted until we live in a place that doesn’t have them. Traditional houses and even most apartments include bedroom closets as a standard architectural feature, but there are times you might rent a place (especially loft-style or studio apartments in renovated turn-of-the century buildings) that doesn’t. Foldable clothes …
Renting an apartment is a necessary part of life for many people, especially those who live and work in the city. Unless you’re fortunate enough to find a newly-renovated place that’s tastefully painted and floored, has plenty of storage, and still falls within your budget, there are bound to be at least a few things you wished were different, but …
As a couple with no children, my husband and I have almost always had a spare room to designate ‘the office,’ no matter how small our living quarters. Considering the future possibility of children or the need to move to a smaller apartment, I have often wondered what I would do to create an office space elsewhere. It seems odd …
Many pets adapt well to small homes and city living, becoming wonderful companions treated like members of the family. Nevertheless, they’re still animals, and develop odors quickly (unless you own a chinchilla – rumor has it they don’t smell). Being confined to a small space essentially amplifies even slight pet odors and makes them hard to hide. Nobody wants to …
Book, music, and movie lovers would agree that one of the hardest things about living in a small space is the necessity of downsizing their beloved collections. Preliminary downsizing is easy: wean out the duplicates, outdated formats (VHS, anyone?), and titles you don’t like. But when you’ve trimmed down your books and still have ten boxes, or eliminated movies and …
Studies show that pet owners have lower blood pressure, fewer cases of depression, and overall better health than the rest of the population – testimony to the therapeutic power of animals, and reason enough to start scouring the ‘free to a good home’ ads. Choosing which pet is best for you should always be a deliberate and well-researched decision since …
One of the best ways to liven up your home is with a lush, beautiful houseplant. In addition to making your space look refreshed, most plants will actually improve the quality of the air in your home. Even if you don’t have a lot of space to spare, there are still many types of plants to fit your aesthetic, the …