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Amazing Temporary Wall Covering Options

If you are living in an apartment, it can often be impossible to improve the look of your walls, but there are other ways to make them look great, that is by applying amazing temporary wall coverings. If you can’t paint your walls to beautify them, there are ultra-cool products out there that can make your rental space feel like home sweet home without doing any permanent damage. Here are some fantastic ideas to make your walls look great.

Temporary wallpaper

It’s a good idea to use temporary wallpaper that can easily be stripped out or peelable as it can be taken off the wall without leaving residue behind. Use an adhesive that is strong as a Post-It. Temporary wallpaper can easily be purchased at big-box home improvement stores or some paint stores like Sherwin-Williams, and it’s also easy to find online. Wallpaper can be expensive, but you can reduce the cost by papering accent walls instead of an entire wall.

Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Tiles

If you want to add some temporary color to your kitchen, choose the peel-and-stick tiles. Want to change your apartment’s kitchen backsplash? Just cover it up with peel-and-stick tiles or panels. They are available in a wide array of styles at home improvement stores. The tiles can be cut with scissors or a utility knife to fit your space. You can clean them with a soft cloth. When you move out, you can peel them off the wall easily, leaving no residue.

Wall Decals

With similarity to the backsplash tiles. Wall decals are large stickers that go up on the wall. You can find any design you can think of, look around, and see what you can find. 

Fabric

You can have two options on placing a fabric to your wall: you can stretch your fabric lightly over the wall, then secure it with thumbtacks. You can also buy inexpensive foam boards that are as tall as your walls. Cover the boards with the fabric, and attach the boards to the wall. Either way, this can add a splash of color and texture without changing anything permanently on your wall.

Curtains

Not all curtains cover a window; some of it also includes the wall. To use curtains for this purpose, attach a curtain rod to your wall, near the ceiling, and hang some cool fabric that reaches down to the floor. How much you’ll spend on the curtains, depends on how big the wall is and what kind of material you want to use.

Decorative/masking tape

Wallpaper-like designs can also be created just by using your hand and a lot of tapes. Look for colored masking tape and create whatever pattern of lines you want. These masking tapes can be peeled out easily when you need to move out.

Scrapbook or wrapping paper

Putting scrapbook or wrapping paper on your wall is one of the cheapest options, but it’s a fragile one. To do this, get some large rolls of wrapping paper and put double-sided tape on the back and stick it to your wall. This will come out great if you put them on the back of your closet or to a wall behind the refrigerator – be careful as it will easily tear and get worn down, so it’s best to keep it to the less trafficked areas.

Art

The most common way to put a temporary wall covering is to hang artwork. You need to be creative at times. Buy some paintings or shop at thrift stores to buy inexpensive pictures and make a collage on your wall. It’s a great way to make your apartment decor one-of-a-kind. Just be sure to use a stud to hang heavy objects; that way, you can spackle the holes when you move out.

Washi tape wall décor

Washi tape is a decorative masking tape made from Japanese rice paper that comes in hundreds of colors, patterns, and sizes. This type of tape is surprisingly durable and is also easy to remove. For best results, work on a clean surface, so you need to wipe out dirt and dust from your wall using a gentle cleanser. When it’s dry, you can start the job.

Why Renting is Better than Buying for Millennials

Buying a home is a great achievement for those who are starting a family and it’s a major life accomplishment. But for millennias, they think renting is better than buying a home. In a survey in rent.com of 1,000 renters between the ages of 18 and 34, it found that nearly eighty percent don’t plan to buy a home anytime soon. Listed below are some of the reasons why.

Maintenance is not a problem

Homeowners are getting irritated every time they find unexpected home repairs as they are forced to take a chunk of their savings to spend on the repairs. But for renters, they only need to place a call to their landlord or property manager when the sink drains are clogged, or the electrical outlet is busted. This means that they can always continue relaxing at home, not worrying about home maintenance.

Upkeep is not expensive

You don’t have to spend anymore long afternoons cleaning your large backyard where you need to mow regularly. Yard work, repairs, upkeep – a lot of time and money goes into maintaining a home. And every time there’s a storm it will can be occupied the whole day clearing your gutters and the garage. Homeowners can’t just let the time-consuming chores pass, while the renters have nothing to worry about it. And they don’t do general upkeep like required of homeowners.

It makes filing taxes harder

Taxes for homeowners are more burdensome. When you buy a home, you will learn how taxes are complicated. There may have some valuable tax breaks, but processing mortgage interest deductions, home repair expenses, and rental income take considerable time. Renters don’t have to worry about all this. Renters are care-free, knowing they will surely get refund checks.

Renters have options for roommates

If you’re looking for some help to share the cost of your living expenses, accepting a roommate is a great option. If you have a roommate, he can share some of your utility bills. As a homeowner, you take all the responsibilities for the payment of all your monthly bills. Your roommate can also help you with some cleaning chores.

You have more access to amenities

Apartment complexes usually feature amenities such as gym, tennis court, or swimming pool. This can save you time and charge you even lower or free membership for tenants. As a homeowner, you might enjoy the peaceful setting of a home in a relaxing environment or living near a friendly neighborhood, but sure you miss other amenities in the apartment complex. Renting an apartment allows you easy access to things, such as a fitness center, Wi-Fi, community pool, and playground.

You can grab cash bonuses

As a renter, you can become eligible for cash bonuses and discounts. Most rental communities offer additional cash bonuses if you work for local companies. If you’re a local in the area, you may be eligible for rental stipends or gifts just for working close to home. Ask if your employer is on the list of nearby companies to max out discount and money-saving tricks in the community.

Apartment complexes have security

Some rental complexes offer security. Homes in gated communities come at a high price, while apartment complexes have security features included in their lease agreements. This is beneficial for women, single renters, or tenants living in urban areas. Homeowners that require extra precautions need to spend more.

You have the opportunity to invest elsewhere

You can use the money you would’ve spent on your home, and invest it elsewhere. Most home buyers are asked to pay 20 percent down payment on a home. Even with the upfront rental fees and deposits, it’s still cheaper than owning a home. Some renters might already have some savings to pay for the down payment of a house, but with future uncertainties, it might be best for them to invest that money elsewhere.

Many people choose to rent as a safer option rather than investing in real estate. In addition to affordability on renting, renters are also averse to potentially debilitating changes in the housing market. With the real estate industry showing a recovery, a better housing market is stabilizing.

As a renter, the chores and costs are usually covered by the landlord or property manager. As a homeowner, you take all the responsibility. For hard-working millennials who want their vacant time

Remedies to Common Moving Mistakes

Relocating to a new apartment for the first time can be a daunting task and can be stressful at times. You will encounter many unexpected things to do, and you worry that there may be something hard to handle. Here are some common moving mistakes that you need to avoid or make some remedy when they inevitably happen on your moving day.

1. You forget how that was set up

A common mistake that usually happens is when you forget how parts were set up on your high-tech home appliances. If you’re trying to dismantle a device, make a list on where the pieces, wires, and screws taken so you can remember where to put them back.

To avoid losing or misplacing the screws and cords and to help you remember what goes with what, consider taping screws and cables in clear plastic bags and then let them cling to the back of the appliance itself.

2. Not noticing a damaged stuff

You always move your things and then find out after a few weeks that one of your appliances is broken. Always inspect your devices when you reconnect by turning them on and off, to help you check any broken or damaged items so you can replace them before you need it and it doesn’t work.

3. One of your household items won’t fit your new place

Every piece of your furniture in your new apartment is, and it looks incredible and perfect for you. But there’s one thing you forgot to consider. That oversized desk where you often sit will not fit through the small door to your new home. You can’t do much about this on moving day, so before you relocate, measure the door widths at new home versus the size of your furniture.

4. Your furniture won’t fit in the truck

If you get the services of a U-Haul or other moving truck, you’ll likely want to know the width of the door of the truck and if your large furniture will fit in the truck. The movers should let you know the biggest furniture that will fit in the truck so you won’t waste time by calling another mover.

5. There’s no room for the truck

A moving disaster may happen when you’re unable to unload the moving truck in an urban area where your new home is located. This will happen when there’s no room to park the truck, or it can’t squeeze in a narrow access road.

Make sure you know the real situation in the new area where you will find difficulty in parking the truck. If you’re renting a truck, let the mover know the limitations of parking in the area. As much as possible, give more information to your movers about the difficulty of parking in the area.

6. You can’t get into your new home

You arrive at your new home along with the movers, and you discover you don’t have a key and don’t know what to do. There’s nothing worse than scampering around the place at the last minute trying to find the landlord to ask for help on opening your apartment. All the while, the movers can’t do anything but to wait in desperation. To avoid this kind of unexpected delay, plan and find out how you can contact the landlord right away to pick up the key.

7. You didn’t allow enough time

You don’t know the closing time of the building where your apartment is located. So when the movers arrive at your new apartment at quarter to five, they can’t get in as the building closes at 5 p.m. Make sure to know what time the building closes and coordinate in advance what time the moving truck should arrive and know how long it will take. Allow more time than usual and make a backup plan.

8. You don’t have what you need.

You may find it uneasy in relocating all your possessions to a new home. Your life goes on once you get there. But if you arrive and can’t find your charger, your razor, or any other item that you need immediately more than anything else, you can have a stressful day. When most of your belongings are still in boxes, you can waste a lot of time searching for the necessities in life. To reduce stress and anxiety, write down all the essentials that you’ll need for the first week.

While you have many things to prepare on your moving day, you can avoid common moving mistakes by carefully planning.

ow to Deal with a Noisy Neighbor

If you are living in an apartment, chances are you always see people in the hallways and the parking lot. You will see many people around your place, and with that, the noise comes from all angles – below, above, next door and even outside the premises. Below are some excellent tips on how to deal with a noisy neighbor.

1. Don’t do anything

Not every distracting noise coming from upstairs gives you the reason to react. Most of the neighbors are permitted to do some activity or make some noise during the day and even into the evening. If you hear some sounds during reasonable hours, you may want just to let it go.

2. Offer a subtle reminder

If you live downstairs and think the people upstairs are making too much noise, you may tend to bang on the ceiling. Don’t do a thing that creates a loud sound, be kind and gentle in handling the situation. A light tap will let them know you can hear their noise. 

3. Talk peacefully face-to-face

The best solution to any problem is talking to your neighbor face-to-face. As a rule of thumb, be honest and straightforward, don’t be angry or threat them and stick to the facts. Ask them to observe the noise they create. It’s also a great idea to offer compromises and suggestions. Try to agree with them to stop loud music at 10 p.m. Ask them to move the treadmill to a room other than the one over your bedroom.

4. Contact the landlord

If none of your efforts have worked, it might be the right time to get the attention of the landlord. Inform the landlord about your complaint and everything you’ve done so he can help settle the matter up to this point. If the landlord takes your claim as reasonable, he will most likely send a letter to your neighbor making noise and notify them someone has submitted to an anonymous complaint and they need to quiet down. The landlord might even refer to a noise clause in the rental agreement if it exists.

Before you complain about your neighbor to your landlord, it’s a good idea to have the noise documented for a couple of weeks. List of the times you felt the noise was excessive, what was the noise about, what time of day and any actions you took. Keep copies of notes, as well.

5. Gather support from other tenants

If you are disturbed and annoyed by the noise coming from your neighbor, and it is affecting your time of rest, others may be annoyed, as well. If alternative measures don’t work, talk to your fellow tenants and find out if they  have complaints also.

Talking with your noisy neighbor with others that also feel the same way might carry some weight, and your complaint to your landlord can be much stronger with a collectively-signed letter from several tenants

6. As a last resort, you may confider contacting the local police department

Regardless of what the police do when they arrive at the place, no one will be happy. Calling the police should be reserved for emergencies like out-of-control extreme loud parties and suspected domestic abuse.

The Dos and Don’ts when Renting

Tenants normally do not have to much to worry about when it comes to repairs and maintenance issues. Typically, they are not responsible for doing tasks such as repairs on electrical, plumbing, or leaks on roofs. These are some of the reasons why many of us choose to rent instead of investing in a home. Renting also provides tenants independence and convenience, but there are some restrictions on the things in a rental property. While it’s advantageous for some to live in a rental property, here are some dos and don’ts that need to be followed when renting a property.

Don’t paint your space without permission from the landlord

Before doing any painting jobs, get permission from your landlord. As a general rule, tenants who want to change things up during the time of their stay must ask permission from the landlord and get it in writing. Maybe you don’t like that red accent wall which is a rare case, but because the landlord wants to avoid headaches to look for a new tenant, he’ll allow you to change the color of your wall. However, when you want to repaint any of your furniture which isn’t a part of the rental property, you can do it.

Don’t try to customize the landscape

Sometimes a tenant wants to improve the beautifully-laid-out landscape design into a vegetable garden which also needs the permission of the landlord. However, you don’t need to ask permission from your landlord if you want to grow a few plants in planters. Most of the landlords want the tenants to feel they can make the property their home, but they can’t customize anything during their residency. Talk to your landlord about the things in a rental property you want to do and get written authorization to do it – you will have peace of mind, and you can stay out of trouble.

Avoid doing major renovations to a rental property

Always consult with your landlord before you do significant changes to a rental property. The rental agreement you signed with the landlord must have some condition that’s agreed upon on how improvements will be handled when you move out. If the landlord didn’t know that you added a ceiling fan in all of the bedrooms, he will be only thrilled to find out that you improved the rental property and you can’t ask for a reimbursement for the installation expenses and costs of the fans at move out. And if you decide to take your fans with you on moving day, you’ll be responsible for patching and repainting the ceilings or re-installing the fixtures that where there at move-in.

Don’t use a hammer for all of your projects

Using a hammer to install something on your wall can do some damage to a rental property. Consider installing decorations that won’t damage the walls. Some landlords will allow you to hang a few pictures, or hang curtains on decorative rods. With this in mind, it’s essential for every tenant to avoid installing any décor’ that involves the use of a hammer. This only means that you need to think about mounting cabinets and other items.

That’s not to say you won’t be allowed by the landlord to decorate in other ways. One example, if you have white or black appliances, you can easily change the look. Consider applying the dishwasher and refrigerator with stainless steel covers. These steel covers come in magnetic varieties that can instantly transform and update the space.

Help maintain the property

When you want to help in maintaining the property, it requires you to make some effort by informing your landlord about the problems you notice. You may not be responsible for repairs like the landlords, but you, as a tenant, you are responsible for informing the landlord or the property manager when there are some problems in your rental unit. Whether it’s a leak in a faucet or a broken doorknob, you need to report these problems as soon as possible.

Get renters insurance

In the event of flood, fire, or theft, is a great idea to have renters insurance. In most cases you can not hold your landlord or owners of the property responsible for loss or damage to your unit. It is important to understand the things inside your unit such as your furniture, electronic equipment, and personal belongings, you are responsible and you should take precautionary measures to protect for all those items. Renter insurance is your best line of defense as it protects you against these unforeseen events.