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10 Tips for Entertaining Guests in a Small Apartment Space

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:51:03 GMT

When there’s a will, there’s a way, and plenty of apartment dwellers find creative, practical ways to use their space to entertain with style. Here are 10 tricks to help get the party started.

1. Put Ice in the Sink

Line your sink and fill it with ice to use that as a beverage cooler instead of bringing in a separate container that will only take up more space.

2. Prepare the Space for Guests

Rearrange your furniture in advance, and use the purpose of the party to guide how you rearrange it. For example, you might want to create open space in the middle of your living room to guide guests to that area. If your bedroom is off limits, you could store what you need in there to create more space elsewhere.

3. Create Some Labels

Create labels for cabinets and cupboards that say things like “Get your dishes/glasses here” instead of taking up space displaying them in the open.

4. Plan Your Party Dishware

Use disposable plates and glassware for easier clean up. Alternatively, use a labeled tub to indicate where guests should put their used plates and utensils.

5. Use Your Vertical Space

Choose vertical options for serving and organization like a tiered cake stand to take advantage of space. Vertical space is usually more plentiful than horizontal.

6. Set up Multiple Drink Tables

Arrange your food and drink tables throughout your apartment to help traffic flow and encourage guests to mingle.

7. Store Extra Trash Bags

Put a few trash bags beneath the open bag in your kitchen trash. Once the bag is full you can easily tie it off, position the new bag, and take a quick walk to dispose of the filled bag.

8. Add Wall Decor

Decorate with string lights on your walls, since they add fun, color, and atmosphere without using up precious surface and floor space.

9. Prepare for Layers and Accessories

Plan ahead for where you want guests’ coats, purses, and the like to go. One possibility is your bedroom.

10. Create Your Own Dining Table

Use your coffee table as a dinner table if you don’t have an actual dinner table. Arrange floor pillows around the coffee table for seating, and have your food and drinks set up buffet-style on the kitchen counter.

Entertaining in an apartment can be loads of fun when you get creative. Think about new ways in which to use vertical space, and consider all the inventive ways you can re-purpose items such as cabinets and shelves. And, as always, be considerate of your neighbors when you entertain in your apartment.

How to Choose the Perfect Roommate

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:51:02 GMT

Finding a roommate isn’t an easy task. We all know that nobody’s perfect, but remember, there are plenty of great roommates out there!

Deciding to live with a roommate is an important decision and one that you should take time researching before making a commitment. Consider the following tips:

1. Think outside your circle of friends!
If you’re confident a friend would be a good match for you in terms of lifestyle and financial stability, go ahead and ask! But, if you have any hesitations about living with a friend, you can use resources like free community newspaper ads and online roommate matching services to expand your search, including: Craigslist, Move.com, Roommates.com, RoommateNation.com, or RoommateLocator.com. You can also ask for recommendations from people you know and trust; word of mouth is a powerful tool!

2. Interview your roommate-to-be face to face.
Grab a cup of coffee and interview your roommate-to-be (more than once, if possible), asking questions that will establish clear expectations for both of you:

What is your employment status? (Ask for a pay stub and inquire about their work schedule)
Do you drink or smoke?
How often do you like to host guests?
What is your comfort level in sharing common spaces?
Do you mind sharing household and food items?
Have you had roommates before? (Ask for references and don’t hesitate to check personal credit reports.)

3. Find out what your roommate-to-be expects of you.
Be ready to answer all the above questions about yourself as well! It’s important to be honest with a potential roommate. If you’re a smoker, let them know. If you aren’t the neatest person ever, let them know that, too. It’s better to be up front now and avoid awkward situations after you sign the lease.

4. Be realistic about expenses.
Present your potential roommate with an estimate of monthly expenses, both individual and shared. It’s important to have an accurate accounting of finances from the beginning of your partnership.

5. It’s okay to ask for your agreement in writing.
Whether it’s cleaning the apartment or paying the rent, both you and your roommate should make a fair contribution to your new partnership. Before you sign a lease, it’s a good idea to write down everything you have discussed. This isn’t necessarily a legal document, but an effective way to clearly communicate the details of your living arrangement.

5 Tips for Making Friends in Your New Neighborhood

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:51:02 GMT

Moving to a new area can be a really exciting time, but it can also be stressful. Having friends makes this time in your life more fun, but how can you find new people to connect with in your new area? Making friends as an adult is a little more difficult than when you were young, which is why we put together these five tips to help you find new friends.

1. Let Apps Guide You

Apps such as Meetup help you to cut through much of the social anxiety that goes into meeting new people. Meetup focuses on meeting people in real life and lets you create and join groups that pique your interest. Do you like Mario Kart? Coffee? Hiking? American Sign Language? There are plenty of people who enjoy your favorite activities, too. Other apps to look into include Foursquare and Nearify. If you have a dog, then the Meet My Dog app could be perfect for you.

2. Sign Up for Sports

Many localities offer adult leagues for sports that include softball, basketball and disc golf. Signing up for a team is a great way to exercise and meet new people. If you are not especially athletic, don’t worry. You can join a bowling league or billiards group. Those types of sports often emphasize socialization over competition, which may be a better option if the purpose is to make friends.

3. Volunteer

Few things feel better than being a part of something greater, improving yourself, and meeting new folks. Volunteer opportunities are everywhere, and you can opt for a one-day experience or an ongoing commitment.

4. Register for a Class

Have you always been interested in an activity and never tried it or want to brush up your skills in a certain area? Now is the time to do it! Take pottery, try an aerobics course, or join a photography club. Look into the offerings from the local parks and recreation department as well as local colleges.

5. Check out Alumni Networks

If you went to college, it’s possible that your school has groups for alumni in your area. Do a Facebook or Google search to find them. These groups often schedule meetups, and the connections you make can also help you find job opportunities.

It’s also important to remember what is right under your nose, so to speak. Hosting a party is especially effective, along with attending events at your apartment community or spending time in common areas such as a clubhouse or pool area. Chat up your neighbors, and get to know them. You may just meet your new best friend!

Changing Your Address When You Move

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:51:00 GMT

Moving to a new home can be truly exhausting. Not only do you have to ensure all your things are packed safely, but you also need to alert various people and businesses of your change in address which can be tedious. Here are some tips to make the process a little easier.

Create a List

Before you move, you should create a list of all the people and businesses you will need to notify of your move. This will allow you to keep track of your progress.

Divide the list into family and friends, utility companies, financial institutions, and subscriptions. Under each of these headings, start listing the various people or businesses.

The easiest way to do this for your bills is to simply set out all your bills on a table and write down their contact information. This way you’ll have the phone numbers ready when it’s time to call.

Financial Institutions would include:

Banks or credit unions
Credit card companies
Insurance agent
Investment or brokerage companies

Your list should also include government offices like the license bureau, Social Security, and the IRS. You’ll want to include a list of professionals, such as your doctors or dentist, as well. Subscriptions would consist of newspapers and magazines. If you order items online from the same company, like an online pharmacy, make sure you change the listed address.

Notification of a New Address

Once you know the date of your move, start the change of address process with the postal service. Either visit your local post office to fill out a change of address form in person or log onto their website at USPS.com to fill out the form online.

The change of address form will ask for your current address and the new address. It will also ask the date on which you want your mail forwarded to the new address.

Once at your new apartment, single out any mail that continues to be forwarded. This way you’ll know who doesn’t have the new address.

Even after you make all the necessary calls to inform businesses of a change of address, it’s also wise to fill out the change of address form on bills. Many bills have a section or a place to mark if you have a new address.

Don’t forget to change the address on pet and luggage tags. Changing the address on these items may not be at the top of your list, but eventually you’ll want to get it done.

And be sure to register to vote at your new address.

Don’t let the process of moving and notifying people and agencies of your move get you down. You can make it easier to notify friends, family, and businesses by utilizing a list. Mark off each person and entity as you notify them to keep better track of who has the new address.