Storage is always secondary when living in apartment. But, there will be that point in time when you or your family will need additional storage no matter what space you have available. Many apartment complexes might have additional storage units for you, but many times they are not easily assessable for items you may use more frequent. A solution to this may be trying to use more wall space or go taller. While a recent visit to IKEA I came across a storage system that offers many different solutions for those living in apartments or smaller living quarters.

Border storage units are economical and durable. They come in wall mounted, T-frame and L-frame units. I decided to go with a wall mounted unit as I did not have any floor space, but had a big empty wall that I could use. The T-frame is more for an area in the middle of the room as it supports the shelving on both sides. The L-frame is for along the wall, but again it uses up some space on the floor. The wall mounted units hang completely on the wall with out any floor space needed in your apartment.  Made from either wood or galvanized steel you can use them outside or inside depending on your need. An area where you might want to think about utilizing additional storage is the patio. In that case I would recommend going with the galvanized steel units. The galvanized metal is resistant to moisture and will prevent rust. The wight capacity of the Border storage units can range from 220lbs to 12oolbs. So as you can imagine you can get a fair amount of heavier items on these shelves. Here is a link to the Border buying guide with more details.

The installation was as expected. The hardest part was getting all the mounting holes spaced evenly so the shelves did not look slanted. My wife helped me and only took about 1.5 hours to complete the installation. We paid roughly $94 after taxes for our wall mounted Border unit. I’m very happy so far with the look and durability.

I’m always on the look out for apartment furniture that will save you space and money. Until next time!

Editors Note: This is a guest post by furniture specialist Tony Zovko.

There are many reasons why people live in small apartments. Perhaps they work in one of the most populous cities like New York City and the smaller apartment is all they can afford. They’re probably grateful for it because cities like New York have some of the most expensive average rent costs in the United States. Living in smaller apartments is not easy and you are limited with the types of furnishings that you can actually place in your cozy space. This is true especially if you have kids. It’s also not easy to create a roomy, unfettered look which gives the illusion of much larger space but it can be done, even with kids’ furniture. The following are a few ideas and tips which can make the most of your kids’ room space without reducing any traffic patterns in the apartment.

While other categories of home furnishings may be blurry at this moment, the kids’ furniture sector is still enduring. Indeed, a clear picture is appearing, if not quite rising, of respectable sales of youth furnishings at a time when words such as “bleak” and “gloomy” have become a part of the daily vernacular in this sliding economy and for a perfect reason. The styles of today’s space-saving kids’ furniture, whether bunk beds with storage units, student lofts, or captain’s beds, are as diverse as the items they keep.

The ideal way to create more room in a small kids’ bedroom in a small apartment is to go vertical. Of all the kids’ furniture pieces people buy, bunk beds undoubtedly give consumers the most bang for their buck. A bunk bed is basically 2 beds stacked up on top of each other. Today’s bunk beds go even further as far as functionality and storage space are concerned. Under-bed accessories, particularly trundles and storage drawer which simply slide under the bunk bed, offer consumers a relatively easy and inexpensive way to add storage or additional sleep space to the room. Trundles are additional beds. So, in essence if you add a trundle to a bunk bed, you really have three beds in the space of one bed. Trundle beds are perfect for those mandatory sleepovers and storage drawers are ideal for storing extra blankets, sheets, toys or any other miscellaneous clutter out of sight and hidden inside.

Then there are student lofts. Student lofts are the holy grail of multifunctional kids’ furniture pieces. They simply exude multifunctionality. A child needs a desk to write their homework on, or to place a desktop computer, or a laptop. A desk hutch placed on top of the desk would be a great addition to store items like books, pens, paper, pencils, etc. A child also needs storage space for their clothing like a dresser or a chest. If you try to place all those pieces of furniture in addition to a bed in a room in a small apartment, it usually will not fit and if it does, there won’t be much space to maneuver through the room. A student loft offers optimum flexibility that promises to span the years from a child to older teen. Student lofts are truly marvels of ingenuity. A typical student loft not only accommodates a bed on the very top, it also incorporates a desk, storage drawers, and shelving. Most student lofts accommodate an additional bottom bed or it can be eliminated, leaving space for storage or a play area. And this genius piece of furniture has a footprint of one twin bed, except it goes vertical. Not only do you gain space with a student loft but you also save money since you don’t need to purchase all those individual pieces which one student loft replaces.

These multifunctional furniture pieces demonstrate that space-challenged consumers in smaller apartments can have stylish, efficient furniture for their little ones. Bunk beds with under-bed accessories and student lofts exceed customers’ expectations in terms of features and use. Whether you’re looking to fill a room in your small apartment with kids’ furniture in New York or anywhere else, go for multifunctional pieces which offer unmatched versatility.

Editors Note: This is a guest post by “bunk bed guru” Robert Lobitz. 

One of the top challenges in apartment living can be freeing up enough bedroom floor space to allow you to find room for a dresser or two, as well as two kids’ beds. If your younger ones are sharing a bedroom and space is tight, one of the simplest modifications you can make is setting them up with bunk beds. Stacking one bed atop the other immediately frees up a good deal of floor space that can be used for storage, a desk, or simply left empty as walkways or play space.

When you’re setting up your bunk beds, you may need to buy new mattresses, especially if the beds you’re setting up have been previously used. So you might be wondering whether or not twin bunk beds mattresses and twin bed mattresses are the same size. After all, it’s easier to locate a typical twin bed mattress than it is to find a specialty shop that deals in less frequently used items.

But keep in mind that with bunk beds, there are safety considerations that you must take into account. Bunk beds are responsible for a number of injuries and deaths each year, so following safety procedures is of the utmost importance. Remember, your mattresses should fit your bunk beds as tightly as possible.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission mandates safety regulations on the design of bunk beds and the mattresses that fit them. Regulations state that the mattress must fill the entire bed frame, width and length, and fit snugly into the frame. Spaces left when mattresses are too short or not wide enough for the bed frame pose strangulation hazards. Beds that were manufactured after June 19, 2000, are up to the most current safety regulations.

Most bunk beds work with standard twin mattresses, however some beds are made to accommodate extra-long twin-, full- and futon mattresses, which can come in many different sizes, so it’s a good idea to check manufacturers’ specifications.

While most bunk beds are set up for twin bunk beds mattresses, it’s fairly common to see beds that accommodate a full-sized mattress on the bottom and a twin mattress on top. It’s known as a twin over full. Sometimes, bunk beds are equipped for full sized mattresses on both the top and the bottom, which is logically called a full over full.

Yet other bunk bed models offer a futon mattress on the lower bunk, which can be used as either a sofa or a bed, and either a twin or full mattress on the top. You can purchase futons in sizes ranging from twin to king, so investigate your beds specifications before purchasing a mattress for it.

Mattress widths and lengths are standard, but the thickness of any mattress you buy can vary widely, depending on the manufacturer and which model you choose. Mattress thickness is important for bunk beds, because safety regulations stipulate that your guardrails must extend at least 5 inches above the top of your mattress. Before you buy a mattress, measure the bunk to determine how thick your mattress can be and still allow the guardrail to be at a sufficient height over it.

The IKEA Klobo love seat is a good addition to your apartment…if you are looking for a cheap versatile love seat. The width of this loeveseat is only 57.5 inches. Perfect for placing in a guest bedroom or kids room. The height is also compact at 28 3/8 inches. Seating space is limited with only 21 5/8 inches from front to back, but that would be excepted with such a small apartment sofa. One attribute that I love about the Ikea Klobo loeveseat is that it only weighs 88lbs. Somewhat easy to move from room to room for added versatility.

The Klobo loveseat is only available in Beige so you will be limited on colors, but a Klobo loeveseat slipcover will provide other color options. If your not wanting to go with a IKEA slip cover then some throw pillows will do the job.

Here are the overall specs:

• Width: 57 1/2 inches
• Depth: 30 3/4 inches
• Height: 28 3/8 inches
• Seating width: 46 1/2 inches
• Seating depth: 21 5/8 inches
• Seating height: 16 1/8 inches

Material:

Outside fabric is made of 100% cotton with the frame being made of steel. The backing and sides are made of particle board and fiberboard. The cushions are made from Polyurethane foam and Polyester wadding. Foot pedestals are made to look like faux wood, but they are a plastic based substance.

Assembly of the Klobo love seat was easy with an overall build time of 14minutes. You can see the instructions here.

Over all comfort is not that bad. With the thinner cushions I thought it would take some time getting use too, but for the size it’s comfortable enough. Best feature for me  by far is the weight of only 88lbs. Gives you the ability to move the Klobo from room to room without much effort. Can be used in a den, child’s room or other rooms were more seating or sleep space may be required. And with it being so compact you won’t beat up your walls moving it around.

With a price tag under $190…you won’t be disappointed in the IKEA Klobo love seat. Another piece of apartment furniture made by IKEA.

Creating a colorful garden on your apartments porch, balcony or patio will add some color and style. Plants that are placed properly can also add some privacy for you while your dinning or just relaxing outside. Not to mention the beauty and ambiance that  a garden will provide.

It’s a little more difficult to than a traditional garden since water, soil and the amount of sunlight might be at a premium. But, that does not mean that you can’t create a wonderful and colorful garden for your apartment. There are some key points to focus on:

• Window boxes are a optimal way to utilize your porches space. They are available in plastic, wicker, wood or metal. You can place them as the name stated below windows or install them on the railings of our porch. I like to grow annuals during the summer heat and then fruits and vegetables in the winter. Keeping up with the seasons will ensure a healthy and plush garden.

• Water drainage is critical if your apartment is located on a upper floor. Be sure to use dip pans or plates to catch your water. Having your water dripping down to your neighbors below will make for some interesting conversation. Also, water that is filtered through soil can stain your apartments patio.

• Depending on the size of your patio garden…you might want to think of installing a water faucet. Running in and out of your apartment with a watering pot can be messy.

• Planting for consumption. My wife loves during the holidays to plant vegetables and fruits that we can use in our holiday meals. Small fruits & Berries are easy to grow. Not only does it save you money it’s a minimalist approach to apartment living.

• Creating a focal point. Planting a large tree with some underbrush like marigolds, petunias and pansies might be an idea. Or, maybe a large sun sculpture with some vines running through it might be what you’re looking for. Whatever the case, creating a focal point will create a sense of openness on your porch. The key is to select a tree that is not too big or small. Here are some trees or brushes you may want to consider as a focal point:
  • Camellia (needs shade in hot climates)
  • Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
  • Hibiscus
  • Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergi)
  • Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
  • Palm Trees (indoor/outdoor)

• Sun, soil and water. The three key elements to any garden. Water and soil we already touched on, but sunlight must be taken into consideration. When selecting your plants…be sure to check what amount of sunlight they need. If you have a patio that cafes east and west, then more than likely your foliage will only be receiving direct sunlight half of the day. Using drop down sunscreens are a perfect way to limit light and heat.

By following some of these tips you will create a long lasting vibrant garden for your apartment.

Living small does not mean doing without.

When shopping for apartment furniture don’t get stuck in the mindset of looking on the showroom floor. Many furniture stores that sell apartment furniture will have a scratch and dent section. This section will typically have apartment furniture that has either been returned or may have been damage during shipping from the manufacturer. The drawback from buying apartment furniture from the damaged section is there is no return policy, so you need to know what your buying and what is wrong with it before you leave the store.

Here are some other tips if you plan to visit the scratch and dent section:

• Bring a flash light with you. The lighting in most furniture store warehouses are horrible. They don’t display the damaged apartment furniture on the floor, so more than likely it will be stored in a place where lighting might not be optimal.
• Inspect the piece of furniture over thoroughly. If it’s a bed – lay on it, if it’s a dresser – open every draw and look underneath it, if it’s a recliner flip it over and check out the mechanics of it. I think you get the point. Don’t be afraid to ask the sales rep for help either. They will still get a commission…make sure they earn it.
• If your handy with some wood tools…make it a project at home. Last piece of apartment furniture that we purchased was a small entertainment center that had spots. We simply sanded the spots down and re-stained it. Only paid $55 for a piece of furniture that would have been $400 brand new.
• Just like with any piece of furniture…try and negotiate a price. Trust me, the furniture store does not want to get stuck with a piece of damaged furniture. They will be willing to take less most of the time. If not ask if they will deliver it for free. Try and create more value for your self. Don’t settle for the sticker price even if the piece of furniture is in the scratch and dent.
• Bundle pricing! As Frank with American Pickers likes to do…ask for a discount if you buy more than one piece of furniture.

I hop some of these apartment furniture buying tips will help you on your next trip to the furniture store. The economy is tight and stores are looking to move inventory. Take advantage of it!

Just the other night we finally turned off our A/C unit and switched it to “HEAT”. This got me thinking of our first electric fireplace that we used in our first apartment.

A electric portable fireplace heater provides all the heat of a real fireplace, but without all the soot and smoke. It’s not like you can knock down a wall and throw a chimney up anyways, but adding an electric fireplace in your apartment will provide you a safe alternative to portable heating. There is no ventilation required that you would need in a traditional wood burning or gas burning fireplace. This is what makes a portable ventless fireplace so perfect for your apartment. Just plug it in and go!

The Selection Process:

Depending on your apartments size and space a normal standard electric fireplace would probably be big enough to heat any one of your rooms. A general rule of thumb is that an electric fireplace will struggle to heat rooms larger than 15′ x 10′. The measure of heat energy is usually scaled using BTU’s which means British Thermal Units. A British Thermal Unit is the amount of energy required to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree F. When shopping for a electric portable fireplace you want to select a BTU range that is adequate for your apartment size. I have seen a portable fireplace with 1,000 BTU’s and I have seen them with 4,700 BTU’s. Depending on your budget and space…you should be able to get a good idea of what to look for. But, a 4,700BTU unit will heat a space of 400 square feet or a room measured 20′ X 20′.

Keep in mind that heating your whole apartment is not going to be an option. There is a point of diminishing return and the cost to run your portable electric heater becomes inefficient.

The amount of amps needed to run a electric fireplace is demanding so it is recommended that you have a dedicated circuit with no less than 15 amps. If not, you may run into overloading your breaker.

Electric Fireplace Manufactures

Affordable and basic:

• Style Selections
• Pleasant Hearth
• Duraflame
• Fire Sense
• Estate design

Quality and Elegance:

• Carrington Slate Convertible
• Classic Flame
• Fairmont Electric Fireplace
• Ashburn
• Regency electric fireplace

As you can see there are several manufactures of electric fireplaces. It all depends on your budget. If your wanting just a functional electric fireplace in your apartment that won’t break the bank check out Lowes or find a retailer online. I have seen some awesome deals from many of the online retailers. And heading into the holiday seasons…your bound to find something in your price range.

Bells and Whistles?

As with anything…yes, there are tons of feature on electrical fireplaces. Again, you will have to determine what you want. Of all the features that your going to find, I would recommend buying a portable fireplace that has a built in thermostat or timer. This will prevent overheating or having a unit run longer than you want. Also, an option to just have the lighted flame on and no heat. This way you can run in the summer time if your just looking for ambiance.

Some other features may include:

• Built in media center options (comes with a TV stand)
• Energy saver certified
• Adjustable flame brightness control
• Remote control
• Elegant wood finish (oak,mahogany,pine)
• Removable fireplace inserts

Summing It Up

Living in smaller spaces does not mean you have to go without. It means making do with what is available. Who would have thought that a fireplace in your apartment would be possible? Well with more and more people downsizing there living space it’s leading to ingenuity, creativity and functionality.

If your looking for a efficient eco-friendly way to heat your apartment, you can’t go wrong with a portable electric fireplace. It will add a cozy ambiance and provide you and your family years of comfort in your apartment.

Ikea has just released it’s 2012 catalog. Ikea is one of those stores that prides itself on offering the best quality furniture at the most affordable price. Whether it’s redesigning their packaging for more efficient shipping or providing apartment furniture that is simple, but yet effective. All without sacrificing quality of course.

The new 2012 catalog features some very neat space saving furniture. Actually they dedicate several space on space saving ideas and apartment furniture. Let’s just put it this way…they were able to transform a 29 square foot bathroom into a laudry/spa – I know crazy, but you have to take a look for your self to see it.

For those of you wanting a walk-in closet, but don’t have the space…take a look at the new PAX wardrobe system. It will essence divide your room and create a walk-in closet. That’s the kind of creativity and that has been putting IKEA at the top of my list of places to shop for apartment size furniture.

Again, living in small spaces does not mean you have to do without. Being limited on resources only means you have to swim a little deeper in the creativity pool. Let places like IKEA give you the ideas to take back to your apartment and furnish it in a way that is affordable, cozy and efficient.

If you would like to take a look that the 2012 Ikea Catalog…check out link below.

2012 IKEA Catalog

Apartments, condos and small homes require more wall maintenance than larger places…at least in my mind. Let me justify that statement.  Having less room to maneuver will cause you to impact your walls more. This is even more so apparent in higher traffic area like hallways. Knowing how to re-texture your walls and corners will save you money and keep your apartment in tip-top shape!

This past weekend I was noticing that the corners in my home were looking pretty bad. They tend to get chipped up from moving furniture, kids playing with toys and just normal wear and tear. We also just repaired a hole in our hallway that happened when we were moving a new bed into our house. We patched the hole (another post) So I decided to retexture the corners and the patch that we had in our hallway.

First off there are several ways to re texture, but I will show you the cheapest and fastest way to do it. I like using a product that can be found in any home improvement store. It’s called Homax Orange Peel spray texture. It’s quick drying and odorless. It’s also water based, so clean up is very easy. This spray texture comes in can and is available to two sizes – 20oz and 10oz. The top of the can has an adjustable nozzle to give you three options.

1. Orange Peel – this is a lighter thinner coat that is most common in apartments. A 10oz can will provide 50 sq.ft of coverage on this setting.
2. Medium Splatter – As the name states a slightly thicker coat than orange peel. You will be able to cover 35 sq.ft with this medium setting.
3. Heavy Splatter – The heaviest and thickest coat and will only yield 25 sq.ft of coverage.

If you are unsure about which setting is right for your walls just test it on a piece of cardboard, let it dry and then match which setting fits your apartments texture.

After you have found the setting that will best fit your application. It’s as simple as coating the area with a even coat. Keep a safe distance away from the wall. I recommend a sweeping motion with a distance of 36 inches. You might need to make two coats depending on how much damage there is to the wall. On corners you may need up to four or five coats. I say this because below the paint is a metal railing that is intended to protect and add durability to you walls. The texture spray has a hard time sticking to this metal, but usually several coats will give you the look your looking for. I also try to wait 10-15 minutes in between coats.

Once I have the texture that I want, I will let dry for about an hour. Once the texture is dried it is as simple as painting over and your done! The key to a professional finish is also matching your paint. Taking a chip over to the local paint store will help in the matching process.

The Japanese futon differs from the futon that we are use to seeing in the states. Typically Japanese futons do not come with a frame or supported structure. Reason being the traditional sitting tradition in Japan is on the floor, there is no need for the Japanese culture to have a framed structure. Adapting the futon has made it a very popular piece of furniture in the western world. The futon makes great use of space with being able to recline into a bed or be used as a make shift sofa.

The downside of futons has always been the comfort. For those of you that have slept on a futon…you know what I mean. From squeaky springs to that middle bar in your back, the futon is not a piece of furniture that you will want to sleep on day in day out. Of course I speak from only my experiences. I will say that most of the futons that I owned in my apartments where of lower quality flat pack furniture from big boxed stores. I’m sure there are a lot of options out there for more comfortable futons. And if you know of any, please comment on them by using the comment box. I’m sure there are several readers that are looking for futons that are comfortable and affordable.

The upside to futons is the dual function and the space they take up is minimal. This is the main reason for them being so popular in apartments. They are great for your kids sleepovers or where additional sleeping space is required. No need to bring the roll-out bed anymore! Also they last forever…even the cheaper ones seem to hold up well. I would recommend you buy a futon cover if you will be using your futon as a bed. They are cheap and will add to the life of your futon.

A brief look at some of the cheaper and affordable futons on the market renders these results:

• Mainstays Silver Metal Arm Futon, Black Mattress – Priced at Wal-Mart for $89.
• Mainstays Contempo Futon Sofa Bed – Comes in multiple colors and priced at Wal-Mart for $139
• Kebo Futon Sofa Bed – Also comes in multiple colors, but has not armrests. At Wal-Mart for $119
• Black Button-Tufted Clik-Clak – Only comes in black and is priced at a Biglots furniture store for $229. A very contemporary look.
• BEDDINGE LÖVÅS Sofa Bes/Futon – Comes with a slipcover and several color options. Priced at IKEA for $229.00.

These are just some of the futons that I would recommend for your apartment. Buying apartment furniture is about saving space and adding function…that’s what you get in a futon.