Category: Apartment Living

Tips for furnishing an open concept floor plan apartment

Open-concept floor plans have been trending for several years now. These layouts feature one large open space that seamlessly connects the main living area of an apartment to the kitchen. This design scheme conveys the illusion of a much larger space and is ideal for apartment dwellers because they remove that aura of claustrophobia.  The beauty of open-concept floor plans is that they truly are a blank canvas when it comes to arranging furniture and decorating. While in an apartment, you are limited as far as painting, flooring, and finishes go, but there is a lot you can do to transform the space. The only limits are your creativity and budget.

Here are some decorating ideas:

Break up space with area rugs

You can place a colorful area rug on top of a neutral carpet to add a pop of color and design a living space that is separate from the kitchen. Arrange your sofa, chairs, and coffee and end tables around the area rug to create a cozy nook for relaxing and entertaining.

Choose a focal point in the main living area

In most apartments, this will most likely be a fireplace or a TV. If you have both, then mount the TV on the wall above the fireplace mantel. Or, if you don’t use a TV or have it placed elsewhere, then prop a colorful print or canvas on the mantel to instantly draw the eye.

Add a room divider

You can use an accordion screen to break up the space between the kitchen and main living area. Another idea is to place your sofa with the back toward the kitchen to automatically divide the room.

Use rounded sofa furnishings and different textures

Choosing sofas and chairs with rounded edges adds softness and warmth to your main living area. You can also add colorful throws and pillows in smooth and nubby textures (like cashmere, velvet, tweed, or boucle’)  to add interest and comfort. These accents are also easy to swap out during the changes of seasons.

Fill in with accent pieces

This is where you can unleash your creativity. Add your favorite artwork, vases, books, photos, and other small decorative items. Unique floor and table lamps augment existing lighting and add interest. And you can’t go wrong with live plants and floral arrangements.

You can readily source any of these items online or have fun visiting local thrift shops and estate sales. With a little imagination, you can transform your open-concept apartment floor plan into a functional and comfortable space that you will look forward to coming home to.

Vision Communities Offer Open Concept Floor Plans

If you are looking for a new apartment be sure to tour Vision Communities. We have many floor plans to choose from, some of which are open concept, which makes a smaller space feel big. We have floor plans for you to view virtually or in person. Our spacious, studio, 1 bedroom,  2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom apartment layouts provide cozy space. Check out our luxurious apartment floorplans in one of our communities and enjoy life at the VC. 

Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live. 

 

Whether you’re starting out in your first apartment or an empty nester ready to downsize, the decision to live with a roommate is a big one. There are many pros and cons to weigh and keep in mind that whatever you decide, you are stuck for the duration of your lease, which is usually 12 months. Before you make a move, it’s important to do some self-reflection on your preferred lifestyle. For example, if you lived with a partner and are divorced or widowed, you may crave companionship. On the other hand, if you are coming from a noisy crowded dorm or Greek setting, you make seek solitude. It’s a very personal choice and one that shouldn’t be made in haste.

Here are some pros and cons of living with a roommate or alone:

Shared living expenses

This is the major benefit of living with a roommate. You can share the cost of rent, utilities, and other household expenses like cleaning supplies or grocery staples. This works well if both parties are financially stable and responsible. Where this arrangement can go south is if one roommate is a financial flake, unreliable, has a history of frequently being in and out of work, or carries a heavy level of debt. The option here is to ask potential roommates detailed questions about their finances (and expect to reciprocate) or if you can afford it, live by yourself.

Shared chores

Having a fastidious roommate paired with a slob made for comedy gold TV back in the ‘70s, but in reality, it rarely works out. The neat roommate will soon resent the slovenly roommate’s habits and vice versa. If you know your potential roommate already, then you should be aware of their housekeeping habits. If they give you pause, then steer clear. Either seek a roommate whose idea of a clean apartment matches yours or consider living solo.

Automatic companionship

One of the benefits of having a compatible roommate is somebody to hang out with. This is an ideal situation if you get along well and are in sync in other areas like fiscal responsibility and tidiness habits. However, if you and your roommate don’t get along, this can make for a tense living situation. The same can be said if your roommate has a boyfriend or girlfriend who is around all the time. Also, if you are an introverted personality who needs a lot of quiet and alone time, you will probably be more comfortable living alone.

By thinking through the situation, honestly assessing your lifestyle and finances, and carefully vetting potential roommates, you can decide whether you want to share an apartment with a roommate or live alone.

Vision Communities Offer Modern Apartment Amenities

If you are looking for a new apartment for yourself or for you and a potential roommate, be sure to put a VC community on your list to tour. We have floor plans for you to view virtually or in person. Our spacious, studio, 1 bedroom,  2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom apartment layouts provide cozy space. Check out our luxurious apartment floorplans in one of our communities and enjoy life at the VC. 

Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live. 

 

How would you like to be able to go to the gym, hang out at a coffee bar, walk your dog, and charge your hybrid without leaving home? Well, with modern apartment amenities, you can do all of that and more. In recent years, apartment community developers have stepped up their game to meet the needs of today’s renters. They have taken notice of the need for work-life balance and responded accordingly with upscale amenities. And while yes, you are paying for these perks as part of your monthly rent, if you weigh the cost and benefits of time saved, you will see they are well worth it. 

Here are some modern apartment amenities you should be taking advantage of in your community:

Online lease management and rent payment

No more trips to the leasing office or post office to sign your lease or mail your rent check. (Does anybody write checks anymore?) Review and sign your lease electronically every term and pay your rent online. You can have your rent payment automatically deducted from your bank account to make things even easier.

Onsite fitness center

Cancel your gym membership. Many modern apartment communities have fitness centers and some are open 24/7. You are no longer locked into specific hours when your gym is open or long-term membership contracts. Work out whenever you want. Some apartment communities also offer walking trails or access to parks and recreation areas.

Pool and cookout area

Most municipalities prohibit any type of grills on apartment patios or balconies. No problem. Your apartment community will have a designated grilling area and firepit for grilling or making s’mores. And while swimming pools are standard fare at most apartment complexes, these days, you will find a heated pool, often with a poolside bar area. You can do all of your swimming, sunning, cooking out, and socializing in one area. 

Special amenities for dogs 

Now you have a place to take your dog for exercising and socializing with other dogs. Many apartment communities have fenced-in dog parks and dog stations on the property for disposing of waste.  Tired of the mess and frustration of trying to bathe your dog in the bathtub? Many apartment complexes have dog wash areas that are more comfortable for you and your dog.

Other popular apartment amenities include online maintenance requests, full-sized washers and dryers in apartments, a coffee bar, community centers for hosting events, on-site recreation, hybrid car charging stations, and much more. By using the perks that are available to you, you will get the most out of apartment living and reap the benefits and rewards to enhance your work-life balance.

Vision Communities Offer Modern Apartment Amenities

If you are looking for a new apartment, be sure to put a VC community on your list to tour. We have floor plans for you to view virtually or in person. Our spacious, studio, 1 bedroom,  2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom apartment layouts provide cozy space. Check out our luxurious apartment floorplans in one of our communities and enjoy life at the VC. 

Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live. 

 

Sometimes, dog owners are hesitant to move into an apartment because they don’t know how or where to take their dog out for walks and to relieve themselves. Well, the good news is that most modern apartment communities have fenced-in dog parks. Apartment dog parks are a great way to get your canine companion out and about for exercise and to socialize with other dogs residing in the complex. It’s also a great way to meet new neighbors who are also dog lovers.

Before you unleash your dog and let them freely roam the apartment dog park, here are some etiquette tips to remember:

1. Bring a leash. Although that sounds counterintuitive, you’ll need a leash to walk your dog to and from the dog park. A leash is also essential if a fight breaks out or other situations arise where you need to quickly corral your canine. It’s a safety precaution for you, your dog, other dogs, and humans.
2. Pay attention to your dog. Sure. It’s easy to start chatting with your neighbors and get distracted but do occasionally check on your dog. You want to be alert to any signs of aggression or bullying by your dog or others. Head off any possible attacks or fights by being attuned to canine body language.
3. Make sure your dog is spayed/neutered and fully vaccinated. Most apartment communities require residents to be current on their pets’ vaccinations as a provision in their leases. It’s easy to spread highly contagious diseases like kennel cough, and you don’t want the embarrassment or even potential liability of an “amorous” dog hooking up at the dog park; resulting in a litter of puppies to deal with.
4. Clean up after your dog. Not only do you or other residents not want to step in smelly dog poop, but dogs eat other dogs’ poop. This is another mode of disease and parasite transmission. Some dog parks have plastic bag dispensers; if they don’t, bring your own. Use the waste containers in the dog park or on the property.

Having access to a fenced-in apartment dog park without having to leave the premises is a great perk of apartment living. By practicing good dog park etiquette, you and your furry friend can get some exercise and enjoy relaxing and socializing with your human and canine neighbors.

Vision Communities Welcomes Dogs

At Vision Communities, we know that pets are family too. That’s why we provide pet-friendly communities with amenities that cater to our furry friends. Our dog parks offer plenty of space for playtime and socialization, so your pup can enjoy life just as much as you do. With spacious studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom floor plans and luxurious amenities, living at Vision Communities is the perfect way to enhance your work-life balance. Schedule a tour today and discover why our communities are the ideal place to call home.

Whether it’s mid-winter cabin fever, spring cleaning, call it what you like, but eventually, you’ll find yourself wanting to just get rid of stuff. You might be moving, downsizing in general, or adopting a minimalist lifestyle. Whatever the reason, getting rid of unused stuff in your apartment can make a huge difference in your mood as being surrounded by clutter can make you feel anxious and claustrophobic without you even realizing it. There are several approaches you can take to shedding clutter. You don’t have to go all “Marie Kondo” and thank your belongings for their service, but taking a thoughtful approach to what’s causing your closets and cabinets to burst at the seams can make the process less painless.

There are many, many apps and blogs that go into specific details about how to declutter; there are specific formulas to follow and even entire books written on the topic. In simplest terms, a foolproof method is “keep, discard, donate.” You can set your own timeframe to determine how long an item must be out of commission to be considered, for example, if you haven’t worn a specific item for one year, or if that kitchen gadget you had to have was used only once. You get the idea. 

Keep. These are items that you frequently use, are your favorites, and are in the regular rotation in your wardrobe, kitchen, home office, etc. While you are looking at them, it’s a good time to inspect them for any signs of wear and tear and actually take them in for repair or fix them yourself, like sewing on a missing button from a shirt. This is also a great opportunity to reorganize your apartment and invest in space savers like a rack to hang pots in your kitchen, or stacking clothes hangers.

Donate. Choose a charity to take your donated items to. Before you start filling boxes and garbage bags, take a moment to carefully inspect each item. Ask yourself if you would wear or use the garment/gadget. If you no longer want torn and stained clothing or scratched, battered cookware, nobody else will. Be mindful of what you donate. If you are having trouble letting go of a specific item, take a photo of it. You can also think of your property being used and enjoyed by somebody else. 

Discard. This is for stuff you absolutely don’t want any longer. Don’t hang on to clothing that you think will eventually come back in style or will fit once you lose weight. Don’t keep condiments or spices that you infrequently use. They are probably expired or lost their potency anyway. Once you’ve made the decision, release the item. 

Getting rid of stuff is so therapeutic. So if it’s downsizing, decluttering, minimalizing — whatever you call it — will clear the path for more space in your home and you will feel a lot more relaxed in your own apartment. During these stressful times, you deserve it! 

Explore Vision Communities Spacious Floorplans

If you are looking to downsize from a house to an apartment, find a great apartment at one of our Vision Communities. We have floor plans for you to view virtually or in person. Our spacious, studio, 1 bedroom,  2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom apartment layouts provide cozy space. Check out our luxurious apartment floorplans in one of our communities and enjoy life at the VC. 

Check out our newest property Meadows, opening in Hilliard this spring, and get a great apartment in a great area.

Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live.