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There’s nothing like coming home to a space that’s clean and clutter-free. But even when your apartment is spick-and-span, you likely have cords, computer chargers and other unsightly electronics that mar your otherwise inviting decor. Here are a few decorative ways to conceal your electronics while keeping them within easy reach.
Baskets
All it takes is a wicker basket with a cut-out handle and you’ve got a simple yet effective hiding place for that jumble of cords behind your desk or TV. Simply bind cords neatly with a zip tie and thread the plugs through the basket handle to your wall outlet. Another option is to hang a wire basket from hooks beneath your desk or cabinet and place bundled wires or a powerstrip inside for convenient out-of-the-way storage.
Hidden Among Hardbacks
Is your cable box a bit of an eyesore? An easy solution is to cover it with decorative paper and position it between a stack of books. Ugly cable box begone! You can also use this technique with unsightly cords by stowing them inside a small cardboard box covered in wrapping paper and then placing the box between several hardback books.
Adhesive Hooks
Are your cords lying on the floor collecting dust bunnies and creating a messy look? You can easily attach them to the back of your sofa or other furniture using small adhesive hooks to keep them hidden from sight.
Decorative Box
A small decorative box made of thick cardboard is the perfect charging station for your smartphone. Simply cut out a space for the cord to extend to your wall outlet and you’ve created a tucked-away spot for your phone — and a stylish accent piece to place on your nightstand or kitchen counter.
Toilet Paper Rolls
Want that tangle of cords in your living room to look unobtrusive and tidy? Simply take several empty toilet paper rolls, cover them with fabric that matches the color of your walls, and slide a bundled cord inside each one for an attractive blended-in effect.
Do you need a serene, clutter-free place to call home? At Carrington at Barker Cypress, we offer a beautiful apartment community that includes a newly renovated fitness studio, outdoor pool and spa. Contact us to find out more about our apartments in Houston, Texas, by calling 877-655-7991 today.
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A messy kitchen counter is something that many residents of apartments in Cypress, TX, struggle with. That nice flat surface seems to invite clutter! Junk mail, textbooks, tools, rarely used appliances and more just seem to pile up until the clutter is out of control! A clean and clutter-free kitchen counter can give you peace of mind and speed up meal prep time. So, how do you make that happen? Check out these simple tips to help organize your kitchen counter.
Find a Home for Non-Kitchen Items
Take an hour on your day off and spend it finding a new permanent home for anything you don't use in the kitchen. Set up an inbox tray on a coffee table or desk for your mail, and make that the new permanent home for it. The same goes for textbooks, magazines and anything else that doesn't go in the kitchen. Part of the reason why items end up as kitchen counter clutter is that they may not have a "permanent home" of their own.
Minimize Appliances
A good rule of thumb for kitchen appliances is that if you don't use an item every day for cooking, store it in a cupboard. If you only use an appliance for making seasonal meals, snacks or desserts, there's no need to have it on the kitchen counter year-round.
Get Creative With Kitchen Storage
Things like spice jars, utensils, and other items can take up valuable space on the kitchen counter when they really don't need to. Jars of spices, for example, actually stay fresh for a longer period of time when they're stored away from the light and heat of the kitchen. Utilize spice racks that fit inside cupboards or hang inside a cupboard door. A designated drawer for cooking utensils is a must for freeing up extra space.
It just takes a little time and effort to get your Cypress apartment kitchen counter looking beautiful and clutter-free. You'll be ready for your next dinner party in no time! Summer is also a big moving time, as you know, so if you have friends or family looking for apartments in Cypress, have them call the leasing office at 877-655-7991 to see our available units.
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Even a small amount of seasonal decorations make your Cypress, TX apartment festive and allow you to take full advantage of neutral palettes and striking layouts during the most magical times of the year. Once the season changes or the holiday passes, storing your decorations away neatly ensures they stay in ideal condition and that you can use them again the following year. You don't need a lot of time or investment to store your items properly, you can usually pack them safely away in about an hour.
Storing Out-of-Season Decorations
Designate a Space
Select a closet or area in your home to keep all seasonal decorations. If you have one spot for Christmas, another for Halloween and still another for spring, you'll never be able to find what you need or really know all you have. Since these pieces do not need to be displayed or in use throughout the year, you can safely store them in a closet or even under a bed. Since most decorations are made from varied materials, including paper, plastic, fabric, and glass, choosing a location away from light and heat is your best bet.
Choose a Container
A clear plastic container can be used for all of your items if you don't have a lot, just divide it up with smaller inserts or containers. If you do have more items or have a lot for one specific holiday or time of year, multiple containers are better. Use a clear container so you can instantly see what you have and find what you need swiftly. Label the outside of the box with the contents so you know what you have. Wreaths and other dimensional items can be stored inside a pillowcase or in a specialty wreath case to prevent crushing.
Store your Items
Place large, heavy items on the bottom, then top with lightweight or fragile pieces. Wrap delicate items in a newspaper — both breakables and items that could be scratched or marred by other pieces can be protected with paper. Remove batteries from decorations to prevent leakage or damage and avoid storing paint, glue or liquids with your decorations. Slip all items into the storage you have chosen and place them in your target destination.
Put the most recent holiday or season on the bottom and rotate any stacked storage up; this way the next season will be ready to go when you need to make a change. When you unpack items, simply return the storage box and wrapping to the closet until you are ready to pack things away. You'll love having a decorated Cypress apartment and being able to safely store these items until the next year.
Not sure if you have enough space for storing decor? Head over to the Carrington at Barker Cypress to see just how much storage space you could have in a Cypress apartment; we'd love to show you around!
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If your kitchen seems cluttered, or you have a hard time knowing where to put items in your kitchen away, it might be time to think about how to organize your kitchen better. The following are a few tips for organizing your kitchen to make it easier to use and find things.
Creative and Fun Organizing Tips for Your Kitchen
- Use file sorters for lids and boards. Cutting boards and pan lids can take up a lot of space. When you store them upright, it's easy to see everything and your cutting boards dry more quickly.
- Organize storage lids with a tiered shelf. Organize container lids separately from containers. Put them on a tiered shelf and label them according to color, size, or material.
- Use plastic see-through bins to store items in the refrigerator. This will help organize fridge items and maximize the storage potential of your fridge.
- Store cleaning sprays with a tension rod. Put a tension rod underneath the kitchen sink and hang cleaning sprays from it.
- Use magazine holders to store water bottles. Water bottles can often become very unwieldy. Flip a magazine holder on its side and store water bottles horizontally.
- Use thrift store teacups as drawer organizers. Teacups can be very pretty and inexpensive to buy. These would be perfect for an odds and ends drawer in your kitchen.
- Store containers in undershelf baskets. Find a pretty undershelf basket and stow it in your cabinet. Place container lids under the corresponding containers to keep it organized.
- Divide drawers with tension rods. Place two tension rods in the middle of a sliding drawer to divide a drawer into three separate compartments. Store lids in the middle between the tension rods, store upright water bottles in a different compartment and containers in the other compartments.
- Store spices in magnetic spice containers. Attach spice containers to refrigerator sides, range hoods, or other metallic surfaces around the kitchen.
With gourmet chef's kitchens at the Carrington at Barker Cypress Apartments in Cypress, TX, organizing your kitchen is a piece of cake. Find out about our many other luxury amenities, including a resort-style pool, attached garages, private patios, and large closets. Contact us today to see which floor plans are still available.
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