Eliminate single-use items

If you could eliminate one thing that’s harming the planet it would be single-use plastics like straws, bottles, and even plastic feminine hygiene products. Try replacing plastics around your home with reusable alternatives like refillable glass bottles for hand and dish soaps and recycled mason jars for dry goods and spices. You could also try replacing a plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush and replacing plastic wrap with beeswax wrap.

Shop vintage and homemade

Shopping vintage is a great way to recycle and do your part to cut down on mass production. Websites to shop are Craigslist, Etsy, Chairish, and the Real Real for furniture and decor. And shopping vintage isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for the overall look of your apartment. By shopping vintage, you can add a fun one-of-a-kind conversation piece to your rooms that you can guarantee your friends won’t have.

Use eco-friendly cleaning products

You can make your own cleaning products out of organic household items like white vinegar or transition to eco-friendly detergent strips for laundry that dissolve in the wash. You can also use a dryer ball that captures harmful micro-plastics released from clothing that get flushed into the waterline.

Shop with reusable bags

This is a no-brainer. If you are still taking plastic bags home from the grocery store, try and get into the habit of bringing a reusable bag with you.

Conserve energy

Back to the basics of practicing environmental mindfulness… Turn off the water while teeth brushing, turn off lights when you leave a room or the house, turn the heat down a few degrees in winter, open windows to limit A/C in the warmer seasons.

Switch out your light bulbs

This is a simple one; switch out the CFL light bulbs with for LEDs. They can last for up to 25,000 hours as opposed to CFLs which typically burn out after 8,000 hours. LEDs also use half the amount of watts.

Get houseplants

Houseplants not only look great and freshen up your space, but they actually improve air quality. The snake plant, for example, was named as one of the top air-purifying plants by NASA’S clean-air study. Also fresh, potted herbs in the kitchen to inspire cooking. If you don’t have a good windowsill to grow them on, consider one of the many table-top hydroponic gardens that require no soil, just water, and come with a built-in grow light.

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Spring is in the air and it’s time for a little refresh. Along with a good spring clean, adding new bright decor or simply moving furniture around can feel like a breath of fresh air. Here are some great ways to brighten up your apartment for spring.

Bring the outdoors in with house plants

Plants can always help to bring some life and fresh air to your apartment. Indoor plants not only make your living space more inviting and luxurious; they also make your home’s air healthier. If you don’t have much of a green thumb, there are plant options that are low maintenance and don’t need a lot of care. Choose your plants based on your lifestyle. Bringing in fresh flowers in a beautiful vase can also add a fantastic accent and a fresh fragrance to any room.

Include New Details

The tiniest changes can have a huge impact in a room, creating an area you’re excited to return to after a busy day. For example, a new duvet cover and fluffy pillows can change the whole atmosphere of the oasis that is your bedroom. Or we can always rely on mirrors. A full-length mirror is a beautiful accent to add to any area to trick the eye and make the room seem larger than it actually is. This can be perfect for a cozier apartment setting.

For the bathroom, a new shower curtain and bathroom accessories can really switch it up. An expensive set of towels is another excellent investment, since you use them every day, and they offer a luxurious feel for a small price.

As for the living room, a warm-light lamp will add a homey feel to it. New candles can spread an amazing fragrance while adding an extra level of coziness to a room. When you’re relaxing at the end of a long day, lighting some candles, cuddling up on the couch with a soft blanket and a good book can help you unwind completely.

Give Rugs Some Thought

Does it feel like your floors need some attention? Whether your apartment has carpeting or hardwood floors, a new area rug can give the room flair and add a whole new vibe to the atmosphere. There's a reason they say area rugs can bring a living space together – with this piece, you can make an incomplete room feel more composed almost seamlessly. Use the existing decor in your apartment to choose a color that would look best but be sure to keep popular spring pastels in mind to follow seasonal trends.

Pops of Color

Bring color to your bedroom by mixing in new throw pillows, blankets, and vases in a spring-appropriate hue. Whether you’re switching up the neutral shade on all the walls or adding a bold accent on just one of them, a fresh coat of paint can bring a room from 10 to 100. The colors we surround ourselves with can impact our moods and evoke emotion, so choose your color palette based on how you want to feel.

Treat Yourself

Have you been eyeing that mini Keurig machine for a while? How about a stand mixer? After all, you deserve it for all the spring-cleaning work you’ve done. This is the perfect time to splurge on something for yourself and your home, especially after decluttering and creating free space for new stuff.

Spring is all about incorporating decor that makes you feel comforted and happy when you see it.

Be creative as you infuse spring into your apartment. A joyful apartment will give anyone who enters an instant mood boost.

The post Spring is here. Time to discover your spring look. appeared first on Broadlands Blog.

Many times throughout life a fresh start is just what we need to get back some joy in our lives. As bad as this year may have been, 2021 can be your chance for a new beginning.
 

1. Commit to becoming more physically fit.

You don’t have to become a world-class athlete to get up and move more. Maybe you’ll set a goal of completing a 5K race. Perhaps more realistic is deciding to walk around the community or nearby park twice a week – or leaving the car at home when running nearby errands and riding a bike instead. What’s important is finding a routine that works for you – and then sticking to it.

2. Plan new activities

While 2020 may have taught us that life can be unpredictable, it shouldn’t stop you from planning new things to do in life. Life is full of experiences just waiting for you to take a chance on.

3. Look for ways to brighten someone else’s life.

We asked nearly 2 million people across the globe what one thing makes them feel most fulfilled, and GIVING has consistently been among their top answers. No matter where we live, there’s no shortage of people, causes, or organizations that can benefit from our time, expertise, or resources. Not only are we as humans biologically wired to share with others, but research from National Institutes of Health neuroscientist Jorge Moll found we get an actual “helper’s high” – thanks to the release of addictive feel-good neurotransmitters – when we do.

Kick off 2021 with a home free from clutter and mess:

4. Clean out your closet

According to one estimate, on average, consumers buy 68 garments a year. That means there’s a lot you might have to remove from your closet.

Cleaning out your closet space will give you a chance to have a simple wardrobe entering the new year. Most likely a closet all about comfort as Americans are leaning towards athletic wear and casual attire.

5. Declutter your home

Along with clothes, you probably filled up your home with other items that you don’t use as much as you thought you would.

Look through all of the rooms in your home for any items you bought this year. If you haven’t been using them in the last few months, consider getting rid of it. If the item is seasonal, and you can recall using it a lot during the specific season, it may be worth keeping.

Getting rid of items you didn’t use much will free you of clutter in your space, and make more room for things that will bring you more joy.

6. Tap into 2021's biggest interior trends to reinvent and refresh your home for the year ahead

Earthy color palettes, multipurpose rooms, and more. Home decor trends for 2021 are all about creating a home that's comfortable, functional, and most importantly, a reflection of you. We'll cheers to that!

Every year, we look at Jan. 1 as a symbol of a fresh start and a chance to have our “best year yet.” This mindset feels more urgent than ever this year.

This doesn’t mean you can’t look at the new year as a clean slate, though. In fact, experts say it’s important to look at the new year as a new start and shake off as many of those 2020 vibes as you can.

Are you ready for a fresh start?

The post Make the Most of the Fresh Start of a New Year! appeared first on Broadlands Blog.

Black Friday

There’s very little the pandemic hasn’t affected, and, if Prime Day was any indication, Black Friday may be a little different this year. Like many of us, you probably blinked a couple months and ago and now it’s October. November is rapidly approaching, and with that comes Black Friday – the busiest shopping day of the year. It can be overwhelming to see the plethora of deals that stores have to offer. However, if handled probably you can achieve big savings and get lots of holiday shopping done!

So I’m sure you’re wondering, what’s the best way to ensure you get the best deals? It is important to have a plan of action to maximize your savings. Try these helpful tips to find the best Black Friday bargains!

Do your research early

It is important to understand exactly what you are looking for. With many of the big savings coming in the form of technology (TVs, computers, laptops, etc.) it can be tempting to go for the cheapest option every time. However, just because something has a good price, doesn’t mean it’s a good deal.

Research the product you are considering buying and see if it is a good product. You may regret saving $50 on a cheaper TV that is not exactly what you are looking for.

Compare prices ahead of time

Many stores will release ads for their Black Friday specials in order to create buzz around whatever deals they have going on. You can use this to your advantage. Websites such as Consumer Reports, PriceGrabber, and Shopzilla can provide you with a list of prices of items at different stores.

Websites such as BestBlackFriday.com, DealNews, and TheBlackFriday.com are a good place to look for Black Friday ads before they are released. This way you can see what is coming and plan ahead for what you want to buy.

When you’re in stores, you can use the apps of other retailers to compare their pricing to what you are seeing. Places such as Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target have shopping apps that allow you to scan products and check their online pricing and availability. Use them!

Budget, Budget, Budget

Black Friday is a great time to find savings on products you have been needing to purchase. However, it is also a time where stores try to convince you to buy products you never intended to purchase. Having a budget can help you avoid doing this.

Many people get caught up in thinking “Look how much money I’m saving!”. And yes, there are some pretty great savings on Black Friday. But when you’re buying items you don’t need or didn’t plan for, you’re not actually “saving” money. Don’t get sucked in by the deals and stick to your budget.

Understand store policies

It is important to know what price-match and return policies stores have before going shopping. Most stores have some price-match policy, which can help you save money. Beware that some stores only allow price-matching on certain items during Black Friday shopping, so pay attention to this. Ensure there are no fees on returns or exchanges as well.

When trying to price-match, some stores will require you to show proof of price from another store. Sometimes, they won’t accept internet prices and may require a physical advertisement. Bring multiple forms of ads for a price you are looking for in order to have the best chance of the store matching that price.

Shop Early and Online

Many stores nowadays will have essentially the same deals online as they will in stores and maybe even better this year to encourage online shopping. Some stores will post their specials online so you can order and pick up at your local store. Some deals also get posted as early as Thanksgiving Day, so be on the lookout.

Shopping online can help you avoid crowds and stay safe during these times. Unless there is something you absolutely have to go to the store for, online shopping is the way to go!

Hopefully these tips can help you score the deals you’ve been looking for. Leave us a reply and let us know what helpful tips have worked for you! Happy shopping!

The post Tips to shopping Black Friday Sales appeared first on Broadlands Blog.

Here are just a few ways to fill your living space with the sights and smells of the year’s most cozy season.

Throws and Pillows and Blankets, Oh My

Kill two birds with one stone (keeping warm and decorating for fall) by putting some beautiful throws and comfy blankets out on display. There’s nothing better than cozying up with an earth-toned blanket on a lazy day. To create a “fall vibe” in your home, go for classic prints, like plaid, and materials like chunky cable knit. We especially love this one from Pier One Imports, this cable knit throw from Wayfair, or this inexpensive pumpkin throw pillow.

Light Those Candles

As the days get darker, you’ll need a little more light in your house to lift your spirits. Gather tea lights, votives, and rustic lanterns! Buy fall-scented candles to make your apartment feel (and smell) like an autumn haven. (Just don’t forget to blow them out before you go out or go to bed!)

Pumpkins!

Using mini pumpkins as accents for your home is such a cute way to welcome fall into your home! You can buy all different colors, shapes, and sizes from Trader Joe’s or any grocery store throughout the U.S.

Make a Wreath

Dress up doors, windows, or even an empty space above your stove or mantel with a colorful fall wreath. You can buy them rather inexpensively, or make one yourself using cobs of corn, mini pumpkins, zucchini, berry garlands or autumnal flowers to add splashes of orange, reds, yellows and browns. 

Berry Garland

If you have a banister or a mantle, run a beautiful berry garland along the wood to make just the right fall statement.

Create a Fall Centerpiece for Your Table

Decorate your table with a homemade centerpiece made from fall flowers, pumpkins, leaves, pine cones, and of course, candles. All you’ll really need is a few fall elements, a table top, and some imagination to create something that looks festive at every meal. Or, simply place different sizes of fall vegetables, gourds, pumpkins, etc. on the dining room table for a (cost-effective) centerpiece.

Fall Flowers

Use dahlias, ranunculus, and foraged clippings from your yard, even leaves and branches. Then style them in a simple vase, or rustic pot (depending upon the size of your arrangement) to create an arrangement that would look perfect on your mantel.

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