Packing and unpacking can be the most stressful part of moving. With so much to coordinate, lift, and organize, it’s often a dreaded task for most. But with a few tips and tricks, you can unpack quicker and avoid feeling overwhelmed as you settle into your new space.

Place boxes in relevant rooms

When moving in, try to avoid creating towers of boxes right inside the front door. Instead, place each box in its appropriate room. Save yourself time by packing room-specific items in their respective boxes and labeling each with the room it belongs in.

Rank boxes based on how often you use it

Ranking your boxes will help you determine what needs to be unpacked immediately and what can wait. Mark an “A” on the boxes full of items you frequently use, like a coffee maker or toiletries. Mark a “B” for things you use often but not every day. Then use “C” for seasonal items, like Halloween costumes or Christmas ornaments.

Work one room at a time

Work your way through one room at a time. Start with the bedroom, specifically the bed. This is an area of the apartment you’ll definitely want ready day one. Then move on to the kitchen, bathrooms and finally the last touches of the bedroom. These are the most essential areas in your apartment and the spaces you will use the most. In addition to working on one room at a time, do the same with boxes. This will help you to not get overwhelmed or stuck with a pile of clutter.

Get the help of a friend

Many hands make for light work. Reach out to a friend to help you unpack quicker. And remember, getting settled into an apartment often takes an entire weekend if not longer; don’t get discouraged as you unpack.

An overflowing closet can create stress and anxiety, not to mention clutter. If your closet seems too small to fit your belongings, keep reading for some tips to maximize space.

Donate or Sell Forgotten Clothes

This can often be difficult to do but getting rid of items that no longer serve a purpose can open up a lot of space in your closet. Donate items that no longer fit, are ruined or haven’t been worn in the past year.

Add a Light or a Mirror

If your closet feels small and dingy, add some much-needed light to open the space up. Adding mirrors can also add depth and make the closet appear larger than it is.

Use Vertical Hangers to Increase Your Rod Space

Using a hanging S chain from your closet rod is a great way to increase your closet space. By hanging multiple items vertically on one hanger, you’ll be able to enhance your space to fit more items.

Remember Every Space Matters

The important thing to remember is that every single space in your small closet can be used. Add door hooks and hanging racks to the back of your door to easily hide clutter. Consider stowing seasonal items away under your bed or keeping them in storage.

Updating your home can quickly become costly and time consuming. Whether preparing for visitors, or just craving a refresh, here are our top 10 go-to tricks to liven up an apartment without emptying your wallet.

Add a Few Throw Pillows

Throw pillows can offer a splash of color and texture to any piece of furniture. Not only do they add comfort to your couch, they can tie in the room’s style and decor.

Hang Artwork

Artwork can serve as a conversation starter, statement piece or subtle touch of flair. Browse Etsy, thrift shops, farmer’s markets or art festivals to find a wide selection of pieces. Creating something yourself can also be a great way to incorporate your own style.

Display Fresh Flowers

Flowers can add a pop of color or elegant touch to any space. Find affordable florals at places like Trader Joe’s and Costco and pair with a trendy vase.

Add a Pop of Color

Whether you choose to add a vibrant throw pillow or bold chair, bringing color into a room is one of the quickest and easiest ways to bring dramatic change to a space. Colors can change up the mood or vibe of a room from peaceful and tranquil, to energetic and loud.

Bring the Outdoors In

Adding house plants to your space can create a more earthy, tranquil atmosphere. Even if you don’t have a natural green thumb, you can start small with a succulent before working your way up to a larger indoor plant like a fiddle leaf fig.

Cozy up with a Comfy Throw

Throws add warmth to a living space, inviting you and your visitors to get cozy. Choose a variety of patterns and textures which can elevate any couch.

Make it Yours — Display Something Significant

Frame a family Christmas photo and show it off on an end table or hang a important piece of work on the wall. Don’t be afraid to show off meaningful, personal items. Doing so can help your apartment feel more lived in and homey.

Light a Few Candles

Scent can have a large effect on how we experience our environment, and the glow of a candle can also warm up a space.

Set Out Books and Magazines

Coffee table books and reading materials can serve as décor pieces, plus they can work as conversation pieces and easily entertain guests in an effortless manner.

Turn up the Music

Music is one of the fastest and easiest way to set the mood. Like color and scent, the right tunes can dramatically shift the aura of a room to liven it up or calm it down.

Making a new apartment feel like home can be hard, especially when you don’t have a lot of space to work with and can’t make permanent changes. Despite those challenges, there are a few easy ways to transform your apartment into a homey haven.

1. Keep furniture off the floor

Nothing makes a small space look even smaller like a bulky sofa sitting in the middle of the room. Opt for some extra “leggy” furniture that sits high above the floor. Mid-century modern furniture is known for adopting this style and can help make your space feel more open and spacious. Look for furniture with long tapered legs, like this sofa, perfect for making your room appear larger.

2. Layer a rug over your carpet

Sometimes you’re stuck with a boring carpet or one that clashes with your design style. When this happens, try laying down a rug that matches your style to help complete the vibe of the room. Rugs are also great to designate different spaces throughout your apartment, allowing the layout to feel more open. Extra bonus, when you move out you can take the rug with you!

3. Divide your space with furniture

Keeping with the theme of using furniture as markers, the best small apartment design ideas all use furniture to create different ‘rooms’. For example, you can use the back of your couch or sofa to serve as a “wall” between the dining area and living room. See-through bookcases or folding room dividers also work great to help separate spaces.

4. Opt for clear furniture

The oldest trick in the interior designer’s handbook? Clear furniture: it makes any room seem more spacious. Choosing pieces made of glass or acrylic is a great way to trick the eye into thinking your space is larger than it is. Try swapping out your coffee table or dining room table for glass or acrylic.

5. Use your space vertically

Apartments are not known for their vast square footage, but you can make the most of your space by going vertical. A great way to capitalize on vertical space is with bookcases and floating shelves. By tapping into the extra space above, you’ll remove clutter from the floors, draw the eye up, and create a more spacious living room.

Austin, Texas is known for its vibrant lifestyle, so it’s no surprise it’s brimming with plenty of captivating sights and bold outlets. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots around the capital city to get that perfect Instagram shot.

Trace at the W Austin

The trendy W Austin hotel and Trace restaurant has incredible vibes and style around every corner including its outdoor succulent wall, the perfect backdrop for any photo.

‘Tau Ceti’ Mural

If your feed is needing more pops of color, be sure to visit the ‘Tau Ceti’ Mural. The larger-than-life artwork is a splash of vibrant hues that reaches to the sky and the varying shades of colors creates a mesmerizing optical illusion.

You’re My Butter Half Mural

This mural is a great place for a candid photo with your significant other. Tucked away in a quiet community, the mural is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Cute Nail Studio

Cute Nail Studio offers up fun nail designs and an eye-catching exterior wall. Strike a pose outside to add some bold color to your feed.

South Congress

The heart and soul of Austin, South Congress is packed with hip boutiques, trendy eateries, and vibrant nightlife. Not to mention, plenty of Instagram-worthy moments.

Laguna Gloria

With stunning landscapes, sculptures, and lake views, Laguna Gloria provides endless opportunities to capture natural beauty. For just $5 you can find even more Instagram-worthy spots inside Laguna Niguel, a branch of The Contemporary Austin Museum.

Texas State Capitol

From sprawling lawns to stunning architecture, the Texas State Capitol offers up plenty of photo-ops for history buffs and nature lovers.

Krause Springs

Located in Spicewood just outside of Austin, Krause Springs is a magical oasis in a storybook-like setting. While privately owned, there is an $8 admission fee per adult with no reservations required.

Hamilton Pool Preserve

A 40-minute drive outside of Austin, Hamilton Pool Preserve is an iconic natural watering hole created from hundreds of years of soil erosion. Reservations are required to get in and we recommend booking far in advance. The wait list can reach up to months, but this spot is popular for good reason and worth the visit.

Mount Bonnell

Austin is known for its murals, nightlife, and restaurants but Month Bonnell is a great place to escape to view the city from above.

There’s nothing more exciting than getting the keys to your first apartment. But before you do, there’s a few things to be aware of prior to signing the lease.

Can you afford it?

This may seem obvious, but many people often overestimate how much they’re able to afford, especially when a shiny new home is staring them in the face. A good rule of thumb for determining how much you’re comfortably able to afford is to budget no more than 30-percent of your monthly gross income on rent.

You may need a cosigner

If you’ve never rented before, don’t have much credit established, or don’t quite have the income required to rent, you may need a cosigner. A cosigner is someone who doesn’t live with you but is responsible for paying your rent in the event you’re unable to do so. If you need a cosigner, the community manager will let you know during the application process.

Factor in utilities

Utilities – like water, gas and electric – can add up each month and are important to factor into your monthly budget. Some communities may include a couple utilities in their monthly rent rate. Make sure to find this out so you’ll know how much to budget and which utilities you’ll be responsible for setting up.

Get renter’s insurance

Renter’s insurance is great to have in the event something happens to your apartment, like a fire or water damage. While the property’s insurance will cover the structure and building, renter’s insurance will cover your personal belongings inside and even any additional living expenses incurred in the event your home is ruined. Typically, renter’s insurance is inexpensive and well-worth it should you need it.

Read the lease

Before signing the lease, make sure to read every word of it so you don’t unknowingly violate it. This is where you’ll find information on everything from late fees and whether you can paint your walls, to how much notice you must give before moving out, and beyond. Not sure about something? Ask!

Always do a walk-through

Do a thorough walk-through of your apartment with your landlord or community manager upon move-in. Document and take note of anything that’s broken, scratched, or needs fixing. You’ll want to make sure you have proof these items existed before you lived there, so you won’t be responsible for them when moving out.

Renting your first apartment is an exciting event but can be intimidating if you’re not sure what to expect. For a seamless experience from start to finish, keep these tips in mind so you can sign your new lease with confidence.

Determine a Budget

Avoid overspending by calculating your monthly budget before you start looking for an apartment. Typically, the rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30-percent of your gross income on rent. This will also help narrow down your options when you begin your search.

Make a List of Essential Needs

Make a list of your must-haves before searching for an apartment. These are things you absolutely can’t go without. For example, if you have a dog, you’ll need to find a pet-friendly community. Perhaps being close to work is non-negotiable; location will be important to you. With these items in mind, it will be easier to conduct your apartment search and narrow down your options.

Be Aware of Utilities

Apartment communities may include some utilities, or none at all. Keep this in mind when searching because this will affect your monthly rent and overall budget.

Consider Parking

Parking is an important factor, especially in denser, urban areas. Make sure to inquire what the parking situation is for residents (covered, assigned, on-street, etc.) and guests. Some communities may have limited parking, which can be a nuisance for you or your visitors if you’re not aware ahead of time.

Floor Level

Every floor level has pros and cons. While this may not be the most important element to consider, it’s good to think about, especially if you have a choice. Ground-level units are much easier to access and can be less expensive. However, they often don’t have the best views and can be noisy if children or dogs are in the unit above. Top-floor units, on the other hand, can require more legwork to get to, but they generally have better views, and are quieter.

Know What You’ll Need to Apply

When you find the perfect apartment, you’ll need to go through an application process to see if you’re approved. This process typically requires several pieces of information in addition to the rental application, including:

• Credit score
• Rental history (if applicable)
• Proof of income (paystubs and/or W2)
• Personal references
• Application fee

Give Yourself Enough Time

Hunting for the right apartment can take up to a few months. Make sure to give yourself enough time to find one so you’re not rushed on making a decision.

Working from home comes with countless distractions and challenges, and it can be made even more difficult if you’re already tight on square footage. Add a functional office area into your apartment by keeping these easy space-saving tips in mind.

Dedicate a Workspace Area

Avoid your work spreading all over your apartment by dedicating a specific area to working. Keep all relevant items (laptop, notebooks, documents, etc.) in this space. Having an area solely for work will help keep you productive and organized.

Go Wireless

Opting for wireless technology can be a huge space-saver. By using a wireless keyboard and mouse, you won’t be constrained to being near an outlet or have to deal with extension cords running across your floor. Even a small wireless printer stored in a closet or under the bed can free up valuable desk space.

Use Vertical Space

If you have a lot of documents but not a lot of floor space where file storage would normally sit, add room above your desk by installing simple shelves to house file boxes and books. Not only will this declutter your foot space, it can also open up your room more by drawing the eyes up.

Find a Desk That Fits Your Space

It may be tempting to purchase a big, stunning oak desk, but choosing one to fit your small space will reward you in the end. Opt for a writing desk, which tends to run on the smaller side, or depending on your apartment, consider a corner or vertical desk. These desks can utilize space you otherwise may not use and save other precious areas of your home for your actual living.