It’s no secret that different colors can instill different emotional and mental states in those with the ability to see them, and people have been taking advantage of that fact in home decor for many years. Although the science behind this phenomenon is still lagging, there is early evidence to corroborate what people have been experimenting with for ages, leading to concepts like Color Therapy. This theory suggests that color can be used strategically to regulate mood as you move through your environment. And there are many ways you can incorporate Color Therapy concepts into your apartment.

As we discuss these tips, it’s worth keeping in mind that how color influences our mental and emotional state can vary from person to person based on factors like cultural significance, biological factors, and personal experience. We’ll discuss some broadly applicable ideas, but it’s up to the individual to explore what colors make them feel best in each context.

Add Some Blue To Your Home Office

Judging by the number of blue light canceling lenses on the market, most people know by now that blue light influences your circadian rhythm, sending signals to your body that it’s time to be awake. Simultaneously, many associate blue tones with calm and tranquility. These factors combined make blue a great choice for home office decor, or anywhere you want to feel alert while also reducing stress. Consider blue throw pillows, artwork, or even computer gear like your mouse, keyboard, and speakers.

Add Warm Tones To the Bedroom

On the opposite end of the light spectrum, red light and other warm tones can help your body realize that it’s time to wind down and relax. However, colors like red, orange, and yellow are also sometimes associated with energy, vigor, or even anger. Finding a warm-toned color that avoids these connotations can help you inject relaxing vibes into rooms where rest is a priority, so consider pink bed linens, burnt orange wall art, or even a warm-toned beige or gray for your bedroom furniture.

Use Energizing Colors in Social Spaces

Many colors can signal energy, so this is based on personal preference. In general, though, lighter and more saturated colors tend to be perceived as the most energizing options. Consider incorporating these hues into your living room and dining room decor through throw pillows, rugs, tablecloths, wall art, and so on.

Use Greens and Earth Tones For a Natural Vibe

It’s little wonder that greens and browns remind us of nature—specifically the types of nature we tend to find most rejuvenating and hospitable, like forests, meadows, and gardens. Adding some of that life-giving vibe to your apartment can be as simple as incorporating earth tones and rich natural greens to your decor. For bonus points, add these colors in the form of actual plants, which can have additional benefits for your mood and your health.

That’s it for our color therapy tips! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop our apartments and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

There’s seemingly no end to the amazing pizza places in San Antonio, but that’s no surprise. The amazing eats nearby are just one of the things that makes our communities some of the best luxury apartments in San Antonio. In this awesome city, it’s easy to find a pizza place you’re obsessed with, whether you’re a fan of deep dish or New York-style, classic pies or novel ingredients. San Antonio has it all, so we’re rounding up just a few of our favorite pizzerias near our luxury apartments in San Antonio!

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

Dough Pizzeria focuses on the classic Neapolitan pizza style made with local ingredients and a traditional wood-fired oven. So popular they’ve expanded to three locations (two in San Antonio and one in Plano), this pizzeria also features Italian classics like pasta and tiramisu. We highly recommend the Fontina pizza (caramelized onions, oak roasted mushrooms, thyme, and a rosemary balsamic reduction) and the Prosciutto Crudo (topped with arugula dressed with a lemon-truffle vinaigrette).

Main Street Pizza & Pasta

This mom-and-pop pizzeria is one of the best known in San Antonio. Located in Midtown, this pizzeria is one of the best choices in town for casual, classic pies at a reasonable price. Additionally, they offer delicious pasta classics, stromboli, and salads as well as other Italian-American staples, so it’s easy to visit with friends or family and have everyone find something they love.

Pizza Classics

Similar to Main Street, Pizza Classics is a relaxed, family-owned mainstay with a menu of other eats in addition to classic pizzas done well. It also features interesting specialty pies like BBQ Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, and White Pizza with basil and artichoke.

Stella Public House

Stella Public House is located in Southtown along the river and offers a hip, farm-to-table style experience that focuses on local ingredients and community. Their menu features more adventurous choices perfect for those looking for something out of the ordinary, though it also has classics sure to satisfy traditionalists too. We recommend the Mr. Southtown, featuring chipotle marinara, jalapeno cheddar pepperoni, caramelized onions, and black olives. The Poached Pear + Gorgonzola is also delicious, with poached pear, blue cheese, caramelized onion, serranos, and honey.

Barbaro

In Midtown, Barbaro reigns as another of San Antonio’s favorite pizzerias. It focuses on “off-beat” pies like the Hashbrown (featuring taleggio cheese, kale, and honey) and the Benton’s Country Hams (featuring smoked mozzarella, red onion, Cholula, and cilantro). Plus, you’ll also find Sicilian pizza, gluten-free pies, and make-your-own pizza options.

That’s it for our top pizzerias near our luxury apartments in San Antonio! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop the best luxury apartments in San Antonio and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Since we are a regional property management company in Houston, TX, and other Texas hubs like Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, we get a lot of residents who are first-time gardeners looking for low-hassle houseplants that can stand up to hot summers and variable humidity. If you live in one of our luxury apartments in Midtown Houston, North Austin, Downtown San Antonio, or really anywhere else in Texas, these beginner-friendly houseplants are great options for your Texas apartment.

Spider Plant

Spider plants bear lots of skinny, ribbon-like leaves that will make your apartment feel like a place of abundance, without the need for a lot of light. Its arcing green leaves look great in a hanging planter or on a tabletop, and its roots can handle being a little crowded, so you don’t need a huge pot to accommodate them. Spider plants do need to be watered a little more often than some other plants on this list, though—around once a week for best results. It’s not the end of the world if you’re a little late with watering, this plant will tolerate a belated watering every so often.

Snake Plant

A snake plant sprouts several stiff, ribbon-like leaves that grow upward with a variegated pattern akin to reptilian scales, which is how the plant gets its name. This hardy indoor plant can survive in any light, including low light, and does not need frequent watering, nor does it require pruning. Bear in mind that very low light conditions may reduce the colorful variegation on its leaves; nevertheless, this plant provides a vibrant addition to any room.

ZZ Plant

If you’d prefer a fern-like plant, the ZZ plant is a perfect choice. Yielding waxy green leaves across a number of stalks, the ZZ plant also tolerates low light and infrequent watering. It’s a resilient little plant that can spring back to life even after some neglect. Don’t worry if it drops some leaves while you’ve been a less-than-perfect gardener. Just water it as normal and it should be revitalized before too long.

Pothos

Pothos plants are another popular low-light option for apartments. In fact, pothos plants don’t do well in direct sunlight, so they’re well-suited to an indoor environment. Their trailing, ivy-like vines bear spade-shaped leaves that can be variegated with white or silver, depending on the variety (though plants variegated in this way usually need a bit more sunlight than their all-green counterparts). They won’t naturally cling to walls or trellises like ivy, but their vines can grow very long if left unpruned.

Succulents

Finally, the obvious choice: succulents. Succulents have become very popular lately due to their need for infrequent watering and ability to thrive in minimal space. They come in a variety of colors and shapes, and all of them do best in partial to bright light (typically, the more light, the better). Make sure they’ve got a spot by the window or can spend most of the day under bright artificial light if natural light is unavailable.

That’s it for our Texas-friendly houseplant suggestions! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in Midtown, Houston and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

As a property management company in Houston, TX, and other Texas hubs like Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, we’ve had our fair share of Texas barbecue. In fact, we’ve got a short list of favorites in all these Texas cities that are beloved by staff and residents alike, so we thought we’d share our recommendations here! Today, we’re starting with our top picks near our luxury apartments in Museum District, Houston.

The Pit Room

Located in Montrose, just a few minutes from our luxury apartments in Museum District, The Pit Room is well known among Houstonians—and for good reason. Their menu includes all the classics (the brisket and beef ribs are must-tries, of course) as well as offbeat offerings like venison sausage. They also offer tacos and breakfast tacos as well as a delicious variety of sides like loaded Frito pie, elote, and mustard potato salad.

Good Co. Barbecue

Located on Kirby Drive, Good Co. Barbecue features cozy interiors, shaded picnic tables, and delicious bbq in a converted barn. In addition to the classics like brisket and ribs, you’ll also find Czech sausage bbq po-boys and unique sides like Jambalaya Texana. Their Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie is also delicious if you can manage to save room. Plus, Good Co. will even mesquite smoke your own meat for you if you drop off at least 10 pounds. How cool is that?

Pinkerton’s BBQ

If you’re up for a drive to The Heights, Pinkerton’s BBQ is well worth a visit. Here, the brisket is tender and the ribs fall right off the bone. But you’re also missing out if you don’t get a blueberry cobbler to finish it all off! Plus, the service is wonderful and the sides are just as good as the meats (well...almost). This is definitely a must-try in Houston.

Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack

Located in South Side, just minutes from our Museum District apartments, Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack specializes in hickory-smoked meats, but you’ll also find po-boys, fish and shrimp dinners, burgers, sides, and desserts. We highly recommend the peach cobbler, banana pudding, and Jake Fries to go with your sliced brisket, Chicago-style Rib Tips, and Smoked Oxtails.

Houston Sauce Pit

If the words “vegan barbecue” fill you with intrigue, you’ll be happy to know there’s an incredible vegan BBQ spot right here in the Museum District. This food truck is gaining notoriety as one of the only vegan BBQ spots around and takes its name from its founders, Jarrett Milton and Courtney Lindsey, owners of the popular Houston Sauce Co. (so you know their sauce is one of the best parts)!

That’s it for our local Houston barbecue recommendations! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in Museum District, Houston and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

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.

In our many years of property management, Austin TX has proved to be one of the best places to get a taco across all of Texas. Our regional managers and on-site staff in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and other Texas hubs may disagree, but Austinites know that you can’t beat the Texas capital when it comes to great tacos. And with all these incredible taco joints, we knew we had to highlight some of our favorites among the staff and residents of our Austin apartments, starting with the best taco spots near our luxury apartments in South Austin.

Taco Joint

Taco Joint is beloved by UT Austin students due to its convenient location in North Campus, but thankfully there is also a location on East Riverside near our luxury apartments in South Austin. With delicious options for both breakfast and lunch, including tacos, tortas, and other Tex-Mex faves, this versatile taqueria has something for everyone. Staff favorites include El Senor Crockett (beef fajita meat with grilled onions, peppers, and smoked gouda) and the chorizo and egg breakfast taco.

Torchy’s Tacos

Although it’s become a chain and expanded beyond its Austin roots, Torchy’s remains one of the most beloved taco joints in Austin. With multiple locations near our luxury apartments in South Austin, this convenient chain makes getting great tacos fast and easy. Every Austinite has their favorite, but our top picks are the Trailer Park (trashy, of course), and the Brushfire, although we can never say no to the rotating Taco of the Month either!

El Primo

This food truck on South 1st keeps it simple and utterly delicious. Specializing in authentic Mexican flavors, the tacos, burritos, and tortas at El Primo come in asada, al pastor, chicken, barbacoa, tripas, and lengua varieties. Plus, they’ve got breakfast taco classics like bacon, egg, & cheese and migas, ham, egg, & cheese.

Papalote Taco House

People love Papalote Taco House for its unique combinations and delicious dipping sauces. Among the options are several vegetarian tacos that are likewise delicious, so this one is a good choice for a crowd with mixed dietary considerations. When you go, try the Hongos y Epazote (Mushrooms with hominy, serranos, onions, epazote, queso fresco, and a slice of fresh avocado) or keep it classic with a Chicharron (Refried beans and pork cracklings covered with homemade red sauce, and topped with cabbage, queso fresco, and crema).

Velvet Taco

Velvet Taco didn’t get its start in Austin, and its presence on this list may be controversial, but it’s hard to beat if you’re after novel flavors and a wide range of options. Velvet Taco features everything from Green Chile Pork and Mexi-Cali Shrimp to wildcards like Shrimp & Grits and Spicy Tikka Chicken. Plus, their menu features a few gluten-free options as well as vegetarian choices, so it’s a good spot to visit with all your friends. While you’re there, try their red curry coconut queso (it’s incredible).

That’s it for our top South Austin taquerias! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in South Austin and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.