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I consider trays to be one of the most versatile and useful accessories in home decor. They are perfect for creating beautiful vignettes and corralling clutter. I must admit I have my fair share of trays and am always open to collecting more! I especially love this one from Pier1 Imports, it’s large, made of wood and sturdy. Although quite ornate, I find it works in may different spaces, offering an unexpected contrast in more modern rooms.

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The mornings are crisp, the glorious sun takes a little longer gracing us with its light and I’m dreaming of pumpkin, that can only mean one thing … it’s nearly September and back to school time! I have always loved this time of year, as a child, it meant seeing friends I hadn’t seen over the summer, new clothes and school supplies, and getting to organize my desk or locker (yes, that’s right – the thought of organizing made me lose sleep) and as an adult, there’s a real sense of new beginnings and fresh starts, even more so than January.

This time of year can also mean relocating for a lot of people – moving into new apartments or dorm rooms in preparation for school, practicums, residency’s etc. You might even be going through your apartment credit check so don’t worry if it doesn’t go well, there’s always another solution. So I’ve pulled together some tips and tricks to making your new home truly yours for as long as you’re going to be there, in ways that aren’t going to upset your landlord or floor coordinator.

Often times when renting a space, the inclination is to hold off on buying ‘real’ furniture until you get to your ‘forever’ home. Certainly, in student homes, it makes little sense to buy your own furniture. I suppose this is why websites like http://www.aplusstudenthousing.com indicate that student homes generally come with furniture already provided. Anyway, I say invest in key pieces, especially those that could be re-purposed – a smaller dining table could be used as a desk in a larger space, a compact sofa could fit into a den in another home. Investing in quality furniture now will help to create a space that feels comfortable and like a home. Think about multi-functional furniture, for instance in a dorm room a futon can be a sofa by day and a comfy bed by night.

The same goes if you are a property developer and you are currently in the process of redecorating one of your properties for a new tenant. Try to pick timeless pieces that appeal to all tastes. A friend of mine has recently leased out her very first rental property so I gave her plenty of tips with the decorating. I also pointed her in the direction of the Roofstock website for some useful information about the business side of renting out properties. The real estate market can be very fast-paced and therefore it is crucial that you stay on top of all the latest developments.

Many people that I know who are involved in the real estate industry in various ways have all said that staying on top of the changes in the housing market is very important, as it could all change at the drop of a hat. Whilst my friend has done so well in being able to rent out her first property, she does find it stressful. So that’s why I’m not surprised that many people have told her to have a look for someone like this property manager in Sandy, OR to help lift some of this weight from her shoulders. Passing on this responsibility will mean that she has more time to do other things, whilst she leaves things like the rent collection and maintenance to other people. I really hope she considers it, as it could drastically improve her experience within the industry.

So, let us now discuss some decorating ideas for your home!

(PC: Modern Family Expo and Ikea)

Don’t be limited by existing configurations of furniture in a dorm room, feel free to move pieces around to find a set up that works best for you and your needs. For instance setting up your bed as a daybed offers seating options for when friends stop by and putting the dresser in the closet can open up a space.

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I love decorating bedrooms, in particular master bedrooms. Let’s face it, they are the most important rooms in our homes – it’s where you start and end your day, curl up with a book, and connect with your partner. The state of your space can profoundly affect your mood and how well you drift off to sleep and how you rise to face the day.

Unfortunately, bedrooms are often the most forgotten, passed over rooms! It’s often thought – since no one is going to see it, why bother! Why bother? Because you deserve a beautiful, relaxing space to wind down and start the day in! I’m reminded of that IKEA commercial, where the homeowners intentionally keep their bedroom doors open while entertaining to show off their spectacular space. We should all have a space we’re that proud of.

When I get to do a bedroom for a client, I love creating a truly special, sanctuary-like space. This can be achieved while still keeping the space fun, with injections of your personality and story. There are however some rules I like to follow.

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