In fact, your entryway can be extremely useful if you want it to be. Here are some helpful tips for making your entryway (no matter how small) more useful and well organized.

Invest in a shoe rack.

Even if you don't have an actual entryway room or so-called mudroom, you can still implement organizational tools that can designate an area for your entryway and help you stay organized. 

Most apartment dwellers understand that it's important to take shoes off as soon as you walk in the door. But this habit can quickly turn into a huge pile of random shoes (usually covering a huge pile of dirt, leaves, and twigs from said shoes).

The habit itself isn't the problem. It's how you’re organizing the shoes. A simple shoe rack will only cost you around $10 or $15 and can help you keep your shoes more orderly and out of the way.

Have a place to hang your coats etc. 

And remember: One single hook isn’t going to do the trick. Most people have multiple coats, scarves, hats, purses, book bags, backpacks, and other things that they need to put somewhere as soon as they walk in the door.

For this reason, it's best to have at least a line of three, four, or five hooks. Alternatively, you can invest in a freestanding coat rack.

Designate a place to put your keys, wallet, mail, etc.

Lastly, let's talk about the small things that your entryway houses — because, of course, it's not all about shoes, book bags, and coats.

When you walk in the door, you’ll have your keys in your hand, and you should put them somewhere reliable. A small dish, a hook, or a magnetic ring on the wall are all good options. Furthermore, designate a spot where you can put little things you may be carrying, such as your wallet, the mail, or your sunglasses.

Ready to start styling your very own, new apartment entryway? Oceanside, CA apartments are available! Call our office today to see what floor plans we have open.

The post How to Make Your Entryway More Useful appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Wash It in Color

Colorful beach cottages dot coastal communities from sea to shining sea. But there's no need to paint your walls to recreate that sensation. White is the perfect backdrop for a nautical theme, so splash in some sky blue, coral pink and seafoam green with accent pillows, throw blankets, curtains and tablecloths.

Textiles and Fiber

Nothing tops earthy materials when it comes to coastal decorating. Think bamboo placemats, jute or sisal rugs, and seagrass side tables. They have the added advantage of being durable and eco-friendly. 

Driftwood and Beach Combing

Apartments in Oceanside place the beach's natural treasures at your fingertips. Shells, sea glass and driftwood are perfect accents for your coastal vibe. Use driftwood to create planters, bird feeders or hanging photo frames strung with jute or fishhooks. Drape fishnet behind a bookshelf, and fill clear bowls with multihued shells.

It's generally okay to pick up shells on public California beaches. Check for posted signs about driftwood, and avoid tidepools and sanctuaries such as Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve.

Coastal Greenery

Unique greenery thrives in coastal environments, so pick up some sea-friendly plants from a local garden shop. Palm fronds and banana leaves give instant tropical flair, and you can purchase them inexpensively while they are still youngsters. Fill the planter with crushed shells to help retain water. 

Rock the Coast

Nothing says coastal living like a weathered wooden rocking chair. Pick one up at a thrift store and “distress” it a bit. You don’t need a pricey paint kit — just give it a once-over paint job in sky blue or aqua green, add a few streaks of white paint, and then rough it up with sandpaper. 

It's easy to replicate the swaying rhythm of a windswept beach. Just picture all the things you love about the rocky and sandy coastline, and then create your own little piece of tropical paradise.

Our Oceanside, CA apartments put you in the heart of casual California culture. Stop by today for a tour and to hear about move-in specials.

The post Bring the Beach Inside – Coastal Themed Decorating on a Budget appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Jot Down Cleaning Reminders

With our hectic lives, it can be a challenge remembering to vacuum or do the dishes. One way to remind yourself to take care of these tasks is to write them down as a reminder. If you prefer pen and paper, write these tasks in a large font and place the note somewhere you’ll see it easily. If a digital platform is more your style, jot down these reminders and try to focus on remembering them.

Always Keep Enough Supplies

Remembering to clean is hard enough, but when you take the time to clean and you don’t have enough supplies, it will probably lead to you putting these chores on the back burner. A huge cleaning tip for your apartment involves having the right supplies and having enough of them. Inside your apartment, you’ll always want to keep disinfectant spray, toilet bowl cleaner, washcloths, sponges, and soap. By not having enough cleaning supplies, it can be hard to clean once you have the time. A good rule of thumb is to check these supplies every week and replace them if you don’t have a sufficient supply. If you always seem to use the same amount of supplies every month, you might even consider signing up with a company that sends you a recurring order of supplies. 

Clean Smarter

A huge reason why people neglect cleaning their apartment is because of the driving costs of cleaning supplies. However, cleaning your apartment is as easy as finding ingredients that you already have. We recommend doing research to find the best ingredients to use for whatever you’re looking to clean. For example, if you’re searching for ways to clean up pet hair, throw on a pair of rubber gloves and rub your hand against the carpet or a couch. To clean up dirty blinds, a good solution is to add some vinegar to a sock and wipe them down. There are thousands of cleaning hacks out there that can turn your apartment into a tidy paradise.

By following these cleaning tips for apartment living, you can enjoy a relaxing apartment that looks and smells great. If you’re searching for new apartments in Oceanside, CA, then be sure to contact River Oaks today!

The post 3 Tips for Keeping Your Apartment Clean appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Define Performance Goals

Much of the business world is based on how many hours you put in the office and just being seen rather than how much you actually get done. If you want to work from home, people will assume you're spending much of your time not working.

To get around this, come up with ways to measure your actual productivity or results. This might be the number of items completed, increasing sales numbers, or some other metric. That way, you can show you get just as much or more done from home.

Emphasize the Lack of Distractions

People think working from home means more distractions, but there can often be more distractions in an office. How many days do you not get anything done because people keep stopping by and interrupting you? How many slow days, early mornings or late nights were you working at 10 times your usual productivity? One work from home day per week could give you that quiet day boost.

Know the Obstacles and How to Overcome Them

Some jobs have a higher need to be in an office than others. This might be an everyday thing or just on occasion.

Figure out exactly what you'll be missing by not being physically present, whether that's spontaneous team meetings or access to specific resources. Then come up with a plan to get around those problems.

Focus on How the Company Benefits

Working from home might be good for you, but how does the company gain instead of just not losing anything? Will you be more productive? Will you lower their costs? Will it increase employee morale and retention?

Just like asking for a raise, you need to make the business case. Your boss might like you, but the bigger bosses are more focused on the numbers, so make sure you're speaking their language.

Need a good space to put your desk? Ask about our floor plans now.

The post How to Sell Your Boss on Working from Home appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Let Your Leasing Office Know

Most Oceanside, CA apartments welcome pets, but you still need to let your leasing office know. There are three reasons for this.

• It keeps your puppy and our maintenance team safe if there's ever a need to go into your apartment for a maintenance emergency.
• It helps keep our community enjoyable for everyone by letting us know who to talk to if there are ever any issues with barking or someone not picking up after their pet. We know you'll be a responsible pet owner, but not everyone is.
• There may be additional fees or deposits. Puppies have accidents and like to chew on things even when you're trying to train them not to. Like any other damage, you'll be responsible for covering the costs.

Buy a Crate

Buy a crate for when you're at work and asleep, at least until you get past the puppy phase. Some people think this is mean, but puppies actually like it.

A comfortable crate with a dog bed and blankets is just like a den to a dog. Many breeds sleep or lounge for most of the day, so you won't be restricting their exercise at all. If you don't believe this, leave the door open on a weekend when you're home and see how much your dog goes in on its own.

Schedule Training Classes

Go to training with your puppy. It's good for both of you. Your puppy will be better socialized, and you'll learn more ways to deal with those annoying puppy habits.

Puppy-Proof Your Home

Prepare your home just like you would for a baby. Assume that anything a puppy can chew or get into, it will.

Store any small items out of reach or inside of a closet or cabinet that you'll keep closed. Check your doors and drawers to make sure they can't be nosed open, and if they can, buy a child safety lock for them.

Want to learn more about our pet policies? Call us now.

The post How to Get Your Apartment Ready for a Puppy appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

How to Arrange Artwork on Walls

Smaller pieces can be arranged in groups, either in a row or in a vertical in a horizontal orientation. The eye is drawn to shapes it recognizes. That's why placing four pieces about the same size in a square works so well. For larger groupings of photos or small art pieces of similar size, form a square or rectangular outline by offsetting the pieces in a pleasing way. 

Correct Placement 

If you're decorating a narrow wall, use smaller artwork to make the wall look wider. Larger pieces look fantastic on larger walls without too many smaller pieces nearby, which can make an area look cluttered. Hang artwork with the center at eye level for the average person.

To select a piece of art to place over your furniture, remember that the artwork should not be as wide as the furniture it's meant to complement. The eye-level rule applies here too, with exceptions. Leaving too much space between the top of your furniture and the bottom of the artwork can make a room appear smaller. It's fine to place multiple pieces on the same wall if they aligned at the same height for continuity.

For artwork placed near corners, the piece on both sides of the corner should be at the same height as well. Further, you want to keep an equal distance from each piece to the corner itself for a polished look.

In general, vases, sculptures and other floor art should be placed at least six inches from the furniture to avoid a cluttered look. 

Following these simple rules helps you maximize the impact of your artwork and furniture, creating a balanced, well-decorated Oceanside apartment. If you are looking for a new apartment, check out the latest floorplans at River Oaks.

The post Artwork That Helps You Differentiate Task and Play Areas appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Chunky, loose weaves

Loosely woven wools and synthetic fibers add a tactile element to area rugs and blankets. These pieces keep your feet and body warm in cooler weather, and the loose weave allows more texture that feels great underfoot and against your skin.  Super-chunky couch throws drape beautifully when rendered in unbleached natural fabrics. In corner play areas, rugs with various levels of tight and loose knits, dyed in bright colors, captivate your kids' imaginations.

Make waves with wrinkled textures

Wrinkled textures are on-trend and celebrate a range of creased and crinkled textiles. Puckered fabric incorporates both synthetic and natural fibers — such as crepe yarns and cotton blends. Along a similar tangent, pleats evoke the rippling surface of water, which brings an elemental effect and fluidity to furnishings.

Watermark prints on natural fabric pillows are created with unconventional weft techniques and tie-dye washes. Meanwhile, metallic yarns underscore the unique characteristics of textiles themselves. 

Natural imperfections

This movement is about simplicity. Natural imperfections in fabrics made from vegetal fibers, such as hemp, evoke an eco-friendly and cosmopolitan flair. Try undyed and raw denim fringes on pillows and pulls for window treatments to add interest in your living area. Using these fabrics promotes sustainability and satisfies a desire for simple yet elegant surroundings.

Organic materials with natural imperfections guarantee a one-of-a-kind product that's perfect for focal points — such as soft linen pillows that pop against patterned or darker couches and chairs. The linen-look is already an established movement in clothing and bedding, so forward-thinking apartment dwellers are incorporating it in their home decor with assured confidence. 

Natural imperfections have even become a design element. From jacquard weaves to the quirks of micro dobbies (speckles of color), designers have enough choices to feed all their ideas.

If you're looking for a new space to reinvent, give us a call regarding Oceanside, California, apartments to find out what floor plans are still available and awaiting your unique finishing touches.

The post What Are the Hottest Materials for Apartment Accents in 2019? appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Focus on Seating

Comfortable seating should be your key focus when decorating a balcony. Fit a small sofa if possible or a bench seat with pillows piled on top. Foldable furniture offers another seating option for compact balconies. Another option is to use wing chairs as a fun and whimsical way to decorate your balcony. Although patio tables and stools may fit on a balcony, this type of seating arrangement won’t make the most out of the space.

Go Green

Add planters throughout your balcony overflowing with lush greenery. The plants not only create a natural beautiful atmosphere but will also fill the air with a clean, fresh scent. Have fun with the planters you choose for the space. Select pieces such as painted pottery galvanized metal planters and freestanding aluminum planters. Hang planters on the walls, set planters on furniture or the floor, and secure planters to railings. Tall plants will give you more privacy when enjoying your balcony.

Personalize the Space

Choose a mixture of textiles to give your balcony a style that reflects your own. Add pillows with geometric designs, a plush throw rug, oversized floor pillows, or decorative blankets. These items help you create a relaxing space you will be in no hurry to leave. Another way to leave your mark is to set candles and decorative bowls on any outdoor tabletops. 

Lighting the Way

Lighting is often overlooked when choosing balcony décor. However, lighting adds instant fun and festivity when entertaining guests outdoors during the evening hours. String lights are a low-cost way to add extra light to your balcony and come in a range of shapes and colors. Standing outdoor lamps are another decorating option that can add style and function to the balcony.

River Oaks offers the perfect outdoor space for residents. With private balconies and patios, Oceanside, CA apartment residents can entertain and relax while enjoying the perfect weather. Contact us today to learn more about our community.

The post How to Decorate a Balcony appeared first on River Oaks Blog.