Storage Decor

The perfect piece of furniture for loft-styles and ranch floor plans alike is the coffee table with hidden storage. Round, square or even rectangular in shape, these gems are the best way to hide items you want close by but out of sight. Things like throw blankets, pillows, television remotes, gaming controllers, and more!

Storage ottomans are also great options for similar reasons. These can be used in place of a coffee table, side table, or at the end of your bed. We find residents love to utilize them in our spiral loft floor plans especially. Amazing space savers, plus they add a homey element to any room. Win win!

Mirrors

Using mirrors is another fantastic way to create faux space in an apartment. They give the illusion that the room is much bigger and brighter. Picking one the suits your vibe adds both function and a pop of personal decor to your walls.

Floating Furniture

Pick pieces that are a little higher off the ground and have open bottoms. The gap between the floor and furniture will make any room seem more spacious. Pair a light colored area rug to create perimeters that section off the space, as well. We highly suggest this combo to our renters in ranch layouts. Since the apartment home is already one level, breaking up the square footage into sections creates a more natural warm and inviting living space.

C-Tables

These space savers come in a range of different designs, patterns, and materials. You can even build your own – like seen here. Why are they so convenient? They can be tucked under a coffee table, hugging your arm rest, or as a dinner tray. They are the new and improved side table! Plus, they’re extremely light weight and can be moved around several times daily without being a nuisance.

Want more inspo? There are tons of resources for furniture inspiration to be found just a few clicks away on your smart phone or laptop. Search Pinterest or even hashtags on Instagram for versatile options to fit your apartment home. Be sure to check back here for more blogs on apartment decorating ideas and more!

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Convenience is the number one reason people choose to live in apartments. However, renting doesn’t always provide the customization one may find in a home. Homeowners are able to store their belongings in more areas like garages or basements, for instance. Most residents of Apple Valley, Appleton Place, and Cameron Heights Apartments are happy to leave the home-buying for their later years however, and enjoy the convenience of apartment living for now.

By taking some of the steps listed here, you could find yourself a very happy apartment-dweller without a mess to be found! Here are 3 tips for keeping your apartment continually organized.

1. Quality Over Quantity

Think – less is more. Invest in furniture and storage items that offer the most use and will last for years to come. These nicer elements will encourage you to tidy up more consistently too. IKEA is the perfect place to visit for all your apartment decorating needs. They offer unique, cost-effective ways to organize your home and we luckily have a local store in Oak Creek. Look for shelves, storage bins, and closet organizers. Spend time in the kitchen section where you can find cabinet and drawer coordinators. Make a day of it and stop for a yummy snack like Swedish meatballs in IKEA’s cafeteria area. If this is your first or fifth apartment, an IKEA shopping experience is a no-brainer!

2. Use Lids

Surprisingly, your laundry basket and trash can aren’t the only essential places to have a lid. Next time you buy storage supplies, focus on items with lids only too.

Let’s be honest, apartment bedrooms offer closet space with limited functionality. While a cubed shelf may seem like the perfect tool to keep organized, it may just take up more square footage than it’s worth. You don’t need another piece of furniture to keep a space looking clean. Stacking clear, matching storage bins can have the same appeal and be way more effective.

These same rules apply with bathroom organization. Cute baskets for your hair and body products are only helpful if you use everything you own daily. If there are items that don’t need to occupy the front row, utilizing a storage basket is the way to go. While we support this approach, we also suggest purchasing baskets with lids only. These allow you to stack them in a linen closet or under your bathroom vanity in a more clean chaos sort-of-way.

3. Maximize Wall Space

When shopping for the perfect floor plan, you may have been excited by the appliances or amenities. Like most renters, planning on where everything will go doesn’t happen until after the lease is signed. When deciding the locations of knickknacks and decor it’s important to use your walls. Keeping your floors and countertops clear of clutter will allow your entire apartment to look organized. A simple floating shelf here or stacked shelves there, can make all the difference.

We hope this list keeps you organized while enjoying your Menomonee Falls apartment home. Be sure to follow Apple Valley Apartments & Townhomes, Appleton Place Apartments, and Cameron Heights Apartments on social media to keep yourself up-to-date on all the latest property happenings!

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Snake Plant (aka Mother-In-Laws Tongue)

Effortless, eye-catching, and almost indestructible. What else could we ask for? Oh, add that it’s a plant chosen by NASA to be studied for its air purification properties. No big deal.

When it comes to light, it can tolerate a variety, but prefers indirect. Water this hardy species when the soil becomes dry. Too much water is a snake plants kryptonite, hence the almost indestructible description.

Pro-tip: How do you know if your plant needs water? Using your fingers, push down into the soil an inch. If the soil is wet, check back again in a day or two. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water! 

Air Plant

No soil, no pots, no plants, right? Wrong! Air plants don’t require either!

These light green beauties are perfect for terrariums and can give a room a modern look. To take care of your air plant, put it in an area with direct sunlight. A simple spray 2-3 times weekly is all it needs. Perfect for shelf decor and hanging geometric plant holders, air plants are an apartment dwelling dream come true!

Peace Lily (aka Closet Plants) 

This unique plant is a powerful air purifier. The peace lily breaks down toxic gases like formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and benzene. This beloved houseplant is forgiving and known for its wide dark green leaves with white hoods that blossom every spring.

Look for the peace lilies telltale signs of thirst by its drooping. Watering once a week and spritzing the leaves will keep this eye-catching plant hydrated and happy. The full shade of a bedroom corner or partial shade on a plant stand in your living room are both good choices for the low-light loving peace lily.

Haworthia (aka Zebra Plant)

The zebra plant is a striking succulent known to be resilient and one of the easiest to grow. These miniature plants range in color and texture leaving a variety to choose from. They also thrive in both direct and indirect sunlight. Over watering haworthia can lead to root rot. It’s important to match your watering habits with the amount of sunlight your plant receives. Typically, these leafy clusters only need water every 3 weeks or so. Check on them around the 2 week mark if you’ve made its home an area that exposes it to constant, direct sunlight.

All of these factors make them a versatile option to move around your apartment with ease.

Bonus: Plants you can eat!

If you live at a community with a patio or balcony, consider growing plants you can eat too! Herbs like basil, cilantro and parsley make for pretty greenery, plus they’re found in tons of everyday recipes. A quick-growing veggie like green onions or scallions, takes minimal effort and seedlings sprout within 7-14 days. Chili peppers are another easy option. Along with zucchini and eggplants, these are the most common fruits eaten like vegetables and they’re super simple to grow! Extend your apartment by experimenting with different kinds of plants for your patio or balcony.

Living in an apartment doesn’t mean you have to forgo the outdoors. As Wisconsin heads into fall and winter, it’s important to try and make your surroundings as bright and inviting as possible. Use our list of plants to purify the air, add some color, and amplify your unique style.

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Studio Space

Fitting your entire life into 450 square feet could present some challenges. So it’s important to find a studio apartment with features that give you the experience of a larger floor plan. Spacious kitchens with full-size appliances allow you to cook, clean and dine without frustration.

Dishwashers keep your counter-top space clean, avoiding dirty dishes sitting out and making a small space seem even more crowded. Tons of cabinets and drawers help you to stay organized and keep clutter from view. While an over-the-range microwave gives you more room for food prep or decorating. Speaking of range, we can all agree that tiny stoves or ovens are silly, right? Efficiency does not always mean the loss of functionality. Full-size stoves only, please!

So we’ve covered the cook and clean portions, what about the dining option? The idea of eating, sleeping and relaxing in one singular space can be down right discouraging. Enter, the breakfast bar! A large breakfast bar is the perfect place for enjoying meals, entertaining guests or even keeping a work space. All without losing precious square footage. If the studio you’re considering does not offer a breakfast bar, you should look at other options. Crumbs in your bed that is also considered your couch, that’s also your office, will only make you dream of the day your lease is over.

Practical Perks

Amenities are a priority. Parking, storage, and recreation are all important things to keep in mind while apartment hunting. Bonuses like washer and dryer being on-site, having an underground parking space and fitness center access are at the top of the list too. Overall, amenities seem to be more and more influential for the studio renter specifically.

Dealing with that singular space can include the joys of redecorating the same day you moved in, or the frustration of realizing you can’t fit everything you’d hoped. Storage is vital with small space living. To keep things neat, opt for a community that allows you store those collectibles and extras near, but outside of your apartment.

Add to your living area with a large patio or balcony and create a secondary nook to enjoy outside of your living/bedroom. Potted plants, cafe dining sets, and outdoor lighting can create a peaceful, fresh extension to enjoy alone or with guests all year long!

Floor Plan/Layout

When someone says studio apartment, the first thought that comes to mind is space or the lack of it. Creating the illusion of more space is key for any studio layout, and easier than you may think. Using the right furniture and decor to section off or sometimes open up your combined living and bedroom, can make your studio feel much larger.

Start by separating your space with an area rug. This will help break up the big rectangle and spice it up with some different texture. Next, you should think of the floor as prime real estate. Sure, that bed with drawers built into the bottom seems like a smart idea, but having furniture with legs shows more of the floor and will make your apartment seem much more open. A glass coffee table or any other see through piece of furniture could also do the trick!

When everything is in one place, it’s important to multipurpose.  Think about what can be used as a place to hold your TV but also your clothes, for example. Mounting shelves, using a cube shelf, placing your dresser inside your closet – all great ideas to think about before move in day.

If you need more inspiration or just a place to start, try searching for studio layouts on Pinterest. You’ll find all sorts of innovative ways to design a studio floor plan that fits your needs perfectly!

Most of our amazing communities offer the popular studio floor plan.

Check out the virtual tour here!

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LOFT LIVING

These versatile open spaces feel much more like a town home than an apartment. Being welcomed by 10′-15′ cathedral ceilings is an impressive way to say hello. The first floor typically includes the kitchen, dining and living spaces. Bedroom and bathroom are found on the second floor or upper area. This is where the “loft” portion comes into play. The lofted bedroom usually has a half-wall, open to the downstairs. Renters are able to enjoy a beautiful  skylight tucked into the vaulted ceiling, while overlooking to the rest of the apartment. Pretty cool, huh?

BRIGHT, NATURAL LIGHT

The high ceilings, skylights, and large sliding glass doors of a loft let in an extravagant amount of natural light. With less barriers, light is able to flow through the space more easily. This gives the impression of living in a much bigger space than the square footage would suggest.

ATTRACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL

Living in a loft apartment allows renters to get away with decorating tricks that those in traditional floor plans could only dream of. Those tall walls are just screaming to be covered in funky artwork or antique frames and mirrors. We’ve even seen a deer hunting stand! (Wisconsin residents are the best residents, that’s for sure.) Proof that a loft is the perfect foundation for showcasing any unique style with endless possibilities.

Our loft-style residents receive more complements on their apartment home than any other. There’s something about the loft floor plan that feels refined, relaxed in a way that no traditional apartment possibly could. We encourage any renter who is looking for a fun and practical place to live to check out any one of our beautiful communities to tour a loft floor plan for yourself!

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Located between Interstate 94 and Capitol Drive, Hidden Ponds provides an unrestricted commute. Visit Lake Country and the entire Metro Milwaukee area with ease. Considering its name, this picturesque community is unseen from main roadways. Resting just east of Highway 16 and Pewaukee Lake.  

While maintaining it’s peaceful  surroundings, we adapted Hidden Ponds Apartments to meet all the needs of the modern renter. Our residents enjoy regular visits from beautiful cranes, deer, and even wild turkey’s, for instance. Along with its incredible views, Hidden Ponds offers premium amenities that consist of cardio rooms, an outdoor grill area, playground, and more. Additional essentials you can expect include underground parking, storage units, washers and dryers in-unit, laundry on-site for studio floor plans, plus all utilities except electric. 

Presenting renters with an abundance of floor plans, these Pewaukee apartments are often hard to come-by. Studios, 1 bedrooms and 2 bedroom apartments lined with large patios and balconies are available to tour. Loft and ranch layouts create open-concept living spaces, inviting natural light and spacious opportunities.

Don’t just take our word for it. Come see for yourself! This Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Hidden Ponds Apartments is hosting a Self-Guided Open House. That’s right! We understand the difficult commitment of finding your new home without the possibility of seeing it. Self-guided tours allow a safe social distance, while providing you the confidence to rent in peace. 

Contact us to schedule your self-guided or virtual tour today!

See you Saturday!

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Here are some quick ways to help people improve your overall output while working remotely in one of our Sussex apartments or any community.

1.  Create a Workspace

Apartments tend to have planned spaces that are conducive to your lifestyle. Which could mean, you have no available area where you can work uninterrupted since you never planned on working remotely. There’s hope! Accommodating your new home office can be easily done, with a little creativity.

Start by defining what is realistic with your daily life. Living with a spouse, children, or a roommate will demand a place more tucked away.  This is much easier to accomplish in any 2 bedroom apartment, like those found at both our Maple Grove and Maple Creek communities. If you’re living in a studio or 1 bedroom apartment in Sussex or elsewhere, consider modifying a single living area like your large breakfast bar or a part of your living room.

Once you’re able to set it up, your apartment can remain your home, while also being a comfortable place you conduct business.

2. Keep Structure

Concentration is key in any job. Staying focused with regular home distractions can be one of the most difficult parts of working remotely. But, distractions can’t be an excuse for losing structure throughout your workday. Learn to use your peak hours effectively. Schedule your biggest tasks to be completed within that period of time.

Working from a dog-friendly apartment can allow you to deviate from your normal day-to-day, as well. Pets can become more needy when you’re around more often. Take into account their normal structure. And don’t forget, they may have a harder time when regular office hours resume too.

At the end of the day, power down your electronics and move away from your desk or work space. Avoid taking your laptop outside of your designated work area. Blending your work and personal life will create opportunity to stay in work mode. Allow yourself to unwind and spend time with those you love.

3. Schedule Communications 

Regardless of where you set-up your home office, having a phone and internet access will be a requirement. If your work responsibilities include conference calls or conversations with clients, make sure to schedule them for times when you know you will be alone. Since you can’t avoid Skype calls with your boss, purchase noise-canceling headphones that help you focus on the task at hand in between those calls. In addition, find work from home playlists on Apple Music or Spotify.

Ideally, you want your home office to reflect the same practices as your company’s office. Remain connected with your co-workers. Avoid the feeling of being isolated and touch base with your team often.

Working from home can provide several benefits. It can also produce numerous challenges when space is limited or you share your apartment. Do your best work by cutting out a consistent work space, preparing for personal distractions, and creating a schedule that benefits you, your loved ones, and your employer.

For our residents and prospects living or inquiring about Sussex apartments for rent, we have all the details you need on the current detour. Information and directions for both our Maple Creek Apartments and Maple Grove Apartments can be found through the link below. Please reach out to our wonderful property manager, Katie, with any questions at (262) 246-9797. We have also included the Maple Avenue Detour Map for your convenience.

Click here for information about the Maple Avenue Reconstruction Project. Provided by The Village of Sussex directly.

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Apartment shopping can be an overwhelming task. When you go in search of the perfect apartment home, you typically have a few ideas in mind; affordability, great amenities, walk-in closets, and open-concept floorplans. You may not be considering what you’re actually agreeing to. Going into a lease agreement with your Landlord is a big decision. It’s important to keep an eye on issues that may be red flags early on. To get you started, we’ve listed 6 things to avoid when apartment shopping below.

1. Zero Photos 

The days of apartment renting magazines are long gone and searching has centered around mobile apps and online websites. Maybe you’re searching for a one bedroom loft in Waukesha and you have several options to scroll through. Steer clear of listings with zero photos. Apartment ads with one or two photos of only the outside of the building can be scary too. Remember, those with nothing to hide, hide nothing.

2. No Reviews or Bad Reviews 

We look up reviews for places to eat or a hotel we stay in for three nights. Why wouldn’t we hold the same standard for our new home? 1 star reviews happen, even to the best apartment communities. However, zero reviews or only poor reviews can be a good indication of a bad landlord. Residents who are taken care of tend to support where they live. If the leasing agent or manager seems nice during your showing, but you see no evidence of that online, you might need to worry about what actually being a resident could look like. Go out of your way to mention these concerns and see how problems are addressed or unfortunately, not addressed at all.

3. No Approval Standards 

Here you are, the tour is over and you’re ready to apply! This is where you discuss the awkward questions about things you normally don’t want to share with others. What do you need to get approved for an apartment? Standard rental criteria usually includes 3 major things; credit score, income, and a background check. Rental verification’s are often of importance to most Landlords, as well. Having the security of knowing your neighbors had to go through the same approval process you did should give you confidence, not cause for concern.

4. Signing Before Seeing

The model unit is always clean, well-maintained. and beautifully decorated. In a perfect world the apartment in your lease agreement could be just as beautiful. Unfortunately, there is no way to know without seeing the exact apartment or a similar layout. Oftentimes renters trust that what they’re seeing is what they’re getting. What they are getting is carpet that doesn’t match, older-style appliances, the list could go on and on. It can’t hurt to send an email to the leasing agent verifying there are no major differences between the two either.

5. No Move-in Inspection 

It’s move in day and you’re excited to start organizing your brand new apartment home! If you have a moving company, you watch and ensure they’re extra careful not to ding walls or damage your belongings. Unfortunately, a few days after settling in, you realize they took a chunk out of bedroom door casing. What now?

No move-in inspection form or grace period after your move in day, is a good indication that you may be unfairly charged for damage after you move out. Make sure that the complex has a move-in or check-in form and you have the opportunity to inspect your apartment for damage. Have the manager document those items and provide you a copy for your records.

6. No After Hours Phone Number

Your front-loading washer has a hole in the seal and water is gushing out everywhere. It’s midnight and the dishwasher is flooding your kitchen floor. “Who ya gonna call?” Ghost Busters? It seems likely their phone number would be easier to find in that moment. Most apartment communities have an after hours phone number if something major goes wrong. What are those hours? What is that contact phone number? Avoid finding out the hard way.

Rest assured, these are all avoidable problems when renting with us. Visit any of our beautiful communities for a tour today!

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Your monthly rent usually doesn’t include apartment utilities. Renting expenses can vary greatly, but here are the typical utilities to expect. Electricity, gas, water, trash, recycling, cable, and internet. We suggest including renter’s insurance on this list, as well.

What Utilities are Included in Your Lease?

Before taking the first step in applying for an apartment, you should know what utilities will be included in your lease.

It’s common for renters to have their trash and recycling bills covered by their landlord. The renter will then be responsible for the electric and water bill, for instance. However, free WiFi is a new option some renters wouldn’t think to ask about. So make sure you have every utility listed clearly on your lease agreement.

It’s Electric!

Your electricity bill is usually the largest utility bill due monthly. There are key things to look for when renting an apartment that could play into a pricey bill. Here are a few things to consider…

Number of Rooms

The more rooms you have, the more rooms you’ll need to heat and run your air conditioner to keep cool. Always check if the apartment has electric baseboard heaters. These heaters are individual units that heat your apartment room-by-room. Another option offered room-by-room is a PTAC or packaged terminal air conditioner. PTAC’s are self-contained heating and air conditioning systems typically installed in the wall of a single room.

Ways to Conserve Energy

• Maintain an average temperature throughout the day. Don’t make the mistake of leaving your heater or air conditioning off during the day. Cranking the dials drastically when you get home can actually work against you. Your heater or air conditioner is using a lot more energy to drastically change the temperature than they would be if they kept a steady pace throughout the day and night.
• Invest in energy efficiency.
  1. Replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs – Not only will you save money using anywhere from 25-75% less electricity, but you will also rarely need to replace these bulbs. They can last up to 20 times longer than regular light bulbs. A true win-win.
  2. Use Smart power strips – The electricity used when electronics are turned off or in standby mode, are a major source of energy waste. These are known as, “Phantom Loads”. You can eliminate this extra cost by using Smart or Advanced power strips. When your electronics are not in use, these power strips will turn them off. They can be set to a timer or controlled by a remote device. Both saving you money and upping your cool factor.

Heating and Gas Bills

These bills are commonly found on your electricity bill. However, due to gas appliances and gas heaters, these could be sent separately. Either way, it’s beneficial to know if you should calculate these costs into your monthly budget before renting your apartment or townhome.

It’s also smart to ask your landlord or property manager what to expect in utility costs. Calling the utility company is equally important. Never go off just an opinion or personal guess. Ask the landlord for the exact apartment address and apartment number of your potential new rental home. Then provide that address to the utility company for the average bill in that specific unit. This will be the closest you will come to know your likely costs in the future.

Who Pays for Water?

The majority of apartment complexes or townhome properties include water in the rent price. In comparison, there are locations that make their tenants split the cost of the entire building or with the floor their apartment is located on. As an example, if you live on the fourth floor, you would split the water bill with every other apartment on that floor. It seems less than appealing, right? Thankfully, our properties are not included in that group!

The average daily water usage is split between the toilet, bathtub or shower, and appliances, including a washer and dishwasher. In addition to those, don’t forget the water used for drinking and personal hygiene.

Cable and Internet Bills

Are you streaming your TV services or purchasing a cable package to DVR your favorite shows? No matter the case, you’ll need the internet for both!

Research what cable and internet companies service the area you’re looking to live in. Then decide if you’re going to need faster speeds to fit your needs. (We’re poets over here.) The majority of our properties, for instance, offer AT&T Fiber which has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. The demands of an online gamer will be different than someone who just pops on Amazon for a quick purchase here and there. So make sure you’re not overpaying for something you’ll never use.

Total Utility Costs

To summarize, there is no way to estimate the total utility costs without considering your individual renting scenario. This budget will depend on things like how many people live in the apartment, what climate you live in, and what your daily habits are. Take the time to research what best fits your needs. When in doubt, ask questions! Never be afraid to cover your bases and ask questions when touring different apartment communities. Expensive surprises are the worst kind of surprises. To help get you started, we’ve added a few links from local companies below. Also, hop on over to our Rental Application page and check out what beautiful apartment homes we currently have available. One of our amazing property managers will be happy to answer any questions you may have!

WE Energies Energy-Saving Tips 

AT&T U-Verse TV & Internet Bundles

Spectrum Cable & Internet Services

The post How Much Do Utilities Cost in an Apartment? appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

Renovated and Ready to Show off! Apple Valley Apartments & Townhomes is a familiar Menomonee Falls community with a brand new look.

Now offering distinctive 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments and townhomes! These rare finds offer all the perks to townhome or condo-ownership without any of the fees!

Centered in the heart of Menomonee Falls, our community is located near several grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants, parks, and more. You’ll have a convenient advantage to just about everything you would ever need. Surrounded by large trees and natural escape views, Apple Valley is the best example of where convenience meets comfort.

Spacious, remodeled floor plans offer open-concept living and include brand new everything! Enjoy new appliances, flooring, counter-tops, breakfast bars, cabinets, large vanities, and modern fixtures throughout. Importantly, Apple Valley offers personal garages, underground parking and ample guest parking. Our smoke-free, cat-friendly community will soon offer a fitness center, as well. Soak up every season through peerless windows and a large terrace overlooking the beautiful landscape. With an assortment of floor plans to choose from, we are positive you will find the perfect new place to call home.

We are excited to introduce Apple Valley Apartments & Townhomes and would like to invite you, this Saturday, November 9th, 2020, between 11am – 2pm for our first-ever Open House! If you’re unable to join us this weekend, we would love the opportunity to have you for a private tour. Contact us today! (262) 251-4990

The post Discover Morgenson Realty’s Newest Property, Apple Valley Apartments & Townhomes in Menomonee Falls! appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.