Home office optimization is vital to being able to work efficiently and complete your tasks. With a small workspace comes the task of organizing and making sure you have what you need all within easy reach. Here a few ways to make your space work better for you while keeping it your own.

The Small Things

• Use objects normally found in other rooms to organize the little things.
• Mug or cup for pens, pencils, etc.
• Bowls for office supplies
• Caddies from bath gift sets for mail

Look at what you have and repurpose for your needs.

Strategic Placement

Place what you use the most where you can get to it the easiest. It doesn’t make sense to put things you use on a regular basis somewhere you have to dig for them. Keep those places for the items you don’t need often.

Get Rid of the Clutter

Keep your space from being crowded. If you don’t use it, get rid of it. Having a space free of unused items will leave space for those you need.

Home office optimization doesn’t mean your space needs to look bare. Make your space your own while allowing you to work at your best.

Offering apartments for rent across the country, Milestone Management communities offer the best in apartment living. For more information, contact your Milestone representative today!

Photo Credit: Lasse Rintakampu

No one wants to open their dishwasher to find standing dirty water or food and grit stuck to the dishes.  Learning how to clean your dishwasher is a must. Luckily, it’s a simple process.

• Open the dishwasher and remove the bottom rack
• Remove items causing a clog from the drain area
• Replace bottom rack
• Place a dishwasher-safe container filled white vinegar on top rack
• Cycle dishwasher
• Pour small amount of baking soda into bottom
• Cycle dishwasher

If mold and mildew is apparent, pour 1-cup bleach in bottom and cycle dishwasher. This can only be done if your dishwasher doesn’t have a stainless steel interior.

Here are some other tips to keep your dishwasher working at peak performance:

• Run water in your sink until it is hot before starting cycle
• Set your water heater to 120ºF to ensure the water is hot, but not too hot
• Run a full load, but don’t overload

Your dishwasher is now clean looking and smelling fresh! The next time you use it you will be thrilled at how clean your dishes come out. Cleaning your dishwasher needs to be done routinely to prevent build up and to maintain the life of your machine.

Photo Credit: TrenttSD

Now that Spring is in full swing, it means that Summer is quickly approaching and it’s time to tidy up the house and bring in a fresh Summer fragrance that residents and guests in the home can all enjoy.

There are some flowers that will definitely help improve the fragrance around you in your home, and these are guaranteed to give you a fresh scent everyday that’s pleasant to all the senses.

The Clematis flower is one of the most fragrant summer flowers. It delivers a strong smell that closely resembles wood and can be considered to some as overpowering, but having it around will be certain to impress.

Lavender and Rose are the two other Summer flowers that are best suited for fragrance in the Summer. It’s likely that you’ve become familiar with these fragrances over time, and they can only be described as delightful. Both are aesthetically pleasing as well, and since Lavender is used in perfumes and in air fresheners, it’s the safest bet to making your home smell it’s best!

Offering apartments for rent across the country, Milestone Management communities offer the best in apartment living. For more information, contact your Milestone representative today!

Image Source: aaronHwarren

Ice cube trays can come in handy in the summer months, because they can be used to create ice cold smoothies and chilled drinks. However, there are other uses for ice cube trays that will come in handy during the winter, spring and fall, too! Here are five useful ways to make the most of that pile of ice cube trays:

1. Herbs taste great in meat and pasta dishes, but can reach their sell-by date quite quickly. Make them last longer by mixing with olive oil and pouring into ice cube trays.

2.  Are your pieces of jewelry tangled into one big knot? If so, use an ice cube tray as a jewelry organizer. Create sections for earrings, charms, rings, necklaces, bracelets and anklets.

3.  A pack of chewing gum, a pen, a lipstick — these things can stain or ruin clothes if left in pockets. Place an ice cube tray in your washing room to store ‘pocket stuff’.

4.  Don’t waste money on a tool box. Instead, use an ice cube tray to organize nails by size.

5.  Boost your energy and feel refreshed by enjoying an iced coffee. Pour coffee in ice cube trays and blend before serving.

Contact us for online leasing support whenever you need it.

Offering apartments for rent across the country, Milestone Management communities offer the best in apartment living.  For more information, contact your Milestone representative today!

Image Source: Valerie Everett

For a small yearly investment, having renters insurance is a great plan that not only protects you, the renter, but adds that extra assurance that your valuables and belongings will always be protected.  It is a good idea to understand the key reasons to buy renters insurance.

Many policies are in the $10-$20 per month range, depending on the neighborhood in which you live. When you consider purchasing a policy, it is good to bear in mind the value of the property which you will be insuring. Most folks have several thousands of dollars in electronics alone. The advantages of renters insurance is not only peace of mind but also the protection in the unlikely event of loss.

A vast majority of property management groups and private landlords simply offer little or no coverage to the tenant’s personal items.  Often the property will be covered in case of flood, fire or earthquake, but this coverage is limited to the structure and not the contents of each individual unit.  There are many great reasons to buy renters insurance such as low premium cost and replacement value but the greatest of these is simply peace of mind.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The weather is changing, which means that the outdoor season is approaching. During this time, many homeowners are looking for ways to get rid of mosquitoes. Because of the attention that the West Nile Virus has received, mosquito repelling products are becoming more popular. There are also a few plants that repel mosquitoes. Here is a look at five plants that repel mosquitoes.

Citronella is a regular ingredient used in mosquito repellents. It is a type of grass which could grow to 5-6 feet. Citronella produces a strong smell which guards against mosquitoes.

Horsemint is a plant that repel mosquitoes similar to Citronella. It is a fast growing plant that reaches a height of 2-3 feet. Horsemint produces an odor that confuses mosquitoes.

Marigolds contain compounds used in many insect repellents. They have a smell that mosquitoes do not like. Many people like putting marigolds near mosquito entry points, where the smell will deter mosquitoes.

Ageratum is an ornamental plant that grows between 8-18 inches. It secretes coumarin, which is a mosquito repellent. This plant does not need full sunlight to be effective.

Catnip is a mosquito repellent that is most effective when mosquitoes are close.

Offering apartments for rent across the country, Milestone Management communities offer the best in apartment living.  For more information, contact your Milestone representative today!

Image Source: cygnus921

Have you been looking at apartments in Lindenwold? The Landings at Pine Lake apartments are sure to appeal to your sense of aesthetics.

The unique floor plan of each apartment is a must see, especially for the aspiring professional. Each apartment has a modern look to it, so you can dress it up or down. Apartments are available in both one and two bedroom situations, depending on the amount of space you will need for your living arrangements. Some of our apartments come in a cozy, split-level configuration, so you won’t be missing any of the space of a personally owned home.

As a free bonus, our apartments come with beautiful features. Are you going to be relaxing in the summer? Well the pool will be your idea of a good time. If that doesn’t interest you, maybe the tennis courts or fitness center will.

We also take pride in the aesthetics of our community. The natural landscaping done at our apartments has a small stream near by our community. Animals will enjoy the fresh air and dog park that is available to you and your pets. Contact our leasing office today to learn more about the Landings at Pine Lake.

Offering apartments for rent across the country, Milestone Management communities offer the best in apartment living. For more information, contact your Milestone representative today!

Milestone Management boasts award winning, service-driven apartment communities. We give you the best of apartment living, including pools at many of our properties. The fitness community is on the rise and there are many health benefits of swimming, especially if you are an elderly citizen and you suffer from arthritis, swimming can help your arthritic joints and reduce stiffness and discomfort. It also increases bone density and reduces your risk of bone injury.

Swimming may motivate you to improve your exercise habits and increase your interest in other activities.

Swimming leaves you with a positive feeling after exercise and decreases your stress.

Instills a community spirit and offers an opportunity to meet new people.

Increases shared memories, social interaction and intimacy.

Assists in aiding impairments associated with stroke, cerebral palsy , developmental difficulties and other disorders.

Offering apartments for rent across the country, Milestone Management communities offer the best in apartment living. For more information, contact your Milestone representative today!Image Source:  pennuja

If you think you like eating vinegar on your salad, you will love using vinegar to clean your apartment.  Opting to use vinegar on cleaning projects around the home will improve your indoor air quality because you won’t have to use harsh chemicals.  Using vinegar will also save you tons of money on pricey cleaning supplies.  Here are five ways to clean your apartment using vinegar.

1.Disinfect the Microwave- Combine one cup of water with 1/4 cup of vinegar and microwave on high until the mixture boils.  The steam will disinfect and loosen debris for a few minutes.  Remove the bowl and wipe down the microwave with ease.

2. Toilet Bowl Cleaner- Simply pour in a cup of vinegar and let sit for at least thirty minutes.  Wipe clean for an amazing sparkle.

3. Cutting Boards- Disinfect cutting boards by washing them with vinegar.

4. Can openers- Use an old toothbrush to scrub your can opener with vinegar.

5. Counter Tops- Make your counter tops clean enough to eat off of by wiping them down with vinegar.

Apartment hunting is more than that–it’s finding your new home! Learning how to look for an apartment before you start the legwork will save you time and help you find the place best suited for you.

Know your budget. Rent shouldn’t be more than a third of your monthly income. Unfortunately, budgets are a reality.

Know what you want. A cut-out of what was once a large home? A complex with gates and a pool? Utilities included in the rent? Or just the basics?

Know where you want to live. Do you want to walk to work? Or be able to walk to restaurants and downtown? Would you rather commute into the city and enjoy another kind of place when you’re off?

Go online. Apartment complexes have websites that explain everything a potential renter needs to know, from floor plans and amenities to what there is to do in the neighborhood. Also, look at the comments of the residents for insight.

Get out there and visit places that match your needs and wants. Do you like the area? How are the grounds maintained? Get a feel for the place.

Knowing what you want before you search is key to locating your perfect new home.

Offering apartments for rent across the country, Milestone Management communities offer the best in apartment living. For more information, contact your Milestone representative today!

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net