Depending on the apartment complex you live in, you may have access to a small amount of green space that you can cultivate into a garden. Many of the larger, multi-building apartment complexes are starting to set aside a small amount of green space for every resident thanks to the extraordinary demand for a tiny plot of land to do some gardening. If your complex doesn’t have the extra space, there are a few options you can look to to grow your own food.

If your apartment complex doesn’t allow a space for outdoor gardening, you might still be able to use window boxes. Of course, you will want to check with your apartment complex first, but you can grow a surprising amount of herbs and even small vegetables in a window box. Check with your local greenhouse to see about the right soil to use and the plants that have the best success rate in a window box environment.

If the idea of window boxes is nixed, you can think about using a regular old potted plant to grow herbs and even some veggies. Of course, if you choose something big, you’ll need a big ceramic pot, so make sure you have the space to spare before you start. Post a watering and care schedule someplace where you’ll see it every day.

Finally, if all else fails, many large cities have gardening spaces you can rent in other parts of the city that are perfect for individuals to grow a few veggies on their own. Call a local greenhouse to find out more.

 If you have a small apartment, don’t worry. There are several ways to maximize on your space and to use decorating to make your space seem much larger than it is. Use these tips to create a spacious apartment out of a matchbox.

The first key is to lighten it up. Ditch those nasty overhead fluorescent lights, the make the place seem smaller and make it look like an office. Buy a few lamps and other light sources. Track lighting in the kitchen can be attractive and functional as well as giving the impression of more space.

Get rid of the dark furniture. Sure, oak furniture looks great, but the dark woods and dark fabrics make a place seem much smaller than it really is. Getting lighter colored furniture, from pine and maple wood to light fabric coverings will make the place look brighter and bigger.

Mirrors add even more perception of space. Don’t go overboard, we’re not making a carnival fun house; strategically place a few mirrors of varying sizes around the apartment to increase the impression of space in your home.

Position your furniture to allow unobstructed views into rooms. Rather than putting your couch immediately in front of the entry way, move it across the room. Open up the seating areas in your apartment. This will give an even greater impression of space.

Light colored decorations on the walls and counters can add more vibrancy and a greater feeling of space to the area. Lighter colors impart a much greater sense of brightness, which makes the room feel bigger than it actually is.

If you share your apartment with roommates, decorating can be problematic. Rarely will your roommates share your tastes enough to allow a single decorating theme through the entire apartment. In cases like this, you and your roommate should choose a neutral theme for the communal rooms in the apartment, but you can go nuts in your bedroom. This is your sanctuary in an apartment shared with roommates; a living space that is completely yours to do with as you will. You can decorate it in any way you want and not have to worry about arguing with your roommate about how it looks.

Drapes/Window Treatments- One of the best ways to add your personal touch to your bedroom is by changing the window treatments. Most apartments come with bland white blinds that express no particular style. Take them down, but make sure you save them; you’ll have to put them back when you move out. Choose a window treatment that reflects your tastes, from lacey translucent curtains to heavy brocade, you’ll find an endless variety of ways to change your windows. Custom curtain rods can lend your room an air of refinement or natural beauty, as well.

Art- Posters are fine, but framed art is better. This doesn’t mean you have to have pictures of country cottages on the walls, unless that’s your thing. You’ll find any kind of art that you can think of to reflect any tastes or personality. Getting these prints matted and framed adds a tremendous amount to the works and they look great on the wall.

Sculpture- This doesn’t have to be classical statues. You’ll find a wide variety of metal, wood and stone sculpture that can be placed in corners or along the wall to provide even more beauty.

Do you like French Country style?  Classical?  Black and white themes?  Haven’t found your particular style yet? Not to worry, there are plenty of resources out there to help you decide what style is for you, what color schemes work best for you or teach you how to design with your own tastes in mind.  Decorating your apartment has never been easier.

French Country- This is a rustic, old-world look, filled with aged natural elements.  Rusted iron, heavy beams and intricate embroidery fill out the French Country style. It evokes the old country, hand crafted and painted woods and a countryside filled with grapes and laughter.

Western Style- Wood and stone, leather and metal are the elements used in Western style.  This doesn’t mean cowboy boots and ten gallon hats.  Rather, natural wood and rough shaped stone mixed with deep leather chairs and metal accents round out this perennial American favorite.

Tuscan Style- Crumbling stone mixed with old world color, wrought iron and hardwood furniture are the hallmarks of this style.  It’s simple, elegant and refined, evoking thoughts of sunny fields in Italy, ancient ruins and comfortable country living.

Traditional Style- This is what many people remember growing up with.  Symmetrical elements and finely carved woods.  This can be somewhat bland to some people, but to many, it is a refreshing orderly haven in the midst of a chaotic world.

There are many more styles to tempt your eye and heart out there.  Whatever you choose, make sure it is a reflection of your personality and desire.

Nothing brightens up an apartment or other living space quite the way live plants do. From beautiful trailing vines to vivid exotic flowers, plants have a way of making any space feel more like home. Any space, no matter how small can become an incredible garden. There are several ways to create an indoor garden in your apartment; following these tips will fill your apartment with the vast beauty of nature.
Balcony/Patio- Most apartments have a balcony or patio; this is one of the best places to start your container garden. It will provide your plants with natural light and fresh air and can be the place where you place the plants to help them get started or a secluded garden spot for peace and quiet. Ivy planted in containers will wrap enticingly around the railings and grow over the side, creating a natural green waterfall of life.
Entryway- If you’re apartment has an entry way like a foyer, this can be a great place to put some planters of different sizes. Greet yourself and your visitors with the beauty of flowers.
Countertops- You’d be surprised at the amount of unused space on most countertops. This can be an excellent spot to put green growing things. They’ll attract the eye and fill the air with their fragrance, adding soft contours to your counters.
Side tables- Side tables are often used to display knickknacks and other memorabilia, why not fill them with plants and flowers instead? This can be a great way to bring the beauty of nature to every area of your apartment.

As daunting as decorating your entire apartment can be, it doesn’t have to be that bad. If you decorate room by room, you’ll find that it’s not as bad as it may seem. Doing it room by room allows you to take your time and decorate as your schedule and budget allow.

Decide on the overall style that you want to use. It can be anything in the world, from and established popular style like Western or French Country, to something that is uniquely you. Maybe you have a hobby or interest that would do well as a decorating theme? You’d be surprised at how good all the memorabilia you have collected over the years will look on the walls of your place.

Once you’ve decided on your style, it’s time to pick a room. Start small; it will help you avoid cost and spending a lot of time, giving you a feeling of accomplishment in a short time. Choose a bathroom or foyer to begin with. Decorate that room or area in your desired theme and use it as inspiration for the rest of the project.

The next time you have the money and the time, tackle another room. Once again, choose a smaller space; larger spaces will quickly get out of hand in cost and time spent. If you’re crunched for either, smaller rooms are still the best place to start. Continue this way until you have done all the small rooms in your apartment and then move on in room size. You’ll find that once you’ve done a few rooms, you learn valuable tips to make the process easier and less time consuming, until larger rooms are not such a major drain on time.

Let’s face it: no one wants to live in an apartment devoid of style, washed out colors and drab appearance. Decorating you apartment is the best way to make your living space reflect your personality, add depth and color to your apartment and bring your home alive with vibrant colors and unique art.Decorating an apartment can be expensive, especially if your tastes run to fine art and sculpture, but there are, thankfully, several ways to help avoid this expense and still allow you to decorate your apartment in a beautiful way that appeals to you.

Garage sales are great places to find things to decorate your apartment. You’ll find vases, paintings, framed art, knickknacks and more, all at bargain prices. You can find a tremendous number of things to decorate your apartment here, from oriental rugs to antique tennis racquets.

Moving sales are as good as garage sales, sometimes better. The items in these sales have to go and their owners will often let them go cheap. You may find anything under the sun at these sales, from furniture to floor coverings.

Consignment shops and thrift stores are another excellent way to find inexpensive ways to decorate your home. Often, consignment shops will have authentic period furniture and artwork, so you can have that retro look without the modern retro price.

There are as many ways to decorate your apartment as there are people with different artistic tastes in the world. Whether you choose a classical motif, a retro throw back or something uniquely yours, you’ll find many wonderful ways to decorate your space.