Get to Scrubbing

You can skip this step if you’re getting a new goldfish, but for furry friends that get to roam the apartment, step one is always a deep clean of the place. You want to eliminate sources of disease and infection, especially if you’re getting a puppy or kitten.

You also want to pet-proof the apartment. Any stray thing left around will be found, and it will likely be subject to the whims of your pet. Eventually, they’re going to find things you didn’t leave lying around, so you can make your life a lot easier when you begin with a clean and organized apartment. It also makes step two a lot easier.

Designate Their Space

Dogs love to have a special bed that is their own. Cats are usually fond of something they can climb. Any pet is going to appreciate a way to stay warm when it’s cold or you turn the air too low. That said, there’s no guarantee that your pet will love the first bed, post or otherwise that you get them. They can be surprisingly fickle about these things.

Instead of banking on your first buy being the one, make sure that there is a designated space for the pet. This should include sleeping arrangements too. As long as that space is reserved, you can eventually find something that they will call their home within your home, and everyone will be happy.

Secure the Premises

Your pet is coming to a new place. It will be easy for it to become confused or disoriented. If it makes its way outside, alone, it might not find its way back home. At least, in the beginning, you want to ensure that your pet can’t get out without your help. That requires you to make sure all the windows and doors are properly secured.

After a transition time, many pets will be fine with open windows, but it will be up to you to figure out when you’ve reached that point.

Of course, there’s a lot more that goes with pet ownership than taking care of your apartment. Your pet might need space to roam and run or other amenities. That’s why you should schedule a tour of The Montrose Apartments. Check out the community to see if this is where you would like to raise a pet.

The post Three Ways to Prepare an Apartment for a New Pet appeared first on The Montrose Apartments Blog.

The eyes have it, and mirrors make it happen

The human brain works far more on perception than it does on the literal translation of what the eyes see. That means it is possible to trick our eyes and senses into thinking areas in Chicago apartments are brighter and larger if some simple optical tools are put to work. Since mirrors are basically reflectors of light, they can help you bend that light to your advantage. Here are a few basic tips for using mirrors in your space.

• Place mirrors where they reflect natural light into your spaces. Windows are the primary source of this light, of course. However, properly positioning mirrors to reflect this light into different living areas will enhance the power of that light. This is especially the case if the mirror is placed on a dark wall and diffuses that light sponge.
• Expand narrow spaces with larger mirrors. Skinny hallways and small bathrooms are immediately enhanced with the proper mirror. Think tall and wide with curves and geometric shapes for these mirrors, and add to the effect with accent lights. You’ll be stunned by the added sense of spaciousness.
• Choose your reflections. Even if your primary objective is to capture and spread light, take time to evaluate what your mirror is reflecting. Use the right objects in front of the mirrors, such as a floral display, for added depth. Also, make sure the reflection is not picking up your bathroom or bedroom and sharing it into other community spaces

As a final tip, think big. Mirrors are so popular with designers as a key element that you will find them in all shapes, sizes, and frames. You might find a larger mirror works better to enlarge your space.

Come visit us today at the Montrose and visualize one of our apartments in Chicago with your strategically placed mirrors.   

The post Mirror Magic: Using Mirrors to Enhance Your Space appeared first on The Montrose Apartments Blog.

Stepping Up to Ensure Your Safety

Residents of Chicago apartments such as you find at the Montrose enjoy protections and procedures designed to provide a secure living environment. Many advances in technology help make your living space as safe as possible. While it is great to count on professional management for these steps, there is also a lot every resident can do to add to this sphere of security. Consider these five precautions as your contribution to a safe community:

1. Keep your doors and windows locked. It is estimated that more than 30% of all burglars gain access through an unlocked window or door. Taking this simple precaution will immediately increase your apartment’s safety profile.
2. Use your peephole or doorbell cam. You can now purchase automated peephole cameras that require no installation. These devices are great for 24/7 access control, and you can control them from your smartphone even when you are away from your residence.
3. Use a safety deposit box or safe. One way to minimize risk to your valuables is the use of a safety deposit box. If you prefer the convenience of at-home storage, consider one of the many affordable safes that add an important layer of security for documents and other valuable items.
4. Be careful about social media postings. The fewer strangers know about your schedule and absences, the less likely they will target your residence. This is especially important if you are on an extended trip — many professional burglars scour social media sites for postings that advertise an absent dwelling.
5. Get to know your community members. Neighbors who know you are more likely to detect and report suspicious activity or prowlers.

Unfortunately, security is an issue that everyone should make a priority. It is easy to help make our environment a bit more secure by following these simple tips.

Visit our property to learn more about the many ways we work to make your experience and lifestyle at the Montrose as secure and enjoyable as possible.

The post Security in a Shared Community: 5 Essential Tips appeared first on The Montrose Apartments Blog.

Design Trends for Your Chicago Apartment 

Eye-catching trends, fascinating furniture situations, and new twists on old faves — 2019 has a lot in store for those who love to align their interiors with what is trending. Here are three easy-to-implement trends for the new year. 

Beautifully Bold Plant Life and Greenery 

Remember those miniature palms, elephant ears and giant ferns that used to hang around your home when you were a kid? Those gorgeous green implements are making a huge comeback in 2019. Adding greenery and live plants to your apartment helps bring out this certain air of nature inside your home, which falls in line with some minimalist designs of 2018. Pick up a potted fern, add a herb garden to your window sill, or consider picking up a faux version of plant life if keeping things alive is not your thing. 

Jewel-Toned Walls and Furnishings

Perhaps one of the most unexpected twists in interior design for 2019 is the return of those bold jewel tones that exude a regal appeal. Deep ruby reds, navy blues, and even burnt orange are showing up in new furnishings, floor coverings and decorative objects. Even with white walls and muted flooring, these jewel tones pop with uber personality. 

Ceilings Boasting Highlights of Color 

If you want to give a room an entirely new personality, paint is the go-to thing to use, but you don't necessarily have to paint the walls to make a difference. Add a fresh coat of color overhead and your room becomes something else entirely. For example, you could slather a coat of charcoal grey on the ceiling over the living room and it instantly becomes more demure and elegant. 

Just a few alterations are all it takes to make your Chicago apartment appear more trendy. Reach out to us at The Montrose to find out about available apartments you can call home. 

The post Top Interior Design Trends for 2019 and How to Integrate Them Into Your Chicago Apartment appeared first on The Montrose Apartments Blog.

Feng Shui Your Bedroom 

There are three primary elements to creating a feng shui bedroom, and they're easy to pull off. Just a few minor adjustments are all it really takes. 

1. Make the Bed Approachable From Both Sides 

A bed that is crowded into a corner can make the room feel oppressed and out of balance. Situate the bed in the center of the room or in a place in the room that allows easy access to the bed from either side. It is also helpful to place bedside tables on either side of the bed and to make sure the headboard is against a solid wall without a window. 

2. Choose Bedroom Artwork Carefully 

Most people implement some kind of artwork on the walls in their bedroom. If you're trying to achieve harmonic feng shui, make sure you pick your art pieces really carefully. A good rule of thumb is to select art pieces that boast powerful imagery relative to what you want in your life, whether it is peace, love or positivity. Making the wrong artwork choices can completely change the energy in the room. For instance, artwork that feels forlorn or sorrowful can bring down the positivity in the room. 

3. Stick With Soothing Bedroom Color Choices  

In feng shui, every color has its own level of energy, which can either be positive or negative. The colors that offer the highest levels of positive energy are those that are most closely associated with the color of skin, which can range from muted whites and beiges to deep tans and brown hues. When you are painting your bedroom, picking floor coverings or selecting bedding, make sure you opt for color choices that exude those higher levels of energy. You will end up with a more soothing space. 

Even though you can go out and hire feng shui experts to help you get your bedroom in balance, you can just as easily implement a few ideas on your own. To find out more about the floor plans in our Chicago apartments, reach out to us at The Montrose. 

The post 3 Feng Shui Design Moves to Achieve Peace and Harmony in Your Bedroom appeared first on The Montrose Apartments Blog.

Put a Password on Your Network

The first thing you should always do when setting up a Wi-Fi network for your apartment involves enabling any security features that your router may have. Go into the "Settings" area of your router's software and immediately select the WPA2 security protocol.

WPA2 is the second — and more sophisticated — of two available security options for your Internet access. WPA also allows you to add a password, but WPA2 uses a more advanced algorithm that is better suited for today's modern environments. 

Change That Password Regularly

As often as possible, use a tool like "Little Snitch" (which is available for free) to view a list of all the devices on your network. Every item you see should be a device you actually own and use — if you see an entry that you don't recognize, it means that there's an unauthorized device using your Internet and you'll want to remove that device as soon as you can.

Likewise, be sure to go back into your router's settings and change your WPA2 password on a regular basis — at least once a year, if not more frequently. This will help make sure that nobody has been able to circumnavigate your security efforts and infiltrate your network without your knowledge. Remember that you're as responsible as the ISP account holder for any activity on your network, authorized or not. This is one of those situations that you absolutely don't want to take any chances with. 

Provided that you follow these basic tips, cybersecurity won't be something you have to worry about at all — you can continue to use all of your devices, free from compromise, with as few downsides as possible.

If you'd like to find out more about living in an apartment and cybersecurity, or if you're just interested in learning more about some of the incredible apartments in Chicago, Illinois that are waiting for you, please don't delay — contact The Montrose today.

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Energy efficiency provides two significant outcomes: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (and improving air quality) and cutting down energy costs for consumers. While residents may not be able to make significant structural changes to their Chicago apartments to make them more energy efficient – especially without first consulting the landlord – there are a few steps they can take to help them “go green.”

Here are three small adjustments for residents of apartments in Chicago to consider:

1. Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is an easy way to start the journey toward energy efficiency. Most residents possess at least a few light fixtures in their unit and putting in LED and CFL bulbs is a simple task.

2. Be Selective with Washing Machine and Dishwasher Settings

For those who have these appliances in their apartment, choosing cold-water settings for washing dishes or clothes can help reduce energy bills and promote energy efficiency. Most dishwashers have their energy-efficient settings marked. Another option is to air-dry laundry, which is a significant step away from energy reliance.

3. Turn Down the Thermostat Consistently

Of course it gets cold in Chicago, but residents can save as much as 10 percent on heating by setting their thermostat 7° to 10°F lower than normal at least eight hours per day – especially when out and about. The best way to accomplish this goal is by installing a programmable thermostat or automatic setback.

These tips may seem obvious, but everyone can use a reminder about ways to take action on energy efficiency. Residents of apartments in Chicago don’t have to invest substantial amounts of money to make a difference.

If you’re still looking for the perfect place to live an energy-efficient lifestyle in Chicago, check out The Montrose in Chicago’s historic Uptown neighborhood. With a range of living spaces, from studios to two-bedroom units, the apartment community offers a fresh energy – even while you work to consume your own more efficiently.

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Throw Down a Throw Rug

Although you may be a fan of all things minimalist, empty spaces within your apartment could be creating an echo effect. Sound could be traveling around the room and bouncing right back to you. Although wall hangings and drapes are helpful, focus on your flooring. An area rug, especially a plush style, will help absorb the sound in any room.

Curtains Galore

Heavy drapes are a must if you’re looking to cut down on any noise coming in from the outdoors. However, door curtains can also be a low-cost soundproofing hack. Use curtains to completely cover your entrance doors as well as any doors leading out to a deck or patio. Before you use curtains, check for any gaps in the doorways and windows that could be contributing to the noise level.

Put Up a Bookshelf

A bookcase is a perfect soundproofing hack — especially if you have a shared wall with a neighbor. Choose a large-sized bookcase and fill up each shelf with as many books as you can. As a bonus, guests to your apartment will be very impressed with your reading collection.

Rearrange the Living Space

One of the easiest fixes for too much apartment noise may be resolved by simply moving around the furniture in each room. Can’t sleep at night because of too much noise next door? Move your bed away from the shared wall. You could also place a television against any shared walls.

Wall and Ceiling Textiles

Decorate a space using noise reduction for inspiration. Canvas, foam and rubber are all textiles that will absorb and block out sound. Use tapestries, canvas wall prints, textile mats and more to decorate any open space on your walls and ceilings.

Enjoy Chicago, IL apartment living at The Montrose, located in the heart of the uptown district. With stylish and well-appointed luxury apartments, you’ll never want to leave home again. Call today for more information.

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