Beautifully furnishing your home may seem like an impossible task when you’re on a budget. These 4 Ikea living room hacks help you do just that by showing you how to take functional furniture from Ikea and transform it into fabulous pieces that you’ll be proud of. Timbercreek Communities offers many rental properties in London and Waterloo that cater to students (The Dorchester, The Whitehall and Broughdale Arms). We know that even though money is tight during this exciting time in your life, amazing things are possible with a little ingenuity.

White and Gold Bar Cart

Impress your guests with a beautiful DIY rolling bar cart. It re-purposes an Ikea bookshelf by adding brass handles and rolling castors. You can complete this project for around $100. That’s a small price to pay to add a touch of class to your next cocktail party.

Gilded Bar Stools

Using basic black DALFRED bar stools from Ikea and a little gold metallic rust paint and sealer, you can create your own gilded bar stools for under $100, total. These classic yet contemporary bar stools look great in the kitchen, to create a counter breakfast bar, or as companion pieces to the White and Gold Bar Cart above.

‘Marble’ Coffee Table

Transform a basic Ikea coffee table into a DIY marble masterpiece with ease! This Marble Coffee Table hack can be customized with your choice of marble contact paper and takes almost no time to produce.

Wood and Metal Industrial Shelf

With just a $15 HYLLIS shelf from Ikea, a little black matte spray paint (use in a well ventilated area) and some wood planks, you can create a wood and metal industrial shelf that you will be proud to display. Getting wood cut to fit is easy too. Many stores, like Home Depot, offer one free cut on their in-store saw for every piece of wood that you purchase.

Living on a student budget doesn’t have to mean basic and boring decor. Get crafty with these amazing Ikea hacks. For more information on Timbercreek Communities for rent, including Avenue Apartments or Metropolitan Towers which are under 1km from The University of Waterloo, please visit our website, today!

Moving into your first apartment is a thrill and it can be easy to overlook the necessary preparations. Timbercreek has a few ideas for your first apartment must haves. In addition to the basics (like food, furniture and kitchen utensils, find a full checklist here) there a few things that you need that are easy to forget about. Let’s get started.

Hallway Organization

The moment you step into your apartment you want to feel at home. If the first thing you see is piles of mail or newspapers, or you have nowhere to put your keys, then things start to feel cluttered and unwelcoming. There are many clever ways to organize the things that tend to pile up in this part of your home. An old fashioned, outdoor metal mailbox can be a stylish new best friend for your space. You can buy one for each roommate and even leave notes for them in their mailbox -- if you are on different schedules. There are usually metal hooks beneath them for keys, coats, umbrellas etc. so it’s a cute organization tool you’ll want to consider. You can find mailboxes at Home Depot (600 Fanshawe Park Rd. E. London) a 10-minute drive from Broughdale Arms Apartments (1267 Richmond Street, London).

Artwork

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to personalize your space. A few old record albums -- the covers or even the actual record in a unique but inexpensive frame is a great way to express yourself and make your first apartment feel like your home. Paramusic is a record store at 68 Dundas Street E. (just a 5 minute bike ride from Garden View Apartments at 321 Sherbourne Street, Toronto).

Emergency Kit

There are some apartment must haves that you hope you never actually use. An emergency kit is one of them. It doesn’t have to be extensive -- a simple kit will do in most situations. Make sure you have a first aid kit, a flashlight, batteries etc. Ensure that everyone who lives in the apartment knows where it is located. This video will show you how to make a DIY first aid kit from items found at any drugstore. Shoppers Drug Mart at 465 Yonge Street is a 5 minute walk from The Maitlands (36 & 42 Maitland Street, Toronto).

Cleaning Supplies

Although none of us like to think about cleaning our rooms, cleaning your first apartment can be a daunting task. If you rent with Timbercreek, our suites are cleaned before you move in but as a general rule you may want to have some supplies on move in day to clean up after the move! We recommend having 1-5 supplies on hand! Where do I buy cleaning supplies? You can find cleaning supplies at Walmart at 1280 Fanshawe Park Road West, London -- just a 12 minute drive from The Dorchester (1231 Richmond St, London).

Timbercreek Communities hopes this helps make your move into your first apartment a smooth one.

For more information on Timbercreek rental properties, including Toronto and London, please visit our website, today.

University is the place where if something can happen, it probably will. Luckily, the help you need is only steps away from your Timbercreek Communities Apartment. Today’s post from the Timbercreek Communities highlights five resources all students will want to know about as they return to campus this fall.

What is holding you back from success? Whether your grades are mysteriously slipping or you simply can’t pick your major, the Registrars Office is your resource for academic solutions. Locate this spot on campus early, as it is essential for signing up for classes, changing your degree or creating a game plan with an advisor to stay on track for graduation. At the University of Toronto, the Registrar’s Office is located at University College (15 King’s College Circle, Room 157), only a 15-minute walk from The Maitlands Apartments (36 Maitland Street).

2. Wellness Centre 

Feel better when you feel sick with the peace of mind that help is only a short walk away. Visit the student wellness centre to see a health professional. At Western University in London, Student Health Services (1151 Richmond Street) is just a five-minute walk from The Dorchester Apartments (1231 Richmond Street).

3. Gymnasium

The campus gym is your spot to stay in shape, keeping your brain sharp and your body strong so that you can power through the school year. From Metropolitan Towers (57 Union Street East), students can take advantage of the gymnasiums, squash courts, pool, studios, rock climbing walls and more at the Physical Activities Complex (200 University Avenue West) at the University of Waterloo, a 10-minute bike ride from home.

4. Academic Centre

Not every class you take will or should be your cup of tea. You may need a tutor to walk you through coursework or give your paper a second glance. At the University of Ottawa, the Student Success Centre (SASS) is home to the Aboriginal Resource Centre, the Academic Writing Help Centre, mentoring programs, counseling services and more. The SASS main office (100 Marie-Curie Private, 4th Floor, MCE) is only a 10-minute walk from Stewart Apartments (146 Stewart Street).

5. Student Life

The social aspect of university is just as important as staying healthy and maintaining your good grades. Create a new network of friends and resources and learn a new skill by joining a club. At Hamilton’s McMaster University (1280 Main Street West), a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk from Glen Terrace Apartments (44 & 50 Glen Road), you can learn all about the campus clubs online.

Timbercreek Communities wishes you an awesome start to the 2016/17 school year! For more information about Timbercreek Communities Apartments, many of which are conveniently located near universities, visit our website today. 

If you’re heading off to University this fall, Congrats! We’ve assembled a list of affordable spots to grab some lunch, plus how long it takes to get to them from McMaster campus and your Hamilton apartment.

Pita Pit

A healthier alternative to the usual fast food, Pita Pit (1056 King Street W. Hamilton) is less than a 10 minute walk from McMaster campus  (1280 Main Street West) or a 3 minute bike ride from Glen Terrace Apartments (44 & 50 Glen Road, Hamilton). They have a fresh selection of pita sandwich options, including breakfast pitas and fresh fruit smoothies.

Shehnai

If you’re looking to fill up and spice up your lunch, look no further than Shehnai Authentic Indian Cuisine (447 Main Street West). They offer a $10.99 lunch buffet everyday, and all the vegetable dishes are different everyday, so you’ll never get bored. Shehnai is a 13 minute bike ride from Mainwell Apartments (23 Spring Street South) a 13 minute walk from Le Palais & Capital Terrace (175 & 205 Hunter Street West) or a 13 minute bike ride from campus.

Taco Del Mar

Taco Del Mar (1339 Main Street West) is a takeout friendly Mexican chain restaurant that features Baja-style burritos, fish tacos and more. Full meals are available for under $10 and it’s right across the street from McMaster campus (12 minutes by bicycle from Main Place, 2000 Main Street West).

South China Chinese Food

If you’re craving Chinese food between classes, South China Chinese Food (1223 Main Street West) is less than a 10 minute walk from campus or a 7 minute bike ride from Glen Terrace Apartments.

Joya Sushi

Sometimes it just has to be sushi. Joya Sushi (1630 Main Street West) features daily lunch specials between 11:30 am and 3pm for $7.95 to $8.95. They are a 10 minute walk from campus (7 minutes by bike from Main Place Apartments).

Even when you’re short on time and money, these convenient spots are a great place to visit for lunch. We hope they make life a little bit easier this year. For more information on Timbercreek rental properties in Hamilton, please click here.

With IKEA at your doorstep and a big, beautiful London apartment just waiting to be transformed into your personal retreat, it’s time to start decorating. Timbercreek Communities features cheap and easy tricks to add character and charm to your space.

DIY Ottoman

As all IKEA hackers know, the place to start is the as-is section, where you can find great deals on gently-used furniture. With a cheap and easy decorating trip or two, these pieces can be masterfully transformed. For example, replace the legs and add your fabric of choice to turn an ordinary ottoman into the fantastic footrest your living space craves, no sewing required.

IKEA Hack Nightstand

After picking the perfect—yet completely average and affordable—nightstand from IKEA, a five-minute drive from Canterbury Towers Apartments (760 & 770 Wonderland Road South) or The Boardwalk Apartments (725, 735 & 745 Wonderland Road South), it’s time to get busy. Upgrade your buy into an elegant bedside table. For the price of spray paint and contact paper, this project can be completed in one of four different ways, depending on your style.

DIY Lantern Terrarium

The lovely thing about this DIY Lantern Terrarium is that it looks great in any room in your London Apartment, making it an extra smart purchase for your dollar. Besides the basic lantern from IKEA, you will need a handful of arts and crafts supplies. For whatever you do not have on hand, check out the nearest Michael’s (3080 Wonderland Road South), a five-minute drive from Westmount Suites (750 Wonderland Road South).

Storage and Decor in One

You will never regret decor that doubles as storage, especially when it costs so little. A cart at IKEA can look pretty basic, but with a touch of creative lettering and a few utensil containers mounted with zip-ties, it becomes a very functional yet very chic decorative piece.

Have fun decorating your apartment with today’s tricks for renters from Timbercreek Communities. For more information about London apartments, visit our website today.

‘Safety first’ is always a good mantra -- from the time you enter first grade to the first time you set foot in university. In today’s post we have given you a few easy yet effective ways to stay safe on and off campus.

Keep Your Friends Close

Staying safe is easier and more fun with a friend at your side. When walking across campus or exploring off-campus, especially at night, ask a roommate or classmate to join you. If no one is available, check if your university has a service like the WalkSafe program at Ryerson University (350 Victoria Street) in Toronto, which offers students and faculty a free uniformed escort at any time, any day of the week. Ryerson University is a 10-minute walk from Sherwood Apartments (392 Sherbourne Street).

Take a self-defense class

The University of Ottawa (75 Laurier Avenue East), located just a 10-minute walk from York Towers (135-145 York Street), offers regular self-defense classes that are free for students. The course typically runs on a Friday and Saturday, for a total of 12 hours. Participants learn basic skills and strategies for safety that can be implemented in daily routines, like walking to and from your apartment. Check your university or local fitness or community centre for similar classes.

Download an app

Put technology to use as another way to stay safe, on and off campus. Apps for your smartphone, such as bSafe, can alert selected friends and family if you fail to check-in on time after your evening dinner party or early-morning run. Other features of bSafe include the ability to share your location, set timers and program fake calls.

Plan ahead

Not all scary situations can be avoided by planning ahead; however, if there’s a chance that careful planning could prevent an unwanted circumstance, why not give it a try? Waterloo’s Wilfrid Laurier University (75 University Avenue West), less than a 20-minute walk from Avenue Apartments (137 University Avenue West), offers an easy-to-use toolkit for planning to attend or host an off-campus activity or events.

Timbercreek Communities hopes today’s tips never have to be put to use, but rather give you the peace of mind you need to focus on schoolwork and friends.

For more information about safe and secure Timbercreek Communities apartments, visit our website today.

Need a reason to start biking? Today’s post offers a quick and easy overview of why every student should ride a bike from Timbercreek Communities apartments to school.

Quick Exercise

Biking is a proven way to build muscle and strengthen your heart. You can burn hundreds of calories while biking, and potentially not even realize it. If you’re focused on the road and enjoying the great outdoors, time will quickly pass as you improve your stamina and tone your legs commuting the short distance from your Timbercreek Communities apartment to the classroom.

Reduce Personal Carbon Footprint

With somewhere in the ballpark of 18 million vehicles currently crowding Canada’s roads, all of which release their fair share of harmful greenhouse gases into our environment, choosing to ride a bike to school can be your way of taking a stand against climate change and reducing your own carbon footprint.

Save Money on Transit

Biking is affordable. If you opt for a refurbished bike from a local repair shop, a reliable set of wheels will cost you little. Compared to the cost of maintaining a car, plus that expensive student parking pass, biking can help you save valuable dollars during your time at university.

Feel Healthy

If nothing else convinces you to bike, this may do the trick -- biking can reduce stress and fatigue. As a college student, you often find yourself weighed down by countless commitments and an endless pile of assignments. Cut out the unnecessary worries with a quiet bike ride, proven to help you feel better and give you a boost of energy for your school week.

Timbercreek Communities is giving you the facts that you need to consider biking to and from class this school year. Before you hit the road, remember to research your local bicycle rules online and to invest in a sturdy lock to keep your bike safe.

For more information about Timbercreek Communities apartments, many of which are located within a short bike ride of local universities, visit our website. 

Moving into an apartment can be stressful, especially if it is your first one. Once the excitement fades, you’re left with the challenge of decorating this new place. We have some inexpensive decorating ideas, so you can personalize your Winnipeg apartment and make it feel like home.

Wall Photos

An easy and inexpensive way to decorate and personalize your apartment is with your own photos. Simply print them, or have them printed. You don’t even need to shell out for frames. With a little poster putty and a creative eye, you can arrange your photos according to your personal style. Poster Putty (or off brand alternative) is available at Walmart, 1225 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg (about 5 minute bike ride from Arden Hollows, 15 Arden Avenue, Winnipeg).

Create a Creative End Table

You can use modular storage units placed at staggered levels, side by side, to create a stepped side table for storage and display. Or you can set your drink down on it. Do what you want, it’s your table.

Light up a Jar

An easy way to create mood lighting, and spark a conversation is to put a string of Christmas lights into a large, empty jar or jug. This super inexpensive lamp will add a whimsical touch of style to any end or bedside table (see above).

Make Your Own Artwork

You don’t have to be a skilled painter to place canvases you painted yourself on your walls. You can simply cover a canvas or two completely with wall paint. Hang them for splashes of colour wherever you want them -- without having to paint a whole wall. Amazon sells pre-stretched canvases starting at under $10.

Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive. With just a little time, and even less money, you can make your Winnipeg rental apartment feel like home!

For more information on Timbercreek rental properties in Winnipeg, please visit our website.

Being a University student can be tough. Between classes, studying, and socializing there is hardly time left to eat, and money is often in short supply. Timbercreek Communities knows what you’re up against and we’re here to help! Vanier Court Apartments (27 & 40 Vanier Drive in Guelph) is only minutes away from the University of Guelph campus. To help make dining out a little easier, here’s a short list of our favourite cheap eats near campus. Enjoy!

Ray’s Chinese

Ray’s Chinese (35 Harvard Road) is just a few blocks off campus. You can walk there in only 10 minutes. They have all your favourite dishes like Beef with Broccoli, Moo Shu Pork, and Kung Pao Chicken. They also offer complete dinner specials starting at under $10.

Williams Fresh Cafe

Williams Fresh Cafe (492 Edinburgh Road South) is less than a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute bike ride from the University of Guelph campus. Whether you’re looking for a quick or classic breakfast, a wrap, panini or salad for lunch, or some good old comfort food like mac and cheese, this is the place to go. Most items are under $10 and there are even gluten-free options to choose from.

Topper’s Pizza

In the Edinburgh Place Market, (a 10 -15 minute walk or 3 minute bike ride from campus) you’ll find Topper’s Pizza. They offer lunch size personal pizzas and combos starting at under $5. They have gluten-free crust available as well as sandwiches, salads and wings.

The Burger’s Priest

Sometimes only a burger will do. The Burger’s Priest (435 Stone Road) is famous for their gourmet burgers, hot dogs and fries. They even have a deep fried portobello mushroom burger for a vegetarian option. It’s only a 5 minute bike ride from campus. You can thank us later.

As you’re hitting the books this fall, Timbercreek hopes these suggestions for affordable food near campus will give you one less thing to worry about this school year.

For more information on Timbercreek rental properties in Guelph, please visit our website.

The Canadian National Exhibition, CNE, The Ex is an end of summer tradition. From August 19th to September 5th, The EX helps us say goodbye to summer with a grin on our faces. Timbercreek Communities is here to help you make the most of the EXperience this year.

The Food

More than one million people visit the Toronto Star Food Building every year to sample cuisines from around the world. It’s truly become a Toronto institution. Foodies take note: this year Food Truck Frenzy is returning to the CNE with a wide variety of trucks to suit every taste. It will take place at the same time as Craft Beer Fest.

The Exhibits

In addition to the rides and the food, the EX is about the exhibits. Some of the great ones this year are the amazing international Sand Sculpting Competition, you won’t believe what these artists can do with sand! Trekkers, don’t miss Star Trek: 50 Artists, 50 years -- a global art exhibition featuring artists from 10 countries commemorating the 50th anniversary of the iconic series. You can also catch Augmenting Reality and experience how technology is enhancing, and maybe even altering, our reality.

The Air Show

The 67th annual Canadian International Air Show will once again take to the sky above Lake Ontario this Labour Day Weekend (September 3rd - 5th) from 12pm -3pm. It’s a heart-pounding display not to be missed, with performances by the Breitling Jet Team, The Canadian Forces Snowbirds and more. Click here for more details!

Summer in Toronto just wouldn’t feel complete without a trip to the CNE. It’s an annual pilgrimage to say farewell to summer. It’s about a 45 minute drive (or an hour and half by TTC) from your apartment at 274 - 278 Cedar Avenue, Richmond Hill and easily accessible by TTC from your Timbercreek Toronto apartment or just a 7 minute walk from Lord Dufferin Apartments (200 Dufferin Street, Toronto).

For more information on Timbercreek Communities, please visit our website, today!