We could all use a little more space. When you don’t have any extra square footage to work with in your home, it’s important to use the space you have to the fullest. Timbercreek Communities has 5 ideas for small living spaces that will make you feel like you’re living large(r)!

Choose Simple Furniture

Furniture with simple lines makes a small apartment feel cozier. These sofas are great options for small spaces.

Add Hidden Storage

One of the most effective ways to maximize your space is to add hidden storage. Your Timbercreek apartment is your place for your everything and it is important to make sure everything in it has it’s own place. Even large spaces can feel cramped and cluttered when they are not well organized. Get creative and declutter your space this weekend.

“Invisible” Pieces

It’s not magic, it’s lucite. Lucite is a clear, acrylic material that is strong and transparent. Lucite furniture creates the illusion of more space in a tight space because it feels like it’s barely there at all. A lucite coffee table and/or lucite chairs can make your small space feel more open. Light will pass right through the pieces and make the whole room feel less cramped.

Plants Add Depth

Liven up a small space by adding some life to it. The right plants can add depth to tiny spaces. Peace Lilies, Spider Plants and Aloe Vera thrive in high or low light conditions and even clean the air.

Add Mirrors

Well placed mirrors are one of the easiest ways to make a small space feel larger. They trick the mind and make small spaces feel less cramped. Try adding them to areas like your hallway or your bedroom, you’ll be amazed by the new dimension they add.

Timbercreek Communities hope that this post helps to put you in the proper headspace to make the most of your space.

For more information on Timbercreek Rental Communities, please see our website.

When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade – make natural products to use around your Timbercreek Apartment! These natural lemon creations can replace store bought items that contain harmful chemicals and additives. Best of all, these natural products work just as well as their commercial alternatives.

Fridge Deodorizer

Using chemical-laden products close to your food feels like a bad idea. Thankfully, all you need for a natural fridge deodorizer is some lemon juice and cotton balls! Remove and discard all spoiled food from your fridge, transfer smelly foods (like cheese, onions and fish) to airtight containers, and then soak a few cotton balls in lemon juice and leave them in your fridge for 4 to 6 hours. That’s it! Repeat this process every few weeks, or whenever you detect unpleasant odours.

All Purpose Cleaner/Natural Bleach Alternative

Clean your Timbercreek apartment and leave a pleasant lemony scent in the air with this simple Three Ingredient All Purpose Cleaner. The ingredients for this non-toxic, natural cleaner are lemon juice, water and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution which is available from any drugstore. Hydrogen peroxide (3%) is the only germicidal agent that contains only water and oxygen. It kills microorganisms through oxidation. The lemon juice breaks down grease and grime. This homemade solution can even be used as a natural bleach alternative.

Homemade Mouthwash

It's easy to make your own homemade mouthwash. All you need is lemon juice, water and cinnamon. This mixture will freshen your breath and clean your mouth without chemicals like benzoic acid, sodium benzoate and poloxamer 407 (sounds pretty harmful).

Natural Insect Repellant

Lemons can be used as a natural insect repellent to deter uninvited guests that may have found their way into your home. Apply some fresh squeezed lemon juice along floors, windowsills, or anywhere an ant has appeared. You can also place dried lemon peels in your closets to deter moths and leave a fresh scent.

We hope this helps you find new uses for your leftover lemons and helps you replace harmful chemicals in your home.

For more information on Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

Choosing the right sofa for your apartment can be tricky. A home theatre-style sectional is a little impractical, and that second-hand chesterfield isn’t going to fit in with your decor. In the hopes of helping you choose the perfect piece for your apartment, and maximize space, Timbercreek Communities has put together a list of the top 5 best sofas for apartment living.

1. Loveseat 

Like a bicycle built for two, a loveseat is the perfect perch for any twosome — and it doesn’t take up too much room in your rental unit! Just be sure to remember the cozy closeness of this type of sofa. This kind of togetherness can be ideal for a couple, but not optimal for roommates. Loveseats are available in many styles and sizes. If you don’t know where to start, check out these Pinterest pins about loveseats.

2. Pull-out couch 

The pull-out couch is the Swiss Army knife of sofas. It's a brilliant choice because it adapts easily to your needs. Whether you have to host unexpected company, are preparing a spare room for your parents, or are just really feeling a mid-Netflix-binge nap, the pull-out couch is the perfect pick. Check out this list of the best sleeper sofas and sofa beds from Apartment Therapy.

3. Chaise lounge

Comfy, casual and sleek, chaise lounges are a great option for your apartment, and are usually more compact than a couch. Our favourite picks? Ikea’s lineup -- check it out here.

4. Sofa bunk bed

Asking friends and family to sleep on the floor when they come to visit can lead to a lonely home away from home. Host friends and family in your small space with ease with a super practical sofa bunk bed! A single sofa converts easily into two completely separate beds -- so no one has to sleep next to uncle Larry.

5. 3-seat L-shaped sofa

L-shaped sofas are great when you live with a roommate or a partner. They allow you both to stretch out on the sofa without getting in each other's way. They also fit beautifully into the corner of a room, leaving you with a lot of open space to put to good use. If you have the space to spare, a 3-seat L-shaped sofa is a great option. Stay on budget with one of these affordable sectional sofas from Ikea.

When it comes to energy-saving initiatives, we all win. Cutting down costs while reducing your carbon footprint can be done in many simple ways in your life. In an effort to inspire positive change for you, your wallet and the planet, the team at Timbercreek Communities has some easy tips for going green. Check out our ultimate guide to making any rental more energy efficient:

The phantom menace  

If you’ve never heard of phantom power (or standby power), it is a mega-waste of megawatts. Your phone charger and your laptop charger are sucking up energy at an alarming rate (if left plugged in but not charging anything), not to mention other everyday devices and appliances around your home. According to HyrdoOne, you could save $150 a year just by cutting down on phantom power alone.

Cut the lights

Who doesn’t want a nice ambiance in their home? Brightly lit rooms can make a space feel inviting, but having several lamps on in each room of an apartment can also be really expensive and wasteful. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody's there to hear it, maybe it makes a sound, maybe it doesn’t – we’ll never really know. But we know for sure that if the lights are on in a room and no one is there to see it, that energy is getting used up for nothing. Make it a habit to flick off the lights as you leave a room, and try to keep the excess ambiance lights (lamps, twinkle lights, etc.) to a minimum.

Waste not, want not

If you’re one of those people who loves long, hot showers, consider the benefits of taking a shorter one. Cutting back just two or three minutes on your showers may help reduce your monthly bills by quite a bit. You’ll also be doing the world a favour since water conservation is a major issue at the moment.

For more tips and tricks on how to make your apartment more energy efficient, check out the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance’s page. The team at Timbercreek Communities hopes that this information will help reduce your power bills while reducing our carbon footprint!

To learn more about our rentals across Canada, please visit our website.

Whether you’ve just made the transition from school to work, or have been grinding away at the office for years, it goes without saying that young professionals today are busy multi-taskers. When it comes to making meals, keeping recipes as simple as possible is key, so is having the right foundation ingredients. To help you plan ahead, Timbercreek Communities has put together this list of 14 ingredients every young professional should have in their kitchen. Keep them on hand so that you can whip up whatever you like, without having to put too much thought into the grocery list.

Flour

Flour is the base for so much of what we eat today --  breads, muffins, cakes, fritters, beer-battered delights and more. This glutinous staple has been a standby for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and for good reason.

Salt

This one speaks for itself. Salt goes well on just about any dish, and bumps up the bland ones. Just be careful you don’t overdo it — too much sodium can be detrimental to your diet. Foodies will love the many varieties of specialty salt now available in premium grocery stores like Whole Foods — they make a great finishing touch on your dish. If you’re health conscious, try some pink Himalayan salt — it contains all the minerals your body needs to thrive.

Pepper 

Salt’s spicy counterpart, pepper, will amp up any savoury dish to its full potential. For added freshness, arm your spice arsenal with a pepper mill and a stocked supply of peppercorns. Foodies will love experimenting with different varieties of pepper like pink and red peppercorns which taste subtly different. Health conscious people should try it with turmeric, a powerful anti-inflammatory spice that becomes much more absorbable when paired with pepper.

Tomato paste 

Though it's not delicious on its own, this canned treasure plays a big role in many dishes - like tomato sauce, chili, curry, shepherd’s pie and stew. Check out these great ideas for what to do with leftover tomato paste.

Lemon 

You can’t go wrong with having a lemon handy at all times. Dressings, juices, soups and salads all incorporate this wonderful, tart fruit. Not to mention lemon water — which, according to many, is great for digestive health.

Ginger 

Ginger plays a starring and supporting role in many classic dishes. Curries, soups and sauces all incorporate this invigorating spice. Fresh ginger and hot water makes a great digestion enhancing tea. Be sure to keep this one in your kitchen, it's available at grocery stores in either fresh root or powder-form.

Sugar 

From sweets like pies, cakes and cookies, to more savoury dishes like baked ham, sugared sirloins, or eggplant parmesan, this granulated cane product comes in handy more often than you’d think.

Garlic 

An age-old flavour-booster, key ingredient in many recipes and wellness aide, garlic is essentially, a miracle food. Check out some great uses for it here.

Onion 

This layered vegetable has many uses, but is primarily used to infuse a distinct, delicious savoury flavour into anything from sandwiches and salads, to pastas and wraps.

Vinegar 

This thin, acidic liquid will come in handy more often than not. Whether you have malt vinegar, apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, white vinegar, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar or anything in between — from vinaigrettes to cleaning solutions, this ingredient is a must-have for your cupboard. Check out some of its many household uses here.

Olive oil  

A frying pan staple, this wholesome oil will come in handy in many instances. And remember, even though it's fattening, it’s good fat!

Pasta 

Cheap, quick and easy to make — a box or two of pasta should always be in your cupboard. You never know when Uncle Tony might stop by for some spaghetti.

Soy sauce 

Like vinegar, soy sauce plays a major role in many dishes, especially Asian dishes. It offers an umami-packed saltiness and can add a lot of depth of flavour to your recipes. Check out some great recipes for this food staple here.

Parmesan

Who doesn’t love cheese? Shaved parmesan is what makes a Caesar salad so delicious, and the secret ingredient that adds rich flavour to countless pasta sauces. We prefer buying good quality parmesan in block form and grating it fresh but powdered parmesan will kick up just about any savoury dish too if you’re on a budget. Be sure to keep this exquisite cheese in your fridge at all times.

We hope you use this list to stock up on food items that will come in handy over and over again.

For more information on Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

There is nothing more important than the air we breathe. Air pollution is usually something we think of as an outdoor, environmental issue that we have little power over. What about the air inside our home? Indoor air quality is really important for good health, and something you have the power to improve. You can opt for an air purifier appliance, or go for something as simple and beautiful as an air cleaning plant. Adding one of these amazing air cleaning plants to your home will help you breath easy.

Spider Plant

Spider Plants are a very easy plant to grow and keep healthy. They help you stay healthy in return by filtering air pollutants such as formaldehyde and xylene. These plants like bright, direct sunlight and don’t require much watering, making them ideal for beginners and those lacking green thumbs.

Dracaena

There are over 40 varieties of Dracaena plants, from 3 inch cuties to towering specimens, making it easy to find the type that is right for you. They are great at scrubbing the air of pollutants such as benzene. Pet owners may want to steer clear of this plant as they can be toxic to cats and dogs.

Aloe Vera

In addition to filtering pollutants such a formaldehyde from the air, Aloe Vera plants can offer various other health benefits. The succulent leaves are filled with a gel that's loaded with vitamins, enzymes and amino acids. Aloe vera gel is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and is great for healing wounds.

Peace Lily

When you give Peace Lilies a chance, they reward you with their beautiful flowers. It's easy to fall out of touch with your plants’ needs, but these guys droop a little to let you know they need water. If you take care of them, they’ll repay you by extracting carbon monoxide and formaldehyde from the air.

Boston Fern

Caring for your Boston Fern isn’t difficult, but they do require specific conditions to thrive.Keep them in a cool location, with indirect light and high humidity, and they will thrive and clean your air, while looking beautiful.

Bamboo Palm

The bold and beautiful Bamboo Palm thrives in bright light. They are great air filters for benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, partly because they can grow so large and leafy. They can stand anywhere between 4 to 12 feet tall, making them a dramatically lovely indoor addition.

Timbercreek Communities hopes that this list of the best air cleaning plants for your home helps to add a little beauty and a breath of fresh air to your life.

For more information on Timbercreek Rental Communities, please visit our website.

Being a renter rather than a homeowner certainly has its benefits — no mortgage, no lawn care, and no buyer’s remorse. However, being a tenant means you typically need to make the most of your time, space and money. That’s why the team at Timbercreek Communities has pulled together this quick list of the best laundry hampers for apartment living. These hampers stay out of the way, leaving you with more open space to enjoy.

Collapsible 

Whether your laundry journey includes a trip around the block, or a trip down the stairs, a collapsible hamper is a great option because it can easily be stored in small areas (even zipped up in your backpack), while you wait for laundry to finish. Check out these thrifty pop-up baskets from Bed Bath and Beyond – complete with a durable and ultra-convenient side pocket for detergent.

Under-the-bed 

Shoving items under the bed is usually a lazy approach to organization, but in this case, it’s genius. Under-the-bed hampers take all the unsightliness of laundry right out of the equation, and allow you to maximize your room space at the same time. Check out this cute, convenient and inexpensive storage box from Ikea.

Back-of-the-door 

There’s nothing better than a good opportunity to de-clutter your apartment. Ok, maybe weekends, beaches and chocolate take the cake, but, de-cluttering is pretty great, too! With a back-of-the-door hamper, you can free up floor space as quickly as you can hang up a coat. Check out this simple, sleek over-the-door hanging hamper from Wayfair.

Wheeled 

Lugging laundry around can be exhausting – give yourself (and your back) a break, and make laundry a breeze with a wheeled basket. These handy hampers are stylish, practical and will make laundry feel like less of a chore.

Corner

Isn’t it great when things pair together perfectly? Peas and carrots, wine and cheese — your bedroom and a corner hamper. You need one of these in your life! The Bay has a perfect option which will free up space in your bedroom and even freshen up your laundry with a special enzyme enhanced fabric lining. It’s the hamper of the future!

We hope you find the right laundry basket for you, one that makes life a little easier and maximizes the space in your rental.

For more information on Timbercreek’s Rental Communities in provinces all across Canada, please visit our website.

Did the holidays break the bank this year? There’s no need to panic! Now that life is getting back to normal, Timbercreek Communities has you covered with 5 ways to ease back into frugal living after the Holidays.

Plan and Prepare Your Meals

Waiting until you are hungry is not the healthiest or most cost effective way to eat. You will likely grab fast food you’re craving instead of preparing a healthy well-balanced meal. Preparing meals at home is healthier and less expensive than eating out often, especially when you plan ahead. This can mean anything from making a grocery or meal list and sticking to it, to cooking a week’s worth of meals and keeping them in the fridge or freezer. Here are some helpful tips to get started with meal planning.

Use the 30 Day Rule

A very effective way to curb impulse purchases is to apply the 30 Day Rule. It’s very simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Whenever you feel the impulse to splurge on anything from new shoes to a new car, don’t. At least, not yet. Write down the item you think you want and the date on your phone, piece of paper etc. After 30 days, if you still want that item and can pay cash for it, consider purchasing it.

Have Friends Over for a Potluck Rather Than Going Out for Dinner

Spending time with friends and breaking bread (or whatever you like to eat) is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures. Unfortunately, it can also be very expensive. You don’t have to become a hermit to save money. You can continue to enjoy the company of good friends and good food by hosting a potluck dinner party at your Timbercreek home.

Drink More Water

It may seem strange that something as simple as drinking more water could help you save money -- until you think about it for a minute or two. Drinking more water means you won’t need to purchase other liquids like coffee, soda or tea. Take a refillable water bottle with you when you leave your apartment to avoid buying drinks during the day. Drinking water before a meal can also help you stay fuller longer, which means you will spend less money on food.

We hope that these suggestions will help you ease back into frugal living fast.

For more information of Timbercreek Rental Communities near you, please visit our website.

There’s no denying it, Canadian winters can be harsh. They leave our bodies cold and shaky and can do a number on our state of mind and well being. For many of us, dreary winter days can lead to the winter blues. For some this may mean feeling a little down, for others it can trigger true depression. Winter can be a bummer for anyone, but don’t let it get you down. Here are a 6 ways to beat the winter blues from the team at Timbercreek Communities.

Stay Active Outdoors

Harsh winter weather may make you feel like hibernating, but it’s important to get outside and stay active. Studies have shown that 1 hour of aerobic activity outdoors is as effective as 2.5 hours of light therapy indoors. You don’t have to do jumping jacks outside in a snowstorm to reap the benefits of getting outside this season -- go for a brisk walk, run, ski, sled, do whatever you enjoy. Exercise of all kinds helps to improve mood, reduce stress and can combat feelings of depression.

Light Therapy

If it isn’t possible or convenient for you to get outside for an hour of activity during the winter, light therapy may be an effective treatment for you. This simply means sitting, even working, near a light therapy box that simulates outdoor light. It’s believed that this treatment affects your brain’s chemistry and eases symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Stay Warm

Something as simple as staying warm during the winter can have a positive effect on your mood. Being cold can make you depressed. Stay warm by keeping your home between 64F and 70F (18C to 21C), wear warm clothing and footwear, and enjoy hot drinks and food. Studies have shown that staying warm can reduce the winter blues by as much as 50%.

Eat Well

The cold weather can cause many of us to crave more carbohydrates. Too many carbs can lead to weight gain, which can reduce energy and negatively affect mood. A healthy diet full of vegetables and fruit can make you feel much better. Be sure to eat enough hot, nutrient dense foods, especially during the winter.

Maintain or Cultivate Healthy Relationships

Feelings of isolation are not good for our mental health. When we feel down, we are less likely to socialize, and when we stop socializing, we feel down. Break the cycle by seeking out and talking to friends and family, or by joining a club or team. If you are experiencing the winter blues or feelings of depression, don’t keep it to yourself. Reach out and talk to someone you trust, or talk to a mental health professional, or a doctor.

Stay Active and Engaged

A little solitude can be a healthy thing, depending on how you spend that time. Rather than sitting still and watching TV, stay active, even when you’re home alone. Take up a new hobby, make something, meditate, do some yoga, or write a song. Do anything that makes you feel engaged and active mentally and/or physically.

Timbercreek Communities hopes that these ways to beat the winter blues improve your mood this season.

Welcoming a puppy to your apartment can be a wonderful and exciting experience...until an unexpected injury or accident happens. Puppy proof your space to protect your little buddy. Find out how in today’s Petiquette 101 guide from Timbercreek Communities.

Start with your electronics

Make your apartment safe by taking note of any household items you have that feature cords -- this can include everything from your laptop to your bedroom lamp. Remove loose or hanging cords or wires that your pet might trip over or yank accidentally. Whatever wiring remains, cover with a standard cord protector to prevent your puppy from chewing them.

Keep toxic cleaners out of reach

Having a puppy in the house is similar to having a toddler. You have to hide your cleaning products! Equally life threatening for baby and pup alike, make sure that wherever you store your cleaning supplies, they are completely out of paw’s reach. Seeking an even safer storage solution? These Baby Proof Storage tips might be just what you need. Don’t stop with your cleaning products, the same rule applies to any medication in your apartment. Trust us, childproof lid or not, your puppy’s teeth will find a way to open that bottle.

Snag your houseplants before your pup does

Dogs love to sniff and chew on household plants. This may seem fine, but you may be shocked to learn that some household plants are extremely dangerous for animals to eat. If your favourite plant makes the caution list, make sure to move it well out of your little friend’s way. But let’s be real -- even if it wasn’t toxic, you’d want to keep that prized plant away from your curious puppy’s eager mouth.

Invest in chew toys

Your apartment isn’t officially puppy proof until you have at least half-a-dozen dog toys scattered about. As puppies teeth, high-quality chew toys are absolutely essential.

The team at Timbercreek Communities can’t wait to welcome your furry friend to one of our pet-friendly apartments. For more info about Timbercreek Communities apartments, located in five provinces and dozens of cities across Canada, please visit our website.