Getting your apartment ready for winter is a fun and festive activity you and your roommates can do together. The winter brings colder weather and bare trees, but it also brings winter-time comforts we have all enjoyed, from having friends over, spending time with family, and snuggling up with a warm blanket and a Christmas movie. This winter season, Liberty Properties challenges you to dive into the festive spirit. Here are our 6 must-haves for your apartment this winter!
1. Blankets, Blankets, and More Blankets!
Some of the best memories made in winter are snuggling up on the couch with a warm blanket, comfy clothes, and a happy movie. Depending on how low the temperatures get at night, your apartment can get cold. Sometimes, turning your AC to heat can be pricy, especially the colder it gets outside. A great way to stay warm without blowing too much money on power bills is to invest in warm, durable blankets that will last you years.
Depending on your cold tolerance, the material of your blanket of choice may vary. To get the most heat from your blankets, look for thicker materials like wool, cotton fleece, or cashmere. A large wool blanket will keep you warm in your apartment and ensure you enjoy that cooler weather.
A fun activity to do with family or roommates is to make your own blanket. Simply go to the nearest craft store, purchase 2 pieces of fabric however large you want your blanket to be, take scissors and cut 3-inch strands all around the rim of each fabric. Then, tie the fabrics together by matching strands with strands on each piece.
2. Portable Space Heater
If blankets aren’t enough to keep you warm in the winter, consider a portable space heater. Before you make a purchase, be sure to check with your apartment complex lease and make sure space heaters are allowed. If your apartment allows a space heater, you should be aware of the safety precautions:
- Inspect the heater before usage to ensure there is no damage.
- Before you plug in the heater, make sure it is at least 3 feet away from anything that could catch on fire.
- When you plug in your space heater, never use an extension cord. Be sure to plug the heater directly into an outlet.
- While your heater is running, never leave the heater unattended.
3. Mini Christmas Tree
Debatably the most iconic decoration for wintertime is the Christmas tree. Apartment living makes it hard to have a full-size Christmas tree, but don’t let that stop you. Smaller-sized, mini Christmas trees are an excellent option for your apartment. There are both real and fake mini Christmas trees available each year perfect for winter decor.
For a fun activity, have fun decorating a tree with your roommates. Because the tree is smaller, it will be more cost-efficient to decorate. You might be able to get away with one strand of Christmas lights, white or multi-colored depending on your preference. Ornaments can be bought or handmade and the same goes for the tree topper. Many people top their trees with a star but you could also top yours with an angle or a bow.
4. DIY Wreath
A wreath is a great way to make your apartment more welcoming and festive. To make a DIY wreath, first, get a real or fake plain wreath. Once you have the wreath, you will need real or fake flowers. Some of the best winter flowers and foliage include poinsettia, mistletoe, holly, and snowy pinecones. This blend makes for a beautiful red, white, and green wreath. To add a final touch, make or buy a bow of any winter color scheme to complete your wreath.
5. Hot Cocoa Bar
Who doesn’t like a nice, warm cup of hot cocoa in the winter? A fun, must-have for your apartment this winter is a hot cocoa bar. Whether it’s on your apartment bar, a side table, or a coffee table, this is the perfect addition to your home. Here is a list of what you need:
- An electric kettle
- Christmas mugs
- Marshmallows
- A Variety of Hot Cocoa flavors
- A variety of teas for those who can’t have hot cocoa
Let your creative juices flow. Decorate, arrange, and present your hot cocoa bar the way you want it. Next step, enjoy!
6. Stockings for Each of Your Roommates
Apartment living is the perfect opportunity to get to know other people by having roommates. A fun roommate activity for you all to try this year is making custom stockings for each roommate. Stockings can be made or bought, and even customized. Stockings can have names and symbols, or be in the favorite color of the person they are meant for.
Since apartments don’t typically have fireplaces, you can hang your stockings under a window seel, above the TV, under the kitchen bar, or anywhere on the wall.
How Liberty Properties Can Help!
At Liberty Properties, we want you to get the most out of your apartment experience. We want you to be as excited about apartment living as you are in this winter season! We have rentals perfect for college living in close proximity to campus. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a tour with one of our rental properties.