Cobblestone Crossings

  Having live houseplants in your home or apartment can do wonders to add life to the space. Not only do plants look aesthetically pleasing, they also provide their caretakers with physical and mental health benefits. Here are several of the benefits science says indoor plants may provide: Indoor plants may help reduce stress levels. A study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that plants in your home or office can make you feel more comfortable, soothed, and natural. They found that indoor gardening tasks lowered the stress in participants, while computer tasks caused a spike in heart rate and blood pressure. Researchers concluded that working with plants could reduce both physiological and psychological stress. Working with plants can be therapeutic. For people experiencing the symptoms of mental illness, indoor gardening can be helpful. Researchers have used horticultural therapy to increase feelings of well-being among people with depression, anxiety...

  Apartment living can be difficult for anyone, especially if it’s a considerably smaller space than you’re used to living in. While some may embrace a more minimalist lifestyle, those of us unable to make a huge lifestyle change are left wondering how to keep our apartments as clean and decluttered as possible. Fortunately, with some extra tips, tricks, and investing in both functional and stylish furniture and tools, you can make your small apartment into the home of your dreams. Here are some tips on how to organize an apartment for small space living:  Functional Storage. Finding storage solutions that double as everyday items and furniture in your apartment is one of the key ways you can keep your apartment clutter-free without sacrificing style or aesthetics. For example, buy a couch with storage underneath the seats to keep blankets or extra pillows, or bench ottomans in your entryway with storage inside for scarves, mittens, hats, or shoes. You can also get bed frames ...

Since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 42 percent of Americans are currently working from home full-time according to research by Stanford University . The United States is slowly evolving into a work-from-home economy making remote work an increasingly permanent part of our labor landscape.    If you’re a former in-office employee adjusting to your new work-from-home environment, you might have noticed your home office space is severely lacking. Luckily, there are some simple ways to create a functional workspace in your apartment home.    Setup Your Desk Area The perfect desk for your home office is one that is clean and organized. Keep your work area free from clutter by filing papers and notes in file cabinets, drawers, or a desk organizer. Use a cable management organizer or a simple twist tie to tame the tangles of cables.  To optimize your productivity and workflow, consider investing in a second monitor. If desk space is an issue, expand your w...

They say your home is where your story begins and it doesn’t matter if your home is a castle or an apartment , it’s your safe haven and provides security, control, belonging, identity, and privacy, among other things. Now more than ever people are spending more and more time in their homes due to the worldwide health crisis Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic so decorating your space to reflect your personality and tailor it to your own taste is important. Before you go reaching for the hammer to hang up new artwork or shelving, consider these tips for damage-free decorating from The Spruce .  Decorate and Fill Spaces With Plants Just adding a living plant or two will make any room feel more finished and home-y. Put a low-maintenance plant such as a succulent, cactus or philodendron on a side table or nightstand and you'll give the impression you have your act together (Even if you're still working on it!). After all, you have to be responsible enough to keep it alive! And when you...

There is no denying that spring cleaning has taken on new meaning in 2020. Surfaces you normally clean now need a deep cleaning and disinfecting. The Coronavirus pandemic has taught us many new ways to adapt to our “new norm” when it comes to our everyday life and how we clean, luckily the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has made recommendations to keep you and your family safe at home when it comes to education, prevention, and cleaning rituals, read below for the most accurate up-tp-date tips.  Household members should educate themselves about COVID-19 symptoms and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in homes. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, keyboards, handles, desks, toilets, sinks) In the bedroom/bathroom dedicated for an ill person: consider reducing cleaning frequency to as-needed (e.g., soiled items and su...

“Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.” ~ Anonymous In many respects apartment living is the best situation for many, you are not tied down to a mortgage, you are able to choose the ideal location with compromising, there isn’t a hassle with parking, and you are secure. Whether you plan to permanently live in an apartment or are just taking up residency short-term creating a space you are proud of is important.  Luckily your living space doesn’t have to be a mansion for it to feel spacious, if you have a smaller living area there are simple ways to visually increase the size of your room by strategically placing furniture or using your decor to your advantage. Here are some ideas to get you started.  Light colors  Light colors reflect light and thus make any space feel larger. If your walls are light-colored add decor that enhances the light and airy feeling such as area rugs, art, furniture, and like-toned pieces of art on the wall. The great thing about d...