September 2020

pots and pans hanging on a red brick wall

Space-saving Tips to Make Your Brooklyn Home Feel More Like Home

“Home sweet home” has an entirely different meaning for modern living, as we’re all spending more time than ever in our homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re enjoying more dinner and date nights in, we’re working from home, and we’re homeschooling. 

Maximizing our living spaces and keeping them organized is of utmost importance, but it’s easier said than done – especially when you live in a big city like Brooklyn, New York, and are extremely limited on said living space. 

Fortunately, with a bit of innovation and some clever space-saving storage tips and tricks, you can optimize your home’s livable space and make it a neat, organized oasis. These tips are not only functional, but they can also make your home feel and appear larger, making it more comfortable and enjoyable. 

Do double-duty

Furniture pieces that have multiple functions are an excellent way to save space (and money!). Look for items that offer additional or hidden storage, like an ottoman or sofa that’s hollow inside and has removable cushions. You’re not limited to just what you can buy – get creative and make DIY pieces, such as a desk made from a kitchen table with storage drawer units underneath. 

Make use of vertical space

The upper parts of walls and even ceiling space often go unused in homes. Those areas are valuable real estate, though, especially in a small space. Consider ways you can decorate or make use of these areas for storage, like getting tall bookcases or over-the-toilet cabinets, and installing wall shelves where you can place beautiful storage boxes, small decor items, and plants.

…and the backs of doors, too

The backsides of closet and cabinet doors are also excellent for storage space and are typically overlooked. Use heavy-duty stick-on hooks or small baskets that are safe for walls to create a storage system for items such as belts, scarves, hats, and jewelry inside the closet. Set up a similar system inside bathroom cabinets or on the back of the door for toiletries and small personal appliances like blow dryers. 

Murphy’s law

Murphy beds and other foldable or retractable furniture used to get a bad rap, but they’ve come a very long way and now, they’re not only functional but stylish as well. Even major companies like Costco now offer a number of stylish and innovative options for modern living, like this multi-use hideaway unit that functions as both a bed and desk.

Spending so much extra time at home – especially in smaller spaces – comes with a unique set of challenges. Fortunately, The Vitagraph Apartments in Old Brooklyn have thoughtful floorplans and exceptional amenities to make it a bit more enjoyable. Our upscale, all-inclusive apartment community includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, rooftop lounge, children’s learning and play center, and more, all in convenient Midtown Brooklyn. Take a virtual tour, contact us, or call us today at (718) 377-0444 to inquire about available floorplans. 

At The Vitagraph, there’s no more settling for less. 

Exterior of The Vitagraph Apartments in Brooklyn

3 Ways Renting Could Be Better than Buying

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the global economy, even as New York City and surrounding states are making substantial gains on reducing the spread of the disease. One question that naturally arises during any time of economic uncertainty is about housing. Given what’s happening in the economy and in public health, is renting or buying the better choice right now?

There are always pros and cons to both. But in this particular moment, there are several reasons why renting could be the better choice right now. Here are three ways renting could be better than buying during a recession or a pandemic (or, you know, both).

Location Rules All

Especially in a dense urban environment like NYC, location is everything. If you want to live in Manhattan, for example, buying is simply out of reach for all but the wealthiest residents. One advantage of renting is the greater flexibility in location. Single-family and semi-attached homes in Midtown Brooklyn regularly sell at over $1 million. If you need to live here and can’t afford to buy, renting is the way to go.

Renting Is Lower in Risk

Renting is much lower in risk than buying as well. If you rent a brand-new apartment and later encounter a serious flaw, it’s on the property manager to fix the problem and foot the bill. When you buy an older home in the area, all those hidden maintenance issues come directly out of your bank account.

And what if your circumstances change? If a renter suddenly needs to move out of state or has a sudden drop in income, it’s easier to relocate quickly. When you own a home, you have to work to sell that home. And if your income drops and you aren’t able to sell your home quickly, you could even lose your home!

Predictable Costs Help You Save

When you rent, your costs are pretty predictable. Rent doesn’t fluctuate, and you’re not on the hook for home repairs or yard maintenance. In a pandemic, we all want to be as careful as we can to save. By keeping your costs predictable now, it’s easier to budget and save. Maybe buying will be right for you later on! Renting now can help you get there by allowing you to save in predictable ways.

The Vitagraph: Modern Living in Midtown Brooklyn

For these reasons and more, renting may be the better choice for many NYC residents right now. If you’ve decided that renting is better for your situation than buying, the team at The Vitagraph Apartments wants you to love where you live. The Vitagraph Apartments offer modern living that pays homage to the history of our Midwood location in Old Brooklyn. That’s why we’ve kept the iconic smokestack, a reminder of a bygone era. But we also offer our apartment community the modern touches and exceptional amenities the urban NYC resident seeks, like a comprehensive business suite, fitness center, and indoor and rooftop lounges.

 

If you’re ready to step into luxurious modern NYC apartment life, apply today.

A brown couch with decorative pillows at The Vitagraph Brooklyn

Dreaming of an Apartment Transformation? 4 Ways to do it This Weekend

As “home” continues to replace the office, school, restaurants, movie theaters, and coffee shops in light of COVID-19, you’re probably beyond ready for a change of scenery. Particularly when you live in Brooklyn where there’s constant hustle and bustle, your home really is your oasis. You should look forward to going home and love spending time there. 

If you’re feeling slightly less than enamored with your home these days, it’s time for an apartment transformation. You may think there’s not much you can do with a rented space, but there are actually several simple DIY projects that make a big impact. So go ahead – carve out some time this weekend to give your apartment a well-deserved sprucing up.

 

Create a Gallery Wall

A gallery wall with bohemian style artThis is one of the simplest apartment transformation projects you can do, and the best part is that there’s no one way to do it. Choose a uniform look with frames in the same color or style, or go eclectic and pick out vastly different frames. The only “rule” we recommend following is mapping out where individual pictures will go before hanging them. Hobby Lobby has a thorough, easy-to-follow tutorial on the whole process.

 

 

 

Give a Warm Welcome                                                     

A set of industrial nesting benches with distressed wood topsIt’s common for apartment homes to not have a formal entry, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create one. If you’re short on space, an entry bench or table is an excellent way to incorporate storage, seating, and decor all in one. Check out this Nesting Console Table by Palmer it is the perfect place to display seasonal decor that will be switched out frequently.

 

 

 

 

Update Your Furniture

TV stands, bookcases, and side tables are apartment living staples, but who said they had to be so basic? A few coats of stain or paint can completely transform a piece of furniture, not to mention the entire look of a room. If you don’t want to commit but you desperately need a pop of color, consider painting just the shelf backs or insides.

A mid-century modern dresser with black legs

Before

A white mid-century modern console table

After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Declutter Your Closets

A women folding cloths Spend a weekend going through your closet to identify items you haven’t worn in a long time and aren’t likely to anytime soon – and be honest. A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t remember when you wore something, you should probably part with it. There are tons of reputable organizations in Brooklyn that always need donations, and some will even come pick them up. Once you’ve thinned out your closet, store out-of-season items in under-the-bed storage bins to free up even more space.

 

 

 

Check out these great Instagram accounts to follow on decorating ideas or on organizing your home:

https://www.instagram.com/abowlfulloflemons/

https://www.instagram.com/thehomeedit/

https://www.instagram.com/simplyspaced

 

These DIY weekend projects are so simple and affordable, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do them sooner. Combine that with an ideal location in Old Town and luxury amenities including a rooftop lounge and fitness center, and you may never want to leave your home at The Vitagraph Brooklyn luxury apartment community again!

Take a virtual tour or contact us today to see available floorplans.