6 Ways to Dress Up Your Apartment

When renting an apartment, often times you have rules and boundaries to follow but don't feel limited! There are many different ways to let your personality shine through in your space.

1) Accessorize - Add flat to any space. Express personality though trinkets, pillows, sculptures, souvenirs, and collections.

2) Art - lean art on a shelf of use command adhesive hooks to prevent putting holes in the wall

3) Dress your Windows - Bring in texture and pattern with window treatments

4) Work with What you Got! - Renting fully furnished apartments means that you can't bring in your own furniture. If you don't like a fabric, try a slip cover.

5) Embrace Area rugs - Outdated wall to wall carpet or old tiled floors can be perked up with area rugs. Area rugs also add depth and interest to various sections of your rented space.

6) Say Goodbye to White Walls - If you have white walls, ask the property owner if you can paint. Most cases, they will let you paint but will ask you to paint it back. If that is too much work, paint an accent wall.

5 Ways to Create the Perfect Gallery

1) Choose your Color Palette - Stick to one color or a few. Establishing a color scheme will give a more cohesive look. You can still experiment with different styles of art if the colors relate with each other. Another way to create a more unified gallery wall is to use the same color frame or matte your art the same. After you identify your color scheme and frame style, it's time to start planning how you want your pictures to hang. Lay out your frames on the floor and start planning.

2) RULE OF THIRDS - Choose three of your favorite pieces. One large, one medium, and one large frame. Place the small and medium photos on one side and the large photo on the other side to create balance. the Matte your photo to add more dimension and unity.

 3) ALIGNED - There are two different ways to go about this look. For pieces that are all of the same size, hang items all in a row. If your pictures are different sizes, align either the tops of all the pictures or the bases.

4) GRID-LIKE - Create a grid using your favorite photos by evenly spacing photos.

5) GET CREATIVE - Go wild! Mix and match photos and frame sizes. Display items in a whichever way that pleases you!

You can even choose one of these styles too! Have fun creating your perfect gallery. Tag your pictures with #amadesigns so I could see what style you chose!

Keeping it Real with AMA

Hello my Beautiful Friends! This post is going to be personal and something different than my usual posts. This time it will not be design related but don't you worry - I have something special planned for you on Sunday!

Has life ever knocked you down? Have you ever had one of those days when everything that could go wrong, does go wrong? I used to have those days. In fact, someone may classify the day I just had as one of "those days" but I will tell you why it wasn't!!

My perspective on life has completely changed. People ask me, "Amanda, why are you so positive? How can you not be mad? Why do you seem so unaffected...etc." The reason being is that I will not allow myself to hold onto any feeling that harms me.

I have to admit though, I am not super human. Sometimes I do get upset. Sometimes I do cry. However, I will not hold onto that energy for too long. Never let anything or anyone steal your inner peace. Release any negative thoughts in your mind and do not focus on it. Redirect your way of thinking instead. If something is stressing you out, think about 5 things that can make it better.

Holding on to negativity is absolutely toxic to your health, both mentally and physically. Have you ever been through a bad break up ? Everything you see reminds you of that person and saddens you. Your whole world feels like it got flipped upside down. Soon you stop socializing and you become so upset you can't eat or sleep anymore. You think that there is no one else that can even come close to that person. You're an emotional roller coaster.  Yet, there are billions of people in this world and you are destined to meet one person who can change your entire life! I might have experienced a minor set back in my life but I met someone who makes me so much happier and I could not be anymore thankful right now!

I believe that when life pulls you back, it will only launch you into something better! It sounds cliche but I truly feel that everything happens for a reason. You may not understand that reason right away but you have to trust that something is in store for you that is so much greater than anything you could have imagined. For me, I trust that every challenge I have faced was never too much for me to handle. Every experience in life is a chance to learn and grow.

As soon as you change your perspective of how you view and react to certain situations, you will be indestructible! Almost indestructible because I know life happens and we aren't super human although, I'd like to think so! ;)

Overlook the negative and look for the positive. It is a concept that has been instilled in me since I was growing up. Let go of everything that is holding you back and let faith be bigger than your fear. Trust that the universe has something amazing planned for you that you haven't discovered yet.

Yours truly,

Amanda M. Amato

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5 Ways to Create the BEST Dorm

It's back to school season and it's time to move into your dorm. Enhance your space this year with 5 easy tips: 1) A Few Accessories Go a Long Way! Add color and style to your space by adding artsy pillows, faux potted plants, and add a pouf ottoman for color and additional seating.

2) A Little Piece of Home. Frame pictures of your friends and family and create a gallery wall. Purchase vintage frames from a thrift store and spray paint them in bright colors to add more color to your space. Hang your frames randomly or in a grid for visual interest.

3) Boost up Your Bed! Add bed risers to allow for more storage under your bed. Check out these bed risers from Bed Bath and Beyond that have power outlets in them! Perfect for plugging in your laptop during late nights of crunching deadlines.

4) Cheer Up your Desk Space. Display inspirational quotes, your favorite pictures, and even your dream travel destination near your desk to brighten up your mood when hard at work. Purchase desk accessories such as folders, notebooks, and pencil holders in your favorite color to boost creativity.

5) Perk Up Boring Walls! If you have white walls and cannot paint, don't feel limited. You can perk up your boring walls with removable wallpaper sheets that can be found at Target or Urban Outfitters. If you are feeling crafty, you can create your own back drop using an old white sheet, a stencil, and your favorite color paint! Place the stencil on the sheet and apply paint using a roller. You can even use tape to create a custom design. Once the paint dries, hang your backdrop to create an accent wall!

After a days worth of class, your dorm should feel relaxing and inviting - After all, you deserve it!

If you LOVE this post, share it with your friends ! :) For more decorating tips, follow AMA Designs on Facebook and Instagram! (click the direct link)

4 tips for selecting paint color for your home

Does choosing a paint color scare you? Follow these 4 easy tips for selecting a paint color by Pratt Residential Design!