Month: November 2021

7 Storage Furniture Ideas to Keep Clutter Hidden

Posted on by Lindsay Smith

Need more space for storage? Consider hiding it in plain sight with these storage furniture ideas for your home:

7 Storage Furniture Ideas

1) Dresser turned TV stand. If you’re looking for additional storage for your living room, consider adding a repurposed dresser to double as your TV stand. This is great to house all of your entertainment necessities like games or other electronics.

2) Storage bench. Have an empty spot in your entryway, by some windows, or along a wall? Try adding a bench that doubles as storage. You can make it a window bench by adding a cushion on top and a few throw pillows, and voila! These storage benches are also great by your front door to have some place to sit down while you take off your shoes, like this one from Crate and Barrel.

3) Under-the-stairs storage. Make use of that extra space under your stairs with built-in drawers or a nook underneath the stairs.

4) Storage sofa. There are two different ways you can go about your sofa storage. You could snag a sofa with a chaise that lifts up to house all of your blankets and pillows. Or, you could also opt for a pull-out sofa if you’re limited on guest room space.

5) End table with drawers. End tables that also pack in some storage are perfect if you need a little extra space to hide your living room necessities like phone chargers, magazines, books, and small toys or other items.

6) Storage coffee table. There are also many options for coffee table storage as well. If you need something a little more comfortable and cozy, try a storage ottoman. If that’s not quite your vibe, you could also opt for a vintage trunk as your coffee table or a modern coffee table with pop-up storage like this one.

7) Floating shelves. If you’re out of floorspace in your kitchen, living, or bedroom, floating shelves are a lifesaver. Proudly display your most prized possessions and decor on these. You could also add some smaller baskets or decorative boxes to these shelves as well if you have some smaller items you don’t want displayed.

If you’ve decided after these storage tips that you’re still in need of a little additional space, you came to the right place. Our team of experienced brokers are eager to help you find the perfect home with all the storage space you can think of. Contact your Luxury Living Chicago broker today to get started.

Searching for more storage ideas for your condo? Follow the link below!

Condo Storage Ideas

Have a Place for Everything With Unique Storage Cabinets

Posted on by LLCR Staff

When your space is tight or feels like the mess is overflowing, it is easy for a home to feel more chaotic than peaceful. One great way to keep your space more organized is to get things off the floor and onto shelving or into storage. Consider reorganizing your condo with these unique storage cabinet ideas.

7 Unique Storage Cabinet Ideas

  1. Cabinet organizers– Kitchens can collect a lot of clutter. Finding organizers to place inside your existing cabinets provides a simple solution to maximizing your space. You can find multi-tier pull-out drawers, simple stackable shelves, or creative cabinet dividers to add to this area.
  2. Over-the-door storage– When room is tight, this type of storage option comes in handy. You can find multi-tier basket organizers to hang over your bathroom door, cabinet door organizers, or organizers for all those extra shoes.
  3. Storage furniture– Finding a multi-purpose piece of furniture offers a strategic way to save space. Look for a nice ottoman that works for sitting and storing. When finding a console table, be sure to look for one with shelves or drawers for more room to store.
  4. Mounted mirrors– Every home needs a mirror, so why not ensure you have one with extra storage. You can use mounted mirrors that double as a jewelry armoire. There are even full-length mirrors with discrete shelving.
  5. Vacuum seal storage bag– This is an excellent storage route for those seasonal items. Once winter is over, you can throw all of your Christmas sweaters in one of these compression bags. With the help of a vacuum seal storage bag, you will be shocked by how much space you can save. Once they are sealed and extra air has been sucked out, you can hide them under a bag or in a storage closet. 
  6. Floating shelves– Not only is this a great option to spruce up your walls, but floating shelves offer more space to hold your decor, books, and more without taking up valuable floor space. You can find an array of options for any room and any aesthetic.
  7. Decorative wall hooks– Another way to make the most of your floor space and add a fun touch to your walls involves finding nice wall hooks. You can install a beautiful coat rack near your entrance to hang jackets, purses, hats, and more. 

As you work to maximize the square footage in your home, be sure to try out some of these unique storage cabinet ideas. If you are looking for a Chicago condo with ample space, be sure to connect with Luxury Living Chicago. Our team of experienced brokers would love to match you with a place that aligns with your needs and wishlist.

Searching for more storage ideas for your condo? Follow the link below!

Condo Storage Ideas

New West Loop Condos at 1400 W Monroe

Posted on by LLCR Staff

You do not want to miss the new West Loop condos at 1400 W Monroe. This gorgeous new construction features 42 luxury residences located in the heart of West Loop, right across from Skinner Park. Why not make one yours?

New West Loop Condos at 1400 W Monroe

Living in 1400 W Monroe opens the door to ultimate elevated urban living. As one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods, West Loop offers the ideal location to call home. Residents of 1400 W Monroe will find themselves near some of the city’s best dining, chic cocktail bars, upscale boutiques, imaginative art galleries, and city parks.

The vibrant neighborhood is home to plenty of young professionals and families. In fact, millennials make up over half of all West Loop residents. There’s nothing like this community’s energy, especially on a summer day. You will find animal enthusiasts and their furry friends playing at the dog park, families strolling along side streets, and friends dining somewhere at along infamous ‘Restaurant Row’ on Randolph Street.

While 1400 W Monroe places its condo owners in the heart of all this action, its high-class amenities and features make it tempting not to leave the building. Prospective residents can select a two or three-bedroom new-construction home with sleek interiors designed by MoJo Stumer.

Throughout each unit, you can find Lutron Caseta smart home technology, abundant storage, high ceilings and hardwood flooring throughout living spaces, custom-designed kitchens, loft-style windows that allow for natural light, and spacious suites. Kitchens include 8′ or 9′ kitchen islands, quartz countertops, a choice of custom color palettes, and a wine fridge. Bathroom features include floating vanities, Kohler soaking tubs, separate lavatory space, and a large walk-in rain shower.

Residents can also enjoy significant convenience with the building’s amenities including  secured building access, package reception system, dry cleaning drop-off and pick-up services, dog-washing station, and cold storage for grocery delivery. Those on the second floor also will find stunning outdoor terraces.

From the outdoor terraces and generous private balconies, residents can soak up stunning views of the Chicago skyline and Skinner Park in West Loop.

If you are someone who could see 1400 W Monroe as a potential home, connect with one of our team members today. Luxury Living Chicago Realty’s licensed and experienced brokers would love to give you a closer look at this property or any other new West Loop condos you have your eyes set on!

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Condo Storage Ideas — Keep Your Condo Organized

Posted on by Lindsay Smith

Looking to keep your condo organized and clutter free? Whether you just moved or are looking to revamp your space, our tips will help. Keep reading to uncover a few condo storage ideas for your own home.

Storage Furniture for Your Condo

Furniture that doubles as storage is a big plus, especially when you’re living in a more compact condo in the city. If you’re in need of some savvy storage solutions for your condo, consider adding some of these storage pieces to your home:

  • An ottoman with storage is the perfect 2-in-1 coffee table swap for stashing your extra blankets and other most-use living room items.
  • Another piece of storage furniture that does wonders for your living room is having a TV console that doubles as extra storage for any of your electronics, movies, and other miscellaneous items.
  • If your bedroom is feeling a bit crammed, consider swapping your nightstands with ones that have a little more storage space. A triple drawer nightstand like this stunning one from Williams Sonoma does the trick and also looks incredible, too.
  • Floating or built-in shelves are another great idea for extra storage space. They help to visually break up an empty wall and also gives you a little extra space for displaying accessories, plants, books, and smaller items
  • If you’re okay parting with your current sofa or are on the hunt for a new one, consider looking into a sofa with extra storage. West Elm has a fantastic build-your-own sofa with options to add a chaise with storage.

Unique Cabinet Storage Ideas

Another way to efficiently increase the storage space within your condo is by taking advantage of all the cabinet space you can. Ways you can do this include:

  • Swapping out your current pantry or cabinet with a pull-out pantry. This ensures you can make the most out of your space without having to stack your grocery items and lose them when they make their way to the back.
  • Another cabinet storage hack is to be sure your cabinets go way up your ceiling. This gives the illusion of height and makes your kitchen space feel a little larger too. Even if they’re unreachable, these are great for holiday storage and other appliances you don’t frequently use.
  • Cutting board slots are great to organize and store your baking sheets, cutting boards, and muffin tins.
  • To relieve a little countertop space, consider moving your knife block into a cabinet drawer with cutlery/utensil dividers or other smart storage solution.

Decluttering Tips and Tricks

The idea of decluttering may seem overwhelming at first, but it can do wonders for your mental state and home. To make the process a little more manageable, there are a few tips our team recommends to help with your decluttering process:

  • Do a little each day or week. Breaking things up into smaller chunks makes it a little more stress free and manageable, especially if you have a lot to declutter. Also, take your time with this process. You’ll do a more efficient job if you work slowly.
  • Create a “maybe” box. There are always a few things that you can’t decide what to do with, so put them in a “maybe” box. Then, after going through the rest of your space, go back and revisit some of those maybe items. If you still can’t make up your mind, stash them away for a few months and if you haven’t thought about them or have needed to use them, it’s time to get rid of them.
  • Another decluttering process you could utilize when digging through your space is the infamous KonMari method by Marie Kondo. As you go through this process, ask yourself if any of the items you’re debating on “sparks joy”. If the answer is no, Marie Kondo says to thank the item for its use before donating or trashing it.
  • After you’ve cleared out most of your space, then it’s time to get things in order.  Add some storage solutions to keep your space clutter free, like drawer organizers, a vertical wine rack, and extra shelving.

Kitchen Organization & Storage Ideas

All the appliances, coffee mugs, and pantry items in your kitchen can quickly become overwhelming when you’re living in a smaller condo. Here are a few storage ideas to help you stay organized in your kitchen:

  • Expandable shelves are great for pantry organization. Having these help to make the most use out of the vertical space within your cabinets without having to stack everything and eventually lose them.
  • Glass food containers and bins are a fantastic kitchen storage idea that doubles as an organization hack. These are great so you can always have an up-to-date inventory of what’s in your pantry/fridge without having to keep throwing out your expired goods.
  • Lazy susans are another great kitchen organization hack. Here, you can house all of your spices, oils, and sauces within your pantry or fridge.
  • Plastic bag organizers are another huge organization hack for your kitchen. 
  • Modular drawer organizers are great for keeping your cooking and eating utensils in order so you’re not digging around every time.

Closet Organization for Your Condo

Another space in your condo that could always use some organization upkeep is typically your closet space. Even decluttering some of your clothes may not be enough for keeping your closet organized. Here’s a few things to help with your closet storage for your condo:

  • If possible, installing built-in shelves and drawers does wonders to your closet space. Shelves for shoes, drawers for pants, and stacked hanging space for your dress shirts really help to make use out of all the vertical space within your closet.
  • If that’s not in the cards, consider adding a dresser below your hanging items. 
  • Lots of the closet wall space tends to sit empty, but make use out of those empty walls and add hooks to house things like purses, hats, ties, or belts.
  • Once you’ve found a happy space within your closet, consider adding a trash/donation bin for future items so that your closet can keep clutter free. A great rule of thumb to use is the 1 in 1 out rule, or for every new piece of clothing you add to your wardrobe, one piece gets donated or discarded.

Car Storage Tips

While it’s technically not a part of your condo, car storage is another heavily used space that could always use some storage and organization hacks to keep it clutter-free. When looking to pare down and organize your automobile, here are a few storage tips you can use:

  • This one is especially great for kids, but adding a shoe organizer to the back of the front passenger seat is a fantastic storage hack. Here, you can house toys, snacks, cleaning wipes, and many other small things.
  • If you’re always making grocery trips and have plastic bags galore, consider stuffing an empty tissue box with your plastic bags.
  • A car trash can does absolute wonders at keeping your car super clean and hiding all of those snack wrappers and empty water bottles.
  • A pop-up trunk shelf is great for extra organized storage space. Having this added shelf is ideal so you don’t have to lay groceries on top of one another and almost crush the eggs.

Living in a condo has many perks, but sometimes endless amounts of storage isn’t one of them. Thankfully, there are plenty of ideas you can use to help mitigate that, from storage furniture to utensil dividers, and everything in between.

If you’re looking for a new condo with a little extra space, you came to the right place. The Luxury Living Chicago Realty team is here to help you find the perfect condo with ample storage space so you can live clutter free. Connect with us today to get started or follow the link below!

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New East Bucktown, Chicago Condos for Sale at Triangle Square Condos

Posted on by LLCR Staff

The trendy Bucktown neighborhood makes a phenomenal place to call home. Quieter than living in the heart of downtown, but still complete with plenty of conveniences and activities. It’s hard to say no to this neighborhood.

New East Bucktown, Chicago Condos for Sale at Triangle Square Condos

If you’re considering Bucktown Chicago condos for sale, look no further than Triangle Square Condos, developed by the renowned Belgravia Group.

This brand new collection of 72 exceptionally designed homes in East Bucktown is now on the market and ready for new residents to move in this holiday season. You don’t want to miss out on all that these condos and this neighborhood offer residents.

You can find this gorgeous condo building at the intersection of Webster and Elston Avenue, at 1701 West Webster Avenue. The condos offer an ideal location, overlooking the North Branch of the Chicago River. Residents are right in between Bucktown and Lincoln Park.

Triangle Square sits on four acres and will soon be home to condos, apartments and retail shopping. The shops at Triangle Square will include approximately 35,000 square feet of future retail space along Elston Avenue. Talk about ultimate convenience.

These condos provide many options for residents, with multiple floorplans to choose from that include two- to three-bedroom units with options for dens or office space.

Residents can expect upscale, modern living. The building is uniquely constructed with industrial elements, modern finishes, and premium amenities.

Every home features wide-open living areas, abundant natural light, contemporary kitchen cabinetry, integrated appliances, and expansive islands with quartz countertops. There is also the option for private balconies or terraces.

The building provides access to a gorgeous rooftop terrace with incredible city views, a state-of-the-art fitness center, bike storage, dog wash station, secure package room, individual storage lockers and more.

Imagine being the very first person to live in one of these luxury condos?

Well, we can help you turn this dream into a reality. If you’re interested in Triangle Square Condos or searching for other Bucktown condos for sale, contact Luxury Living Chicago Realty. We have a team of eager and experienced real estate brokers ready to help you in your hunt for the perfect home!

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Are Condos Cheaper Than Apartments? Explore the Cost Differences

Posted on by LLCR Staff

Are condos cheaper than apartments? Let’s dive into the cost differences between these two living options to see.

Are Condos Cheaper than Apartments?

Costs of Living in an Apartment

Many people opt into apartment living if they’re not in a place to make a significant commitment to a home. It’s an excellent option for those who may move in the near future or desire more time to save up.

Leasing an apartment certainly comes with less up-front costs than purchasing a home. Once you find the apartment of your choice and receive approval, all you usually have to pay is the first month’s rent along with a security deposit.

From there, tenants only have to pay the agreed-upon monthly rental cost, utilities, and sometimes renter’s insurance depending on the lease.

The owner of the property covers all the maintenance and major insurance costs. This financial setup takes the burden off the renter, which is another reason some people appreciate the ease of apartment living.

Costs of Living in a Condo

Purchasing a condo will likely cost you more up-front, but this option can also make a wise investment and reap a greater reward.

A home buyer can expect to put down a sizable downpayment when they close on the property.  They also may be responsible for additional expenses, such as closing costs.

If the buyer takes out a loan, they must also pay the monthly mortgage, depending on the property price and the determined interest rate.

On top of these initial costs, condos require insurance costs and monthly or annual homeowner association (HOA) dues. While HOA membership may increase owners’ out-of-pocket expenses, the HOA helps maintain the community and improve the value of the properties.

Weighing the Costs Over the Long-Run

Despite the higher costs that come at the beginning of a condo purchase, owning a condo is a wise choice that can bring about a return on investment.

While monthly rental costs are subject to increase over time, a fixed mortgage rate will ensure that your mortgage stays the same over time, regardless of fluctuation in the housing market.

Additionally, the monthly mortgage costs halt once you pay off your condo. Regardless of how long you live in an apartment, those monthly rental costs are perpetual.

Appreciation and tax benefits can also incentivize folks to make a condo purchase. As a home appreciates, it accrues faster than a stock might because you get the appreciation on the entire home’s value, not just the gain on your down payment cash invested. Also, homeowners can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes when they file tax returns each year.

While the answer to “are condos cheaper than apartments?” isn’t black-and-white, you can rest assured that purchasing a condo can be a smart and strategic investment, especially if you have an experienced broker guiding you through the process.

Are you ready for condo living? Reach out to Luxury Living Chicago Realty to get started on your condo search today.

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