Quick & Easy Apartment Meal Ideas for Busy Schedules/College Students As a college student or someone with a busy schedule, your time is precious. Staying organized and on top of everything you need to do such as assignments, class, work, extracurriculars, and more is almost a full-time job in itself. The last thing you want to worry about is “What am I going to eat today”. At Hunziker, we understand what it’s like to be so “on-the-go” that finding time to throw something together for lunch or dinner can be frustrating. That’s why we’ve put together some of our favorite quick apartment meals to make your life easier for any apartment-style kitchen space . A Simple Sack Lunch Remember the field trip days in elementary school where everyone brought a sack lunch from home or the school made some up specifically for the occasion? Sack lunches are quick, easy, AND help you hit all the important food groups. The only thing you need to “make” is a sandwich to whatever your preference is (ie; ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, etc)! Then, just throw in a fruit, veggie, and perhaps a sweet treat or snack to make your day a little brighter. Sack lunches are super convenient, especially because they don’t require heating. So, you can throw it in your backpack to take to campus or in your work bag for a well-rounded meal to keep you satiated until supper. Sheet Pan Meals You’ve probably seen these recipes before, but hey, they’re helpful! Sheet pan meals are designed to be easy, with minimal steps required. Head to the store and grab your favorite vegetables (fresh is best) and a protein. Then, cut everything up, mix in some olive oil and your favorite seasonings, spread it out on a sheet pan, and put it in the oven to roast. Time and temperature will vary depending on your choice of ingredients. Add a little more versatility to your sheet pan recipes by looking some up online for different flavor palates such as; “Mediterranean”, “Spanish”, “Greek”, “Indian”, and more. Best part? They make GREAT leftovers, so you can make one pan and get four tasty meals out of it! Stir-Fry Similar to the sheet pan meals, you can whip up a mean stir fry in no time at all! All you need is a large frying pan, oil of choice, veggies of choice (save on prep time and get pre-chopped ones), seasoning, protein of choice, and rice or noodles. All you have to do is throw everything into your frying pan and let it cook. Of course, if you’re cooking with raw meat you’ll want to make sure you cook that first. Similar to a sheet pan recipe, stir fry is a great way to make sure you are eating healthy, but also helping you save money. Crock-Pot/Slow Cooker Meals Set it and forget it. That’s the beauty of cooking in a slow cooker or crock-pot! There are plenty of recipes online for different meals you can make in a slow cooker. As you may have seen on Instagram Reels or TikTok, these “dump” meals can range anywhere from pastas and soups, to stews and even enchiladas. If you’re an early riser and won’t be home until midday, you can set up your slow cooker earlier and have it ready to eat when you get home. Or, if you leave at midday and come back at night- there’s nothing better than having a warm meal waiting for you at the end of the day. Helpful Meal Tips To Make Cooking Easier These were just a few ideas of what to make throughout your busy week, whether it’s school or work. The great thing about all of these ideas is that they can be customized to whatever you like. We also have a few more tips to keep you inspired and hopefully get those mental gears moving to make cooking a part of your routine. Meal prep- cooking in bulk can save you money and time. Keep essentials stocked- spend less time running to and from the store. Invest in simple cooking gadgets- from crock-pots to air fryers, making cooking a breeze. Save food waste on frozen food- make sure you’re checking the type of frozen food you’re buying to ensure it’s nutritious.  Find Your Perfect Kitchen for Apartment-Style Cooking With Hunziker For more tips and tricks on apartment living, check out our blog ! We are a locally-owned property management company, with decades of experience working with college students and those with busy schedules. Do these cooking tips make you feel inspired? Find the apartment kitchen of your dreams with Hunziker !

7 Room Divider Tips to Optimize Your Apartment Space Whether you have a studio apartment or a three-bedroom condo rental, every square foot counts! A simple way to make the most out of your available space is by using strategies to create both physical and visual separation to improve storage and privacy. There are several apartment-friendly solutions to divide space among rooms and create private spaces without compromising flow and your personalized feel . The following decor advice can help guide you toward optimizing your apartment space.

Transform Your Space: Create A Peaceful Apartment In 2024, we recognize the importance of reducing stress, balancing work and life, and simply trying to worry less. To ease these wants, your place should be calm and filled with easy thoughts. The suggestions below can help bring peaceful energy to your apartment and transform it into a place of rejuvenation. Let's explore practical steps you can take to infuse calmness and serenity into your living space. Clean Up Do not underestimate the value of a deep clean inside your apartment. Obvious build-ups, such as a pile of laundry and dishes, can be overwhelming, but messiness in the nooks and crannies of your apartment can cause unpleasant feelings. A clean space to clear your mind can help promote positivity, and the action of cleaning can provide a sense of accomplishment and productivity. Also, while cleaning up, reflect on your items; your space may have items that do not bring you joy. Removing items associated with painful times, such as photos, trinkets, or clothing, can help clean up your space and mind. The KonMari Philosophy , which has grown in popularity over the years, focuses on the question, “Does this item spark joy?”. It is designed to inspire and help you find what you need in your space. Circulate Air After focusing on a deep cleaning of your home, notice if the airflow is optimized. Check if any large furniture is blocking ventilation and/or windows. Letting air circulate and adding greenery can benefit your health by getting rid of moisture, contaminants, odors, and more while helping clear the brain. Incorporating an air purifier and allowing air to flow can help eliminate unwanted elements and reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels. Add Color And Textures The minimalist, neutral colors trend is in and can help with the simplicity of a clean home, but adding certain colors and soft materials can help inspire your space too. Color psychology recognizes colors can bring different energies into your apartment.  Bright, warm tones (red, oranges, yellows) carry energy and happiness. Muted, softened tones (blues, greens, purples) carry calming and soothing energy. Going back to the KonMari Philosophy, if an art piece brings joy to you, hang it up and allow it to radiate its energy. Besides just art pieces, adding color can be easy through curtains, blankets, and other non-traditional art pieces. Including textures through these items can create the peaceful environment you’re striving for. Refreshing your home with soft blankets and pillows or rugs can help take away the rough hard edges throughout your space. Correctly Utilize Your Space It’s important to create separation between life, work, and school within your apartment. Allowing certain spaces to focus on the quiet and busy moments in your life can help prioritize your mental health. Consider a room’s role, such as the bedroom for relaxation and the kitchen for cooking and school work. By designating certain areas in your home for specific activities, you can move around with ease and avoid being distracted while working or studying. On top of recognizing your room’s role, organize the space correctly. Make sure to scale your rooms correctly and avoid overcrowding or having furniture and accessories that are too small. Prioritize which items you use daily over those used rarely . Consider Music And Aromatherapy The final suggestion to create a peaceful environment in your apartment is to turn on music and light a candle. Adding music is simple but easily forgotten. Music can increase dopamine, reduce anxiety, help focus, and bring a smile to your face. Also, having a pleasant aroma through candles or oil diffusers can bring you to your happy place through a familiar nice scent. Find Your Perfect Rental In The Ames And Ankeny Area! Here at Hunziker Property Management, we offer over 1,000 units around Ames and Ankeny . No matter what type of rental you’re looking for to create your next peaceful place, we’ve got you covered. We provide peace of mind to all our tenants by promptly responding to maintenance requests and noise disturbances. We recognize the importance of having a safe apartment. Call or email today to get connected with a member of our team!

Strategic Ways To Bring Greenery To Your Apartment As temperatures drop in Iowa and the days are looking grey, adding some greenery into your living space might be just what you need. Many studies have demonstrated that having plants in our homes can create a less stressful environment, boosting mood, productivity, and creativity. Plants contribute to this by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen. While the traditional method of placing plants in pots on windowsills and shelves is always an option, here are some unique and stylish ways to bring greenery into your apartment! Hooks ​​Hanging plants are a fantastic way to save space, and surprisingly, there are several apartment-friendly solutions that don't require drilling or damaging your rental space. The following materials can be safely hung on surfaces allowing you to hang pots or plants from them. Magnetic plant hooks and holders Adhesive hooks Suction cup hooks Tension rods Over-the-door hooks

After a few months of moving into your new rental property, you might find your kitchen cannot stay organized. It can be a common challenge to maintain once-tidy cabinets and counters in an apartment-sized kitchen, but fear not; it is possible to maximize your space to keep your kitchen clean and organized. These tips can guide you toward a clutter-free kitchen space throughout the rest of your lease! Step 1: Clean And Declutter The first step to setting up an organized kitchen is to clean out your cupboards and cabinets. Lay out all your food, utensils, appliances, etc., to note what you have. This is a great time to realize if you have too much of one item, expired food, or missing lids to Tupperware containers. Once your cupboards and cabinets are empty, it's the perfect time to clean your storage areas and refrigerator. Wipe down any spills or messy areas to create a clean space for putting away items and to enhance visibility for organizing your food and other kitchen items effectively. Step 2: Create A Plan After your kitchen is clean and you have identified the items you have and want to keep, it’s time to create a plan. Answer these common kitchen organization questions to help decide where you want your items to be. Which items do you use daily, and which are less frequently used? Can you place frequently used items in easily accessible areas? Are seasonal items easily accessible when needed but not taking up prime space? Can you store seasonal items in less accessible areas? How can you maximize vertical space and use organizers to increase storage? What storage space is available in your cabinets, drawers, and pantry? Can you create zones for different activities, like a cooking zone, a baking zone, etc.? Are items grouped into categories for easier identification and access? How does your kitchen workflow move from preparation to cooking to cleaning? Can you place items logically based on this workflow? Where are cleaning supplies stored, and are they easily reachable? Can you create a dedicated space for cleaning materials? Where are the outlets, and how does that influence the placement of appliances? Where is the trash and recycling located, and is it convenient for disposal? After answering the questions, you should have a better understanding of where certain items belong in your kitchen based on their frequency of use. For example, did you figure out if you prefer your kitchen silverware to be stored next to a dining area instead of next to the dishwasher? Step 3: Arrange And Store Now you may have a general idea of where you want to store your items, but there’s still room for optimizing your kitchen storage. Consider the following kitchen storage ideas to maximize your kitchen space! Store items and baskets above kitchen cupboards. Use a magnetic strip to store knives. Purchase pull-out drawers to place inside of deep cabinets. Use the back of doors for storage. Such as, over the door and other organizers that aren't permanently affixed to cabinetry. Consider adding a cart on wheels, a stand-alone kitchen island, or thrift small shelf racks if space allows. Place lazy Susans into corner cabinets or large cabinets. Maximize cabinet, cupboard, and countertop space with shelf risers. Keep your eye out for common space-saving kitchen items. Collapsible strainers and dish racks Dual-sided measuring spoons Mixing bowls that stack inside each other Pots with interchangeable lids Organize utensils, cutlery, and junk drawer items with drawer dividers. Capitalize on counter space with stove-top covers to provide more countertop space, but can easily be removed when needed. Separate baking sheets, cutting boards, trays, etc. with small tension rod dividers in cabinets. Remember to prioritize and store the items you use most often in the easy-to-reach areas for an efficient cooking and cleaning experience. Find Your Dream Kitchen Apartment With Hunziker! Hunziker Property Management hopes this kitchen organization advice will help you optimize your space. With over 20 years of experience managing apartments in the Ames and Ankeny area, Hunziker Property Management recognizes the importance of maintaining a clean and stress-free kitchen. Count on Hunziker to find the best-fit apartment, condo, or duplex to rent! Call or email today to get connected with a member of our team!

If you find yourself wanting to increase or switch up the lighting in your apartment but want to steer clear of causing any damage to your unit, we've got some ideas for you. These suggestions can help brighten up your space or create a warm and inviting environment all within your lease agreements.

Your apartment is your canvas for self-expression, but decorating a rented unit can be a creative challenge due to certain limitations. Luckily, there are plenty of renter-friendly options to add character to your space.

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Ankeny offers a thriving array of activities and businesses! If you are a first-time resident, check out our complete guide to help you get acquainted with your new community.

Looking for ways to personalize your new apartment but don't want to break the bank? Check out our blog for 9 easy DIY projects that are perfect for your living space!