<h2>Columbus Area Must-Sees</h2>
<p><a href="https://columbuszoo.org/home"><b>Columbus Zoo &amp; Aquarium:</b></a> The zoo is a beloved attraction with plenty of seasonal events to enjoy. Explore the animal exhibits, watch live shows and take a ride on the carousel. The nearby waterpark, Zoombezi Bay, is open during the summer months.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.columbusmuseum.org/"><b>Columbus Museum of Art:</b></a> There’s a wide variety of paintings, sculptures and other media on display at our city’s art museum. Along with permanent displays, temporary exhibits come and go throughout the year. You can also take art classes there.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fpconservatory.org/"><b>Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens:</b></a> There’s a lot more to the conservatory than the beautiful blooms that cover the grounds. You can take gardening, culinary or crafting classes or attend a special event.</p>
<h2>Metro Parks in Columbus</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.metroparks.net/">Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks</a> is home to more than 230 miles of multi-use trails and 28,400 acres of land. There’s something for everyone at these beautiful parks, no matter the time of year.</p>
<p>Here are some outdoor activities you can enjoy at various Columbus metro parks:</p>
<ul>
<li>Horseback riding</li>
<li>Backpacking</li>
<li>Biking</li>
<li>Cross country skiing</li>
<li>Rock climbing and obstacle courses</li>
<li>Archery</li>
<li>Fishing</li>
<li>Disc golf</li>
<li>Day camps</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Short North and German Village</h2>
<p>These two neighborhoods are well-known Columbus favorites. The <a href="https://shortnorth.org/">Short North Arts District</a> has art galleries, performance spaces and various culinary delights. Whether you’re looking for a cultural experience or a fun night on the town, you’ll find it in the Short North.</p>
<p>Don’t let the quaint name fool you, <a href="https://germanvillage.com/">German Village</a> is bustling with activity. There are interesting shops like The Book Loft, Three Buds Flower Market and Hausfrau Haven. And you’ll find plenty of food and beverage options at the neighborhood’s restaurants, pubs and coffee shops.]</p>
<h2>Columbus Sports</h2>
<p>You can’t live in the heart of Ohio without taking in a game now and then, and there are plenty of teams to cheer on. First and foremost, Columbus is the home of the <a href="https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/">Ohio State Buckeyes</a>, and they own the fall.</p>
<p>Columbus also has several professional sports teams too. The <a href="https://www.milb.com/columbus/">Columbus Clippers</a> are a Minor League baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. You can also watch the <a href="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/">Blue Jackets</a> hockey at Nationwide Arena and <a href="https://www.columbuscrew.com/">Columbus Crew SC</a> at Lower.com Field.</p>
<h2>Family Activities</h2>
<p><b>COSI:</b> This science center has more than 300 hands-on displays, a planetarium and plenty of live shows to keep the kids entertained. You’ll find informative and fun stations about space, the ocean, agriculture and dinosaurs. There’s also a Marvel exhibition that includes all the amazing heroes and villains from your child’s favorite movies and comics.</p>
<p><a href="https://columbuschildrenstheatre.org/"><b>Columbus Children’s Theatre:</b></a> This local theatre immerses kids in the world of the dramatic arts. They’ll learn about acting, writing scripts, building sets and designing costumes. There are after-school classes and summer camps, and kids can also audition for seasonal productions.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/columbus/"><b>LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus:</b></a> Tour the Lego factory, explore Miniland, face off with foes in Kingdom Quest and build your own set at LEGOLAND. You’ll probably end up having just at much fun as your kids.</p>
<p>Ardent Communities has lots of apartments in Columbus, Ohio, near a variety of restaurants, shops and nightlife. <a href="/about-our-company/contact-us/">Connect with us</a> online to learn about our communities.</p>


New to Columbus? Check Out These Local Attractions

<p>That doesn’t mean you can’t savor the flavor and nutritional benefits of grilled meals. Indoor grills are an alternative that allow you to enjoy the smoky goodness of fresh-grilled food.</p>
<h2>Alternative Grilling Methods</h2>
<p><strong>Electric grills:</strong> This option comes in various sizes, including countertop units that are portable and convenient. They don’t use open flames, so they’re less likely to produce smoke. Some electrical grills come with elevated planes, so you can create grills marks. Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the cooking surface if you want to get that classic smoky flavor.</p>
<p><strong>Stove-top grill pans:</strong> A stove-top grill is a good option if you’re short on space. These pans come with elevated groves to mimic a grill surface and allow excess fat to drain away easily, or you can baste the meat with the drippings. The direct heat from the stove is also good for searing. As with electric grills, you can use liquid smoke while you cook to add flavor.</p>
<p><strong>Broiling pans:</strong> Cooking in a broiler uses the same heating method as grilling, so you can char and caramelize your dishes. Broiling is more time-consuming than grilling and can produce lots of smoke, so it’s best to stick to lean cuts of meat and thicker marinades. Keep your oven door slightly open to allow proper airflow, and preheat your broiler pan if you want to sear meat and vegetables.</p>
<p><strong>Roasting with wood chips:</strong> Adding soaked wood chips is an easy way to cheat a smoky flavor. Soak wood chips in water for two to three hours and drain. Place them in a foil pouch on a lower rack in your oven and heat for 10 to 20 minutes before adding your food to a separate rack.</p>
<p><strong>Off-site grilling:</strong> If you just can’t pass on the authentic, smoky cooking of a real grill, you may consider finding a place that offers public outdoor grills. Consult your property management team about community grilling areas, or try places like parks, campgrounds and public pools. You may need to schedule a time to grill at those locations.</p>
<h2>Tips for Apartment Grilling</h2>
<p>It’s important to know community grilling guidelines before you make a purchase. Those regulations may dictate how you grill in your apartment or use amenities like outdoor grills and kitchens.</p>
<p>Here are some grilling rules-of-thumb:</p>
<ul>
<li>Keep your grilling surface clean to avoid smoke and flare-ups.</li>
<li>Ensure your indoor grill is away from hanging objects and countertop items.</li>
<li>Keep <a href="/about-our-company/blog/4-tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-baby/">children</a> and <a href="/about-our-company/blog/the-dog-and-cat-owners-guide-to-renting-an-apartment/">pets</a> away from your grill, and never leave it unattended.</li>
<li>Have oven mitts and a fire extinguisher handy.</li>
<li>Open windows or exterior doors to ventilate smoke, especially if you’re broiling.</li>
<li>Practice proper etiquette in shared grilling spaces. Don’t hog grills and scrape them clean after use.</li>
</ul>
<p>Ardent Communities has several locations with outdoor kitchens and grilling areas for residents. <a href="/about-our-company/contact-us/">Connect with us</a> online to learn more about our apartments in Columbus, Ohio.</p>


Your Guide to Grilling in an Apartment

<h2>Earth-Inspired Color Palettes</h2>
<p>One of the biggest <a href="/about-our-company/blog/apartment-decorating-ideas-on-a-budget/">decorating</a> trends for 2022 is comfort. Rich browns, sandy neutrals and tranquil blues provide a calming, cocoon-like atmosphere that will make you feel safe and relaxed in your space. Chocolate and caramel brown shades are a deeper alternative to neutral tans, while terracotta creates a more energizing pop of color.</p>
<p>Greenery is also in, and not just for plants. Including green paint or wallpaper brings another layer to a nature-inspired aesthetic. And if you can’t settle for one shade, color-blocking allows you to display a variety of colors in your home.</p>
<h2>Natural Elements and Décor</h2>
<p>Organically shaped décor will boost a natural color scheme. Curves and asymmetrical designs invoke the imperfections of the outdoors and the human body, contributing to a comfortable aesthetic.</p>
<p>Displaying vases of different sizes is an easy way to emulate curves and natural colors. Rounded designs and abstract forms will add character when they’re lined up on a tabletop, bookcase or shelf.</p>
<p>Indoor plants never go out of style and bring the freshness of the outdoors into your space. Bright leaves and trailing vines give your space energy and purify the air.</p>
<h2>Organic Materials and Textures</h2>
<p>Leather upholstered couches, chairs and ottomans support the trend of rich browns and offset cooler metallic tones. It also shows wear over time, which contributes to its personality.</p>
<p>Rougher materials like jute and abaca are good options for rugs and resist wear and tear while maintaining a simplistic appeal. Stone dishware, clay pots and vases, and marble touches also contribute to the raw décor trends that are becoming more popular in interior design.</p>
<p>You may also consider hanging dried flowers, herbs and grains for more visual and textural variety. Including dry, fresh and faux plants in communal spaces like your living room and kitchen will establish a modern pastoral theme and boost coziness.</p>
<h2>Curved Furniture</h2>
<p>Boxy couches are out. Rounded furniture creates a luxuriously soft touch to your living room and bedroom. Curves invoke a sense of calm, comfort and ease, which is especially important if you’re trying to turn your apartment into a personal haven.</p>
<p>Tufted couches and ottomans and curved headboards lend themselves to natural colors or pops of color if you wish to add more variety to your aesthetic. Natural patterns mixed with softer silhouettes provide a natural but simplistic variety of color or texture.</p>
<p>Ardent Communities has apartments and townhouses that come in different layouts, so you can customize your space to your preference. <a href="/about-our-company/contact-us/">Connect with us</a> online to learn about our locations.</p>


Refresh Your Apartment with These 2022 Décor Trends

<h2>Establish Your Own Space</h2>
<p>Converting your apartment into a giant nursery can leave you feeling like you don’t have room for yourself. Defining your personal space will give you room to call your own, especially if you’re raising a baby in an apartment.</p>
<p>Cribs come in various sizes, so you can find one that suits your space requirements. If you’re sharing the bedroom with your baby, put up a folding screen in front of the crib for privacy and noise cancellation. You may need to move your baby to a spare bedroom or office once he or she outgrows your shared bedroom.</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Creative Storage Options</h2>
<p>Tucking away clothes, toys, diapers and baby products will prevent your space from getting cluttered, especially in family apartment living situations. Use the furniture and storage space you have to organize your baby’s belongings.</p>
<p>Here are some ideas:</p>
<h3>Convert a Dresser into a Changing Table</h3>
<p>Place a pad on top and keep diapers and wipes stowed in the drawers.</p>
<h3>Reorganize Your Room</h3>
<p>Hang clothes to save drawer space. Mount clothing organizers on removable wall hooks or place them over your bedroom door.</p>
<h3>Limit Toys and Stuffed Animals</h3>
<p>You can organize those items by mounting a basket or hanging a corner hammock to get them off the floor.</p>
<h3>Utilize Storage Items</h3>
<p>Place extra supplies in boxes or baskets and store them under the crib, below your bed or in a closet. Stow baby stuff in ottomans, coffee table drawers and TV consoles. Install shelves to elevate <a href="/about-our-company/blog/apartment-decorating-ideas-on-a-budget/">décor and other items</a>.</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Use Foldable Baby Furniture</h2>
<p>Stowable items can make a difference in <a href="/about-our-company/blog/how-to-declutter-your-apartment/">reducing clutter</a> and maximizing your space when you&#8217;re raising a baby in an apartment.</p>
<p>Collapsible highchairs and baby bathtubs can be tucked away under furniture after use. There are also foldable baby rockers, sleepers and bouncers. Are you thinking about buying a baby swing? Try a model that attaches to a doorframe and allows your child to move safely.</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Purge as Your Baby Grows</h2>
<p>Your child will outgrow clothes and toys and you could find yourself buried in baby items before you know it. You may consider selling, donating or giving away clothes, accessories and stuffed animals your child no longer uses to free up space. Consider renting a storage unit if there are certain possessions you want to keep.</p>
<p>Family apartment living means you’ll have to take a hard look at your belongings as well. Do you have a drawer full of old T-shirts you haven’t worn in ages? What about the knickknacks that have been collecting dust around your home? It may be time to clear them away, too.<strong> </strong></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>How To Baby-Proof Your Apartment</h2>
<p>Once your baby is on the move, keeping them out of trouble will be a full-time job.</p>
<p>Here are some baby-proofing tips:</p>
<ul>
<li>Cover electrical outlets with plastic gaskets and keep cords out of reach.</li>
<li>Move cleaning chemicals, medications, laundry detergent and other hazardous substances out of your child’s reach.</li>
<li>Install baby safety locks on low cabinets and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom.</li>
<li>Add child-proof padding to sharp corners on tables and other furniture.</li>
<li>Place child-proof covers on doorknobs and locks.</li>
<li>Put up baby gates in front of patio and balcony doorways.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Family Friendly Apartments in Columbus, Ohio</h2>
<p>Ardent Communities is committed to providing comfortable apartments and convenient amenities for those raising a baby in an apartment. Call <a href="tel://614-253-7368/">614-253-7368</a> or <a href="/about-our-company/contact-us/">connect with us</a> online to learn about our <a href="/apartments/">apartment communities in central Ohio</a>.</p>


A light color palleted nursery room for apartment living with a baby

4 Tips for Apartment Living with a Baby

<h2>Advantages of Decluttering</h2>
<p><strong>Stress relief:</strong> If life gets overwhelming, organizing your home can create a sense of control over your environment. A decluttered space gives you physical and mental room to breathe and assess your needs.</p>
<p><strong>Easier housekeeping:</strong> The less stuff you have, the less time you’ll have to spend cleaning and rearranging it. An orderly space may only need light maintenance, whereas a disorganized home requires heavy-duty cleaning</p>
<p><strong>Pride in your home:</strong> Decluttering shows you value your living space and gives you room to enjoy it. You’ll also have the ability to <strong><a href="/about-our-company/blog/apartment-decorating-ideas-on-a-budget/">decorate</a></strong> and make your home into your haven.</p>
<h2>Make an Apartment Declutter Plan</h2>
<p>Finding a place to start is often the hardest part of getting organized.</p>
<p>Here are some tips for decluttering to consider:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Set a timeline.</strong> For example, you may dedicate a Saturday to decluttering your bedroom and have the unnecessary items donated or disposed of by Sunday.</li>
<li><strong>Start small.</strong> Work on one section of your home at a time. You may start with clearing off all flat surfaces so you have space to organize other items.</li>
<li><strong>Create a sorting system.</strong> The three-box method is helpful; one box for items you want to keep, one for donations and one for items to throw away or recycle. You could also add a fourth box for keepsakes you wish to put in storage.</li>
<li><strong>Ask a friend for help.</strong> An extra pair of hands will make the work go faster. Your friend can also give you perspective on eliminating unnecessary items.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Decluttering Your Space by Room</h2>
<p><strong>Entryway:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Organize desks or consoles with containers or decorative bowls for personal items like your keys and wallet.</li>
<li>Relocate any items that don’t need to be in the entryway.</li>
<li>Hang coats in the closet, on wall pegs or on a coat rack.</li>
<li>Line shoes up neatly or put them away in your bedroom closet.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Living room:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Collect any dishes, dispose of trash and put away items that belong in other rooms.</li>
<li>Take advantage of storage spaces like coffee tables, ottomans and shelves to store decorations and books.</li>
<li>Fold blankets and stack or hang them.</li>
<li>Hang items on the wall or install floating shelves to move table décor up and away.</li>
<li>Stow remotes, controllers and extra cables in table drawers or entertainment consoles.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Kitchen:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Divide your kitchen into sections and tackle them one by one.</li>
<li>Wash and put away dishes and clear countertops.</li>
<li>Go through pots, pans and utensils and throw away old, dirty or damaged items.</li>
<li>Use upper and lower cabinets to stow appliances you don’t use every day, like blenders, mixers and waffle makers.</li>
<li>Check out your refrigerator and pantry and throw out expired food and beverages.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bathroom:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Clear off the countertops and put clutter away in a cabinet or linen closet.</li>
<li>Dispose of outdated medication and beauty products in your medicine cabinet.</li>
<li>Store loose items in vanity drawers in containers.</li>
<li>Move the items you use daily to the top drawers and store other products further down.</li>
<li>Remove old or unused cleaning products from below the bathroom sink.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bedroom:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Throw discarded clothes in a hamper or laundry basket.</li>
<li>Make the bed and fold blankets.</li>
<li>Remove unnecessary items from your nightstands and store them in the drawers.</li>
<li>Go through each dresser or bureau drawer and get rid of clothing you haven’t worn in the last few months.</li>
<li>If you have a vanity or dressing table, organize your items in containers and toss out old products.</li>
<li>Hang clothes neatly and line shoes up in your closet. You can also stack shoes on a rack if you don’t have closet space.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Spacious Apartments in Columbus, OH with Storage Spaces</h2>
<p>Ardent Communities apartments are available in various suite styles that provide ample living and storage spaces. <strong><a href="https://ardentdata.wpenginepowered.com/about-our-company/contact-us/">Connect with us</a></strong> online to learn more or view our <strong><a href="/apartments/">Columbus, OH apartments</a></strong>.</p>


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New to Columbus? Check Out These Local Attractions

Your Guide to Grilling in an Apartment

Refresh Your Apartment with These 2022 Décor Trends

4 Tips for Apartment Living with a Baby

How to Declutter Your Apartment

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