Gifts by Recipient

Gifts for Apartment Dwellers

Apartment dwellers put up with a lot—noisy neighbors, cramped quarters, and rogue automobiles in their parking spots. Fortunately, there's a lot we can do to make their lives better. Here are a few ideas.

Spaced Out. In most apartments, space is at a premium. To save valuable kitchen counter space, give an under-the-cabinet-mounted appliance: a can opener, a coffee maker, a microwave, a toaster, a television, a radio.

Efficiency Apartment. A closet organizing system will enable the apartment dweller to use every square inch of closet space efficiently.

Call in the Professionals. Pay for the services of a professional decorator or space planner to arrange and enhance the quarters of the apartment dweller.

Breakfast for Two. A breakfast set with a drop-leaf table and two chairs would fit cozily in a small kitchen.

Paint by Numbers. A fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into the dreariest apartment. Give a certificate for the paint and painting supplies (brushes, rollers, drop cloths), and set a date to help paint.

Room with a View. For those in tight quarters, an occasional change of scenery can do wonders. Give a gift certificate for a night at a bed-and-breakfast.

Starter Kit. For the young adult setting up housekeeping for the first time, fill a dish drainer or waste basket with such basic housekeeping items as light bulbs, sponges, mops, brooms, paper towels, dish washing liquid, laundry detergent, and household cleaners.

Kitchen Addition. Give a microwave cart or utility cart for added counter and storage space in the kitchen.

Working out the Wrinkles. A foldaway ironing board that mounts on a door (or in an attractive cabinet that mounts on the wall) would be both convenient and space efficient.

Shed Some New Light. Floor lamps are compact and can fit in places too tight for a table and lamp.

Beddie Bye. To the studio apartment dweller, give a sleep sofa or Murphy bed (a bed that folds into a cabinet that is anchored to a wall).

Garden Variety. Windowsill gardens and dish gardens of colorful flowers or fragrant herbs make nice additions to just about any apartment. Planter boxes and pots for patio gardening also make nice gifts. Styles to fit all decors are available through home and garden centers and on the Internet (see 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and From You Flowers!).

Off to the Market. For trips to the market, give a personal grocery-bag carrier. Hammacher-Schlemmer's, www.hammacher.com, eight shopping-bag carrier is easy to navigate through apartment building parking lots and elevators.