Packages tied up with strings may be one of your favorite things this holiday season. So, to wrap in a snap at home, creating and stocking a gift-wrapping station may be a present's piece de resistance.

A beautifully wrapped gift is almost like giving two gifts in one, says Hallmark Cards Inc. Master Designer Bet David. Founded in 1910, Hallmark is a family-owned company based in Kansas City, Missouri, and is the oldest and largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. The company also manufactures party and seasonal goods, such as gift-wrap collections of papers, bows, tags and bags.

"To be thoughtful in the way you wrap a gift sends a message to the recipient and is also a special way to extend the gift's surprise," David says. "It's all about the desire to present your gift with a visual experience."

If you find yourself getting wrapped up while searching your home for paper and supplies to cover your gifts in a clever way, setting up a gift-wrapping station may be the solution, says Erin Hardy, California Closets' national manager of design, based in Boston. Wrapping gifts at the kitchen table isn't always the best option, so having a clean and organized space for a gift-wrapping station will help you tie up any loose ends easily.

"A gift-wrapping station is a practical use of space -- it displays paper, ribbons and bows so you can see what you have, and creates a clean, designated surface that stays clear for when you need it," Hardy says. "From a small nook off of the kitchen to an entire guest room ... we frequently design gift-wrapping stations as multifunctional spaces in home offices, laundry or craft rooms."

Just as good things can come in small packages, gift-wrapping stations don't need to be overwhelming in size. A small, custom-made wrapping station designed by California Closets can start around $1,200, Hardy says.

Countertops and Cabinetry

While most tables are 30 inches tall, the optimal height for a gift-wrapping countertop is 36 inches, which is the standard height in kitchens. Near the counter/desktop can be drawers and shelving units that house ribbon and other spooled items, which keeps loose ends from tangling and prevents disarray.

"Disorganization can kill creativity," David says. "When you're wrapping gifts, you want all your papers, scissors, tape and bows at your fingertips. Otherwise, what is meant to be a joy becomes a chore."

The Vertical Challenge

A magnetic wall system or peg/fabric board hung on the wall above the counter can be a decorative and functional addition to a gift-wrapping station.

David says two pairs of scissors -- one for fabric and one for paper -- are essential for any gift-wrapping station. "I also have a weighted tape dispenser outfitted with double-stick tape," she says. "That way you can secure the wrapping without any obvious tape seams."

Cubbies and containers can be affixed to a wall mounting system, which can house everything from writing utensils to tags. Specialized wrapping-paper rails use dowels, onto which rolls can be mounted above the countertop, to prevent the wrappings from becoming wrinkled, crimped and damaged due to improper storage.

Re-wrap

While gifts may get a wrapping workout during the holidays, that doesn't mean the treasure trimmings aren't used year-round, says Hannah Milman, contributing editor for Martha Stewart Living in New York City.

"Listen to your grandmother, who said, 'Save the paper!' when you're unwrapping something truly beautiful," Milman says. "Instead of just throwing wrappings and ribbons away, you can iron them out and give them a new life on a package you decorate."

Milman says the best packaging places live at home, where you keep your tools and tape. "A gift-wrapping station doesn't need to be fancy," she says. "It just needs to work." An old television armoire or hutch can be converted into a gift-wrapping station, but if space is at a premium, plastic totes for roll wrappings and ribbons can be stored in a craft closet.

Having gift-giving goodies on hand doesn't mean just investing in seasonal baubles and bows, either. "Kraft paper rolls and twine or raffia can be some of the best investments when it comes to wrappings," Milman says. "A child's drawing on a simply wrapped package, with an addition of a sprig of ivy or evergreen, can transform an ordinary gift into an extraordinary one."

Packaging Prospects

-- Giftology videos: ideas.hallmark.com/gift-wrapping-ideas/ 

-- Go to CaliforniaClosets.com, or call 1-888-336-9707, and request a free closet consultation.

The kitchen's cool zones are hot this holiday season. Whether your refrigeration appliances are built-in or freestanding, undercounter drawers or wine columns, now is the time to chill out and figure out a colder kitchen flow, says architect Michele Alfano, a National Kitchen and Bath Association-certified designer whose eponymous firm is based in Montebello, New York.

"If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the refrigerator is its heartbeat," she says. "Especially during the holidays, refrigerator space may be at a premium with parties and overnight guests."

As the refrigerator continues to evolve, both in form and function, what was once seen as a luxury appliance in the early 20th century is now a necessity in today's home. Even the placement of cold storage has shifted the kitchen's design, as the days of refrigerator/freezer appliances only being tethered to walls are over. "The refrigerated zones in the kitchen anchor its workflow," Alfano says. "Everything flows from the refrigerator and freezer to the sink or the stove."

Full-Size Fridge

There are many cool configurations available for the full-size refrigerator/freezer, says Brian Jones, Sub-Zero Group Inc. spokesperson, based in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1945, Sub-Zero is an American-based manufacturer of refrigeration, freezer and wine storage products.

"Family and friends can treat the main refrigerator as public domain, placing food inside, looking for ingredients or simply getting a glass of water from the door dispensary," Jones says. "The main refrigerator requires a lot of real estate in the kitchen, and the type you have can be based on your style and space available."

The main refrigerator can span from a slim apartment-size 18-inch-wide unit or be quadrupled to 72 inches wide. Configurations can include a refrigerator/freezer combination in a side-by-side fashion or French door-style with refrigerator on top and freezer on the bottom.

"When designing a kitchen, we always determine where the main refrigerator is going to live first," Alfano says. "That's because a kitchen that really cooks uses the refrigerator as a starting and ending point. Ingredients come out of the refrigerator to prepare a meal and any leftovers are returned to the refrigerator."

A refrigerator's face can either be a standout in a kitchen design, with a factory finish in a color or stainless steel, or blend in with custom panels that coordinate with the surrounding cabinetry. Alfano's design of a Hudson Valley, New York, home's kitchen lounge has a large refrigerator unit clad in blonde wood panels, disguised as a cabinet.

"There can be a blurring of lines between the kitchen and the living area," Alfano says. "With a space designed for entertaining, a large refrigerator clad in clean wood paneling doesn't detract from the overall design, and actually, figuratively, can help warm the space."

Undercounter Configurations

While homeowners may be opting for the largest full-size refrigerator the kitchen space allows, supplemental refrigeration can be tucked under the counter with refrigerator and freezer drawers on an island. Instead of having a second stand-alone refrigerator stowed in the garage or basement, undercounter configurations can be stocked for meal prep or a drink station.

In what can be called flexible refrigeration, the beauty of undercounter drawers and units is that the contents can be changed out quickly. "A refrigerator drawer used to stash fresh produce can be transformed into a beverage station for a party," Jones says. "We are even seeing the use of undercounter refrigerators placed in master bathrooms or anywhere in the home where convenient cold items are needed."

Wine Coolers

While undercounter refrigerators are an organized way to store bottled beverages and allow people to serve themselves, more homeowners are raising a glass to toast their personal wine refrigerators.

Space dedicated to wine storage in the home used to be considered a status symbol for the few. But today, with better climate-control technology, wine doesn't even have to be housed in a cellar to be stored properly. Ensuring non-fluctuating temperature control, keeping the humidity level between 60 and 70 percent, and shielding bottles from light are all components of a well-made wine refrigerator.

With wine refrigerators that can house up to nearly 150 bottles, Jones says entertaining with spirits has never been easier. "For the person who entertains, a 30-inch-wide, 86-bottle wine refrigerator -- with refrigerated and freezer drawers on the bottom -- becomes an adult beverage center," he says. "With a freezer drawer that makes ice, the refrigerator drawer can cool bottled beverages and drink garnishes."

Function Over Form

While it may be tempting to focus on the cool looks of the refrigerator, there's a lot that also happens behind its closed door. Shelving units should be easily adjustable to accommodate everything from cake to kale without compromising taste and food preservation, says Jones.

"A refrigerator should prolong food freshness and prevent waste by having the proper humidity, temperature control and air quality," he says. "Having an air purification system in a refrigerator keeps ethylene gas -- naturally secreted from fresh fruits and vegetables -- in check to prevent spoilage and potential mold."

Some refrigerators come Wi-Fi ready, with internal cameras and alarms that can be linked to a mobile device. "With Sub-Zero products, you can receive alerts to your phone if a refrigerator or freezer door is ajar," Jones says. "For that upcoming party, you can also remotely program the freezer to produce more ice."

Regards to Refrigeration

-- To find a certified kitchen professional, go to the National Kitchen and Bath Association's website, www.nkba.org, and click the "Find a Professional" box at the bottom of the page.

-- MicheleAlfanoDesign.com, service area includes Manhattan, Hudson Valley and Westchester County in New York and Northern New Jersey.

-- For more information on Sub-Zero Refrigeration, visit Subzero-Wolf.com and click "Explore Showrooms" or request a free brochure.

You don't have to own a home to make a home your own. Apartment living is a way of life for millennials and baby boomers alike, says Amy Groff, senior vice president of industry operations for the National Apartment Association in Arlington, Virginia. The NAA is an 80-year-old organization that represents more than 82,000 members, with 9.7 million rental housing units internationally.

"People in all stages of life are choosing to live in rental units because of their way of life," Groff says. "People want to live a lower-maintenance lifestyle that comes with renting."

According to second-quarter 2019 census data, the nationwide rental-unit vacancy rate is at 6.8%. While some urban areas may be implementing procedures to regulate short-term rental properties, the NAA projects a need for 4.6 million more rental units by 2030 to keep up with increased demand.

"Today's renters are craving amenities that create community through a shared lifestyle," Groff says. "Customer service should be a priority in rental communities, because an apartment is still a person's home."

Communication between renter and the property manager is key to creating room-and-board bliss, says Kimberly Ramsey, vice president of operations at Kettler, a property management company of 20,000 multifamily units, founded in 1977 and based in McLean, Virginia.

"In general, people are thinking differently about renting. Instead of considering renting an apartment as a temporary step on the road to home ownership, more people are choosing to rent," Ramsey says. "The 2008 recession really wasn't that long ago, and some are still apprehensive when it comes to home ownership."

Before signing any lease, whether short- or long-term, read the fine print. "Make sure pets are part of your lease agreement if you have them, because eventually, they will be discovered," Ramsey says. "In general, an apartment should be left in the same condition as the first day you moved into it."

The persons' space -- rented or not -- reflects who they are, and must fit their lifestyle. "Quality property management companies have an eye toward providing luxury amenities with finer finishes, landscaping and common spaces," Ramsey says. "Because today's workforce can be a lot more transient and not necessarily tied to a home base, apartment living can be right for people who may need to move frequently."

Moving should be seen as an opportunity to clear away clutter, keeping only items that mean something and also fit a personal sense of style. Even though persons pay rent, they can "own" a space by strategically placing their personality into it.

Light Treatment

Enliven a rented space by infusing it with light and color, Ramsey says.

"As property managers, we are constantly upgrading our apartments by watching trends and, in some places, creating an accent wall with a bold paint color," she says. "A renter can also paint walls -- making sure to return the walls to a neutral color when moving out -- or hanging dynamic artwork on a white wall to make a statement."

A bright tip to set the mood is to pay attention to light fixtures. Ramsey says good property managers have higher-end fixtures in apartments already, and renters can illuminate good design with decorative lamps and task lighting.

For the ultimate enlivened accessory, decorate a space with live plants, such as an orchid, low-maintenance succulent plants or a bouquet of cut flowers. Allow a sentimental item to be a show-stopping accessory in a room, and use a well-honed selection of books and meaningful photos to personalize a place.

Soft Touches

A layering effect can also begin on ground level with colorful or graphically dynamic rugs. "With popular plank flooring throughout an apartment's open floor plan, a rug can define a space," Ramsey says. "It can also be the basis for a design and absorb sound, which is important when living in an apartment."

Soft window treatments can add interest and privacy, as a renter mixes fabrics and different styles of coverings -- such as Roman shades or draperies -- with existing standard-issue blinds.

Investing in a neutral-colored, sleek sofa will impart a timeless appeal in your apartment, and the higher the quality of the sofa, the longer you will own it.

Colored and patterned pillows that complement the window coverings and rug can be easily swapped out no matter where you live, and can be the jewels that tie together an apartment's design.

Added Amenities

For many, renting a space to live can also mean a new lease on life. "The goal for apartment buildings should be to create a sense of community among its residents," Ramsey says. "When possible, augmenting apartment life with amenities that enhance the quality of life is great for everyone."

-- Storage space in an apartment can be minimal, but having a separate, secure storage space for seasonal or large items available to residents can free up living space.

-- Pet places, such as on-site doggie day care, are high-end solutions that tend to the furry, four-legged residents.

-- Common gathering places, such as conference rooms with Wi-Fi or comfy larger living room setups, are great places to office from home or watch the big game with other residents, respectively.

-- Fitness centers, such as a workout room or pool, can be a way to actively meet other residents or just relax and recharge yourself.

"There's a rational value to an apartment in that you know you're renting a two-bedroom, one-bath space, or whatever the particulars are," Ramsey says. "But there should also be an emotional value to where you live and a sense of community. It's important that you feel at home, no matter where you live."

Crib Tips

-- KETTLER.com is a company that manages about 20,000 apartments in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States.

-- National Apartment Association (NAA) is America's leading advocate for quality rental housing. Go to: NAAHQ.org.