Is there much that can be done to a 1 bedroom apartment

letsgo2018

I'm renting a 1 bedroom apartment and I trying to think of ways to make it more homely cosy and inviting . The problem is that I find the place much too small for me . Theres no room for the kitchen table, I hate the black couches and the TV is probably too big aswell. Wondering if a skilled Interior decorator could do much?

wait4me

Take a trip to IKEA for ideas. They have layouts for apartments which can provide some ideas for you.

colm_mcm

Can you actually get rid of the furniture though?

GingerLily

I wouldn't invest in an interior designer, you don't know how long you he allowed stay.

Pinterest is your friend, it should have loads of ideas for small spaces etc!

guitarhappy

If you post some pics I'll give you lots of great ideas for free. Art school type and decades in the antiques ​business.

letsgo2018

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guitarhappy

I see what you're dealing with. We can work with this without spending a fortune. I only got to download the first pic so far but here's my first impression.

First, realtors and lease agents love white, beige, stainless and neutral but it makes a sterile living environment. You need to soften and add color and some interesting objects. For example: a small area rug on the floor in front of the sink will conceal some of the hard beige floor tile, add color, quiet any noises, and give softness under foot. Second, get a table cloth for the little table. Third, it looks like there's a flat area above the cabinets that could be used like a display shelf or mantle. Put some old flour canisters, wine bottles, or small collection of things to add color and visual interest. Four, the window has good light but it's harsh. Get a piece of fabric to drape across the top like a swag to soften the light and add color. Five, scavenge some fabric to use on the back of the little black wood chair. Just fold it over the top and bottom fasten with safety pins.

guitarhappy

Pic #2 - I see it's a pair of wood chair. Get a pair of red velvet seat cushions that tie to the back rails.

The window and window ledge are the visual interest or focus of the room. why do you have junk there? Get rid of the old shoes, get a large Jade plant, a collection of cacti, an antique blown glass bottle or apothecary jars. Make it look as if you're looking in the window display of a trendy second hand shop.

Cover the television when you're not watching it with an old shawl, Pashima scarf or nice fabric remnants. Put the heater and electric strip on the floor out of the way visually. Get a cardboard mailing tube, slit down the length and wrap the loose cords in it, behind the table not in front.

guitarhappy

Pic #3- The sofas are grim. Back in the day we used to get a king size India import print bed spread (a cover, not a sheet, which looks really tacky), wrap it over the whole thing, shape it a little, pull it tight to a corner and tie a big knot to keep it on. Or, shape and pin it in place with big safety pins or baby diaper pins.
An area rug could soften the look of the black vinyl. Every room should have something red in it.

guitarhappy

Pic #4- Same with the window. Cover the chair. Cover the clothes shelf, as an earlier poster said Ikea is great for that type of thing. The clothes in the green plastic bags could go into plastic storage boxes under the bed, or stackables. They also make cardboard boxes for clothing storage that are covered in designer papers. They're pricey though. You could make them yourself by getting clean new cardboard boxes of the correct size and shape and covering them in crafts papers or designer papers. You have some unused tablespace you could add an object d'art or a nice table lamp, something sculptural, or soft lighting to relax by before bed.

Get a piece of heavy fabric to cover the table top, like upholstery fabric remnant, drape it a few inches over each end, think tapestry. A piece of thin fabric over the lamp.

If you don't currently have extra money for these type of purchases you could put some ads around to help Elder people like me with cleaning out their attics, unused rooms, or garages. Maybe you would come up with some things for free or for cheap and make some positive connections. Or, moving sales, junk shops and second-hand shops.

Little collection of things like a grouping of old binoculars, box cameras, bobbins, figurines z etc create interest. In a small space eliminate clutter. Make everything count. Go to antique shop, look at their display and windows. Develop your own style and sense of how to use space.

letsgo2018

Thanks for that. Here are some ideas I have

1. Paint all the walls
2. Get rid of a few things taking up too much space. Light stands . Kitchen table. The smaller sofa chair. And in the bedroom the clothes stand and clothes horse
3. Replace the blinds
4. Replace the tv with a smaller one
5. Attach tv to the wall and in the opposite direction from sink to wall

ams

if you have instagram I recommend following lauradebarra - shes a Cork girl based in London who does up apartments for her job - she gives some brilliant tips and is gas!

Fr_Dougal

Get a few plants, they’ll liven up the place.

dok_golf

down with that sort of thing!

DogKidsHubby

Mirrors on the wall reflect light and make a space look bigger. Underbed storage is great, and high shelves that you can put bits on that you don't need to often!!

DogKidsHubby

A few mirrors on the wall will reflect light. Shelves quite close the ceiling to store stuff you don't need to often, or slim shelve units between door frames, or in corners. Underbed storage, you can get flat, long plastic storage containers in most hardware stores