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Moved into my first apartment a few days ago with left over furniture from my parents house. And while its a nice gesture and all, its a bit too traditional for my taste. But I guess I have to roll with it. I'm trying to add some color or additional pieces such as pictures, bookcases, etc but have no idea where to begin! I have not the slightest eye for interior decorating nor do any of the women in my family.

Its all dark brown, traditional furniture and white tiled floors. Similar to what you would see in a Wal-Mart(gross). HELP ME!!

Oh, and yes that is a nightstand under my TV, lol. Its temporary.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gunsnroses,

Welcome gunsnroses! It looks like you have some really nice pieces, even if they are hand-me-downs. You just need some color and "personality". I would look for pillows, or colorful throws and then gradually add pieces that you like. Plus make sure you have rental insurance! Even if you don't have much, rental insurance is pretty inexpensive. We had two big apartment fires where I am within the last month - one due to arson and another due to a kitchen fire. Lot of people lost their stuff so you never know when it could happen. Be safe!

A good place to start would be to find an area rug with a colours you find appealing. Make sure it is large enough to go under the legs of your larger upholstered pieces. Next, search for art that you like to liven up the room. A few bright toss pillows and your room will start to take shape.

I don’t think the furniture is gross at all! It looks a little traditional because that one sofa has a curved line & coffee & end tables are more formal pieces. The other pieces look more casual. Being leather in that neutral color makes it more transitional. When I was a kid we had that tile floor. That stuff sure holds up. It is neutral thank goodness & you can place a rug over it.
I found a link that shows transforming furniture. If you do something fun & funky with your existing pieces, you can make it work to your liking. You can also buy some inexpensive pieces at Wal-mart, Target, or a Thrift Store.
The picture I am posting comes from that link.

http://www.restylerelove.com/2...ge-coffee-table.html

Cute table redo. Adding some painted "thrift store" pieces plus colorful accessories will give you a new look.

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I think you wouldn't mind the sofas so much if your tables and lamps were more contemporary. I would keep an eye out on Craig's List for some straight-lined tables and less fussy lamps. I agree with other posters that a large, colorful area rug with a contemporary pattern would help as would some large pieces of art on the walls. You might look at the rugs made for use outdoors as they are usually less expensive and wear like iron.

Excellent illustrations Annie and mmtsh. A picture is worth a thousand words. There are many directions you can take your room, so start with something fun and modern and run with it. In no time it will look less like your parents' home and more like yours.

My first thought was the same as Graciepj about the tables. Watch CL for something to replace those with.

Just basically restating what others have said...

Large area rug that is large enough to go under feet of sofas.

New tables with straighter lines. I could see a large trunk being used as sofa table. Craigslist/ yard sales are the first place I would check.

Large artwork on blank walls. You can purchase large blank canvases at hobby stores or even Walmart will carry at least 16x20. You can put multiple ones together to create a large piece of artwork expensively. If you don't feel confident in a design, maybe a friend or relative could create a unique piece for you.

New larger based lamps would look great in your space. Lamps can be found just about anywhere relatively cheap.

I think your hand me down leather furniture is great! I immediately in visioned a cable knit (sweater) throw draped over it.

Annie's pics are a perfect reference! Good luck!

Welcome. I agree w/ others re. the addition of a colorful rug (this will establish your room scheme and marry a more contemporary vibe w/ the traditional furniture btw) a throw, art, some pillows. The good news is that you have a lot of seating and a neutral slate in which to begin which is a blessing in disguise. Evoke your personality from here on in. The legs of the tables can be changed out to a more parson's look if you're handy. The home centers sell different legs if you're not. Paint some furniture (it's currently a HOT trend if you're inclinded to go w/ trends) and will add dots (sparing the tiresome P word here ) of color. Be sure to echo your scheme around the room and mix in some print scales and textures. Spill some of the palette into adjoining public spaces too. Most importantly, do not be afraid to express your passions, interest, creativity and unique personality to this space and others. Equally important is to TAKE IT SLOWLY esp. when it comes to accessorzing. Your spaces should evolve over time and travels.

TIPS: paint and fabric bring the most bang for the buck. If you're not permited to paint those walls, use large art or create a gallery wall to bring color there. Window treatments, wall collages or posters, framed maps, wall decals, enlarged photos, framed fabrics or papers are some ways to inexpensively bring color and pattern interest upward. Do enlarge your lamps so they're more in scale to the furniture too. In fact, do not overlook the impact and importance of lighting overall.

I know you're anxious to feather your new nest, but taking it slowly is key to achieving a space that speaks about you. Be frugal and be resourceful. Be patient and keep a sharp eye out for the potential in things even if their transformation means a little sweat equity. In time, you will have put your personal stamp on your new abode and it will be a reflection of you...an oasis that you can proudly call "home".

BTW, you may be able to change out the ruffly globes on that paddle fan for little money. If so, carefully wrap and store the landlord's so you can replace them when it's time to move. Inexpensive globes can be found in home centers. Even specialty clear bulbs can be left bare as a possibiltity for a more modern look. Investigate the potential there and keep the wattage max in mind.

I like the furniture and you can go to Lowe's or Walmart and get a inexpensive rug with the colors you like it in. You will be surprised at how much different a rug, pillows, throw or art work can make the place look. The couch already looks comfy to me so pillows and or just a throw will make it look even more comfy. Get something that is functional to use, if pillows find some that you can fluff back up after laying on them. Have fun decorating!

gunsnroses,
I am going to suggest something kind of rad.ical, but before I do I want you to study picture number 7 that annie17 posted. There are certain pieces of furniture that are more suited to apartment/small space living and picture 7 is a good example of a great collection of furniture for an apartment.

In the photo you have a basic neutral sofa, and two matching smaller scale occasional chairs in an accent color. You see two end tables on either side of the sofa, and a coffee table that is a different shape than the tables (not a matched set of three). Those are the 6 easiest to arrange, most practical pieces of living room furniture to own that will work in just about any space. Of course the 6 pieces can be absolutely any style. Traditional, modern, country, whatever.

So back to my rad.ical proposition. I am thinking that you keep the sofa that you have placed under the window (it is more stylish than the other one), and maybe the end tables, and you sell the other sofa, the coffee table,and the chair to raise money to purchase items that will work better in your space.

Scary? Yes. But it will be better in the long run.

As for arranging the room (after the pieces I mentioned are gone), I would move the sofa (the one from under the window) over to the wall where the chair is now. That does two things. 1. It gives you a great looking logical place to hang art. Art hanging on the wall over the sofa will anchor the sofa grouping, and support the sofa as a focal point. (It is gonna look good)
2. Placing the sofa opposite the TV will make TV viewing more comfortable.

There are plenty of places to find the furniture pieces you will need. (Two chairs, and a coffee table,and the TV console) Don't start at furniture stores. Try stopping by the local used and thrift stores in your area. If you go often enough you will catch the treasures! And put some time into reading design blogs and magazines and soon you will see that many older pieces of furniture can be transformed with a bit of a cleaning or maybe a paint job.

You might even find a great rug at a thrift shop. I see them often. A good cleaning is all most of them need. (I am a designer, and I lurk in thrift shops all the time!) IKEA is another place to find inexpensive rugs.

So welcome to the boards, and congratulations on your new apartment. What an exciting time!

OH, and be thankful for your floors. Be glad you don't have nas.ty old carpet in some horrible color. A neutral, hard, easy to clean surface is pretty easy to work with!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cocok,

Thanks for all the replies, I really do appreciate it!

man, those pictures Annie posted look nice, but I have to admit I feel a bit intimidated when buying furniture.

I agree about the tables, not a fan of the those. As for the chairs and new tables, what style and colors should I be looking for? I would prefer a more contemporary look with large art pieces on the wall. My only problem is, I dont even know what to look for. Maybe you guys can show me specific examples of pieces that would look great?

Keep in mind this is a place for two males.

Hi!

Pics 2 & 3 both show bright and darker colored pillows and rugs. They might be geared more toward guys. I would go for either patterned rug or patterned pillows and the other in a solid. Take your color cues from the print. Choose whatever colors you like. Add a large poster or 2, a plant, a throw, a wicker piece, some personal accessories.

Maybe something like this and add red and mustard pillows and throw.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: annie17,

FYI, some great sources for visual inspiration are free or minimal...namely viewing decorating magazines or touring local furniture stores. Regarding both, you need not break your budget nor feel compelled to purchase from said inspirational source nor copy them to the letter. What you'll glean is how the pros mix patterns and textures. In addition you'll note the layouts of groupings, how color is scattered to draw the eye, how some shapes are repeated, the inclusion of vertical pieces, how the room or setting is visually balanced, accessory cues, the importance of scale, etc. DO NOT LET FURNITURE SETS OFTEN PRESENTED IN THE STORE DISPLAY TO BOOST SALES TEACH YOU THAT IT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. On the contrary as this approach is too predictable. Since you have inherited a seating set you can still achieve a space that is unique with unexpected touches. As has been wisely advised, begin with a contemporary area rug that compliments the brown furniture and features colors you love. It will be your springboard in establishing your room scheme and feel.

I would find a rug that you liked first and then pics your colors from that.

You can always find nice prints from Art.com or similar and get frames from Michaels.

I like what you put together annie17. It is a great example of how to incorporate that brown sofa into a comfortable beautiful room by adding other colors, textures, and furniture forms.