Horrible apartment needs decorating ideas?

Question

I have a very tiny apartment. My livingroom and kitchen are only separated by a short kitchen counter. Here are the problems:

1) the carpet is dark blue. the biggest length of wall in the livingroom is this horrid grey panneling. The other side is white. I can't paint or put anything too permanent on the walls.

2) The door is grey and solid on the inside. It looks more like a gas station bathroom door than the inside of a home.

3) I only have on window in my livingroom and one window in my bedroom on the opposite end of the apartment.

4) my kitchen and livingroom are basically one big room, with just a counter to separate them.

5) my kitchen is "U" shaped and barely big enough for one person to stand in and cook. My stove is even half the size of a normal stove.

6) my bathroom is very small and has white/gry linolium flooring. The walls are white. There is a tub/shower, a toilet and a sink. No cabinets or anything other than a small medicine cabinet.

Answer 1

It sounds like the apartment needs some light and brightness. Since you can't use anything very permanant, how about covering the paneling with fabric? You could put a light color that would go with the blue carpet (maybe a lighter blue, or just plain white). You might even get some inexpensive bleached muslin (available at any fabric store) to cover the stuff. For the bathroom, since grey is at least a neutral color, I'd suggest lots of splashes of color - bright-colored towels, for instance, and perhaps a bright terry rug. You could even use bright colored guest soaps. I don't know if your kitchen/living room is suitable for this, but perhaps you could consider a screen, like a shoji, to separate the two a little more definitely - I think it might make the place seem cozier. One thing that I also like to see people do that is inexpensive to brighten things up is to use potted plants. If you go to a store like Home Depot, they often have relatively large potted plants for no more than $10 - 20. They generally stock very simple ones, so as long as they have moist soil, they're usually ok. I'm more a plant person than a decorator, so I know that their plants do very well. If you want to put a small container of some sort in the bathroom to hold things (maybe put it under the sink?), you could paint that a nice bright color as well. Plants also usually do well in a bathroom (something simple like an ivy) because of the high humidity in most bathrooms. I don't know if you like any of these ideas, but perhaps they have at least served to give YOU some ideas. Good luck.

Answer 2

Okay, as bad as it sounds, make the most of this living space and get to decorating! : )

TARGET sounds like your best bet for economical design ideas and quick fixes; with an array of bedding, artwork, small and comfy sofa/chairs and dining tables and chairs.

Instead of looking at the negative, look at the positive; an empty space is a like a blank canvas for you to add color and style to with your personal touch. Don't forget to add some good candles, plug ins, etc as well

JCPENNYS, SEARS, and Pier 1 are good places for apt style furniture too.

Answer 3

rugs, tapestries, wall art
but minamalistic
in a small space if you have too much it makes it look smaller
add color of your style to it
To add more light use mirrors to reflect light from the 1 window you have

or
Move just kidding

I suggest Ikea if you have one by you they have cool stuff cheap

Answer 4

Why did you rent this place if you dislike it so much? My only advice is to put all your stuff in and make it as homey as possible, then start looking for a place to move when your lease is up.

Answer 5

Choose a favorite, funky or bold color for throws, blankets, frames kitchenware, towels etc. This will draw attention away from drab and blah.