I have a long narrow room in my apartment. Anyone have any good decorating ideas?

Question

It's about 4' x 20'. It's at the back of my apartment coming off of the kitchen. The thing is, it's the only room with a good view (the other rooms all look out on a brick wall). It's currently being used as a storage space, but I'm cleaning it out and I'd like to do something with it, but I just don't know what.

It's about 4' x 20'. It's at the back of my apartment coming off of the kitchen. The thing is, it's the only room with a good view (the other rooms all look out on a brick wall). It's currently being used as a storage space, but I'm cleaning it out and I'd like to do something with it, but I just don't know what. I'll try to show you what it looks like. The door comes from the kitchen and there's a bit of wall that juts out.
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Ok, that didn't work too well... I'll try it once more and I'll leave out the back wall:
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The view is of some trees and a lake. It's much better than the brick wall view I get from the rest of my windows!

Answer 1

Four feet wide? Hmmmm - pretty narrow. What was the purpose of the room? I'm thinking it is a storage room. If you have a "good view," you may want to make it look like a porch area, especially if the view looks out to a nature scene, such as trees, a garden, grass, flowers, etc. Real or silk plants in pretty containers, or hanging from the ceiling, or on stands would add to your garden feel and yet take up little space.

Because the room is extremely narrow, you'll need to use small scale furnishings. If there are lots of windows, you could position a narrow bench, perhaps an upholstered bench, opposite an especially appealing aspect of the view outside.

You may also consider a small park-type bench, either wood or wrought iron. Add some comfy cushions and a throw to dress it up.

A couple of small wicker chairs flanking a little round table might work. You might try some narrow bookshelves along the walls, but be careful - don't "line" everything up. Better to have a few defined areas (reading area, desk, sitting area, etc.) than one long, cluttered-looking space. I'd keep it sparse but functional. Maybe you could still use some of the space for storage, concealed behind a decorative screen, curtain hung wall-to-wall, etc.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Make the wall at the far end your focal wall by painting it a dark color, that way it will make the room seem not as long. You could put one of your favorite framed pictures on the wall with two candle scones on each side of the picture. Or you could do a really nice scroll iron piece. Then you should paint the other walls a lighter version of that color. Then you could go from there.

You can make into an intimate seating area for when you have people over. You could either have big comfy sofas or find some really cheap floor pillows and recover them with fabric of your choice. You can also embellish the pillows with fringe or pretty iron on appliques. You could get a sofa table (tall table that goes behind a couch) and use it as a place to set up drinks and food that way your guest never have to leave the mellow mood of the room. Hope this helps. Anyway good luck and have fun. Places that I recommend going to for inexpensive decorating things is Pier 1 Imports or Target.

Answer 4

Mirrors will help with the narrow appearence of the room. If the light comes in the window, put several prisms hanging down so the light will catch them and project lights all over the room.

Sounds like it would make a nice study for a computer desk, plants and maybe a comfy reading chair, candles and a nice floor reading lamp.

Or you could go with the funky approach....go with all the stuff you see in garage sales or cool shops that are really cool but won't go with anything in the rest of your apartment.

Either way: Hook it up and have fun!!!!!!

Answer 5

4x20? with a great view, and sunshine? i grew up near the beach and as a result love sleeping in the sunshine. I should recommend placing 4X4 ottoman (that you buy or make yourself by gluing thick foam to platforms and upholstering) on one end. (if you want to go all out, a single bed could work, you can place sheets and blankets on it to change as you please (works a sleeping place for guest or conversation pit space, with lots of pillows, and you can put storage bins under the bed, or ottoman) this takes your space down to 4x16 with a great sleeping/reading nook. I would include a small cafe table and chairs (the grocery stores in the PacNW in the sell them in the early spring and summer) or go with a bar table and stools. if you want to go high end pier one has them, otherwise, lowes or home depot have them in their garden section. at the other end I would recommend a wrap-around bar with a hinged counter for the other end, you can place your mini refrigerator and storage along the inner wall, and the hinged counter top can have stools/chairs for entertaining guests. roman blinds for the windows are classic/trendy, or light wood slat blinds. if you go with a light wall color, stick to natural wood/ stained trim. if you're leaning towards white trim, this is an opportunity to go with a bold color you've been afraid to try somewhere else in the apartment. if you can't paint, add color with upholstery. this space is a good place for a bookcase also, to fill the extra room

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ottoman bookcase table&chairs door Bar Bar Bar
ottoman
ottoman
windowwindowwindowwindowwindowwindowwindowwindow


I'm guessing this is close to the layout. i'm not sure where the door is
good luck!


* one last idea is to have short&shallow bookcases under the windows along the wall with the windows, at the height of the bottom of the windows, and 6 inches deep.

Answer 6

I would paint this room with COOL Caribbean color , put your favorite home shot pictures (family & fun times) on the wall. I would put a nice wicker set, table & chairs and enjoy the veiw. A good place to start & finish the day, good luck and enjoy Les the painter Oh yes you must have a couple green plants like rubber trees or that family.

Answer 7

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/dOHHk
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 8

use small but comfortable furniture n make sure the decorations tell a little bit about urself it looks bettr wen u add sum of ur own creativity such as an art paintings etc....

Answer 9

How about an office or even a studio....