apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

If the bed can fit, with walking room, perpendicular to how it is now, you could use the slant of the ceiling as an added feature instead of a headboard.

In that vein, a few yards of patterned fabric and a couple of drapery rods would work to add a feature to that wall.
Hang one rod up at where the slant meets the ceiling, and another at where the slant meets the wall, drape the fabric over, then you only have to worry about patching 4 little holes when you leave.

New bedding, colorful wall paint, glossy floor paint, and the desk could use a makeover as well.

hmmm....the first thing i thought was paint but since that's not allowed here's some idea keeping the budget in mind:

- definitely a rug
- paint the night tables (there already seems to be a bit of different wood tones and i wouldn't bother trying to match them)
- change the window treatments (i would go longer)
- lower the current painting
- add a full length mirror to the inside of the closet door
- perhaps swap the location of the chest of drawers and the desk
- i also think the bed needs some kind of focal, whether it's a diy canvas headboard or great looking pillows
- if there was enough money left i would also change the lamps on the side tables...they seem a little bit on the small side

is there enough room to perhaps reposition the bed to the across from the trunk?

just some ideas...i totally understand being on a budget.

good luck!

-bamboo shades
-paint
-new bedding
-art
-reorganization

since you have to leave the room white I would change the curtains to white or off-white, the black is too different.

I would also paint the bedside tables white

I love these kinds of challenges...

1. Furniture rearrangement. I'd think about placing the bed under the window (by the desk) to give yourself a "headboard". Move the dresser to the wall where the bed is now. And move the desk to where the dresser is - except perpendicular to the wall so that, when seated, you aren't staring at a wall and looking towards the window by the closet. Basically you have created the bedroom side of the room and the study side of the room.

2. With gift cards - buy a mirror to mount on either the closet door or the bedroom door. Improve the window treatments. It could be with bamboo-nlinds. Or get better curtain rods and nicer curtains (that are white with a blackout lining). I think the window treatments will be the biggest bang for the buck - especially if you move your bed there. That's where I'd spend all the gift cards.

3. Rug. A simple sisal rug in the "office" area would be great if you can't afford something more plush. But I see this as a parisian attic bedroom where a worn out persian/turkish rug would fit in well. Check out an estate sale?

4. Lamps. The bedside lamps look a little spindly for the platform bed. I'd look for something more squat and low. The current lamps might work on top of the dresser,though.

5. Art. The current painting is hung too high...midpoint should be shared with the switchplate on the wall.

Have fun!

I'm with kiwi on having paint as the first thought. since that is not an option how about trying something like this?

http://www.jonathanfongstyle.com/decor/cardboard_wall.html

You could use a double sided tape rather than nails and even paint these squares for some color. Even if you don't paint it, it adds some texture to the walls.

just tossing out ideas

try tan, brown, beige fabrics with a bit of red

full length mirror on the back of your closet door, then switch desk and your dresser so that that corner of the room becomes your dressing area

you don't need to paint the tables, but can tacking fabric around them so they have a cleaner look and things can be stored under them

matchstick or split bamboo blinds

either neutral or red lampshades

a cushion for the top of the trunk

craigslist for a rug

bf needs another piece of storage furniture next to desk, and maybe a shoebag on the back of his closet door to store sundries

get some frames, paint them, and stick them up on the wall empty while you look around for interesting things to put in them

shop the second hand stores for fabrics and art. you can even buy clothing to use as fabric for throw pillows, etc.

1) the painted wood floor with scratches is charming and so is the trunk.
is this a room in your house?

i would keep the mood of the room casual and simple to go with the floor and trunk. with $120 i would buy simple window shades, almost in a brown paper shade or natural fabric and a natural color comforter cover. I would go to the flea market or thrift shops to find a quilt or country looking blanket to fold a the foot of the bed.
so, i would lose the curtains, not tuck in the comforter, and not cover the bed pillows with the comforter either. let the bed look casual and inviting. the placement of the bed looks akward, but i can't get a clear idea of the floor plan. since the room is a casual country style i would not have matching night stands and lamps. but two different tables and lamps, maybe one ceramic and one modern task lamp. good luck

This a really great space.

First of all, the wall next to the bed isn't awkward at all. I have an aversion to the Kelly Wearstler school, so this is what I would do with $120:

1. Organize, clean, and de-clutter. If possible, pull all furniture out while reconsidering furniture placement (see below). This is totally free and feels fabulous!

2. Replace those dark drapes with a single wooden blind or shear roller blind (with a neutral linen look). Please be sure it fits INSIDE the window frame, if possible. These can be found cheaply at Lowe's...just look!

3. A neutral sisal rug lighter than the painted floor, or even something industrial, would help pull the room together.

4. Stain or paint the bedside tables a warm brown.

5. Play with furniture placement and lighting!!! Could you place the head of the bed between the closets?

Does Lowe's have bedding? If so, invest.

Again - it's a great space.

Have fun!

www.thebitterfoodie.blogspot.com

Looks like the floor color is a forest green? That's tough with your amazing red chest and desk, because it reads "Christmas."

Love the painting, the desk, the chest. Your side tables, bed, and chest have a nice "neutral" shape and color about them. Keep all of these!

Given the floor, the painting, and the red casegoods, I'd look to the painting for your palette.

Blue, white, green, red, grey, and taupe. You're currently using brown, and I think that brown is too close to the dark green in hue and should be eliminated from your textiles. And that green coverlet is really a problem. It's a nice shade of green, but your bed simply disappears into a green pond.

Although I'd normally say make your textiles all white, you run the risk of your room looking like a holiday card. So what to do with only $120?

First, plan your palette. Redoing this room without removing that coverlet will leave you dissatisfied. If nothing else, make a plain grey or taupe duvet from two plain sheets. Bu I'd look to Dwell or Amenity for some modern white textiles with a simple black or inky blue motif if you have the budget.

1. I would chose new lampshades for your bedside lights. I'd go grey, navy, or white in a drum or cone shape, but not the coolie bell shape you currently have. Skip the shirred fabric. It's overly precious.

2. Your floor is distressed and has a bold color. Instead of covering it up, work with it. Consider a sisal or jute fiber rug that feels good on your feet.These also tend to be less expensive.

3. Go ahead and paint the bedside tables. How about white?

4. Windows. I think Lowe's has simple window treatments. Consider roman shades or blinds in a grass fiber to go with the rug, or panels in a neutral linen/beige color.

Post your changes!!

I'm going to ignore layout, because it's hard getting a good sense of the space from pictures. with the way things are:

- white (or off-white) sheer curtains.
- definitely paint the bedside tables: I'm thinking turquoise-ish, depending on your opion of color.
- get some art for above your bed: either some nifty vintage frames with solid colored paper (assuming you can't spend much on art), or... try getting a wallpaper sample in a fun pattern you like and put it in a very simple (cheap!) frame. play up the fact that your bed isn't centered with different sized frames hung at different heights (two should do it-- don't clutter the small-ish wall).
- get some contrasting shams for your pillows and keep them outside the comforter.
- you must hang the painting lower.
- find a small, simple rug for the desk area (though I also love you painted wood floors, chips and all).
- the mention of mirrors gave me the idea to put some square mirror tiles on the slanted wall above the desk. it needs something, but any art would look odd and I think fabric hung on walls generally looks dorm-ish.

I think you can do a lot to this space with just a few simple changes, none of which need to cost a lot of money.

I don't think you absolutely need to replace the bedding (I am personally very attached to my bedding). Instead you could get fun pillow covers (with a pattern) and make your bed in a way that pillows lie on top of the comforter. Just an idea.

I really like the red and green and the desk is great. I think the bamboo blinds and old oriental rug ideas sound right on. I second the cushion for atop the trunk idea. BUT the $ must be spent at Lowes....With that in mind, my list would be full-length mirror, paint for the tables, maybe window coverings or rug. Save up the ideas posted here that appeal to you, save up a few bucks and haunt thrift stores and garage sales for what Lowes can't provide you. Have fun!

I would:
NUMBER ONE!!!
BEG THE LANDLORD TO ALLOW YOU TO PAINT THE ROOM A CRISP WHITE INSTEAD OF NAVAJO WHITE...THAT WILL MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE!!!
2.turn the bed and center on the slanted wall
3.buy enough inexpensive CRISP WHITE sheer fabric to create one continuous sheered wall behind the bed (tension curtain wire mounts from ikea, iron on seam tape and small gromets)
4.sheer roller shade the other window
5.perhaps "paper" a hollow core door with a few sheets of Japanese paper (as simple or exuberant as you like) with a roll on clear coat to seal to create a headboard (you could paper the bed's base with a complimentary paper for an even more finished look)
6.a pair of inexpensive wall mounted lights (swing arm) or clip lights from ikea of home depot to mount to each side of the bed (either on the wall or clipped to the headboard)
7.use the desk and trunk as side tables (in the future you could consider getting a piece of glass cut for the trunk if you don't access its contents very often) and use the current end tables and lamps elsewhere in the house.
8.turn the dresser and move it next to the door
9.keep an eye on ebay and priceline for discontinued/sale bedding. i recently found an incredible set (qn duvet, flat and fitted sheet, and 1 pr. cases) Calvin Klein unopened dead stock online for under $60.00. At minimum get a new duvet though.

New window treatments, paint the side tables and get new lamps.

oops, i guess i missed the part that mentioned the gift card.

If you want to live with what you got (love the desk and trunk!) I'd recommend:

- a full length over the door mirror (closet door
- spray paint, spray paint, spray paint. Lamps, tables...I see a bit of a cocoa/red/cream or white going on...
- Move furniture somehow, and get the bed centrally located if at all possible. I've never liked having a bed not facing my door even if the feng shui is off.
- Buy little cheapie curtain rods and the little o-rings with a clip at the bottom to attach long swaths of unhemmed fabric or pretty sheets you like. Floor length curtains are a definite in this room.
- I'd highly recommend new hardware for the desk and dresser. It might add some intentional but funky polish to a room that is already cutely quirky. Hardware is a big deal.
- I hope this isn't rude - but ditch the lamp on the desk. I think a clip on might work better.
- At the risk of sounding like my mother, I'll say that if your space isn't organized and tidy, the decor will never matter. (Forgive me. I hate it when she says it too, but she is sooo right.)
- Work with the quirk and best of luck!

I would second PARTTIME DESIGN's suggestion. See if the landlord would allow you to repaint using a nicer white! They should pay for the paint - you can offer the labor!

A new water bong and an 1/8th of Acaulpoco Gold.

ditto parttimedesign

First thoughts would be some color on the walls. Paint two of them to add some contrast. Then new, bright colored curtains that complement the wall color.

and I agree with the lamp comment. It's hideous. Ikea has great, cheap, colorful covers that ad a wonderful dynamic to the room.

your furniture needs to first be rearranged. what i like to do is make a scale paper model of my room and main furnshings and then i can play around with arrangements to see what works without having to move anything.

echoing previous comments, I'd definitely move the bed to the "awkward" wall. also, the bed could definitely use a headboard of some sort. you could cut out a pleasing shape out of plywood and cover it with padding and fabric. if the bed is positioned partially under the window, a single ledge shelf over the bed, extending just a bit past the bed would help balance the asymmetry and add some visual interest and replace the need for the headboard.

windows: extra long floor length curtains. you want the gathered bottom. navy or dark brown. bamboo or some kind of natural blinds in addition would look nice as well

stain the side tables a deep brown, also stain the desk if possible to a darker, less red shade. is it also possible to paint the trunk? while red is a nice accent color, it's too big and clashes with the green. a dark purple would look lovely.

color scheme for textiles: dark blues, browns, deep eggplanty purple, cream; sage, cornflower and lavender accents.

I am sorry, but I find the room quite depressing. The curtains doesnt look good at all and the color of the bedding is not very nice.

First thing I would do would be to find nicer curtains - probably in red and yellow to add som warm colors. Then I would paint the bedside tables - black or red. I would add some small striped rugs (like IKEA's Signe (~2$): http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/66693_PE179957_S4.jpg) in white, red, green and/or black.

For the bed I would get a white cover and toss some coloured pillows on it.

Last I would add some nice, colorful art/posters to the walls or, if I didnt find any good colorful ones, I would go for black- and white smaller pictures and add them in coloured frames.

I'm going to vote for a lot of what's already been recommended:

1. Beg to repaint the room a crisp white
2. Hang the painting lower by several inches
3. Replace the bedside lamps with lower lamps, or replace the shades with wider shades to balance the height (Lowes has a good selection of lamp shades)
4. Bamboo window blinds, or white curtains that extend to the floor with upgraded hardware
5. Replace the desk lamp
6. Organize, organize, organize! Clean the closet so you can put the duffel bag in it, and keep the closet door closed.
7. Although Lowes doesn't carry bedding, if you can afford a new duvet cover and pillow shams, it would make a big difference.

And a few other suggestions...

Facing a desk to the wall is a no-no. Can you arrange the furniture so that it's either facing the rest of the room or facing a window? Or perpendicular to the room or the window? It will make sitting there so much more pleasant.

Consider painting the desk chair black. The orange-brown doesn't go well with the red desk. Black would tie it to the dresser and bed and give the room more continuity.

Buy some boards, hanging hardware, and some small cans of house paint and create your own art. You can do something as simple as stripes, shapes, letters using stencils, etc. Experiment and if you don't like it, prime over it and try again. It's a cheap way to add some interest to your walls.

Only what I would do:

Move bed around so the head (end with pillows) is against slanted wall. Leave it pretty much where it is now. Another throw pillow or two might help bring in color and/or place a country print blanket on the foot of the bed.

Place chest under the cool window on the slanted wall maybe with a couple of throw pillows and/or a cushion. Place a free-standing floor-length mirror where the chest used to be.

Place the desk perpendicular to the slanted wall (more or less where it is now) so it faces into the room - maybe buy a cheap bookcase to go behind it or use that area for hampers. The dresser seems fine where it is.

Above all, new window treatments - white or a light green might be best. Possibly new bedding if it is affordable. New lamps for bedside table - relocate the ones you have now to maybe the dresser. Paint bedside tables white or black - either match the walls or the platform bed.

The art will probably need to be removed from the room since a lot of wall hanging space will be gone. Maybe go with smaller art pieces spread around. Is it possible to hang a long stretch of fabric along the slanted wall...a solid color would work like paint and you'd just have a few holes where you attached it to the wall on the ends.

Try a carpet remnant store for good size area rugs - maybe one for the bed area and another for where the desk is. The floor is painted green - so something that will compliment -- but maybe with the rugs, let them cover about half the floor up so the green isn't so in your face.

What you can't get at Lowe's, see if you can spare a little money and hit thrift stores, yard sales, craigslist, etc - you can pick up nice things on a big discount. Make the room a present to each other if you must - maybe promise not to do birthdays and spend the money in the room.

Remember, folks, we are dealing with a Lowe's gift card.

1. A 4x6 shag rug in bone or cream.
2. Pint of orange paint for the beside tables (to match the locker).
3. Some pots and plants with whatever remains on the card.

And if you have any extra cash, please get a new duvet cover; that color is tragic.

You already have gorgeous blue (or teal?) floors and a red desk, so those are your two colors. They are trendy and can definitely be worked with.

Use your money to buy things that coordinate with those two colors, to make it go the furthest.

A good way to do cheap art is to frame found objects, album covers, swatches of attractive fabric, wallpaper, etc. You can make a headboard by covering a scrap of wood with fabric.

Make your own curtains in a fabric that uses one or both colors.

Paint the end tables red.

Buy a rug that uses the colors.

Go to flea markets and antique stores and find some tiny, cheap, useful accessories to add character around the room, like wooden crates or colorful tin boxes to store things, needlepoint pillows, retro posters, etc. Look for quality materials.

This room has a great start already.

Just read a comment above -- it is definitely possible to avoid a Christmas look, even if that floor is forest green (to me it looks teal).

Use some lighter tints of the blue-green color in the room, which would be a minty blue-green. Or just add additional shades of teals and blue-greens, it is done all the time. You could also throw in oranges or pinks that match the chest and desk. Definitely not Christmas.

By the way (I can't seem to shut up about this great room), this color scheme begs for a theatrical retro look. Please see the movie Ghost World (it's not about ghosts) for some amazing casual decorating inspiration with these sorts of colors.

To use up your gift card, I'd probably get a couple matching throw rugs or runners (instead of one big rug) and a basic mirror to put on the closet door, and a you could get a fun color to paint the bedside tables (though a basic black might work too.) Unfortunately I don't think Lowes has fabric for curtains, but maybe you could make a stop at an Ikea to keep things inexpensive (and 2 new bedside lamps?)

Hard to tell if it would work, but I'd also see if the bed might work on the wall opposite the door - and maybe keep 'his' and 'her' things on respective sides so you can feel like you have some space (like his desk next to his closet?)

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=117650-81218-497&lpage=none

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=176472-373-3U23990800&lpage=none

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=26204-13437-8412&lpage=none
(don't forget some hanging brackets)

coming in late on this one...

I really like the room. I love the cieling and the room has a good vibe. I also love the jabs of red. Even if yu can paint, keep the wallswhite--white adds to the appreciation of the culpural quality of the celing slope. If there is room, move the bed so that the head is under the slope--it will balance the space better and give you a great sense of comfort when you're in bed.

White/off-white bedspread. Thin white curtains. Stain bedside tables white.

I can't tell from the photo, but are the desk and desk chair stained in a reddish tone or painted red?

If they are painted red, I like the idea of painting the nightstands a matching color. You're rather stuck with the wall color, but could go for some drama with the red furniture. The dresser appears to be painted black and it looks like the platform bed is black. You could also go with painting the nightstands black.

If you like a red, black, and white color scheme, adding a patterned bedspread with those colors, along with red or black shams would be good. Red or white curtains could go nicely with that without being too matchy matchy. Add black throw rugs and you're set.

Of course the problem with that is Lowe's has a very limited assortment of bedding, pillows, and drapes.

Why is it that figuring out someone else's interior decorating is easier than figuring out my own?

Oh, and your trunk is gorgeous.

people, she said she can't paint the walls! get over it and be more creative!

I would definitely not paint the bedside tables red. that's far too matchy-matchy. the red that is there is lovely, but there's enough of it.

Maybe better bedside tables*, bedspread and lamps. And more art and curtains/blinds that cover the windows. It's a neat and cool little room.

* I'm thinking something simple and white with a door or drawers to hide clutter. I think it calls out for a spare decor.

Some kind of swing arm lamp with metal shades and roller shades or simpler curtains.

If you could put the bed where the trunk is and live w/o bedside tables and wall mtd. lamps, that might look really nice and be very functional. Plus you'd have a few out from bed, which I like.

- Stain/paint the nightstands to match the bed. Maybe even eliminate one of the nightstands to make more space, if you don't need both (I don't know if it's one or two people in this room). I'd consider staining/painting the desk, too. But I'd leave the trunk red.

- New lamps. Maybe something with a red base and a white shade? I don't know if Lowe's has much to choose from.

- New window coverings. I don't know what Lowe's has.

- A rug of some sort would be nice if you still have money to spend. I don't think it's 100% necessary though.

- Hang the painting a little lower, so that the top of the painting is below the tops of the doors, not above.

- A different furniture arrangement might be good, but I'm not good at making those recommendations based on photos, so I'll leave that alone.

Stuff that Lowe's probably can't help you with, but that you might consider if you have some cash of your own to spend:

- Change out the throw pillow- the current one doesn't really work with anything else in the room. Maybe see what's on Etsy?

- More art for your walls.

It looks like you have a nice space with lots of possibilities. That's always a good thing.

Thank you so much to everyone! I've got so many great ideas now--I just have to compile them and make the best use of the gift cards.

To clarify (because the photos are definitely not great): The bed and dresser are very dark brown (the bed more of a dark walnut, the dresser a chocolate). The trunk is a very bright light red (nearly pink) and the desk is stained red over a black stain, I think (those are both antiques). The floor is forest green.

Everything (really everything, even the bedding and lamps) in this room is a hand-me-down or thrifted other than the bedside tables, which my grandfather hand-made for us.

I'm really encouraged to hear so many people say we can work with what we've got, both in terms of the room and the furniture, since I do like them both but was feeling hopeless about their cohesiveness.

Thanks everybody! I will be sure to update when it's finally redone!

if i were you'd i'd forget about the rug. the floor is beautiful. i think this is a case where wabi sabi would look really nice. even the art would work. much of the elements are already there. paint all the furniture you can white or off white, but the more weathered it looks, the better.

i'd change the curtains to something rough like a white, cream linen. i'd also, buy the widest curtain rod you can fit in there & place it higher & wider than the window. it will give the illusion of a large window. you can put a full length mirror where that painting & trunk are. move the trunk to the foot of the bed. get white sheets & very, very pale green lamp shades. i'd also buy some nice boxes to clean up that desk.

Firstly, get rid of all the unnecessary things around or organize ...it looks a mess.
Secondly, and most importantly. . .that room needs a paint!
You might want to get rid of the lamp in front of the window. There is too much going on there...The clutter needs to go away and then life will be much more simpler and you'll be able to go ahead with giving it a nice touch!
For a start, the trunk is really nice. It adds a lot of character to the room and it could help get more things to the room associated to the similar theme to go with the personality.
The flooring adds fun to it as well, so you might wana get new bed linens..since thats the center of attraction...
If nothing, atleast clean it up! and whats with the shirt hanging on the door!

Loves: the red chest and the green floor! Very cool.

Bed: Switching the bed 90 degrees and centering it on that wall will make the bed the focus of the room and it will appear more inviting. The slanted ceiling will make the bed more cozy.

Color theme: Too many colors make it seem like they are competing: lampshades, bedspread, throw pillow, painting, I'd change or remove them.

If at all possible, I think the right Oriental-style rug could tie things together. I'd also probably ditch the desk lamp, it doesn't seem to match.

Gift card: bamboo shades, new desk lamp, new bed lamps/lampshades, rug??, paint/stain for the endtables.

Have fun! Lots of potential, and lots of suggestions! I can't wait to see the "after" photos.