apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'd replace the IKEA LACK shelf with a long vintage credenza to hide all the clutter and also be high enough that he doesn't have to stoop over to get his mail/keys/etc.

A nice big lamp on the credenza would be great to brighten up that side of the room - since the TV is there, the print could go elsewhere.

Can you paint? If so, paint that little nook a nice saturated color.

Also, maybe get a shallow floating shelf to put opposite the door so you can throw your keys and stuff on it. You can then put some hooks under the shelf for your jackets and then just toss your shoes underneath the jackets.

I like that you put the ottoman by the door. It's always good to have seating by an entry.

I think the room just needs an anchor. Maybe a nice big area rug? Nothing wrong with putting a rug on carpet!

It doesn't match your decor, but maybe put a bird bath in the entry/ foyer and use it as a catchall.

Ditch those god-awful vertical blinds for some nice curtains. They will add some texture and warmth!

Color. Paint something.

Plants???

monica - i am going to put my money on the fact that he probably rents and isn't allowed to touch the blinds. Even if he could take them down temporarily while he rents, what would be a PITA, and you still gotta put them somewhere.

hopefully you can paint though, since that one wall is already grey, and you might be able to put a pop of color with that. Sadly, we can't paint here and i am stuck with tan.

Without seeing the rest of this room, it's hard to say. But having rented several small spaces with awkward or no formal "foyer" or entrance, I've always created my own. Walking directly into a living (as is usually the case in apartments) always feels strange to me.

I'd re-orient the room (again, if possible) by turning the couch and floating it parallel to the sliding doors. Leave space, of course, and put the TV on another wall. Then place a credenza or sofa table where the TV is now and BA-BANG! you've created an entrance way. Float some chairs across from the couch, coffee table, rug.

But this could all go out the window depending on how the room actually works.

Why oh why do all the people with fun projects that I'd love to get my hands on live out in LA???

PS: The moving of the TV unit further down is a good start. Also wondering what you face when you come in the front door...

"...maybe get a shallow floating shelf to put opposite the door so you can throw your keys and stuff on it."

He can't do that.
There's a closet door that swings open against that wall - he wouldn't be able to open it if there were a shelf there.

your couch and TV are too far apart and you break up the space walking through it. turn the couch so it is facing the other way and put the TV and stand against the wall where the couch is now. when you walk in you will walk behind the couch. on the wall put some hooks for your things. maybe a table behind the couch. create a more intimate living room with small spaces carved out for your everyday items.

yes color! it doesn't have to be anything bright... even splashes of brown or a dark olive green can do, you definitely need something to balance out the gray to add life to the room.

those blinds should go as well if possible - its a little too office-y. replacing them with just simple neutral colored curtains would give the room much more warmth - or you can go for something more dramatic/bright for a bolder look.

getting a rug or coffee table (or both) that will tie the room together is also a possibility - create a focal point in the room.

could also give your painting a friend or two - but if you are more a minimalist person, then perhaps not. its actually ok as it is.

For my money, nothing beats wall-mounting a TV. But please find somebody handy with tools to mount it to studs.

Really would have loved to see one of the color LA posters rather than the black and white.

Everything on that wall is so dark. I'd say pick a bright color that you like and throw around some accents. Some bright flowers or some fruits maybe.

i don't think anyone has mentioned this so here goes...

good on you to move the tv stand. if you like the lack shelf unit or intend to keep it for whatever reason you like, then i'd match it with another lack type floating shelf that will run parallel with the tv unit but at about elbow height and offset so that the tv unit is more to the left and the shelf overlaps but goes more to the right and pretty much end right up to the door frame. maybe something less deep will still make it easy for you to sit on the ottoman on the corner. this will give you a good place to drop things off on the corner and sort of define that wall a bit more.

on the wall opposite your main door i would put either hooks or art.. or both! art above the hooks! this shouldn't interfere too badly with the closet door opening.

Matt M.-

You could install some hooks next to the closet door for coats/hats/bags.

How about scoot down the tv unit even further and add a bookcase-like unit near the door, hip or waist high with a small basket on top for your keys/wallet. Some suggestions:

Makati DVD/VHS Basket(would give a natural element to the room): http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=71225&PRODID=10018711

or

Valet charging station instead of the basket:
http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=10335

Aneboda Table (you'll have to paint to match if you want):
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30121760

*****

To be totally crazy and outside the box, how about a pony wall-like see thru book shelf (again hip height) on that tiny strip of wall right where your sliding glass door starts. It might define your entry way alittle more. I know it might stick out into the living room a bit, but that's why it has to be small. You could put your basket on the top ledge and other decorative things in the cubbies. Something like a minature Expedit bookcase from Ikea. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80071319

Picture of a pony wall:
http://www.hgtv.com/rm-walls-types-materials/pony-wall-room-divider/index.html

Regardless, I would move the tv unit down more anyway so you don't bump your shin on the corner of that unit. Or things to get piled up by the door and you trip over it.

This was what I was going for with the pony wall/bookcase idea...

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/how-to/how-to-make-a-cozy-entryway--064702

Just some ideas. Good luck! Post some photos somewhere when you're all settled in! :)

wow I didn't realize this was posted until just now. Thanks for the tips everyone!
Here are two more shots of the room:
when you walk in (don't mind the unpacked boxes):
http://images43.fotki.com/v1328/photos/5/51621/6847793/IMG_8466-vi.jpg?1225207139

from the dining area:
http://images43.fotki.com/v1329/photos/5/51621/6847793/IMG_8464-vi.jpg

those photos are all desaturated a bit which may be part of the reason the room looks so drab. i did paint two of the walls a purplish/gray color. i have two cube end tables that I built, but are being shipped from my old home Chicago and haven't arrived yet. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=982&f=14808

I also have a black Barcelona chair on order to replace the IKEA chair/ottoman. The TV shelf I planned on putting on sliding frosted plexiglass doors like a hack I saw posted here earlier this summer. Not sure about moving around the furniture (at least the TV) because that is the only wall with a cable jack. Otherwise I'd have cables running across the carpet.

I do plan on ordering a large print to hang over the couch in addition to getting a new, more colorful throw pillow/blanket. I thought about getting a colorful bowl or something to put on the right side of the entertainment center for my keys and whatnot. I cannot put a shelf opposite the entryway as there is a closet there.

I also thought of putting a small colorful chair on the left side of the entertainment center (not this, but something like it): http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50122339

As far as the blinds go, I planned on getting some sheer white curtains with a subtle pattern. I don't want dark ones to block any of the light, I'd just like something to keep the privacy. I already have problems finding storage for my personal things so I'd likely just open the blinds all the way and put the curtains over them.
A friend also planned on taking me plant shopping to buy a bunch of different plants to put throughout my place.
Keep the suggestions coming! I love the ideas and look forward to posting pictures once I get settled!!

Cheers,
Matt

Okay, so I know you just moved your tv stand over, but what if you moved it to the left, slid your tv down to the right a bit, moved the print to the left of the tv, put a huge plant to the right of the tv stand and maybe a really cool key rack on the wall. there are tons of cool key rack options (i'm not just saying that because i make/sell them either!) and one would really add some interest to your wall.

I also think that if you started collecting some red, orange and yellow hardcover books and put them on the shelf area of your tv stand it would look really neat and add some interest and warmth to that side of the room.

I wish I had more ideas for you but I'm struggling with my own living space right now, too! So maybe I shouldn't even be offering advice ;)

Gosh, I love your apt. When can I move in? I used to have a nice place like that, but had to move because the rent went up. You should set up a bar area in there for entertaining!

this apt looks a lot like the one bedroom apt i lived in during college...

i think...

the tv should go on the wall...

there needs to be a proper coffee table, one you can throw a box of pizza on...and leave a clutter of remotes, mags and coffee mugs...

You should switch the entertainment center to the long wall. Then swing the couch ninety degrees to face the patio doors. The chair and footstool would be placed at a 45 degree angle between the couch and patio doors so you can view the television. Then you have room for a landing strip console next to the cube.

This breaks up your long room into two parts, the living area and office area. You could also add a console table behind the couch. This could be a place to put work projects when you need to, or as a place for lamps or a decorative object.

the above suggestion by catrobmar is right on the money...

that way you can stretch on the couch or plop on the chair while watching TV...

catrobmar-
I really like your idea, but then i'll have cables running through the middle of my carpet? the wall the tv's on is the only wall with cable jacks. suggestions?
i'm a renter so i can't pull up the carpet and i can't mount the tv on the wall.