apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I really like the inspiration pics. With any small space, lighter colors and minimal lines can make it appear much larger. If you are painting the walls, I would go for the lightest hue of the yellow or blue possible. You could even go with a warm gray and it would match your theme well.

From your pic, it looks like you would have to paint your ceiling as well.

We are also in the process of moving and going through this same downsizing process. We recently got rid of a bunch of clutter, and are selling our bulkier pieces. It's nice to start over in a new place, even if it is smaller.

In my smaller space (than yours) I painted the walls a light gray-- Ralph Lauren, Sailor's Knot. I've found it keeps the room light and airy without being cold or drab. Ambient lighting and mirrored accents, like the side table in your collage, should also brighten things up a bit. I might also find tall, light book cases to flank either side of the window (a built in effect) and they try a nice bench under the window. A new space is always so much fun, when it comes down to it just include the things you love and you can never go wrong!

i have a space similar to yours, the only window is out to the vestibule which has a very old and dirty skylight... i just painted it a light lemon yellow, i have a tan couch and a bright green rug, the room is so much larger feeling than it was when it was bright baby blue.

Small rooms can be painted a color other than white, but keep the ceiling white; it will lift the "roof" of the space and make it lighter. I agree with the "layers" of light concept--if the room doesn't have a ceiling fixture, you may want to consider an uplight, as well as lamps and the pendant over the table.

I think you might want to take one wall and put as many low cabinets across in White. There is a post here where someone took Ikea white kitchen cabinets and mounted them to the wall to make them look floating like built-ins. This will give you lots of storage and a nice long surface to place your accessories, stereo or TV on. Otherwise, one credenza gets choppy in a small space.

I don't see anything wrong with painting the entire room white. Its soothing, its a canvas for the rest. You just need to find the right white maybe something warmer with a hint of yellow. I love pale grey too I find grey very tricky what works for one space can be so different in your space.

Congratulations on your new apartment. This is a great room, it has symmetry and interesting shape to the walls/ceiling. You're already on a roll! Keep the room as open and simple as possible. Fewer larger pieces will make it feel bigger. A full sized sofa against the window, floor to ceiling, wall to wall sheers (zebra if you like), TV on one side, an occasional chair, side tables, lamps. Skip the coffee table if you can. Have your side tables stack or something. It'll make the room much bigger. A good size eating table, a skinny desk/landing pad. Is there anything else you really need. Make each of these pieces must haves for you, what you love. Keep the colors on the light side and fewer colors will, again, make the space feel bigger and more open. Add your accents for the eye to focus on.

One area rug is sufficient - just make sure that it's large enough to encompass the entire sitting area (8x10). Consider bringing the outdoors in classic style with a nicely bound Jute or seagrass rug rather than one of those trendy wool rugs.

The dining area could be defined simply by the absence of a rug, a pendant lamp over the table and a large mirror or piece of artwork on the adjacent wall.

Try to stay away from buying everything brand new out of a catalog - there are lots of resources for good vintage items on Craigslist, Flea Markets, eBay, Garage/Estate Sales, etc., and drapery panels are easy to make from discount fabric yardage.

Finally don't overlook lighting. You're going to need at least a couple of table lamps on either side of that sofa plus another source of light by a chair in addition to your pendant over the dining area - and remember that dimmers are your friend.

Mounted mirrors increase the light and give the illusion of extra windows, which makes the space feel bigger. We just mounted a mirror over our kitchen sink and it made the (dark, tiny) kitchen feel much much lighter and larger.

You're actually off to a good start with the furniture you've chosen. "Leggy" furniture that lets you see under it makes a room feel larger than solid pieces that go all the way to the floor.

As for paint color, you'll probably need to try some swatches to test them in your light. Yellow can make a dim room cheery, or it can be sallow and dingy. It all depends.

When I lived in a very small dark apartment, I painted both the floors and ceilings white, and it was transformative -- there's a reason why Scandinavians love this look. It really does combat the darkness.

I truly love all the choices you've made so far. It's gonna look great once completed. Congrats on your new place!

Who makes the entertainment center that the TV is on in the inspiration photos? I love the look of that piece!

I once rented an apartment that all the walls had been painted the standard off-white, but it was a definite pink off-white. At first I couldn't believe someone would choose that color, but then I discovered it gave the entire place this awesome warm glow. I know pink can sound scary, but it was definitely a color lesson I took to heart. A mirror or two - especially when placed opposite the windows - can make it seem like there is more light too.

You are getting good advice. I just want to suggest that washing those windows will double your light!

I love that T.V. stand. Where is it from?

Thanks for all of the advice everyone, I can't wait to get in there and put it all to use! For those who asked, the TV stand is from the Besta series at Ikea.

Looks great, but I wouldn't go with the baby blue and yellow if you want a "grown-up" look. Maybe I'm biased because blue and yellow were my school's colors (and therefore remind me of college life), but I think muted shades seem more sophisticated. I'd consider a silvery greyish-blue if you want blue, or celadon green. I also like the light grey idea.

Is it possible to prune the trees so that you can have more light?

I love the lights and the side table of the living room you have posted in this blog post the most. Black and white never goes out of style. perrfect!!!!!




Jeanne

First of all, listen to bepsf advice - stay out of catalogs because you will be buying stuff that's much too expensive. Especially when it comes to a dining table, end tables, etc. Maybe just make the sofa the only item bought new - saying you get one you love, sofas tend to last quite awhile so it is worth the investment.

I would go with two rugs - one for the living room and one for the dining. It helps separate the two spaces. You could just go simple - a black/grey rug in one area and a white one in the other - to help match the zebra print.

I agree with the poster above - paint the lightest hue of yellow. This area is going to need all the help it can get on light - and that should help it feel more light. I'd ditch the baby blue unless you this to feel more like a nursery school though - do baby blue somewhere else in the apartment.

Lights are going to be a huge thing. Maybe try to have at least two lamps in the sitting area and either a pole lamp near the dining area or a pendant light from above. Wall sconces will be great if your landlord will approve this.

I normally hate adding mirrors to a room, but maybe add a few to the wall opposite of the windows to bounce more sunlight around. That might be a nice area to make a dining zone. I would have the living area near the windows since it will be used more.

I agree-- pale yellow will be perfect. Perfect with white and grey accents which all go very well together.

I love the bird rug, all your ceramic accents, and the zebra sheers and pillow! Not a fan of the side table or pendant light. Too much. Think you should go with something more simple for these two pieces IMO.

We have the Karlstad sofa in that color, and while it's not the most cushy couch, I still love it. The bed part of it is great. Have you seen the Fusion table? We have that too, and it's great-- nice and compact. But I love your table/chair pick too.

Good luck!

Don't forget to personalize your space... Whether it's framing art a friend has made or showing off your book collection, personal touches really make a difference in modern spaces-- to make it look a little more inviting and give it some personality.

Not original but - a honking big mirror helps. We have a Hovet in our relatively dark space and it's like adding door to another universe.

FYI, those zebra pillows are on sale at West Elm right now.

I love that bird rug too, where is is from?

Love the look of your choices but I would suggest not just running out and buying these things right away. I was a little in love with the Besta series from Ikea too. Until I saw them in person, they are really cheap looking pieces made from press board. And for the $400 or so you would spend on a decent set up like that you can score something off Craigslist, or during summer maybe in a yard sale. I recently got my first post-collegiate apartment too and realized all the furniture belonged to my roommate. I would suggest not jumping into anything TO quickly. I regret a few of my 'but I need this right now' purchases already. I should have saved a little longer and kept looking for a couch.
Yeah Ikea is quick and cheap, but sitting the TV on the floor for a month or two isn't really going to hurt anything while you look for a decent used piece. Take your time, sooth your inner designer by letting yourself paint and walk into flea markets.

My bedroom is somewhat similar in size, with just a degree or two more light. I chose to paint it a light yellow, and am looking forward to repainting it a different color sometime soon. I'm not displeased with it during the day, but at night it just doesn't feel right.