apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would start by paint the walls. A rusty orange will detract from the flaws of the furniture and help warm up the place. I would also switch the positions of the bedside table and the chair. Having the chair next to the window will make for an excellent reading space.

Don't forget framed art work and window treatments.

I would turn the bed and put the bed head up against the wall on the left if you can. Leave the chair where it is, and bring the side table to the bed side that is then closer to us.

Use the burgundy bedspread and use your silk one either as a wall hanging on the wall where the bed is now, or use it as a window cover/decoration to hide the venetians.

Since you got the throw in Asia, I would say try to incorporate more accessories and artwork that kind of play off of that theme. If you can paint the walls, do so! Something from the bedspread or a smoky blue-gray could really work. If you can, try changing the pulls on the drawers to something less 90's. Even something like tassels to go exotic could work.

I think you should get the chair out of there and move both the bed closer to the wall with the table next to it. Try the chair in front of the window, perhaps diagonally.

If you can paint that would help a lot. So would a better lamp, perhaps
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10124057
in green would compliment your bed cover. Or http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10123048
in red.

Floor length curtains, maybe velvet, in one of the tones of your bed cover.

Framed art. You can do this on the cheap by framing a piece of fabric or paper.
http://www.papermojo.com/
http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/index.html

This room just needs the basics: rearranging the furniture with the chair at the window, some deep-colored paint on the walls and drapery at the window and a nice plush wool area rug.

I think the furniture is fine for starters. The lines are simple and the surface isn't too crazy looking.

You can always put the burgundy bedspread under your pretty silk bedcover (for warmth) if the bedcover is big enough to hide it! Or maybe make a duvet cover out of your silk bedcover by finding a nice solid cotton voile fabric. I think using it as a wall hanging would look a bit collegiate IMHO.

I agree with WECKSTER about reorienting the furniture. Also look at adding some cute little lamps with paper shades for more ambient lighting. The single reading light is a bit harsh.

I'd also recommend an area rug (yes over carpet) next to the bed. It will make the space look less like a white-box. Maybe something predominantly containing the olive-green colors that are in the silk bedspread.

Definitely the chair at an angle (in the corner) by the window. My instinct would then be to just push the bed against the wall and bring the nightstand with it.

Wall paint (something bold) and a few framed pieces will do wonders - I like the idea of framed fabric. You could go with something geometric to tie in the furniture, or something a little crazier to mix it up and detract from it, depending on your goal.

A more expensive-looking lamp would take it up a level - seems that lamp is "cheapening" the furniture, and bringing the eye down. If you really don't love the bed-set, then coax the eye upward with a taller lamp, high plant, artwork, ceiling fixture, etc.

8 reasons this room is depressing you:

(1) you're only living in 1/2 the room
(2) the chair in the corner is punishment-ville
(3) backing into the footboard when opening the dresser
(4) you have a sea of birch in a small space
(5) those venetian blinds are from the "office space" set
(6) being greeted by a cord garland
(7) dearth of friendly light sources
(8) nothing seems soft and inviting, and it's a bedroom

Everyone's given you excellent suggestions, but sometimes it helps to figure out what's really bothering you before tackling an area - it's easy to get overwhelmed. The good news is the furniture isn't all that bad - there's just too much of it.

One idea -- move the head of the bed to the wall like weckster suggested, then put that beautiful silk piece on the wall above, but hanging down OVER the headboard. Try a bedskirt to break up the side rails, and a throw over the footboard. I think you're missing the cozy.

Good luck and happy new year...

I actually kind of like the furniture, but if you don't, you could darken it with a gel stain (or so I have been told!) One problem with the room is so much is so light colored. I'd try to paint the walls, but if you landlord doesn't permmit that, then making the furniture darker might help. (Most Asian furniture I have seen is dark, anyhow, so it would help if you want to move in that thematic direction.)

I'm with the group who thinks you should try moving the bed to the wall on the left. I'd get a chunkier lamp (maybe something from an import shop or thrift shop that has an Asian sensibility -- an orange or red lampshade would be wonderful, but possibly not easy to achieve unless you can DIY it. (Or maybe find an orange or red paper lantern??)

I'm guessing you don't actually sit on that chair, so I'd get rid of it -- if you really need one, look for something that feels more Asian, like possibly a small bamboo piece. Or maybe find a small storage ottoman, since we can all use more storage.

Some wall art would also help -- maybe a folding screen? (Overstock.com has some, import shops are another option.)

Good luck! It shouldn't take much, just something darker (walls or furniture), a more interesting and bold lamp, wall art... And if you like the silk and it's not warm enough, you could always get a regular blanket to put underneath it...

You got some wonderful advice above...

Here are my 2c. If you do not love the furniture, get rid of it. You can get something off craigslist which you really love. Your happiness is worth the hassle. Also, accessorizing around something you acutely dislike is not ideal.

How about a rich chocolate brown for the walls? And definitely soft drapes, maybe velvet. An area rug with a color or colors similar to the silk bedspread would be nice, too.

I agree with a lot of the suggestions on moving the furniture, too, but not the one to sell it--it's fine!

I see the light wood and I want to paint it black. No light wood anymore....

Actually a dark stain would be nice.

I like the idea of the throw as a wall hanging (covering the headboard), but wonder how it would look as a window cover-- hung from a rod with ring clips and tied to the right during the during the day? It might not work, but I'd hold it up there to see. The blinds are not helping and need to be covered or removed!

The lighting is horrible. You need a lamp or two.

You've got decent furniture and the throw is very nice. A few more pieces could make this nice.

Totally depends on the vibe you want to end up with... bright and sunny? Cool and icy? Dark and warm? Country inspired? Asian inspired? This is a huge part of deciding what to do next, and the questions a designer would be asking you to help you out.

As far as furniture placement, unless there is a doorway issue, slide everything over so your night stand is centered on the window, and let the remaining furniture follow.

If you love the silk throw but find it impractical, turn it into one side of a duvet cover.

From one "single diva" in Philly to another....

I would hang the silk piece on the wall (since, if your heat is as bad as mine, the weather in Philly right now requires something with a bit more warmth). Find some fun lighting, maybe a floor lamp (cheap from target or pier1). Get rid of the chair and the blinds, put up curtains and wall art.

I'm too lazy to paint my own rental space, but that would probably help (although I think hanging your silk piece on the wall would really add some nice color).

Good luck and GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!

As everyone's already said, painting would be good, if you can do it. Some artwork would be nice, too. Maybe some nice fabrics with geometric patterns framed on the wall?

I'd look at someplace like Pearl River or Good Orient to get a few Asian-themed accessories. A paper-shade lamp or lantern would be cute, and maybe a few knick knacks on the table and window sill (a lucky cat, some pretty stones in a ceramic dish, etc.).

I don't know what's on the other walls. I would consider turning the bed to head at the wall on the left or right, but maybe there are closets or other doors, or a simply good reason the wall it's on is ideal.

Everyone is right about the chair, it isn't good tight in the corner. On the other hand, if the nightstand was on the other side, depending on your storage needs, might be too far off the "path" if you get what I'm saying, all the way around to the other side of the bed if there's anything you need in there or need to put back in it. If it's just magazines and stuff, then move it to the corner.

Get a new lamp. A real table lamp. I don't know what kind, and I don't think it matters. Look at a lot of lamps and find one you like a lot. Maybe it's too tall or too short, that could be a problem, but other than that, a real table lamp that you like will probably be ok. If you are handy at rewiring (it's easy with carefully followed instructions), or know someone who is, thrift stores and flea markets are a good place to find something unusual. If the outlet to the right is the only outlet in the room or the only one on that wall, and if you're rewiring, get a white or clear silver wire, no black or brown or gold, and no swagging the wire from 3 feet over. Alternately, a power strip in a camouflaging white or off-white can slide in from the right and hide behind the nightstand, whichever side.

I don't like the wall-hanging idea. You do have something nice, but I tend to think it could be damaged in some way, and it already looks great on the bed. If you are cold, the other blanket can go under it. I might think about painting the bed, but that means paint everything... ? A lot more work to finish, and maybe it's not your thing. I would put some art on the wall, and we already know the furniture could look more interesting. How long will you keep this furniture? Are you a grad or undergrad and plan to replace it in a few years, or are you pretty sure this is furniture you're going to need for a lot longer? I can see setting up a long-term transformation project to improve the look, and so I would ask myself how many factors make it worth it or not worth it. It could make a huge difference, so I would weigh that. I don't know where this room is and how long you'll live there and if you're allowed to paint or can't really be prevented from painting. I have trouble suggesting colors.

Oh, dear god. A pretty curtain. I think a lot of the problem with this space is either arrangement or lack of personal touch. Aside from the spread, you need the basic things like a lamp and a curtain and some stuff on the walls. What do you like to have? Get some and put that in there.

Turn the bed 90 degree counter clock wise, push it against the left wall. Turn the dresser 180 degree, put where the bed headboard is now. Put the nightstand to the left of the bed, since you now have the dresser to the right of the bed. Put the chair in the corner by the window, diagonally. Display your Asian throw on the wall above the dresser, next to the window.

Use the textile as a bedcover with a blanket under it OR sew it to fabric and make it a duvet cover.

Turn the bed as proposed. Paint one or more walls the light red color in the textile.

Consider covering the headboard with foam and then covering all of that with a fabric that coordinates with the textile - dark brown or red. Use more of the fabric to make a window shade.

New, more interesting, drawer pulls on the night-table. Put a fabric runner that goes with the bed textile over it, to add more interest. If money is short, buy an interesting scarf in a thrift store.

Get an inexpensive rug in one of the colors of the textile. Get a more interesting lamp eventually, and art for the walls.

awesome feedback everyone!

I know there was a complaint about the "sea of birch" but I think that if you had 3" wood (or -- do NOT throw a shoe at me! -- fake wood) blinds that match it, which are really not all that expensive at Home Depot (AND they WILL cut the length for you!) that might help ground the furniture in the room AND add some atmosphere. But yes, over that, I would still do some velvet curtains which are much more easily found than it sounds. There are some at Bed, Bath & Beyond, just to name one off the top of my head.

HOWEVER... if you DO love that bedspread, and if you realize that you DO hate all that light birch wood, then get a DIFFERENT color of wood blinds and think about seriously painting the bed, etc., to match THAT, because that might be a better way to complement that bedspread. It DOES have dark brown in it, so your light wood color might be problematic, the more I think about it.

I did something like that once, and here's how it went:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artycurtis/sets/72057594097309896/

Hi all. I apologize for the late reply. I've been focused on getting the rest of the apartment together. As for the questions: the wall that you can't see is a huge window with a great view so moving the bed there is out. That's why I put the chair there and yes I sit there and read alot. I did move the chair out though because it fits another room better. Yes, I could afford to change the furniture or anything else, also don't want to paint the walls if possible. I plan to be here for a year before moving into a home so I don't want to invest too much in this small room.

Thank you all for the great ideas. I am open now to getting another bedspread but I have no idea of what color to go with and I do stil like the thai spread. I will definitely change the draw pulls, just need to find replacements. The furniture has grown on me and you all are right, it does just need to be cozied up. I wish I had decorating skills.