apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Play with the furniture placement, keeping in mind how you'll use the space.

A pre-fab slipcover for the sofa and an inexpensive area rug (from say, Urban Outfitters), and a mirror or a framed poster on the wall (speaking to the colours and style you like) would go a long way.

Otherwise, you could try to sell the pieces you like least and look for replacements on Craigslist.

If you like Rococo style, drape white sheets over all the furniture (couch, chair, TV table, etc.). The shape of the couch and armchair will look fine in a Rococo-style decor since they're curvy.

If you indeed love the Rococo, download some artwork from the period (black-and-white drawings or china designs work better than multicolored oil paintings) and have them blown up at Kinkos to make huge "wallpaper" murals that you can attach with removable 3M squares.

Knock-off Aubusson carpets (key to the Rococo style) are at every garage sale and aren't expensive. But you could also stencil a plain dhurrie for a more graphic and modern take on the look. (How to do it: theatrical scene painters project a slide onto whatever they're painting and simply trace over the image. Anyone can paint just about anything with this technique.)

Firstly, actually love that pink chair! It looks cozy, and has great lines.

Can you paint or replace those blinds with curtains? If it's a college rental, you might not be able to, but if you could it would go a long way. Yesterday someone on AT posted about putting up wallpaper with double-sided tape. That might be a great alternative for you.

I think you definitely need a real coffee table. Move that white wicker deal so that it is an end table. Also, I think you need some more furniture along that wall with the big sliding door, preferable more seating. For both of those items I'd suggest craigslist. You can find some great, cheap deals there. AT recently posted some great tips for searching on craigslist, that helped me a lot!

Also, you need something on those walls! That's going a long way to making your room feel dreary. Even if it's as simple as stretched fabric. The fabric on that couch is pretty dated, so a slip cover might be nice? I recently found a cheap and nice one on Overstock. Of course, slip covers can look dated and messy too, so it might not be worth the time. Some interesting throw pillows might be enough to spruce it up. If you're on a budget, making throw pillows is so easy!

Also, if you can afford it/find something on craigslist, try moving that tv to a lower and longer consol table.

Sorry, I missed that you said you couldn't paint the walls. In that case, definitely get some art on those walls!!

What you've got in your favor are neutrals against which you can begin to add color and interest. I'd suggest first figuring out your color scheme, using a poster, print, natural object, rug, whatever. Maybe take your cues from your hanging lamps or that picture that's currently propped up on your French table. Then add punches of color to your space based on your inspiring object.

For instance, say you pick up an inexpensive rug somewhere. Use those colors to select a cover for the sofa and chair (even if you use a top sheets, slightly modified -- super cheap at IKEA), throw pillows, art work for the walls, and even some paint colors for your wooden chair and TV stand.

Colorful fabric mounted on wood frames (IKEA has these in 19" x 19") is a fantastic and inexpensive way to get texture, color, and interest on your walls.

Curtains mounted using brackets and a rod could hide the current window treatment (you might even be able to remove those slats until you move out).

Arrange the furniture in a comfortable way, to encourage conversation, eating, studying -- whatever you like to do here.

Finally, look around Craigslist, flea markets, the trash even, for interesting accent pieces that can fight against that generic apartment feel that you've got at the moment. Some decorative objects, fabric, a plant stand used as a side table, whatever.

Good luck!!!!

Your apartment reminds me of my college apartment (blah drapes, everything tan and white). My roommate and I couldn't paint either so we covered our walls in colorful clusters of pictures, and large tapestries. On the floor we put down some cheap colorful rugs from ikea. Our table clothes, curtains, blankets, and pillows were always bright and cheery. My tip is to scour nearby thrift stores for pieces of furniture, frames, and knick knacks and keep trying even if you feel discouraged. You can find a ton of great stuff if you keep digging.

I am moving into my first place and also trying to decorate/furnish an entire house for as cheap as possible. I've been buying cheap furniture on craigslist that I either already like, or that can be refinished or painted. I have also been shopping a lot at discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshall's. You can get cheap curtains, rugs, lamps, all kindsa stuff there. And don't forget yard sales and flea markets! I check craigslist or the newspaper to see where the yard sales are every weekend.

Yikes! I think I would move the couch to the other wall. Take a huge canvas and paint it the color that you wish you could pant your walls. Def get a slip cover for that couch and then add some pretty pillows playing with colors and textures. I would also go to walmart or target or something and find a large mirror to help open that place up a bit. And if you have to keep all of that furniture try painting all of them a unified color...also I would sign up for something like freecycle in your area where people are giving away furniture as long as you can come and pick it up...you may find some things that you can work with on there...not to mention you can post a wanted ad like "WANTED Coffee table"

Sorry to sound like a stick in the mud, but your studies should be your first priority!!!!! As long as your apartment is clean and cozy you shouldn't worry too much. It's all too easy to avoid studying by obsessing over other things, so please just get your priorities straight and hit those books!

One of my favorite "decorating" memories of college is getting together with a group of friends, commandeering the one pick-up truck that someone has and hitting all the thrift stores in town.

We came up with some real treasures. And when we moved, they all ended back up on the street where they were picked up by someone else.

You obviously have to accept the carpeting but you could go half and half with your roommate and spring for a brand new area rug to work all of your pieces around.

Definitely go for some dramatic thrifty wall art. A little toothpaste in the wall holes when you move will cover your tracks.

You should read Apartment Therapy more often and/or check the archives and be a little creative that's what this site is all about. Don't look for everyone to give you the answers and use an easy out.

Yes, Monica, you are a stick in the mud. Everyone is entitled to make their place look nice. Who's to say that they wouldn't study better if they felt more at home in the apartment?

I just moved into a new apartment with my boyfriend and neither of us have much nice, non-college-style furniture to work with. I found this book at the library though, http://www.amazon.com/dp/039952861X/ref=nosim/?tag=usewhatyouhavein, by Lauri Ward and she's got some great great tips on how to work with what you have. I highly recommend giving it a good read.

Otherwise, first thing I'd do is get some art on your wall. Check this site out http://store.txtlart.com/walhankit1.html for inexpensive and large art that says designer all over it.

LOL...I knew I would get some feedback! I appreciate what you're saying inkstainedwriter, and I have to agree that a pleasant living space can contribute greatly to one's state of mind and focus. I guess I just have negative memories/feelings about some kids I knew in college who were more interested in what they wore and how their rooms were decorated than they were in their studies. A couple of them flunked out and I have no idea where they are now. I imagine their parents were none too happy and felt that the money they paid for their kids to go to college was wasted.

I guess I came off as too extreme. I just think college is a time to study hard and then once you're out in "the real world" you can focus more on your dream home.

OMG it looks like my grandma's house....easy fix though with some slip covers and work in some color with accessories, pillows and wall art.

Monica sounds like more than a stick in the mud...she sounds like Debbie Downer. Maybe you should ease up a little Monica...take your nose out of that book and get a life.

Oh! I'm a college student too..and I think I have that exact same pink chair! (handed down from my grandmother :)

I agree with the white sheets idea. Just hide what you find ugly with fabric that you like - try to stick to a color theme, but find some way to incorporate some more interest (maybe with a bold couch cover?)

Urban outfitters has great bed covers that do this job well. Check their sales - I got a beautiful one for $9.99.

Then bring in some colorful rugs and window coverings, gold frames, some mirrors, and a collection of plants, and it should make a huge difference!

Have fun :D

I love your little Rococo table! I would buy some white paint and paint the TV stand, Chair and feet of the Pink Chair all white to unify all the furniture. Then pick up a cheap coffee table via Craig's List/Goodwill/ or Ikea like the "Lack" table for $44.99. I would also add a cheap area rug to the space. The "Bettan Linje" from Ikea area Rug would add a nice modern touch to your French Rococo look.

The Pink Chair is great, the Sofa needs either a cover or at the very least new Throw pillows. You could cover the sofa with sheets or fabric. Be sure to take the cover in though with either furniture tac's or safety pins or even a staple gun so you can retain the cute shape of the Sofa.

I would also add a lot of Art with Great POP colors to the walls. A few Big Pieces can anchor a lot of great little pieces of art which can be as simple as a cute card a friend may have given you, or a picture ripped from an art book or old calendar. Also Ikea and Etsy have great removable decal's you could put on your walls.

You could also flank the vertical blinds with some drapes. That way you are only covering what is there not removing the blinds from your rental.

Finally Play with the furniture arrangement! Once all the pieces are unified together in some sort of color and theme the floor plan will come together! Good Luck and please post pictures of the finished product.

a cheap way to get original art... make friends with some art students! unless you're at a serious art-centric school (and even then...) students have LOTS of paintings/prints/photos/sculptures that will make a nice addition to your place that they don't want because they've changed their direction, or can't stand to look at, because they did it freshman year. poke around any building with studio space in it and you're sure to find bunches of art ready to be trashed, or that you can buy off a student for a very small amount!

yes, do get rid of stuff you do not like and replace by shopping in a flee market, thrift shops, craigslist free stuff, you can also make a slip cover for your couch they are easy to make and do not even need a sewing machine just neddle and thread and scissors. for tv stand remember the old trick, cinder blocks and wood. also go to dollar stores you be surprised at the stuff you find there.
many many many ideas!!!!!
enjoy this do not make it a nightmare, this is fun.

it's actually not that bad, just needs a bit more oomph.

in college, i picked one wall and got a bold patterned sheet that covered the entire wall. gave the whole room a nice blitz of color. (make sure that you do a quality job of hanging it, otherwise, it will just look like you have a sheet on your wall.)

and i think that the couch is ok, cause it matches that burgundy/pink chair... it just needs some really bold pillows on it.

i find the tv stand to be the most hideous. why not paint it gold so that it matches the white and gold end table?

a good rug could really bring the room together and i think that is step one in the process. just a simple white rug would really brighten up the room and give it a much more modern feel.

and last but probably the most important is lighting. get a few more little lights/lamps... anything to bring more light to the space will create a much more dynamic and inviting space.

those blinds are like the ones in my apartment. I finally just ripped them down and hung curtains. I knew I wasn't getting my deposit back so who cares...go for it.

I'm not very familiar with the French Rococo style, but I do have experience as college student and I just moved both my sisters into their college apartments and we've been searching for cheap decor too.

First, rearrange your furniture. There's a big weird empty space by the sliding door. Maybe you could move that black chair by the door. Or the wooden one- that goes w/ your style more. Add a cushion to make it more comfy. Then cover your couch! I know slipcovers can be dated, but so is that couch, by about 20 years; and at least a slipcover would be neutral.

To get some colors on the wall cheap, go find some scrapbook paper you like and frame it in a cheap frame (my sis got good sized one at Ikea for $2.99 (it's natural wood, spray paint if you want). I found a package of scrapbook paper at Target on sale for $0.50 down from a dollar! Then I went and got a bunch of paint samples in the colors she was doing her living room in (free). She's combining the paint samples and pieces of scrapbook paper in a collage and it looks great so far and cost about $3.50 for some colorful art. Someone had the idea of painting a large canvas and hanging it which I think is great (but all the canvases I find are expensive).

Get this ornate frame from Ikea-- http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00091967
Or search thrift stores for cheap ornate frames. Spray paint it gold for an extra touch. I'm pretty sure you can buy metallic spray paint at hardwares stores. That would go with your Rococo style. Then add a picture/paper/fabric/anything inside.

You could definitely use a rug to cover the fugly carpet. Target and Walmart have some cheap ones in many colors and patterns that are good for a room this size.

Can you sew? If so, find some fabric and cover up those awful pillows on your couch. And add a pillow with some color to your black chair. If you love French Rococo, try finding some fabrics that are in line with that style. If you can find a good fabric, maybe even try covering the cushion of the chair in it just to give it some umph (sp?). If you can't sew, Ikea has some nice pillow case covers.

You need a coffee table cuz that tiny wicker one ain't doing it and it looks very odd in its current location. You're best bet for finding something your style, is hitting up garage sales or Craig'sList with an open mind- you can always paint.

BIG LOTS carries a HUGE line of French Roccoco just for students first apartments---good lord, someone shot me now!!!

Make your own art or borrow some from your artistic roommate. Even blah frame prints from Target add up on a student's budget. You can create something beautiful with stretched canvases and paint or ink.

And slip cover that couch ASAP.

I got a pretty nice slip cover for my couch for $30 from kohls on sale, if you're looking for one.

I think it would make a huge difference to take those blinds down (if you can) and hang up some inexpensive curtains (ikea, amazing savings, or make some yourself if you can find cheap fabric by the yard).

Also, depending on your wall finish (works pretty well with a shiny finish paint) you could make your own removeable wall stickers with contact paper!

Hmm...Monica, HAHAHAHAHAHA you are really cracking me up!
Uhhh Yes, you are a stick in the mud, but a nice one, who I am sure means well. Either that, or you are trying to get a good laugh from getting all these people worked up! lol

But I gotta agree with inkstainedwriter and littlerock, we are on apartmenttherapy not an online study hall. If I was a student trying to study and focus on school and living in THAT apartment, I think it would be hard to concentrate. OBVIOUSLY luvr_of_paris is not going to be satisfied living there in that condition if she is a fellow apartment therapy addict. Pretty soon the walls will start closing in on her, and before you know it she will be hearing her furniture talk to her "Oh please luvr please Help Us, we are ugly, Paint us! cover us!"

How could she possibly study in those conditions???!!!!!!

I'm guessing Monica is a tuition-paying parent, as am I. The OP could be living in a dorm...'Oh, the horror!'

Just to throw this one out there: not all college students have tuition paying parents. Lots of students pay for their education entirely on their own. It's really unfair to assume that all students have mommy & daddy filling their bank accounts and writing the checks.

i saw this idea somewhere...possibly it was here on apartment therapy, i can't remember:
for the walls, you could buy small amounts of damask print fabric from Jo-An (or similar) and stretch them into cheap wooden embroidery hoops and hang them in groups on the walls. experiment with different patterns and textures in relative hues. you could also score free fabric by going to local fabric stores and asking for cut yardage from their "oops" section containing discontinued styles. you'd be surprised at the amount of stuff people throw away...which leads me to my next point: find out when "bulk pickup" is in the wealthy neighborhoods near you, and do not be afraid to go "dumpster diving" the night before bulk pickup occurs. i found excellent furniture that way. sometimes it just needs a little paint and you're good to go.

Fabrics are expensive but an inexpensive source can be draperies at a thrift store. I'd choose a heavy cotton or linen and inspect the pleats at the top carefully because sometimes insects like to lay eggs in there. You might want to stuff the draperies into large trash bags, seal them tightly, and go directly to a laundromat where you can wash and dry them in the large machines available. Don't choose vintage curtains for this as they most likely are weak from sun exposure.

Remove the pleats at the top by taking out the stitching or simply cut them off. You can leave any lining in place but baste it to the curtain fabric if you cut off the pleated area. Then make the fabric into what you need.

At different times, I bought heavy cotton draperies and had enough fabric to make a slipcover for my couch with one of them (I dyed it first) and the other is my current bedspread -- white, with a subtle design woven in. When I bought them, both of these appeared to not have been used at all. I've also purchased an embroidered silk curtain (price tag said $300) for $3 but haven't found a use for it yet.

Lacking re-purposed drapery fabric, heavy knit fabric from the fabric store can make good slipcovers and is very easy to fit, comes in wide widths and is not too expensive. Cotton/lycra blend would be my first choice.

If you're worried about taking down the vertical blinds, there should be some information online (google) about hanging curtains over the blinds. Basically your curtain rod has to stick out further than the blinds. I plan on doing that for my apartment--vertical blinds are so ugly.

My suggestion is to pick one, or at most, 2 colors to add to the room to unify all the mixed-matched furniture. Be it rugs, pillows, drapes, artwork, slip covers, or paint for the furniture. Also, bedsheets can be tucked in and/or safety pinned in place as no-sew slipcovers. They're also relatively inexpensive & can be easily washed. Lastly, scotchguard Everything! It makes for easier cleanup in case of spills.
Please post your After pix.

i'm moving into my third college apartment tomorrow! it's crazy moving every 9 months, but hey, we've gotta be creative.

what i plan on doing is collecting all the 50% off, 75% off one item/cut of fabric coupons at Michael's and JoAnn Fabrics that are in every Sunday paper, and "wallpapering" my walls with fabric. i've never tried it but heard that painting liquid starch on the fabric on the wall makes it stick, and then it just peels off and you wash the walls to clean up when you move out.

it's actually one of the first posts i ever read here at AT over 2 years ago, so i have been hooked ever since.

even if i could paint i'd probably do it this way, since painting is such a hassle for 9 months and then i'd just have to go through it all again when i move out - so much less hassle to take down, wash walls, and go.

i plan on doing one or two accent walls per room to keep the cost down, and coordinating everything else inside the room. the color schemes can be carried over from apartment to apartment too...

jmterrell, I was just going to post about the starch method of sticking fabric to the walls. My college roommate and I did it our freshman year in the dorms, and it really does work! It's a pretty good option if you are reluctant (or not allowed) to put holes in the walls.

I THINK MY PARENTS HAD THAT SOFA!!!

two words: SALVATION ARMY!!! Or any thrift shop...I have 4 ornate mirrors that I got for a song...bookcases that were under $10, and the coolest wine glasses from FRANCE. You can make your place into a Paris pied a terre with a good eye and a few bucks...
Happy hunting,
montagestudio

In college, and after I would go to Home Depot's paint department and buy the 'mess up' paint. For those who custom order colors or return them Home Depot will put them out on the shelf for $3-$5 each. You can find some fabulous colors of course that may difficult to replicate but matchy matchy can be boring anyhow.

Also, I painted the wood planks for my brick/cinder block shelf system and it worked great.

Lastly of course I loved the Ikea/thrift store ideas but you're in the SF area to often the thrift stores are pretty well picked over. Consider venturing to say Walnut Creek, Menlo Park etc to see what the folks with money are giving away.

Lastly survey the streets. I have so many 'found' pieces of furniture. My friend got a Crate and Barrel mid century styled couch on the street in SF that was barely used by the dude. He said that he needed to leave town for work and had no time to take large items. You never know what type of treasure you'll find. Think outside the box with items you would look over paint/fabric etc can make some items look nasty to Anthropolgie swanky!

Thrift stores are amazing. We just got a new one near my college and I got some really great silver filigree trays to lay around for change, candy, serving drinks, etc. I also bought a bright blue typewriter (I couldn't help myself, it was so pretty) and some stuff that, while useful in the kitchen, has a quirky flair from the 50s and 60s. The whole lot was only $12 and everything was in perfect condition.

EVERY town has a great thrift location, you just have to find yours. Ask around.

And more often than not the nicest stuff there goes unnoticed. People don't head to thrift stores to look for the nice stuff, maybe I'm crazy but that's what I had in mind. ^_^

I plan on stopping by the place at least once every two weeks.

Urban Outfitters has some great stuff for apartments. Some of it is overpriced (like their clothes) but most of it is really cheap or at least worth the small investment. I'm buying one of their throws to cover my sofa with. Just lay it over it and tuck in at the edges.

For bathroom fashion, hit target. You can get a gorgeous fabric curtain for just $20 and you don't even need a pvc liner, just wash it once a month (or every 2 weeks).

Big lots has EVERYTHING, but make sure to check for stains and nicks and such. Some items were sent from larger stores due to damage etc.

Antique stores. You're unlikely to find anything large for cheap here, but if you check them out every so often, as any good design student should have no objection to, ;p , you should find those smaller things that will make your apartment feel like home.

Good luck, from one student to another, who knows how valuable it is to come home to a home rather than just a "blegh" apartment.

I just moved into an apartment, and I'm a recent college grad, so it's looking pretty sad. I love fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle. So I've been tearing out ads I like and fashion spreads that look artsy and framing them to put up on my walls. It's cheap art and it looks good.

I'm also planning on making an upholstered headboard for my bed too. It should be cheaper and look better than buying one.

Also, I got some good ideas from this article on decorating for $50 or less.