Room/Apartment Designs! Organization, Decorating, etc.

[StarlitGlitch]

I've been thinking a lot about buying things for my house and wanted to hear how other people have their rooms and how they like to set things up.

I'm about to move and am a bit stuck on what kind of furniture and organizational things to buy. Up until now because I was an ALT I've been mostly using things provided by the school I worked at. All of a sudden once I move I won't have a table, chairs, sofa, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, sheets, a shelf, a drawer, anything to hold my books, a pillow, etc. I'm also thinking about getting rid of my current television stand to get something with drawers for better organization. I'm also planning on getting a bed frame instead of folding up my futon on the floor so I can store things underneath.

The place I'm moving into is also small so I need to be creative about my stuff. One of the storage spaces is really weird, it's tall and wide but only a few inches deep There's a couple of vertical bars on top but I asked the people who came with me to check out the room and they had no idea how to use it. I'll keep checking Japanese sites since that's where I live for tips but there's not always useful information on the Japanese side of the Internet.

What have you guys done with your living space?

 

[Croconaw]

I’m honestly a minimalist, so I like to keep my area pretty simple. I do not have my own apartment yet, although my ideal room would be have just a futon that can be doubled as a couch or a bed, and a few things hanging on the wall. I have a Croconaw wall sticker that is just below 50 inches and I plan to hang that as it’s become part of me. My name on most online platforms include Croconaw or some variation, like Killer Croconaw. — This is a play on words of Killer Croc and Croconaw.

I would also hang a flag of my favorite sports team and maybe lay a matching blanket over the futon to give it some character. I tend to prefer unfurnished apartments because too much stuff is stressful for me. Most furnished apartments come with everything and it’s way too much. I prefer to start with an empty room so I can easily maintain my minimal lifestyle.

 

[TillyGoesMeow]

Omg ALL the drawers, especially if you’re still in school. Thrift shops and cosignsments have furniture that’s really cheap & sometimes it’s surprisingly new.
If your place lets you use nails in the lease, shelving is a super awesome way to save space! Use those walls.
If you’re getting a bed frame anyways, a lofted bed would help you save tons of space! You can put your entire desk/whatever else underneath.
Also, any sort of dollar store usually has really cheap and plentiful organizational tools (containers, folders, holders, etc)
haha that room sounds super weird? Maybe to hold brooms/cleaning utensils ? Idk do let me know if you figure it out because that sounds interesting.

Idk I live in a cheap apartment near my uni & after two years still am trying to get things in better shape. It’s difficult but really worth it.

 

[Watchingthetreetops]

shelves! shelves and storage items (like filing cabinets or drawers) so that you still have access to your things but they aren't necessarily out. you should google/Pinterest tiny living or minimalist living and you'll get a ton of ideas.

 

[Corrie]

Don't be afraid to buy second hand things from thrift stores or online! Also multi use furniture, such as a coffee table that has either drawers or the lid lifts so the entire thing can hold stuff.

Decide on a colour scheme to go with (I went with white and light grey with pinks, blues and purples as accents) so you know what you're looking for. Also, shop around and be patient if possible for sales. Thanks to covid I was without a couch for like, two months haha but it was worth it to order from that company due to the sale.

I'm kind of a minimalist as well so I've looked up lists online of apartment essentials so I don't overbuy things I don't need.

Edit: Despite what I said earlier, sometimes you gotta pay more for comfort. Things like chairs you don't want to go cheap with or it'll be uncomfortable.

 

[Autumn247]

I live in a fairly small one bedroom apartment. I have had a couple framed pictures put up on the walls including a framed autographed poster of Lindsey Stirling. I also have a Van Gogh painting (cafe terrace at night) that I’ve been meaning to put up too.

I recently got some curtains with tension rods for all my windows.

I need to get a small coffee table and a bookshelf soon. Maybe you can find a bookshelf for your books. I tend to go overboard with buying books since I love to read so I try to limit myself to a reasonable amount and the rest I buy for my Kindle so they don’t take up any more physical space. The coffee table I plan on getting has storage underneath it so that’ll be helpful.

I agree with dollar stores for organizational stuff, they have lots of good things for cheap. Bins/containers, etc.

I’m looking for more ideas too so I’ll be following this thread

 

[Corrie]

Here's some furniture I have that I got used/thrifted.

My Dad found this on the side of the road in front of a neighbour's house. It was in great shape and all we had to do was give it some white spray paint touch up as some of the parts were yellowing. It's great because it's on the wall, looks cute and holds a lot of stuff. My bathroom has no sink storage so it's really helpful for little things.

Spoiler

This tv stand I got off Kijiji for $60. It's great because its storage and the fact that there's glass doors to help prevent dust.

Spoiler

My parents got this side table from a thrift store that was originally a dark blue colour. My Dad helped me paint it white and it looks like a completely new table from what it was before.

Spoiler

 

[Biyaya]

I'm in the process of downsizing and have been doing meticulous notes on how I want my home to be for the next house I move into (which is hopefully more permanent). Here are a few of the more general ideas I have:

• Build vertical, not horizontal (shelving, cubbies, lofts, hanging organizers for closets and pantries and cupboards, book ledges, etc.)
• I own mostly boots up to my calves, so I'm planning on putting a shelving unit or cubbies into the shoe closet (shelves could be useful for that shallow closet you have too)
• Nix the coffee table; get an ottoman to store blankets or boardgames inside of and a tray that can be taken out for a makeshift coffee table
• Measure the space available for your furniture before buying something, because sometimes it looks bigger/smaller in the store than it actually is