Are they blind cords? If so, mine came with a wall bracket that the cord wraps around.

They look like the cords for the computer and a light? I agree that cords are a pita...especially in an apartment where you're not allowed to move outlets...

Have you seen the tables with built in usb ports? You can probably get one that has the inside dimensions you need to fit the tower, too...

https://www.ashleyfurniture.com/p/laflorn-chairside-end-table-with-usb-ports-outlets/T127-668.html?mrkgcl=1069&product_id=T127-668&google_pla=true&&mrkgcl=1069&mrkgadid=3172229577&product_id=T127-668&adpos=1o2&creative=166009745995&device=c&matchtype=&network=s&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjKubj-SJ3gIV1sDICh3spgwbEAQYAiABEgIZLPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJb34LDkid4CFeqjswodheMMMg

The cords lead out to the balcony where we have lighting and speakers. There's a receiver (the black box) on the inside as well. So the usb ports wouldn't be enough. I'm thinking I need some sort of box or facade that sits on top of that stuff.

Did those cords kill that chicken? Was it electrocuted? Inquiring minds need to know.

What you need is to run wiring properly to an outdoor electrical box that's safer and properly grounded and with a GFCI. That power strip is a bad idea.

For audio, replace the speakers with battery-powered Bluetooth ones. Get Wi-Fi coverage in the yard and stream to the speakers with a tablet or phone. That's easy.

The chicken died of natural causes, I swear.

Thanks for giving me stuff to think about. The problem for me is:

a) Its a rental property so I can't do electrical work

b) All this stuff belongs to my roommate, so while I'm not thrilled about the setup I have to pick my battles. That's why I'm looking for an aesthetic solution.

I hadn't even thought about any potential hazard from the power strip, I'll have to do some research. Is it something thats a serious concern or more of a best practice? Its only connected to 2 low power/usage items in SF (rarely rains), and we can keep it turned off 95% of the time. Trying to be accommodating since the roommate spent a lot of of effort setting it up and is irrationally passionate about the balcony :)

Would some sort of small chest fit in that space in front the wires? If so, you could get a table lamp to place on it and move the tripod lamp someplace else.

Oh there's a roommate... :))) Good for you, Itay...

Maybe the best thing is a kind of chest(ish) that you can cut the bottom from and just place it over the cords? And use as a seat?

I like that idea!

I can get something like this and it will sit above that jutting outlet, I can cut out the bottom, I get a seat and some storage space.

A wicker basket tall enough for items to sit in. Get one with a larger weave and fish the cods through the side of the basket

There are boxes made for just this sort of thing -- like big enough for a surge supressor, and all the cords come out through a narrow slot. We have one in our bedroom to cat-proof.

https://www.amazon.com/Management-Organizer-Storage-Holder-Computer/dp/B07D5XJ8X2/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1539739084&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=cable+hiding+box&psc=1

https://www.houzz.com/products/in-box-cable-organizing-box-for-under-desk-white-prvw-vr~52415329

Lots of these out there. The lamp button is a different issue...

I think that's a good idea but I'd need to find one without a bottom, haven't seen one online. Being able to sit on top of the outlet would be a big perk.

Okay. Then, you should at least replace the wall plug with a GFCI and then plug the power strip into it. It's easy to replace the outlet, and cheap insurance against disasters.

OK I was ready to buy the outlet, but if you look at my outlet its kind of a weird shape, I doubt I can find a great match. Is it better to have a regular outlet that fits or a GFCI that doesn't?

When you open that box, you should find a normal, old-fashioned (vs 'Decora' style) outlet inside. Very common. But just in case it's non-standard, be careful as you open it up so that you can put it back as it was, securely.

Also, the GFCI doesn't have to be in that outlet. It can be in another outlet in the same circuit as long as it comes before this one in the circuit.

It worked!

Great solution.

Wonderful! You did a great job and you also now have a little spot to rest a dish or two as you open the door to dine al fresco...

While I have all your attentions: what do I do with this room? Thought it would be so nice to have this huge room but I have nothing to put here!

well, for one thing, you need to post a clearer picture of the dog

In a big room, it might be nice to try to create two mini-rooms. It's a little hard, because the bed is at the end by the windows and the door tot he patio, and that woudl be the place for a chair and end table, etc., for a little sitting are.

But then, that moves your bed into an awkward area by the door.

So, maybe leave the bed there, and try to think of the space between it and the door as "the living room" or "the sitting area."

The bike is neatly stored, but putting it on the wall makes it a very intrusive element, and it kind of kills that end of the room.
Could you set the TV in front of it?

The TV is in a good spot because there are some outlets there. If I put the TV next to the bike I'd have to run the cords somewhere. Although tbh I haven't even plugged the TV in after 2 months here so I could also ditch it and go for a different layout.

I could move the bike, but it gets good use so it does need to be accessible. Not sure where I could put it that wouldn't be intrusive.

Another thing worth noting is the room gets a lot of through traffic between the entrance and the balcony, so its important for it to stay unblocked, yet not look bare.

I think a rug would help a lot with the "yet not look bare" idea. Get one that fits in the "sitting room" area.

And a big poster or print--though right now the bike is in the area that has the best wall for putting up artwork.

I think the thing that makes the bike look so intrusive is that it's so vertical, and it impinges into the "eye-level" part of the room. I might be tempted to stand it on both wheels along the wall between the TV and the "sitting room" area.

And then I'd get another chair to go in the corner by the window, and an end table, and a table lamp, and a floor lamp. So it looks as though two people could sit and talk there. Or one person could sit with a book and a drink and a snack.

I personally loathe coffee tables in the middle of the room, so I wouldn't be suggesting one even if you didn't need to have people walk through so easily.

As requested

Thanks for the great suggestions Talley! I'll take measurements later today and see if we can find some good picks.

I don't think the dimensions quite work. With the bike next to the TV, the bike's wheel goes about 6 inches into the window area which does not leave room for a table.

What I can do is move the bike to the far side of the bed and the lamp thats currently there put where the bike currently is. Then I have a lot of room to work with where the bike is, can put up a poster and a corner table with chairs. Or a couple accent chairs with a end table in between.A spot to play cards, chess or small board games would be really cool too.

Could get something like this for a lower profile.

cute dog! Thanks for the pic.

Or could you put the bike the long way against the wall between the bed and the door, by pulling that chair out about a foot? I do think it will be so much easier to not have to wheels the bike past a lot of furniture, etc.

I do think that floor lamp looks a little weird over by the windows; a light for the bed for evening would be good, but I'd go for a wall sconce (or other wall-mounted lamp) or a night stand and small table lamp.

And then that lamp would look good over in the "sitting room" type of area.

as for table--I'd been thinking an end table beside the chair or other seating, but a table you can pull out, or fold out, to make a space for a chess game, would be nice!

Been a while, was traveling and then finally got a couple pieces. I tried moving the bike between the bed and door but it was a bit of a jarring look, so I think the far side of the bed is better. What do you think? Any other suggestions? I think it definitely looks a lot more welcoming than at the start of the thread! Maybe some rug, a cloth for the table, something between the chair and door?

Once I finish with that, I'll have to start working on my closet organization :eek:

You are making progress. I would suggest getting decorative hooks and hang your bike like a sculpture above your chair and just pull chair out a bit. Hang on angle with bars high and pedals toward chair. Agree fabric over bed needs some refining.

Behind the bed is a mattress. The tapestry is wrapped around the mattress, concealing it :) A bit unconventional but I think it works and very functional. The mattress also functions as a headboard! I had decorative pillows on my bed in my last apartment (you can see my last thread in this forum), but tbh they really are a pain, they take up a lot of room, have no utility, and constantly fall off. They'll look better in pictures for sure, but sort of ugly day in, day out when not cared for.

I like the hook idea, I'm not totally sure if there is enough space to make it look good, and the ceiling is concrete so I'm also not sure its even possible for me to make a hole. I'll look into it.

It would look better if the tapestry was tighter to the mattress, without the folds. Lay the tapestry on the floor, put the mattress on top, then use upholstery T pins to pin it smoothly all around on the back. Not a big job and it will look much better. T pins are inexpensive and readily available at department stores or someplace like Staples.

Is the tapestry wide enough to cover the mattress if you put it sideways? I think it would look better if it was lower.

When I suggested pillows, I meant adding a second regular sleeping pillow, just like the one you have. I think it looks better to have pillows all the way across the bed, instead of one lone pillow in the middle.

Hooks in side wall not ceiling.

Many options.

Great room. The mattress headboard idea is awesome, but you might try it horizontally and tighter as suggested earlier. A blue duvet to cover your comforter might look good. Add some plants too.

As the room evolves, adding an area rug and drapes would make it more welcoming too.

I pinned the tapestry to the mattress, great idea it looks way better! I'll try it horizontally after my next visitors in Feb.

I think those bike pictures above have much higher ceilings than me. I haven't been able to think of a way to place it that wouldn't look messy (like in my original pictures). Maybe horizontally near the ceiling would work. For now I just brought the bed a bit further from the wall which I think is passable.

Rug should probably be the next step! Drapes will be tough because there's no place to attach a rod. The ceiling is concrete and the window wraps around.

If the top frame for the blinds is made of steel, you can use a magnetic curtain rod to stick to it. (Of course, if it's aluminum or plastic that won't work.)

I'm with you about decorative pillows. But i also think adding one normal bed pillow so you have two would make the room look more finished. You don't have to sleep with it.

I think the bike where it is in the last pic is probably a good idea. It's far less obtrusive.

The other thing I'd do is to pull that table and chairs out from the wall by about 6 inches, maybe 4 inches. And maybe angle the table and put the chairs so they're facing in to the table on the front two edges (and slightly away from the rest of the room). It looks like of uptight right now, with all the furniture pushed flat against the wall.

Center the table against the wall under the Van Gogh print with chairs pushed in to table. You can use Command Hooks for your curtains. Ill try to find an example.

Example

My buddy is also in a rental property (college house with roommates), and he just got some of these sleeves on Amazon to kind of bind them all together. I use it to keep my fly rod in when I'm driving, but to each their own.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076VKZQ67/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B076VKZQ67&linkCode=as2&tag=kaizenblog626-20&linkId=97b4aec0e5ad3ed8d68edd07d766cbbb