I don't think reaching for an area rug would be my first selection in your case. I would select a sofa and two chairs & a coffee table that can be used in future housing.

Then select some art for your walls and if the room still requires the accent of an area rug select one. The berber carpet is a very neutral backdrop for almost anything.

I'm suggesting this because it's likely your apt is small and you don't want it to appear smaller by adding a large area rug. Also, you don't want to squabble over an area rug which you're likely to do.

If you have success in selecting the seating, tables etc, then selecting an area rug later may not be a big hurdle. The accent area rug may end up being much smaller than you currently anticipate.

Smaller rug does make sense! I guess I was hesitant to layer color.

Get a sofa a couple of chairs that contrast the wall to wall carpet and then punch it up with the wall art and then the rug if needed. If you guys last a long time, then perhaps this furniture can be moved to a family room if you ever purchase a home.

Who is paying for the furniture????? Important question. I picked some inexpensive items from Value City / American Signature. If the relationship doesn't last, you don't want to fight over something so meaningless.

Is there furniture that you are keeping or are you buying all new?

@BeverlyFLADeziner His paycheck will probably be the main source of buying with. It's not exactly fighting I'm just trying to accommodate because I'm more open than he is lol I'm trying to budget but there are things I'm willing to splurge on (:

@partim all new! we're coming from being roommates to our own place now.

@cawaps definitely going to give it by best! love your profile picture.

Nicole, very good luck to you.

@BeverlyFLADeziner Thank you for your help!

Rather than covering the carpet with a rug, create a focal point -- or two -- that will make the carpet irrelevant to the decor.

Is there a foot or so of wall above the upper kitchen cabinets? You might add a removable horizontal strip of wall paper trim there -- and/or in any/all room(s). If you do, make sure the visual is representative of your common interest and/or favorite colors and/or style. The better choices will likely be the most simple geometric styles.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1328&bih=617&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=9J6vXYWQMov_5gLs05-IDQ&q=removable+wallpaper+border&oq=removable+border+++&gs_l=img.1.0.0i8i30j0i24l2.15667.19712..26762...1.0..0.115.974.11j1......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i67j0.jfFHjx5JjbM#spf=1571790609503

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384846730635158022/?lp=true

https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/york-wallcoverings-bp8345bd-border-portfolio-ii-pressed-leaves-removable-wallpaper-border-1852542.htm

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1328&bih=617&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=9J6vXYWQMov_5gLs05-IDQ&q=removable+wallpaper+border&oq=removable+border+++&gs_l=img.1.0.0i8i30j0i24l2.15667.19712..26762...1.0..0.115.974.11j1......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i67j0.jfFHjx5JjbM#spf=1571790609503

Art need not be framed pictures of people/places/things.

If single color pressed metal wall art discolors, it's easily painted with Rust-Oleum. You can even change the color of trees from all black to all green -- whatever shade you prefer.

https://www.blackforestdecor.com/mountain-forest-metal-wall-art.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgNPWzJKx5QIVGrbICh3mLQ1jEAQYAiABEgLiFfD_BwE

In a small apartment, you don't want to crowd rooms with more furnishings than you actually need nor do you want to just fill the walls with "stuff". Less is better. Too much of anything will come across as clutter visually shrinking the room.

Do you like the beach? Is music important to you?

https://www.google.com/search?q=Pressed+metal+wall+art+trees+and+birds&tbm=isch&source=hp&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRxs3MkrHlAhUJJt8KHR9BB2wQsAR6BAgEEAE&biw=1328&bih=617#imgrc=uxrFBb36HInebM:&spf=1571791385866

Is music important to you?

https://www.touchofclass.com/rhythm-metal-wall-sculpture/p/Y647-001/

Choose smaller furnishings for seating. Unless you need it for overnight guests, a three seat sofa might not be the best choice if a two seat sofa would meet you needs. If you choose upholstered items, consider choosing fabrics that are either solid colors or simple (less "busy") in design so they don't visually shrink your space.

Choose vertical items with the most storage for the floor space it takes up -- such as a chest of drawers and a full length mirror affixed to a closet door rather than a wide dresser with mirror above it (and a lot less storage space).

Choose end tables and bed side tables for their storage as well. If you choose a coffee table, choose one without the knee knocker sharp corners (round or oval or at least rounded corners on any rectangle or square) and pick one with a shelf beneath the top.

As to style, you might check out "mid-century modern" or "danish modern" or Amish furnishings - smooth lines without intricate carvings or heavy decorative touches.

While "modern" to a lot of people means glass and metal, be aware that and faux brass and brass plate can corrodes/discolor and look awful when it does. If you choose metal over wood for your table pedestal, you can more easily repaint it black or white or your favorite bright color (as needed). Make sure what you choose is solid/sturdy -- will continue to look good over time ... or you'll be pulling your hair out over redecorating again all too soon. What you choose now for a small dining table, if it is built to last, could become your breakfast table should you later move to a larger residence and need a much large able for a great room or more formal dining room.

https://www.bizchair.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-bizchair-Site/default/Product-Variation?pid=BFDH-RD-36-T3030&dwvar_BFDH-RD-36-T3030_configColor=Natural

If you're on a budget limited, then, IF you are very selective abut what you actually buy (don't fill you small home with unnecessary junk), a few trips to Habitat for Humanity Restore Stores and GoodWill and charity sponsored thrift stores for wood furnishings (not upholstered) and/or for kitchen items and/or even art might be worthwhile.

The carpet is not ugly; it's just plain -- and that's a good thing. It will mostly visually disappear as you add color and interesting items elsewhere.

You're just starting out. Do what every young couple does; go to IKEA.

I don't like everything they sell, but it's mostly good and serviceable. I've got a leather chair and ottoperson that I bought when they first opened their first store in the US, just outside Philly. Still going strong, still looks great, still used every day. I shudder to realize that it's 30+ years old.

I just moved to my third rental in two years while waiting on our house build with my boyfriend, and have had a fairly nomadic life generally. The lesson I've gotten is that you can make anything feel like home if you don't get too hung up on forcing a particular style. That kitchen will never be modern but it's got a funky charm to it. My recommendation is to buy mostly used furniture in a comfortable but streamlined style, get some plants, get some art, and don't worry too much. You both need to remember that you're on the same team and this is all pretty minor stuff.

I would attempt to tell your boyfriend straight out at his style is difficult to implement without more modern fixtures.

He could be saving up for the more modern place he wishes to live in instead of wasting money. He would be throwing away money fighting the style of this apartment.

You can make it comfortable and tidy but not completely modern.

I personally would also negotiate with him to ensure that right from the beginning of moving in together he sees your aesthetic as equally as important as his. You both need to be represented in your place together.

I agree get the main pieces first and then build the room around them and honestly do as many things without asking your boyfriends advice once the room is put together and he can watch TV it will be fine.

You don't need to keep the same theme in the kitchen and living room. For example, you don't need to keep the same wood colors or styles. My decorator was adamant that I should not buy a new kitchen table to match my kitchen cupboards, much less the living room decor. Buy what you like and you won't go wrong.

My son is house shopping in Dublin where the basic houses (trim, fireplaces, windows etc.) are are very traditional (restored). Many of the homes are staged with MCM sofas and they all have glossy modern kitchens. They look great.

You said "I'm less picky" and "I'm more open than he is". So instead of you doing the selections and him having veto power, doesn't it make more sense for him to do the selections?

@Nicole Skinner We completely agree with @BeverlyFLADeziner suggestions. We would love to help you with your design dilemmas and can help you visualize your room (like this:image) more clearly before you make any decisions. Send us your floor plan and dimensions and we can create a mock-up of your room where you can add or replace furniture and move them around to create your own layouts in interactive 3D designs here and also render your own photo-realistic images!

When you combine PhotoUp's virtual staging software, exclusive virtual furniture library and our seasoned professional artists, you get photorealistic renders for marketing that are far superior than free virtual staging software.