Help Decorate for A College Apartment

last year

Hi Everyone,

This is my first apartment besides staying in a dorm room. I will be aharing with a roommate. We need help with getting the right furniture to fit the room. Thanks so much for your ideas and help. We want to be sure that we have a couch and a small dining table, as well as enough space to walk around the room. The first picture is what the room looks like, and the second pict is how it was staged.

Thanks

Featured Answer

Sigrid

last year

You need a table to eat at, preferably with chairs for guests. I'd look for a drop leaf table and folding chairs, particular folding chairs for the extra seats, but desk chairs will do. You need desk space. I'm assuming you have room for desks in your bedrooms? Without measurements, it's hard to advise on the rest.

Consignment stores and things like Craig's list or Facebook marketplace are good sources of affordable furniture. In my experience, consignment stores/antique stores have better quality furniture for less money. Of course, so areas, like mine, have plenty of antique stores, other places, not so much. We got a pair of 40s, mahogany sleigh beds for IKEA prices.

If you go the consignment/antique route, you want to figure out the size of sofa that will fit and start with that, as it might define your color scheme and sofas are one of the most expensive items you'll buy. I used a trunk as a coffee table. Footlockers are great, as they fit within the guidelines of airline checked baggage (or did when I was a student), provide excellent storage and make decent coffee tables.

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Comments (9)

PRO
lisedv
last year
If you can post a floor plan showing all dimensions, doors, windows, etc. we'll all be able to suggest the proper furniture layout with furniture you'll be able to consider for your room.
Yelena Cady thanked lisedv
User
last year
last modified: last year
I wouldn't waste the space (shown in the staged area) for table and chairs, Try an island (on wheels) instead, You will have under cabinet storage.

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/gracie-oaks-rolling-kitchen-island-kitchen-island-cart-with-drop-leaf-trash-can-cabinet-w112795696.html?piid=1795548888

Sofa, a chair or two, rug (for warmth) and a mirror ( to reflect light).
Yelena Cady thanked User
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Kendrah
last year
If you like what was staged and think there is actually enough room to circulate in there once people are using it, then I would emulate that.

A good table and chairs are great for having dinner with friends, doing home work. Ikea sells good ones that are affordable.

When purchasing a sofa, read the measurements then tape them out on the floor. Walk around the outline you have put down and see if there is enough room to circulate when someone is sitting there.
Yelena Cady thanked Kendrah
Yelena Cady
Original Author
last year
We were thinking of using marketplace and thrift stores to look for furniture. I love the idea if a trunk as a coffee table! Thabks for your detailed suggestions!
Yelena Cady
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
The dimensions of the entire room, including the kitchen are 10 by 25.
PRO
lisedv
last year
Based on the dimensions you've given (without any details on window(s), etc.) below is a suggested furniture layout. Everything shown is from Ikea at very good prices but the dimensions are mostly standard for any other good finds you come across. The dining table is extendable and can seat 4 people. You didn't mention anything about a TV but I show one on the floor plan below.

I've reversed the plan compared to the stage picture you posted simply so that you won't be looking directly into the kitchen while sitting on the sofa and it's also more inviting when walking into the room.

I've added all the links for the proposed furniture.

https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/paerup-sofa-gunnared-beige-s59465587/#content

https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/roedflik-floor-reading-lamp-gray-green-80563581/

https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/agen-armchair-rattan-bamboo-50058376/

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/idanaes-side-table-white-00496048/

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/gladom-tray-table-white-70337819/#content

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/kallax-tv-storage-combination-white-s99569451/#content

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/vihals-table-white-white-s39578509/

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/vihals-chair-green-tibbleby-gray-green-90595124/
Yelena Cady thanked lisedv
Yelena Cady
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Wow! This is awesome! Thanks so much! I will definitely be visiting Ikea for a lot of the suggested items!
kathleen MK
last year
Habitat for Humanity Re Stores have furniture sometimes designer samples at riculously low prices which they drop if not sold quickly.

Don't forget the standard college shelving of milk crates or cinderblocks.

Look around school dumpster during teacher in service. They pitch stuff when they redo classrooms and lots of teachers have gone crazy with couches and fun chairs then run out of space when they school adds more students.
Yelena Cady thanked kathleen MK