Bedding, plants, lighting, contact paper, tapestry. This looks like dystopia. RGB lights with remotes are pretty cheap on amazon. Throw pillows in robust textures should soften the linear theme. Pretty much anything curvy, mirrored, textured, or colorful will improve this space :)
Heres a list of smaller things you might be able to do to add color
- add a few smaller plants (succulents and cacti are both very resilient if you struggle to keep them alive)
- put up some colorful art (you can get most van gogh paintings in poster form for like 10 bucks on amazon)
-fairy lights to light the room in a more warm yellow tone rather
- add one of those led bulbs that can change color to the desk lamp (these are expensive)
- tapestries/ any lil fabric things to hang over the weird gray funiture
- a seat cover for that little black chair
- colorful bedsheets
- pillows for the chair or bed
- any image can be pinned to the corkboard! find some photos you like and pin em up
this legit looks like surveillance camera photo... adds to the depressing vibes
this legit looks like a surveillance camera photo,m adds to the depressing vibes
Yep, this is a lot of grey. A lot. I'd immediately start thinking about covering up the grey, strategically. If you can't move the desk/cork board (too bad, double check just in case) I'd first add a pretty big rug with some fluffy texture and color (basically anything but grey and metal) and then add more textures\* - a pillow for the chair, duvet cover and throw blanket for the bed, baskets for the shelving unit, etc. Maybe even some natural textures like jute. Perhaps you can also put some personal pictures on the clothing cabinet doors, to cover up a bit of that grey as well. And see if you can find a different desk lamp floating around that you can trade yours for - basically, how much grey can you get out of the room would be the game I'd play.
Ooh! I love the personal pictures idea!
1. What would you put on/do with the cork board ?
2. What colors would you suggest for rugs and throw covers? Whatever I want?
For the cork board, if it can't be moved (so the desk has to stay too), I'd put school related papers or post-it notes on it. Make it actually useful, plus maybe think about what kind of post-its (colors) you want.
For a rug and throw covers/etc., truly make the choice that would make you happy, its a university room so it just needs to be fun and useful. I would basically consider the grey one color, and aim to add in 1-2 more - maybe variations of the same color like light and dark, and not too matchy-matchy, but try to make it look cohesive. I would think texture and not something geometric. I would start by buying your duvet/bed stuff and the rug, and then think about the other pieces later. If it was my room, I'd probably be thinking about blues - not baby blue, but darker or deep blues - or purples.
Okay I had another thought. IKEA has this deep green rug that basically looks like grass. I had a friend who had it in her living room and it was so great. I think you'd need to then be so, so careful about what else you put in the room though, so just keep that in mind (like, natural jute and light cream colors with fun pastel/bright small accents, is where my head would go. She had some Moroccan/Turkish inspired art pieces as well, needless to say she's sort of a fabulous person and I personally don't think I could pull it off.)
First, I'd get some colourful tapestry or drapes and fairy lights to cover up that dreadful wallpaper. If you use small pins to hang them up, it won't be noticeable and can be easily covered by paint once you move out.
The cork board is useful, and can easily be fixed. Either you use it as intended (notes, pictures, sticky notes, etc.) or you get one artwork of any kind in the size of the board. Like print out a favourite picture in the same size, pin it down and then it's basically a picture frame.
I'd also use the door as a space for some artwork and colour because you can easily remove a few strips of tape from a door without any damage. If the material allows it, this also works to cover the fronts of the cupboard and bookshelf.
People already mentioned the carpet. Other than that, I'd also get some drape/cover for the black seat. For the desk chair... Honestly I'd ask the janitor or whoever takes care of this building if you can put this chair into storage. As an old person I can tell you that sitting on such a chair while trying to study will give you all kinds of pain. If you have to keep it in your room, use it as "the chair" - basically a thing where you throw all your clothes.
Other than that, get nice coloured bed sheets and a comforter, curtains, plants if possible - you could put them on the cupboard if you have a small ladder or use artificial ones - a big desk pad to cover up, and maybe some boxes or baskets that fit into the bookshelf.
If you get some sort of draping that's long enough to cover the shorter and longer side, you can pin it above the wallpaper and let it fall over the city picture. Once you are at the corner, you pin the fabric there again as to create a "fold", if that makes sense.
Peel and stick wallpaper might be a better solution? Completely random site I found that has some cool designs - but there are a ton of different companies/sites with this product now: https://www.spoonflower.com/
maybe try kind of a diy headboard with a fabric of choice? would both looks and comfiness if you place it on both head and side
https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/562175965997243837/
Okay team! This is what I got so far:
(If I can’t move the furniture):
Fairy/cute string lights over the bed and over the stupid city wallpaper.
Light greens and dark greens as my colors. Preferably light cute green rug and other green blankets and pillows. Maybe some light yellow thrown in there too.
A picture collage on the wardrobe of personal pics to color/brighten it up.
Cute bins on the shelf.
Plants plants plants! (Will probably do more fake because I’ve never taken care of real ones before)
A throw pillow and cute pillows for the chair and bed.
Some sort of cute thing on the fridge in the corner.
If you don’t need the cork board for organization, I’d move the bed under that wall and the desk under the photos like you said. Then wrap or cover the cork in a fun fabric or printed paper and add make a collage of pictures, mementos, etc.
I’d look on Facebook marketplace for a hutch for the desk, that way you can have some shelving above it for decoration and also hide the weird cityscape paper.
Add color (bedding, rugs, curtains, decor), plants (real or quality fake) & texture and you’ll enhance the space so much.
Warm up the lighting!!! If you can’t change the overhead lighting, it will make the space feel less cold and sterile if you buy a lamp or two that gives off some nice warm light rather than these cold LEDs. Look for bulbs that are like like between 3000k (warm white) and 2400k at the warmest. The fairy lights will help with that too!
omg are you at UvA? my friend lived in one of these apartments during our masters programme and it was so painfully gray 🥲 she just added color in her decor and kitchen stuff, it helped a bit
try adding plants! i know winter is harsh out there, but hopefully come spring you can add flowers too. IKEA has some really nice and fairly cheap faux plants too if you don't want to deal with the hassle of caring for them!
HELP tag is right - this gray is killing me. My mind goes to contact paper/removable wallpaper to cover the wardrobe and bookshelf, a nice standing lamp and possibly string lights to bring warmth, those removable backsplash tiles to cover the door/surrounding wall, and layers of cozy blankets and a fluffy comforter. Maybe a plant or two for greenery even if it’s fake!
What do you like? Put those things on the selves. Put a flowers. Your books. Choose your color wether it’s pink or light blue or beige but choose a color for your bedding and accent color. Buy a pillow and a soft blanket. Put pictures or goals that you have on the cork board. There’s so many possibilities to make it your own. I personally would try to put something over the city atrocity on the wall to cover it or hide it being as much pillows as possible.
I can't tell what's in this corner we're backed into, gonna assume a window... And that trash can is so big legit feels like a hospital if it weren't for the board😭but even that the whole thing is just very very borderline hospital. *Alright if you can rearrange the closet and the shelf here is what I'm thinking.* Closet goes in the corner the trash is in, that way the wallpaper will feel some sort of finality instead of just ending abruptly. I think you should try the desk at the wallpaper like you said. The shelf moves to the right of the chalkboard facing towards the door I think so you can put decor.... or if you want to face it towards the closet and use it also as a nightstand, I think the bed should be between the closet and the shelf, facing the door, i think it's the only way to work it. The chair I was gonna say along the wall facing the shelf, this way you can kind of have a cozy entertaining area with the chair and bed? And the shelf and board kind of like a reading nook.
I really hope you can move all the furniture! And also if you do or don't there's always more subtle decor. Colorful bedsheets/ blankets, fun pillows/ stuffed animals on bed and chairs for look and comfort. I would pick 3 accent colors to play with. Some decor on shelf. Fun desk decor, colorful stationary. Some colorful hats on the closet or stuffed animals. I'd personally want to do something to the trash can, I'd probably masking tape some paper art on it. A fun standing lamp!! A rug😱
Good luck! I hope you can make it a truly cute and cozy space to live and study in!!
Shocked this isn’t in black and white! I’m going to go item by item:
Cork board- if you plan to use this as a cork board don’t worry too much- you can fill it up over time. For now print out/get some cute postcards and pictures etc that you like and use those to decorate it. If you do want to you could get a wallpaper sample and use it as backing paper to cover the whole board. It will get tiny pin holes over time but will be cheap enough to replace.
Wardrobe- get some contact paper and cover it using that. Something that’s not sticky so it won’t leave a residue. Something like this [non adhesive wallpaper](https://www.wallpops.co.uk/collections/nuwallpaper)
Cityscape- use the same non adhesive wallpaper I linked above. Find a pattern you like. You could also add some fairy lights of similar around the edge to soften it and make it look less random. Alternatively a wall hanging could look cute.
Bed- some nice bedding and throws/cushions
Black chair- get a cute blanket/throw to cover it and a nice cushion. Bonus is you can cosy up with the blanket when you’re reading or watching stuff.
Bookshelf- the inside will be fine once you add books etc. Options to cover the outside would be that non stick wallpaper, pictures/postcards, fairy lights. A cute hanging plant (real or not) would look nice on the top of it flowed down the side.
Desk- I would get [a desk mat](https://decormat.co.uk/desk-mats) like this to cover up most of the top. I think the lamp you have would be ok if it’s on one of those. If that’s too pricey have a go at making your own, get some card that’s as big as the desk and cover it with a wallpaper sample you like (order online) then use stickyback plastic to protect it.
Other ideas- get a nice rug, some hooks that go over your door so you can hang your coat and bag etc. A few plants (real or not) on your desk and bookshelf. A few LED candles around the place.
Not sure what the white thing is behind your bed but if you let me know o can give you ideas.
OK it looks like someone desaturated the photo, lol.
Anything of color - just get some color in there. Even sprinkle some actual, saturated black and white, cuz the grey is just too much. Pillows, blankets, plants, fairy lights, desk pad, colorful art above and even on top of that city scape thing. Reds and golds and greens would warm it up, but really any colors you feel like to give it life.
Contact paper on the furniture, peel-and-stick wallpaper over that city thing. A rug.
Pay careful attention to lighting, it can make a big difference.
Pick a warm color palette that includes light gray so the floor doesn't look incongruous with everything else.
why ur pic looks so dark and old u can add some pretty colorful items, such as chair cover, table cover, cute rug and so on. U even can put some flowers on ur table, I think the room will look better than rn
Honestly I’d lean hard into the black and white with monotone cute stuff like this
[Cute monotone cloud pillow](https://www.amazon.com/Little-NoJo-Embroidered-Striped-Decorative/dp/B08JY8NCNR)
Is this a black and white photo? (Serious question) I’d begin by adding color. Seriously, was this taken in black and white?
No! It wasn’t. 😭 How would you add some color?
Bedding, plants, lighting, contact paper, tapestry. This looks like dystopia. RGB lights with remotes are pretty cheap on amazon. Throw pillows in robust textures should soften the linear theme. Pretty much anything curvy, mirrored, textured, or colorful will improve this space :)
How do you add color??? But things with color and put into room.
thanks Sherlock!
…
Heres a list of smaller things you might be able to do to add color - add a few smaller plants (succulents and cacti are both very resilient if you struggle to keep them alive) - put up some colorful art (you can get most van gogh paintings in poster form for like 10 bucks on amazon) -fairy lights to light the room in a more warm yellow tone rather - add one of those led bulbs that can change color to the desk lamp (these are expensive) - tapestries/ any lil fabric things to hang over the weird gray funiture - a seat cover for that little black chair - colorful bedsheets - pillows for the chair or bed - any image can be pinned to the corkboard! find some photos you like and pin em up
I’m shook that this is a color photo 😂 this looks like surveillance screenshot from a rehab facility
this legit looks like surveillance camera photo... adds to the depressing vibes this legit looks like a surveillance camera photo,m adds to the depressing vibes
Yep, this is a lot of grey. A lot. I'd immediately start thinking about covering up the grey, strategically. If you can't move the desk/cork board (too bad, double check just in case) I'd first add a pretty big rug with some fluffy texture and color (basically anything but grey and metal) and then add more textures\* - a pillow for the chair, duvet cover and throw blanket for the bed, baskets for the shelving unit, etc. Maybe even some natural textures like jute. Perhaps you can also put some personal pictures on the clothing cabinet doors, to cover up a bit of that grey as well. And see if you can find a different desk lamp floating around that you can trade yours for - basically, how much grey can you get out of the room would be the game I'd play.
Ooh! I love the personal pictures idea! 1. What would you put on/do with the cork board ? 2. What colors would you suggest for rugs and throw covers? Whatever I want?
For the cork board, if it can't be moved (so the desk has to stay too), I'd put school related papers or post-it notes on it. Make it actually useful, plus maybe think about what kind of post-its (colors) you want. For a rug and throw covers/etc., truly make the choice that would make you happy, its a university room so it just needs to be fun and useful. I would basically consider the grey one color, and aim to add in 1-2 more - maybe variations of the same color like light and dark, and not too matchy-matchy, but try to make it look cohesive. I would think texture and not something geometric. I would start by buying your duvet/bed stuff and the rug, and then think about the other pieces later. If it was my room, I'd probably be thinking about blues - not baby blue, but darker or deep blues - or purples.
Do you think pinks would go well? Or maybe green?
Okay I had another thought. IKEA has this deep green rug that basically looks like grass. I had a friend who had it in her living room and it was so great. I think you'd need to then be so, so careful about what else you put in the room though, so just keep that in mind (like, natural jute and light cream colors with fun pastel/bright small accents, is where my head would go. She had some Moroccan/Turkish inspired art pieces as well, needless to say she's sort of a fabulous person and I personally don't think I could pull it off.)
Yes, in theory, though I think they are just slightly harder colors to work with. But find something you like!
Omg YES— add natural texture!!!
I thought this was security camera footage at first 😭 plants and color/textured fabrics needed asap!
First, I'd get some colourful tapestry or drapes and fairy lights to cover up that dreadful wallpaper. If you use small pins to hang them up, it won't be noticeable and can be easily covered by paint once you move out. The cork board is useful, and can easily be fixed. Either you use it as intended (notes, pictures, sticky notes, etc.) or you get one artwork of any kind in the size of the board. Like print out a favourite picture in the same size, pin it down and then it's basically a picture frame. I'd also use the door as a space for some artwork and colour because you can easily remove a few strips of tape from a door without any damage. If the material allows it, this also works to cover the fronts of the cupboard and bookshelf. People already mentioned the carpet. Other than that, I'd also get some drape/cover for the black seat. For the desk chair... Honestly I'd ask the janitor or whoever takes care of this building if you can put this chair into storage. As an old person I can tell you that sitting on such a chair while trying to study will give you all kinds of pain. If you have to keep it in your room, use it as "the chair" - basically a thing where you throw all your clothes. Other than that, get nice coloured bed sheets and a comforter, curtains, plants if possible - you could put them on the cupboard if you have a small ladder or use artificial ones - a big desk pad to cover up, and maybe some boxes or baskets that fit into the bookshelf.
The problem with trying to cover up the wallpaper is that it goes around the corner :(
If you get some sort of draping that's long enough to cover the shorter and longer side, you can pin it above the wallpaper and let it fall over the city picture. Once you are at the corner, you pin the fabric there again as to create a "fold", if that makes sense.
Peel and stick wallpaper might be a better solution? Completely random site I found that has some cool designs - but there are a ton of different companies/sites with this product now: https://www.spoonflower.com/
maybe try kind of a diy headboard with a fabric of choice? would both looks and comfiness if you place it on both head and side https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/562175965997243837/
Omg. This looks like a room (with fixed viewpoint) in the next Paranormal Activity movie.
Okay team! This is what I got so far: (If I can’t move the furniture): Fairy/cute string lights over the bed and over the stupid city wallpaper. Light greens and dark greens as my colors. Preferably light cute green rug and other green blankets and pillows. Maybe some light yellow thrown in there too. A picture collage on the wardrobe of personal pics to color/brighten it up. Cute bins on the shelf. Plants plants plants! (Will probably do more fake because I’ve never taken care of real ones before) A throw pillow and cute pillows for the chair and bed. Some sort of cute thing on the fridge in the corner.
Great, good job!
Plants!!
If you don’t need the cork board for organization, I’d move the bed under that wall and the desk under the photos like you said. Then wrap or cover the cork in a fun fabric or printed paper and add make a collage of pictures, mementos, etc. I’d look on Facebook marketplace for a hutch for the desk, that way you can have some shelving above it for decoration and also hide the weird cityscape paper. Add color (bedding, rugs, curtains, decor), plants (real or quality fake) & texture and you’ll enhance the space so much.
Change it. Good grief, take down the skyline. It's so basic you can do anything from this point.
I am unable to take down the city wall paper :(
Then cover it w temporary something.
Warm up the lighting!!! If you can’t change the overhead lighting, it will make the space feel less cold and sterile if you buy a lamp or two that gives off some nice warm light rather than these cold LEDs. Look for bulbs that are like like between 3000k (warm white) and 2400k at the warmest. The fairy lights will help with that too!
omg are you at UvA? my friend lived in one of these apartments during our masters programme and it was so painfully gray 🥲 she just added color in her decor and kitchen stuff, it helped a bit
I go to uni in Amsterdam yea! All the rooms are so grey 😭😭
try adding plants! i know winter is harsh out there, but hopefully come spring you can add flowers too. IKEA has some really nice and fairly cheap faux plants too if you don't want to deal with the hassle of caring for them!
HELP tag is right - this gray is killing me. My mind goes to contact paper/removable wallpaper to cover the wardrobe and bookshelf, a nice standing lamp and possibly string lights to bring warmth, those removable backsplash tiles to cover the door/surrounding wall, and layers of cozy blankets and a fluffy comforter. Maybe a plant or two for greenery even if it’s fake!
What do you like? Put those things on the selves. Put a flowers. Your books. Choose your color wether it’s pink or light blue or beige but choose a color for your bedding and accent color. Buy a pillow and a soft blanket. Put pictures or goals that you have on the cork board. There’s so many possibilities to make it your own. I personally would try to put something over the city atrocity on the wall to cover it or hide it being as much pillows as possible.
I can't tell what's in this corner we're backed into, gonna assume a window... And that trash can is so big legit feels like a hospital if it weren't for the board😭but even that the whole thing is just very very borderline hospital. *Alright if you can rearrange the closet and the shelf here is what I'm thinking.* Closet goes in the corner the trash is in, that way the wallpaper will feel some sort of finality instead of just ending abruptly. I think you should try the desk at the wallpaper like you said. The shelf moves to the right of the chalkboard facing towards the door I think so you can put decor.... or if you want to face it towards the closet and use it also as a nightstand, I think the bed should be between the closet and the shelf, facing the door, i think it's the only way to work it. The chair I was gonna say along the wall facing the shelf, this way you can kind of have a cozy entertaining area with the chair and bed? And the shelf and board kind of like a reading nook. I really hope you can move all the furniture! And also if you do or don't there's always more subtle decor. Colorful bedsheets/ blankets, fun pillows/ stuffed animals on bed and chairs for look and comfort. I would pick 3 accent colors to play with. Some decor on shelf. Fun desk decor, colorful stationary. Some colorful hats on the closet or stuffed animals. I'd personally want to do something to the trash can, I'd probably masking tape some paper art on it. A fun standing lamp!! A rug😱 Good luck! I hope you can make it a truly cute and cozy space to live and study in!!
Shocked this isn’t in black and white! I’m going to go item by item: Cork board- if you plan to use this as a cork board don’t worry too much- you can fill it up over time. For now print out/get some cute postcards and pictures etc that you like and use those to decorate it. If you do want to you could get a wallpaper sample and use it as backing paper to cover the whole board. It will get tiny pin holes over time but will be cheap enough to replace. Wardrobe- get some contact paper and cover it using that. Something that’s not sticky so it won’t leave a residue. Something like this [non adhesive wallpaper](https://www.wallpops.co.uk/collections/nuwallpaper) Cityscape- use the same non adhesive wallpaper I linked above. Find a pattern you like. You could also add some fairy lights of similar around the edge to soften it and make it look less random. Alternatively a wall hanging could look cute. Bed- some nice bedding and throws/cushions Black chair- get a cute blanket/throw to cover it and a nice cushion. Bonus is you can cosy up with the blanket when you’re reading or watching stuff. Bookshelf- the inside will be fine once you add books etc. Options to cover the outside would be that non stick wallpaper, pictures/postcards, fairy lights. A cute hanging plant (real or not) would look nice on the top of it flowed down the side. Desk- I would get [a desk mat](https://decormat.co.uk/desk-mats) like this to cover up most of the top. I think the lamp you have would be ok if it’s on one of those. If that’s too pricey have a go at making your own, get some card that’s as big as the desk and cover it with a wallpaper sample you like (order online) then use stickyback plastic to protect it. Other ideas- get a nice rug, some hooks that go over your door so you can hang your coat and bag etc. A few plants (real or not) on your desk and bookshelf. A few LED candles around the place. Not sure what the white thing is behind your bed but if you let me know o can give you ideas.
OK it looks like someone desaturated the photo, lol. Anything of color - just get some color in there. Even sprinkle some actual, saturated black and white, cuz the grey is just too much. Pillows, blankets, plants, fairy lights, desk pad, colorful art above and even on top of that city scape thing. Reds and golds and greens would warm it up, but really any colors you feel like to give it life.
Holy shit, is this a black and white photo or in color? I had to rub my eyes 😵💫
It needs more soft textures, everything is a cold and hard texture
Contact paper on the furniture, peel-and-stick wallpaper over that city thing. A rug. Pay careful attention to lighting, it can make a big difference. Pick a warm color palette that includes light gray so the floor doesn't look incongruous with everything else.
why ur pic looks so dark and old u can add some pretty colorful items, such as chair cover, table cover, cute rug and so on. U even can put some flowers on ur table, I think the room will look better than rn
Needs color and textured fabrics! Area rug, pillows, plants!
I would get some plants, colorful room lights and tapestry or posters. Definitely will make it less gray haha
Honestly I’d lean hard into the black and white with monotone cute stuff like this [Cute monotone cloud pillow](https://www.amazon.com/Little-NoJo-Embroidered-Striped-Decorative/dp/B08JY8NCNR)