STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
stylethread site home page -> stylethread forum -> home & garden -> need help figuring out my living situation/decorating a supersmall space
Post Info TOPIC: need help figuring out my living situation/decorating a supersmall space
esquiress


Marc Jacobs

Status: Offline
Posts: 2053
Date:
need help figuring out my living situation/decorating a supersmall space
Permalink Closed

Ok, I just moved into a guest house and there are parts I like and parts I don't.

Pros:

It's in a perfect location.  Great neighborhood and I'm close to everything.

Rent is cheap (at least for LA).  It's $1200 and I get to live by myself.

Cons:

There's landscaping going on in the background so it is a pain to get in and out of the place, like I have to go through the gate, where it's all muddy or the side door where it's all dark.  Very annoying.

It's tiny--only 500 square feet!

It's furnished, which is kind of a pro and con, in that I don't have to move in furniture but then again I like all my furniture (which is all currently being stored at my parents house).  

My friends have come to see it and their reactions are as follows:

1.  Totally cute!  You can do so much with the place!  Let's decorate!

2.  Move asap!  You deserve better than this!  It's not even THAT cheap!

3.  Fine for now.  Save up and look for a better place so that you can move by next summer.

Sigh.  I don't know what to do.  I know for sure I don't want to move in the next few months because I'm planning a trip to Italy (this October) and I start  the new job as soon as I get back.  I am not going to feel like squeezing in moving during that time.  Plus I really do love the location of the guest house.  Just not the entrance/exit situation or the smallness or the fact that it doesn't feel like it's "mine."

So, can anyone give me any advice on how to decorate a small space and make it feel more homey?

Thanks in advance!

  

__________________
ILoveChoo


Hermes

Status: Offline
Posts: 5131
Date:
Permalink Closed

get stuff up on the walls
maybe slipcover the couch
swap out area rugs
try rearranging...move things to different palces or different rooms
swap out light fixtures/ lampshades

__________________
"Life's too short to wear ugly shoes."

My recipe blog: healthy-delicious.com
joy0302


Kate Spade

Status: Offline
Posts: 1173
Date:
Permalink Closed

Put up as many personal touches as you can so that it feels like yours and not like you are a guest. Get out lots of pictures and anything else you may enjoy, candles, whatever it may be. It sounds like you have a busy schedule so I bet with a little work you can make your new place somewhere you will want to stay atleast until life slows down a little.

__________________
http://joydevivredesign.blogspot.com/
Suasoria


Chanel

Status: Offline
Posts: 3120
Date:
Permalink Closed

I agree with you - $1200 for a guest house in an ideal L.A. location seems cheap.

I wonder if your landlord would be amenable to swapping out the furniture during your tenancy. A way to approach this might be, "Since I have my own furniture there's no need to put yours through unnecessary wear and tear. What if I took responsibility for putting your things in storage and brought in my own?"

Also, it costs about $50 if that to install a motion-activated outdoor light. This would ease your mind in numerous ways. If the LL won't pay for it, do it yourself. And put down some square concrete pavers where it's muddy.

I realize none of this really helps with the decorating, but it was on my mind, and hey - it's my birthday, so indulge me.

__________________
esquiress


Marc Jacobs

Status: Offline
Posts: 2053
Date:
Permalink Closed

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Suasoria!!! You ladies helped a ton, thank you so much.

__________________
BargainQueen


Marc Jacobs

Status: Offline
Posts: 2001
Date:
Permalink Closed

The girls offered great suggestions but I wanted to add to use decor that serves storage purposes as well since you live in a small space. Like a coffee table with under shelving or an ottoman that opens up for hidden storage, you could also use rattan storage boxes as side tables. Also, use the walls as creative storage too, add nice shelves to store media and photo albums and cute boxes with your paperwork hidden inside.

I really like Ilovechoo's idea of slipcovering existing furniture and swapping out simple items like the rugs and lighting.

__________________
http://shoppingandselling.blogspot.com/
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
stylethread site home page -> stylethread forum -> home & garden -> need help figuring out my living situation/decorating a supersmall space
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard