What are your questions? Do you have a budget range in mind or are you gathering ideas at this stage?

Morning Apple pie.

I am looking for ideas at this stage. What to get rid of, what to bring in, colors, window and door dressing... Anything really because, I do not know where to start.

I do not have a budget. I don't think I could put more than 500$ towards it at the moment.

Thank you!

When I was renting my apartment, I went to walmart and bought of their cheap, black-framed mirrors and hung them horizontally about 6 inches apart. At $10 a piece this was a super cheap way to take up an entire wall with visual interest and more light!

Not sure on your wall sizing but it looks like it could work over your couch.

I also go to thrift shops alot looking for artwork. It's amazing what you can find for $5 and if you buy a can of paint and paint all the frames the same colour, it will instantly tie it all together.

As for those storage bins....This might sound a bit weird but is there room to place them along one wall in your bedroom? If you could, you could easily build a front and top out of plywood, paint or cover in fabric, and then you've created yourself a built in ledge that you could then use for cute, bedroom storage, displaying plants, books, pictures, shoes or whatever you want to actually 'see' in your bedroom. It wouldn't cost much, would hide some of the bins and won't do any damage to the rental.

This is written from a US point of view, so it may or may not apply where you are (since the rooms in the floor plan are labeled in French, I'm guessing you may not be US-based).

Don't paint anything without the landlord's explicit written permission.

For the bathroom, buy a shower curtain that you LOVE, and towels that coordinate. Call it done.

For the sitting room, find two or three pieces of art that you love and hang them on the wall. These don't have to be valuable paintings; they can be what some people call "decor" from Home Goods, Target, etc. Cheap prints framed nicely are great. So are family photos. Or a quilt or rug, a macrame object, even a deer head if you are in to that. The point is that you love it and want to look at it.

If you determine that you will be in this space long enough, you could invest in a self-assembled cabinet from IKEA or somewhere similar to replace your plastic tubs. But if you think you're moving in 6 months, I wouldn't bother. It would just already be packed for moving day!

Happy Rebirth! It sounds like you have reached a transition point and want to make a change in your surroundings. Good for you! You have two bedrooms. I would put ALL of the bins in the bedroom that you don’t use (if that is possible). If they are out of your view, you will have breathing room to look at what you have. I’d sort out what you have from what you need/want. Your kitchen is quite crowded with items. Do you need all of the appliances, small gadgets? Purge. I would purchase two matching shower curtains (plain) and a spring tension rod and hang them to cover your laundry area/pantry. You have a couch and your large beige chair. A good place to start. Get rid of the wing backed chair that looks old. Your apartment is small...you only need the couch and two chairs. Art. It is cheap! You can even make it yourself. Scrub your bathroom and place all of your personal items in a nice basket that you can store on your vanity. And put away when you have guests. Splurge on some new towels in a bright color that makes you happy. And a shower curtain that matches that. You have turned a corner. Don’t be overwhelmed. One step, one area at a time! Good luck!

I think you need to worry less about colors and decor, and mostly about organization. Get cheap plastic $1 bins for the bathroom, to organize toiletries.

Get some under-bed storage, either giant plastic bags or cheap plastic bins.

Put all the stuff away, away, away, and you may feel less overwhelmed with everything.

I notice you have a lot of red touches here and there. Keep that in mind, that you seem to like red, and you have white on the walls. That's a great start, but with only $500 I wouldn't waste money on art at retail stores, even discount stores. You can pick up nice pieces from Craigslist, Next-door, Facebook marketplace, or make your own art as others suggested. One inexpensive rug in the living room area would make the room.

Thank you all. These are great ideas to start from. It is giving me exactly what I was looking for: fresh new eyes to look at my project. I do live in Canada. Good spotting kempek01.

I had not realized it, but as ptreckel pointed out, I am overwhelmed. Not so much after reading your comments. Thank you.

The second bedroom is my college daughter's. She comes every other weekend and I gave myself an objective to respect her space.

It does look like a lot of things. I am in the process of getting rid of all those bins. Some of them are filled with my outdoor equipment, 3 of them with memoribillia I don't think I will be able to part with. At least half can be and will be sold. I emptied a 6 bedroom house into this 2 bedroom apartment. I need to keep at it.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Here are the same pictures but when the place was empty.

Congratulations on your newly found freedom! I hope a fresh start will be a good thing for you.

I agree about prioritizing organizing. I cannot see much of your bed, but if you don't have underbed storage now, I would see about getting some bed risers (not too expensive an outlay) and transferring some things from the bins to underbed storage bins. Perhaps your daughter would agree to the same arrangement without too much infringement on her space:

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Adjustable-Risers-Furniture-Heights/dp/B00MH74S16

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/under-bed-storage-19059/

And while not optimum, if you could find some plain white bins/boxes, you have some good storage space above your kitchen cabinets. You don't want to clutter it up with a bunch of random stuff up there, but if things are in storage that match the cabinets, it could be ok.

When you empty out the living spaces some, it will be easier to figure out optimum furniture placement and what decorating can be done to make it a comfortable and beautiful home for you.

I would turn the smaller bedroom into a storage closet and move all the boxes into that room, providing no one sleeps there. Is it a guest room?

I think you've found a charming apartment. I understand that this is probably a temporary residence while you gather your life together and plan your path forward. Right now, you have a lot in that space, things you don't want to part with and may need later.

I understand too that a storage rental if climate controlled is an added expense. Do you have friends you haven't thought to approach who could store a little for you temporarily? I'd help you if I could, this house has tons of storage. We had just purchased it when a friend separated after 25 years of marriage. I had things belonging to him like you are showing as well as electronics, yard equipment. For some reason, a clear plastic bin of expensive cooking oils (things were visible, I wasn't peeking), spices, kitchen things - and for 18 months! I never said a word but knew freshness was coming into question with some of those things as far as them remaining usable ;0)

I applaud you giving your becoming-an-adult daughter her own space where you live. Clearly you could use the storage but I think that choice will pay off in the long term for both of you.

But is there a possibility some of those things could go off premises for the time being, out of your way which would add to your comfort, but still available for the point you may not want to be replacing with new....

I'll simply focus on one area, your own private bedroom. It is proven that the most restful and secure sleep (something you may desperately need) is attained when the bed is placed opposite the door. So, move the bed to the "north" wall (on the floor plan) and flank it with the two tall bookcases. Style them with your very favorite books and dearest mementos (1/3 books, 1/3 mementos and 1/3 open space.) Move your dresser and mirror to the "west" wall. Pick up an inexpensive rug to place by the side of the bed you use to get in and out of it the most. Hang a favorite piece of art at the foot of the bed so you can enjoy it from the bed. Look for sales and pick up a pair of corded wall lamps to hang so you can read in bed. You can mount them to the wall or to the sides of the bookcases. Here is a general idea of the concept with your bed wall. You can even paint the backs of the bookcases and get a piece of luan to insert above the bed and paint it to match rather than paint the walls of your rental.

Bedroom Suite, Birthday Surprise! · More Info

Thanks for info. Here are some ideas.

1. If you have framed art, put something you love in the front entry so that it is the first thing you see. Choose something that makes you smile.

2. If you want the apartment to look settled, use framed art, not tacked-up art prints on paper. If framing has to be postponed for budget reasons, display your existing framed art instead. Roll up the large prints to store for later.

3. Move the boxes out of the dining area, then move the table and chairs to that window. The only spaces for the packed boxes are under the two beds. There are risers you can buy that will lift the beds higher off the ground. https://www.amazon.com/Utopia-Bedding-Premium-Adjustable-Furniture/dp/B073WFCV1L Then put the boxes under the beds. nothing will not be visible to your daughter if you use a deep tailored bed skirt to conceal the boxes. https://www.amazon.com/Bare-Home-Microfiber-Ultra-Soft-Resistant/dp/B01N0NL136/

4. Donate or sell the chair(s) you don't need.

5. Ask the landlord or coop manager for some touch up paint. The Kleenex-box size bathroom cubby could use some touch up to make it look nice. With renovation several years away, a liter of white touch up paint is certainly useful and reasonable to ask for.

Yes, you are feeling all over the place at the moment. As @decoenthusiate suggets, go one room at a time. Storage is your challenge. When you get to your kitchen laundry area - a couple of thoughts. I spied that you have room between the ceiling and the top of the kitchen cabinets that could prove useful. Plastic crates are useful, however other storage options which are cost effective such as felt or bamboo could be used there and be decorative. In your laundry, I feel you need to make it a bit more European rather than exposed. See if you can hang some curtains, either one long or two to draw back. It might be inside the enclosure, or high across the top. Just ensure the curtain will go full length when they fall. I live in a rental and have been able to use the largest size stick on hooks which can be removed, with the lightest curtain pole to form curtain hardware and have hung 10 curtains! 5 years later none of the hooks have come unstuck!

Some ideas to get you started. The big box stores always have options at reasonable price points

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Or not... pics not attaching.

I have been studying your rooms to see where you can work on bringing order to your setting. Coming home to some order will help to rebalance. Your current wall of tubs might be able to be reduced if we consider the contents and the available storage in your laundry area. I see quite a few loose bottles and various bibs and bobs which are using the shelves. These items may store better in a container, thereby freeing up some shelving room. Consider the contents of your tubs, if you can combine lighter weight items which won't be needed often, see if you can use your top laundry shelves to store more. Flat items which you want to retain can then go on top. see if you can reduce the height of the tubs to let the light in from the window whilst you sort and arrange. If the number doesn't reduce, stack them to follow the window frame! I know there isn't alot of bench space, but see if your lovely bright and shiny kitchenalia items currently on the dresser can brighten the kitchen space. In rearranging your bedroom as suggested earlier, maybe the older wing back chair would fit with the throw open over it to cosy it up? This would make space in your lounge area. Oh, as you move things about give the walls a wash with sugar soap or magic sponges, they're brilliant! It may be trial and error on placement but try lamps in various places so you can soften the lighting in the evening to create a more homely feel. You have some prints up, see if you can find some large frames to frame them, they will look more deliberate. Thrift shops are a good spot to look. For a couple of dollars you can replace the picture with ones of your choice.

and I forgot.... I rent and although unable to repaint i have found touch ups make places look so much better. White, at least, is easy to match! The small chips that happen on the corner of walls and door frames, a small dab with a craft brush takes the contrast out and helps to smarten up.

You have a great size apartment. I think you can play around with your existing furniture to find what works best for you.

I agree with @decoenthusiaste that bedrooms are important. You'll have better flow in the room if you place the head of the bed on the north wall (where you have the fish poster hanging). You may have enough space to place dresser and desk on either side of the bed so you have a place to lay/access items (alarm clock, phone, glass of water, glasses, reading lamp, etc). For the second bedroom I would move the head of the bed to the south wall.

I lived in apartment with the same layout and I found it helped to keep the counters clear. I mounted garbage bins on the doors under the sink for the garbage and compost. It's smaller but you can take it out often. Personally I don't like the big garbage bins in the house. I think they belong outside or in the garage. It starts to smell before it fills up and it's too bulky to carry when it's full.

Also, could you move the 5 gallon water bottle to the corner beside the stove?

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/knape-vogt-trash-master-waste-bin/1000159475?rrec=true

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/knape-vogt-door-mounted-waste-bin/1000751240

You are all awesome. Thank you.

I have been busy already, following some of your ideas.

I followed Kaitlin M's advice. The plastic bins are now in my bedroom. I have moved the bed against the windowed wall (for the moment, I am alone so don't need to have access on both sides of the bed. Althought, my daughter came to visit last night and opted to sleep with me because she likes being against the wall :) ) I put my dresser beside it and my computer desk between the dresser and the book shelves. The bins are where my bed used to be. It's not pretty but when I sleep, I do not see it. When I am at my computer, I do not see it. When I am not in the room, I see the space where they used to be and it feels better.

I do love your idea, decoenthusiaste. It might have to wait a bit until I get rid of more things. For the moment, I sleep like a baby. Less stress in my life of late...

Where the bins used to be, I put a small table to make a breakfast nook by the windows.

I do have a curtain pole and the hardware to hid the washer/dryer area. I like the idea of putting things in bins to organise the content of the shelves. I will go a get a long curtain that I like today. Ideas on colors?

The kitchen is now clean. For the first time, I had people over last night so I cleared everything before they came over. Kazzh, I like the idea of using the top of the kitchen cabinet. I might be able to find some well designed bamboo or straw coloured baskets to put some of the clutter in.

I do love red as I find it lively and colourful.. I am trying to not go over board so for now, it is towels, dish cloths, a small carpet in my bedroom.

About the bins (thank you kazzh for your grwat ideas): the most important ones are 7 large ones with my outdoor equipment. I can get rid of some equipment I do not use and compress everything in 3 large bins. 5 medium ones with memorabilia. Those, I can hardly see getting rid of but, I will look at their content and see. The others 10 bins are filled with things that are on their way out. That will be a big job and I have been postponing it for a few months already.

I like the third rule for the book shelves. I will work on mine.

I have been carrying the wing chair for 20 years with the hope of reupholstering it. I never have and probably never will. It is old, dirty and ugly. I am getting rid of it.

I also don't like the couch and we never use it. It's on its way out.

Art: I am an amateur photographer and I have so many that I would love to put up. I might go thrift store frame shopping to see what size frames I find before printing my selection.

In the bathroom, the shower curtain is ugly but was picked out by my daughter. She absolutely loves it. I might buy a linen white simple curtain to cover it when she is not around :) The bathroom counters are now emptied and cleaned. I got motivated by your comments. Thank you!

morz8, I have considered an external storage facility but I decided it would only make the task of simplifying my life more difficult. Everything I own if here and I feel motivated to get rid of things I have not used in several years. While its all here, it is easy to take pictures and post ads on the different online used marketplaces.

I am not too much oriented towards painting or touching up but I agree that a minimum would go a long way. I'll see if some of my friends who like painting might feel like doing some for me. I am thinking of going a little wild and painting my bedroom door a bright colour. Maybe or red... I am thinking that red could be replaced by a soft blue (I'll put an image of what I have in mind.)

I own two big big prints. I know I should frame them. I shopped and it would cost 300$ per print. For now, I staple them to the walls for lack of better solution. I will look into thrift shops but I have never seen such big frames in those stores.

Cherie, thank you for your comments about the garbage, recycling and compost bins. The smallest one is the garbage. The others are recylcing ( I separate bottles and cans from paper, plastic and cardboard. I would love to put them somewhere else but did not put much time thinking about is. Because of your comment, I will. I do live on the fourth floor so going down more ofter to empty the bins is a little daunting (but totally feasable).

I will also leave you pictures of my balcony (which needs a bit of work as well) and of my two big windows. I do really like the apartment. It is surrounded by forest and mature trees.

Again, thank you all for your amazing thoughts, comments and ideas. I feel better being part of this great community.

Here are some cheap and easy ways to frame very large prints: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/large-picture-frames-you-can-make-on-the-cheap-242167

Looking so much better! As an interim, I noticed that your bookcases are closing off a corner. Pull the larger one down the wall a little and turn the smaller to run along side. A few more inches on your desk wall whilst you get your set up all sorted.

Great start! Please look into moving the dresser to the right side of the bed. You need a gap between the baseboard heater for circulation. The bedding is a fire hazard...

I was referring to a European laundry, which is sometimes how this type of laundry in a 'closet' is referred to. Alot of the time they have bifold doors, so they just look like another cupboard. I did think to myself that I didn't suggest a color for your curtains, but had a feeling red would be under consideration!! It looks great. A shot of color in the apartment, it breaks up the white brilliantly. The full wall actually looks better than just across the opening. Doesn't it feel so much neater without the laundry being on view! Do they pull open easily? I used eyelet curtains for easy opening.

I was admiring your outlook, being up in the treetops, it looks very calming. I was thinking a curtain with a green leaf pattern or green print on white background to bring your outlook in and provide a color but the good thing about curtains is they can easily changed out when one wants to. I suspect you won't tire of the red though!

I hope that as you arrange your things and put your own ideas into the rooms that it starts to feel like you, and your space.

I am so full of thoughts for you! Sounds like you have come to some conclusions on your lounge furniture. Apart from using websites like Craig's List, Gumtree etc to dispose of items, you might pick up more suitable sized items for free. ie a two seater setee to swap out the 3 seater you don't like, a couple of more permanent dining chairs that will go with your table.( I wouldn't be looking for any bigger a table, the table you have is a good size and works for one) When moving, furniture doesn't always 'go' in the next place! And when you get them for free, it's not going the break the bank if any alterations don't work and they end up out the door!

Love the red curtain! It’s starting to come together - best wishes on your new restart!

Another thought.... Your outside table and chair look more like a dining table, would it be feasible to bring them inside and your inside set out to your balcony? With the smaller set outside, your balcony would be more spacious and giving space for your other outside items and a less obscured view. And more space for your puppy.... As the black seats fold flat , they can be stored along the wall and brought out when needed. It would be more comfortable to have a morning coffee in the camper chairs anyway! The outside table top looks like it just needs scrub or refinishing, is it wood? And the leg could polish up to chrome again with some CLR cleaning product. Again a scrub and repaint for the chair, go for your red again if it's inside! Am I spying another wooden chair in the corner closet to the window? You might consider painting it. There is your dining suite! An eclectic mix of wooden pieces brought together by paint colour. If the table comes up well it could look better inside, however you will be the best judge how they fit in the spaces. The umbrella gives a nice injection of colour, but I think it closes the balcony in. Take it down and when storing tie the canopy in close so it doesn't flop open, to try and keep it compact. It could be laid down on the floor to keep it low on the sight line, rather than leaning vertically.

Ok there were a few thoughts there but I was spurred on by your successful curtain hanging!

Wow, you have done some much already. And it looks much more peaceful. I was going to suggests outdoor bins for you balcony (to store some of your stuff), but it looks like you may be doing that already. I love how the red curtain makes the laundry area disappear.

You are fast! It looks so much better and I can imagine feels like a relief to have some breathing room and organization happening.

Thank you, thank you all for your support.

I have not done much else since last pictures. A little test under the dinning room windows. I think I like it. See pictures. The shelf is too low like this but I have a good idea of how it will be once I fix it properly as a stand-up desk/lounge counter. I really like that I have a look at the forest and the trees from that stand point. I also spend too much time sitting at my desk. This will give me a nice alternative. Let me know what you think.

kazzh, thank you for your good thoughts (also thank you Laura Hill and Gcubed). Yes, I also think that the full wall curtain is striking. I like your green curtains idea. If I change them, I will look for the right fabric. You are also right, it does start to feel like my own place.

I will get rid of a lot of the living room seating. I plan to sell what I have on Craig's List and then wait a while before getting anything to replace it. I want to find the right things, grown up things. I have been living too long as a student. I haven't sat on university chairs for more than 30 years and I sometimes feels like I never learned how to live otherwise.

I like your idea of bringing the outside table in. It is smaller than the one I have but square and with a more classic look. I made it myself using an old bistro table foot my dad had in his garage and left over wood from the deconstruction of the house I sold a couple years ago. The table top does need a refinish after a couple years outside exposed to the elements. I can do that pretty easily.

Good idea to swap the foldable chairs for the outside ones. Eclectic and most likely more comfortable. With snow coming soon, I did not know what to do with the furniture outdoor. I can actually take apart the Ikea cheap table and put it at the back of one of the closets. I still need to think about it but it gives me alternatives.

I will just sell the canopy. I won't need it for a long while.

I like the underbed storage ideas olychick and apple_pie_order. Thank you. My bed is already 12 inches above ground ( I designed it with storage in mind and never used it for that purpose, I liked the vast emptyness. However, now, I need the storage space).

apple_pie_order, thank you for the list of ideas. The framing of my big art pieces has become one of my priority. I also found about 20 frames of odd sizes in which I will put some of my photographes. I also asked my daughter to produce some original art pieces for me. I will hang them over next weekend.

Well, again, I have written a long, long response. I like this writing. It is helping organize my mind.

Have a good evening.

I so want to get rid of this wall of bins. Under the bed it goes. Soon.

It stands now at 36 inches. It is 43.5 inches right bellow the window frame. Perfect! The view will be spectacular. What do you think? The dinning table there or I leave it where it is and install this standing desk/bistro bar?

I took a little break from work this afternoon. Right across the street from where I live.

I do like the standing bar under the window!🤩You have such a beautiful outlook, why not make the most of it!!😍 Do I recognise the piece as coming out from behind the couch in earlier pics? It works so much better under the window. A couple of comfortable bar chairs, or stools, and it would be glorious watching the world go by and the seasons change. Nix putting any other table there, unless you prefer a standard table and chairs setup. Maybe work up the other ideas so you can swap settings if you are entertaining and need 4 places, but if it is mostly yourself and your daughter it would be a great casual spot to come together to eat and talk.
Looks like a glorious day in your part of the world, nothing like enjoying the great oudoors and fresh air. So glad the Houzz ideas are helping.

I'm terrible for parting with objects so wouldn't part with the umbrella! I'd be stashing it under a bed since it packs up quite compactly. Never know when you'll need an outdoor 'brollie.⛱

...

Hi all.

Big week just finished. Starting a week off :)

This week, I will take it one room at a time and finish it. Shelves, minimizing, frames and pictures... All on a shoestring budget.

I started the process of emptying the bins and Craig Listing the items I can sell. So far, I sold two of many, many.

Here are some pictures of the apartment to date. I did do some staging this time and I am posting pictures of my daughter's bedroom for the first time.

Sounds like a good week to keep developing and trying things in new places! Seeing your daughter's room, yes it is her space but it does afford you some more storage under her bed. The spare mattress could go under the existing one without compromising comfort. Also, is that another floor standing lamp? Finding a shade would put it to use and offer some softer lighting, either in her room or elsewhere. Just wondering, do you need both book shelves in your room,? the smaller one could either move into your daughter's room, or ( and it would involve more moving) the mirrored cupboard in the lounge could move into your daughter's room and the smaller bookcase could be in the lounge, giving a continuum of darker tones in your wood furniture. The book case would then give you a display unit to personalise the space. Must say your balcony space looks enticing with a clear view through..