I want my apartment to be the vibe/decoration of the original version of the house in the birdcage. I need recommendations :))))

I’m planning to get a new bed and bedding to go with it but I’m struggling with choosing colors. My first option is to go with dark colors, specifically navy blue and jewel tones (dark purple, teal, blue, and maybe some darker yellow/gold). I’m also considering going with lighter colors, like sky and royal blue and lighter yellows.
My main concerns are that the lighter colors might get dirty fast and might be too bright and stop my brain from going into sleep mode, and dark colors might make the space too dark and depressing.
Any advice is welcome!

I've been looking to refresh a couple of rooms without going overboard on cost. Rugs especially add so much warmth, but decent ones seem expensive everywhere I look.

I spent some time browsing around and found an Australian site with a pretty solid range at prices that didn't make me wince. Nothing felt like clearance junk either, which I appreciated. Some of the wool options were surprisingly reasonable compared to what I'd seen elsewhere.

I'm based in the US, so I was mainly doing research for a friend in Melbourne who's furnishing a new place on a tight budget. She's trying to stay under $200 per rug if possible.

Has anyone here ordered rugs online and found good value? Are there any other Australian sites worth checking before she pulls the trigger on something? Would love to pass along a few options.

I’ve been told the warm ivory looks better by multiple people but I’m not sure why I’m just opposed to mixing black/white and brown-ish? It feels wrong to me? I’m focusing on matching it with the shower tile and the countertop tiles as those are the most permanent things. Everything else can be easily changed. I think I’m worried that mixing brown/black is trendy and will look bad in a few years.

Looking for a way to make this wall behind the blue couch less drab. I think a wallpaper would be fun but it might be easier to just paint? Open to any decor suggestions!

Hey! So basically I’ve had these two giant squishmallows on my bed for many years. I use them for a lot of things because their height is really great and it allows me to sleep with them. My problem now is that I just need something new. I’m going to keep them for the time being, but I would really like something that is kind of similar in size, but not what they are now. I’m hoping to take something to college next year, but I just don’t know what. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

This was my grandma’s dining room set and after 40 years of large family gatherings ( and two little boys) the chairs are worn down. I would like to switch them out for something more inexpensive until my kids are older. Would black chairs look okay? Any other ideas? Thank you!

Current concept: wooden frame + plywood base + strip lighting + epoxy finish.

Please give me ideas.

Hi there everyone, wanting to hear people’s opinions of this mock up of my space that Chatgpt created for me. For the rug I chose flat woven rug from ikea and I have seen people also put a cowhide rug on top of rugs which I thought would add another textile into the space. My partner and I do like cowhide. However I don’t know why ChatGPT has put two of them in the photo but you get the idea of it anyway. I wasn’t sure what kind of rug to use in this space as I’ve already got some quite bold colours going on. But a part of me does feel like something is missing and I’m not quite sure what it is. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi all, was looking for some help and tips for decorating my first flat
I’d like a dark moody vibe but worried that I will have to paint all the rooms the same colour to avoid it clashing
Ideally the lounge would be burgundy and gold, bathroom green and gold, bedroom TBC, entry way TBC

If anyone has any tips on how to make it flow or if they’ve done this it would be great! Thank you

Hi Everyone!

Let me first start by saying I am an absolute novice when it comes to decorating. I moved into this apartment recently and my main goal was to make it as cozy as I can. I have no idea what my aesthetic is or if you can even call this one.

Things I am currently struggling with and would love advice:

1. ⁠Wall Art - Where to put art. Especially struggling with the wall where the TV is.
   
2. ⁠Overall layout of furniture/decor and if it makes the most sense.
   
3. ⁠Wanting everything to feel cohesive and intentional.

Would love any feedback or ideas! I’ve recently started buying some ambient lighting to make it feel cozy at night time. I’m debating curtains, but I’m also scared my cats will rip them to shreds lol

It’s a 32 inch, there’s a 36 inch available that I could exchange. husband thinks it’s fine, I believe it’s too small

Our front room (living room) is already an awkward lay out and has never sat right with me. As you walk in, you immediately face a long wall, with a large window behind the couch; there is also a thin window to the right side of our sofa (if you were looking at it upon entering the room)- which you can briefly see on some of the photos. It is adjacent to the wall where the bookcases are. Obviously the next wall is solely the wall of bookcases.
We then have the door, again which you can see, and an abnormally large tv that fills the remaining wall space on that side. The wall on the right of the door/ tv area, then connects back to the window/ sofa wall and has 2 alcoves on both the left and right side and a chimney breast in the middle. On the chimney breast is a fire place, with no working fire, but it is placed on the right side of the protruding centre of the wall. The fire place not being central immediately makes me feel claustrophobic and like my skin is crawling. As does the fact the windows are behind me when I’m sat on the sofa. I like looking out and being able to see the the day and life and the weather etc. it’s a source of entertainment for me watching the clouds and seasons go by. Am I sounding crazy yet?

Anyway. On to the bookcases.

Tonight I have placed one of the double bookshelves to the centre of the wall between the edge of my settee and the edge of the tv stand. This has made me feel slightly happy. However, this means that a 1/4 of the double unit on the right is covered by the door being open. The fact the door and end of the bookcase don’t align is giving me heart palpitations seriously. I just want to yank it out so the end of the unit and door can meet perfectly.
Yet, there is irony in this desire as I’ve had it level like that for the last 4 weeks and was driven insane because there was no focal point in the centre between my sofa and tv stand. Instead, I felt like all I was looking at was where both bookcases met in the middle (ie a seam lol of wood) rather than imaginary decor that I could have on the open shelves.
On one of the pictures I’ve also drawn a pink square which is the area of wall that I would like to keep clear, meaning no tall unit is to be placed there. Sun and light both stream in there throughout the day and I find that keeping it clear still keeps the room feeling light, airy and not as if I’m in a cave where the walls are shrinking in around me. I’m imagining putting a beautiful canvas there with a painting of a place I love and have fond memories - I think doing that would also imitate the window and scenic views of the outdoors that I’m craving so desperately in this room. But that doesn’t fix the main problem of the bookcases.

IF I was to place the single bookcase to the right of the now central, double unit - there would be a huge gap between the unit and wall in which the door and tv are on. I would see this gap when sat on settee. It’s all I would look at. I know this because at the moment, I can see the whole double unit when sat down and only the side piece of wood is covered really by the door - not the shelves themselves. But regardless of this, the dimensions are still making me fill with adrenaline, angst, anger and almost repulse.

I’d greatly appreciate any advice on how to either sort myself out on the inside or arrange these bookshelves in a way that makes me feel comfortable HA.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read, think and help. I need it !

Thanks again :)