Happy Thursday, BDH. Mod R here, requesting Horde assistance.
I am moving house.
The new place is lovely, and I am very happy and grateful to have housing, but it has also been touched by the Fairy of Modern Rental Design (much less cooler than the Fish Fairy) and leeched of colour. Stark white walls, bright fluorescent lighting, black fittings, grey floors. Add windows that do not get direct sun and the usual English grey natural light, and you get the picture.
Very much a First World Mod problem, I am the first to admit. But the more I get to know myself and my ADHD, the more I realise how much my environment overstimulates me and makes me evil.
I haven’t decorated a home in more than a decade, and I ended up really hating what I did then, which was to work with the monochrome instead of against it. When I got rid of the bigger, greyer pieces, it was like my whole nervous system breathed a sigh of relief from tension I didn’t even know I was holding.
I do not want to get to that situation again.
Now I’m leaving all of that furniture behind and starting anew, with two limitations:
- I can only work with furniture, textiles, lighting, rugs, art, and renter-friendly tricks. The walls, floors, kitchen fittings, and permanent fixtures must remain as they are.
- More importantly, I have no measurable aesthetic sense. As in, I can appreciate it when I see it, but I have no idea how to get things that harmoniously “go” together.
My style is…pretty much everything they dig up at Pompeii? I’m not sure what to call that particular flavour of Mediterranean, but if I could live on an Ancient Rome set design, I would. Creams, terracotta, olive greens, pops of gold and sea blues.
My mission is to lighten and warm up the place by combining the two realities. “What if a spreadsheet became a home?” meets “You wake up on a sunny afternoon in Apulia. It’s 78 AD, and the olive harvest is plentiful.”
So I come to you, wise Horde.
Where do you look for inspiration and shop for home things? I’m in the UK, but please do not let geography stop you. The comment section has never respected borders before, and I see no reason for it to start now.
Is it Pinterest accounts? Design books by…? Instagram people? Specific blogs? YouTube channels? Secret witch covens that meet inside an ancient turtle and discuss where to buy good curtains?
Please advise, because I am currently losing a staring contest with a grey floor.
My suggestion since my sense of style is a sweetie at the bottom of a old handbag is:
– Grey wall hang landscapes with greens and blue
– Dark kitchen counter, use beige container with small green plants
– Dark kitchen cabinets, if space at the top weird nick nacks with color that draws the eye away.
– Rugs should function and not have tendrils since if they get dirty you might aswell throw them away.
– Tall lamps for weird angled open areas
– Dont be afraid to add weird storage containers with colors against a wall
I hope I’m allowed to leave specific links. Check these out:
An easy one – Type “Mediterranean decor” on Amazon
Some specific links:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1723892384/mediterranean-interior-design-ideas
https://youtu.be/BjvPKZQNkJw?si=yAnZOGfDtDtrtI5Z
https://share.google/3JDhTegzOSGsLDgfw
https://share.google/pqfU4rJmjeTbvoCcr
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1196683182/blue-yellow-lemon-pillow-cover-outdoor
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4501375388/original-moroccan-courtyard-oil-painting
Lark Manor™ Orange Mediterranean Bath Tranquility 5 – Bathroom Metal Wall Art | Wayfair https://share.google/7QCrYAqIoo1xN1O5v
Lark Manor™ Mediterranean Landscape Wallpaper Exotic Classical Wall Mural | Wayfair https://share.google/bd09xs7VGh6btqQi8
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4489266850/mediterranean-seaside-cafe-canvas
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4361176542/mediterranean-coastal-view-canvas
Bungalow Rose Mediterranean Tiles In Retro Blue VI – Abstract Tile Round Wall Art on Metal | Wayfair https://share.google/lk8y6CPjQY5XtmR4C
Red Barrel Studio® Blue Tiled Marocain Door I – Abstract Tile Wall Art Prints Set Of 3 | Wayfair https://share.google/QH4r6CI8PmLEeogp7
Bungalow Rose Tuscan Sun Tiles IV Talavera – by Anne Tavoletti Wrapped Canvas Painting & Reviews | Wayfair https://share.google/NN1htrxb93xb95ZHR
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4502646117/colorful-mediterranean-wall-art-set-of-3
https://youtu.be/z0A3cBAStFY?si=HyN3z0VxFFZFYtRO
https://youtu.be/BjvPKZQNkJw?si=yAnZOGfDtDtrtI5Z
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1709304532/cityscape-painting-prints-bright-wall
Good luck, enjoy the process!
Go to Dunelms or look online at Next or Laura Ashley (now part of Next) and look at their curtains, cushions, bedding patterns and choose a print or pattern that you really like and then choose soft furnishings and rugs that fit in that colour range. I often start with a cushion and go from there. Good luck!
As a renter, layers of curtains, mismatched but harmonious picture frames (on rental hooks), and lush textures of cushions and throw rugs.
Pinterest, but go by “feel”.
Mediterranean “calm”, “quirky”, “boho”.
Stick with the bog standard, and hopefully lined curtains or blinds that you’ve got that help keep out the cold and/ or heat. Add a curtain rod with a gauzy, slightly too long but nicely cheap cottony tab top, but add a terracotta, or olive green layer over it on the same (maybe bronzey-gold) curtain rod. Stitch or glue a layer of fringe to the colourful curtain on the inside edge, and leave that one pulled back.
Texture, levels, colour, shape, and nothing that the landlord can be mad at
There are magnet wraps for appliances. There are removable tiles for backsplashes, etc. Get some live plants in clay pots and ceramic pots. There’s commercial window film available in an outsourcing variety of patterns. A water fountain with your plants and soft lighting for your focal point. Think about textures. Hope this helps!
do you have an art work that speaks to you that you love, use that as you colour inspiration and go forth, you grey background is your neutral palet…breath easy
I’d go splashes of colour, my favourite is yellow, using mirrors to bounce around any available light – maybe see where the light falls now we’ve got a nice BH weekend in England.
Do you know Matthew Williamson?
He is a british designer.
He once had a collaboration with H&M and now is an interior designer.
Perhaps you could look on his site for Inspiration.
Also on H&M they have a Home section (mostly Online) and you can look there online, too.
If you Are looking for furniture, sometimes you get a sample from the Store to take it back to your Home, to See, if it matches the colors you have at Home.
We did so before buying our Couch and that was very Good, because we then Took the second choice. When buying a couch there are water repellent materials, very good with children.
We bought our paintings in Greece on Rhodos. There is a tiny galery and we have a painting with the mediterranean blue sea and one with an olive tree.
Also in London you have Mina Lima, the designers from the Harry Potter Films. In 2019 you could visit for free in London. So much beautiful Art in one tiny Place. I bought some postcards that are now in Frames at our Walls.
In Germany we have Fagus sylvatica trees an I love the color from that Wood, that is why our table and chairs are from This.
Also do you know stressless?
They are so comfy and buyable in different colors. They have very high prices, but worth the money.
They are from Norway.
Congrats Mod R!
I researched a few places online and found that a paint store is probably where you want to start.
The link below is for Benjamin Moore paints, but really, you could go wherever you can get the best deal — unless you’re hiring a pro to do the painting.
https://www.benjaminmoore[dot]com — [Remove the brackets and the “dot” and add a “full-stop” before “com”before pasting in your browser search field.]
Search for the Benjamin Moore Mediterranean Interior palette. All the colors you mentioned in your post are on the page.
Remember: Take your time. Give it a couple of days to view your color, paint, carpet and other samples at different times and locations in your living space. Rushing may make you regret your choices.
The photo of the kitchen in the post would benefit from Olive Gray (Grey? sp.) Green or muted Deep Sea Blue and the wall could be muted to a creamy coral-white or a very pale turquoise blue. Muted Dark and Medium Blues, Turquoise and Teal Blues, and muted Grey-Greens are definitely what you are looking for in your choice of dark contrast colors. Coral and peachy pinks and creams and very pail turquoise blues are also known to calm an over-active mind and help you focus.
Without seeing the remainder of the living space, it is hard to envision a color palette.
Try picking a “contrast wall” to add a pop of color, but, maybe a muted color, like a slightly brighter coral color next to cream walls, or slightly brighter teal blue next to very pale turquoise-white walls.
Always remember to paint a large swatches (3 ft x 3 ft, 1 m x 1 m?) on a smooth medium (paper, canvas, heavy card stock) then hang each one on the walls around your space. Put the contrasting color swatch(es) next to each one. Step back and observe the changes (lighting, decorations, furnishings?) as you go about your day.
Above all that, have fun!
Nothing worse than hating your design before you even see it.
So, enjoy yourself!
It makes all the difference in how you feel about your design.
Do you own boardgames? We never need to use any decorations in our living room because we have two opposite walls with shelves (IKEA Kallax) full of boardgames with some extra beautiful ones on top.
You could probably do something similar with books, as well.
Having poor taste and a significant color vision deficiency I can only wish you luck in finding what you need.
Hi, Dear ModR!
I feel quite excited on your behalf, really. With a monochrome background you have the option of putting anything:
A bright green rug, to simulate a grassy lawn, or perhaps one with colourful flowers, for a field of blooms. Curtains in any colour you could wish (nearly). My approach is usually to see how many colours I can add in the form of rugs, curtains (or the like), throw pillows, etc.
The only no-no for me (which you may hate) is that you cannot really mix grey and beige/brown. But if you can live with that, you can see how many colourful and interesting things you can smoosh together.
Though with ADHD: you may want to stick to a single colour scheme, such as shades of red-orange-yellow…
And the best part is, depending on finances, if you don’t like it or grow bored with it, you can just replace it with some other stuff!
Also, except for necessities, you can add things over time, as and when you find something you like…
Where in the UK are you, Mod R? I am sure a safe meet up with some of us hordey types to take you to look at some ideas could be arranged!
I generally look at instagram and other random places for inspiration – start with one thing you love. Textiles for the win and preferably textiles that you can change if you change your mind. Wandering around Ikea and the Range and B&M may either inspire or at least give you a clear idea what you DON’T like!
(I’m in Plymouth btw – no idea if that’s remotely helpful)
Congrats on having a roof over your head despite the greys.
I personally feel the same as you (ADHD unite), while my autistic (with splashes of high functioning OCD) loves the modern and grey bull.
We moved into our new house last year August. Our floors are grey Lino or dark grey carpet. Kitchen is modern farmhouse (my desires though I’d like wooden beams and old school light fixtures too). I settled for light wood look cabinetry (Devon oak) with grey synthetic stone benchtop. He hated all the pendant lights I liked so we settled for lights we both liked (but I don’t *love* them). We went blue and orange for lounge (it’s open plan) with blue chaise and ottoman, an orange leather spinning armchair, and somehow found the perfect rug that’s ran and orange that just works. Was about $200. We have some orange ish throws and some stripey pillows. Tv cabinet and book cases etc were from ikea (light oak that is close enough to kitchen that you can’t tell it’s different). Curtains have blue underside with white sheer upper which kinda just looks grey. Goes with everything but it IS bland.
So I put plants EVERYWHERE. I have two large monstera plants, three baby monstera, orchids (5 different ones), multiple trailing plants (purple heart, wandering jew, my 15 yo peace lily, and four or five other plants whose names I can’t remember, plus a ficus, and two succulents). Just in lounge/kitchen areas. Oh and dracanea. And multiple props on the kitchen window. Naturally all of these are in porcelain pots of various colours (though mostly a range of oranges and blues, some of which I painted with wall paint samples I’ve blended into blues I liked). Cause we need colour!
We have super limited wall space in that area cause windows and giant sliding doors take up most of the walls, but we definitely need some art which will make up the rest of the blandness.
That’s been my best shot at dealing with bland greys. I mostly prop swap with friends and people in community that are into plants. So most of my plants were free or bartered for.
If you have bad memory you’re best off going for hardy stuff- peace lily is good- you basically water it when it looks droopy. And most of the others I named are similar. I do big water/soaks every two weeks (or weekly in summer) (my inside pots have holes so they’ll drain off, I empty any residue out of the porcelain pots to stop them getting waterlogged).
Lamps are #1 – they even sell wall sconces that are rechargeable, no hard wiring. Turn off the fluorescent, and never turn them on again.
If you’re renting, hunt down YouTube accounts where they actually test renter, friendly, wallpaper, etc. I wouldn’t trust Pinterest for product recommendations.
A lot of Pinterest these days is AI, which can be annoying, but you can take a picture of your apartment and feed it to AI and ask it to create the vibe you’re looking for. I don’t always have great luck with that kind of thing but I have friends who have had really good design inspiration from that.
Just imagine that you’re a dragon, and this is your cave. Don’t buy anything you don’t love and the style will kind of come together on its own.
There is a YouTube called Actually Alli, which is all about upgrading and adding color to rentals. She is clever! She also demonstrates the take down where she returns the place to rental standard.
Lots of great comments – I second Maria Killam in general, as well as Alexandra Gater and strongly recommend Cass at Clutterbug for thinking through your system before you spend money on stuff that won’t work with your ADHD.
To continue the amazing Canadians on YouTube trend, I’d also suggest Nick Lewis, who is far snarkier about design in general and who has a number of these-things-help videos on how to make a space feel good to humans that is generally style agnostic (ie: lighting warmth, etc). Maria Killam and Nick Lewis would leave your overhead fluorescent off forever and do lamps, for example.
From the Americans, I’ll second Caroline Winkler, Emily Henderson, (both above), but for your specific design style, I’d recommend more of LoneFox.
But I think if I were going to pick only one YouTube channel resource for you – try Living with LK. She does renter-specific design advice and lives in a rented American Spanish Revival home (warmer, lighter tones than Tuscan, typically) and probably has the closest design match and specific rental restrictions you do.
As some have noted, many rentals in North America permit painting and hanging on walls. My last place didn’t, but tension curtain rods (or shower poles) can sometimes fit to hang a textile wall art (I did this at the end of a hallway to hang a tapestry that did warm up the white walls and black wood floors I had). You’ll also see most of the designers hang art from bookshelves- may I recommend museum gel if you do that… my cats found that a hilarious new toy when the art could be moved from behind.
Lamps, textures, and … I’ll add a bit of highly controversial and opinionated advice that you’re obviously welcome to discard. In my opinion, neurodivergent folks (I’m autistic) are particularly sensitive to artificial environments. Clutter is a big issue… and so is being surrounded by plastic. Biophilic design proinciples led me to test out a bunch of stuff… I need to be very careful how much vinyl and polyester I come into contact with on a daily basis. A lot of DIY and rental-friendly stuff will lean into cheaper materials, so before you try removable wallpaper, please get samples and try touching them a few times a day every day for a few days to see if you like the feeling. Same with rugs or other textiles if you can. It works best if, like some have mentioned above, you’re willing to take your time decorating.
I started over a few years ago due to some personal circumstances and I’ll also suggest – buy yourself a new set of cutlery, glasses, and dinnerware that you love. The opportunity to switch something you use everyday to be loved helps reinforce the fresh start is something great.
You’ve had lots of great advice above from commenters and I’m sure more to come. Hope you’re getting inspired and excited to settle into your new spot!
Decor wise in the UK I feel as though we’ve been living in a 50 shades of grey world for a while now & I hate it! If you’re looking for cheap & cheerful try The Range, B&M, Home Bargains and charity shops. Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and some garden centres have homeware that is a bit more expensive but not outrageous. I fear the grey may be pervasive though, good luck!
What colours do you like to wear the most? Choose rugs or cushions in those colours and then get others that go with them – shades of them or patterned versions of them. Throws and art (check out the charity shops). Vases and tablecloths as well. Do what makes you happy. Don’t let anyone else dictate what you should like. The nice thing about the items I suggested is that you can change them seasonally or according to your mood. Have fun.
I love giant wall art to transform a space. I get lightweight tapestries (very thin, easy to hang with command adhesive hooks) from society6
Pinterest. Search for your desired esthetic and you’ll get photos suggestions and even mechandise links.
Some things (shipped from UK) in those sort of colours
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1632658568/art-deco-blue-gold-cushion-covers?ls=s&pro=1&frs=1&local_signal_search=1&content_source=6f10e873-7b02-495e-938d-3fd78b1beac2%253ALT3e534df97bb563b2ef6b438c229d5c932306abb3
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1096354023/royal-gothic-wildflower-garden-large?ls=s&local_signal_search=1&content_source=6f10e873-7b02-495e-938d-3fd78b1beac2%253ALT9420daafa50c87fb0dfe6f780cf119632addeeff
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4344236833/navy-blue-round-mosaic-fish-rug-ocean?ls=s&pro=1&frs=1&content_source=54d1cb51-feb2-40ce-b099-2cd233f910b1%253ALT9e8c81c83e7dee2e84d64ff8e8219b0bdb71dd36
I’m a day late to the design party but if you are looking for inspiration, I really enjoy Julie Jones’ interiors on Instagram. She has a style quiz on her website that is educational and informative about the difference of styles and what that means for design elements (eg eclectic vs maximalist) plus shoppable links for pieces you can incorporate. It’s free for the price of your email address. She also offers virtual design services with an emphasis on space planning.
OMG i love the BDH.
I came to read the comments, now i am taking notes. Please, please Mod R can you pin this post. It’s usful, it’s funny, its happy.
This is a community in action. This is what love & joy looks like. ❤️ 😍💪🏽💓
Same for me! I wanted to read the comments only but now I’m also taking notes.
Thank you BDH! 💓 😍
Everyone has been fantastic and so kind!
First I want to say congratulations on your new place and have fun with it. One thing with grey is you need to bring warmth and life. I do not know what restrictions you have in regards to paint or hanging things on walls but a couple of things to note…
For a grey floor and cool white living room I usually Pinterest search “colors to warm up grey floors”and usually get a lot of good results. (For example https://pin.it/dO377wN32 ) Once I have that set I can do the sofa, rug and coffee table. Accessories usually come in the way of pillows and throw blankets, more plant life or a couple of tchotchkes.
Lamps will be your friend as they cast a warm glow on things and keep the cool white lightbulbs away. A good floor lamp and table lamp. Don’t be afraid to even put one in the kitchen!
For a grey kitchen:
1. Warm wood tones are your friends! Cutting boards leaning up the counter, a wooden knife block, wooden fruit bowl, ect. Counter stools if you need them or a wood dining table can help a lot.
2. Plants Plants Plants! terracotta planter with ivy in it, a vintage urn with fresh flowers for color on the island… go faux if you have a black thumb but get something good.
3. If you can add a peel and stick tile backsplash (maybe like this https://pin.it/5CUPyMbpH ) to bring some color in?
4. Textiles – Runner rugs in the kitchen can also bring extra color in, tea towels that hang off the oven door.
Hi Mod R, I feel like you’d like Grillo Design’s colour palette https://www.instagram.com/grillodesigns?igsh=MXJpcjM4ZXo3cnc1cg==
She has lots of renter friendly hacks (in particular look at pre-2025 posts where she was still a renter) and she’s UK based so it might make sourcing easier.
Since you know the color pallet you want, check Wayfair, Overstock, Amazon, HSN, and At Home. Start with curtains, pillows, blankets and throw rugs that add bright color to the rooms.
I watch Alexandra Gater on YouTube. Lots of renter friendly ideas. Start with rugs you LOVE. Build out from there. there are lots of rugs companies online. Stick on tile is renter friendly to brighten walls and floors. Switch out hardware on cabinets. It’s not permanent. Good luck!
Love her!
Congratulation to moving houses!
There are a lot of websites out there that can help you with wich colors go well with other ones. Maybe this could be some inspiration.
https://www.kingofcolor.com/what-color-goes-with/gray
https://colorhunt.co/
maybe something like this, grey in combination with neutral beiges?
https://colorhunt.co/palette/f2f2f2eae4d5b6b09f000000
I’m sure it’s been mentioned but the do make removable wallpaper. Maybe an accent wall (or whole room) with a nice warm color will help but making sure it still works with the things you cannot change in the room.
I’m a big fan of The Nester. She has “rules for decorating” that really aren’t rules but teaches you how to work with what you have and lean into what you love. I’m also challenged in this area and am so grateful for the help she provides. She even has a book Rules for Decorating and a membership with classes a private FB group to get help. It’s such a great resource.
Happy decorating and I hope you love your new home. 🩷
step one: find a rug you absolutely love. measure your biggest room and buy a rug size that either 1) fits the seating area — like the front legs of the chairs/sofa, or 2) leaves a one-foot gap between the rug and walls. use that rug as your color theme throughout the house. every color has to “go” with that rug. doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy, but cannot clash.
step two: get the comfiest chair or sofa (in a color that coordinates with rug)
not step three, but very important: get a lot of lighting. reading, task, uplights (for you, that’s probably torchieres), AND make sure the bulb lights match — not pure white vs. warm light.
Happy nesting!
You know you can buy pieces of Roman glass? My partner is a history teacher and our bucket list is Pompeii, so for Xmas last year I bought a ampule. Search Ebay for Roman glass and it will come rt up and they aren’t that expensive, the seller took my offer instead of the posted price. The glass comes from all over the Roman Empire. Just be prepared to wait a while because they ship through Thailand and customs takes a looong time. Mine was almost 3 months but it was really worth it.
My other advice is get your base out of color, texture, and pattern instead of themes. You know your colors you like already. There are tons of articles and vids to show the correct balance on the C/T/P. Then you can add you accent pieces out of your ‘Pompeij Rising’ plus anything else (say a goth bat), because it will work together. It also makes it a lot easier to work in holiday stuff. Goid luck!!
It sounds like you’re not permitted to paint, but could you use the peel and stick wallpaper that doesn’t damage walls? It can work on flat-front modern cabinet doors, too! They make all different styles and colors and even murals. The site I look at most frequently here in the US is wallpops.com but I’m sure there are plenty of UK equivalents. Good luck making your new home feel truly homey!
Particularly if you’re neurospicy, there are a few more questions to consider before you start. What is your need/tolerance level for color and pattern? It can change over time and even be different in a new space. Also, what is your tolerance for clutter, and how much do you mind/not mind dusting? If moving things around to dust doesn’t bother you, then your space can be brightened and made interesting with accessories; if not, I’d suggest leaving surfaces more clear and sticking mostly with color in curtains, rugs, furniture, and throw blankets. In the meantime, you can experiment: try putting a bright or printed sheet or blanket over your couch to see how you live with that amount of color/pattern in your new space before you invest in new furniture, for example.
Also: some people love lots of smaller art on their walls and are stimulated by having many items/details to look at. Personally, in my own space it would drive me bonkers. Fewer but relatively larger pieces, and leaving some wall space empty, works better for me right now. And you can always approach it as a long term project, giving yourself time to decide if you like this wall being blank or would rather find something interesting to put there.
There is a flooring company called Flor that sells textile squares that you can use to make rugs using very rental friendly adhesive dots. You can follow their suggestions or go completely rogue. They are machine washable. The tiles can be disassembled and reassembled in case of unfortunate wine and pet accidents and cleaned individually. some of the designs can be used as wall hangings in my opinion.
You might look at Jeremiah Brent designs for inspiration. Nate and Jeremiah have a couple of TV shows, several episodes of which feature a style like you are talking about.
I am a big fan of using Pinterest for design inspiration. Before you buy, you can put pictures of everything for the room on one Pinterest board to make sure they harmonize.
In the US, I often find the best quality and most interesting pieces on Facebook Marketplace. It takes patience, but is often well worth it.
Command hooks are your friends for walls.
Happy decorating!
Dear Mod R, my first thought was: get some of the vellum overlays in a size close to your kitchen doors and fix them with velcro. 😜🤭😱
Seriously, you can do a lot with fabrics. Curtains reaching to the floor: wide (15-20 cm) stripes in different colours and for different places in different combinations. For Furniture you could take colour samples from this curtains to pick complimentary furniture, but not more than 2 different colours per room. For light get some big mirrors and ask a friend to help you place them in a way that gives you the most light.
🍀🍀🍀
I really like the design books of Sarah Richardson, a Canadian designer. Her books ” Sarah Style” and “Sarah Style At Home” ate available on Kobo. ( And Kindle too, I would imagine) And though I haven’t looked, I would think there may be YouTube videos available to give you an idea of how to start. Your problem is likely going to be too much information which can be paralyzing. Good luck!
I don’t have a decorating style. Or maybe my style is “I see it, I like it, I add it to the mishmash of other stuff I like.” I’ve never really worried about matching a style (I have ADHD-but without the H-except mine means I don’t worry about matching styles). Instead I add or subtract color till I’m happy. But I couldn’t do that all grey/black neutral either!
Pick up that pretty throw blanket, rag rug or runner, and what not that you like and add it until you have enough color to make you happy.
Pinterest is a great resource to visualize a color scheme but I can get stuck in endless options, so I offer these tips to narrow things down:
– Include the current colors on walls, cabinetry, etc that you can’t change in your color scheme. Seems like you are going to need to work with a lot of white and black/charcoal so I’d recommend more vibrant colors to complement (deep olive green, rich teal, and/or reddish terracotta).
– Start with the 80/20 rule to add color and limit decision fatigue. Pick one color/color family for 80% of your space and another for the remaining 20%. I prefer cooler tones for the 80% and warmer tones for the 20% like a darker olive green sofa and rug paired with pink pillows and art. You can always add more colors as you go with throw blankets, art, light fixtures, and other decorative touches, but this will help your space look intentional.
After you’ve decided on a color scheme, you can start shopping! Ruggable and One Kings Lane are my favorites for rugs. Etsy has great artists that sell reasonably priced prints and you can literally find any composition (I even found dinosaurs riding various construction vehicles for my dinosaur-and-trucks loving son). Target has cheap and cute picture frames. Framebridge has nicer options and is my go-to for high quality framed digital prints.
Other random thoughts:
– Might be worth asking your landlord if you can paint or put up removable wallpaper on one wall to add more color. My past landlords were more amenable to me changing the walls if I limited it to one. I love Baltic Sea from Benjamin Moore (https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-colors/color/csp-680/baltic-sea) and it might fit your color scheme. This Priano wallpaper from Serena & Lily might also fit (https://www.serenaandlily.com/products/priano-wallpaper/1242019).
– Rechargeable wall sconces are a renter-friendly way to add warmth.
– Apartment Therapy (https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/skirted-desk-trend-spring-2026-37549526) has lots of design tips for renters and small spaces.
Hope this helps! Enjoy filling your new space with color!
Your warm Mediterranean color scheme sounds lovely. Wood furnishings will help, and they don’t have to be expensive. IKEA’s Nordkisa and Ragrund pieces for example are made of bamboo (not pressboard and laminate) so they are sturdy. Consider looking at high quality French brand Carre Blanc for towels and duvet sets if you can get them: they always have at least one Mediterranean inspired pattern and lots of happy color. Plus many of their duvet covers are reversible offering two looks for the price of one!
Hello,
I found that when redecorating my house I typed in moodboard and thrn the parametres in google and pinterest and got some good moodboards to start. My other idea is to pick one piece that you own or love such as a painting, vase or rug and and work a moodboard around that. Once you have a moodboard just drop in shots of items that you like onto the page as well.You can do as many changes as you like to the page until you have a result that makes you feel good. It is substantially cheaper this way and means that your decisions in real life have purpose and structure – your ADHD will thank you for it when you go shopping. take care and have fun from NZ
Someone mentioned Lighting, and it will absolutely help. Make sure you get high cri (90+ color rendering index) and dimmable warm white LEDs. Incandescent on a dimmer in your bedside lamp if you can get them. The light quality is better for helping you fall asleep.
Also, part of what make apartments feel impressive is all the overhead light fixtures. Get table and floor lamps to give you a softer lighting look and feel. Antique stores often have the coolest lamps. You can also drill a hole in a vase or candle holder or basket and turn it into a lamp with a simple light kit.
For the kitchen, you can get stick on under cabinet lighting or even just some led tape. Again, make sure it is high cri. If led lighting is giving you a headache or things looks a bit like a flip book cartoon- all steppy/stroby, the driver quality is bad and the hertz refresh rate is too low. Usually a sign of cheap leds.
Yeah, not fond of builder neutral either.
one thing I have done is use a “tapestry” to add color and interest when couldn’t paint. I bought heavy upholstery fabric with texture and color/pattern I enjoyed. then one seam at bottom and fold over top to make pocket for wood or metal rod and hang. stop about a foot from ceiling. you can use closet rods as curtain rods are expensive. makes a large statement that is easy to change. Good Luck.
I don’t buy from this site because it is above my price point, but I love to LOOK on Houzz. Search Mediterranean style or Roman Mediterranean style and a whole host of photos show up. Fun to browse for ideas.
https://www.houzz.com/query/mediterranean-style?opc=home
I totally get you! grey walls = meh. I went to wayfair.com and got alot of artwork and rugs there. helped TONS! Good luck… not the designer here, just like color in my life and buy the touches.
So I’m in the UK too and have found this challenging as well! My go-to’s are Sosterne Grene, TK Max, charity shops, and the best thing in the summer is like the charity art fairs – we’ve picked up some gorgeous stuff for like £20 that no one else has. But I basically have decided to do a witch in the woods vibe whereby, I decorate with random plants, old cool furniture I’ve found at the chairty shops and it’s all mismatched but because I love it and it’s all me, it just goes.
Suggest starting with 1 or 2 big colorful prints/posters that you really love and then take your colors from there.
I paid $1 for one (plus $25 frame). It is of a shop in Serrano Italy. $200 for another (a fantasy Michael Parkes). And a 3rd is a crude colorful oil crayon drawing I did myself in a 101 art class. All of them remind me of the style combo you described.
Have fun and let it be you…..
Start slow. One piece at a time. I know it all looks boring now but adding too much too fast will be overwhelming. Consider creating your own decor, like a chunky knit throw or creating wall art. Enjoy the “new” as a clean fresh start to a comfortable space.
Caroline Winkler on YouTube. she is hilarious, love her ideas and very renter friendly.
except she sometimes railroads her own landlord
I hate moving but congrats on a nee place. Find a large rug you love, it can be simple in pattern or super vibrant depending on your taste. A rug can make the vibe of any room that much more cozy or put together. I have found that you can really improve a light situation with a mirror placed across from a window or lamp. Good luck!
My first stop would be Apartment Therapy. This is a website that has thousands of photos of actual apartments on their site, and in all different types of styles and designs.
It’s a great way to figure out what you like, as you can just peruse through so many different styles and designs. And these are not decorator designed apartments. These are apartments that have been put together by the people that live there.
Some are done in a very tight budget, annd others have used more money, but you can find so many different styles and ideas there. It’s easy to get sucked in but it really is a great resource to figure out what you like and to get some ideas. I highly recommend starting there.
And then what I would do is once you’ve decided what you like in there, is put AI to work. Show it some of the styles you like, ask for suggestions on where you can find similar products at reasonable prices, and have AI put together some ideas for you.
Congratulations on your new apartment! I love redecorating and it will be so much fun for you, I think, to create your own space. I love the site and I’ve been going there for years. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/
First thing to do is pick your most favorite color and then find 2 complements. After that it is a matter of picking rugs, curtains, pillows and random items in those colors. about 50% should be your favorite color, and then a mix of the other 2. Most any color will pop against black and gray (as long as it is true gray – mix of black and white no other colors) Pintrest is good for idea. Do an internet search for color wheel calculator, it will help finding colors. Home Goods has a lot of random things but is eclectic and amazing for lamps, rugs, general decorations, even dishes and tableware.
Good luck and I am sure the horde will help, but alas I am unable to help. My spouse is the decorating guru. I ask him about my outfits to make sure I don’t clash.
Look up The Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith, for step by step how to put everything together in your own style. She has books, a blog, and a Facebook membership group. I found them extremely helpful.
If you’re ADHD and it’s all fluorescent lighting, you’re going to want to buy some lamps.
I have been impressed with the ads from Wayfair of “any home, any style” and expect that their website will have lots of ideas. I haven’t shopped there, but am willing to the next time I need decor.
Also, I have found that wandering through upscale furniture stores and “gift shops” give lots of ideas.
Good luck. I have an eclectic aesthetic with lots of warm color.
If you decide to go with a plant then give a snake plant a go. They improve air quality (since most homes are more toxic than outdoor air quality) and they’re a succulent so they’re happiest when you don’t water. Forgot to water it for a month? ehhh no big deal just give it a bit and it’ll be fine. They’re so interesting to look at too.
Wishing you a warm and cozy home that brings you joy.
Covering most of the grey floor with large patterned rugs in the colours you like will go a long way to changing the atmosphere. I am particularly fond of oriental and oriental style rugs which fit in with many classical themes. I buy the former at auctions where they are surprisingly reasonable and the latter at some of the stores mentioned. If you look at many pictures it is often the rugs that pull the room together. Where I have patterned rugs I usually have wood, leather (in pet friendly areas) or solid coloured upholstered furniture in a color similar to or complementary to what is in the rug. Accessories pick up other colours. If I have a solid rug I tend to have patterned walls. I have used patterned bedsheets to cover a bedroom wall in a flat similar to yours – cheaper and easier than wallpaper. If the top hem is patterned it can be interred to cover a baseboard. Add big plants to add greenery and height. Some palm-like tropicals are often on promotion and even a tiny schefflera grows big pretty fast. For art you can have blown up your own photographs in addition to what has been mentioned.
Exciting!!! I start with a beautiful rug. Something that encompasses what you truly feel. Then the rest of my decisions are easy, does it match the rug? Not necessarily in color, it could be aesthetic. I just don’t buy stuff that fight the rug.
You would be stunned by the wide variety and quayof peel and stick wallpaper available! One way to get started it to choose one wall to feature, find a wallpaper that speaks to you and then pull different colours from it to use in the room. I also use Google and Pinterest for ideas 🙂
You would be stunned by the wide variety and quality of peel and stick wallpaper available! One way to get started it to choose one wall to feature, find a wallpaper that speaks to you and then pull different colours from it to use in the room. I also use Google and Pinterest for ideas 🙂
Honestly, Don’t worry too much about if the pieces go together stylewise. Buy a couch in a fun colour (mine is a dark seafoam green) and a rug that is complementary (I have a persian rug I inherited that is in the reds) and it looks great! Add throws and pillows in colours that do not clash too much and you are off to the races.
I completely understand; I’m fortunate to have boring offwhite rental housing and can’t put things together, I cannot create images in my head if they don’t exist. I had white and grey curtains for years because I couldn’t figure ‘it’ out and I wanted to walk in the room without being flash banged from the sun. I randomly spent weeks & countless hours searching for curtains. It was so frustrating ! Why? I don’t really know. I couldn’t connect with anything and didn’t want to be miserable. But I kinda was.
In my search I found oil brushed bronze and shined bronze door handles … I was shopping for curtains… But the door handles… I liked them. I spent so much time not liking anything not being able to commit because I didn’t want to spend money on something that I was going to hate again. I got the door handles. I can’t use them, but having them in my hands when I resumed my search opened something in my brain and I found browny bronzy curtains on home depot. I probably looked at all the curtains on all the sites hundreds of times. This time, with the door handles in my hand, it felt different. I bought them. I had so much anxiety as I waited for delivery… Things can never fit back into those plastic sleeves. What if I hated them and couldn’t pack them back up to return them? I was tired of being unhappy with the grey. They finally arrived and… I love the curtains. I’ve never loved curtains before in my life. Previously, after fruitless searches, I just got grey. Neutral grey. And now? It’s a cool toned slightly shiny bronze and makes me so happy.
So, maybe start small and find a thing, a thing that you can’t use, anything that you like even if it makes no sense. Buy it and hold it in your hand to see if it makes you happy. Hold it when you are not searching and then, if this thing makes you happy, hold it when you are searching. Best of luck.
This lady’s style screams happy to me and her hacks are all renters friendly : linktr.ee/Taybeepboop
Everything I have learned about interior design has been from Paige Wassel, Caroline Winkler, and benjiplant on YouTube. Both Paige Wassel and benjiplant have videos specifically about decorating modern overwhelming grey apartments.
Take a picture or painting that you have had for a while and that you love. Use the colors in that picture as your palette for the rest of the house. Don’t add anything else.
I skimmed the comments and saw some wonderful advice, so I’m going to give you some terrible advice. Once you’ve got a cohesive color scheme, and tasteful furniture, you need some weird stuff. not a lot (I mean, I like a lot, but I’m a maximalist) but they give a home so much personality. I’m thinking flea markets, charity shops, Etsy. I saw someone mentioned museum gift shops. A miniature copy of Michelangelo’s David? or the Elgin marbles? old travel agency posters of Italy or Greece? vintage postcards of Pompeii?
Regardless, congratulations on your new home!
Consider fiber art to your walls to add color. I do this by hanging art quilts I have made on my walls…gives you a pop of color and you can select your favorite soothing palette. Example is “Dance of the Dragonflies” that you can see if you google it.
I suggest an idea board. My daughter does this when designing anything. From wedding to living space.
I am amazed at how it helps to pull things together cohesively.
I am pretty sure you could google the term to get started.
She sourced a lot things from thrifting.
OK. My method is to choose a throw rug that you really like. (A largish rug, maybe for under the dining table, or for the living room.) Then use the colors in the rug for pillows, curtains, etc. If the rug goes with the paint and stuff you cannot change, so will everything else.
A couple of books on this subject that I LOVE: Living With Color by Rebecca Atwood – absolutely amazing for really taking a topic that can sometimes be vague and rife with broad statements (“blue is ALWAYS calming”) and making it much more personal and specific to you and your space. The other book is The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith – a lot of this book is about attitude and gratitude, but it’s also really geared towards renters in a lot of ways, something I think a lot of interior design information glosses over. She wrote another book, Cozy Minimalist Home, which is about achieving that homey feel without just adding more clutter. Best wishes on your new home – it’s always exciting to settle into a new space and explore the potential!!!
hi there.
we bought and old house this years, so my recomondation is tested to the fullest by us: use ki. you upload a picture of your room, and give it as much details what you want, and what you dont want. sometimes with other pictures, eg a rug, and it shows with one click how it could be. if you dont like it, you try something else.
cheapest solution with a lot of possibilitys. have fun 😉
We recently moved home to Texas from California and it’s quite a cultural shift in decore. We’d been in the same house for 25 years and I wanted new.
I bagged all the old rugs, curtains and towels and started fresh. I was even more selective about what went on the walls when we arrived.
I will be honest- I did most of my shopping online.
Some came from Wayfare but the bulk came from Amazon.
We’re so far out in the country that no one knew where our street was. Google Maps even had us in the wrong place so I had to write step by step directions with every order so the drivers could find us. Cost Plus Imports online is a great resource for the decore theme you’re looking for. It holds many treasures and mine are among the few items I brought.
I’d suggest lots of throw rugs and pillows, colorful lap blankets for the furniture, colorful sheers on the windows, go crazy with towels and decore in the bathrooms.
You can change the ambiance in any room with color and plants.
Enjoy!!
MC
If you have some big bare walls, maybe a peel-and-stick wall mural?
https://a.co/d/0ja2aJP7, for instance.
I’ve seen very nice examples of these, but I’m afraid they could easily veer to tacky. Personally, I’d like a beech forest around my bed, but haven’t actually dared do it yet.
Good luck! I’ve been in my current apartment almost three years, and still haven’t really settled in, so my suggestions may be highly suspect.
I generally start with Dunelm, Next, M&S, and Argos/Habitat. Bookmark what you like and see if they go together, or have a common theme. Then you can build from there. Good luck!
Large Quilts Or large sewn pieces of fabric work wonders to fill up the white walls. You can sew a strip of fabric to the top back to hold a metal rod- even a curtain rod and then you just have 2 or three brackets to mount, easy to remove and fill in with white tooth paste before you leave. I have a tapestry that’s 4 1/2 X 7 ft. and it has been a beautiful focal point in my last several houses. I also have a giant 3 1/2 ft. tall tree urn with large artificial tree that is another huge focal point.
So many fabulous pieces of advice and knowledge here already!
Two things I’d do asap: Change bulbs asap and energetically Harmonize your space (whatever that looks like for you) and add some low care air cleaning plants (sansiveria is my go-to and can take a beating if you’re not plant inclined).
One thing I would add: *don’t rush yourself* to find the right piece. Take your time. the PERFECT thing will come to you and it will happen. Sometimes it might take a few iterations of what you thought you wanted before the right thing falls together in your head. Spark some joy.
If any large spend item or prominent piece has to be found- live in the space and REALLY picture it before you go out and just buy something. That way you will 1000% love it and be so happy. And sometimes the hunting is the best part. (Like a fan might be open to making a massive canvas or print for you from book art!)
Maybe even treat yourself to a really amazing art piece you find while on vacation in your dream zone. Or see if you could craft it yourself vs just going for a quick/cheap fix.
We moved recently and I am really enjoying the ability to take my time to get it all just right without rushing. (I also cannot interior design BUT. As the pieces click together I find it more and more peaceful and satisfying than just throwing up something and making do)
I find if the space is blank I can dream without trying to overcome what’s placeholding on the walls there.
Pretty sure all of these have been covered but:
Shopping sources:
World market
10,000 villages
Etsy
Specific aesthetic searches that lead to small or legacy businesses that are not “big box”
Estate sales or Antique auction sites
If you’re a diy-er there are SO many YouTube tutorials on how to achieve specific finishes on furniture and even self crafted art pieces.
First, congratulations on your new apartment! I hope you love your new home soon. I find that anthropology.com can have some unusual things in their furnishings + home section with good color which can be hard to find these days. Also, although it may be different in the UK, usually (in Canada) you actually can paint your walls, with permission, if you buy the paint, choose a reasonable color and know you’ll be repainting when you leave. We’ve done that and if you get friendly with the landlord or manager of your building, in the end they may agree to repaint for you since they usually repaint anyway, again, as long as your paint choice is reasonable. Finally, start with your largest pieces, find pieces that MAKE YOU HAPPY then jump off from those. Choose one main color theme then add two to three accent colors and if you do choose a large piece in color (which I personally applaud in this time of everything has to be monochrome) then remember to be careful adding other larger pieces.. for instance, choose an olive green velvet sofa, then make the chairs you get be more muted, like cream with wooden accents to “go” with your floors. Wood doesn’t have to match, just don’t let it be a red based wood floor with a yellow oak chair, like that. Add throw pillows to the chairs, they can have pattern, try to have some olive green in them if you can. then different shape pillow (like a long bolster for center of couch in another solid that has that similar color in your patterned throw pillows. Then a plain blanket that has texture and gooshieness for couch, in possibly that cream in the chairs, could have a subtle stripe if you can find something that would go. Add a sisal rug to go under everything. That’s your living room. Drapes in like a linen would give the esthetic you’re looking for. I think of natural fabrics when I think of your aesthetic. If you have a sideboard or tv stand with space underneath, add sisal poofs as extra seating. I would think dining chairs with caning would also go well. For your kitchen, I’d go bright, like this…(https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/shop/amelie-latte-stoneware-cereal-bowls-set-of-4?color=075&type=STANDARD) and even better if that color was one of the colors in the throw pillows! Also this https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/shop/the-latte-stoneware-pasta-bowls-set-of-4-amelie-edition?color=022&type=STANDARD). As a for instance, instead of the couch being the jumping off point, if you fell in love with these drapes… (https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/shop/pallido-cotton-linen-blend-woven-striped-curtain?color=040&type=STANDARD) then get chairs to match the gold color, find accent pillows that have the other color or find that color in the rug then do a neutral sofa with that other color as a long bolster (12″ x 27″) throw pillow in a texture like this long shape and texture (https://ca.pinterest.com/pin/282389839123970474/visual-search/?cropSource=5&entrypoint=closeup_cta), color is good too, natural feeling fabrics. Or this kind of texture (https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/shop/malia-cotton-floral-candlewick-cotton-flex-euro-sham?color=011&searchparams=page%3D2%26q%3Dpillow). Finally, what about something like this for your bedroom? (https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/shop/dahlia-100-cotton-jersey-floral-quilt?recommendation=rectray-children-products), the pink sand or French oak color may be your palette. Good luck! Hope this helps.
In Canada, quilt stores have colourful panels you can use for pictures. And if you tell the staff your decorating struggles and concept, everyone will pitch in with ideas and local sources.
I usually don’t bother with a main concept or invent a color scheme, but start with one piece that I really love (so only invest time in this one extraordinary piece) and expend from there.
E.g. my sister has a couch table and the foot is looking like an ancient pillar. She fell in love with it, bought it from a second hand platform and only after that she choose her carpet, a special wallpaper, the curtains …
In general, I really love wallpapers, they so much brighten up a room! Also, I adore second hand stores – online and offline. You always find something unique and surprising. I have several cabinets, around 100 years old, they are full of character, durable and beautiful.
Good luck and have fun decorating!
Wow. Congratulations on your new home. Personally I like little pops of red and orange. I tend to lean toward earth colors. A vase, colorful plants, lots of throw pillows in various colors. Change them out for the season. Rugs are good for some color.
Share what you decide on with the BDH.
Start with something big like an area rug or curtains and choose the one you love most. Then pick out no more than three colors from your big item to use for the dominant colors in things like pillows, throws, etc. Don’t worry about style, just tie it all together with colors you love. Remember that different rooms can have different color schemes.
For a rug try the search terms”washable area rug” . There are lots of sites and they usually have eveything from gray to sizzle your eyeballs color. Wayfair is a good overall home decorating site. They are affordable, but you are not going to get heirloom quality, more like Ikea. Pay attention to the reviews and don’t order anything breakable. I have had too much broken glass from there. Good luck and please yourself.
I’ll admit…I like white walls. I have big cats in my living room. Unicorns, Pegasi and Pegacorns in my computer room and bedroom; and cats/kittens in my kitchen.
It tend toward brown, red and tan in the living room and blues in my bedrooms.
I’m not an interior designer and I know I probably would make one seize up but it’s what I like. 🙂
you do you. let the interior designers do what makes them happy in their own homes. everybody wins. lol
Two Instagram accounts that I follow (as a fellow ADHDler) and enjoy. There’s also one on FB, but I have to find her again…
@talesfromwisteriacottage
@littlehouseinlondon
you do you. let the interior designers do what makes them happy in their own homes. everybody wins. lol
Me personally I wd go to used furniture stores, antique markets, auctions, that sort of thing. BC #1, anything new you buy in a furniture store these days, unless it is from the designer-furniture-for-very-wealthy-people-boutique, where i have never shopped, wiĺl not be solid wood; most likely it wiĺl be made of particle board. Behind the veneer. Me I prefer quality. & if something has already lasted one or 2 hundred years, or more, I expect it wiĺl survive me too.
Warming = greens instead of blues.
Yellow/creams for sure.
Hot = orange and reds
So I would look for wood and fabrics.
I don’t have Facebook but I’ve heard the Marketplace is pretty good. Also even though thrifting is hot right now, it’s still fun!
Ooof, that’s a lot of black and gray! Is it possible to cover the black on the cupboard doors with contact paper that looks like wood? The floors can be softened (or hidden) with rugs (sisal or sand colored type rugs that are ginormous and can cover a majority of the floor).
Do as Dina: close your eyes and imagine the space around you. If you cannot paint a wall, you can hang a tapestry (very Pompeii) or even a curtain from ceiling to floor that you can open at will. That black block of a kitchen can be light up with colorful appliances (red or turquoise Kitchen Aid coffee maker, toaster, mixer, etc.: there are many options and brands out there). Look for a colour wheel online to combine complementary colours (the safest option: a primary with the secondary that doesn’t contain it: blue with orange, etc., or with the adjacent tertiary colours -a bit more adventurous). Rugs, big cushions and ottomans and coffee tables help to keep a small space open. And ART everywhere: buy what you love from affordable, young artists, even on the street. Get a poster of a gorgeous Pompeii excavation, patio, mosaic, even a small reproduction of a sculpture… Sit in the space, close your eyes and dream!
Good luck 😉 awesome ModR!
I love @miahiramatsu on Instagram for her “nerdcore” home series – she uses aesthetics from various books/TV shows/movies to inspire various home decor looks. As a renter myself, I like removable wallpaper and hunting for wall art or statement furniture pieces at local thrift stores.
One example I can give from experience is try tile stickers. I turned my very 90s kitchen (dark mdf cabinets and white tiles) into something much more fun using tile stickers.
I went for moroccan tiles but you could go for whatever tickles your fancy. I also painted my cabinet doors to pale blue which really lightened up the kitchen. In the end I got what looked like a brand new kitchen for a 10th of the price. They’ve been up 9 years now and still look good. Also, as and when you ever leave they can just peel off!
If you can, start with the floor – add rugs! That will give you a color pallette to work from. Go to resale shops (perhaps not in London, but investigate antique shops that would be more affordable). Facebook Marketplace works well in the States for gently broken-in pieces. Ask friends for cuttings from plants you find interesting at their abodes!
If you’re worried about clashing colours, buy a small colour wheel from an art store, mark your existing colours on it and then use the instructions on the wheel to see what colours go with it. You can carry it around in your purse.
The best color and decorating advice I have found is from Maria Killam. She has several blogs and videos on decorating. She sells a lot of products, but it is possible to read the blogs and watch the videos to find the information you need without buying anything. I struggled horribly until I found her online.
Heres what I would do. Find a couple of big art pieces in the style/color you want. Largish canvases if they can fit. Mediterranean landscapes? Furniture should be solid colors that pick up a color in the art. Accessories – cushion s, throws, can be multicolored and patterned. Rugs- more neutral, simple geometrics or natural fibres. Sand, terra cotta, even blue (oceanic).
Are you allowed to paint the walls or are they already a pretty neutral color? Houzz has a lot of pictures to look at and they will help you narrow down what you do and don’t like. The space you live affects you more than people realize. I would probably advise you not to do too much at once and keep things on the lesser amount of “things” side. Rugs.com and Wayfair are great places to check out types and style of rugs. HGTV has lots of pictures also. And don’t forget lighting! That’s extremely important. Unfortunately you can’t add extra windows (honest it was always there….) and also figure out the color of light that makes you feel good. White white, yellow white, blue white, there’s a scale on every bulb package that tells you the lumens and where it falls on the color scale. Hope this wasn’t too confusing.
Not allowed any paint, walls are staying stark white.
Check out remodelista.com
They have links to lots of european products from their design stories.
Good luck!
the largest really cool thing I’ve seen is magnetic stickers for fridges. I would presume you can find the same for cabinets? Also, did you know that using starch you can temporarily attach fabric as wall paper?
Look into fathead wall hangings? They are also removeable. They are pointed to sports, but I’ve seen where they do other walk coverings.
Good luck! Share photos!
I suggest a red couch. Not bright, darker reds are still strong and go with everything (I’m on my third). My place also doesn’t get much light. If you are near a college or university with an art department, look for student art sales.You can get original, energetic and well done wall art, ceramics and sculpture. Probably some inspired by the ancient art you like. There are hangers that don’t mar walls and can hold silkscreens and other prints. Bookshelves can hold art as well as books.
(Disclaimer, I am an artist and think original art has more energy than mass produced art.)
My advice is to start with one medium to large piece that you absolutely love. Make sure that it’s either a natural material or a bright color. It can be a piece of art, a statement chair, a comfy couch, coffee table, a bookcase in an interesting shape, etc. Anything that makes your heart sing all in its own outside of the context of the room.
Place it in the room (physically or virtually using those mad Mod R skills). Add some of the boring everyday stuff that you know you need to the room. Leave some of it neutral so your favorite piece shines. Feel free to pull from the color family, or shape, or texture of your favorite piece, but never match it exactly.
Now, leave it for a few hours and come back to it. Notice where your eye is drawn and where it naturally just skips over things. Each room should have 2 to 3 “moments”. Places in the room where your eyes are drawn and that elicit a smile. Build on that, adding one piece at a time. If the addition makes you happy, keep it. If you notice a slight shift in feeling, stop, leave it and come back later. Remove it if it still doesn’t feel right when you come back – you don’t need to explain why to anyone.
Two rules: don’t rush it, it takes a long as it takes. Don’t explain your choices to anyone – it’s none of their business.
Last hint: rugs are a wonderful way to add color AND texture to a room. If the room feels cold and sterile, add a colorful rug. If a room feels too busy, add a neutral rug in a single color to ground it (can be textured). Some rooms never feel quite right until you add the perfect rug.