Reddit mentions: The best ottomans & storage ottomans

Crappy Paint Mockup of how I'd live as a single young person in this space: https://imgur.com/a/2PCm7bA (If you are a couple and need TWO sets of multiple monitors, this wouldn't be sufficient, but I can't tell how many computers you need running at once here.)

I agree that your first stop should probably be ikea. They'll have good-enough desks that will look pretty good and work pretty well for a solid decade. You might look into an adjustable height desk so you can play with your optimal height. Or with a standard fixed desk, I agree on the previous comment that you probably want an L-shape.

Why do you hate couches? When I was in a small apartment, I got a "chair and a half" -- it easily fit two people that were happy to be close together. (It had a storage ottoman (more seating!) and folded out into a twin bed. It was the best.) You do need SOME nice comfy seating to curl up in. Ikea also has plenty of chairs. You do want at least two and something to put drinks and books down on nearby. Could be two chairs and an end table, or a coffee table, or a rigid tray on an ottoman.

Bookshelves. A nice freestanding ladder shelf would be good. Tons of styles, like https://www.amazon.com/SONGMICS-Bookcase-Bathroom-Furniture-ULLS44X/dp/B074X7WT6D


Here is a storage ottoman that is easily moved from place to place. Great to have a few around to unfold and put away as needs change. Less expensive than the fancy upholstered kind. You can rest your legs on it from a chair and then use it as extra seating when you have people over. https://www.amazon.com/SONGMICS-ULSF47K-Foldable-Space-Saving-Capacity/dp/B07JQ22YYS

The desk chairs look really ... young. Hard to advise there, though. If you spend significant time on the computer, I think it's better to prioritize function over form, or you WILL have body problems down the road. Get nicer looking chairs if you can. If you can't and these are working great for your body... eh. Make everything else look nice. You probably only need one desk chair, unless there's two of you with two PCs?

You may want a kitchen island to give you more counter space and storage space. You desperately need counter space. Here is an inexpensive one but they are all over the map for style. https://www.amazon.com/Casual-Home-Kitchen-American-Hardwood/dp/B00ROX6VRW/

You probably also want some shelves between the dishwasher and the balcony. Shallow for just glassware or deeper for holding actual dishes. Just give yourself a wide path between that and any island that divides the kitchen from the living.

I am thinking you don't need a dining table and chairs, so make your living space do dining duty. Or get a kitchen island unit that includes a bar and put barstools there.

Don't forget lamps. Good lighting will make this a home, and those will travel with you.

At 38+5, the nursery is finished! When we learned we were having a girl, I struggled a bit to come up with a theme I loved. Now, after is all complete, I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out. 💜💜💜

I hope it’s place where she feels calm and loved and safe.

My top 5:

1. “Toy box” - baby girl got so many toys at the shower that we needed a place to store them all. Initially I wanted a traditional toy box or a trunk, but found they were either expensive or made me worry about the safety of her little fingers. I decided to buy this pop up ottoman to be used for her toys or even a place for her to sit later if she wants.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071V9BX3Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OTHIDbBK0PG6V
   
   
2. Black out curtains - a must for when she’s older and taking naps in her room. These are a great quality, come in a variety of colors, and so far, are doing a great job of blocking out the light.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071Z45VNN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KVHIDbC6B64FW
   
   
3. Night stand - no link to this one because my mother in law made it for us. She white washed an old nightstand she had, and then used a stencil to paint a floral pattern on top. I’m in love with how it turned out.
   
   
4. Shelves - we wanted something for her books and also to hold the camera. I looked around a bit and found these at a decent price on amazon. I think they turned out lovely!
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F2ZI3GG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nZHIDbXWG216H
   
   
5. Paper flowers - major shout out to the Etsy shop “DragonOnTheFly”. Not only were the flowers decently priced in the world of paper flowers, they got these to me within two weeks (when normal processing time is 6-8). They turned out beautifully and made my vision of the decor above her crib come true!
   
   https://www.etsy.com/listing/626610423/large-paper-flower-backdrop-nursery?ref=shop_home_active_34&frs=1
   
   If you have a question about anything else, please let me know! I did purchase quite a few things from Etsy or other shops, but wanted to highlight here some of my more inexpensive purchases that helped tie the room together. Here are a few more links of shops I used for the decor!
   
   Name sign - https://www.etsy.com/shop/braggingbags
   
   “In a field of roses, she is a wildflower” trio - https://www.thegracefulgoose.com

Okay, I've always dreamed of having a room that was all done up Arabian Nights style, with lovely lush silks hanging from the walls and pretty Moroccan lamps everywhere, so... I'm gonna give you that, via amazon suggestions :)

First we start with this lovely canopy for your bed. Then I would add this Incense burner because well, it looks like a genie lamp, and incense is sexy and can help you set the mood. Then we would hang several of these beautiful hanging candle holders around the room, for mood, also it's impossible for anyone to look bad by candle light. Then we would hang several of these along the walls, to really give it that Arabian appeal, so you feel like you are in a tent. Then top that off with a few more candle holder lamps around the room, and some poufs and some rugs and you have yourself a lovely harem, all you need to do is fill it with sexy men :)

Justin Bieber is one of the cockiest douchebags to ever rise to fame.


also I would love to send you a post card :)

Oh boy, I hear you on the partner not putting stuff away LOL Everyday I am cleaning and tidying up. And I think this sub is a great place to ask these kinda questions, though I'm pretty new to it myself :)

- If you haven't already, I would recommend first donating or getting rid of things you don't need, use, want, or have an attachment to. That will make things much easier to work with before the next suggestions.

- Above the dresser (if you're not going to move it) is a good opportunity to install some wall shelves to put books and/or other knick knacks. Or books on top of the dresser and a more "narrow" shelving unit for knick knacks.

- If you're going to move the dresser and clothes rack, I would recommend this or the above linked shelf unit or a combination of it all to hold your skincare and makeup. This lady from Etsy makes some pretty cool wall mounted makeup holders.

If glare won't be an issue for the computer, maybe some wall mirrors, too, to brighten the area. The most common complaint I see about these kind of mirrors is that they don't stick, so you may need to buy some glue. (I've bought gold hexagonal ones to place on the table itself and going to buy larger ones for the wall possibly.)

- Replace the wicker chair with a stool / small ottoman with storage. Might help with the contents of the tub.

- A rotating makeup organizerto hold the things you use quite often. I have a "gold" / glass one myself.

- Maybe a mounted hair dryer holder, shelf, and/or bin to install on the side of the table to hold brushes, hair dryer, etc. I plan on doing this for my vanity table.

- If you are not attached to it to the standing swivel mirror on the table, I would get a wall mount version that you can attach to the other side of the table to free up some desk space... and it'll also help balance if you're installing the shelf / tote on the other side.

I don't know the dimensions of your table, so I'm guestimating whether or not the mounting area of these products are small enough for the edges of your vanity table.

- Corner shelf for behind / above the computer workstation. White to blend in with the wall, so it feels more spacious. I would paint the computer desk white or get a white one to aid in that effect.

- On the above note, I wouldn't paint the small table in the middle of the room, it blends in with the floor nicely. I like the stain / finish on the dresser and am afraid painting it white, while helping with the spacious effect, might cheapen its look in this particular case.

Those are all the suggestions I can think of, hopefully they weren't all fluff, but they're things I'd do or am doing. Best of luck, looking forward to an update whether or not I see the suggestions into play, I love remodels / reorganizing.

I'm really glad you linked the links and ideas. That art is a good example of how three pieces, presented well (framed, matted, good alignment/spacing) can really add to a room. And those storage cubes you can get at Walmart or Target (or your local equivalent) for cheap too.

> Also, you mentioned a coffee table but you linked something that Amazon says is a bench, I guess you just repurposed it instead?

Eh, bench style. Officially it is called the Nelson Platform Bench. It has been around for 70 years, but you wouldn't know it because it's just the kind of design that never goes out of style. Like Wayfarer sunglasses. That one link I posted is basically the same design, just with different legs.

While I'm on it, those Eiffel side chairs I linked to are almost as old, designed by Ray and Charles Eames, who are pretty famous in the mid-century modern style. Some models cost a pretty penny, but you can do a lot cheaper. You said you already had eating chairs, so maybe not these right away.

It sounds like a storage ottoman that can pull up to the couch may be more what you're after. Something like this or this?

This and this or this are other coffee table ideas with more storage. Apologies if Amazon does not ship to your area.

I got my first apartment a couple weeks ago but my roommate went out of town shortly after and it took him a while to move in, but now he is and we have furniture! We have a complete cooking set and living room, now all we need are plates and silverware. I'm super excited. I also ordered my first bed. I've never owned my own bed before. I'm psyched!

Edit: Here's the mattress: [Zinus Memory Foam 6 Inch Green Tea Mattress, Full] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MT85NGJ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_F3kmzbQTPCW0R)

And here's my beautiful bed

I'm going to buy light pink sheets and I have a cream colored comforter which I've had since college. I'm also going to have a bench at the foot of my bed.

It's so nice to finally be feminine after so many years ❤❤

https://imgur.com/a/lvpoemB

Most of the items we have in our nursery are thrifted and we are doing cloth diapering so that we can have a lower environmental impact with our baby.

Top 5:

Changing pad sheets. These covers are super soft and I was a big fan of the pattern! We also got different sizes of these for our bassinet and pack and play sheets. https://www.amazon.com/Stretchy-Changing-Covers-BROLEX-Jersey-Balloons/dp/B07B488QB9/ref=asc_df_B07B488QB9/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241960278479&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13514455347440179493&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003680&hvtargid=aud-801381245258%3Apla-452765505018&psc=1&th=1

Charcoal grey storage ottoman: we are keeping all of our extra linens and assorted items of that nature in here and it is strong enough to sit on! https://www.amazon.com/Seville-Classics-Foldable-Storage-Charcoal/dp/B00ROR7SYS

For the dresser/changing table we took an old wooden dresser and spruced it up with a coat of grey mineral paint and new hardware. Here is the knobs we picked: https://www.amazon.com/Artncraft-Painted-Ceramic-Cabinet-Drawer/dp/B01MFI13R0

You can’t have an ocean theme without some ocean themed decals for the wall! Most of the decor came from discount shops but we purchased these wall stickers from Amazon to add some more color. treepenguin Ocean Wall Decals for Kids Rooms - Under The Sea Fish Wall Decor - Bathroom Wall Stickers - Bedroom Bathtub Shower Sea Animal Decorations https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DWHDDVN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_SOvRzRK9ms9ir

Finally for our seaside themed lamp and side table we have an old side table that we inherited from family. We put some netting down and added seashells that we thrifted as well as a lamp with sand and little shells inside! This will be our nursing and reading station for the foreseeable future with the glider armchair purchased off Facebook marketplace from another mom. Here’s the link for the fillable lamp: CO-Z Fillable Table Lamp with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SS6NXBV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Overall I was happy with how everything came out. Our house is over 200 years old so we had to work with a small room with a strange shape and a small budget. I am being induced Wednesday night so finished just in time! I hope you enjoyed!

Things I use often: The crib, glider (I suggest some kind of moving chair: glider, rocker, etc. I have one one of these, but if I had the extra cash I would have gotten a nice plush rocking recliner), white noise machine, changing pad on top of dresser, a shelf for books, dirty clothes hamper, small trashcan

Things I use semi-often but wouldn't consider necessities: Wipe warmer (lots of people think these are useless but my kid was born in January and my house was chilly. Warm wipes made diaper changes on a newborn more tolerable), diaper genie (I got mine for free, wouldn't have paid full price for it. You could just use a trash can with a lid honestly. If you get a diaper specific thing check out the Ubbi, you can use regular trashbags in it), one of these to store her toys (it's nice to be able to see all the toys and pick a few out easily, but I think it might be a disaster when she's a toddler and decides to flip all the little containers on the floor), a little storage bench for more places to put toys or other miscellaneous items and an extra place to sit and watch baby play on the floor.

In the closet I bought little dividers to separate clothes by size. I hang fancy clothes like dresses and bigger one piece outfits like sleep and plays and overalls. I use her dresser to store onsies, pants, shirts and have them separated by size in different drawers with the ones she currently fits in in the top drawer. I keep socks, headbands and hats in little bins. I keep an empty diaper box next to the dresser and toss clothes in it when they don't fit anymore. When it's full I close it up and write the size of the clothes on it with sharpie and put it in the attic.

Not ikea-specific, but a coat rack was one of the best things I had in my dorm (the dorm door was too fat/oddly shaped to fit over-door hooks on). I put my towels/robe on one side and coat/book bag on the other.

I agree with what someone else said about chairs for when your friends come over too. I had one nice chair and some of those little padded storage cubes (eg https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010UP71QU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PWkoxbSZDHAPZ) to serve double duty.

I love this ottoman though it is a bit above the price range.

On the cheaper side, i love little things to make your house feel like home:

-this sponge holder

-this oven mitt

-a darling windchime

-or these helpful moms

EDIT: i also find this to be hugely helpful in my household!

Agree with others it's a little cluttered so storage will be your best friend. You can find cube shelving like this at IKEA. Also get these storage bins to put on the cube shelves to keep it clean and organized. It'll look nicer not having to see all the random stuff.

I'd get rid of the crates and get a TV console instead. It'll act as more storage and a table for the plants and lamp. Something that matches whatever cube shelves you get.

Not sure if you can but I'd try to get the bunny cage off the ground onto something like this or even better one with doors. Then put all the bunny care stuff under it to keep it out of sight.

Since the space is small I'd stay away from a coffee table and get an ottoman/end table/storage piece to keep around the couch.

Storage ottoman.

SONGMICS 15" x 15" x 15" Storage Ottoman Cube / Footrest Stool / Puppy Step / Coffee Table with Hole Handle, Holds Up to 660lbs ,Faux Leather, Brown ULSF30Z https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B010UP2OGC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_uxQ6BbN219KQW

An adult can sit on them, they work for small spaces, and the smaller ones are safe enough for toddlers. Fake leather is easy to clean. I have found the 15" cubes cheaper on Walmart.com and eBay. There are smaller 12" cubical ones, as well as little rectangular ones, that are good for board books.

Geartist GOO1 Leather Folding Organizer Storage Ottoman Bench Footrest Stool Coffee Table Cube, Camping Fishing Stool, Quick and Easy Assembly, Perfect for Child. 12"x12"x12" https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01I8ZW4I4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_eCQ6Bb5FRJ5XK

There are also fun ones that look like fire engines, school bus, etc.

That floor is beautiful, so I wouldn't want to cover it up with an area rug. Space-wise, I would get rid of the love seat and put in another big comfy chair (round like the other one) angled out in the corner (where the guitar is) to offset the angles in the room. Warmth-wise, add some colourful pillows to the chairs, or even add something like this. I'd put a small window-height table in front of the window and add plants/greenery. Maybe one taller plant in the area of the existing table. It looks like it could be a cool little reading nook, or conversation room for two.

Haha, I thought that was a real cat for a second! I love that couch! Since your living room Is on the small side, would you consider a smaller tv stand? Possibly even a narrow console table?

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Also, since the walls are that yellow-ish apartment color, I would suggest sticking with cream colors and grey, maybe a pop of color here or there (throw pillows, figurines etc).

If you put an armchair where the bench is it would probably feel quite crowded.

Perhaps a different, more elaborate bench would be a better option. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Deal-Furniture-239302-Colette/dp/B00O99WOCA/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1540776654&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=upholstered+bench&psc=1

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To fill the dead space at the end, consider additional storage cubbies with colorful pull-out drawers such as:
https://www.wayfair.com/storage-organization/pdp/ebern-designs-open-fabric-storage-bin-ebnd8399.html

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to add visual interest above the tv, I think a gallery wall could work as long as you don't overcrowd. This is a good example: https://www.makinghomebase.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Living-Room-Gallery-Wall-1.jpg

You'll want to keep the prints and frames in light colors to open up the space.

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Hey everyone telling this guy to teach his kids not to mess with his games. Shut up. You're not helping.

Put them up high. I've got 3 boys 2, 4 and 6. It's mostly the 2 year old at this point who gets into them if they're within reach. Realistically, I don't know that there is a great solution other than "keep them up high" so if you want something cool like the Kallax shelves, you're probably going to have to wait until they're older.

Other than that, maybe a storage ottoman?

https://www.amazon.com/Skyler-Leather-Storage-Ottoman-Bench/dp/B01DOOEHYS/ref=sr_1_27?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1496190472&sr=1-27&keywords=storage+ottoman

I've been thinking of something like this for myself to hold my most important games and just never showing them that it opens.

This is a nice space! ;) I love the chair. Try to put a circular rug. Have a coffee table like this one. You can hang a sunset wall art like this. Why not put a round pintuck pillow. Then, have a plant on the side.

I have a whole line of storage ottomans behind my couch
Found some super cute ones at 5 below for ..$5 ;-)

Bonus - they hold up to 200 lbs so they're spare seating when my daughters have friends over

Badger Basket Folding Storage Seat, Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002829ENM/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_6N53tb1F2616WZFC

Similar to this but cuter bright colors and the top is fuzzy

I think you should put the TV on the other wall too. It looks like you're into displaying photographs. Instead of the bookcases, you should choose a few of your favorite photos, have them blown up and matted and framed identically. Then you could arrange them on the wall behind the TV like this. A long, low piece of furniture would keep the TV at the optimum viewing angle (or you could mount it to the wall like a PP said).

If you had a sectional sofa against the window and the wall that connects to the dining room, would you be able to see the TV from the sofa? You could add a small armchair to the corner with the half-wall for more seating.

Instead of a coffee table, how about a large ottoman? Something like this wouldn't be visually heavy, but would give you a place to put up your feet and could be used for extra seating.

In the dining room, if you had a long piece of furniture against that wall, like a buffet, instead of that corner cabinet, it might look more cohesive. Lastly: yes, your rug looks a little small for that space. I'm guessing you need at least an 8x10 rug there.

You can post links like this:


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I think it will be a little difficult to find something as streamlined as the soto for that price. You'd be better saving up for the real deal (because in the end it's what you want and it will make you happy) but if you do find an alternative that you like, go for it. Cheap ottomans aren't going to have the sleek legs that a soto one will. You might be able to find a nice cushion or decent low profile ottoman and buy your own legs, but that's just a suggestion.

Good luck .

If you want to keep them in a NICER cardboard-ish box you could buy one of those $20 storage ottomans. It’s what I keep mine in and makes me feel much better about their storage lol

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ROR7SYS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-sLqDbW78BC2C

^that’s the one I use

It’s not the most glamorous set up by any means, but my closet is shallow, narrow, but has two rods opposed to one, which is a plus.
I also keep my shoe in an ottoman at the end of my bed. Socks, underwear and pjs are stored in a set of Rubbermaid drawers in my bathroom closet.

I just use a cheap little ottoman. Cant live without it now.

http://www.amazon.com/Seville-Classics-Foldable-Storage-Charcoal/dp/B00ROR7SYS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1462365717&sr=8-5&keywords=ottoman