(Part 2) Best products from r/malelivingspace

Alright my man. Since you have such a low budget ($700) but don't want your apartment to look like crap, your best bet is going to be minimalism. You're in a great sub for minimalist inspiration. Take this recent post, for example. Not everyone was super impressed, but I'd say he did pretty good for a budget of $195. At the very least we can say with 100% certainty that it looks better than the average undergrad apartment.

I took the liberty of checking out the Halifax craigslist offerings and they are far and few between. However, I did find a potentially decent desk: see here. You might be able to haggle down the price a little with some luck. Otherwise, you might want to look at Amazon for desks (example 1 and example 2). For a desk chair, you could look at Amazon, but you might be better off going somewhere local (even if you go to Walmart) because you want to make sure a desk chair is going to be comfortable.

For a mattress, I'd again suggest Amazon. I'm just not sure you're going to find any better deals than what they have to offer. Mattress buying also involves a lot of personal preference, but "big box" mattress stores are incredibly overpriced. It seems that memory foam mattresses (such as this) are the most inexpensive, so I would look around Amazon to see what you think you'll like. I think I saw a mattress for as little as $99.^(though personally, I'm not sure I'd trust it...) Keep in mind that you will either need (a) a box spring and bed frame or (b) a platform bed in addition to the mattress. With your budget, a platform bed will probably be your best bet. You can even get one with a "headboard" for pretty cheap (the headboard will definitely up your apartment's style a little bit and keep it further away from "garbage apartment of undergrad" level): see here and here.

Alright, I'll break down what we've done so far. I'm in the US and don't know that much about Canadian dollars, so I'm doing this in USD - hopefully it's close:

• $150 for desk
  
• $50 for desk chair
  
• $180 for mattress
  
• $170 for bed frame
  
  That leaves you around $150 for other items. I assume you have basic human needs covered (bed sheets-do not sleep on a bare mattress!- and towels), so you could use this money for more furniture or for decor. I would probably try get some attractive and functional bedding (please do not get anything polyester!) in a minimalist pattern. Ikea is really unbeatable for this - see here and here. For a couch, I would either consider Amazon or start scouring Craigslist every day. I would probably forego a coffee table until you have other things that will improve your quality of life (dining chair/table, television, etc.); you really don't need one.
  
  Anyway, these are just a couple of suggestions. Hope this helps!
  
  

I love the left side of the room. The right side all looks like it came from grandmas guest room. Which it potentially all did... as did my entire first college bedroom, but it's be easy to liven that up and make it yours. You have a pretty cool minimalist, tech vibe going with that desk, lamp and chair. Keeping the other side of the room more simple will let more exciting things be the center of attention.

With the bedspread, a solid light gray is always safe- you could throw that cool blanket on top in the winter too. It lets you get some bright pillows to add color if you want. With the lamp, a cheap way to go would just to get a more simple lamp shade. Something Light gray or white with some texture would be a start.

After that, some blackout curtains and a long curtain rod would be awesome. I imagine it really opening up the feel of the room.

Now plants, it's crazy how much it really livens up a room. If light is low, give this article a read. You'll find something at Home Depot or Lowes that you can take care of. Put some smaller ones on one or two cheap shelves with what ever other cool nicknacks you start gathering at school and it'll feel like a castle man.

I see a lot of stuff about wall decor on here. Get a poster or two if you want, maybe a mirror. Old maps are cool too. Find an old map of whatever town you're in or from. Maybe a cool (quite) wall clock, but don't go crazy; college dorms can start feeling like dungeons when the walls get too crowded.

I've just moved into a 1/1 in South Florida that has a 12.5' x 18' combined living/dining area as in most apartments. I moved with relatively little furniture and am starting fresh. I already have some plans here but want some feedback on my selections and ideas.

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To start with —

The couch is a Ryler from Ashley Furniture in steel: https://www.ashleyfurniture.com/p/ryler-sofa/4020138.html

The TV/media unit is a BYÅS from IKEA. It is a glossy white but I am not necessarily trying to let that dictate the rest of the furniture in the room: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/byas-tv-unit-high-gloss-white-80227797/

I also own an Avenal shaded arc lamp from Target (in nickel finish) but haven't assembled it yet: https://www.target.com/p/avenal-shaded-arc-floor-lamp-project-62-153/-/A-52937505?preselect=51021780#lnk=sametab

The walls are white and the floors are a light grey/brown faux wood. The colors of the walls and floors both change a bit depending on the light — sometimes the walls look grey or off-white, but they are white. The floors look more brown than grey in the photo but in direct light they are pretty light. There is one ceiling LED fixture just out of the frame here, but the ceiling fan light kind of sucks and doesn't light the room very well, hence the big lamp.

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Here are my plans —

Obviously will be moving my dog's bowls and food

• This rug: https://www.amazon.com/Safavieh-Amherst-Collection-AMT419R-Outdoor/dp/B00PQ9VJCI/ref=sr_1_14?keywords=zig%2Bzag%2Brug&qid=1574232897&sr=8-14&th=1
  
• Lamp in the window corner beside the couch, with a half-height potted plant in front of it
  
• I haven't found a coffee table, but I was thinking about something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Nathan-James-31101-Modern-Industrial/dp/B0747SSBNY/ref=sr_1_4?crid=59CI384E7A94&keywords=nathan+james+coffee+table&qid=1574286332&sprefix=nathan+james+coff%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-4 — I actually like this particular one a lot, but I would prefer a coffee table with an exact matching end table and this one doesn't have one.
  
  • On the topic of coffee tables, is it necessary/advised to match the coffee table's legs/frame to the metal legs on the couch? I feel like silver/chrome coffee tables (this one, for example) are chintzy and old fashioned.
    
• End table on the open end of the couch, possibly with a table lamp
  
• Not sure where to put an accent chair, was thinking possibly the other window corner or toward the middle of the room, possibly angled away from the TV
  
• I am looking into a triptych over the couch. My family is from NYC and I have a love affair with Manhattan, so I was thinking of this specific one: https://www.icanvas.com/canvas-print/bright-city-lights-i-blue-wac3866#3PC3-60x40
  
• Blue/teal/yellow/cream accent pillows on the couch that match the tones of the art
  
• Some kind of sideboard underneath the window
  
• Some kind of artificial plants and succulents, particularly on the currently bare media unit
  
  ​
  
  Really open to any suggestions. I am going for a modern look. This is the first time I'm living without roommates and have the opportunity to furnish all on my own, so I am excited to express myself through my decor.
  
  Thanks!

The attached album is the space I have to work with. All the erratic decorating is from the previous tenant and will be out by the time we move in, and I'd love some suggestions on what to do with the place. Renting for $1300/mo in South Florida in case you're curious.

My girlfriend and I are moving into our second place. Our current place is decorated pretty sparsely as we'd both just moved to the area, but having saved up for two years we're basically ready to start over again.

For the living room, the only thing we're bound to is this coffee table which we have and like. We were thinking of one or two of these matching end tables as well. Area rug is obviously a must as the apartment has the signature cheapest-beige-carpet-I-could-find. My girlfriend's in love with this rug but I'm unsure if the traces of gray and black there would go with the beige carpet and espresso furniture we'd have. Would a gray or black couch help that? We'll also definitely be putting curtains up that'll match whatever rug we go with.

For the bedroom, we have a Love Is Art painting with these colors so we were thinking of going with a deep purple color scheme with white/gray accents. We have a few IKEA Hemnes dresser sets in the black-brown finish. I'm thinking solid deep purple rug, a patterned white/purple duvet cover and curtains to match.

Thoughts? Suggestions? With a modest budget, what would you do with the space? Thanks in advance. I consider myself okay at decorating, but I'd hate to get all the pieces together only to find out I'm an idiot.

You have a lot of small pieces in the space - if you want sleek, simplify. I suggest getting two more of the tv cube stands and bunch all three together. Now you have a long tv "console" and storage. You can migrate the printer and everything else on the short black shelf onto/into the cubes and eliminate that shelf from the space entirely. Maybe put the printer on the side closest to what I assume is the dining table so nobody has to cross over the tv if someone else is watching it. There are also cube baskets/bins you can get to put in some of those shelves to hide some of the clutter.

I agree on the floor lamp in the corner. Try to get something in brushed nickel/silver/iron Example 1 Example 2 - you have enough black and i think straight chrome would stand out too much. No shelf lamps or spider lamps. If you need that trashcan in the living room, try to hide it next to the lamp in the corner, or between the shoe rack and the wall.

The size of the rug is good but the pattern/color is eh. If you replace it, don't get anything smaller than that (5x7 I assume?), and maybe get something with a bit of color. If you like the red pillow, look for a rug with some red. Example 1 Example 2. If you're not going red, blues and greens would look good too. Low pile and polyester or better, polypropylene are your friends for college (well, anytime) rugs - low maintenance and easy to clean! Wool rugs can be like having an inanimate dog - very nice to look at but the shedding is not so great. If you don't mind that maintenance then go nuts.

I also agree on the coffee table - the end table probably isn't super functional for you. If you can, find something that has black and brown (example) so you can keep the end table at the end of the sofa while making it match your tv stand. Other things: If you need the woven cube storage in that room, try to bunch it on the dining table side of the TV stand. If the back of the sofa feels too bare after that, a slim console table would be a good idea - then you have somewhere to drop keys and a secondary drink/snack/etc surface. Wall art of course, be it pictures or just framed art on the big wall by the door. Maybe do 3 larger pictures/art pieces or a collage of different art in matching frames.

Hey buddy,

I would personally go for white or maybe charcoal, depending on the stain of the oak.

As for the bamboo experience..

DAMN are they wonderful. 100% bamboo viscose (no blend) is where its at, especially if you are in a warm climate or get hot at night in general. I've had 4 or 5 pairs of bamboo sheets from $40-300 and can honestly say that the ones I settled on *the 2nd cheapest* are the clear winners. Keep in mind they have a slight sateen look to them, but are UNGODLY comfortable. I've had a chick over on a 2nd date, who unprompted, undressed to roll around in them purely because of how they feel. I'm not kidding. They will change your life and probably make you a better person. Full disclosure - because of the sateen texture (not trashy porno style but still apparent) I have almost severed my wang on my side table slipping off of the edge of my bed before. Best of luck!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BDQJF4P/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1

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I live in Chicago and have tried all three types of humidifiers. One thing to consider is the size of your space. I've listed the pros & cons below based on my experience.

1. Ultrasonic: PROS: ultra quiet, humidifies quickly. CONS: potential to leave a fine white film over surfaces - unless you use distilled water, pricey & tends to only last a couple of seasons (ultrasonic mechanism breaks due to hard water. - Things may have changed with build quality over the years but a few years back this was my experience). Uses ultrasonic waves to turn water into vapor.
   
2. Warm Mist: PROS: longer life, white noise. CONS: white noise, hard water will scale the heating element - maintenance required, typically only good for smaller spaces. Boils the water to create steam.
   
3. Cool Mist/Evaporative: PROS: large reservoir models available, ideal for whole house humidification. CONS: need to purchase disposable wick - typically lasts one season, reservoir can develop mold & bacteria so need to use a bacteriostatic treatment in the water. Air is pulled through a wet wick to disperse water molecules in the air.
   
   Out of all three, I use the Cool Mist/Evaporative only because I got tired to having to constantly fill the water chambers of the other types multiple times a day. Also with the ultrasonic, I've had white powdery film develop on surfaces near the humidifier's stream.
   
   The Cool Mist/Evaporative takes care of my entire apartment and I only have to mess with filling it once a day. The disposable wick becomes covered in calcium over time, its nice to be able to toss it after the winter is over. The only downside is that with each water filling, I need to add a small cap full of bacteriostatic treatment to prevent the wick from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
   
   Hope this helps!
   
   ​

I personally do not, but I've owned other mid-century style products that cost around the same price and it's all been fine. Don't expect anything that will last decades or anything, but I'd say it's worth it to try out their products. They have a good return policy as well.

Their office chairs definitely look very promising. I found another eames-style chair that's even cheaper, if you or OP is interested:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4MD9BM/ref=twister_B00XHV376I?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&coliid=IX9YMIGDMCE96&colid=1ABASYC93RN9W

What your room is missing is some color.

I love the painting but that seems to be the only place where you took a chance to bring color or personality into the room.

The two easiest changes would be to your curtains and rug. I would definitely look to change the rug into something that can compliment the painting. Maybe something like this?

Redeeming qualities: the desk and the raw wood floorboards. Besides that, pretty much everything has to change. Here are some suggestions:

1. Remove the cardboard under the chair and the bed
   
2. Get a matching bed set
   
3. Wall art or posters
   
4. Get your clothes out of a cardboard box and put it in a closet or dresser (get one if you don't have one, they can be free or really cheap on CL)
   
5. Organize your desk. Get a paper organizer, pen cup, desk plant. A picture frame of loved ones will add some warmth.
   
6. With a room this small, I actually wouldn't suggest a rug. It seems unnecessary and would break up the room more than it needs to.
   
7. Clean your whiteboard regularly to keep it white. If you really wanna spend money, get a glass whiteboard.
   
8. Higher effort: paint either just the wall where the desk is, or just the two side walls
   
9. Higher effort: a floating bookshelf above your desk with tasteful stuff/plants would make the place warmer.
   
10. Higher effort: replace your white light fixture to something more modern or just simple. The tangled cord doesn't look good.
    
    Hopefully that's actionable and helpful.

Looks like the room could use some color. Maybe an aztec throw like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/605366917/vintage-crochet-afghan-indian-blanket?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=aztec%20blanket&ref=sc_gallery-1-3&plkey=def57b6f88685a853547f5c8b1982857cc741252:605366917&bes=1

A big plant in one of the corners could go a long way to adding some life to the room. I'm also a huge fan of ladder bookshelves like: https://smile.amazon.com/ClosetMaid-1316-4-Tier-Ladder-Bookcase/dp/B01N7S3EJS/ref=sr_1_4?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1540479478&sr=1-4&keywords=ladder+bookshelf with some books, small plants, and pictures. Hope this helps. Good luck finishing up the place!

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How about a stand like this one?. If you go on /r/bicycling someone just shared theirs and it looks great. With tall ceilings you could even get three bikes on there, with the least used one up top but other two easily accessible.

Another option is something like these which would still keep them easy to access but out of the way.

Edit:I realise your ceilings are probably too tall for the first link but they also sell the same concept that you can kinda mount to the wall on one end, rather than relying on ceiling.

Ignore the negative comments--your chair is great. You may decide to recover it some day, and it has good lines. To your question: I'd go with a bold red persian-inspired design. Kind of like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Safavieh-Vintage-Collection-Antiqued-Oriental/dp/B01LWUEVI9/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3OYJ2IL7M1IOE&keywords=red+persian+rug+8x10&qid=1558563320&s=gateway&sprefix=red+persian+r%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-3

Don't worry about matching. It'll work as you add more pieces. Also, be bold or go home. Haha.

Lots of people buy soundbars because they are convenient. They're small, don't require much wiring, and are inexpensive.

However, they never match the sound quality of real speakers. Music is meant to be heard on a stereo (2 speakers) so soundbars will never sound as good.

http://www.cnet.com/news/before-you-buy-a-sound-bar-speaker-read-this/

If you're on a tight budget then I personally recommend the Andrew Jones Pioneer bookshelf speakers. Mr. Jones is a well regarded speaker designer and they sound great. Not only do I like the speakers, but they are always recommended in the hi-fi world. Plus, with a stereo you can always upgrade to better parts later on. Over time, you could get better speakers, a subwoofer, center channel, and eventually you'll have a kickass 5.1 system if you want it. Soundbars don't allow any room for upgrading

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1278774-pioneer-s-speaker-genius-hits-low-price-point.html
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-bookshelf-speakers/
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG

if you learn what to look for, craigslist

for new speakers, pioneer sp-bs22-lr's look aight with the grilles off and are unmatched at their price point quality-wise

for vintage, JBL 4312mk2s look and sound awesome imo, but they're pricey

pioneer cs-a700 (also known as cs-e700) also has a good combination of looks, sound and price. evidently the stones had a pair back in the day

I'm personally on the hunt for a pair of yamaha ns-500m. their bigger brothers, the ns-1000m and ns-2000, go for a lot of money. the ns-500m shares the same tweeter as the 1000m, and supposedly sounds really close when A/B'd, though the 1000m edges it out.. but at a much higher price

anyway audiokarma is my favorite forum for finding info about vintage speakers (as well as the amps you'll need to power them with), but there's a LOT to dig through

I think this style would go well, but you'd need to find a black base instead of the silver since you don't have silver anywhere else.

This might be a bit big for your space, but has the colors.

Alternatively, something like this or this has a nice big lamp shade which will help wash the whole room with light as opposed to a specific direction (reading light).

It may be too expensive since you just bought this house after all, but my dream has always been to have a deck like this with a hot tub. The far top-right corner next to the two windows would be a perfect spot for one.


Otherwise, that space would be good for a sectional L shaped outdoor futon, with a tabletop propane fueled fire pit in the middle such as this:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF32GBC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00VF32GBC&pd_rd_wg=dWQBI&pd_rd_r=PV3ZBMQJVPN8Z2WC6GCG&pd_rd_w=oFziT

I love it! I can lay on it all day and take the best naps. It also fits 2 people comfortably.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079YZX7CM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hey! Thanks for you input, I’ll definitely be looking for something dramatic! Maybe some abstract art. The nightstands are from amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C1A5BMS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IGoACbVX1MZ37 they are amazing quality and not a bad price!

Amazon. It was a little tough to assemble, but it's a nice, solid desk and I love it.

For the speakers and TV I would consider the Bose Cinemate GS Series: https://www.amazon.com/Bose-CineMate-Digital-Theater-Speaker/dp/B002MXWKAG Maybe get it used to lower the price, they really sound good. Currently I'm rocking NHT Super Zeroes with Super 8 subwoofer and Vienna Acoustics Center Channel. My Yamaha receiver was purchased at a thrift store for $60. I love my sound system and got it cheap because it's all used, but if space and money was a consideration I would really consider the Bose Cinemates. Other good bookshelves include Bose 301's.

I really love this chair (SPACE AirGrid), especially for the price point off amazon. Great build quality, design, and back support. After 3 years of heavy usage my only complaint is that one of the arm rests has started to crack a bit. That said, if I could afford a Herman Miller or Global, I'd probably get that.

This is a 100% improvement OP. The chair and the bigger sofa were the perfect change. The Ikea lamp ties in with the bigger furniture and doesn't feel so big and overwhelming like it did before. Extremely well done.

Couple more suggestions, I would route the rear speaker wires behind the painting too and then down the middle. Then use a cable cover that runs from the bottom of the art down behind the couch to conceal the cords. Purchase a couple of patterned/accent pillows and throws to add some color to the room and you're money.

Maybe less industrial and more... belongs in a hotel or something.

But this one is a good evaporative one, meaning it won't leave the mineral dust like Ultrasonic ones will: https://www.amazon.com/Essick-Air-MA1201-Whole-House-Console-Style/dp/B004S34ISA/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1550085331&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=humidifier+whole+house&dpPl=1&dpID=41HVijlwa7L&ref=plSrch

However this one is much easier to work into the design of a room, while still functioning as funiture: https://www.amazon.com/AirCare-EP9-500-Whole-House-Pedestal-Style/dp/B00B5U8GJ6/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1550085331&sr=8-12&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=humidifier%2Bwhole%2Bhouse&th=1&psc=1

Hey guys, I just wanted to say thank you. This was probably the coolest post I have ever made. I had some great suggestions and conversations. I would up getting this rug. It was an insta pickup. I saw it, immediatly wanted it and thats how I do.

Here! Make sure you hang them in a wall stud or with strong anchors.

Easy solution. They should be white to match the base boards. They have double sided tape on one side that keeps them on the wall. I’ll warn you though it is super sticky. You can also pain the tubes to match the wall color if needed.



https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Concealer-Wall-Cover-Raceway/dp/B01JKO8724

I was really happy with this one.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PWGZOI/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_M3T1_ST1_dp_1

It's mostly the nightstand and the open rack by the window that I would replace.. your desk and bed are fine to stay

I would get something like this and a wall shelf to replace that stand:

https://www.allmodern.com/Varick-Gallery-Sandoz-1-Drawer-Night-Stand-VKGL4769-VKGL4769.html

https://www.amazon.com/Light-Walnut-White-Nighstand-Drawer/dp/B01C1A5BMS/ref=sr_1_1?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1480714959&sr=1-1&keywords=mid+century

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/malm-drawer-chest__0393747_PE562529_S4.JPG

Amazon. It's a little taller than I wanted, but overall I like it.

You're not going to get much neck support in a cheap chair. Same thing with the arm rests, being able to move them is generally a feature of a more expensive chair.

The third option here has a neck support, but that brings the price up to $270.

https://www.amazon.com/Seating-Professional-AirGrid-Adjustable-Managers/dp/B000PWGZOI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1467658138&sr=8-11&keywords=ergonomic+chair We buy stuff this like for work. That's what I'd go with, in your price range.

Ideally? Conduit in the walls.

Worst case? Something like this.

Cable Concealer On-Wall Cord Cover Raceway Kit - Cable Management System to Hide Cables, Cords, or Wires - Cord Organizer for TVs and Computers at Home or in The Office https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JKO8724/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_i_-HKcBb21TD3AG

Worth it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HO7O40I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's just a cheap laminate desk I found on Amazon.

You can always get those cord raceway kits at Home Depot/Lowe’s or https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Concealer-Wall-Cover-Raceway/dp/B01JKO8724 and just run them against the wall or floor. Additionally you can hang a surge protector to either the wall or tv stand using command strips and plug in your electronics into that. You would then need to just zip tie the cables so they don’t lay on the floor.