Apartment Living Room Decor Ideas
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyOver the past couple weeks, I’ve been slowly showing you more of my home in Pittsburgh. Decorating this new space has been such a fun process. I hope you enjoy watching these spaces unfold as much as I am. Today we’re returning to my living room so you can see how I’ve started to pull together the opposite side of the room.
As I mentioned, I was waiting for my media console to arrive. Thankfully, it’s finally here. And with the help of a few accessories, I have something to share.
This area still needs a few tweaks and minor additions, but I’m loving how this is all coming together.
Side note: If you’re looking for sources of products, please check the end of this post. You can also visit SHOP IBC for more products from my home.
So, let’s talk about the media console – although it’s a sideboard. according to Crate & Barrel. Whatever it’s called, I knew this was “the piece” for a couple reasons. First, black console bridges my living room and the dark cabinets in my kitchen.
Secondly, and maybe most importantly, I’m crazy about this piece. I’ve seen it a couple of times in several interior design layouts, and it caught my attention each time. The glass door fronts will allow me to have fun with decor items, or I can use baskets for hidden storage and texture. Win. Win.
Right now, the console is sparsely decorated, but I did bring in a few key accessories, including, a modern brass and marble globe table lamp. I love how the lamp looks with other elements in the room.
I also found this five-feet-tall cactus. I couldn’t say no to it because it adds great color, movement, and a touch of quirky to this space.
Oh, and I also swapped out a throw pillow on the couch for one I had ordered way back in May when I was in NYC. It was on back order forever. I’m loving it!
Now, there are still a few more things I want to do in this space and some others I’m on the fence about. Let me walk you through my thoughts:
1. A rug. It was actually just delivered after I shot these photos, so stay tuned for that.
2. I might paint the wall behind the TV. (In fact, I’ve thought about painting the entire apartment as I greatly dislike these builder beige walls. I’d rather have white, however, I’m not sure it’s worth it since I’ll have to repaint them beige when I move out.)
3. The white box to the right of the TV is where my HVAC unit is located. Should I simply ignore it or should I attempt to “hide” it? I feel like trying to camouflage it might make it stand out more.
4. I’m also considering adding shelving to the left of the cactus. It doesn’t show in any of these photos, but I have about four feet to work with. I’m not sure if I truly need shelves or if they would just be an invitation to clutter. Art may be a better choice.
5. I’d still like to get new end tables and lamps.
6. I’m not sure what it would be, but I would like to add extra seating opposite the green chair. Maybe some stools like these or these? Or a bench? Or another side chair?
7. Finally, I’m also wondering about curtains. I’m on the fence about them, but my guess is they would make the whole place feel cozier.
If you have opinions, thoughts, or advice on any of this, please let me know in the comments.
Also, in case you’ve missed any of my apartment updates, you can check them all out here.
I hope you enjoyed seeing this side of my living room. Stay tuned for more!
Rooms Sources:
Sofa | West Elm
Side Chair | West Elm
Pillow | Rejuvenation
Coffee Table | West Elm
Media Cabinet | Crate & Barrel
Overhead Light | Schoolhouse Electric
Accent Lamp | West Elm
Planter | Rejuvenation
Side Table / Bench | HomeGoods
Weiner Dog | Anthropologie (no long sold)
Gold Dot Planter | Anthropologie (no long sold)
It’s a cute set isn’t it
How about painting the HVAC box the exact color of your walls. It would blend in much more.
Window treatments-yes. You probably don’t want to completely cover the HVAC because of the vent…but you could prop an industrial pipe ‘ladder’ (sounds like a DIY project) or a wrought iron ladder against the wall. Extra storage for throws that won’t interfere with the air flow. Good luck!
P.S. I voted for you!
I think you’re over-thinking it. It looks great. Don’t paint the whole apartment-at least online it looks white enough, and that’s a weekend of your life. Live it. Don’t worry about camouflaging the “box”-it’s just more of the industrial stuff like the pipe. I also think another chair would box things in, and the whole apartment has such a nice open, un-cluttered feeling. Yes to drapes!
Also, while we could make an argument for and against curtains, I say no to curtains to not block those great windows and in keeping with the more pure industrial look going with the exposed duct work. I say no to another chair, unless you genuinely need it for gatherings, because I think you’re right about the boxed in feeling, and yes to side tables or at least one on the side with the little stool for a little weight on that side of the room and because I know you would decorate it wonderfully just like those in your other home. Without seeing the wall space you mention on the other side of the cactus, I say no to shelves and yes to artwork!!! And maybe a wall weaving to add texture and coziness without clutter.
Thanks for letting us put our two cents in even though your instincts are always spot on.
I didn’t even notice the AC thing. You’ve made everything else look so nice and interesting, that the AC thing is lost already. 🙂
Hi Michael – I honestly didn’t notice the HVAC unit either – I do think trying to hide it would make it stand out more. It’s just one of those “necessary modern evils” I guess. I think another chair opposite the green chair would be great – just in a completely unique and different style than the green one. And I definitely think art instead of shelving to the left of the cactus! I really love everything you’ve done – it’s so beautiful and calming 🙂
149.00 for a pillow cover? Why is it so expensive?
I thought the same thing. Because it’s from Rejuvenation! Their lighting is to die for but a tad bit pricey for my budget. I still want that pillow cover, though!
I definitely think you should do drapes. They add so much to a room & make if feel finished.
As for painting your place, you should do whatever makes it feel better for you. Maybe your landlord won’t mind the white paint & you won’t have to paint it back to beige when you move.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful space!
What about painting the HVAC door the same color as the wall?? Could you move the tv cabinet down a little to the left and put the plant in front of the HVAC?
Looks great no matter what! 🙂
Hi Michael,
I think the space looks great so far. I didn’t even notice the HVAC until you mentioned it. I think the dark console and cactus draw the eye away from the unit. I agree about the painting; if the beige is as light as it looks in the photos, my thought is save yourself the time, effort and money. As for the rest, just do you and it’ll be wonderful. Have fun!
Hi Michael,
Of course I love all that you have done in the space! Honestly, I don’t really notice the vent thingy; I would just leave it alone. I love the stools that you are looking at-might also be cool to do a backless bench? I notice that you seem to use wood in your rooms… maybe some sort of wood art for the wall? Just throwing some ideas out there! 🙂 Cheers! (OH, and I cannot wait for Christmas styling ar your new place-no pressure! 😉
Hi Michael,
Of course I love all that you have done in the space! Honestly, I don’t really notice the vent thingy; I would just leave it alone. I love the stools that you are looking at-might also be cool to do a backless bench? I notice that you seem to use wood in your rooms… maybe some sort of wood art for the wall? Just throwing some ideas out there! 🙂 Cheers! (OOOh, and I cannot wait for Christmas styling ar your new place-no pressure! 😉
As someone else said, I’d paint it the same color as the walls. Stands out to me personally.
Brenda
yes, i would get curtains even if you rarely pulled them closed. they would add texture and if you have an extreme artic blast, it would be another layer btw you and extreme cold.
Loving this! And that cactus. I die. When I moved into my house they had painted the A/C thing the same color as the walls which was a nice muted buttercream (gag) and now that I’ve repainted my walls that thing stands out like crazy. I guess I should quit being lazy and paint it the new wall color, but if I had the option I think I would have left it white. 🙂
Love these updates! Can you just paint it the same color as the wall? If not, I’d just ignore it. Love the new pillow! Where is your throw blanket from?
FWIW I’ve combed over the photos of your lovely new space every time you’ve posted, and have never noticed that AC box. Not once. I think it will just fade back as you finish the space. (And yes to curtains!) Beautiful home!
I think another chair opposite the current one would add nice balance.
I actually feel like the huge cactus pulls the eyes away from the HVAC vent, so well done on that!
Thank you! My only concern about another side chair is that it’s going to look to boxed in or to “even”. If that makes sense.
I appreciate the input!
xo Michael