Ive moved into a white flat with no curtains. Where the hell do I start?

[SackAndCrack]

I always liked the nice clean fresh look. And the bathroom, bedrooms and kitchen are fine.

But the living room is dire in the evening.

To start with, its huge and it echos despite my few things and toys and a hamster in it. So I need more stuff.

The walls are white, which I thought id like. I dont.

Theres no curtains, which is fine during the day as its stunning views of the Downs, but come night time its blackness.

Its getting me down sitting in this depressing vortex night after night.

But I have NO idea where to start. What colours, what colour curtains. There isnt even a flipping lamp shade.

Ive never done this before, every previous (rented, natch) property has been decorated and my curtains fit, but these dont and this is bare.

Help? Please? Where do I start?!

[Southsearocks]

A lamp and a rug. Instant cosiness

[INeedSomeHelp]

I would go to Dunelm Mill (or similar) and find currains that you like. That will then give you the basis of a colour scheme and you can add cushions and a rug in toning colours to add some cosiness.
If the white walls still seem too harsh then you could either use a colour from the curtains or go for a neutral like Dulux Natural Hessian which will be less harsh.
If you're not sure what coliurs or style you like then try browsing pinterest or interiors magazines for ideas

[SackAndCrack]

Yes, this is exactly what I need.

Ok when you say toning colours what do you mean because I have no idea what you just said.

With the paint, Im right their with you if its what im assuming as not being a colour per se but a 'not quite white'?

I already have a lamp. But my view outwards is whiteness and curtainlessness. (New word)

Also, I my curtain needs are as you can see, not straight across. I literally need half a long curtain and half a short curtain.

Who an earth does this?

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

Nobody 'does' half a long curtain and half a short curtain because it would look ridiculous!

You could put up two separate blinds or cut a curtain if that's what you really want (just why?)

OR you could just hang long curtains or put voile panels up instead (voile panels may work at different lengths if you really do want different lengths!)

There is no law that curtains should be the same size as the window!

[Sleepwhenidie]

You need Blinds in a Box they are genius, we used ours for about 4 months til we decided on proper blinds/curtains.

[Sleepwhenidie]

Oh and yes, definitely get on ointerest and start your own pin board of things you like, colours, rugs, curtains, textures, pin it all together so you can see what works and use it to then find and pin actual things you are considering buying...

[Sleepwhenidie]

That was Pinterest btw, not the lesser know site ointerest!

[Artandco]

I would just get some full length curtains, would look weird otherwise.

I would go for a light colour to keep it light. Maybe a light blue or light green. Not bright more like a pale duck egg blue or a light sage. But fitted wooden white blinds would nice also

Get a cabinet for toys to go in and add lamp ontop. For colour. Add a rug, and pictures/ photos.

However all white doesn't have to not work. Our flat has while walls/ glass/ white sofa etc. but I think the furnishings work to made it homely. We have a large white sheepskin run in the middle of corner sofa area. And a large white/ tan cowhide under dining table/ chairs. On one wall we have a large map of the world in a sepia colour. We also have a tan leather lounging chair in the corner with a large lamp over. Plus photo frames freestanding on cabinet with pics in.

Do you have enough storage to put away all toys/ clutter, and somewhere to display your nice bits?

[NotALondoner]

Ok. I had this problem with the shape of the window and door. Do you see the curtain rail? The middle bit that is fixing it to the wall? That needs to be shifted to the point at which the door and window meet. This might mean buying a longer rail and cutting it. Then the curtain rail will be fixed at either end ie the left of the window and the right of the door, and a middle fixing which is at the point where the door and window meet. Then make a long curtain for the door and a short curtain for the window. Is that understandable?

[SackAndCrack]

This is great advice.

In reply, I had no idea why I thought I needed one short curtain and one long curtain. I thought it would look ridiculous as well! So two long curtains it is.

And I LOVE the green curtains idea. I really think that would work.
And Im also loving the colourful toy cabinet too, I can really picture is.

When I posted this I thought Id get suggestions of 'sticks and pebbly shit' but this is really helpful.

Im absolutely useless at this kind of thing.

Im off to search green curtains, look at pintrest and check out the link that was posted.

Thanks!!

[SackAndCrack]

I have another question.

I have pictures, bought and made but I have one large white wall that they look 'lost' on.

So I want to buy some affordable canvas pictures to go on there.

But what size/shape? Two big ones? Several small ones? At the same height? Different height? Different sizes?

[Polkadotpatty]

Roll of brown parcel paper, cut to the sizes of canvases you are considering. Then masking tape them gently onto wall and see which shapes and sizes you like best

[AngelaDaviesHair]

You can be creative with grouping pictures (or objects: you needn't just stick to pictures on the wall). Have a look at interior mags online. I found this before and after which is quite good, there are loads though.

I favour line of three pictures of equal size, or a miscellaneous grouping.

Would you consider patterned curtains? A light white or cream background with some colour in the design. There are tons of ideas on here.

A friend decorated an entire house like this, and it was fabulous: pale cream walls, jute floor coverings, black iron curtain rails, patterned full-length curtains, plain furniture (black iron beds, cabin trucks, plain sofas). It was very simple and really nice.

[Viviennemary]

Go out and buy two or three home magazines and look through them to find the styles you like. I think Ideal Home and 25 Beautiful Homes and Period Living are all very good. I like looking through these for ideas but I never actually get round to doing anything.

[SackAndCrack]

Oh you lot at good. Blimey!

Brown paper and masking tape, Im on it!

Objects, that opens up options a bit more, I'll go back to pinterest with that idea.

And Ideal Home, Ive never bought one but that is a bloody good idea. I'll get one after the school pick up and some wine.

Thanks again.


I have a feeling I will be back though. I really love your tips.

[AngelaDaviesHair]

Don't forget, you can get a lot of free content online via their websites (in other words, don't spend half your decorating budget on endless decorating magazines like witless Angela once did).