Space age

You have books and CDs everywhere, a garish TV taking up prime real estate, a thrift-store couch, dorm-room–style wall decorations and scuffed-up floors. Join the club: Those are the most common problems that afflict postcollege apartments and bachelor (and bachelorette) pads. But how do you make your place look like an adult lives there—without dropping your retirement fund on furniture? Four experts are here to help with ideas on how to bring your apartment out of its twenties.

Look familiar? Our tips will help you spruce things up without cleaning you out.

	Walls of fame: Put up some real art (no, your school flag doesn’t count), and tastefully hang those family pictures without making your space look like somebody’s fridge door.
	Hot seats: Trade in that lumpy futon for a sofa that fits a tight budget (and space).
	Shelf life: Keep a lid on your stuff by storing books, CDs, DVDs and that charming collection of international beer bottles in sophisticated-looking units.
	More power to you: Hide that big, bulky TV—and get rid of the icky fiberboard stand that holds your DVD player, stereo and garish speakers.
	Ah, there’s the rug: For the love of God, cover that horrible, stained carpeting or pea-green linoleum with these innovative options.

MEET THE EXPERTS

Photo: Couresy of Merchandise Mart

Matt Lorenz, Bravo’s Top Design winner, ML Design Studio head
It wasn’t so long ago that this young interior decorator was sprucing up his own post–design school digs on a budget. Drawing from that part of his life and his “livable contemporary” style, Lorenz suggests making your own home-decor elements, and spending many Saturdays looking off the beaten path for unique solutions—rather than just relying on quick fixes from chain stores like IKEA.

Mark Buchalter, Smart Space lead at design consultancy IDEO
In his high-concept job designing spaces ranging from residential communities to offices, Buchalter has discovered most dwellers fall into one of three categories: artsy folks who tell stories through objects; busy people who need function; and people who just can’t decide what they want.

Photo: Maia Harms

David Dilworth, Design Within Reach account executive, WOM Space gallery owner and interior designer
Dilworth likes to encourage people to budget for their decorating choices. “If you put a little bit aside, even somebody with a really nominal budget can buy a $2,000 sofa,” he says. He’s also committed to buying local and cleverly displaying prized possessions.

Janel Laban, coeditor of the Chicago edition of home-design website ApartmentTherapy.com
Laban is attracted to simple, unfussy spaces that feature fewer items of better quality. “I think the most beautiful rooms are the ones that have been built over time, where the items reflect what the owner loves and cares about,” she says.