Space age

You're long out of school, but your apartment's style is just mature enough to buy cigarettes. It's time to grow up.

By Madeline Nusser and Jessica Herman Photograph by Nicole Radja Styling by Martha Mulholland

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.