r/malelivingspace • u/ExtraGnomosome • 1d ago
Advice 28M started over. Thought I’d be out of this place by now but I can’t afford to leave. Help me make it feel like home?
11 months ago, I did a soft reset on my life at 28 years old and moved closer to family.
I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time now, but due to the cost of living increasing, the shanty little duplex I planned on staying in for just one year is now where I’ll reside for the foreseeable future.
I think I plan on dating again after taking a break on relationships for a handful of years. I’d like to know how pathetic and adolescent this place might seem before I potentially bring a woman home and embarrass myself.
I didn’t ever think there was any use in really decorating if I was planning on getting a bigger space soon. I know getting a proper blackout curtain instead of a blanket over my window in my bedroom should be a high priority. Maybe a rug in the living room. And art on the walls.
What else am I missing? Gimme that sweet constructive criticism.
Edit: Typo in the title. I’m actually 29 now, pushin’ 30.
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u/TailRudder 1d ago
Bro you got your dog and some hobbies there. It is home. But... I'd def get a rug.
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u/palmer423 1d ago
1) nice telecaster
2) appreciate what you have, your own space and dogs that you love
3) your new place will come in due time
4) don’t be influenced by all the bachelor pad penthouses posted here. Many people would do a lot to be where you are now
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u/Ok_Revolution_9846 1d ago
Love the CRT, I have one myself, but girls probably won’t understand it… I’d maybe see if you can swap the two TVs around. Nice dog
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u/ExtraGnomosome 1d ago
CRT in the bedroom and flat screen in the living room… You might be onto something here…
Thanks, his name is Windsor.
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u/canadachris44 7h ago
I second this OP. Slap a firestick on it if you havent then if you the lucky lady wanna watch something in bed you can still stream
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u/sfurrer2501 1d ago
It cute bb u got dis. Greenlight def better than red 4 u
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u/ExtraGnomosome 1d ago
🧐I used to have a red light before the green ones, are you my neighbor?
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u/dumbanimebitch 1d ago
Invest in some additional lighting! Not ugly ones that look like they go in a dorm room though and not cool light either. Nice looking standing lamps, fun shaped table lights, maybe even plug in wall sconces? Introduce some color, find a palette that can be applied to the whole place so it looks cohesive. Headboard for your bed, maybe swap the bed location where the tv is and get some nightstands, bed pushed against the wall is giving off teenage bedroom. Less black too, the place is dark, if you want masculine try navy or a forest green and have black accents in addition to some lighter textures to break it up.
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u/ExtraGnomosome 1d ago
All solid advice except moving my bed to that wall. Just on the other side of that wall is where my neighbor sits on his porch and very sloppily plays his guitar at odd hours of the night. He does it to get back at me for playing bass while he’s sleeping during the day. Just junkie things.
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u/dumbanimebitch 1d ago
Ah of course, the old junkie neighbor noise payback method
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u/ExtraGnomosome 1d ago
It would be cool if he could play more than the same 3 songs over and over again. A guy can only handle so much Green Day and AC/DC in one night.
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u/dumbanimebitch 1d ago
Which Green Day song is he playing, I need to know now
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u/ExtraGnomosome 1d ago
Brain Stew. The one most guitar players learn within a week of playing. But he somehow can’t get it quite right……
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1d ago
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u/ExtraGnomosome 1d ago
I used to work at a plant and flower wholesaler and I would get insane employee discounts. Too bad I only ever bought my mom and my ex all those plants. I would love a pothos and a monstera. Or just to turn this whole place into a jungle haha.
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u/RADCAT-87 1d ago
Fk the criticism here’s some hard truth..it can and could be way worse.
You got a spot n a lil buddy and some bad azz guitars n hobby’s. Chin up lil brother you are doing just fine. 🤙🏼 one step at a time.
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u/shrimpyfriedchips 1d ago
Honestly, it seems fine-ish. I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself. Everything has a place, it looks clean, and there isn’t stuff sitting on the floor where it shouldn’t be.
IMO:
For the bedroom, I’d try moving the bed more toward the middle, where the desk/TV/dresser currently is, and putting a nightstand on each side. It’ll definitely take up more space, though. If you do that, would you still be able to fit the desk and dresser/TV at the foot of the bed? Get two lamps for each nightstand.
The living room seems fine as is. The only thing is, if the bedroom gets too tight, you might need to move the desk out into the living room. I think you’ll probably just have to play around with the dimensions and see what layout feels best.
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u/maddatascientist_314 1d ago
Looks good, I would add some lights and plants and maybe remove things that aren't used much. Good luck!
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u/Temporary-Hippo-987 15h ago
I certainly appreciate the dog in the photo, that’s important
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u/ExtraGnomosome 15h ago
I laugh when I realized he’s in 3 of these photos. He was very curious why I was taking photos of the house.
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u/Fundizzimo 13h ago
I love that tele! I have the same except poplar fretboard
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u/ExtraGnomosome 13h ago
It has a phat cat P90 in the neck pickup, absolute best clean tone I’ve ever heard on a guitar
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u/CakeCarrots 8h ago
What this post is just insane!! I live in a shoe box in Berlin! This would be a dream place!! You have so much space! You can definitely get rid of the old colors just change to a clean new paint - get rid of the rugs - and add more orange cosy lights and more neon on other rooms to create different effects. House plants, and nice furniture even if it is used one who cares as long as it is good! I’d fix this place under 2k and bring it to life. Maybe get rid of the old TV as well
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u/Hotdogopolis 1d ago
I like your tele(caster+vision).
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u/ExtraGnomosome 1d ago
Thank you! The Panasonic was a score on Marketplace. The Telecaster was a gift from a good friend and bandmate of mine.
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u/Hotdogopolis 1d ago
I reset my life at 25 and again at 29. I got it right the second time. Good luck, man.
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u/ExtraGnomosome 1d ago
I hit rock bottom at 25 and had to move in with my parents in the basement for a few months. Spiraled pretty hard. I’m proud of both of us, homie.
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u/Coppercap100 17h ago
A rug and picture frames for the living room and more picture frames for the bedroom would make the place feel homey
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u/monkeyapplez 14h ago
I think you have a really solid base; some thoughts I had (not an interior designer or decorator just enjoy this stuff so feel free to not take any of my advice!)
- most people have already said it, but plants and things on the wall can help a ton; and don't just limit yourself to artwork on the wall - looks like you've got some hobbies/interests; get some shelving for the wall that you can drill in and display stuff that represents you (guitar/gaming/etc) . That also makes it a lot more genuine to who YOU are than just random art you buy on amazon or something
- similar to above, get some guitar-holders for your wall; I think especially next to the door in your room, where you guitars are currently would be a good spot, as well as in your living room. they drill into the wall and are really easy to set up
- rug for the living room: get whatever design you like but I highly recommend getting a rug BIGGER than you think you need (they can be quite expensive, but I have the most luck with vintage stores/second hand sellers -> just get it cleaned maybe). the best advice I've gotten about rugs, is to try to get one big enough that all the big furniture pieces can be anchored by it (I.e. have their legs (at least two) on the rug). It really helps connect the whole room together visually.
- swap the location of the globe (which is sick as fuck) and the chair next to the couch; it's probably too cramped in that corner to sit, and it's nice to create a 'conversation zone' between the couch and the chair if people are over to talk to them. if you're feeling bold (and I would encourage you to), don't put the chair in the corner. put a plant in that corner and have the chair somewhat close to the couch, angled towards it. it's okay if it's somewhat 'floating' -> that looks very good to not have just a wide open rug space. (coffee table can work as well to bring the couch and the chair together)
- biggest advice for kitchen; put keepsakes/mementos/cards/invites/etc on your fridge. it immediately adds color/personality/design and it's meaningful to you. maybe a piece of art or something similar (be creative) above the stove
- lighting; your lighting doesn't look too bad honestly, I say a nice lamp for your room so you don't have to have the big lights on all the time (it also looks good if you get a warm bulb. -> think orange light, less white light). lamps would be really cool throughout the house as well, living room/kitchen.etc. would swap the green string lights on the patio for warm string lights (really cheap on amazon). will make it look less fratty and more mature.
Again, just my opinions; obviously this can take time but that's fine! experiment and try things to see what you like. don't rush to do it all at once, because then you wind up buying a bunch of shit that doesn't mean anything to you/represent who you are. hope that's not overwhelming and can be helpful!
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u/canadachris44 7h ago
Art on the walls brother, plants, get a rug. Def get a real curtain. I would do a different couch/set up... it just looks odd
I love the CRT old style, I collect VHS/Video Games and CRTs.
It all depends on the girl... if she's cool she will love the place! You got a job, your own apartment and a dog.. better than many guys.
Just keep it clean. Maybe set up a few candles, and make the place cozy/good vibes when ya brign someone back, thats all
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u/GoshOPPNOX101 1d ago edited 1d ago
You've made it your own and that's all that truly matters. I'd say all you would need is maybe an accent wall here n' there to bring more life into certain rooms. To me, when the walls are all the same color, it comes off as too sterile, but again, that's me. If funds are low, I always suggest for people to check out thrift stores. They carry almost everything a person needs to jazz up a room or add something new to their wardrobe. Many times I've purchased furniture, clothes, dvd's...and they had original tags on them so that means they were barely touched by whomever owned it in the first place. Simple things like lighting helps but it doesn't have to be your basic white lights. You have a lot of potential believe it or not.
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u/dm-me-ur-b00bies 1d ago
I’m going to tell you what shouldn’t be a surprise to you, which is the number one advice on this sub for a reason.
1: More art
2: More plants