Help me with this wall!

KP2025 · 2025-04-08T15:37:55+00:00

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KP2025

So I live in a basement apt. I made this cat staircase out of shelves so my cat can get outside but I don't know what to do with the rest of the wall. It's got a weird window. It's in my living room and my main source of light. Any suggestions for window treatments, wall ideas (paint, paper, decor etc). I rent so must be renter friendly. My style is a mix of MCM and boho cozy.

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Comments

ranjith7557

That cat staircase is amazing — already gives the wall so much character! Since it’s your main light source, I’d suggest going with sheer or linen curtains to keep things bright while softening the window. For the wall, you could try peel-and-stick wallpaper in a subtle mid-century pattern or even a warm-toned boho print to add texture and personality.

You could also hang a few lightweight art pieces or wall hangings — think fabric panels, woven art, or even something sculptural.

ITSMEBETH2211

I note the burnt orange lamp and throw pillow. I'd suggest painting that wall (if you're allowed to paint) an orange tone lighter than the lamp, in a tone that the lamp will lookgood abutting as it does. And keep the cubes white or paint them to match either the wall of the lamp.

I am not sure what to recommend for the window. Not sure why the cat would need access to go outside, or how often that happens, but could you install a bamboo rolling shade instead of those silly curtains? Such would also compliment the oranges in the room.

janis7169

Remove the curtains, remove the semi-round table with the lamp from the corner. Add a floor uplight in that corner. Remove shelf with car silhouette and add a battery wall sconce there instead. Put a translucent window stickers on the window instead. Remove the three vertical pictures and add a mirror. Or remove two pictures on 'oak' furniture against wall and put the mirror there.

alan2631979

You should take what you did and turn up the MCM 500%!

Build out the cool boxes underneath. Paint George Nelson 1950’s iconic colors. Get rid of those curtains.

Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 5.01.24 PM.jpeg

Shelly

You are a good cat parent to make a staircase to the window for kitty. So I don’t think you would let the cat out but it needs to see out, correct? Take down the blinds and the curtains pull the rod away from the window to line up with the boxes. Add a sheer panel to fit just the size of the window. You will need to customize this use iron on hem tape if you don’t sew. Kitty can get in the window and you have light and privacy.

You want as much light as you can get so a large mirror over the dresser/credenza facing the sofa. You can layer art over it. You must do something about the wall. Paint if you can, if not fabric and liquid starch. Use something with some orange in it to go with your lamp and pillow. Use peel and stick stuff as a last resort, it can leave a sticky residue when removed. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Zephy

Wow, what good ideas here! I'd about gotten to "get rid of the curtains" and had no further inspiration. So I will just second some other good ideas:

I love @alan2631979 's ideas for painting the boxes those 1950s-'60s colors and adding further boxes/storage/shelves under them! This looks cheerful, kinda funky, and just right for a basement apartment. And useful to have more storage space. The colors tie in with your lamp, too. Brilliant!
I also love several people's suggestion to put a large mirror in the corner perpendicular to the window, which will maximize the light from outside. Also brilliant! But I like your 3 framed art prints now in that corner, so I wouldn't lose them. Maybe put them over the dresser.
How to cover the window for privacy, since curtains won't work: either make a single panel to cover the space exactly, as @Shelly suggested, or maybe just use the blind that's now there? And maybe add a plant or two on top of the shelves (Kitty would probably like to lounge next to the plants).

Let us know what you choose to do!

pam9426

Here's what I would do. Have that great cat staircase come in from the corner wall under the window and then the end piece be a bookcase or modern cabinet (this leaves the baseboard free for the heating). For the window I would do white shutters (you close them at night, but they would fold all the way back in daytime) or balloon type curtains. P.S. You love your cat (you made the cat that great staircase) please don't let them outside. Please post on here when you have done your update.

DanielaAraya

This is SO FUN! I love this idea. It adds so much without needing to paint the wall. But if you did want to paint the wall, it would add even more to the space (and cover up those patches 😊)

What about some Roman shades for your window? Btw it's so sweet you did this for your cat