Those slimline shoe cabinets can actually hold up pretty well if you anchor them properly—just don't overload them. I've seen renters use tension rods and curtains to fake built-ins too...not exactly luxury, but surprisingly decent if you're careful with fabric choice.
"I've seen renters use tension rods and curtains to fake built-ins too...not exactly luxury, but surprisingly decent if you're careful with fabric choice."
I get the appeal of tension rods and curtains for quick fixes, but honestly, they rarely look convincing up close. When we rented, my partner and I tried it in our bedroom nook, and even with decent fabric, it still felt temporary—like we were camping indoors. If you're after a genuinely lived-in feel, investing a bit more into modular shelving or secondhand cabinets might give you better results in the long run.
I totally get what you're saying about curtains feeling temporary. We tried the tension rod trick in our old apartment's awkward alcove, and it never quite felt right—always looked a bit flimsy. Eventually, we scored some secondhand IKEA shelves off Marketplace, painted them to match the walls, and honestly, it made a huge difference. Felt more intentional and less like a quick fix...plus gave us way more storage.
"Eventually, we scored some secondhand IKEA shelves off Marketplace, painted them to match the walls, and honestly, it made a huge difference."
That's a clever workaround. Curious—did you sand or prime the shelves first, or just go straight in with paint? I've found that even a quick sanding can really help the paint stick better, especially on IKEA's slick surfaces. But yeah, shelves definitely feel more permanent and intentional than curtains or tension rods...plus, who doesn't love extra storage space?
"Curious—did you sand or prime the shelves first, or just go straight in with paint?"
Good question. I've tried both ways and honestly, even a quick sanding session makes a noticeable difference when painting IKEA furniture. Their surfaces are notoriously slick, so prepping beforehand helps the paint stick and keeps it from chipping later. But seriously, kudos on matching them to the walls...that subtle touch really elevates the look and makes the room feel intentionally designed rather than thrown together. Little details like that always pay off in the end.
