Perhaps add texture (pillows, large baskets, rug) and an accent color. I love black and white with natural wood accents and baskets with small pops of red.

Add a rug. Buy some art that is personal, not mass manufactured. There are street fairs that sell art in summer.

Your black and white photos will look great above your couch. I would pick some colors you like from the WE pieces you're getting to use for pillows. An area rug would warm things up a bit as well. You could also add a piece of foam that you buy at Joann fabrics and cover it with a fun piece of fabric to turn your coffee table into an ottoman or extra seating. Add a tray to the top to hold a drink or your remote. You could also add a round basket by the fireplace with a throw or two rolled up in it to add some texture and color to that area. You might also consider adding a couple of plug in wall sconces above your sofa so you can have something more than overhead lighting. Painting the wire that runs out of the wall over to your cabinets white would help it blend in a bit. As to the kitchen, perhaps just add a pretty cutting board leaning up against the backsplash and a colorful tea kettle to the stove.

What's your budget for purchases? How long is your sofa?

Could be a nice addition with fireplace... your art too. Idk what size - blue tape on the floor could help determine.... it could be that a large rug could 'ground' and be centerpiece underneath even table.

Kaleen Melange Hand Tufted Mlg03-25 Red 8' X 10' Rectangle · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/kaleen-hand-tufted-melange-red-wool-rug-8x10-prvw-vr~54045464

Safavieh Bohemian Boh637A Rug, Brown/Gold, 4'0"x6'0" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/safavieh-tala-hemp-rug-brown-and-gold-4x6-prvw-vr~51644611

Several hues, but neutral-ish --

Metropolitan Renne Rug, Multi, 8'x11' · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/metropolitan-renne-rug-multi-8x11-prvw-vr~115593797

> Put an ultra narrow (some are only 6-8" deep) sofa table behind sofa, and place lamp (& maybe books, plant, flowers) on it.

> Hang large art, or multiple pieces, behind sofa.

> Install window treatments, maybe outside mount shades, higher than top of windows.

> Place some fabric with color/pattern (cut a piece to fit) in space on top of coffee table/storage chest.

Good luck!

I'll add that your walls/cabinets have such variations, are busy though white - to start, I would add a rug, instead of decorate as though it were a large room with space to spare.

based on the west elm art that you bought, it seems like you like bright colors so I would add more brightness to your place. heres some pillow ideas and some rug ideas. just adding a fun rug and bright pillows will make a difference.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/560870781/marimekko-pillow-cover-handmade-12x24

https://www.etsy.com/listing/739263859/marimekko-pillow-cover-handmade-16x116

https://www.etsy.com/listing/687191520/20x20-marimekko-pillow-cover-handmade

https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-irregular-parallel-bars/Black/200MTHM05A-P.html

https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-wool-moroccan-shag/Solid-Ivory/200MTVS28A-P.html

https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-zebra-cowhide/White/200NKCHP01-P.html

https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-striated-stripes-tassel-indooroutdoor/Beige/200ACNZ06A-P.html

Really cute apartment can't wait to see what you do!

follow

you need a rug, some color, and more art.

your current picture is hung too high.

Did you know they have removable wall murals? (a zillion colors and designs)

you have a large wall and no art. if you're going to do something behind the sofa, then do something! make sure all of the frames match.

bring in some greenery.

And a rug!

I know you can't paint the wall, but look at the rug and the warm wood furniture w/the plants. Instant life

I think that you could also fit another chair for seating to put on one side of the TV angled to the center of the room.

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/langley-street-roswell-lounge-chair-lgly3146.html?piid=17699566

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/modway-sheer-armchair-fow3231.html?piid=16738506

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/langley-street-carncome-armchair-lgly2590.html?piid=17126525

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/langley-street-thompson-barrel-chair-lgly5183.html?piid=21271704

Can you have a cushion made for the recessed top of the coffee table so you have extra seating? Do it in an outdoor fabric so it is easy care and add a tray on top. Otherwise, change it for a pop-up coffee table that serves as dining/computer and storage table. Have you considered hanging your bike like horizontal art instead of the art behind the sofa? Or put the TV on the sofa wall, turn the sofa to face the kitchen and turn the computer table so it is behind the sofa. Then hang the two black and white pieces 5" above the mantel and one hand's breadth apart. Such an arrangement might allow for a small chair by the fireplace. A rug wider than the sofa will help cozy it up for you.

GDF Studio Ditmar Natural Brown Lift Top Storage Coffee Table · More Info

Following

Take a long field trip to Ikea.

1. Plants with baskets to put them in.

2. Pillows with different textures, e.g. velvet. Lots of color. Or maybe even very bold black-and-white but a couple very splashy..

3. Rug

4. Instead of the coffee table (which seems too dominant and too white to me), get nesting tables that you can have in a cluster or next to sitting furniture. Versatile. At any rate, a smaller, less obtrusive coffee table. That way, you'll also have more space for another chair.

5. Another chair of some kind. If you want homey, maybe you'd like some company to be homey with?

6.A pouf to use as a coffee table or additional seating.

7. A flokati to drape over your desk chair or the couch.

The sofa seems too far from the fireplace to me. It makes the space seem not very intimate.

7. Some local lighting. At least one floor lamp and one table lamp to go on a side table next to the sofa.

8.If you get stuck for the xtra chair, consider a butterfly chair with a fun cover. See Urban Outfitters. They fold.

9.I'm not crazy about the West Elm art. I would put the photos over the couch and add more so you have a gallery. Use art with people in it!

I love NYC, think often about buying a small condo...but how do you cook in that itty bitty kitchen?

Man what a neat space! I’d love to see the rest. And I have to ask - what on earth is that black wire coming out of the top of the kitchen cabinet?

I agree with the others that mentioned a rug, baskets etc.
What about a wall-drop leaf table (IKEA), instead of the mirror beside the stove ? It would give you more space when you cook.

Retraite, that looks like the entry door, to the left of the mirror. Can’t have a table there.

Black office chair not so great - it's ok to match/blend with sofa - to let rug, art 'show' - I wonder if you can touch fireplace with paint, but I think a no.

Plastic Eiffel Chair With Natural Wood Dining Dowel Wooden Modern Set of 2, Taup · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/plastic-eiffel-chair-with-natural-wood-dining-dowel-wooden-modern-set-of-2-taup-prvw-vr~84786979

Just say this even worked as a cover - I like that it's lighter than yours, having kitchen's white in it [black too].

Double Sofa Cover, Elastic Sofa Couch Throws Slipcovers, Dustproof Sofa Cover · More Info

The Monte Dining Chair, Green · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/lumisource-gardenia-walnut-wood-accent-chair-green-prvw-vr~49396108

I look for color that looks fresh with white table and white walls. Also with wood. Not to say bad about yours.

Gardenia Chair, Walnut and Teal · More Info

Double Sofa Cover, Elastic Sofa Couch Throws Slipcovers, Dustproof Sofa Cover · More Info

Very casual extra seating beyond white table? - a bench, just low contrast --- or in a color from new pillow ?

Brooke Long Storage Bench · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/brooke-long-storage-bench-prvw-vr~114314870

If needed, above your mirror? as long as there are a few functional things there -

Manchester Modern Rain Drop Silent Wall Clock in Cream · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/leisuremod-manchester-raindrop-design-silent-non-ticking-wall-clock-cream-prvw-vr~128487274?lid=96503722

How did that mid air electrical wiring get past inspection? That stuff is supposed to be stapled down so no one will be tempted to hang anything from it. (I'd be tempted to perch a stuffed parrot on it.)

Ideal for chairs and sofas with square armrests. Flexible sides fit most armrests, and it's rigid enough for use as a freestanding tray. Overall item measures 16 5/8" long x 13 1/4" wide x 5" high. TRAY measures 6" wide by 13.25" long, sides hang 5" down the armrest.

"Nebula IV" Pillow 16"x16" · More Info

Wood Flexi Armrest Table - 16.5" Sofa Chair Tray · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/wood-flexi-armrest-table-165-sofa-chair-tray-prvw-vr~107095018

https://www.houzz.com/products/nebula-iv-pillow-16x16-prvw-vr~88797534

Cute apartment. A few ideas:

1. Floor plant on one side of fireplace to bring some color on that side
2. Sofa is small so don’t do too many pillows. 1-2 and a cozy throw for the NYC cold winters!
3. Small round storage ottoman (on wheels or sliders) nestled by fireplace can be storage and pulled out for storage too (maybe something with texture )
4. Where do you eat? The types of coffee tables with a top that hinges up/out to become a table is a good idea. Someone posted upthread but West Elm and other box stores sell them.
5. Rug- great way to bring in color (even if it’s subtle). Just make sure you get a size big enough but one that gues by impede movement of your office chair. It looks like you work at home a lot.
6. Gallery wall above sofa would be nice. Current art is too small and high.
7. Kitchen- looks clean! Add color with wood cutting board, colored teal kettle or bowl of oranges/apples, salt/pepper shaker. You also consider a series of art/prints in the wall above the cabinets.

Can’t wait to see what you do!

In lieu of generic pictures, consider some bright posters...Cheap! Put them in acrylic frames, or even frames with no glass. They’ll give you a chance to figure out what you like over the next few years. Swap them out if they no longer speak to you.

incidentally, I recently schlepped 2 butterfly chairs to the thrift store. They were 45 years old! Good as new. My current surviving one was $25 at Target maybe 8 years ago. So, I really recommend butterfly chairs on a budget!

My go-to website for all kinds of info for small spaces, including furniture layout, plants, what not to buy, art.....

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com

I would choose a monochromatic color scheme - likely the black/white/beigey color scheme. whitish/beige/grey carpet.

1. Move couch in front of kichen, cornering fireplace
2. Paint inside of coffee table black and put glass on top
3. Move desk on wall couch was
4. Cover refrigerator with black contact paper
5. Switch pictures out - colorful one between windows and framed black ones where couch used to be
6. Could you hang bike on your door?
7. Add lots of green plants, different heights and widths

When you get your place, please put up a post.