Make small NYC apartment more interesting and homey

last year

Hey! I've been living in my apartment about a year and want to make it a bit more lived in and homey. Do you have any suggestions? A few thoughts:

1. I need pillows, but I'm not sure what color to go with.

2. I need to add in some accents, but I'm not sure how to incorporate them.

3. Any thoughts on how to add some pizzaz to the kitchen? This is a rental.

4. I don't love the coffee table, but it does serve as valuable storage.

I do plan on moving the black and white photos to go behind the couch and getting these from West Elm to go above the desk:

https://www.westelm.com/products/margo-selby-colorblock-lacquer-wall-art-d6540/?pkey=cdimensional-art&isx=0.0.0

Thank you for any and all help!

Featured Answer

partim

last year

last modified: last year

Add a rug.

Cover the TV. Here's a way that's easy and rental friendly because there are no holes in the wall. https://johnsjournal-maria.blogspot.com/2010/08/art-over-tv-diy.html?m=1

Replace some of your white things with color and texture e.g. line the inside surface of your coffee table with something like cork tiles. Pop your 2 plants into one long narrow woven basket or wood box on your mantle.

I can't see your window coverings very well but that's always an opportunity to add softness and warmth.

Thrift stores are great places for decor items, and when you get tired of them just re-donate. Budget-friendly and eco-friendly.

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Comments (37)

Nancy Ansman
last year
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.
apple_pie_order
last year
Add a rug. Buy some art that is personal, not mass manufactured. There are street fairs that sell art in summer.
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katinparadise
last year
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?
everdebz
last year
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 Hand-Tufted Melange Red Wool Rug, 8'x10' · More Info

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everdebz
last year
last modified: last year
Safavieh Bohemian Boh637A Rug, Brown/Gold, 4'0"x6'0" · More Info

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everdebz
last year
Several hues, but neutral-ish --
Metropolitan Renne Rug, Multi, 8'x11' · More Info

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mdln
last year
last modified: last year
> 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!
everdebz
last year
last modified: last year
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.
mdln
last year
Theresa Janssen
last year
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
doods
last year
Really cute apartment can't wait to see what you do!
HU-161159613
last year
follow
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Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
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
Theresa Janssen
last year
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
decoenthusiaste
last year
last modified: last year
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.

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Gcubed
last year
Following
tangerinedoor
last year
last modified: last year
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!
samondragon
last year
I love NYC, think often about buying a small condo...but how do you cook in that itty bitty kitchen?
recordaras
last year
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?
retraite2012
last year
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.
bpath
last year
Retraite, that looks like the entry door, to the left of the mirror. Can’t have a table there.
everdebz
last year
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.
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everdebz
last year
Just say this even worked as a cover - I like that it's lighter than yours, having kitchen's white in it [black too].
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everdebz
last year
last modified: last year
I look for color that looks fresh with white table and white walls. Also with wood. Not to say bad about yours.
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Double Sofa Cover, Elastic Sofa Couch Throws Slipcovers, Dustproof Sofa Cover · More Info
everdebz
last year
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
everdebz
last year
If needed, above your mirror? as long as there are a few functional things there -
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ci_lantro
last year
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.)
everdebz
last year
last modified: last year
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

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https://www.houzz.com/products/nebula-iv-pillow-16x16-prvw-vr~88797534
Gcubed
last year
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!
tangerinedoor
last year
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!
tangerinedoor
last year
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
PeaceOfHome
last year
last modified: last year
I would choose a monochromatic color scheme - likely the black/white/beigey color scheme. whitish/beige/grey carpet.
Peter Rain
5 months ago
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
Dolbanka Naher
2 months ago
I do not know if this thread is still alive, but sorry if I revived it accidentally as I just want to say that I really like the design of the apartment from the above.
Dolbanka Naher
last month
last modified: last month
I do not know if this thread is still alive, but sorry if I revived it accidentally as I just want to say that I really like the design of the apartment from the above. I and my family are moving soon to apartments near gramercy park east side Manhattan and I am very excited about that as we live currently in an old apartment and year by year we are having a lot of issues and the worst part is the landlord is landing us an apartment on the basement floor which is considered illegal at least in our are. Hope we will move soon to the new apartment and I will borrow some design ideas from your post, thanks.
loobab
last month
When you get your place, please put up a post.

Make small NYC apartment more interesting and homey

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