Size Matters: Maximizing Your Small Apartment
The first thing I would do is read the book Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. This book changed my life! Especially when living in a small Manhattan apartment, it is really important to keep visible clutter to a minimum, or else the entire space will seem off. The book does have some weird spiritual ideas that I don’t necessarily agree with, but I think from a psychological standpoint, it makes a good argument that clutter just makes a small space hard to love! (And this is coming from a former clutter bug!)
Once you have moved in, say to your Upper East Side Studio, it’s time to divide the space. Even if your NYC apartment consists of just one room, there are still things you can do to make a separate living or dining area. If you are allowed to paint, it helps to paint one area of the room a different (hopefully matching) color, and/or have a different type of flooring. This gives the feeling that you have entered into a new room! Another measure you could take to divide a space is a curtain that cuts across the room, or some kind of standing divider.
Of course, how you place the furniture is extremely important! Some people build lofts in their small New York City apartments to create a sort of second level. Another great idea is the loft bed, which is a bed that is raised up enough so another piece of furniture; usually a couch or desk can go under it. Just be sure you are not afraid of heights if you go with this option! In addition, smaller furniture can make a great difference. They have “Apartment” sized refrigerators, which are slightly narrower than a normal fridge. Instead of that huge full couch you have at your house in the suburbs, how about a nice love seat?
The color choices you use in the walls and furniture are also important. Dark colors make a space feel warm and cozy, which may not be the best choice for an already small space. Lighter colors make a space feel open and airy. Although often this choice is not up to you, having large windows and lots of natural light can make a space feel more open as well.
Ikea, the famous house & home store from Sweden, has some great ideas and suggestions for maximizing the use of space. I find that their style mostly uses very clean lines and simple, straightforward design, and that this is most effective when trying to make a small space feel good. Perfectly, they have a location right in Brooklyn that is easily accessible by public transportation.
Hopefully these tips will help you feel at home in your NYC apartment!
By Dayva Segal
Labels: apartments in new york, manhattan rentals, no broker's fee no credit check



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