Make small NYC apartment more interesting and homey
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:
Thank you for any and all help!
Comments (35)
Nancy Ansman
4 years ago
apple_pie_order
4 years agoRelated Discussions
NYC apartment reno
Comments (4)A combination of things make it more expensive. The main thing is just being in the city, and the challenges that presents to a contractor. They charge for that. In my building they can only work from 9am to 3pm, and have to be out by 4pm. My building (and many others) has very specific insurance requirements. I wouldn't be surprised if the contractors 'tipped' the super to make sure they have undisturbed access to the freight elevator. They have to pay for parking tickets. And, just based on my location, contractors assume they can charge more. All these things contribute to a much more expensive renovation compared to outside NYC. mightyanvil - you are absolutely right. I didn't even consider contractors who don't work in the city, and got one that has significant experience with NYC apt renovations. That experience doesn't come free though. Here is a link that might be useful: My NYC renovation...See MoreAnyone know of available garden apartments? (nyc area)
Comments (3)I'm sure you know that what you seek is a tall task indeed! I too have been spoiled having secured a garden apt. 4 years ago, at a time when I wasn't even interested in gardening! Now that I've come to realize the wonders of gardening and birding, I would find it very hard to give up, should I have to. In fact, since the building itself that I live in is not well-managed and in some ways has dangerous living conditions, I myself have also been looking for a new apt. over the past few years, and have only looked at apts. with some type of outdoor space. I'm not even picky about the space... I'll even take an alleyway, so long as it's something I can "claim", and so long as it can be configured to contain my cats, who enjoy going outdoors. But other than three apts. I saw in the range of $1500, which were nice enough that I CONSIDERED taking them (and then decided not to), everything else with any type of outdoor space was at least $1700, even if the apt. itself was a dump and/or the size of a shoebox. And I refuse to pay that. Right now I only pay $1000, for a relatively nice, large studio, with a totally private yard. But as I mentioned, other aspects of my living situation with regards to the building as a whole are not very nice. BUT, like many Manhattan living situations, I consider the good and the bad, and have decided that for the time being I will stay put, until such time as I find something better. Anyway, some suggestions for you. Post signs in areas you might want to live. I assume that like me, you'd take ANY type of outdoor space, even if it's not an "official" patio or what have you, so long as you can make it your own? Indicate this in your sign. Put up an ad on Craigslist. Sure, you'll get lots of spam from brokers offering apartments that don't meet your criteria, but you also might get lucky and find that someone has just what you need. Also, when it comes to terraces or porches, you can make them cat-friendly if you use your imagination. Perhaps put up plexi-glass walls around the perimeter of the terrace/porch. Or maybe some type of netting or chicken wire "walls". I for example have a yard surrounded by 8' high walls, but they were not high enough to prevent one of my cats from scaling them. Realizing that I could not allow this to continue without putting my cat's health in jeopardy, I came up with an idea that, together with my wonderful handyman friend, we implemented. He affixed L-brackets on the top of my cinderblock walls. The brackets were not at a perfect 90-degree angle... maybe 120 degrees or so. He then attached thin sheets of plexiglass to the brackets, so the end result was that at the top of the cement walls were sheets of plexiglass that angled in towards the center of the yard, so that when my cat looked UP or thought about jumping up the wall, he saw an obstruction sorts. It worked like a charm, and my cat hasn't been able to escape the yard since! (A picture is attached to give......See MoreThoughts on kitchen layout for small NYC apartment.
Comments (41)hello to all. Sorry for taking so long to respond, just returning after some time with the family in Michigan, where, might I mention, I could get some beautiful real estate for what we pay for a little apartment in Brooklyn. But that's not news to anyone. I have to say the thoughtful responses I've received on this thread, aside from being helpful, have warmed my heart. Ok, hope some of you are still out there. We're not yet certain where the dining area will go. The two obvious choices are by the doors to the patio or across from the kitchen. Either will work fine for the dining. The more important consideration is how we want to configure the living room. Sena01, I like what you did with that layout. (My favorite part is the door that leads to the idyllic green pastures outside, ah, if only. It actually goes to the bedrooms, but you couldn't know that as I left that part out.) There will be a door to the patio on the wall with the radiator. Do you still think the table would work there? The location of the island would in fact work better there as it would not be as close to the entry door. I have to see if the dimensions will allow that layout as when the architects did the drawings they didn't seem to be able to include the dishwasher. Cpartist. Funny you mention mocking up the design with boxes. I tried to build an island with cardboard. I'm no carpenter. It wouldn't stay up but I got some worthwhile raised eyebrows from my kids while doing it. The boxes are a much better idea. Nice thought with your placement of the fridge. We've thought a lot about that and would very much consider it if it weren't for the fact that there is a 10 inch column (that the architects left out of the drawing) at that end of the wall in the kitchen that would push any appliance forward about 5 inches. I love that it would allow us to get the oven as hidden as possible from the living space. It would mean, however, breaking with the clean lines of the cabinetry by about 5 inches. We won't know exactly how it would look until we start breaking some walls down, which I'm considering doing very soon because I can't stand trying to design this space not knowing the complete aspect of the room. I'd like to check out some design rooms to see what a 12 inch drawer/cabinet looks like. I do think we can squeeze and 18 or 20in island, however, that would allow the door to swing entirely open and would allow for us to enter without having to step around the island. By the way, you are all so good with these computer generated designs. What would take me a lifetime you seem to have little difficulty with. Can I ask what software you use? Hope at least some of you are still listening....See MoreNeed floorplan input for NYC co-op apartment
Comments (5)If you keep the stairs as is, you might consider using the entire space beneath them as storage space -- even the steps can be made into drawers facing the person walking up them and/or the storage can be accessible from the side. Consider the possibility of adding a shelf (with or without a hinge top door) around the room(s) above the windows for lesser used items (you'd need to have a (folding) steps tool or step ladder to access) -- books in open shelving in the living areas and, in the bedroom areas, winter items in summer and vise versa; holiday items; travel accessories, etc. BBQ tongs can help you retrieve a blanket from such shelves as fall turns to winter ... no step stool needed. Choosing vertical furnishings can give you more storage for less floor space used. A storage ottoman can do double duty as can some coffee tables. Using upscale wood filing cabinets for end tables and side tables can give you lockable storage....See More
katinparadise
4 years ago
everdebz
4 years agoCould 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 Infohttps://www.houzz.com/products/kaleen-hand-tufted-melange-red-wool-rug-8x10-prvw-vr~54045464
everdebz
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Safavieh Bohemian BOH637A 4'x6' Brown/Gold Rug · More Infohttps://www.houzz.com/products/safavieh-tala-hemp-rug-brown-and-gold-4x6-prvw-vr~51644611
everdebz
4 years agoSeveral hues, but neutral-ish --
Metropolitan Renne Rug, Multi, 8'x11' · More Infohttps://www.houzz.com/products/metropolitan-renne-rug-multi-8x11-prvw-vr~115593797
PROMDLN
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoeverdebz
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago- PRO
Theresa Janssen
4 years agodoods
4 years agoHU-161159613
4 years ago
PROBeth H. :
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoyou 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
4 years ago
decoenthusiaste
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoCan 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
Gcubed
4 years ago
tangerinedoor
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agosamondragon
4 years ago
recordaras
4 years agoretraite2012
4 years ago
bpath
4 years agoeverdebz
4 years agoJust 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, Fabric · More Infohttps://www.houzz.com/products/lumisource-gardenia-walnut-wood-accent-chair-green-prvw-vr~49396108
everdebz
4 years agoVery casual extra seating beyond white table? - a bench, just low contrast --- or in a color from new pillow ?
Brooke Long Storage Bench · More Infohttps://www.houzz.com/products/brooke-long-storage-bench-prvw-vr~114314870
ci_lantro
4 years agoeverdebz
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoIdeal 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 Infohttps://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
Gcubed
4 years agotangerinedoor
4 years agotangerinedoor
4 years agoPeaceOfHome
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Peter Rain
3 years agoloobab
3 years ago
partim