How do you decorate a small apartment (400 sq) in NYC?

Question

I am moving to New York on Feb. 2007, I have never lived in an apartment or small spaces. So I need ideas in how to arrange the furniture and decorate the space. Also are studios a very common living space in NYC?

Answer 1

I just answered a similar Q yesterday,,,and lived 6 years in NYC attending NYU. I was in the East Village, in a basement apt. likely 400 sq. ft. approximately.

Downsize your life, but not your ideals.

Modest, minimal, are two words I'd use.

Size furnishings to be comfortable, yet not things you'll fall over in the dark. Stay away from more furniture than you actually need.

You might even look into some type of fold up bedding,,, but personally I detest Futons. Create lighting from above, not with floor or table lamps. Shelving EVERYWHERE.

Because it's a small place, and your time there actually will be spent in a very small space,,,IE: Chair, bar, stool etc, doesn't mean it has to be anything but SMALL in appearance. It can still be crafted to your tastes, and decorating it can be with prints to hang, colors of paint, carpet, a decent but modest entertainment system,,,etc.

I told the person who asked a similar Q... It may have been a small apartment, but just outside my door was ALL of NYC.

Rev. Steven

Answer 2

Hello, first off I am actually envious of you b/c I have always thought it would be a blast living in NYC. Secondly, wow that is pretty darn small. I watch House Hunters all the time, and I'm pretty sure that studios are very common there.

My suggestion, since it will pretty small, is keep everything you put in there simple, and I think you should also pay attention to keeping the rooms as spacious as possible to give it the feel that the apartment is big and roomy. The studio will close in very quickly if you add a lot of furniture, etc. Also light colors on walls will help. I hope this is good advice for you!!! Good luck with the new apartment!!!!

Answer 3

Use your own sty;e and taste..dont put the furniture right on top of each other..This closes the room..Space things so that your living area looks and feels bigger than it really it. I live in a very small place as well. i am always rearranging for a new look and new feel..as for the studio being common in NYC I am not sure. I do know apartment living is very common in NYC. I actually live in NC, but I talk to people on a daily basis all over NYC.

Have a good Day and good luck

Answer 4

If you do not already own furniture and are on a budget, I recommend that you go to Ikea. They have small furniture that's affordable priced. Assembly is your job, however most of it is designed to assemble with an adjustable wrench and screwdriver. The holes are pre-drilled.

Studio apartments are small. If you are the least bit claustrophobic, it could be a problem.. Beds in a studio are usually pull downs, so you need to leave space for that, when planning your furniture. If you haven't seen the place, you might be better off seeing it before you buy furniture.

Because of the cost of living in New York City, studios are more common there, than in most urban areas.

Answer 5

Pick one item you really love, like an art object or a piece of furniture. Use this as your theme piece and pick other things to match it. Also, consider your lifestyle. If you like having people over, how can you create seating surfaces? Modular, collapsable furniture? Big pillows on the floor? Your table will be an important multipurpose table. An Ideal one for a small space is one that folds down. Also consider the possibility of living upstairs. If you are in a building without elevators, you will need to keep it light. Avoid space gobblers like coffe tables or end tables. Nesting tables are a good choice. If you have large massive heavy furniture, you might want to sell it. A great place to furnish and equip a city apartment is IKEA. They even offer information in the store and on line for furnishing small multipurpose places. I am not in any way associated with them and am not advertising, I am speaking strictly as a consumer. Finally go for a few good kitchen items. Stay out of the dollar stores because this is a way to unwittingly start accumulating clutter and things that break or wear out easily. Go for a few quality pots, pans, utensils and dishes. The less stuff you have, the more space you will have.

Anyway, Good luck in the Big Apple.

Answer 6

Multi-functional furniture and furniture which stacks/folds away so that you can free up space when you want to.

For example, a coffee table with sorage underneath the table top, or a foot stool which you can put you magazines and stuff inside.

Lighting can really affect the way the space looks. Using a variety of lamps can:
change colours,
create illusion of space,
highlight different areas &
enhance moods.

Combat clutter as well. Learn about what you own: what do you really need to keep and where can you put them.

That will mean buying some practical and appropriate storage - which is so cheap nowadays (like stacking boxes etc).

Answer 7

Studios are very common in N.Y. Where to start. You'd have to have a sofa that doubles as a bed. You could either use end tables on the side or nightstands, which are great for storage, and just as good as far as decor. Use a computer desk as your t.v. stand as well as your computer monitor. Someone you know should be able to help you hook that up. It is also possible to purchase a coffee table that doubles as storage as well. My favorite colors to put in a smaller room are neutral. The sofa, keep it light, maybe a beige. Keep the wood colors generic. Either go with maple, cherry or mahogany. You might even be able to add a small, colorful chair to the bunch. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

I've always thought studios are very nice. Yours is small, but do-able. Keep your colors light, and use "convertible" furniture. Have a futon or sofa-sleeper for your bed and sitting area. Have one chair for a guest, and just a small-medium sized TV. Use a bistro table with 2 chairs in the kitchen. Keep your blinds or curtains open when you're home so you don't feel cramped. The darker the room, the smaller it seems. Remember: Less is Best. If you have a lot of "stuff" it will build up in there, making your studio look smaller than it really is.

Answer 9

small places can be decorated if you remember to take advantage of every single area. You can take advantage of this by having items that serve dual purpose. Example: Your coffee table can be both a table and if you place shelves underneath, you can put away books, CD, etc. That way you can use that empty space. Use the walls and put shelves up. Use tubs under the bed, you get the idea right? If you utilize all the room, you can still make the best of a small area.

Answer 10

Sounds like Steven knows what he is talking about...........I would like to add that why not try and get a piece of paper and draw the room as you know it.............A sofa bed might be an idea, and use it as a sofa when you have guest visit...I would find a corner for a floor lamp though , maybe next to the sofa bed.......Lots of shelving is a good idea he had also.....Maybe a bookcase on a wall would help........Since this is not until Feb, 07, Perhaps you have a room now )(living room) maybe that you could rearrange as your apt will look (wing it a little) pretend something in your living room now is the table, the ?, whatever,,,,,Play with it a little...Good luck!

Answer 11

Studios are common in NYC.

Go to Ikea and get the Loft Bed Frame. This is higher than the top bunk of a Bunk Bed. You can have you bed up over your head. Underneath you can have a desk or sofa (Futon). Put your TV on the Wall with a Bracket kit that you can also get at Ikea.