Living Large In A Small NYC Apartment : 10 Stylish Tips
Just because you live in a small apartment doesn’t mean it has to look and feel small. Instead, you can rely on some clever tricks that can have your small apartment feeing and looking more spacious in no time.
- Think Big: Most people think that having a small space means they have to have small pieces of furniture. Not so, in actuality sometimes a larger piece in a small area will give the appearance of more space.
- Go Glam: A lot of New York apartments have wonderfully high ceilings. There is a lot that can be done with a small room with high ceilings. One of my favorite ideas? Hang a chandelier – what girl doesn’t want a chandelier somewhere in their home? It can even be an inexpensive faux chandelier, hung easily with a small hook that doesn’t need a light attached! It’s all about the glamour and the effect. Of course a fully rigged up chandelier is equally awesome. Just think about your budget and your space and what will work best.
- Expand The Eye: A four poster bed in a small studio can give the impression of more room, because as the eye travels up and there is a sense of “wow, there is a lot of room here”. Of course, there are some basic rules with large pieces of furniture in a small space. Try to keep the pieces white or neutral in color to expand the eye.
- Light It Up: Just like with furniture, it’s also a good idea to keep the color palette neutral in a small apartment to create a feeling of openness and space.
- Get Artsy: To introduce color and personality add splashes of color with accessories that can really showcase your personality. One great way to do this is by changing artwork in the major seasons. Decorative changes in summer and winter are great ways to change the feel of your apartment without a lot of expense. Large canvases can be purchased on-line anywhere from Etsy to art.com which means you can change the feel of your home with just a click of a button. Being in New York City also gives you the chance to explore vintage shops and flea markets as well as indie art fairs and emerging artist galleries – there’s no limit to the creative pieces you can find in this creative city!
- Accessorize your apartment with fun cushions, fresh flowers, or bowls of fruit. In this fast paced world it really is important to stop and smell the roses. Every Sunday I walk down to my local bodega and buy super cheap fresh flowers for my home. It makes me feel so abundant, and my home positively shines. Also, have some key pieces that pop and draw the eye to specific areas of your apartment- even in a studio – is a clever trick to draw the eye around your home.
- Get Low: Another easy trick? Low-lined furniture is a great way to avoid the feeling of being closed in or feeling cluttered and overwhelmed.
- Reflect: Mirrors, mirrors and mirrors. Placed leaning and hung mirrors against give an instant sense of openness to any space. Ikea currently has great floor mirrors for $99 – a and less than the cost of a great pair of heels! The bonus with floor mirrors? No need for hanging simply buy and lean against a wall, of course if you have kids around always secure to the wall for safety. Also try to have the mirror grab a view if possible, even if its just showing off a well stocked bookcase or a piece of art, something attractive.
- Warm It Up: Another creative way to spice up a small apartment? A fire place for those who live in apartments. The electric flames simulate real fire and the mood it creates is unbelievable. Who then wouldn’t want to race home to a cozy apartment? They take up virtually NO room are super cheap to run and create the most wonderful illusion of space. Bought on-line delivered by courier couldn’t be easier.
- De-clutter! Finding a place for everything? Yeah right I hear you say! I know. Start small. It’s all about making your life less stressful. Knowing where things are helps your apartment and your brain. Have a laundry basket that is easy to access, that way you’ll put your laundry in it. Have hooks in your entrance way for your handbag when you walk in the door. A place on a small side table for your keys and cell phone. A place for the remote controls and other trinkets. A place where you always re-charge your cell phone….Give everything a home inside your home.
The Bed Challenge: One more tip that will have you feeling great when you come home? A made bed. Make your bed after you rise in the morning as it closes the previous night and feels fresh and welcoming for the next evening. It truly takes a minute yet the feeling is priceless. Do it for 21 days and see how different you feel? Make it with love, it doesn’t have to be a drag. I can feel resentful and rushed making it or I can feel really self-loving. Go on treat yourself and remember how precious you are…. You deserve a lovely bed to get into tonight.
Until next time sweet dreams.
| With a lifetime of experience as diverse as her ability to create magnificence in each transformation, Jane Brown is truly an artist. Jane learned the art of styling from a young age, growing up in a large family where her parents travelled the world for business, importing antique furniture and silver.With new and unusual pieces from the eclectic to the classic arriving frequently, Jane’s flair for integrating pieces to harmonise several personalities into one environment began to shine. Her father’s own words sum it up perfectly “Just give Jane a little bit of time and she’ll make it beautiful”. Today, Jane’s life experience has become her passion, as she brings her natural gifts and talent to the homes and offices of her many clients to create amazing transformations in their homes and in their lives. For more on Jane and her work go to www.janebrowninteriors.com |
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