Whether you’re fresh out of college, just flown the nest, or even just got out of a relationship, whatever your reason is for getting an apartment in NYC, you know you have to furnish it right.
This is a new phase in your life and it could get overwhelming and exciting. You have the opportunity to redecorate your new place as you are about to redecorate your life. The possibilities are endless! Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Plan ahead. If you’re still looking for a place, this is a great start. You really have to know how much you can spend on a new apartment. Know that having a place of your own can significantly affect your financial status. If you can pay for it by your lonesome, that’s good news. If you can’t, don’t force it. You can always look for shared apartments, or rent a smaller space that’s within your means. Budgeting plays a key role when you take on the responsibility of having an apartment in NYC. You can always save up for your own place as you work on getting financially stable. And once you get yourself a new place, then.
- Mind the space. It’s not practical to have a lot of things when your apartment space is just the size of a closet. You need your space, a place to breathe. If you have too much furniture, how will you achieve that? Clutter has negative effects in both the home and psyche. It creates stress and makes doing household work difficult. Not only that, it will give you a hard time to move around, leaving you with less wiggle room to go about your daily routine (e.g., no space for your morning exercise, the horror!). So keep it minimal and always bear in mind that less is more. This gives you more control of your life, keeping you on track for the life you want. When you downsize, you’ll find that the feeling of being restricted and overwhelmed that you had when you moved is gone, and you will start to look forward to the possibilities of making your NYC space truly your own. You’ll find that life is sweet again.
- Be economical with furniture. When dealing with small spaces, multifunctional furniture is the way to go. Not only will you save precious space, but you may even inspire others to do the same, too. You’ll find tons of ideas online in sites like Pinterest and Instagram because, in this age, everything is digital, while Facebook, Craigslist or Amazon are great places to shop for pieces, depending on your budget. Make sure to look for information like dimensions as this would already give you a clear picture of whether or not a piece of furniture goes well with the available space (remember tip no. 2). Reading reviews from customers also come in handy to help you make an informed decision before purchasing major items.
- Learn how to repurpose. And no, we’re not talking about your life’s purpose (though that would probably help, too). For example, an old broken piano can become a work desk in your new place, or something else that strikes your fancy. If you have old furniture, consider upcycling and repurposing them rather than selling them. You can save a lot of money by doing this instead of buying new furniture. Again, Pinterest is your best friend when it comes to ideas. You’ll never know—someone might even want to buy what you made. If you’re not that creative, don’t fret. There are DIY guides aplenty to help you along.
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/22025485657641378/
- Most importantly, put your stamp on it. Don’t forget that these are your stuff. Go crazy if you want to. As long as you’re comfortable and it fits your aesthetics, go for it.Remember that the most important thing is that you feel at home in your new NYC home. This will be your place of sanctuary, your hideaway, and where you will be spending your time until you move on to the next phase of your life. Make it your own.
