my NYC apartment

Life update…. I moved to NYC!

I have always wanted to be a fashion buyer, and let this be a reminder that dreams do come true. But yes, my apartment is tiny.

Luckily, one of my first jobs was working for an interior designer, so I picked up a few tips on how to elevate a space. Number one, work with your space, not against it. Second, everything needs storage.

So take it from a girl who works in fashion but has no room for a dresser…. here are the products that made my little place into a home.

Storage savers:

Amazon pop-up bed: this is the way to go if you’re moving to NYC. Beds with drawers under actually have less space and if you have a platform bed you have to crawl under it to get your stuff. This pop-up is amazing, has so much space, and you cannot see it from the outside. It stays up so you can keep it up for hours while you rearrange. So cheap on Amazon, the quality is amazing, and you can always swap it out for a cuter headboard like I did. This is the biggest essential if you are moving to NYC.

Storage ottoman- extra seating, storage, nightstand, decor. This is an all-in-one. Oh, and the inside lets you customize with tons of fabric options. Watch out for their sales- they have great ones frequently. I got mine on Memorial Day for 30% off.

Pop-up coffee table- This acts as storage, our coffee table, and our kitchen table. This is essential in making our living room functional.

Secretary desk- There was not space in my bedroom for my desk and I do work from home 3 days a week. I didn’t want my massive monitor to be part of our living room decor, so I opted for a secretary desk that would hide all my work stuff when I wasn’t using it. There are not a ton of options out there and trust me I did all my research. This one is awesome- it’s beautiful, provides enough working space, but does not take up a lot of room, and it’s very sturdy and functional. This was another absolute essential, and the quality is amazing for the price.

Magnetic shelves/paper towel holder- Saves so much room in the cabinets and on the counter. Easy and cheap fix!

Elevating:

Battery-powered sconces- Sconces make a room look permanent and professionally done. On these ones, I just charge the batteries. They save me space since I do not need a lamp on the floor and it doesn’t take outlet realestate. Amazon has tons of options.

Peel and stick wallpaper- Again, makes a room look professionally done. Peel and Stick is renter-friendly and elevates a space so much. I get so many compliments on this one. Katie Kime is an Austin company, and she makes toiles of multiple cities- Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, NYC, etc. Check them out. I also love the options from Chasing Paper.

Floating shelves- Just to display some knick knacks! Love mine from Amazon.

Roman shade- Again, these make a room look professionally designed. I custom-ordered mine on Etsy- you can pick the size and color. I also added a blackout liner to mine so my bedroom is dark when I go to sleep, and I love it. I think Roman shades look so clean, and they are not in the way like curtains can be, especially in a small space. There are cheaper options on Amazon as well.

Quality couch- I searched high and low for a couch I liked that would fit in our living room. I absolutely love the Jennifer Taylor ones and their customer service was amazing. I called and they even gave me the dimensions of the box so I could make sure it would fit through my door. It was a tight squeeze, but their delivery team was so kind and figured it out quickly with no complaints.

Container store bins- I have had these since high school and they are the best. I stack them in my closet and they act like my dresser. They are sturdy and I love that you can see what is in them from the outside.

Shoe rack- This is so cheap and I love it because it keeps them so neat and organized. You can stack them however you want, making it easy to conform to your spacial needs. I stack mine high so I can stack my acrylic drawers on top and have room next to it for my laundry hamper.

Plug-in light fixture- Adding a light fixture elevates a space so much. Ikea and Amazon have tons of plug-in options, so no hard wiring or electrician is required. I love the modern look of this one, and that you can swing the arms to your liking.

Bins- with a tiny closet, many bins are needed to store and organize under my bed as I rotate my closet seasonally. These ones are my favorites and budget-friendly.

Extras:

My trinket dish was a gift from a past job, but I’ll link it for anyone interested. It is from an incredible artist duo that makes homeware- the Haas Brothers,

Purse hook- have had this since my college dorm. Anthropologie always has a variation of it, and I just think it’s a cute and inexpensive touch. Etsy also has a ton.

Glass butterfly- This was a gift, but I love it and thought I would link it for anyone interested.

Favorite cups- I love these Mexican glasses, so thought I’d throw them in with the links!

ART:

Unfortunately, I cannot link most of my art, so sorry. Collecting art over the years from travels and friends is what makes it so special. My biggest art tip is to frame things you like that are not necessarily wall art.

Paris bandana- bought at Merci while studying abroad- got it framed

Black and white prints- got at an Austin Vintage market

NYC mini print- painted by a friend

Pink NYC cartoon prints- Grant Shaffer, bought at Fish Eddy’s in Flat Iron

My last home tip is don’t forget to check Facebook marketplace! It is absolutely amazing in the city. And getting furniture that is already built is a major plus of buying secondhand. (bought the green chair on FB- originally from West Elm)

click on each photo to shop