Since the beginning of time, New York has been a place where people came to try their luck, to make it or break it, to see and to be seen. Most people know that - that is why thousands of them move to the Big Apple each year. But, since moving to NYC is so popular and since there are already so many people living there, homes there became very small and very expensive. Today, if you find a 550 square feet apartment that costs less than $2 million, you can consider yourself lucky! But, this raises a question - how does one live in such a tiny apartment? Well, one has to start using New Yorker's hacks! And, that will be our topic of the day. That is, today, we will share with you some simple hacks to make your NYC apartment look bigger even if it is really tiny.
Use Bright Colors
If your NYC apartment is dark, it will not only make the whole space look visually smaller but it will also make you claustrophobic. Luckily, there is a simple (and cheap) hack to make your NYC apartment look bigger - just replace dark colors with bright ones. For instance, you can start by repainting the walls. Use colors such as white, beige, light gray, etc. And, if you want to spice things up - use pastels.
The same thing applies to your walls, furniture pieces, and even decor. By using different DIY projects, you can repaint the cabinets in your kitchen and bathroom, you can change the upholstery on your furniture, etc. Moreover, if you have dark-colored curtains, rugs, pillows, and similar decor pieces, consider replacing them with something lighter too. You would be surprised at how much a touch of 'light' can make the whole apartment look bigger.
Add Mirrors
Most NYC apartments look smaller than they actually are because they don't have enough windows. That is, because of the lack of light, apartments tend to look dark, dull, and cramped. If your apartment is the one that fits this description, we know, you want to move. But, before you call Roadway Moving professionals, try this next hack of ours - adding mirrors. Adding a lot of mirrors to your walls can, believe it or not, make your NYC apartment look bigger!
As mirrors reflect the light, they will give the impression that you have more windows, and thus, that you have more light inside your home. And, we all know that light is what makes places visually bigger. So, give this a try. Get a couple of mirrors, place them on darker walls in your home, and look how they brighten the whole space.
Choose the Right Kind of Furniture
As previously mentioned, if you want to make your NYC apartment look bigger, you have to change its colors. And, the colors of the furniture are of key importance too. But, if you changed the upholstery, that is, if you changed the tone of your furniture pieces, but the whole area still looks cramped, you are probably using the wrong kind of furniture.
When it comes to furniture pieces in small apartments, bigger is never better. Thus, if you have some bulky pieces, get rid of them. Buy something smaller, and something more versatile. For instance, instead of having a coffee table, an extra seat, and a storage space, you can have one ottoman that serves as all that. And, instead of filling up your horizontal space, take advantage of the vertical space. Add hanging shelves, tall beds that have storage space underneath, etc. If you have no inspiration on what kind of pieces to use and how to use look for some DIY furniture projects online. The internet is full of creative ideas for small homes.
Let the Light In
We have mentioned this many times, but we have to do it again - the lighter your apartment is, the bigger it will look. So, remove those heavy blinds and let the light in. Replace the dark curtains with something light and airy. However, if your apartment doesn't have enough windows, that is, if it doesn't have many sources of natural light, you will have to turn to some other lighting hacks to make your small NYC apartment look bigger. Our advice - use artificial light.
Artificial light can be a great thing for your small apartment. If you use the right kind of lighting and place it in the right space, you can completely transform the look and the visual size of each and every corner of your apartment. But, don't be too strict - instead, play around with different lights and their positions until you find the perfect match. And, don't forget to be creative and unique too - for example, you can create some concrete pendant lights that will show how amazed you are by the concrete jungle you are in.
Stay on the Minimalist Side
You can change the colors of your entire apartment, you can change the furniture, and you can even add a couple of windows - but, all of that will be in vain if your apartment is cluttered with items. That is, no matter how much you invest in making some of the changes mentioned above, if it is full of stuff, your NYC apartment can never look bigger. Thus, you know what to do - declutter. Get rid of all unnecessary things. Sell them for some cash or give them to somebody in need. Keep only the things that you absolutely need!
Once your home is free of unnecessary items, everything will look bigger. And, not only that - when you are no longer cluttered with items, you will be able to breathe more freely and actually start enjoying your apartment. So, don't be afraid to be more minimalistic! Minimalism can bring your more space and more freedom. Give it a go. And, give a go to all of the previously mentioned hacks to make your NYC apartment look bigger - we assure you that they will all work.