New York City has a lot of fun and unique architecture that’s unlike any other city in the world – and that includes a variety of apartments. While there are newer buildings, the median age of apartments is actually 90 years old, and that’s a lot of history to work with.
Whether you’re living in modern construction or pre-war buildings, many New Yorkers want to put their own stamp on their homes to make them feel like their own. Below, we’ll cover simple, renovation-free ways to elevate your apartment, making it feel more polished and elevated without breaking the bank.
Simple Tips to Elevate Your NYC Home
Whether you own your apartment or you’re simply renting, decorating it will be key to making your space feel more like a home. Small upgrades can go a long way to upgrading its look and feel.
Better Lighting
Many homes come with overhead lighting. While convenient, they aren’t always the most aesthetic. Many common overhead lighting fixtures make your home look old, dated, and less sophisticated.
Lamps are an easy solution. Add lighting to your side tables or floor lamps in negative spaces within your room, like corners or behind furniture. The additional lighting will make your home feel more inviting and add some functional decor to your room.
While in most cases you can’t get rid of your overhead lighting, you can draw attention away from it by using different sources.
Thoughtful Furniture Placement
To maximize space, many opt to push their furniture against the wall. While the room may feel bigger, it can also feel lifeless. You have a lot of dead space in the middle of your room that you can’t really do anything with.
Instead, consider more thoughtful furniture placement.
- Float your furniture away from the wall. Make sure that your items face each other in an intentional way, creating a conversation area. Coffee and side tables are a great way to fill up dead space between large furniture items.
- Create a clear flow within your room. As you’re organizing, make sure that people have clear pathways to walk around. You don’t want to look so cluttered that you can’t navigate the room.
- Don’t forget to layer. If all your furniture is the same pattern and height, it can make your space feel sterile. Instead, use different colors and patterns. Your chairs can be different heights from your couch to provide visual dimension.
It’s a simple fix that can make a big difference in elevating your space.
Upgraded Textiles
Take stock of what textiles you have in your rooms. Things like throw pillows, blankets, and curtains are easy and affordable ways to transform your space.
- Curtains should slightly pool on the ground. Bonus tip – move your curtain rod or window treatments slightly higher than directly above the window for the illusion of higher ceilings.
- Leverage throw pillows liberally. You can use alternating patterns or coordinate them with your couch. They don’t all have to be uniform within a room. Alternate them by season to keep the room fresh.
- Drape blankets over the backs or arms of furniture. Not only will this help you fold them after use to keep the room tidy, but it will also help the space feel more cozy.
Too many hard surfaces can be jarring and make your NYC apartment look sparse.
Clutter Control
Clutter can instantly overwhelm a home, sending a clear message to anyone who visits you. It can make any space feel intimidating, with a literal mess looming over you – and even have negative impacts on your health.
Thankfully, you can avoid clutter with a few easy tips.
- Everything should have a place. If it doesn’t, you need to either find a home for it or get rid of it.
- Avoid impulse purchases. It can be tempting to buy something because it’s on sale or pick up a new chair from the curb, but if you don’t actually need it, let it go. All it will do is add clutter to your home.
- Keep surfaces clean. Put empty cups in the sink or hang up your coat instead of placing it on the couch. Don’t let small messes build up into big ones.
- Tidy at the end of the day. At the end of the day, do a quick pass through to tidy up and remove clutter.
You can trick yourself into cleaning up clutter. Set a timer to see how much you can do in 5 minutes, or if you’re going to another room, take something with you that belongs there.
Art
A carefully curated art collection can elevate any space. Here’s how to start.
- Choose the right size art for your wall. Make sure to balance the size with your furniture or other decor. You can also create a gallery wall.
- Avoid trendy or mass-produced items. This will quickly become dated, leaving your space feeling cheap.
- Mix and match pieces. Use different frame styles and colors. Alternate types of painting styles or pictures. Art that is too coordinated can come across as stale.
The art you choose to display on a wall is a clear reflection of who you are; if you don’t have any, that also sends a message.
Scent
Your sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses. The smell of something familiar can transport you back in time, while other scents can make you feel decadent. You want how your apartment smells to smell like your lifestyle.
- Deodorize surfaces. Rugs, couches, and chairs can all trap scents. Use a spray or sprinkle some baking soda on the surface and vacuum it up to remove odors.
- Light a candle. Candles, diffusers, and other scent boosters can help you elevate your home’s presence.
- Cook or bake. The smell of cooking or baking can instantly make your home feel better.
If you’re experiencing a bad smell, take out the garbage, throw an orange peel down the garbage disposal, or do a quick clean. Just be sure to avoid harsh chemicals, as they can be off-putting to some.
Small Styling Details
The little things matter when it comes to making your home feel expensive.
- Elevate your handles. Door and cabinet handles can provide a small intentional touch that’s noticeable.
- Integrate greenery. Even fake plants can bring life to an apartment.
- Utilize throw rugs. Rugs can be layered over old carpet to transform a space, just make sure the furniture is carefully arranged to make the most impact.
These small intentional choices show how carefully you’ve curated your space and that every detail is cared for.
Why Regular Upkeep Matters
Whether you’re just moving in or looking to overhaul your space, it’s not enough to simply set your home and forget it. You need to regularly maintain it top to bottom to help keep the space feeling elevated.
Regular upkeep and a clean, well-organized space can make even the smallest apartment feel:
- Intentional: The choices look as if there was significant thought put into it, instead of just what you happened to have or was on sale.
- Comfortable: Pillows and plush furniture can make your space look cozy, not cluttered.
- High-end: Your apartment will look more expensive if it is clean, decorated, and well-organized.
If your busy schedule doesn’t allow for regular maintenance, cleaning professionals can help. They can do the heavy lifting so you can focus on enjoying the space.
When To Call in the Professionals
White Glove Cleaner is here to help. We provide our clients with home cleaning tips and services in the New York City area.
We offer a variety of services, including move-in cleans, green cleaning, deep cleaning, and regular maintenance cleaning. We work with our clients to meet their cleaning needs when they need it and within budget.
Reach out today to schedule your first clean and experience the White Glove Cleaner way. You’ll quickly understand why we’re the premier cleaning company for all your needs in NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make Your Apartment Feel More Expensive Without Renovating?
Yes, there are small changes you can make in your apartment without extensive renovations, including moving furniture, adding artwork and texture, and removing clutter. Simple changes can make a big difference.
What Can I Do About My Lighting?
Overhead lighting can make a home look cheap. You can introduce table and floor lights to illuminate the space. With enough lights, you can avoid using the overhead lighting.
Is Quantity or Quality More Important to Make Your Home Feel More Expensive?
Your home should feel carefully curated, so focus on intentional choices. Coordinating fabrics, rich texture, and floating furniture all matter more than how much stuff you have in your apartment.