Functional Apartment Design for Tiny NYC Apartments

A tiny apartment doesn’t have to be terrible. Living in a smaller apartment helps reduce your impact on the environment and tends to keep you from buying unnecessary things that clutter your space. When working with a tiny apartment, the function must come before form, but you don’t have to skimp on style.

Choosing smart shades makes your life more convenient and helps you make the most of the space in your NYC apartment. Automated shades allow you to eliminate cords that take up space and make your tiny apartment look cluttered. Smart shades are also ideal for hard-to-reach windows. Pairing automation with low-profile shades like roller or Roman styles will increase saved space and give your windows a sleek, chic appearance.

You have to get creative when you don’t have the luxury of ample storage space. Ottomans and coffee tables that open to offer storage are easy ways to add storage. You can also use ottomans as extra seating. Utilize vertical space in your apartment with shelving or tall, narrow bookcases, and don’t overlook corners in a room. You can place a large plant, a corner-shaped desk, or small armchair with an accent table in most corners to add some style and function to these underused spaces.

If your apartment has low ceilings, consider using some of these tried-and-true design tricks to make it look taller.

• Decorate using light colors and consider an ombré look that uses darker shades at the bottom and lighter ones at the top. This will draw the eye upward and make the ceiling feel taller.
• Use a bold rug to bring attention to the opposite surface in the space.
• Create a gallery wall and hang pieces at various heights to give the perception of height.
• Put vertical lines to work for you. Whether on your window treatments or with wallpaper, these lines draw attention toward the ceiling, making it look higher.

It’s no secret that the proper lighting is essential for aesthetically appealing apartments of all sizes. Natural light is also preferable when it’s available, and sheer shades are a fantastic way to control light and privacy without making your apartment too dark. When the sun goes down, layers of light are the best way to keep your apartment from feeling cramped. It may seem counterintuitive, but a large glass chandelier is fantastic for tiny apartments. It offers overhead illumination, and the glass construction blends in with the ceiling to give the illusion of more space.

Are you ready to bring your tiny apartment to life? So are we! Janovic is the city’s leading dealer of Hunter Douglas window treatments and Benjamin Moore paint, and our designers can offer advice and inspiration ideas for every style. Stop by one of our many showrooms across New York City or book an in-home consultation today.