Decorate an apartment with New York–size constraints

It can be tricky to decorate an apartment in New York City. We found stylish products to maximize space and brighten up your pad.

By Sarah Bruning Tue Oct 9 2012


So you’ve found an affordable NYC pad, but how do you decorate an apartment with limited space and funds? We found stylish couches, lighting, kitchen gadgets and more that tap into this season’s design trends while maximizing space.

RECOMMENDED: Find out where to live in NYC

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    Fretted folding tall corner shelf, $150, at Pier 1 Imports, locations throughout the city; visit pier1.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    Logan three-drawer storage table, $280, at Pier 1 Imports, locations throughout the city; visit pier1.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    IKEA Lerdal chandelier, $50, at IKEA, 1 Beard St at Ostego St, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-246-4532, ikea.com)

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    Elevate carousel utensil set, $50, at uncommongoods.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    Mixed enamel plates jewelry stand, $34, at Urban Outfitters; locations throughout the city, visit urbanoutfitters.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    Night and Day convertible sofa, $649, at urbanoutfitters.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    Over-the-door vanity station, $89, at urbanoutfitters.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    CB2 Carlson II tower, $199, at CB2, 451 Broadway between Canal and Grand Sts (212-219-1454) • 979 Third Ave at 58th St (212-355-7974) • cb2.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    CB2 Skyline rug, $299, at CB2, 451 Broadway between Canal and Grand Sts (212-219-1454) • 979 Third Ave at 58th St (212-355-7974) • cb2.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    CB2 Flip n Dine dining table, $499, at CB2, 451 Broadway between Canal and Grand Sts (212-219-1454) • 979 Third Ave at 58th St (212-355-7974) • cb2.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    CB2 Nucha vases, $15–$20, at CB2, 451 Broadway between Canal and Grand Sts (212-219-1454) • 979 Third Ave at 58th St (212-355-7974) • cb2.com

  • Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    CB2 Peekaboo clear nesting tables, set of three $199, at CB2, 451 Broadway between Canal and Grand Sts (212-219-1454) • 979 Third Ave at 58th St (212-355-7974) • cb2.com

  • Photograph: Markus Lista

    Zara Home Begonia pillow cover, $80, at zarahome.com

  • Photograph: Markus Lista

    Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

    Zara Home Billy baskets, $20–$36, at zarahome.com

  • Zara Home Dandy faux-leather pillow cover, $36, at zarahome.com

Decorate an apartment with these stylish products

Fretted folding tall corner shelf, $150, at Pier 1 Imports, locations throughout the city; visit pier1.com

You might also like

Television personality Katrina Szish (katrinaszish.com) and her husband, Brant Stead, a software executive, have both been renters for as long as they've lived in Manhattan. But that's never stopped them from renovating kitchens, putting up wallpaper, ins

Apartment tour: 1BR in the Financial District

Apartment tour: Studio in Midtown East

See more in Style & Design
Share your thoughts
  4. * mandatory fields

Apartments: Where to live in NYC

More advice on where to live in NYC