All the Best Furniture & Storage Hacks for Studio Apartments, According to an NYC Renter

The author, Ariana DiValentino, recently moved into a two-bedroom apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and sought the expertise of interior designer Lisa M. Cini, president and CEO of Mosaic Design Studio, to optimize the space for functionality and aesthetics. The apartment, located in a 1910 building, features high 12-foot ceilings but suffers from a small bathroom and kitchen, along with a notable lack of closets, leading to clutter in the main living area. Cini provided several recommendations to address these challenges. For the living room, which currently serves as storage due to the absence of closets, Cini suggested utilizing vertical storage solutions. Specifically, she recommended adding shelves or other wall-mounted storage above the gold bar cart located between two large windows. She also proposed installing racks above a wide vanity to hold accessories like scarves, belts, and jewelry. To combat the overall clutter, a significant suggestion was to consider a Murphy bed that converts into a couch, offering integrated storage. Additionally, Cini advised using under-bed storage containers, ideally with wheels for easy access, and suggested repurposing thrift shop finds with chalk paint to create a cohesive and fresh look. In the bedroom, where a queen-sized bed occupies most of the space, Cini recommended removing the footboard and replacing the elaborate bed frame with inexpensive bed rails to maximize floor space. To leverage the high vertical space, she suggested installing netting over the bed to create a more purposeful and inviting atmosphere. The small and narrow kitchen, typical of Brooklyn apartments, was another area for improvement. Cini’s advice included adding upper cabinets above the existing ones to utilize vertical space for seldom-used items. For the author's two cats, she proposed a cabinet with a pull-out bottom to discreetly store their food bowls between mealtimes. Further kitchen organization tips involved mounting mops and brooms on the wall to free up floor space and installing a wall-mounted spice rack near the stove to clear counter space. Painting the cabinets white was also suggested to create the illusion of a larger area. The very narrow bathroom also received attention. Cini recommended mounted wall storage to reduce clutter and take advantage of the high ceilings. She identified a significant space between the toilet tank and an existing shelf as an ideal location for additional storage for hair care and hygiene products. The small medicine cabinet above the sink was advised to be replaced with a larger mirror extending down to the sink faucet, which would not only be more functional for getting ready but also visually expand the space. For a design enhancement, Cini proposed replacing the existing half-wall tiling with vertical linear tile from floor to ceiling to draw the eyes upward, making the room feel taller and more spacious. Overall, the key takeaway from the interior design critique was the importance of investing in clever vertical storage solutions. By moving items off the floor and out of corners and onto walls, the apartment could feel more breathable and utilize the extensive empty wall space effectively. These changes aim not only to improve the apartment's aesthetics but also to enhance its functionality, making it easier for the occupants to navigate and find their belongings. The author acknowledged that some changes might require landlord approval or renter-friendly alternatives but expressed enthusiasm for implementing these storage-focused projects. #InteriorDesign #SmallSpaceSolutions #ApartmentLiving #HomeOrganization #VerticalStorage #DeclutteringTips #NYCRealEstate #BrooklynApartment #HomeRenovation

This article highlights eight clever, space-saving living room furniture pieces available on sale at Wayfair, ideal for maximizing floor space in apartments or any home. The selection focuses on furniture with integrated storage and multi-functional designs to help maintain a tidy living area. These items include various coffee tables with hidden compartments, a versatile sofa bed, a sectional with built-in storage, and a shoe storage cabinet. The featured furniture includes the Latitude Run Vesna L-Shape Space-Saving Upholstered Sofa Bed, which transforms into a sofa, chaise lounge, bed, and side table. It offers storage in its ottoman and armrests, along with side pockets, a cupholder, and a USB port, making it suitable for guest rooms or studio apartments. The Loon Peak Walnut Round Coffee Table With Hidden Storage is another highlight, a nearly 3-foot modern table with dual hidden drawers, crafted from manufactured wood with a walnut veneer finish for durability and a mid-century modern aesthetic. The Latitude Run Square Openable and Liftable Platform Coffee Table provides hidden storage and a lift-top mechanism, allowing for comfortable working or dining from the couch. Its white wood grain surface adds a warm touch while keeping clutter out of sight. For those with extremely limited space, the Ivy Bronx Yvelle Faux Marble Round Coffee Table With Hidden Seats is presented as a solution. This innovative coffee table features a faux marble top that conceals four hidden seats and additional storage drawers, allowing the seats to be tucked away when not in use. Further options include the Ebern Designs Modular Sectional Sofa With Storage and Cup Holders, designed for comprehensive living room functionality with discreet storage under its seats. The Bay Isle Home 30-Pair Rattan Shoe Storage Cabinet offers an elegant solution for shoe organization, blending seamlessly into living spaces. Additionally, the Ivy Bronx Modern Extendable Coffee Table With Four Drawers & Storage Shelf provides flexible storage and surface area, while the Ebern Designs Lift-Top Coffee Table With Hidden Storage offers a classic lift-top design with internal storage. Each piece is currently on sale, presenting an opportunity to enhance living room functionality and organization. #SpaceSavingFurniture #LivingRoomDesign #WayfairSale #HomeDecor #FurnitureWithStorage #MultiFunctionalFurniture #InteriorDesign #SmartHomeSolutions

The author recently moved into a new 500-square-foot studio apartment and sought space-saving furniture solutions to maximize the living area. The transition involved careful planning to optimize the compact space, leading to a search on Wayfair for multi-functional, storage-friendly pieces. The author expresses satisfaction with the chosen items, noting that they exceeded expectations once assembled in the new home. Among the editor-loved space-saving furniture and decor items featured, the Joss & Main Helene Storage Ottoman is highlighted for its luxurious feel, expensive look, and multi-functional design. Available in green velvet, it serves as extra seating, storage, or a side table with a tray, offering a similar aesthetic to higher-end brands like Pottery Barn and West Elm. This ottoman was chosen for its versatility and aesthetic appeal, proving to be a key element in managing a smaller living space effectively. The Latitude Run Pedestal Dining Table is another significant inclusion. It is described as a game-changer due to its ability to comfortably seat four people for hosting while remaining compact enough for a studio apartment. A notable feature is the hidden cupboard within its base, which provides discreet storage for plates, bowls, and glassware, making it both practical and visually appealing. The Bay Aisle Home Rattan Dresser Set addresses the challenge of fitting a dresser into a smaller New York City apartment. This set comes as two separate pieces, allowing for flexibility in arrangement—either as side tables or combined to form a six-drawer dresser. Its design offers substantial storage without overwhelming the living area and also functions as a stable base for a television. For bathroom storage, the Rebrilliant Naina Farmhouse Tall Corner Bathroom Cabinet proved to be an ideal solution. Despite the new apartment having less bathroom storage than the previous one, this slim corner cabinet fits perfectly into a bathroom nook, providing ample space for toiletries and accessories with its shelves, drawer, and cabinets. Its design appears almost custom-made for the space, demonstrating how a well-chosen piece can solve specific spatial constraints. Additional items on the author's wish list from Wayfair, currently on sale, include the Kelly Clarkson Home Sonia Upholstered Storage Bench, mDesign Seagrass Woven Cube Bin Basket Organizer, Kelly Clarkson Home Aarya Hand-Braided Jute Basket, and the Umbra Bellwood Over-the-Toilet Storage Organizer. These selections further emphasize the focus on functional yet stylish pieces that contribute to a more organized and spacious feel in a small apartment. The article concludes by encouraging readers to explore these and other Wayfair furniture deals, many of which are offered at significant discounts. #SpaceSavingFurniture #SmallApartmentLiving #StorageSolutions #WayfairDeals #HomeDecor #MultiFunctionalFurniture #StudioApartment #InteriorDesign

In the competitive New York City real estate market, closets are a highly valued amenity, often ranking in importance after kitchens and bathrooms due to the premium placed on storage space. However, when preparing an apartment for sale, closets are frequently overlooked in staging efforts. Many listing photos omit closet interiors, often because they are cluttered or overflowing, a common issue even after sellers attempt to declutter their homes. Professional organizers emphasize that this oversight sends a negative message to potential buyers. Kadi Dulude, owner of Wizard of Homes, warns that buyers will inspect closets, especially those in bedrooms and hallways. If these spaces appear cramped or disorganized, it can create the impression that the apartment lacks sufficient storage, deterring potential buyers. Janine Sarna-Jones, founder of Organize Me, highlights that the objective of staging is to reduce visual clutter and convey a sense of order and meticulous maintenance. The aim is to create an impression that living in the apartment will allow for an organized and stress-free lifestyle, distinct from merely organizing for personal use. Staging for a sale focuses on buyer perception, making the closet appear functional and spacious. Experts provide specific advice for staging different types of closets. For bedroom closets, the recommendation is to significantly declutter and reorganize. Dulude suggests packing away out-of-season clothing and items not regularly used, keeping only a curated selection of outfits. Attractive shoe collections can be displayed if a proper shelving system is in place, but most shoes should be stored away. The master closet, in particular, should be staged to evoke a sense of desire and spaciousness. Sarna-Jones advises editing hanging clothes to ensure ample space, removing items from the floor, and placing them on shelves. Color-coding clothes and ensuring all hangers face the same direction can enhance the visual appeal, making the closet seem organized and airy. Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers, recommends grouping similar clothing types, arranging them by length and color, and perfectly folding sweaters. Displaying a few high-end designer shoes or attractive accessories can add perceived value to the apartment. Zaslow also cautions against storing unrelated items in closets, citing an instance where a slow cooker was found in a clothes closet, which could raise buyer concerns about kitchen storage or the seller's state of mind. Beyond bedroom closets, other storage areas also require attention. Barbara Reich of Resourceful Consultants suggests treating a closet like a small room, advocating for visible walls to be wallpapered and light fixtures added to increase perceived value. She recalled a particularly impactful laundry closet with custom wallpaper that became a highlight of an apartment. For utility and coat closets, organization is key. Reich advises arranging coats by length and color, utilizing the space beneath shorter coats for shoe or accessory storage, and using monochrome white bins to neatly group cleaning products. Marty Basher, a home organization expert with Modular Closets, recommends removing at least 50 percent of closet contents and thoroughly cleaning the remaining space, including vacuuming corners, as buyers will often inspect these areas. If a closet appears dingy, a fresh coat of white paint can significantly brighten the interior and make it seem larger, especially for pantries. Linen closets can benefit from a spa-like presentation. Basher suggests packing away unnecessary items, editing out worn-out sheets and towels, and coordinating remaining linens by color. For fitted sheets, he recommends storing them with their matching flat sheets and pillowcases inside one pillowcase for a tidy package. White baskets can store extra toiletries, demonstrating functionality, and a lavender sachet can maintain a fresh scent. For children's closets, Dulude advises donating or packing away toys not actively played with, emphasizing that children adapt well without an excessive number of possessions. Sarna-Jones recounted a case where a child's closet was used for overflow adult clothing, which was rectified by decluttering the master bedroom and returning the child's closet to its intended purpose, creating a sense of spaciousness in both areas. Ultimately, staging closets effectively contributes to a buyer's perception of overall space, organization, and the care taken in maintaining the home. #ClosetStaging #HomeSelling #NYCRealEstate #StorageSolutions #HomeOrganization #ApartmentStaging #Decluttering #InteriorDesign #RealEstateTips

Chelsey Brown, an interior decorator and author of "Rental Style," transformed her 520-square-foot studio apartment in New York City's NoMad neighborhood into a Parisian-inspired oasis using renter-friendly hacks and DIY decor. Brown's approach to interior design stems from her observation of a gap in content specifically catering to decorating rental spaces. She focuses on maximizing small spaces through innovative storage solutions, furniture arrangement, and creative DIY projects. Her apartment features a combined entryway and kitchen area where she utilized peel-and-stick wallpaper and contact paper for a temporary yet stylish update. The entryway door is adorned with teal-colored peel-and-stick wallpaper, known for its easy removability, while the kitchen countertops and backsplash are revamped with blush-colored, marble-printed contact paper. This demonstrates a practical approach to personalizing rented spaces without permanent alterations. In the main living area, Brown employs large mirrors not only for aesthetic purposes but also as clever storage solutions. She stores spare artwork and purses behind these mirrors, emphasizing the importance of utilizing every available crevice in a small apartment. She suggests thinking of such spaces as functional areas. The strategic placement of layered mirrors also serves to create an illusion of a taller and more luxurious room, enhancing the perception of space. Brown's DIY projects are a cornerstone of her design philosophy. She created a unique squiggly mirror using a frameless mirror, wood or cardboard, and paint, detailing the process on her blog. This project exemplifies how custom, handcrafted items can add personality and functionality to a space. Another notable DIY is the wall-mounted TV makeover, where she installed wooden dowel panels on either side of the television using foam half-moon dowels, command strips, and paint. This solution adds visual interest and character, moving beyond the simple presence of a television on a wall. For furniture arrangement, Brown advocates for "floating" the sofa in a small space rather than pushing it against a wall. This technique helps create distinct zones within a studio apartment, making it feel less like a single room and more like a larger home. Behind her floating couch, she placed an acrylic console table with stools, which functions as both a dining area and a workstation for her DIY projects. Storage is further optimized by utilizing less obvious spaces, such as storing film equipment behind the radiator. To define her bedroom area within the studio, Brown used peel-and-stick wallpaper, a room divider, and a distinctive gallery wall. This gallery wall features layered picture frames that extend onto the ceiling, a creative and visually engaging element. To ensure safety, especially with items mounted overhead, she crafted the frames from cardboard and secured them with heavy-duty adhesive strips. Under her bed and in a white console, she stores kitchen items like pots and pans that couldn't fit in the kitchen, showcasing her commitment to versatile storage. Brown emphasizes that making a room feel larger and more open involves directing the eye strategically. She values originality over trends, encouraging homeowners and renters to develop unique design features that create a memorable impression. Her methods provide practical and visually appealing solutions for those living in compact urban environments, demonstrating how thoughtful design and DIY efforts can significantly enhance small living spaces. #InteriorDesign #TinyApartment #NYCRealEstate #SpaceSavingHacks #DIYDecor #RenterFriendly #StudioApartment #ChelseyBrown #HomeDecoration