Living in a small space doesn't mean it has to feel claustrophobic. All you need to be is a little strategic. Creativity goes a long way when making your space feel bigger, but not out of character.
Whether you’re working with a full-home interior design in NYC or have that one room that feels more like a closet than a lounge, this guide will help you make your space look and feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting.
Understanding the Challenges of Small NYC Interiors
Living in NYC is truly an experience. From the constant humming, buzzing, and honks as an indication of life to the story and aromas each block carries, this city is not for the weak.
Despite all the chaos outside, you can organize, decorate, and personalize your NYC space by understanding its quirks to better enhance its flow and spaciousness.
Before you start interior design in NYC to maximize space, you need to understand the city's layout and what it demands. Aside from obviously being small, these are some of the most common problems you would deal with:
- Rental Limitations: Landlords don't allow long-term alterations, so renter-friendly design concepts like peel-and-stick wallpaper and removable hooks would help.
- Lack of Natural Light: While some apartments are blessed with natural light, others are shaded by taller neighboring skyscrapers. This is why you need to focus on design elements that create the illusion of openness.
- Unusual layouts: Sometimes, NYC apartments have awkward layouts. So, design with flow, ease of function, and adaptability in mind, without complicating it further.
- Not enough storage: Storage is a luxury most small NYC apartments lack. With limited space, every inch matters. You can opt for multi-functional furniture and wall-mounted shelving as innovative design solutions.
Best Tips for Making Small Interiors Look Bigger
Everything from the paint color you choose to how you arrange your furniture can influence the perception of your home interior design in NYC. So, here's what you need to make your space functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Capitalize on Natural Light
One of the simplest yet most effective cheat codes to open up a small space is to let it be blessed by natural light. Large windows can allow an abundance of light. You can swap heavy curtains for sheer ones or, better yet, ditch them altogether. And if you really want to double your sunlight, put a mirror near that window, making it a perfect spot for capturing those golden hour OOTD photos.
The Power of Mirrors
Mirrors have long been a secret weapon in the interior design of NYC. They are especially effective in smaller spaces. Install one across from a window or door and watch as it immediately creates the illusion of a larger room. Want to go all out? Try a full-wall mirror. They can work wonders in creating a sense of grandeur and openness.
Be Clever with Colors
You don’t need to paint your walls white like a hospital room. But soft, airy shades like cream, ivory, dusty pinks, pale blues, or sage greens can lift a space. These colors can almost feel translucent in sheer fabrics, accentuating the room without overwhelming it. The same goes for curtains, furniture, and even rugs.
ALSO READ: What is the Difference Between an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator?
Negative Space is Positive
You don’t have to push every piece of furniture against the wall like you’re playing musical chairs. Let stuff breathe! A little space between your couch and the wall? Let that be an intentional part of your home interior design in NYC. Give your room some breathing room, and it’ll return the favor.
Use Vertical Space
In small spaces, it’s essential to think vertically. Look up, and you'll notice a ton of space begging to be used. Tall lamps, framed furniture, or even wallpaper with vertical prints, like botanical designs, can help elongate the space and add depth. You can also hang your curtains higher than the window to add character.
Make That Corner Count
That random corner you keep ignoring? You can turn it into your new favorite nook. Please don't shy away from corners; they can be perfect spots for creating intimate, cozy corners in your home. Toss in a comfy chair, add a tiny lamp, or maybe a plant if you feel ambitious. This would give you a cozy reading spot or chill zone that didn’t exist five minutes ago.
Rethink Your Lighting
Small spaces can feel darker due to a lack of natural light or small windows. Which is why lighting can make or break a space. So, you need to leverage every opportunity you can think of to make the room feel well-lit. Instead of bulky lamps that take up precious surface space, go for wall sconces or hanging lights to prevent the area from looking cramped. They’re stylish and save space. This clever lighting choice will enhance the space's mood while keeping it organized. Mirrors and other shiny materials should be chosen to reflect light where suitable.
Be Bold with Entryways
Small entryways can still be grand. While light colors may seem like a good choice, thanks to your sofa-to-bed situation, the safe choice is to use stronger colors in your personality and depth in your home interior design in NYC. A cool mirror, a dramatic light fixture, and unique summer art pieces can set the tone for the home. If you have a narrow entryway, it can give your space a tunnel-like vibe. To avoid that, finish parallel walls in a contrasting fashion.
Think Multi-Functional Pieces
Multi-functional furniture is a lifesaver when working with a smaller space. For example, if your room barely fits a yoga mat, your furniture needs to be doing more than just looking cute. Go for pieces that actually do things. An ottoman that stores all your random stuff? Love it. Or perhaps a bed with drawers underneath so you don’t have to cram everything into your closet. It's even better if your coffee table has storage or your dining table folds up when you're not using it. It just makes everything feel way more put together.
Declutter, Reorganize, and Categorize
Small spaces feel bigger when they’re not drowning in stuff. Get rid of what you don’t use, organize what you keep, and find innovative storage solutions. Wall-mounted shelves? Hooks? Under-bed storage? Yes, yes, and definitely yes. Consider keeping the floors as clear as possible. Opt for high-level storage solutions like wall shelves and cabinets rather than bulky floor-standing units.
Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Small Interior
Many people fall for common misconceptions about interior design in NYC. In this section, we’re setting the record straight with a much-needed reality check.
Ignoring the Importance of Flooring Flow
You can visually chop up your space by using multiple flooring types. Yeah, you can add some rugs to some areas to define them. But if you use wood in one and tile in another, you'd be breaking up each space and making it look smaller. When working on small space interior design in NYC, continuous flooring helps create a more expansive and unified look, whether using hardwood, LVT, polished concrete, or any other flooring choice.
Neglecting the Ceiling
The ceiling is your space's fifth wall and prime real estate. But people often overlook it. When designing a small room, painting the ceiling a soft accent color, adding subtle paneling, or a unique light fixture can draw the attention upwards, elongating the room and making it feel more dynamic.
Single-Use Spaces
Why limit a space to just one use when you can double it by using the dining area as a home office, creating a little book nook in the living room, or setting up a bedroom corner for your early morning yoga session? This makes the apartment feel like you're making the most of what you have. This is also where multi-functional furniture helps. Got family over? The living room can become the guest room thanks to your sofa-to-bed situation.
Going Overboard with Statement Pieces
The joy that decor-drenched, maximalist living rooms or bedrooms can bring is unmatched. But you want to add drama, not clutter. While character is essential, over-accessorizing can overwhelm a small space. So, instead of using too many eye-catching, colorful, or statement pieces, go for one to two thoughtful, slightly oversized focal pieces.
Avoiding Art and Color
Small does not have to equal vanilla. While interior designers in NYC love neutrals, you should not be scared of injecting personality into your space. An oversized piece of art, funky wallpaper, and a unique light fixture can all add a visual anchor to the room, as long as you make it feel intentional. Once you find something you adore, whether it's a large vase or a small pillow, you can start creating the feel of your space from there.
Why Hire a Professional Designer for Interior Design in NYC?
When renovating or redesigning a small space in New York City, it might be tempting to think you can handle it independently. But from finding the right kind of storage to creating a personalized vibe, it can feel like a constant juggle. So, hiring a professional designer is the best decision you'd make for your interior design in NYC. Here's why:
- From narrow layouts in pre-war buildings to awkward plumbing lines and inconsistent natural light, every NYC space is different. Professional designers know how to understand these quirks and turn them into opportunities by designing around these structural oddities to create an inviting space.
- If your space doesn't quite fit the standard-sized pieces, such as a queen-sized bed, professional designers can create pieces tailored to your needs, helping you maximize every inch.
- Professionals help you avoid costly mistakes and save money by sticking to a budget. Thanks to trade discounts, they have insider knowledge on sourcing furniture, lighting, and materials at the best prices.
- From coordinating with contractors to handling deliveries and keeping the project on track, professionals don't leave projects half-done. As they finish everything on time, you can enjoy your home without the stress.
- They know the rules and regulations of NYC’s complex approval processes. They know how to work within restrictions and comply with fire safety and other codes, saving you from future headaches.
- When working on interior design in NYC, designers know how to maximize every square inch of a small space. Their job is to make every inch of space feel purposeful and well-designed. Their help makes the apartment feel bigger, brighter, and more clutter-free.
What to Consider Before Starting a Small Space Makeover?
Ask yourself a few questions before starting a new project. Many homeowners who dive into redesigning or renovating without pre-planning end up with regret. If you want your interior design in NYC to truly reflect your lifestyle, here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do You Own or Rent?
It's important to know if the changes you make can be permanent or not. If you own, you have more flexibility to make structural alterations. You can tear down a wall or install built-ins without a problem. But if you're renting, you must be more careful and focus on non-permanent solutions. To avoid making costly mistakes, it is smart to check your lease’s rules on what you can do with the interior design of your NYC space.
What’s Your Primary Goal for Your Space?
Not everyone wants to maximize storage in a small space. You might want to make your space more inviting for guests or turn your living room into a multi-functional space with a home office. Whether you're a serial entertainer or work from home, you need a functional space that works for you. When you focus on the end result, you can make more informed decisions.
What’s Non-Negotiable for You?
What's something you really, really want? Maybe it's several art pieces your best friend made for you that you want above the couch in the living room, or you can't do without a good amount of natural light. Whatever it is, know what your “must-haves” are before you start designing. This way, you can avoid getting distracted by trends and gimmicks and have a space that aligns with your needs.
How Much Time and Money Do You Want to Invest?
Whether you want to take on a project yourself or hire a professional interior designer in NYC, it is important to know how much time and money you want to spend on the project. It is essential because you're working on a budget and really don't have extra time to rework your space; experts can plan everything within your budget. If you’re working with a tight budget, they can suggest cost-effective solutions like repurposing existing furniture or choosing affordable design upgrades.
Bonus Tips
If you are looking for some instant inspiration, consider these bonus tips as a head start to your new interior design project in NYC before we wrap up.
For the Kitchen
- The key is to invest in show-worthy dishes and to create a dinnerware storage on a vertical space that doubles as an art display for them.
- Remove clutter from the upper cabinet to make the kitchen look clutter-free and airy.
- Put in a shiny black tile that reflects the room's light, helping the entire space feel larger.
For the Bathroom
- Add a corner vanity to save space and create an interesting focal point.
- Add softer lights to give the space a more sanctuary-like feel
- Be bold with your wallpapers, florals, animal prints, checkered, or anything unique.
Design with Love: Hire Cucine Design NYC
Look, your space doesn’t need to be huge to be amazing. It just needs to be something you love. While there are several hacks and tips, professionals know exactly what your space needs. After taking your insights, they combine them with their experience and expertise to build the space of your dreams.
With years of experience designing homes, Cucine Design NYC always focuses on understanding your needs. We would love to help you turn your small spaces into something beautiful, functional, and full of personality.
We take pride in offering home interior design in NYC, renovation, and new construction services, including planning and decoration, tailored to help you create a functional and beautiful space. Contact us for a fresh design concept for your small space.