How I Transformed My New York Apartment to be Personal and Functional

Everyone knows New York City is notorious for tiny spaces and exorbitant rent prices. While I consider my apartment to be a hidden gem (I have TWO closets!) I was constantly battling a messy room due to the fact that I just love stuff. I’m a self-identified 'maximalist' and avid fashion lover, but somehow had never infused a ton of personal style into my surroundings.

After spending eight months staring only at my blank and depressing walls -- thanks COVID -- I finally enlisted my friends to help transform my space. But when asked to explain my personal interiors style, I had nowhere to start. I loved all the insta-worthy apartments I saw with fluffy cloud couches, minimal aesthetic, and just the right amount of coffee table books, but I knew that just wasn’t me. While Instagram can be a great inspiration tool, I found myself super defeated. I wasn’t able to find a lot of images that felt like me because it seemed like everybody was just doing the same things.

 

Thank God I have a team of three friends with super strength. One is a 'type A' queen who loves to organize, another is a designer with seriously artistic taste, and the third is a solutions-based person who can brainstorm ideas I could never even think of (it also helps she works at a major interiors magazine). While completely overhauling my room, I learned some key takeaways in discovering my sense of style and how to make the most of your space -- no matter how small it is (spoiler alert: I also did it all for under $1,000).

DECIDE WHAT'S ON DISPLAY. 

The first realization was that I was majorly missing storage opportunities. My room always looked messy and cluttered because I had no hidden storage for things to become tucked away. Between a desk with no drawers and an overworked ladder shelf, I had things on display left and right. I wasn’t utilizing under-bed storage which I immediately designated for things I didn’t access a lot like extra towels and linens for guests (this option from Ikea is super affordable).

But, not everything needs to be hidden away! I lovingly call my collection of vintage purses “the girls'' and knew that I somehow wanted to display them. While this may be excessive to some, it perfectly matches my maximalist fashion sense. After a few Home Depot runs, we built custom shelves that can double as my purse storage and display. The result is somewhat of a purse wall but doubles as decor. The built-in shelves also act as a cozy alcove and create a “headboard” to ground the bed.

"A COAT OF PAINT GIVES IT WHAT IT AIN'T."

For some reason, it took a lot to get me on board to paint some of my room. For about $35, I painted a bright citrine alcove and shelves. You truly can’t get much more of an impact for that little. Sure, I plan on repainting it before I move out but waking up every morning to a bright sunshine color I’m obsessed with? Totally worth it. If you’re looking for an easy, fast, and inexpensive transformation, a coat of paint is your friend! Try out a trendy color, a statement wall, or even a geometric shape to completely transform your space.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS. 

When completing your room don’t forget the details -- but they also don’t have to push you over budget. I replaced the pulls on my nightstand and dresser (10 pack here for $14) so everything felt cohesive. To make my dresser feel a little more expensive and incorporate my color palette, I got a piece of wood cut from Home Depot and painted it to match. To complete the perfect gingham background to my puzzle frame, I bought a piece of fabric and dyed it to customize it. A coat of spray paint, dye, or new hardware can add the finishing touch or customization for an easy and inexpensive fix.

INFUSE PERSONALITY IN YOUR GALLERY WALL. 

By far the most expensive part of my room was building my absolute dream gallery wall. But I chose to invest in my art because it wasn’t just a bunch of Society 6 prints to which I didn’t feel a connection. Aside from printing photos of you and your friends, get creative when it comes to curating your gallery wall.

Here are a few things to include that go beyond your average prints:

Postcards

Silk Scarves

Art from Friends

Puzzles

Travel Souvenirs

Accessories

The number one thing I heard as feedback was, “Wow this feels so you!” My interior style will definitely change, but I’ll never regret investing in artwork I know I’ll carry from home to home.

New York City apartments get a bad rap for being small and overpriced, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get it to work harder for you. Optimizing space, infusing personality, and curating your style are just a few key parts to creating a space you love to be in. And after the last year, there’s nothing we all need more than a safe home base.

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