Whether you are an NYC native or just about to move to the city that never sleeps, you probably want your living space to reflect the great, restless spirit of this remarkable place. When you take into account that luxury home contracts are topping their pre-pandemic pace in Manhattan and the surroundings this spring, investing in attractive home decor can significantly raise the value of your new property in the long run. Not to mention you will be able to enjoy the renewed aesthetics of your New York home. For this reason, we will explore tips on how to approach decorating your NYC home this spring.
Reading up on a few popular interior design trends of 2021 can be a great alternative to major remodeling. Neat decoration can transform any living space, be it a new condo, a kitchen renewal, or innovations in your rental. This is especially true if you are moving into your new place. Delaying your move due to complex or time-consuming renovations can be troublesome for some. Therefore, you might want to look into the possibility of making up for it with attractive decor.
1. Be confident in your style
The crucial first step is to determine your interior decorating preferences. How can you figure this out? There are a few guidelines that can help. Do you prefer unique statement pieces or classic, simplistic furniture and decoration? Do you have a specific color preference or decorative style that could act as a thematic core of your home decor?
If you are still indecisive, then try to focus by relying on a single adjective that resonates with you. Think about the vibe you want your home to project. Do you like traditional, elegant, clean-cut decorations? Are you inspired by decor from the ’60s or ’70s? Do you prefer monochromatic or patterned? Ornate or minimalistic?
Choosing a decade, style, or adjective can help you focus while decorating. Photo by Alina Vilchenko from Pexels
Even if you decide to mix and match different styles and vibes, this exercise will help you explore your personal stylistic preferences. It will allow you to observe decor beyond what you are perhaps already familiar with. Start from what you know and like, and expand from there. This will give you a feel of what could work best.
2. Look for inspiration in NYC places and venues
Go for a walk around New York and try to take inspiration from your surroundings. Enter a historical building, go to a notable exhibition, drink a cocktail at a chic bar. It could be fun to take note of decorative pieces in these places and apply them according to your budget and preferences. A single leather armchair or artwork done by a local NYC artist can do so much for redefining your living space. By doing this, you will bring the city’s energy straight into your home.
Inspiration often hides in places where we least expect it. Photo by Martin Péchy from Pexels
3. Think in terms of spatial characteristics of your home
Decorating your NYC home this spring will be so much easier and more successful if you make your decisions through space planning. Some structural elements that may seem excessive or flawed at first might be your ticket to creating a unique and distinctive vibe in your home. So, take the characteristics of your home into account. Is there an unusual curve or corner you can draw attention to with a big plant or a small sculpture from your travels? Will your current furniture look out of place due to the size of the home? Asking yourself these questions will be of tremendous help.
4. Rearrange the furniture
You can freshen up your NYC home this spring by rearranging the furniture that you already have. Interestingly, people usually disregard scales when they are used to a specific layout. Although you might be used to your huge, cozy sofa occupying one part of your bedroom, it could instead give a new lease of life to your larger living room.
Joan Brothers of Manhattan Boutique Real Estate said “Highlighting one piece of furniture and adding a splash of color can make a room come alive! We see it all the time in apartments in NYC”.
You might even consider moving out some pieces for a few weeks in order to test whether your home looks or functions better. Have items transferred from your home to storage for the time being and play around with the freed-up space. If this seems like unnecessary work you don’t have time for, know that hiring professional movers will make this task significantly easier. Remember that space is almost always scarce in NYC, so a storage unit will surely come in handy.
5. Do not go overboard
Cramming your space with decor from your old place could be a death sentence for a tiny NYC condo. People who are used to a lot of square footage often tend to have a hard time settling into New York’s comparably limited apartments.
Additionally, scaling down your furniture will make the relocation and decoration of your home much less stressful, time-consuming, and costly. So, be sure to pack and move only the items that fit into your new living space. Ask your movers for specific advice on what you might do without based on their experience. A longstanding moving company such as Simplify Valet Storage & Moving can give you the guidance you need when moving into and decorating your NYC home.
6. Rely on paint to do the hard work
If you plan to change the color of your walls, choose the hues wisely. Interior designers are highly strategic when using colors. Refreshing your walls is also relatively cheap, considering the benefits it can bring to your home. Not to mention it will feel really good to enter spring with a fresh environment and outlook.
Fresh, vibrant colors can transform the place completely. Photo by Huseyn Kamaladdin from Pexels
7. Explore less popular options
It is a common misconception that you have to spend a lot of money to get quality home decor and furniture. Nowadays, even lower-end home furniture companies make attractive pieces and decorative elements. Furthermore, you can find or order unique artwork and decoration from artists and cobblers that are not so well known in the NYC area for decorating your NYC home this spring.
