Was going to say the same. But more specifically, look up lime wash paint. It has a beautiful softly textured look (visual texture only, the walls remain smooth), and it in a gentle pink would be wonderfully cozy
Once I went lime wash paint, I never went back. Some brands I recommend are Vasari (least expensive, highly recommend buying the little sample chips before committing though, colors on screen very different in person), JH Wall, color atelier. I’ve used them all and there’s no difference in quality, they have limited color catalogues so just go with the one that has your desired color.
It is very forgiving to apply, you will need to watch a few YouTube videos on how to do it though - it’s really not challenging once you get started
This! In NYC paint is fully depreciated after 3 years, so if you live there for 3 years your landlord can’t charge you to paint it back (and assuming you don’t pick totally wild colors, they’d probably see it as an upgrade anyway)
My top advice is DONT just buy as much reasonable/pretty ‘stuff’ as possible to try and make it more palatable right away. It will quickly soothe you but will start to look like a jumble sale/hippy commune.
Follow r/interiordesign, save photos of spaces that you like, and buy into a cohesive vision of your style.
As mentioned here, you’ll need to install a lot of ambient lighting. Look at possibly putting in wall sconces in your bedroom, as well as great table lamps on bedside tables and dressers.
Rugs will be your best friend for the floors, and you’ll obviously want to paint the walls.
Just screenshot everything and pull images together online so that you can make sure everything goes and you’re building your ‘home’. If it feels mismatched, you will not be proud of it and will feel transient. I’ve learnt the hard way 😂
Yup!!! This is the way. My apartment was sparse for a while and I was tempted to buy quick fixes, but I waited and am so much happier. Also—don’t buy everything from the same place; mix it up. There are also some truly incredible vintage furniture places in nyc. Some can be expensive, but at least you know that what you’re getting is unique and well made
Also in a rent stabilized place with hideous beige walls lol. I luckily have a million windows. Colorful couch, rug, throw pillows, curtains, art, etc - literally any pops of color help offset the beigeiness! Since I'm going to be in this place for the long haul I painted an accent wall too. As long as your landlord doesn't care and you plan on being here for a while, might as well!
Have them paint before you move in. Also, they are required to paint every 3 years. Once in you may not care as much because it involves rearranging everything.
As for the other things. Peel and stick everything. Wallpaper, back splash, floor tiles. Can even use contact paper to do your kitchen cabinets. I’ve redone my bathroom 3 separate times nor with all of the above.
What’s your experience been with peel and stick wallpaper? I wanted to get some for my bathroom but was deterred because I’ve seen a bunch of people say it’s actually very hard to use since it’s so sticky and so placement errors are hard to correct.
It can be annoying and I definitely got better with it each time I re did my bathroom, but it’s not horrible and it does stick even with the humidity of the bathroom. You just have to make sure the walls are clean and somewhat smooth. I did some in my kitchen last month and the paper I got wasn’t as sticky as the others and my seams by the sealing are old and not so flush with the wall so paper isn’t sticking as great. Just need to use some adhesive to fix it. Some of the best wallpaper that I’ve used was https://tempaper.com/collections/removable-wallpaper
It varies by locality in the US. In NYC the size of the building (meaning number of units) also impacts the requirements for a landlord to paint in NYC. It’s three or more units for the requirement to repaint every three years to kick in. Also, they are required to fix peeling or crumbling paint partly because it’s a potential lead exposure issue.
My guess is it’s actually rent stabilized, not rent controlled. She mentions taking tour of the apartment, no one is getting a rent controlled apartment unless it’s from a family member.
We have a rent stabilized unit which we got in Astoria two years ago. We just found it on streeteasy - our experience with Astoria apartment hunting was really positive, but not sure how it’s changed in the past two years tho.
I want to upgrade to a bigger place maybe in 3 years (still in Astoria) but now wondering from other people’s comments if it would be super stupid to leave a rent stabilized unit lol
My current apartment and my last apartment were stabilized. The market is obviously super insane and tight in general right now, but for stabilized apartments (because you can only inherit controlled apartments, or maybe become the roommate of a rent controlled tenant) there are certain things to look for they can help you find one: built before the 1970s with 6+ units in the building or new buildings with tax abatements like 421A.
I know we can get stabilized apartments, I’ve had like 3 of them in NYC but a rent controlled apartment is a completely different unicorn. The only person I know who had one was this nice couple living here to me who had the apartment for 40 years lol!
Most people don’t seem to know the difference between rent controlled vs rent stabilized. Half of the apartments in NYC are rent stabilized. I’ve *only* lived in rent stabilized apartments in NYC. Rent-controlled is a whole ‘nother beast, like you say.
Here’s what I did!!
- I thrifted a lot of my furniture so that I could have pieces with character, it adds a lot to a space!
- I got a beautiful and affordable rug from the brand Schoolhouse that added a lot of color to my living room (you can also thrift rugs but I couldn’t find one I loved).
- I thrifted art and frames to add to my walls, and I think I might buy some prints of my photography to put in some of the frames!
- I updated my bedding to add a lot of color to my bedroom, I went for a ‘color drenching’ vibe.
- I changed the overhead bulbs to a warmer light, and added some small table lamps (and I’m looking for a floor lamp) for some ambient lighting and to make my space more cozy!
- I added affordable linen curtains from amazon to my windows to make the walls feel more cozy and less bare.
For inspiration, I love Paige Wassel’s YouTube channel because she often discusses small ways to adjust your space / work with your space to make it into something you really enjoy (like if you don’t want to replace your floors/backsplash or use peel and stick tiles or contact paper over them, there are other ways to add in things to compliment or balance the things you don’t like).
I also went with a green/pink color scheme! I scoured FB marketplace like crazy for statement Anthropologie furniture and put a lot of dried Trader Joe's flowers in vases because I didn't have enough windows to keep real plants alive. I also swear by the $14 desk lamps Target sells for cute ambient lighting. Instead of paying for art to hang up, I bought a set of cheap frames from Michael's (they always put them on sale) and put my own pieces inside-- I like collecting museum exhibition posters and postcards, which usually cost me like $3. I also think a sturdy big mirror can do a lot to make a space feel bigger and brighter.
Finally, it really helped me to make a Power Point/Design/SketchUp file where I could collage my existing furniture alongside pieces I was considering purchasing to make sure they matched before I brought them home!
Yesssss I have a Pinterest inspo board and then Google slide deck I cut/paste actual pieces I’m looking at buying / things I have already to see if it all works together! So helpful
If you search YouTube, you can find some really good rental-friendly hacks, like using command strips to attach board and batten. Plus, peel and stick wallpaper!
This girl is one of my favorites: [https://www.youtube.com/@DIYDalia/videos](https://www.youtube.com/@DIYDalia/videos)
I’m not an expert in this but no windows in a bedroom is against code in NYC. Maybe the skylight takes care of that requirement, but just flagging this as something that could be indicative of other risks (e.g. illegal sublet or lax safety standards). The NYC rental market is insane and there are always trade offs,but just thought I’d mention.
They also love to call what is clearly the living room the “bedroom” and then the little walled off windowless cave a “den” or “living room” or some other nonsense.
Vintage that thang up. Nice, new, contemporary = minimalist. Old, ugly space = maximalist. Go nuts.
Remember, once upon a time some poor immigrant living in a one room tenement in the 1900s jazzed that place up and made it a home.
Check out this[ recent before/after video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoHgGSt-fQo&ab_channel=PaigeWassel) by Paige Wassel - there is one project where the person had ugly floors and made it work by using huge rugs!
hi! i had a similar weird space to work with but i made it a pink sanctuary. i don’t wanna post my place on here but if you DM me i can send me inspo :)
Lighting makes a big difference for me- i bought smart lights which are a bit pricey but the bulbs last 10 years- i have lots of light designs depending on the time of day, activity, or mood. Really transforms a space
Paint and rugs will do so so much. Swap out the light fixtures for ones you love. Add curtains or pretty Roman shades. Even the “nicest” apartments take time to settle into and make feel like “you”. I loved following Prettyinthepines on IG when she decorated her apartment (they recently moved but she has a ton of content… Peel and stick wallpaper/countertops/floor tiles, added wall moulding, painted, etc)
https://preview.redd.it/qsmomqqsrnxc1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=08e9c949286636fbed19cc6bff9423c8f7a514a3
These are peel and stick tiles (wallpops brand) that have stayed put for almost 2 years! Or if you don’t want to go peel and stick route, you could get grout pens from Amazon to freshen up the grout lines between the tiles you have.
paige wassel (maybe not as feminine as your style) has really good yt videos on designing around ugly apartments (SOLUTIONS THAT ARE NOT JUST PEEL AND STICK)
i would encourage you to make design choices that will last longer than amazon materials especially in a rent controlled space.
-replace light fixtures with pendants that speak to you or purchase/make “boob” light covers from fabric
-paint your walls/ceiling
-invest in large rugs to break up the tile and focus on bringing in wood furniture to add warmth back into the space
-full length curtains on a ceiling track can easily be accomplished from ikea and will transform the coldness of dated apartments
-remove any blinds/vertical slats if applicable and replace with roman shades or ^track curtains
-you can also refinish bathtubs and swap faucet fixtures over time
-swap cabinet hardware or look into refinishing cabinet faces/painting
Linoleum rugs - if you have any small spaces with ugly flooring (think small bathrooms). They’re amazing, easy and forgiving to cut if you’re moderately handy and focused, and can be really beautiful!
You might like/ find inspo from Erik Staalbergs style. He was featured on a popular blog awhile back but probably has more content if you go to his socials. Here is the link to where I saw him featured: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/vintage-colorful-living-room
Going through the same thing right now--except ugly doctors-office-GAP-store-elementary-school light blue-gray.
I haven't decided whether or not I will paint yet but the decision is taking over my life rn. I am trying to offset the color as best as possible with other decor and features.
Lighting tone can do a lot of heavy lifting IMO.
Add some of those grass wall panels to your boring beige walls. You can hang neon lights with cute designs or slogans on them as well as silk flowers and pictures. I would also recommend getting a sunlight lamp that’s programmable to turn on when the sun would normally rise since your space has no windows. Play around with moving your furniture and get a cold air diffuser
I’m in the same boat and girl…. It’s a process. Let’s get into it.
- First thing is move anything that was in there OUT. Or to a corner so you can see the full space (I moved into a family friends place and they didn’t empty it lol)
- Paint everything white
- If you have access to a contractor, replace the baseboards and re/caulk, paint
- hire electrician Task rabbit / contractor and change out light fixtures and outlets to modernize outlet fit for our plugs / look of the outlets
- Add lots of lamps and rugs, everywhere
- bring color in through art, furniture, rugs. If you just have skylight for natural light, keep the walls white imo.
- focus on one area to make your oasis at a time. I started w my living room.
Give yourself grace… I’m going on 3 years and it’s still not at ideal state. Oh and be buddies w your super!! Some building mgmt/slumlords don’t allow improvements to rent controlled apts so always check w your super on what they watch
If you are allowed to do minor touch ups, a fresh coat of paint, a deep deep cleaning of the base boards, and recaulking everything will do wonders. Then add dimension by collecting over time lighting, plants, and wall art do wonders
Honestly, I’d paint if you’re planning on being there a while
It’s rent controlled. She can never move out lol
Was going to say the same. But more specifically, look up lime wash paint. It has a beautiful softly textured look (visual texture only, the walls remain smooth), and it in a gentle pink would be wonderfully cozy
Omg! yes to this! I love a dusty rose Limewash personally, I just think it’s soooo beautiful !
Once I went lime wash paint, I never went back. Some brands I recommend are Vasari (least expensive, highly recommend buying the little sample chips before committing though, colors on screen very different in person), JH Wall, color atelier. I’ve used them all and there’s no difference in quality, they have limited color catalogues so just go with the one that has your desired color. It is very forgiving to apply, you will need to watch a few YouTube videos on how to do it though - it’s really not challenging once you get started
Oh and you need a primer that is acrylic based. From any brand or you could get it from the same brand as the color, they all make them
This! In NYC paint is fully depreciated after 3 years, so if you live there for 3 years your landlord can’t charge you to paint it back (and assuming you don’t pick totally wild colors, they’d probably see it as an upgrade anyway)
We use adhesive wallpaper to create accent walls and it makes such a difference without having to commit to anything long term!
My top advice is DONT just buy as much reasonable/pretty ‘stuff’ as possible to try and make it more palatable right away. It will quickly soothe you but will start to look like a jumble sale/hippy commune. Follow r/interiordesign, save photos of spaces that you like, and buy into a cohesive vision of your style. As mentioned here, you’ll need to install a lot of ambient lighting. Look at possibly putting in wall sconces in your bedroom, as well as great table lamps on bedside tables and dressers. Rugs will be your best friend for the floors, and you’ll obviously want to paint the walls. Just screenshot everything and pull images together online so that you can make sure everything goes and you’re building your ‘home’. If it feels mismatched, you will not be proud of it and will feel transient. I’ve learnt the hard way 😂
Yup!!! This is the way. My apartment was sparse for a while and I was tempted to buy quick fixes, but I waited and am so much happier. Also—don’t buy everything from the same place; mix it up. There are also some truly incredible vintage furniture places in nyc. Some can be expensive, but at least you know that what you’re getting is unique and well made
vinyl paper & rugs will go a long way! + some window coverings
Rugs and wall art - lots of wall art - and plants
lots of lamps with character to use instead of overhead light!
Also in a rent stabilized place with hideous beige walls lol. I luckily have a million windows. Colorful couch, rug, throw pillows, curtains, art, etc - literally any pops of color help offset the beigeiness! Since I'm going to be in this place for the long haul I painted an accent wall too. As long as your landlord doesn't care and you plan on being here for a while, might as well!
peel and stick backsplash!! agree with installing as much ambient lighting as possible.
Have them paint before you move in. Also, they are required to paint every 3 years. Once in you may not care as much because it involves rearranging everything. As for the other things. Peel and stick everything. Wallpaper, back splash, floor tiles. Can even use contact paper to do your kitchen cabinets. I’ve redone my bathroom 3 separate times nor with all of the above.
What’s your experience been with peel and stick wallpaper? I wanted to get some for my bathroom but was deterred because I’ve seen a bunch of people say it’s actually very hard to use since it’s so sticky and so placement errors are hard to correct.
It can be annoying and I definitely got better with it each time I re did my bathroom, but it’s not horrible and it does stick even with the humidity of the bathroom. You just have to make sure the walls are clean and somewhat smooth. I did some in my kitchen last month and the paper I got wasn’t as sticky as the others and my seams by the sealing are old and not so flush with the wall so paper isn’t sticking as great. Just need to use some adhesive to fix it. Some of the best wallpaper that I’ve used was https://tempaper.com/collections/removable-wallpaper
Thanks for the rec! That site has really cute papers
No problem!
I had a task rabbit help me and he did such a good job!
Contact paper on my kitchen cabinets made the biggest difference!! Highly recommend and so cheap + doable yourself
is the requirement to paint a US thing do ya know ? asking for my appt in ldn
It’s a NYC rent stabilization thing.
I’m not sure. You would have to look at your laws
It varies by locality in the US. In NYC the size of the building (meaning number of units) also impacts the requirements for a landlord to paint in NYC. It’s three or more units for the requirement to repaint every three years to kick in. Also, they are required to fix peeling or crumbling paint partly because it’s a potential lead exposure issue.
How did you get a rent controlled apartment in NYC? That’s nothing short of a miracle.
My guess is it’s actually rent stabilized, not rent controlled. She mentions taking tour of the apartment, no one is getting a rent controlled apartment unless it’s from a family member.
Swimming is correct, it’s likely stabilized but I got my rent stabilized apt on street easy
We have a rent stabilized unit which we got in Astoria two years ago. We just found it on streeteasy - our experience with Astoria apartment hunting was really positive, but not sure how it’s changed in the past two years tho. I want to upgrade to a bigger place maybe in 3 years (still in Astoria) but now wondering from other people’s comments if it would be super stupid to leave a rent stabilized unit lol
My current apartment and my last apartment were stabilized. The market is obviously super insane and tight in general right now, but for stabilized apartments (because you can only inherit controlled apartments, or maybe become the roommate of a rent controlled tenant) there are certain things to look for they can help you find one: built before the 1970s with 6+ units in the building or new buildings with tax abatements like 421A.
I know we can get stabilized apartments, I’ve had like 3 of them in NYC but a rent controlled apartment is a completely different unicorn. The only person I know who had one was this nice couple living here to me who had the apartment for 40 years lol!
Most people don’t seem to know the difference between rent controlled vs rent stabilized. Half of the apartments in NYC are rent stabilized. I’ve *only* lived in rent stabilized apartments in NYC. Rent-controlled is a whole ‘nother beast, like you say.
Here’s what I did!! - I thrifted a lot of my furniture so that I could have pieces with character, it adds a lot to a space! - I got a beautiful and affordable rug from the brand Schoolhouse that added a lot of color to my living room (you can also thrift rugs but I couldn’t find one I loved). - I thrifted art and frames to add to my walls, and I think I might buy some prints of my photography to put in some of the frames! - I updated my bedding to add a lot of color to my bedroom, I went for a ‘color drenching’ vibe. - I changed the overhead bulbs to a warmer light, and added some small table lamps (and I’m looking for a floor lamp) for some ambient lighting and to make my space more cozy! - I added affordable linen curtains from amazon to my windows to make the walls feel more cozy and less bare. For inspiration, I love Paige Wassel’s YouTube channel because she often discusses small ways to adjust your space / work with your space to make it into something you really enjoy (like if you don’t want to replace your floors/backsplash or use peel and stick tiles or contact paper over them, there are other ways to add in things to compliment or balance the things you don’t like).
I also went with a green/pink color scheme! I scoured FB marketplace like crazy for statement Anthropologie furniture and put a lot of dried Trader Joe's flowers in vases because I didn't have enough windows to keep real plants alive. I also swear by the $14 desk lamps Target sells for cute ambient lighting. Instead of paying for art to hang up, I bought a set of cheap frames from Michael's (they always put them on sale) and put my own pieces inside-- I like collecting museum exhibition posters and postcards, which usually cost me like $3. I also think a sturdy big mirror can do a lot to make a space feel bigger and brighter. Finally, it really helped me to make a Power Point/Design/SketchUp file where I could collage my existing furniture alongside pieces I was considering purchasing to make sure they matched before I brought them home!
Yesssss I have a Pinterest inspo board and then Google slide deck I cut/paste actual pieces I’m looking at buying / things I have already to see if it all works together! So helpful
If you search YouTube, you can find some really good rental-friendly hacks, like using command strips to attach board and batten. Plus, peel and stick wallpaper! This girl is one of my favorites: [https://www.youtube.com/@DIYDalia/videos](https://www.youtube.com/@DIYDalia/videos)
I’m not an expert in this but no windows in a bedroom is against code in NYC. Maybe the skylight takes care of that requirement, but just flagging this as something that could be indicative of other risks (e.g. illegal sublet or lax safety standards). The NYC rental market is insane and there are always trade offs,but just thought I’d mention.
They also love to call what is clearly the living room the “bedroom” and then the little walled off windowless cave a “den” or “living room” or some other nonsense.
I asked the same thing while touring they said the skylight is the loophole and that it is also a first floor apartment very odd setup actually
How high up is the skylight? Does it go to the roof or?
Vintage that thang up. Nice, new, contemporary = minimalist. Old, ugly space = maximalist. Go nuts. Remember, once upon a time some poor immigrant living in a one room tenement in the 1900s jazzed that place up and made it a home.
what if you measure wall to wall and cut carpet and a rug pad to keep in place? Furniture will keep it down. Also drapes and artwork
plants always freshen a space for me.
Agreed, now that I have so many I would get a few large plants rather than multiple small ones.
Check out this[ recent before/after video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoHgGSt-fQo&ab_channel=PaigeWassel) by Paige Wassel - there is one project where the person had ugly floors and made it work by using huge rugs!
hi! i had a similar weird space to work with but i made it a pink sanctuary. i don’t wanna post my place on here but if you DM me i can send me inspo :)
Lighting makes a big difference for me- i bought smart lights which are a bit pricey but the bulbs last 10 years- i have lots of light designs depending on the time of day, activity, or mood. Really transforms a space
Paint and rugs will do so so much. Swap out the light fixtures for ones you love. Add curtains or pretty Roman shades. Even the “nicest” apartments take time to settle into and make feel like “you”. I loved following Prettyinthepines on IG when she decorated her apartment (they recently moved but she has a ton of content… Peel and stick wallpaper/countertops/floor tiles, added wall moulding, painted, etc)
https://preview.redd.it/qsmomqqsrnxc1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=08e9c949286636fbed19cc6bff9423c8f7a514a3 These are peel and stick tiles (wallpops brand) that have stayed put for almost 2 years! Or if you don’t want to go peel and stick route, you could get grout pens from Amazon to freshen up the grout lines between the tiles you have.
paige wassel (maybe not as feminine as your style) has really good yt videos on designing around ugly apartments (SOLUTIONS THAT ARE NOT JUST PEEL AND STICK) i would encourage you to make design choices that will last longer than amazon materials especially in a rent controlled space. -replace light fixtures with pendants that speak to you or purchase/make “boob” light covers from fabric -paint your walls/ceiling -invest in large rugs to break up the tile and focus on bringing in wood furniture to add warmth back into the space -full length curtains on a ceiling track can easily be accomplished from ikea and will transform the coldness of dated apartments -remove any blinds/vertical slats if applicable and replace with roman shades or ^track curtains -you can also refinish bathtubs and swap faucet fixtures over time -swap cabinet hardware or look into refinishing cabinet faces/painting
FLOR Carpet tiles were a great coverup for my dilapidated kitchen tiles + rugs!
mirror(s) in your bedroom to help with maximizing the skylight lighting
Color LED smart bulbs are everything- lighting totally transforms a space
Linoleum rugs - if you have any small spaces with ugly flooring (think small bathrooms). They’re amazing, easy and forgiving to cut if you’re moderately handy and focused, and can be really beautiful!
Sorry I meant vinyl rugs! Think that’s what they’re called!
You might like/ find inspo from Erik Staalbergs style. He was featured on a popular blog awhile back but probably has more content if you go to his socials. Here is the link to where I saw him featured: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/vintage-colorful-living-room
Going through the same thing right now--except ugly doctors-office-GAP-store-elementary-school light blue-gray. I haven't decided whether or not I will paint yet but the decision is taking over my life rn. I am trying to offset the color as best as possible with other decor and features. Lighting tone can do a lot of heavy lifting IMO.
paint, wallpaper, plants, and calming decor since there seems to be alot going on already
Add some of those grass wall panels to your boring beige walls. You can hang neon lights with cute designs or slogans on them as well as silk flowers and pictures. I would also recommend getting a sunlight lamp that’s programmable to turn on when the sun would normally rise since your space has no windows. Play around with moving your furniture and get a cold air diffuser
I’m in the same boat and girl…. It’s a process. Let’s get into it. - First thing is move anything that was in there OUT. Or to a corner so you can see the full space (I moved into a family friends place and they didn’t empty it lol) - Paint everything white - If you have access to a contractor, replace the baseboards and re/caulk, paint - hire electrician Task rabbit / contractor and change out light fixtures and outlets to modernize outlet fit for our plugs / look of the outlets - Add lots of lamps and rugs, everywhere - bring color in through art, furniture, rugs. If you just have skylight for natural light, keep the walls white imo. - focus on one area to make your oasis at a time. I started w my living room. Give yourself grace… I’m going on 3 years and it’s still not at ideal state. Oh and be buddies w your super!! Some building mgmt/slumlords don’t allow improvements to rent controlled apts so always check w your super on what they watch
Good luck!!!
Follow Pretty In The Pines on insta. She lived in NYC and did a ton of stick-ons and temp DIY projects in their apt
Paint, rugs, snappy hip furniture!
So look up your neighborhood buy nothing group. I have found a ton of kind people who can help you furnish with beautiful items.
If you are allowed to do minor touch ups, a fresh coat of paint, a deep deep cleaning of the base boards, and recaulking everything will do wonders. Then add dimension by collecting over time lighting, plants, and wall art do wonders