The first time I walked through my now-home, I was underwhelmed. Nearly every inch of the Brooklyn one-bedroom was painted a jarring shade of bright white (and I do mean every inch, including the bathroom's painted wall tiles), not to mention the cramped floor plan left a lot to be desired. My husband, on the other hand, saw the potential. With some convincing, lots of preplanning, the removal of one temporary wall, and a bit of trial and error, we've turned what was once a blank slate into a colourful nest. There are still a few items left on my home-decor wish list [1], but I'm thrilled with the results so far.
Ahead, I've broken down some of my favourite fun and functional pieces we've tracked down to fill our cosy New York apartment. From unique small-brand finds to affordable hidden gems from Target [2], there's a little something for every city dweller on this list.
Dining Room
This is our third apartment together and the first that was spacious enough to accommodate a dining table. We splurged on the table and lighting fixture, but all the other decor pieces were relatively affordable, including some secondhand gems (like the mirror and wine glasses).
Rugs USA Vaquero Macchiato Faux Cowhide Off White Rug
To be honest, I didn't exactly notice that theVaquero Macchiato Faux Cowhide Rug [4] ($109) came with gold-fleck accents when I hit the "order" button, but I've come to love the added detail. My main concern was that they would peel off the second I vacuumed, but they've held strong for five months and counting.
Wayfair Basics 15" Table Placemat
The exact placemats are no longer available, but the Wayfair Basics 15" Table Placemat [5] ($18) option gives you the same pop of colour at a reasonable price point.
AllModern Avers Upholstered Side Chair
We have six of the Avers Upholstered Side Chair [6] ($171 for two), and they're so comfortable.
Estelle Coloured Wine Stemware — Set of 6 (Mint Green)
We found our green wine glasses at Dobbins Street Co-op, a secondhand shop in Brooklyn, but this Estelle Coloured Wine Stemware, Set of 6 [7] ($175) in mint green is a solid dupe.
Kallan 16pc Dinnerware Set
I initially wanted a colourful set of speckled dishware, but I'm glad we landed on this neutral shade. It ties together nicely with our green glassware, and the Kallan 16pc Dinnerware Set [8] ($100) packs a lot of value.
CB2 Terrazzo Pillar Candle Holders
These Terrazzo Pillar Candle Holders [9] from CB2 ($35) added a touch of the terrazzo trend to the space without committing to an expensive piece.
LittleLoveHome Colour Block Hanging Planter
Hard-to-kill pothos plants fit perfectly in these playful Colour Block Hanging Planters [10] ($34) from Etsy. One hangs in our kitchen, and another is mounted near a workspace.
Kitchen
Green kitchen cabinets aren't for everyone, but they make the space feel homey and tailored to our personal tastes. We hired a pro to take these on, because I'm a firm believer that DIYing isn't always worth the trouble. Hire people who know what they're doing, and pay them what they're worth; odds are high you won't regret investing in something you look at every single day.
Clare Paint in Avocado Toast
We ordered a few samples of different green shades, but this dusty-green hue from Clare paint was the winner. You can order Avocado Toast Paint Colour [11] ($54) in both interior and cabinet finishes, so we used the same shade for an accent wall to tie it all together.
Hot Mesh Barstool
These Hot Mesh Barstools [12] ($259) from BluDot were a splurge, but they make the kitchen space. The open back gives our narrow bar seating setup feel a bit more open and airy. Plus, I love that Blu Dot is a truly design-focussed brand that cares deeply about quality.
Katie Kime New York Dinosaur Print
We're a Brooklyn family now, but we had to have some traces of Manhattan throughout our space. This Katie Kime New York Dinosaur Print 8x10 [13] ($18) adds a playful piece of the Upper West Side's American Museum of Natural History to the kitchen.
Food52 x Farmhouse Pottery Double Oven Mitt & Apron Gift Set
My husband is the chef in our house, so I gifted him this Food52 x Farmhouse Pottery Double Oven Mitt & Apron Gift Set [14] ($118) a few months ago. I love it because the oven mitt looks great draped over the oven handle, and he loves it for its more functional purposes.
Chantal Anniversary Yellow Tea Kettle + Reviews
Our canary-yellow teapot is a beloved hand-me-down from my husband's parents that we leave out on the stovetop as a pop of colour. This Chantal Anniversary Yellow Tea Kettle [15] ($40) from Crate & Barrel is practically identical.
Reading Nook
My husband and I battle over who gets to occupy this chair. It's the perfect place to set up camp with a book and a cup of coffee in the morning.
Bornn Multi Swirl Rectangular Tray
We store one Bornn Multi Swirl Rectangular Tray [16] ($35) on the above desk to organise our candles and matches. We liked it so much, we bought another one in the blue colorway to use on our bedroom vanity.
Amazon Ivinta Modern Accent Arm Chairs Set of 2
We found our blue velvet chair on Amazon a few years ago, but we've made it work in multiple spaces because it's so simple. This Ivinta Modern Accent Arm Chair [17] ($150) is a great substitute, and the open back adds a cool midcentury detail.
Etsy Faux Baby's Breath
Keeping fresh flowers around is amazing, but popping bundles of these very convincing Faux Baby's Breath Bundles [18] ($16) in colourful vases is an easy, affordable swap. We keep them on our desk in the living room and another vase on a shelf in the kitchen.
Living Room
We knocked out a wall in our living room and were left with this column in the middle of the space. We added some decorative pieces to make it feel a little more intentional. Side note: my mother-in-law bought us the Remodelista book stacked on the table in this photo, and it's probably the most useful housewarming gift we received!
Hannah Bould Small Ceramic Vase
I could spend hours scrolling through Trouva's unique homewares, but these Hannah Bould Small Ceramic Vases [19] ($48) immediately caught my eye. We use one to store pens, pencils, and scissors and another as decoration.
Living Room
Our gallery wall is still in process, but we love that it's a mix of pieces made by friends, gifts from family members, and affordable prints we picked out together.
Cold Picnic Cow Pillow
We try to frequent local businesses whenever we can, so I jumped at the chance to add the coolCow Pillow [20] ($65) from Brooklyn-based Cow Picnic to our supersimple accent chair.
Reed Wilson East Coaster Coasters (Set of 4)
We always get compliments on these East Coaster Coasters [21] ($38). They make great gifts, too!
Mercury Row Racette Square Cotton Velvet Pouf Ottoman
I'm short, so I'm a fan of puffy cube ottomans with a little more height than round options. We found our exact style at HomeGoods, but this Mercury Row Racette Square Velvet Pouf [22] ($135) is basically the same, with a luxe fabric finish to boot.
Artfully Walls Blue Chair Print by Kate Lewis
We're not afraid of vibrant colour, so this Blue Chair by Kate Lewis [23] ($39) print was a no-brainer purchase.
Artfully Walls Paris Print by Misato Suzuki
This simple but charming Paris Print [24] ($102) from Artfully Walls is a favourite.
Threshold Extra Large Round Wire Decorative Storage Bin
Target's Extra Large Round Wire Decorative Storage Bin With Handles [25] ($25) is perfect for storing throw blankets.
Amazon Modkat Litter Box
We're not ready to splurge on an automated litter box just yet, mostly because the Modkat Litter Box [26] ($90) does such a great job of keeping litter dust and trackage contained. We keep it tucked behind the couch in the living room, and we never notice smells or stray mess. I recommend this box to all my fellow cat parents!
BravenityHandcrafted Farmhouse Bathroom Shelf
The Farmhouse Bathroom Shelf [27] ($39) stores our AirPods, sunscreen, and sunglasses in an easy-to-see place.
Bathroom
We totally redid our bathroom, and it's now one of my favourite rooms in the house. Swapping silver hardwares for matte black finish and adding a graphic floor tile made a major difference in the overall feel.
CB2 Nel Brass Medicine Cabinet
We did our research on medicine cabinets and ultimately landed on the Nel Brass Medicine Cabinet [28] ($329) because of its unique curved shape and solid interior storage space.
Stella Nero Encaustic Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
We kept the bathroom to a black-and-white colour palette, but these Stella Nero Encaustic Porcelain Floor and Wall Tiles [29] ($10/square foot) add eye-catching detail.
Uchino Waffle Hand Towel
I never thought I'd have strong feelings about bathroom linens, but I'm a huge fan of the Uchino Waffle Hand Towel [30] ($14).
Makeup Vanity
A classier person would call this a "makeup vanity" with a straight face, but I've dubbed it my "getting-ready station." I'm still on the hunt for a rug I can put under a chair with wheels, but having a dedicated space to store my beauty products is a game changer.
West Elm Audrey Mini Desk
The Audrey Mini Desk [31] ($319) is the perfect size for a small vanity. I use the two surprisingly spacious drawers to store clips and various tools.
iHome Hollywood Pro Vanity Mirror With Bluetooth & USB Charger
The iHome Hollywood Pro Vanity Mirror With Bluetooth & USB Charger [32] ($250) makes me love getting ready for the day. I play podcasts through the speaker and use the adjustable light settings to make sure my makeup doesn't look too harsh.
Article Svelti Aloe Green Office Chair
At such an affordable price point, I was surprised to find the Svelti Aloe Green Office Chair [33] ($69) is actually comfortable and sturdy. This was one of the best-value purchases we made for the whole apartment.
Bedroom
Our bedroom is a work in progress, but there are a few pieces in this corner we've recommended to friends and family.
Artfully Walls Float Print by Jon Kopacz
A framed print of Float by Jon Kopacz [34] ($37) hangs across from our bed, so we can drift off to sleep thinking about pretty cloudscapes.
Arched Gold Mirror
I hunted for a sturdy, full-length mirror that wasn't horrifyingly expensive and landed on this Arched Gold Mirror [35] ($250) from World Market. Fun fact: World Market is full of hidden furnishing gems!
Hudson Stripe Black Rug
Our two cats have designated themselves as Rug Destroyers in Chief. We were thrilled to find the Hudson Stripe Black Rug [36] ($199), a pet-resistant option from Ruggable. So far, it's stood its ground against some seriously sharp claws.
Umbra Conceal Wall Shelf Set
We have a few of these Umbra Conceal Wall Shelves [37] ($25) to store our ever-growing book collection.
Lofgren Metal Round Multi-Tiered Plant Stand
I love that the legs on this Lofgren Metal Round Multi-Tiered Plant Stand [38] ($88) are adjustable, so we can move as needed when dusting and vacuuming.
Fila Green Table Lamp
We keep one Fila Green Table Lamp [39] ($69) on each nightstand.