14 space-saving hacks I’ve learned while living in NYC

November 20, 2024

Written by Laura Peruchi

Living in a New York City apartment means mastering the art of making every square foot count. Space is a luxury here and I know that organizing small places can be overwhelming — but it’s also an opportunity to get creative and intentional about how we live. In more than 10 years calling NYC home, my husband and I have lived in three different apartments – and I’m happy we were able to score more space each move. And although we live in a relatively spacious 2 bedroom apartment, space is limited. Over the years, I’ve discovered hacks and strategies that not only save space but also make my apartment feel more functional and inviting. From smart storage solutions to multi-purpose furniture – or simply learning to let go of things that don’t spark joy – I hope the solutions I use today can inspire anyone facing the challenge of small-space living.

Please note I don’t consider myself an expert in decoration and home styling – but I guess that’s something you learn on the go and out of necessity. I think friends, blogs and Pinterest can be great sources of inspiration and ideas, bringing new perspectives for us.

Floating shelves – a basic, I know, but it was a friend who suggested me to install these in my bedroom and in my home office. They add style without bulking space, turning walls into functional storage or display areas, freeing up valuable floor and counter space. Plus, they’re budget-friendly and relatively easy to install, making them an accessible option for renters or anyone looking for quick upgrades.
Bike Hack – this year, I decided I wanted to buy a bike for exercising – but the question was: how to properly storage it in a way that it’s easier to come and go without taking a lot of space? Some buildings have storage rooms – but it’s not the case for me. After some research, I found this Wall Mounted Bike Hack that is so easy to assemble it allows me to store my bike safely up off the floor against any wall. Can’t recommend it enough!
Entryway shoe storage or hack – a necessity, a must-have for anyone living in NYC – you don’t want spread the dirt and germs from the city around your home, right? So, I highly recommend having something like this at the entryway. It keeps the area neat and organized.
Coat Hack – another must-have for anyone living in NYC – during Fall/Winter, we need our coats every time we go outside, so it’s convenient to have it handy – and we want to get rid of that as soon as we enter the apartment.
Dual-purpose dog crate – if you are a dog owner that uses a crate, this is such a clever idea! Our dog used a crate for almost two years and, at some point, I got sick of the horrendous crate we first bought it lol so I found one that is also a beautiful piece of furniture.
Buffet cabinet – in our apartment, the kitchen, dining room and living room are all integrated and I used to have a console table for decor purposes in the same place where I have this buffet cabinet today. I desperately needed a storage solution – but I had no extra space to put another piece of furniture. So, I got this buffet cabinet that serves as a decoration item but also as a storage furniture.
Baskets – another simple solution to combine decor and organization. We currently use two baskets in our living room: one for blankets and another one for our dog’s toys.

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Magnetic containers for spices – if you love cooking as much as I do, I’m sure you also have a lot of spices in your kitchen. And these magnetic containers save space in the kitchen. You can save your cabinets and drawers for other stuff.
Pan organizer – I used to store my pans under the sink – but it made so much sense to use my high drawer for that when I found this organizer. I love it how it makes easier to have access to my pans.
Shelf Organizer – I like to keep things like olive oil and fruit baskets on my countertop and this little organizer saves some space.
Small cabinet – When you don’t have a lot of countertop space and storage, you can always get a cabinet. This one doesn’t take a lot of space and it fits our microwave, coffee maker, toaster – plus some pantry staples and snacks.
Cabinet Storage Shelf Rack – a simple solution to use a whole space when organizing dishes, mugs and cups.
Bed with storage – clever, clever, clever – and there are so many models to choose from! I particulary love using the shelves for towels and bed sheets. Such a great hack to optimize space and storage when you have a small apartment.
Hooks – the little wall in my closet was not being used – so I got these hooks to organize bags, hats and scarves.
Under the sink organizer – I use this in my bathroom and it saves so much space while keeping some organization.
Folding mattress – we often have family members and friends over and since we didn’t want to have a permanent bed in the office, we got this folding mattress that fits in the closet. It’s so convenient! I know air mattresses are also an option when you don’t want to take a lot of space, but this one is so comfy, and that was a priority for us when choosing a mattress solution.

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Other valuable tips when organizing/decorating your apartment in New York City

Decluttering needs to be an habit – it doesn’t matter if you live in a mansion or a small apartment – I really believe it’s important to go over your stuff every 6 months or once a year. We are always changing and it’s normal that some things are not useful anymore. Besides freeing space, decluttering brings a good feeling about keeping only what makes us happy.
Take advantage of Buy Nothing –these are Facebook groups to get free stuff from the neighborhood. I use this all the time to give stuff I don’t need anymore and I don’t want to necessarily sell it. I also keep an eye on the posts to see if there’s something useful for me. I believe is not only a saving hack, but also a way to give a new life to things we don’t want anymore and avoiding waste. Just find your community and click. The embedded link will take you directly to Facebook, where you can request to join your local group by clicking on ‘Join Group’.
Shop Marketplaces – Facebook Marketplace, Next door and Karrot are great platforms to find used furniture, decor items and gadgets for an affordable price.
Consider an external storage – if you are struggling with space, you can always consider an external storage unit, like Manhattan Mini Storage.
Make the internet your best friend – there are tons of blog posts and videos online with decor inspiration and organization hacks.
Decor and organization can take time – be patient!

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Please share your favorite space-saving hacks and decor ideas!

Laura Peruchi

Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!