How I Turned My Tiny NYC Apartment Into a Pinterest-Ready Pad With Society6 Finds
Hi, I’m Riley Carter. Okay, but like… decorating a shoebox-sized New York apartment and making it look like it belongs in an architecture digest is absolutely possible without an interior design degree or a trust fund.
Living in a small NYC apartment means maximizing every inch while avoiding the sad pile-of-stuff vibe. I tested a bunch of affordable decor and landed on Society6 pieces as my secret weapon. The brand’s wall art, textiles, and little accents are design-forward but not intimidating, which is exactly what a millennial who cares enough to Instagram but not enough to lose sleep needs.
First rule: pick statement art that defines the room and makes it feel larger and brighter. I swapped generic prints for bold, high-contrast pieces that anchor the space. A punchy orange throw pillow added an unexpected pop to my tiny sofa and, thanks to color psychology and smart placement, tricked my eyes into seeing a more cohesive, brighter living area. The right print changes the focal point and visually expands the room without adding physical bulk.
Next, textiles do heavy lifting in small spaces. I chose a striped duvet cover for the bed that keeps the sleep nook looking tidy and elevated without feeling visually noisy. Stripes run the eye and create a sense of length and order, which helps compact bedrooms read as sleek rather than cramped. A rug with sweeping lines beneath the coffee table created depth in the living area, guiding the eye outward and making the footprint feel larger than it actually is.
Temporary changes are essential when you rent and can’t commit to major renovations. Peel-and-stick wallpaper was an instant, nonpermanent facelift for a narrow accent wall, and yes, it came off clean when I moved. For renters and college students alike, this is the low-risk way to test a bolder aesthetic. I also introduced a small foil art print that caught the light and brought a warm, golden-hour glow to the room. Metallic accents do a lot for atmosphere with very little space or budget required.
When storage is limited, multifunctional pieces matter. A floor pillow doubled as extra seating and a cozy reading nook, which eliminated the need for a clunky extra chair. Lightweight ceramics and quirky accents serve as conversation pieces without stealing square footage. Curtains in a light, airy fabric pulled the window look together and amplified natural light, which is the eternal cheat-code for making any small space feel more open.
Society6’s catalog covers prints, pillows, rugs, bedding, and small decor, so mixing and matching within a single aesthetic is easy. I curated a palette that runs through my art, textiles, and small accents so the apartment reads like a cohesive studio rather than a collection of mismatched hand-me-downs. The brand’s dorm-friendly options are also a plus if you’re a student or need budget-friendly upgrades that still feel intentional.
Decorating small apartments is less about filling every inch and more about choosing pieces that amplify light, create depth, and add personality. Invest in a few statement pieces, use temporary solutions when needed, and prioritize multifunctional items that look good and work for your day-to-day. My tiny NYC apartment went from cramped to curated with a handful of well-chosen Society6 items, and honestly, it now photographs nicer than I do on most weekends.
What to watch next: experiment with one statement print or a metallic accent and see how your room breathes differently. Trust me, you will notice.
Anyway, that’s the deal. Do with it what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Society6 (product pages)
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
