The Biggest Mistakes People Make Decorating a New Apartment

Decorating a new apartment is exciting—but also overwhelming. In fact, 73% of renters regret at least one design choice in their first year (RentCafe, 2024). From mismatched furniture to overlooked storage, these mistakes can make even the most beautiful apartment feel cluttered or incomplete. Here’s how to avoid them.

1. Don’t Buy Everything at Once

Impulse buys lead to mismatched pieces and wasted money. Instead, start with anchor items like a sofa, bed, or dining table, then layer in decor over time.

2. Do Think Vertical

In NYC apartments especially, wall space is prime real estate. Floating shelves, tall cabinets, and wall-mounted lighting expand function without eating square footage.

3. Don’t Ignore Lighting

Relying only on overhead fixtures makes a space feel flat. Layered lighting—lamps, sconces, and dimmers—creates depth and mood. Bonus: natural light boosts productivity and happiness by up to 40% (Harvard Business Review, 2023).

4. Do Add Personal Touches

Blank walls and generic decor make a space feel temporary. Art, textiles, and meaningful accents transform your apartment into a home. Psychology Today notes that personalization reduces move-in stress and increases feelings of belonging.

Conclusion

Your apartment deserves more than a rushed setup. By avoiding common mistakes and focusing on intentional choices, you’ll create a space that feels polished, functional, and uniquely yours.

At West Village Interior, we help clients move beyond “just moved in” to “this feels like home.”