The First 5 Things to Buy When You Move Into a Rental | The Essentials That Make an NYC Apartment Feel Like Home
Moving into an NYC rental can feel overwhelming — the small footprint, the outdated lighting, the questionable flooring… and absolutely no storage. But the first things you bring in set the tone for how the space will look, feel, and function.
At West Village Interior, we specialize in helping renters make smart, high-impact purchases right from move-in day — and with our trade partnership discounts, you get designer-quality essentials at more affordable pricing.
Here are the first five things every renter should buy to instantly upgrade their space.
1. Proper Lighting (Not the Landlord Fixture)
NYC apartments are notorious for dim hallways and harsh ceiling lights. According to the Lighting Research Center, lighting affects perceived comfort by 20–25%, especially in small spaces.
Start with:
A floor lamp for ambient light
A table lamp for warmth
A plug-in pendant or sconce for character
Why first: Lighting controls mood, coziness, and depth far more than furniture placement.
Trade Advantage: Shop designer lighting through West Village Interior and enjoy exclusive trade pricing.
2. A Good Rug (It Grounds the Room)
Rugs instantly make rentals feel less “temporary.” They hide dated flooring, define zones, and even improve acoustics — great for thin-walled apartments.
Data: The Apartment Therapy Small Spaces Study found rugs can make rooms feel up to 30% larger.
Start with:
A living room rug (anchor piece)
A bedroom runner or bedside rug
A kitchen runner for warmth
3. Storage That Moves With You
Since you can’t build shelves or add closets, go for portable storage solutions.
Smart renter buys:
Freestanding wardrobes
Tension-rod shelving
Entryway storage benches
Modular cubes
67% of NYC renters list storage as their No.1 frustration (Zillow Consumer Report 2024).
4. Curtains or Sheers
Window treatments instantly soften the space and improve privacy.
Benefits:
Reduce energy loss by 10–25% (U.S. DOE, 2024)
Create vertical height for tiny rooms
Hide awkward window placements
5. Multi-Functional Furniture
Every renter should start with the pieces that work hardest:
A sofa with storage or a modular sectional
Nesting tables
A bed with built-in drawers
An expandable dining table
Multi-functional furniture increases usable space by 20–40% in apartments under 700 sq ft (IKEA Urban Living Report 2024).
The West Village Interior Advantage
Whether you’re furnishing your first rental or upgrading your fourth, we help you make smart, long-lasting purchases. And because we order through our trade partners, you enjoy:
✔ Exclusive trade pricing
✔ Curated selections for NYC layouts
✔ Renter-friendly, reversible options
✔ Styling guidance so your first purchases make maximum impact
