If we had to shortly define what New York style in interior design is all about, we’d say it’s a collage of the most surprising decorative ideas. What do we mean by that? It’s a combination of elegance and feistiness, classic and avant-garde solutions, subdued color palettes and eye-catching accessories. In other words, a mishmash of styles. One great example of an apartment decorated in this way is Carrie Bradshaw’s place from the second Sex and the City movie. It has all the quintessential elements of a New York-style apartment! What’s more, you don’t have to live in a famous metropolis in order to have such a décor yourself. You can use the style with amazing effects in any part of the world. Bold choices often pay off when it comes to interior design.
Do you need to be as uninhibited and free-spirited as Carrie Bradshaw to create a New York-style décor? Ingenuity and creativity are certainly important but you should first and foremost make sure that your interior reflects your character and personality. That’s why we don’t necessarily recommend recreating ideas from movies or the internet to a T. Your décor should instead be a window into your personal tastes and preferences. So, in order to create the best New York-style apartment you need to first learn how to express yourself. It’s actually a great opportunity for that, since the style is all about combining various decorative solutions. It’s an eclectic collage of esthetics, a mosaic of ideas. If you’re a person who enjoys elements of different trends, now is the time to mix them all up!
An excellent example of this decorative style is Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from the second Sex and the City movie. It has all the quintessential elements of a New York-style apartment!
In order to design your own amazing New-York style house or apartment, you need to start with a basic idea and then gradually add other elements to the mix. Below, we explain step by step the intricacies of this unique esthetic style.
Classic solutions and soft colors are key when it comes to New York apartments. Walls are painted in mellow colors, which are perfect for cozier apartments and can optically enlarge even the spacious ones. When it comes to furniture, we recommend high gloss antique models – glass-paneled cabinets, tables on fine, curved legs, and Louis-esque console tables. You can highlight the beauty of the interior thanks to glass chandeliers, stucco ornamentation on the ceiling, and crystal lamp brackets.
An abstract canvas print with subdued colors will be a perfect addition to an eclectic mix of styles - myloview.com
Once the basic design is ready, complete it with expressive details. Possibilities are limitless. How about a comfortable, fuchsia or indigo egg-shaped armchair to contrast the antique furniture? Or maybe an industrial-style lamp reminiscent of modern art to balance out the royal chandelier? You can also consider large-format, abstract New York-style canvas prints and still nature paintings. The choice is all yours!
Another important step is choosing a wallpaper. In this case, you want to use large, expressive designs. These can include modern, geometric compositions or classic retro and Victorian patterns. The more spacious your apartment, the more expressive the designs can be.
Expressive wallpapers can be used to decorate a classic, New York-style bedroom – myloview.com (1. Flowers wallpaper, 2. Retro-style wallpaper, 3. Baroque-style wallpaper, 4. Subtle gray wallpaper, 5. Vintage wallpaper)
For some people, such a New York-style apartment may seem like a truly explosive mix. We personally see it more as an esthetic of opportunities, since there are no bad ideas here. It allows you to create interiors that include everything you find appealing. You may love antique furniture but it doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the beauty of modern design. In the New York style, timeless patterns and avant-garde accessories may be used side by side. All of these incredible decorative elements are combined to create a gorgeous interior design. And how is that possible?
New York-style with subtle colors? We’re sold! Don’t you think it looks very elegant
How to establish order in such a decorative collage? First simple rule is keeping the place clean. Messy interiors always look bad but in this case, it is particularly important for everything to be in its place. Make the room feel as harmonious as possible. Position your furniture and decorations symmetrically and evenly across the apartment. You should also make sure to maintain balance between modern and classic elements. Even in a diverse and eclectic décor you should not overdo things!
Maintaining balance between modern and classic elements is the key to a dazzling décor
Admittedly, going for a New York-style décor may require some bold decisions. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to turn your entire apartment inside out. Change one element at a time and gradually introduce new decorations to get accustomed to them and make sure they feel right. This way, you’ll be able to conjure up a space that looks gorgeous and reflects your personality well.