Despite the current state of New York City—a mishmash of gentrified neighborhoods and sidewalks where everyone looks the same—there is beauty to living in the city. Finding the perfect apartment, settling in, and making it feel cozy is the ultimate goal for those who plan to be here long-term. It’s not easy, as many apartments can feel stuffy and small, more akin to a dorm room than a forever space. But it’s not impossible, especially not for native New Yorkers like Tanika (@tanika_nyclifestyle). In the midst of change and the chaos of the city, she and her husband have created a cozy, colorful apartment in Manhattan.

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Colorful walls and accents

make small NYC apartments

feel vibrant and cozy

Long-term renters often

infuse personality into

compact city spaces

Pastel furniture and accessories

add playful elegance to

urban living rooms

Small decorative pops

bring cheerful personality

to every apartment room

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Apartment life is unique in New York. Instead of renting for a year or two, it’s not uncommon for people to live in their apartments for decades. Given that, it’s essential to make the space feel like your own. Sure, it’s not a forever house, but if it’s going to be your forever home, you want it to feel like home. For Tanika and her husband, that meant using lots of color and infusing their cheery personalities into each room.

@tanika_nyclifestyle

Why not make your home look fanciful? We only have one life to be fabulous. #aesthetichome #athome #homedecorinspo #apartmenttour #apartment #nycapartment

♬ original sound – Remi Ishizuka

Transforming the space with color began in the dining room. Instead of stark white walls, the couple chose a soft strawberry shade of paint and kept the trim white for contrast. The color on its own is unique, but pairing it with pastel-toned furniture and white accessories gave the room a playful yet elegant feel. The adjoining living room features similar light-colored walls but has a distinctly different feel thanks to deeper accent colors. For example, the jewel-blue sofa and brown leather lounge chair add sophistication instead of whimsy.

Decorating a home and finding your design style can be overwhelming, but starting with a grounded theme makes the process a lot smoother. The theme for Tanika’s home began with color but blossomed into a story, using color to infuse whimsy and charm. “Why not make your home look fanciful? We only have one life to be fabulous,” she exclaims in the caption. While it’s clear that Tanika enjoys embracing bold hues to make a statement, her love of color extends to the smaller decorative items throughout her home.

@tanika_nyclifestyle

Spring season is my favorite becauseeeeee #springtok #nyclife #lifeisgood #adayinthelife #springseason #manhattan #apartmentliving

♬ original sound – kkendollx

These pops of color in each room add a personal touch and further emphasize the couple’s unique personality. An electric blue bowl filled with oranges lends the dining room table a vibrant look, while striped cutting boards and quirky gadgets bring a touch of whimsy to the kitchen. In the living room, she placed a lively little tiger rug behind the coffee table for even more charm and a fun green and pink vase for colorful decor. The joy of Manhattan living may be hidden, but it isn’t lost. In her cozy, colorful abode, Tanika has found a way to make the most of her small apartment and, most importantly, give it a homey feel.