The average NYC apartment comes in at a tiny 550 square feet, and this number only keeps on getting smaller every year. So no matter if you're new in town or a seasoned New Yorker, furnishing such tight spaces can prove to be a real challenge. Here are the top 5 mistakes we've seen owners/renters make time and time again, plus our best tips on how to avoid them!

MISTAKE 1: BUYING NEW FURNITURE WITHOUT A PLAN

This is the biggest and most common mistake we've seen people make when moving into a new place. The main trigger for this is usually time pressure. Everything needs to be done fast: checking everything with your realtor, paper work, packing things you already own, coordinating the movers, checking for permits and so on. And because of this pressure, you'll probably end up spending too much or end up buying mismatched pieces.

If you're moving from outside of the City, our main tip is: buy all big essential furnishings. Don't think of bringing your bed from far away. New York City apartment measurements can be tricky. Remember that old Friend's episode about the couch that wouldn't fit up a stairway? And even if you ask for all the measurements before hand, here's an even better tip: get a pro to buy your furniture with you. These services can even be free with your purchase. Here at LUMEN Home Designs we'll help you pick out your new furnishings from our extensive catalog, arrange delivery (we'll make sure everything fits!) and set it all up leaving your place move in ready. All design services are complimentary and we can have you move in ready after just one meeting. Find out more and book an appointment here!

If you're already in the City, check with the new tenant of your previous place if they'd be interested in buying from you any of your current furnishings. Odds are that you will have similar tastes, and they'll be interested in keeping sofas, shelves, chests and dressers. Use this budget to get newer furnishings to go with your brand new home!

MISTAKE 2: RUSHING TO BUY EVERYTHING AT ONCE

Several times we've been hired to fix a client's furniture mish mash. Moving into a new place in NYC is obviously exciting. So much so, that people end up buying pieces that don't necessarily work together. Just because you like them both, doesn't guarantee that they will work in one space. The new pieces might not match your existing ones. You might end up buying one too many coffee tables. The furniture might not be the right scale for the size of your room.

Furnishing a new place is not a sprint, it's a marathon. Even if your budget allows it, never do all of your shopping on one trip. Focus on the essentials. First make a list of all of your anchor pieces, and do it per room. Bedroom: bed, dresser, nightstand and lamp. Living room: sofa, coffee table, lamp and a mirror. Dining room: table and four chairs. Once you have them all in your new home, then it's time to bring in more: additional tables, lamps, wall art, rugs and more.

If you're not sure about where to start buying, check out our Packages! They feature all the furnishings you need for the basic rooms in your home: living room, dining room and bedroom. Plus, you can customize each package by adding or swapping pieces from our other collections. Our free design services are included with your package: we'll help you pick out the final pieces, coordinate delivery and setup.

MISTAKE 3: NOT THINKING ABOUT THE LIGHTING

Let's get real: apartments with lots of natural light in New York City, are one of the unicorns of this City's real estate scene. Plus, natural light changes with the time of day and the season. Depending on the orientation of your building, it's very likely that you will experience dimmer settings certain times of the year. And while no one will ever forget about large pieces like beds, tables and chairs when moving in, lighting might not be a priority to most people. Focusing on central lighting only (meaning the one that comes from a ceiling lamp in the middle of the room) is never enough.

So when you make your new furnishings plan, be sure to include at least three different sources of light. They should be: center, low and indirect.Center lightingis the de facto ceiling lamp that goes in every room. Always spring for a dimmer! This is one of the surest ways to create ambiance any time of day. Then, add some layers. Always include at least one table and floor lamp, for more focalized uses like reading or watching TV. In the bedroom, add a headboard with built in LED lights. Check out more options of this unique lighting setting. Shop with us for more lighting solutions!