The Must-Have Pieces Nate Berkus Recommends for 'Living Graciously' in a Small Apartment
As a NYC studio dweller myself, I can confirm that this untraditional layout technique actually works
Four hundred square feet. Not much, on paper. In most cities, that’s a living room or a primary bedroom. In New York, this is home – one apartment for sleeping, eating, working, hosting, and existing – often within eyesight of the kitchen sink.
If this sounds like glorified dorm living, designer Nate Berkus would argue that’s actually a failure of imagination, not square footage.
1. A Small Console With Mirror
Nate starts at the entry. In a small apartment, the threshold can't only exist for show, so he proposes two hardworking formulas – the first being a console with a mirror. This offers a spot to store everyday essentials, and do a quick one-two before leaving the door.
Clever tweaks like a two-tier console design by Joanna Gaines for Target will offer additional storage, of course, but don't be afraid to make a splash here. A sinuous wrought-iron wall mirror, for instance, could double duty as wall art in a petite entryway, setting a stately but slightly mischievous tone the moment you walk in.
A Brutalist-inspired console table, like this cast-aluminum design by Slate Design’s Amanda Ip for CB2, anchors the entryway with sculptural heft and characterful texture.
2. A Large Piece of Storage Furniture For the Entry
In a studio this tight, everything has to justify its footprint – and here, they certainly do.
The second entryway formula is an additional storage moment flanked by two chairs. No matter your chamber of choice – a cabinet, some sort of shelving solution, even a really well-chosen dresser – this is where your real, non-grab-and-go products will live. This is New York, and those sweaters have got to go somewhere. 'You can never have enough storage,’ Nate says.
Non-city dwellers probably wouldn't store their clothing in the entryway, but here, unconventionality is a survival instinct. Pieces like this burlwood cabinet by West Elm might serve as storage, but carry enough elegance that you won't see them as such – you'll simply love staring.
3. A Pair of Chairs to Create Symmetry
The chairs might seem peculiar, but they're really the perfect finishing touch in the entryway, offering opportunities to sit and slip on shoes – plus a little eye candy if you opt for an eye-catching upholstery, or select something slightly surreal. But if that doesn't sound like enough, don't worry – these chairs will actually serve another function later.
Invest wisely in chairs. You’ll need two matching seats to anchor the entry, and they should also moonlight as dining chairs in your bedroom-dining-room hybrid. This plush velvet-upholstered Neoclassical design is sophisticated and comfortable enough for any occasion.
4. A Full-Sized Bed
A Murphy bed? That works too. It's best to leave convention at the door when you're decorating a small apartment living room.
Moving into the ‘bedroom,' Nate – contrary to the small-space instinct to downsize everything – is adamant on a full-size mattress. Comfort, even in New York, is non-negotiable. Go big and stay home with a quick browse of all-style bed frame havens such as Article or Wayfair.
A platform bed frame fit for a King – or a Queen, whichever you prefer. The padded headboard makes tasks like sitting up to work feel cushy, while the range of jewel-toned upholstery options makes it easy to achieve a bespoke look.
5. A Full-Sized Dining Table
But what is negotiable is the furniture around it. Instead of nightstands, Nate places a dining table at the foot of the bed.
The untraditional pairing creates a sense of zoning inside what is, functionally, a single room. As the two largest pieces in the apartment, the bed and table anchor each other, establishing structure without any need for partitions. 'I would do a tall dining table pushed kind of in front of the bed – 32 to 34 inches around – on a pedestal,’ Nate explains.
'That way, when you’re in bed, you have a huge surface next to you,' he continues. 'It holds a lamp, everything you need.’ And when it’s time to eat or entertain – perhaps over a glass of his preferred Oban single malt – two chairs can simply migrate over from the entry.
This dining table offers all the novelty you’d usually want in a nightstand, but with enough surface area to host dinner for four. The hyper-realistic marble-look paper finish delivers high drama without the heavy lifting – ideal for frequent movers.
6. A Comfortable Sofa
You don’t have to forgo a full sofa or default to a loveseat just because your space is small. With Nate’s thoughtful layout strategy, there’s absolutely room for the couch you’ve been dreaming about.
Across the room, Nate imagines a sofa to signal that yes, you're in the 'living room' now. With limited seating options, this is a piece you and your guests will use often, so be discerning. Brands like Crate & Barrel consistently deliver elegant, well-considered designs – including pieces from Nate’s husband, Jeremiah Brent’s own collaboration with the brand – while Anthropologie is a reliable source for more playful, of-the-moment options. If you get lucky, you might even stumble upon a dual-purpose sleeper.
A low-slung silhouette and soft, marshmallow-like sections make this couch even more comfortable than it looks. And since you may end up eating a few meals here, the spill-resistant fabric is a very welcome bonus.
7. A Sleek Coffee Table
No sofa is complete without a coffee table, which Nate says should ideally be flanked by a pair of lamps. Look for sleek-lined, versatile styles (think Joon Loloi or CB2) that you can get plenty of non-coffee-time use out of.
Details do the heavy lifting on this softly edged, dove-toned coffee table. Though it reads full-sized, its slightly scaled-down proportions make it well-suited for studios.
8. Large Artwork
No apartment is too small for large artwork.
Grounding the living room vignette, Nate swears by something oversized overhead – either a painting or a vintage mirror (1stDibs and Chairish are both fabulous resources). With a bit of careful planning, he adds, you might even manage to squeeze in an occasional chair, too.
Nate insists the art belongs on the wall facing the bed, so choose something you won’t tire of seeing morning and night. This abstract canvas leans into the current equestrian design trend and mesmerizes with gangly lines.
Follow this layout, and you have a studio that functions like a real home, complete with full-sized furniture and a clear hierarchy. ‘You can still live graciously in 400 square feet,’ Nate muses.
Some parts of New York apartment living age better than others. I love my hundred-something-year-old wide-plank floors, the ornate molding, even the original ladder that leads to my lofted bed. The apartment is small, but for the most part, perfect in every way – save for one offender: my bathroom ‘boob’ light.
I recently dressed it with a Tulip shade to see whether these viral, renter-friendly fixes are actually as elegant as the influencers say. Here’s how it looks off Instagram.
