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NYC apartment acquired! And boy, are the bedrooms small. The move-in date is creeping up pretty quickly, so I’ve been gathering inspiration for how to really get the biggest bang for my buck.

Lamps to add warmth: Small pools of light create a feeling of warmth and can combat the stark brightness of overbearing overhead lights. Try to find a spot to squeeze in a table lamp, desk lamp, sconce, whatever you have room for. Couple it with some reflective surfaces (think mirrors and framed pictures on the walls, a mirrored tray on the dresser) to really help the light bounce around and let the space glow.

Statement behind the bed: In lieu of a traditional headboard, try hanging a unique printed blanket or painting an accent wall with a bright and cheerful color. Feeling a DIY? A slim, upholstered headboard in a quirky print adds interest and makes for a fun weekend project.

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Think vertically: When faced with limited floor space, think vertically. Unless you’re living in a glass cube, I can almost guarantee there will be at least one wall where some serious shelving can, and will, come in handy. This is invaluable – providing tons of storage to help make up for any furniture you may have had to forgo.

Layer color, pattern, and texture: Don’t be afraid of a pattern packed room that delicately toes the line of ‘do those really go together?’ A small space can be great for trying it out and finding the perfect balance. Michelle Adams, of Lonny Magazine, plays with pattern in her small NYC bedroom (bottom right). She makes use of the available floor space by adding a graphic stripe that contrasts with the yellow ikat of the bedspread and the floral of the headboard. Designer Nick Olsen (bottom left) mixes it up by maintaining a consistent color scheme throughout the room – all tied together by the floral print of the headboard.

If given a small, intimate space, what would you do?