1. A Hard Water Filter for My Shower

I grew up with well water and never realized this was a thing until I moved and started getting eczema, break outs, and brittle hair from the hard nyc water. I was told about water filters and never looked back. I have tried a few different replacements but had some interesting experiences with my water coming out grey (yikes) so I’ve stuck to my favorite from hopopro on amazon. It screws on between the shower spicket and your shower head and I found it pretty easy to install. I replace the filter about every 6 months.

• Link for the starter kit with 2 replacements (what I got)
• Link to one that comes with a shower head
• Link to replacement filters (replacements I have purchased)
•  

2. Sunshine Lightbulbs

Your first winter in NYC is BRUTAL. Being from GA, even during daylight savings I never expected it to get dark before 5:30. But because of the earth’s tilt turns out it starts getting dark around 4 pm in the winter, that made me start getting sleepy around 5 pm even when I still had a ton of work to do. I got this simple lamp from target and these bulbs from amazon and once the sun started to set turned it on to avoid that 5 pm sleepiness. I would not recommend putting these bulbs in big overhead lighting because they can be intense after a while.

3. Soft Lighting

I know some people are so over string lighting but it really does make a room feel so cozy. A lot of times I turn on my string lights and nothing else while I am working from home and it just makes my space feel so cozy.

4. A Broom Organizer

space is tight in NYC so the last thing I want to give space up for is my cleaning supplies like my mini vacuum, swifer wet jet (great for NYC too), etc. so installing this space saving organizer in the side of my closet right between the wall and my washer dryer took seemingly unusable space and repurposed it. Here is the one I got, it was pretty easy to install although you do have to make a hole in the wall but most landlords are okay with that as long as you spackle it before moving.

5. Under the Cabinet Paper Towel Holder

again, space is too valuable in NYC to be used for silly stuff and this is especially true when it comes to counterspace. This renter friendly solution sticks onto the underside of your cabinet and to the side of something (I have mine stuck to the side of my fridge) and saved space. Link here

6. Hanging Planters

not to sound like a broken record but space is tight. hanging planters allow you to have your green thumb while not giving up 1/4th of your apartment to your plants. This is the one I have but NYC has so many amazing flower shops on every corner so I encourage you to check our their selection.