How Do You Furnish a Studio Apartment in NYC on a Budget?

Question

Accepted Answer

Furnishing a New York City studio from scratch can cost $3,000–$8,000 for a basic setup — but with the right strategy, you can get fully furnished for significantly less.

Essential pieces to prioritize first:

Bed frame and mattress — your most important purchase; a quality mattress significantly affects sleep in a studio where bedroom and living space are one
Sofa or seating — your main daytime furniture; a daybed doubles as guest sleeping
Desk and chair — essential if you work from home or study
Basic kitchen supplies — pots, pans, cutlery, plates; a studio kitchen gets constant use

NYC-specific budget furniture sources:

Facebook Marketplace — the single best source for discounted NYC furniture; many renters sell everything when they leave the city, often at steep discounts or free
Craigslist (NYC free section) — surprisingly active in NYC; furniture left on sidewalks in good neighborhoods is often high quality
IKEA Red Hook (Brooklyn) — the most accessible IKEA for NYC; compact furniture designed for small spaces at low prices; free delivery available
Housing Works — NYC thrift chain with better-quality secondhand furniture than standard thrift stores
West Elm outlet — discounted display and returned items at significant savings vs. retail

What NOT to spend heavily on in a NYC studio:

Oversized furniture — a large sectional sofa or king-sized bed makes a studio feel impossible; buy to scale
Dining table with multiple chairs — a small folding table or bar-height counter works better in limited space
Decorative items before you have moved in — wait to see how the space feels before buying art, rugs and accessories