If you’re like me, sleep does not come easy. Whether your mind’s racing or you just can’t get comfortable, the most “relaxing” part of our day can often be the most frustrating. Add to that a year of pandemic- and political-related stress, and sweet dreams seem to be nothing more than a nightmare. But the right pillow can help in this department, whether it gets your body in the right position (all pillows are not created equal when it comes to side, stomach, and back sleepers), cools you down, or just brings the right amount of calming energy. Ahead, we’ve rounded up this year’s best available pillows for every type of sleeper at every price point.

Check out the list here

Photo courtesy of Floyd

Narrow stairwells, small doorframes, tiny apartments, multi-purpose spaces–these are just some of the factors that make purchasing a sofa for an apartment challenging. But today, there are a lot of new direct-to-consumer brands that specialize in modular furniture, as well as tried-and-true companies that have adapted their designs for an urban lifestyle. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best couches for apartments, but don’t be fooled–you probably won’t want to give these away when you do upgrade to a bigger space.

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With winter bearing down on us, it can often feel impossible to get warm. But in addition to layering on fuzzy socks and turning up the thermostat (if you’re one of the lucky New Yorkers who has this control!), there are some easy tips and tricks for keeping the temperature and mood in your apartment cozy all winter long. Not only is it important to reassess some of our more functional home accessories like bedding and window dressings, but it’s also smart to consider how design can help a space feel warmer as we hibernate for the rest of the chilly months.

See 6sqft’s list of winter-ready hacks

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

No matter how long we live in New York City, it’s hard to get used to the sounds of jackhammers, children screaming, or our neighbors getting a little too, um, frisky on the other side of our apartment wall. And with noise complaints up a whopping 300 percent during the pandemic, many of us are actively seeking solutions to help muffle (or hopefully mute) these urban intrusions. From sound-proofing wall panels and curtains to white noise machines, we’ve rounded up some simple soundproofing home upgrades, as well as a couple more robust improvements, that will help you achieve a quieter household.

Get started soundproofing here

Image via Nick Sherman SHLEPPERS via photopin (license)

Moving season in NYC typically occurs at the end of the summer, but due to the current COVID pandemic, there’s a lot more fluctuation than normal this year. This also makes it more difficult to enlist family and friends to help with the dreaded schlep, but you also don’t want to blindly hire the first man with a van you come across. From big corporations to small family-run operations, movers in NYC run the gamut in terms of services, pricing, and proximity, but regardless of which route you take, there are several things to consider before deciding. Ahead, 6sqft has rounded up 12 tips for hiring movers, including performing background checks, making sure you’ve accurately counted your boxes (no one wants to be that person), and negotiating the estimate.

All the tips ahead

Photo by Huy Phan from Pexels

Toxins from carpet, paint, upholstery, and cleaning products are just a handful of modern-day, airborne pollutants that can degrade indoor air quality, and studies have shown too much exposure to these manmade elements can cause lung and respiratory issues over the long run. Luckily, there are a number of houseplants that moonlight as efficient purifiers. Ahead you’ll find 15 of the best air-purifying plants suited for apartment living, according to Dr. B.C. Wolverton, a scientist who worked with NASA to develop a breathable environment for long-term lunar habitation.

15 plants to help keep indoor air its purest

Photo courtesy of The Sill 

With New Yorkers stuck indoors with kids, work from home, and a barrage of ever-changing news, it can seem like even spring is on hold. But adding some flowering houseplants to your space is a great way to enliven it with the colors and energy of spring. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a collection of potted blooms that will make your home, and your mood, just a little brighter.

Potted blooms, this way

Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash

From purifying the air to making your apartment feel more welcoming and alive, there are a multitude of reasons to incorporate plants into your home decor. However, for many of us, keeping these precious specimens alive can be a small but legitimate challenge—especially when space and natural sunlight is limited (like many apartments in New York City). To make the commitment to caring for and sustaining the life of greenery a bit easier, we’ve put together this list of special and very sturdy plants perfect for apartment dwellers like yourself.

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Renters insurance is one of those things that you know is a good idea–and like so many New York City renters, you’ve been meaning to do it, but you may not have gotten around to it–until you wish you had. And though we hope we’ll never need it, it’s one of the few things in city life that’s simple, inexpensive, and worth every penny. Below, we explain why it’s an important investment to make, how to navigate the process of getting a quote and getting covered, and which provider might be best for you.

All about renters insurance, this way

Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash

Don’t let apartment life stop you from hosting! Forget the turkey and tradition, or start one of your own with a November (or December) dinner to remember. You can even tackle the classic Thanksgiving, or have a low-key, festive “Friendsgiving.” The key is to find your own collection of small-space, less-fuss entertaining ideas and go-to goods. Below, a few suggestions to get you started.

Ideas for a holiday feast, apartment-style, this way