2016

New York City summertime weather is no joke. If our tips for cooling down your NYC apartment aren’t enough for this coming weekend with scorching temperatures, it may be time to head out of the concrete jungle for some cooler outdoor activities.

1. Rockaway Beach: Just a short ride on the subway, this beach is a famed surf spot and NYC-resident destination. Go for the day or stay overnight at the Playland Motel.
2. Fire Island, L.I.: A quick ride on the LIRR, this no-cars-allowed island is a close paradise that’s an easy day trip. Be sure to swim at Sailors Haven Beach!
3. Sleepy Hollow, NY: Hop on Metro North and check out Philipsburg Manor Upper Mill’s living-history museum. Staffers dress in period costume demonstrating how life used to be, and while it may not cool you down, seeing them sweat in their wool-garb will certainly make your shorts feel just that bit more comfortable.
4. Bear Mountain, NY: Just over one hour from NYC, Bear Mountain offers some awesome hiking, biking, picnic spots, fishing and swimming. Stay at the Bear Mountain Inn, built in 1915.
5. Hudson, NY: I may be partial to Hudson since it is so close to where I grew up, but it is seriously an awesome place for a weekend getaway or just a day trip. You can take Amtrak which is super cushy and nice (plus they have wine), and then just walk into town! Rent an Air BNB with your friends, or stay at the gorgeous hotel, The Barlow… And be sure to check out Helsinki at night for some after-hours fun!

Although the temps in NYC range from a frozen -10 degrees in the winter to a scorching 100 degrees in the summer, there is nowhere else we’d rather call home! NYC is the best place to be, no matter the season. If you’re looking to make the move to our beloved city, No Fee Rentals has the best apartments this city has to offer. From buildings with spectacular views, to studio apartments on the hip Lower East Side, No Fee has it all.

We New Yorkers must be creative, selective and decisive when it comes to decorating our New York City furnish apartment. The size of our apartments, whether it be a studio apartment in Greenwich Village or a two bedroom in Murray Hill, allows our belongings and décor to always be on display. From how many shelves we can squeeze between the door frame and the wall to which hand towels to have hanging in the bathroom, our style choices are all the more important. Luckily for us, there are an abundance of home furnishing stores. Whether you’re looking to organize, highlight some of your personality or do a complete re-design, you can find what you’re looking for at these NYC stores.

Delphinium Home: This one-stop shop offers kitschy housewares and an eclectic array of home items. This is the perfect shop if you’re looking for a quirky item to highlight your personality. Located at 353. W. 47^th Street

Canvas: A NYC staple, Canvas offers statement-making colorful dishware and home accents. Located at 426 Broome Street

Fishs Eddy: Fixture with an eclectic selection of flatware, dishes & glasses from funky to vintage styles. Located at 889 Broadway

Alessi: Shop here for an extremely aesthetically pleasing shopping experience. Alessi started as a kitchenware supply line in Italy and is now furnishing homes with modern décor. Located at 130 Greene Street.

Whisk: This shop shows you how you can stock your tiny NYC kitchen. From cute towels to state-of-the-art espresso machines this shop help turn your kitchen from your shoe storage space, to a organized and functional space. Located at 231 Bedford Ave.

Sharktooth: This hip Williamsburg shop specializes in antique and vintage textiles. All of their pieces are hand-picked and one of a kind. The perfect addition to your growing collection. Located at 111 Grand Street.

It’s definitely a challenge finding the right pieces to decorate your apartment. We’re not all blessed with inner Martha Stewarts, and for some it takes years to figure out what exactly is your style. If you’re looking for your first canvas (a new apartment), No Fee Rentals has a TON of awesome apartments available in the best neighborhoods. Take this gorgeous newly renovated penthouse apartment in Greenwich Village! Or if you’re looking for something a little more practical, check out this awesome two bed room apartment in the East Village with its own private garden!

Welcome to Summer. Maybe you’re one of the lucky people that get to live in an NYC apartment with central air, but for the rest of us keeping cool in our apartments can be a struggle. From getting out during the day to hacks to keep you cool while you’re in-domicile, here are 6 ways to beat the heat this summer.

1. Hit the Library: The library is air-conditioned, plus you can get your read-on. Explore the rows of old novels, or just sit back with an iced-coffee and people watch! Insiders tip: they don’t allow big bags. (learned that one the hard way!)
2. Cross Ventilation: When you open your windows, try to open windows at opposite ends of your apartment. Place fans to have one blowing in, and the other blowing out. This will help keep the air circulated, which can help to lower temps.
3. Go See a Movie: Check out the Alamo Draft House for an awesome movie-viewing experience. With comfy couches and in-theater service you may never want to leave.
4. Turn Your Fan into an Air Cooler: Using a twist tie, attach ice pops (long colorful tubes of sugar water) to your fan. This will give you a cold airstream blowing over you. Plus it’s a delish summer snack.
5. Get Poolside: With free options, this could be your new summer hang. Check out this list of the best pools in NYC!
6. Freeze Your Sheets: A few minutes before bed stick your sheets in the freezer. Put them in a plastic bag so they don’t smell like the freezer. This won’t keep you cool all night, but it will give you some fast relief!

If you’re looking for an apartment to try out all these awesome tips, click here. If you’re looking for a summer-proof apartment with A/C Click Here. No Fee Rentals offers a wide variety of apartment options in all different neighborhoods. From chic Greenwich Studios, to swanky Murray Hill penthouses, we’ve got you covered. Contact Us today to find the apartment of your dreams!

Until next time,

XO

Steph

The Upper West lies between Central Park and the Hudson River between West 59^th Street and West 110^th street. Primarily a residential neighborhood with gorgeous brownstones, the Upper West Side is *arguably* the best neighborhood in NYC to live in. Great restaurants, entertainment and night life (hello Columbia bars), what more could you ask for? With all that being said, lets dive in and find out the BEST this neighborhood has to offer!

We gave you awesome guides to the East Village, Chelsea, The Upper East Side and the West Village, but there are more neighborhoods to get to know! And if you’re thinking of renting a No Fee Apartment on the Upper West Side, this guide is for you.

Coffee

The Hungarian Pastry Shop: A laid-back café with amazing baked goods and the best coffee I’ve ever had. Go for the atmosphere, stay for the coffee. Hit the ATM before arriving as it is cash only.

Located at 1030 Amsterdam Avenue

Breakfast

Jacobs Pickles: A great spot for weekend brunch with friends, Jacobs Pickles is offering up some of NYC’s best comfort food with a local twist. Definitely try the BLT Bloody Mary.

Located at 509 Amsterdam Avenue

Lunch

Milano Market: Grab a sandwich and an Orangina and walk over to Riverside Park for a lovely afternoon picnic! This place will NOT leave you hungry!!

Located at 2892 Broadway

Study/Work Break

The Great Hill, Central Park: One of the highest points in Central Park, Great Hill is a great spot to catch some rays, or just enjoy the outdoors. With trails and places to relax, this part of Central Park will transport you out of the city, even just for a minute.

Located at 105^th Street and Central Park West.

Happy Hour

The Milling Room: With such an awesome atmosphere, you’ll want to stay long after happy hour is over (5pm-7pm).

Located at 446 Columbus Ave

Dinner

Mel’s Burger Bar: With AWESOME beers on tap, awesome burgers and killer fries Mel’s is an Upper West Side staple. Great for groups, or for a date night, you won’t regret coming here for dinner!

Located at 2850 Broadway

Night Out

Jakes Dilemma: Downtown vibe on the Upper West Side, Jake’s Dilemma is awesome. Foosball, outdoor space, beer pong tables and a back room that rivals some of NYC’s finest, this bar offers it all.

Located at 430 Amsterdam Avenue

Looking for an apartment on the Upper West Side? We’ve got you covered. From multi-bedroom shares, to furnished apartments, No Fee Rentals has it all. To check out some of our awesome apartments on the Upper West Side, click here: http://nofeerentals.com/apartments.aspx

Until Next Time!

XO,

Steph

Skip using the oven as a storage space! These 5 Organizational Hacks for a small kitchen are serious life savers. We all know that space is a continual issue in New York City apartments, ESPECIALLY when it comes to kitchens. There is nothing less inspiring than a kitchen that is so small it’s hardly functional. But with many studio apartments in NYC offering half kitchens, and one or two bedroom apartments offering a full kitchen (that is seriously tiny), how can you create the best space for you to unleash your inner Bobby Flay?

1. Skip the Knife Block: You probably don’t have a ton of counter space OR drawer space. Get yourself a magnetic knife strip like this one from the Container Store and hang those knives on your wall! This is a cheap, chic and easy space saver.
2. Add Shelves Everywhere: There’s probably a lot of unused wall space in your kitchen, add shelves to store spices and seasoning… Or take out menus.
3. Wall Racks Are Your Friend: Making a wall rack for your platters and cutting boards creates extra storage and it’s also pretty to look at. Check out this awesome wall rack from IKEA.
4. Utilize Your Cabinet Doors: Hang your most used cooking utensils on the back of a cabinet instead of shoving them into drawers.
5. Work that Under Sink Space: Hooks and baskets are cheap, simple ways to store your sponges and other cleaning supplies without looking cluttered… Making more room for snacks! This is a cheap and chic solution.

Your kitchen can be your worst enemy, but if organized correctly can be your best friend. Create that zen kitchen space you see on HGTV for yourself! If you’re looking for a new apartment in NYC check out NoFeeRentals.com! We even have apartments with LARGE kitchens! (Shocking, we know).

Until Next Time,

XO

Steph

When you make the decision to live in New York City, you’re not choosing to live there because you’ll have a spacious apartment. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up in a great No Fee Rentals building that includes a rooftop deck, and sometimes a private garden, but inside your actual apartment it can be tricky to know where to put what, and how to best decorate accordingly. Not to mention, you’re now responsible for furnishing an entire apartment! Believe it or not, the décor and furnishings you choose make a big difference in how you feel inside your new apartment. Clutter can lead to stress, which can lead to less sleep, which will make you unhappy. While we wish we had time to clean our apartments every day, the reality is we just don’t. Unless you’re naturally a neat and tidy person, you’ll need to design your apartment to be both functional, and fashionable. Finding the right balance between the two is critically important to creating a space that you’ll be comfortable living in for the foreseeable future.

1. Invest in Dual-Purpose Furniture

Rather than trying to work your space around the furniture you have, focus on buying pieces that will work with you and your space. Try a dining table with a built-in leaf that will make it easier to have friends over for Sunday brunch. Or perhaps a hollow ottoman that can also be used for storage (great for scarves, blankets, and even books)

2. Go Vertical with Storage

Thinking vertically, as well as horizontally can help maximize the unused space on your walls and around doors. Place two identical bookshelves on either side of a doorway for a built-in shelving look. Or, a large entertainment center that reaches from floor to ceiling serves as an awesome room divider between your sleeping and living areas.

3. Choose a Light Color Palette

Light shades open up a room. When choosing your palette, focus on using three colors: two light bright shades for the majority of the space. Then add in one darker accent color to keep things visually interesting. Personally I love using white and then a dark grey accent wall. These colors are a classic combo. For a more nautical theme, do white and navy blue! Release your inner Joanna Gaines and make your rooms pop.

4. Know Where to Shop

Furniture can be CRAZY expensive. While it’s easy to get free furniture on Craigslist, you really don’t know where that couch has been and you probably don’t want to know. There are a ton of great options furniture places to get some great deals and steals. My advice? Skip IKEA. Bargain hunters all over NYC know where to go to find the best deals on unique pieces and antique items that come at a fraction of the cost of something new. Check out Artists & Fleas on 88 Tenth Avenue, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-7pm. Another great spot is Chelsea Antiques Garage on 112 West 25^th Street on Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm.

5. Dress Up Your Windows

I literally JUST did this in my apartment. How BORING are those blinds that come in your apartment?! They’re functional, and sure it’s easy enough to keep them but buying curtains can add some serious design punch to your living space. Urban Outfitters carries some really cute, unique curtains that can dress up any room. From light and flowy to statement making, check them out here.

If you’re looking for a new apartment, NoFee rentals has so many great spaces listed. They have apartments with lofts, apartments with fireplaces, and apartments with amaaaaazing outdoor spaces. Contact them today to find your dream NYC apartment, and then get to decorating.

Until next time, 

XO

Steph