And just like that, you can transport Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from the TV series into your home
The debut of “And Just Like That,” a reboot of HBO’s hit show “Sex and the City,” has many fans feeling nostalgic. The iconic apartment of the main character, Carrie Bradshaw, was an integral part of the original TV series—so much so that a Manhattan-based lookalike is now available on Airbnb.
Using a mix of stylish home decor and design tricks from the show, there are creative and unique ways to recreate Carrie’s classy-chic studio for your home too. You can even hire an interior designer near you to reimagine the look for your own Airbnb or rental space.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment layout was the ideal home for a single New Yorker with a creative sense of style. If you loved the character’s floor plan, you can use our replica below to get familiarized with the look. Here are three key features to achieve it.
As a studio, it made sense for this “Sex and the City” apartment to have an open floor plan. Upon entering, Carrie could walk straight through the foyer into the seating area and then her bedroom without anything blocking the pathway. You can hire an architect near you to review your space and determine whether or not you’ll need to knock down a wall (or two).
While it’s unlikely for a tiny Manhattan studio to have a walk-in closet, that didn’t stop the show from creating one for Carrie (and it doesn’t have to stop you). A general contractor near you can analyze your current layout and estimate the cost to build a custom closet for the space.
As a professional writer, Carrie used the well-lit window space in her studio as a mood-boosting workstation (which comes in handy if you work from home). You can use the window area in your room as the focal point to determine how much space you’ll need between the desk and chair and other furniture.
Now that you have an idea of the layout, the next step is to draw visual inspiration from this iconic apartment’s style.
The “Sex and the City” creators envisioned a room that matched Carrie’s unique sense of fashion with her economic situation. She was, after all, someone living in Upper East Side Manhattan on a columnist’s salary with an obsession for designer shoes.
That said, you can have fun recreating the look (in your unique way, of course) using the following elements.
Bring Carrie’s studio into reality using a nice mix of Big Apple posh and thrift store finds. Silk curtains for the windows can represent fancy uptown living, while items such as a rustic console table and wooden chairs carry just enough vintage to balance the style.
As a columnist, Carrie spent hours in her studio writing and brainstorming her next piece. Throughout the TV series, fans saw her wall colors change from mint green to lavender and eventually electric blue. Nevertheless, they were always calming colors that allowed her to both relax and focus.
When deciding which color to paint your room, consider similar hues that convey a sense of calmness and creativity.
Off-centered, framed artwork hung above Carrie’s bed, creating an easy accent wall and casual feel. You can do the same with your favorite art or photography, and even take the maximalist decor approach by filling the wall space with an artwork collage.
The signature look of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment was to have reading material on display: scattered newspapers atop a coffee table, magazines stacked on accent chairs, assorted books on the nightstand, and so on. If you’re not “fashionably untidy” like Carrie, decorative baskets for books are a quick and aesthetically pleasing storage hack.
A variety of stylish patterned rugs covered the hardwood floors of Carrie’s apartment, providing a warm and cozy balance to the space (which would've come in handy for the character during those New York winters).
If you’d love a gorgeous hardwood floor for your space, too, check the cost of installing hardwood floors to see if adding it is within your budget.
In addition to storage baskets, mounted bookshelves displayed many of Carrie’s favorite reads—and helped reduce clutter around the studio. You can add wall shelves to your space to do the same. Use them to display a few elegant vases (and even the actual “Sex and the City” novel as a fun detail).
Keep your book pages in good shape with these fun Carrie Bradshaw quote bookmarks:
The quintessential apartment’s sitting area not only served as Carrie’s writing den, but also where she and her friends shared their dating escapades and friendly advice amongst one another.
Easily create a relaxing sitting area for your space using a comfy chaise lounge (like in Carrie’s home), a couple of armchairs, and a centered coffee table. Ambient lighting, such as a floor lamp and candles on a nesting table, can create a calming atmosphere. Finish it off with a plush throw blanket and area rug for cozy decor and warmth.
It’s no secret that Carrie Bradshaw had really expensive taste (even on a writer’s salary). So, if you want to emulate her look but can’t afford the real deal, here’s how to do it:
Thrift stores are where you can find plenty of antique furnishings and timeless accents, like Carrie’s signature bakelite phone. You can even upcycle and repurpose thrift finds to use as classic decor. As with Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment interior, vintage chairs can serve as bedside tables and bookstands.
While watching the TV series, you may realize that Carrie’s bed didn’t have an actual headboard, but rather a bookshelf. Taking the same idea, place a slender bookshelf or table against the wall as a DIY headboard. Use it to place books, plants, and other decorative items you love to represent your unique style.
As they say, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” From clothes and accessories to decor and furniture, a swap party is a creative way to get rid of items you no longer want in exchange for something new—for free.
Save money and have fun by hosting a swap party with your friends. Like the beloved characters of “Sex and the City,” you can prepare delicious cocktails for your guests to enjoy.
We hope these ideas have inspired your next room or rental makeover. Feel free to make it your own, mixing and matching designs to incorporate both Carrie’s and your personal decor style. A local interior decorator can help find key elements from the fictional apartment to help bring your vision to reality.
