I love those orange chairs! Anyone know who makes them?

What kind of heat do you have?

I believe the orange chairs are from Umbra (I have them too).

If you plan on staying there for a while, the electric radient heating systems for under rugs or carpeting really help, but they're not cheap.

DEFINITELY throw some wool rugs down. You have no idea how much that will change everything.

Thick insulated curtains over all the walls sounds like a good option. Or you could get sheets of rigid insulation (the blue or pink stuff) and stick it to the walls with double sided tape (or just prop it in depending on ceiling height). This has the added advantage that you could paint it or even sculpt it if you want a fun look.

Certainly put down lots of rugs and things on the floor. Even remnants of regular plush carpet, with pad under, would help a little.

And don't forget the ceiling, maybe more drapes or insulation board? Unless you are on the first floor, then you can kind of count on your upstairs neighbor to insulate the top.

I assume from your comments that the heat is provided by the LL? This article may help:
http://newyork.realestaterama.com/2008/10/06/20082009-heat-season-begins-hpd-enforces-laws-requiring-building-owners-to-provide-heat-ID0432.html

I don't know what apartments are covered by this law, but worth a shot.

FWIW, it sounds like your LL is a bit too enamored of the 'design' of your place and hasn't really given much thought to someone actually living there...

Insulated curtains will help, but they also end up serving as pseudo-blackout panels, and it sucks to be a vampire just to stay warm. You might try combining insulated curtains with translucent honeycomb shades. The honeycomb acts as a little bit of an insulator but they are translucent enough to let light in.

Rather than pay for $$$ honeycomb shades for a rental (real ones probably run $150 a window), you can usually buy "temporary" shades for $25 at home improvement stores. They aren't custom fit and they usually only come in white - but you can cut to size with sissors if needed. That plus the insulated curtains would help a ton.

If it's too cold for you, wanna trade?

Naturally, it would be silly to not put down rugs. Ridiculous really. A good wool rug pad as mentioned with a rug over it will help TREMENDOUSLY. The space heater idea obviously can help- but you are tacking on alot to your electricity bill and your landlord no doubt is paying for your "heat and hot water" so maybe you can convince him to pay for the extra you are ending up paying in electric to have a space heater. There are laws on the heat thing so I am sure you have some room there.
Make sure your windows are properly insulated- you can get a clear caulk to seal them better and also you can get a clear cover to put over them at the hardware store. A film if you will that isn't aesthetically too obvious. Also in the winter if you wanted you could put the curtains around the wall or over the window without damage with the new hooks that really hold alot of weight and though they wouldn't be as mobile they would help on really cold days.

In the end, your landlord doesn't have to live there- you do. and if hanging drapes will help- DO IT. You are PAYING his mortgage and it is NOT right for you to suffer while paying his mortgage for him as he sits comfortably. Do what you need, the worst he can do is deduct some money when you move out, but faced with the option of paying for your electric bills or patching the wholes in the cement blocks (which you could do too) he will opt for the latter I think.

Here is an example of what I mean by the hooks, you can use something like these to hold the curtains in place if you choose to do as he pleases and not put holes in the walls

http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-Hooks-Laser-Marker-20-2dpk-2e/dp/B000XQHHE8

There are others. Also you would be surprised at the strength of industrial velcro.

Another thing- make sure you use a snake or something for in front of your door on the ground so the draft doesn't come in and make that cement floor even colder.

Nothing to add, other than this (concrete block construction) is why I have been colder in Florida in 40 degree weather than in New York in 20 degree weather.

I am surprised you find it so hot in the summer, though.

But anyhow, also consider pulling your furniture away from the walls, so you are not in the direct line fo the cascading cold coming off the block. And yes, rugs and textiles are your friends. So is using your stove/oven as often as is practical.

In my Mom's house in Florida, some times we actually opened up the windows to warm the house up. Won't work on a day like today necessarily, but pay attention to outside temps, especially when (if?) you get any direct sunlight... and take full advantage of those moments.

I also suggest, without mentioning the issue at all in advance, inviting your landlord over for drinks on THE COLDEST DAY possible. :)

(Ha! That was a lot to write under the opener of "Nothing to add..."!)

Another Jen here with concrete block walls and cement floors in sunny Tucson. We freeze in the winter (summer's a bit better). Had I known how cold it would be . . . All the suggestions are good ones--make sure all windows are sealed/caulked. sigh.

I understand that you can't put hardware into the walls. However, you would be amazed at the insulation provided by thin fabric -- if you double it. Use the best stick-on hooks you can buy to hang two layers of thin fabric on the walls and you'll gain a lot of insulation, because you're trapping layers of air between the layers of fabric. Also, it's cheaper to buy lightweight fabric, and you can create a softer effect than with thick fabric.
Hope this helps!

The NYC Laws state that the temperature in rental apartments MUST be at least 68F from 6am - 10pm and 55F from 10pm till 6am. Invite your landlond and have a discussion what is he willing to do to fix this problem so he behaves in a legal way. Right now he is behaving agains NYC Laws. Otherwise you would need to enter a complaint with 311, they send inspectors that measure the heat in your apartment. If it below 68F he gets a violation on the property and if he gets numerous violations then he is in trouble. I personally do not like this route, it can only be used as a very last resort if the LL doesn't do anything to fix the problem. In the meantime buy a little wall thermometer and record the temperature with digital photography a few times a day. This will be your proof to show your landlord and if things escalate.

Get a dog! Mine has been cuddled up to me for the past 12 hours and cried when I got up to eat. I'm so warm with her on me!

Btw, are you on the ground floor? And does the ground floor sit on a slab (as opposed to over a basement)?

If so, the real issue is that the slab is just wicking up and radiating the cold from the earth beneath. Concentrate (as said by many here) on rugs.

Do you have both floors?

If so, take advantage of "heat rises" and focus all weatherproofing on the upper floor to make the most of whatever heat you are getting. Make it your "Winter Garret."

Assume that your landlord has no idea that the apt is not warm enough for human habitation. Record the heat and send him a nice note. You have to live there, so try the nice note route before the 311 call. Also, think Henry VIII. There's a reason why all those old castles had wall hangings. Think quits, lined fabric, heavy bedspreads and try Velcro to hang them.

Wear sweaters and put down carpets, and if your landlord's legally liable to crank up the heat, make him or her do it. The same problem is endemic in my natal neck of the woods, with everything concrete against earthquakes and (I feel, now that I'm spoiled by American energy profligacy) sub-standard heating.
At least you'll be comfortable in the summer!

I can relate because I live in Italy part of the year where a lot of houses are built of cement blocks. It stays cool inside during the hot summer, but is also stone cold during the winter. Yes, put down rugs. Also, try a Planika portable fire place: http://www.planikafires.com/. It will look beautiful in your space while you're there, and you can take it with you when you move!

Civil engineering pet peeve: please don't call those floors and walls cement. Cement is a powder. It's concrete.... concrete floors and concrete block walls.

I agree that you need to document the temperature inside the unit and have a friendly chat with your landlord. If you're paying rent, he needs uphold his side of the contract and keep that place habitable.

People have offered a lot of practical solutions that won't cost too much -- work out an agreement to bring that unit up to code. If the landlord isn't willing to be reasonable, then you'll need to call the city. And be open to the idea that you may need to move when your lease is up.

We live in Switzerland, where our house and most other houses, are made of concrete blocks, plastered over. Our windows are single pane, to boot. And we've had winter this week... Most of Europe uses this building technique, actually... (and most of Europe does not have central heating)

Anyways, from the sounds of it, you simply have an inadequate heating system. You need radiators -- and it is the landlord's responsibility to provide and install them, as already pointed out, he is required to provide a minimum heating standard.

So, call your landlord to discuss what he is going to do about the heat (research the best available options, so that you can influence them).

Good luck!

Get in touch with a New York-based tenants' rights organization. Just do a quick search online and you can find someone to email or call.

They can let you know what your legal standing is in this situation and whether your landlord is obligated to do something about it. Since the building looks new or rehabbed, a lack of suitable insulation may be against building code.

Is it even building code compliant for new construction to have a residence without any insulation in NY? Even if it's NOT a code violation, building something that way and expecting it to be occupied is absurd.

Concrete anything is a giant heat sink. You could put heat into that place 24/7, but without insulation it's always going to be freezing.
On the bright side, you're going to roast in the summer, too, unless no sun ever shines on the structure.

And I'm with ghunt. It's a construction pet peeve, too. Cement is a component of concrete. Your floors and walls are concrete.

I heartily agree with the recommendation to speak to your landlord. Unless this is a brand new property for the LL to manage, I can't believe s/he wasn't aware of the heating problems. This seems abusive of you as a tenant and is likely illegal.

I would immediately contact a tenants' rights organization. If they confirm your temperature must meet a standard it's not meeting, start putting your rent in escrow and inform the LL that it will not be released until the heating issues and insulation are taken care of.

Not providing proper heat isn't just irresponsible, like not providing a new dishwasher when the current one breaks down -- it's dangerous. In the meantime, if you have the cash to spend, for sure buy whatever kind of thick carpet you can find, put up plastic sheets around the windows to prevent heat loss, and I'd tack/staple a couple layers of thick fabric to the ceiling and drape them down across the walls.

I didn't read all of the comments, so apologies if I'm repeating others, but here's my 2 cents - why are you staying in this place? If you're as uncomfortable as it sounds like you are, why not just leave? Even if you have a long-term lease, I would think that your landlord would release you from it if you explained your grievance - and if he won't, you probably have a valid lawsuit. No matter what you add with regard to curtains and rugs, it's always going to be a concrete building. Unless something drastic is done (such as furring out the interior of all of the walls with drywall and insulation), the situation is unlikely to change.

P.S. Just FYI, you're misusing the word "cement". Your walls are either concrete or concrete masonry block. Cement is just one component of concrete, along with sand, water, and aggregate.

my building is concrete, too. there is plaster on the interior walls, but no insulation. i have a small space and use 2 space heaters that have digital thermostats made by kenwood. they were about $50 each, and are very powerful.

Do NYC laws require that the indoor temp reach a certain temperature? I know where I live the law requires not only that the heat be ON, but that the indoor temperature be at least 68 degrees (or something like that).

Beautiful apartment though...I'm the type of design whore who would suffer the cold so I could look at that place all day lol

I live in a cement block house and I know what you are talking about. The walls are freezing to the touch. I insulated the roof to R41 and the floors to R-30. The walls I found nothing could be done. If dry wall was put over them with insulation behind it mold would grow. So this very hour I am upgrading the furnance and a/c to make up the difference. A HVAC unit has to be properly sized for R values in a home by a proffessional. By the way your home will be hotter than Hell in the summer as the cement will soak up all that warm summer sun for you. Your landlord needs to pay for all these improvements. I did the rug thing on the floors that many have suggested, my feet still froze. I would give the landlord a call first and then the NYC inspector and you would surprised the landlord fixes everything or you would be released from the lease.

i second rapunzel's fabric suggestion!

have you ever considered using cotton drop cloths from you local hardward store? they come in varying thickness, are reasonably priced for them actual amount of fabric you get, are neutral colored (though they are very easily dyed) and hold up well to multiple washings.

good luck!

Other NYC posters are correct in saying the LL must have the temp be 68 during daytime hours.

One practical thought for your problem: you could put up rigid insulation board on the walls (they're light and could probably attach with strong velcro) and cover the outside of them with a fabric or just painting them. Because what you really need is insulation! Rugs with pads, and curtains too.

And while your waiting to get this all figured out - a great trick for using a little space heater is to put it underneath a table you are working at. The heat gets trapped and keeps you feet and lap warm, and slowly escapes up the sides of the table to keep the rest of you warm. Those little ceramic heaters work well. And TOTALLY use your oven non-stop. Just make sure it's clean!

Jen I don't have any great suggestions to your problem; if anything I am commenting just to commiserate! I live in a 900 square foot apartment in san francisco with no central heat and two wall heaters that work at half speed and neither are in our bedroom. Our bedroom is so cold at night that sometimes I wear a big furry hat to bed on top of the long flannel pjs and two down comforters.

I think talking to your landlord is key. I wrote a note to mine when sending our January rent and mentioned that we needed our wall heaters checked and he not only offered to fix/updated the heaters he is going to give us a runner for our long hallway and make sure that any gaps in the windows are sealed.

No matter how beautiful your apartment is, you have to be comfortable living in it :)

Thanks for the advice everyone! My apologies... concrete walls, not cement (thanks for the correction). I'm shopping for a good, affordable rug, and the rug pad sounds like a good idea. I'm also shopping for curtains. And I did just get a digital thermometer, which is how I found out just how cold my little home is. I will be putting in a call to the landlord today to give him the stats. I am on the 2nd floor (of 2) and I've noticed recently that my neighbors are almost never home, most likely sleeping in a warmer place!

Now that I know the required temp and hours for NYC, I will be letting the landlord know, and hopefully he will turn the heat up or keep it on more consistently. I've been using a space heater, but let's be real, those things are best when you're sitting on top of them, and if the heat is seeping out of the walls, this is not very energy efficient (or cost effective for me!). Meanwhile, I layer on the fleece and down vest, cook something hot and delicious, and drink lots of tea.

@ mannequingirl - what does using 2 space heaters do to your electric bill?? I'm afraid to get mine this month.

@ dontoearth - I have steam heat, but it's controlled by the landlord, not me, so it's not on consistently, only during certain hours.

@ Emily the Cat - I just moved in a few months ago so I'm on a lease. The cost of moving (and just finding a place) in NYC is pretty high, not to mention the hassle, so I'm hoping to find a less expensive solution.

BTW - those pics are not of my apartment, the awesome folks at AT put those up to illustrate the concrete walls. ;-)

I have purchased an electric fireplace for my room, because it is very cold. It has made such a difference in my place. I can walk in without it being painfully cold on my feet, and having to wear a sweater with my pj's. It's got a thermostat, and you can also just have the flames on (with out throwing heat).
Best purchase for my house ever!
And I calculated the cost of heating, and it costs me 12 cents an hour to heat the room. I use it for an hour at night, to get rid of the chill before bed, and I would not live without it again!

I'm chastened that all Switzerland uses concrete construction! Because the walls are so cold to the touch, perhaps I can find a suitable wall tapestry to hang behind the bed--as mentioned, even a light fabric over the windows has helped.

Hi, there. Very good suggestions by many.

There is nothing inherently wrong with concrete construction, as long as it's done properly. It should have been constructed with integral insulation, and it definitely sounds like it was not. If you can get your landlord on board, I think the best course of action would be to construct a wall on the interior with insulation and drywall. This would help immensely.

@razzie777 - the vapor barrier is key! You should be able to put in insulation and drywall if it's done properly.

Also, if you can get into the overhead space and lay some insulation there, that would be great.

As far as the windows go, to add insulation without taking away from your daylight, look into something like this:

http://www.climateseal.com

They're basically just storm windows that you put in on the inside, and are pretty affordable.

Best of luck!

This is the same problem they had during history in old medieval castles in Europe, very cold stone castles.
They used those huge thick tapestries on the walls as insulation.

I would hang tapestries, rugs or woolen blankets, or those quilted movers blankets over the concrete during the winter.

Two suggestions for you! I had an oil filled heat radiator on wheels that was electric. It was very cheap to run and it had a timer and a thermostat so that it would turn off after the room got nice and warm or an hour or two after I fell asleep at night. The wheels made it easy to unplug and drag into another room. I think it was a DeLonghi. It was even rated for bathroom use with a special plug that would keep shock risk to a minimum. The units should be on sale now at the big stores. I used mine in the bathroom every morning until I remodeled and put in radiant floor heat in the bathroom. BTW, the radiant floor heat for the bathroom and new tile and installation was only about $550. If you are going to stay a few years you might get the landlord to do one or two rooms. It is amazingly inexpensive to run and you could pay the extra electric if he paid for the radiant heat units and installation. Good Luck too you! It is snowing out side right now and, I am hoping for the best for you.

Here you go:
Oil filled radiator model TRN0812T by DeLonghi is a compact sized model with big heat output. It comes with oversized feet, a timer, GFCI plug for bathroom use and has a lower surface temperature than competitors models so it is safer for you children and pets. delivering 4,096 BTU

Oh, do I ever feel your pain. When I first moved into my concrete apartment I thought I'd never be warm again. All the above suggestions are great, and I'll add a couple more: first, always wear slippers and warm socks. You'd be surprised how much colder you feel when your tootsies are freezing.

Second, and this is something that's been done in a couple of condos in my building, is get the landlord to purchase infrared heating panels for the ceiling (they must be installed by an electrician). They work by heating mass, not air, and are more energy efficient than electric baseboard heaters. The company my LL is using is Solid State Heating Co. (http://www.sshcinc.com/) and the panel name is Enerjoy. The panels are flat, paintable, and will keep you cozy.

I have to ask: you mention that the steam heat is only on during certain hours--why isn't it on constantly? I've never had steam heat, so maybe that's just how it works, but I'm curious. Maybe your LL needs to open up the pipes and his wallet a bit.

Thanks for all of your suggestions AT folks! I did speak with my landlord, who has since made a few changes that seem to have helped with the (lack of) heat. I've also got a rug coming in today, and a couple of little things I'm doing. It's been warmer here in NY for the past couple of weeks, but temps are dropping, so this will be the test!

@Mlle Kate - steam heat is the most common here in NYC, it's a really old system, from what I understand, and heats most older buildings. It is controlled from a central location via thermostat, so only when it detects the temp at a certain level, and residents do not have individual control over it in their apartments. Apartments on higher floors of larger buildings are usually really warm, since heat rises, and sometimes they have to open a window to let some of it out!