Before & After: A Few Soft Swaps Give This First Solo Apartment a Cozy Upgrade
When did you feel like you had a grown-up home? Maybe it’s when you get rid of your parents’ hand-me-down couch, or your first time living alone after years of having roommates. That was the case for Maya, who just moved from a roommate share in San Francisco to her own apartment in New York. Maya wanted to lean into her solo space by making her new bedroom feel extra lush and special.
“My bedroom is where I like to read, relax, and reset,” Maya says. “I’m a morning person, so I’ll get up extra early to have a couple of hours to myself. My day starts with me reading, and then I’ll end my day listening to podcasts while doing a stretch routine.”
She didn’t need to work too hard to create the feeling she wanted in this space: some well-chosen sheets, blankets, and throws from Macy’s did the trick instantly. From touchable textiles to sumptuous bedding, Macy’s offers high-quality decor that can add warmth, color, and dimension without a whole room redo. Maya went shopping in-store with Apartment Therapy editor-in-chief Charli Penn and discovered plenty of finds to level up her first “grown-up” bedroom. Here’s what she found!
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A bedroom is only as comfortable as its bed. These sheets are made of luxe 680-thread count Supima cotton, for an exceptionally soft sleep that still looks crisp and modern. The classic white picks up the trim on Maya’s new slate gray comforter set. A blend of linen and modal, it has a natural feel and elegant drape.
These throw pillows up the glam factor and add more soft shapes into the mix. A beaded pillow in rich bordeaux plays nicely against a geometric pillow in a sparkly champagne hue. The tile beading and raised patchwork stitching add visual depth to the bed.
“I also love how the pillows add texture and a subtle pop of color,” Maya says. “It mirrors my fashion style and personality. I usually incorporate small pops of color into my outfits.”
Texture interplay is a secret shortcut to making a space feel richer and more layered. Against the lightweight linen blend of Maya’s comforter, this large faux fur throw feels opulent and cozy. The rosy blush hue adds subtle warmth.
“The additional layers, especially in the bedding and pillows, changed the way the space holds light and texture,” Maya says. “It was interesting to see how subtle styling adjustments could make the room feel softer and more dimensional.”
A couple of finishing touches help Maya feel at home in her new bedroom: a playful silver checked picture frame for a favorite photo of her dog, and pink-tinted drinking glasses that make bedside hydration more elegant.
“My personal design mantra is that every room should have three things: texture, tension, and form. Texture gives it depth, tension keeps it interesting, and form anchors the eye. This refresh leaned into those principles in a quieter way, and the result feels more edited and intentional.”
Now, Maya’s new bedroom feels sophisticated and personal — exactly what this new chapter of her life calls for.