Home Improvement

Best Hardware Store

RAINBOW ACE HARDWARE

1449 First Ave.

212-517-7500

www.acehardware.com

The sprawling Upper East Side store stocks more than just the typical hardware, electrical, paint and plumbing supplies and power tools. It’s a treasure trove of home organizers, toiletries, cookware, gifts, snacks and more goods. It’s open relatively late, too (10 p.m. on weekdays), which is helpful to apartment dwellers in a bind.

GARTNER’S HARDWARE

162 West 72nd St.

212-873-1050

www.gartnershardware.com

Customers prefer Gartner’s over the big-box hardware store, thanks to its extensive inventory and friendly service. The full-service shop, which has been serving the Upper West Side for more than 60 years, also helps advise on home repair projects and offers AC installation, key cutting and equipment rentals, among other services.

BARNEY’S HARDWARE

467 Sixth Ave.

212-675-3846

This West Village store may be tiny, but it has a solid selection that can accommodate even the most random request. Regulars appreciate the fair pricing and the knowledgeable and creative staff. All this adds up to the hardware store being a resource for many a grateful resident and shop owner in the neighborhood.

Best Wallpaper

FARROW & BALL

142 East 73rd St.

212-737-7400

www.farrow-ball.com

This British brand makes handcrafted wallpapers in rich, bold designs. Metallic prints are the most recent iteration on its wallpapers, made using recyclable paper and the company's own paint. Wallpapers are also crafted to be stain-proof and wipeable, ensuring their durability. Customers can explore the brand’s offerings at its Upper East Side showroom.

JANOVIC

Multiple locations

www.janovic.com

Across 10 NYC locations, including two on the Upper West Side, Janovic specializes in paint, window treatments, upholstery and wall coverings. Its collection boasts hundreds of different wallpapers and wall coverings in any number of patterns and textures from name brands such as Schumacher and Scalamandre.

INNOVATIONS

150 Varick St.

212-807-6300

www.innovationsusa.com

True to its name, Innovations has pioneered in its field. It’s developed wall coverings made of cork, faux leathers, denim and more unique materials. Its natural woven wall coverings include unique textures like knotted abaca and crushed capiz shells. See what might work for your home project and tastes at its Hudson Square showroom.

Best Home Decor

GRACIOUS HOME

1210 Third Ave.

212-517-6300

www.gracioushome.com

Upper East Siders have been coming to Gracious Home for their home goods needs since 1963. Anything from table linens to LED lightbulbs can be perused at the shop. Pick up a decorative pillow or two to spruce up a living room, or go all in on new cabinets or flooring in a home renovation at this well-stocked, all-accommodating store.

THE SILL

448 Amsterdam Ave.

917-675-7236

www.thesill.com

“Plants make people happy” is the motto of this plant purveyor, with an outpost on the Upper West Side. Bring some happiness into your home with an item or several from its live collection - complete with charming pots and instructions on keeping them alive. Should your plant care skills be lacking, zero-maintenance fake and preserved plants are also available. Regular workshops like plant care 101 and Christmas tree decorating round out the education.

ROMAN AND WILLIAMS GUILD

53 Howard St.

212-852-9099

www.rwguild.com

The Soho shop features high-end wares by the touted design firm Roman and Williams (like handmade butcher stools, iron candelabras and fur throws), while also spotlighting craft objects from global designers. Pick up some pastries at the on-site French cafe La Mercerie, or a bouquet from Emily Thompson Flowers while you’re there.

Best Lighting Fixtures

FOUNDRY LIGHTING

225 East 58th St.

844-544-4858

www.foundrylighting.com

Name any type of light and you are likely to find it offered from this luxury retailer. A variety of ceiling, wall and outdoor lights are stocked, including select LED options, from a number of leading brands. Easily searchable by style, whether you’re looking for industrial, rustic or modern. Don’t know where to start? Get help on your project at the company’s Upper East Side showroom.

ORIENTAL LAMP SHADE COMPANY

223 West 79th St.

646-846-9228

www.orientallampshade.com

New Yorkers have been outfitting their apartments with lamps from the Upper West Side shop for more than 80 years. Its services include crafting custom lampshades, repairing broken lamps and creating lamp mounts. Beyond lamps, a wide variety of wall and ceiling lights are also available.

ARTEMIDE

46 Greene St.

212-925-1588

www.artemide.net

Italian manufacturer Artemide is a leader in lighting design, racking up awards in its field and collaborating with renowned architects and designers. Its New York showroom, located in Soho, displays its modern, artful floor, wall, table, ceiling and suspension lights.

Best Custom Storage

THE LITTLE WOLF CABINET SHOP

1583 First Ave.

212-734-1116

www.littlewolfcabinetshop.com

Every square inch of a New York City apartment can be used for storage. And for more than 50 years, this Upper East Side business has been outfitting urban homes with custom cabinets, of course, as well as shelving, bookshelves, entertainment displays and more that fit the specific needs of each apartment for years to come.

AARON BOLLMAN & COMPANY

160 Riverside Blvd.

646-308-1632

www.aaronbollmanandcompany.com

The Upper West Side construction firm has garnered word-of-mouth business throughout the city and Houzz accolades for its professional service and end results. Whether it’s a quick job or total reno, the firm has done it - including custom closets and built-ins - with projects including lofts, townhouses, new developments and condos.

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS

26 Varick St.

646-374-0053

www.californiaclosets.com

As the name implies, the chain, which has a showroom in Tribeca, just does closets. Its designers are experts on finding solutions for organization and storage and saving precious space. They will guide customers through key details ranging from materials to lighting to hardware.

Best Furniture Store

ETHAN ALLEN

1010 Third Ave.

212-888-2384

www.ethanallen.com

The (free!) interior design expertise is where it’s at at the Upper East Side location of the furniture chain. Whether getting a couch or rug or outfitting a whole apartment, the design center can point you in the right direction based on your taste and needs and make the process seamless.

GOTHIC CABINET CRAFT

2652 Broadway

212-678-4368

www.gothiccabinetcraft.com

The furniture company has been a go-to for high-quality wood furniture since 1969. It crafts pieces in a variety of stainings and styles (from Shaker to mid-century modern) to suit a variety of tastes. It also does custom projects out of its NYC factory, for home items like entertainment wall units, radiator covers and shelving. The company has multiple locations in the city, including an Upper West Side showroom where you can do custom orders.

ONE KINGS LANE

143 Spring St.

646-908-7000

www.onekingslane.com

One of the e-commerce retailer’s three stores is in SoHo, where you can shop its line of sectionals, coffee tables, dressers and more IRL, as well as find other brands and vintage pieces. With its Manhattan clientele in mind, the flagship offers small-space solutions. Need help? Make an appointment with a design consultant.