no natural light

Apartments with poor lighting are always tough sells

Didn't you already ask this question? 'Sale at 114 East 84th Street #2D'
bedrooms with no natural light = good for sleep. Otherwise, lots of lamps.

It gets really bad in the winter and summer, trying to control the temperature is difficult. DON'T DO IT!!!

Have you considered electric lighting?

I lived in a "cave" apartment (1st floor rear, windows facing air shafts) for many years. It was fine for a long time especially as those years included many where coming home well after sunrise and sleeping all afternoon was normal behavoior. After that is was just a case of inerteria and cheap rent that kept me there, especially as I began to realize other people didn't have to turn on the weather channel to see if it was raining. When I bought my current place abundant sunshine was a top priority. Don't think I would buy a "cave"...it may not bother everyone but it would have to fit enough other top priorities for a buyer to be interested at resale. The difference would be if you love the apartment and want to live there forever...then resale is of tertiary concern, let your heirs deal with it.

agree it's tough for resale. but if you're doing it:
- light-colored or sheer window treatments (blinds, roman shades, etc.) over the window... it creates the illusion that there's light coming from behind.
- if doable for your floorplan and privacy needs, French doors to bring in light from other rooms.

"We are considering buying an apt that is on the 2nd fl facing the back and therefore two of the bedrooms receive absolutely no natural light. Does anyone have experience with this? What can be done in terms of lighting to make this livable?"

Lizyank makes a very good point. In a pinch, you could live anywhere for a year or two.

But to BUY something like this? Absolutely not.

This is a classic 20-something apartment that RENT when you're just starting out in your career and can't afford anything better.

I am not sure why anyone would care about natural light in bedrooms. I spent thousands of dollars on black out window treatments to keep light out. That said, install recessed cans or track lighting along the inside top of the window well.

"I am not sure why anyone would care about natural light in bedrooms."

Because we don't like living in caves?

Look, I speak as someone who worked overnight shifts for years, and I can tell you that there is still nothing more depressing than a room that NEVER gets natural light.

It's just UNnatural.

Hubby and I lived in a dark prewar studio for years and we took the opposite tack of going for very clubby decor: pearl gray paint with white trim, dark woodwork & heavy velvet drapes, with an ornate period chandelier to provide light bounce. If I had to do it in a BR, I'd say two-toned paint treatment with somewhat rich colors, heavy drapery, big mirrors with ornate gilded frames, and cool-looking wall sconces. (Certainly I would consider a pair of swing-arm reading lights over the bed.)

Don't try to make a dog into a cat.Rather than make the apartment something it's not, celebrate the cozy cavelike nature of what you have.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

If you are saving money , then as a rental I can see it. As a purchase. looks dumb.

"Don't try to make a dog into a cat"

But cat people shouldn't get a dog in the first place.

Peanut herself admits that the rooms as they are aren't "livable". Slapping some paint and drapes up to make it even DARKER isn't going to change the fact that SHE apparently can't live without natural light in those rooms.

Therefore, Peanut, you need to not consider this apartment and move on.

front_porch - question totally off-topic: would you ever actually say "hubby" in real life? Or is that strictly an SE usage? (I've been noticing how that 60's sitcom word seems to be creeping into more and more SE threads - sort of strange for all these NY women to be using.

"would you ever actually say "hubby" in real life? "

Scroll 57 seconds into this clip: http://www.youtube.com/user/melx2be23#p/u/24/MCKNcanISX8

murray, it's an online usage, so I don't write my husband's name and thus protect his privacy. (I guess Mr_front_porch would be my other alternative.) But in real life? No, I just use his name.

ali

Itg wouldn't be acceptable to just say "my husband and I" as you would at the office or at a cocktail party? To people who don't know your husband, and who therefore would not know who he was if you referred to him only by name?

I never have lived in a cave like apartment (and wouldn't choose to do so) however, given my office environment i can tell you you can buy a Natural light illumination panel (the kind used to treat SAD). You can install it on a timer so that it follows natural sunlight patterns. It's also great when doing any projects etc.

Lightbulbs - A great invention.

Is it only the bedrooms that are dark or the entire apartment? I think that makes a difference. My old place had ZERO natural light anywhere (there was about 20 minutes each afternoon where there was enough sun in the bedroom not to bump into things). If its all dark please also consider the impact on kids and pets. Can't imagine being home sick in the dark...and now seeing how my cats bask in our light filled apartment I feel like an owe a strong apology to the (now deceased) cats I had in "the cave".

Peanut, I hope you listen to Riversider. This is not a rental, you will want to unload this thing some dark day.

I also hope you get an incredibly great price, and you are prepared not to make any money at all on your investment, right? Good.