apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Why not pull the bed out into the main living space and use this little room as a deluxe dressing room with big mirrors, a comfy slipper chair, etc?

Maybe minimalism is the way to go. I would center the bed and keep other furniture to a minimum. Maybe keep the colors light and calming - whites and blues are my first instinct. You can replace the curtain with a light-blocking shade and substitute some lighter curtains. Consider getting a bookcase or shelves for along one wall. You can store books and clothes (in bins) without taking up much floor space. Replace the plaid comforter or cover it. Then invest in some softer lights and you will be all set.

I agree with bepsf on this one. This is, of course, assuming you live alone and not with roommates, etc. You could make your appartment into an awesome studio with a great bonus room.

My boyfriend and I did this with our two bedroom appartment and the result was that we had a huge bedroom in the main living space and two bonus rooms that we eached used for our own purposes (him - computer games, me - homework).

If you can't manage this, or don't want to, then I'd agree with KetchupFiend that light, neutral colors would help make this space relaxing.

I had a 7x8 room with a IKEA jerker desk, twin size bed, dresser and hanging clothes rack (no closet) so I can feel your pain.

My first thought is to downgrade the bed size by going with a nice futon type thing with a real mattress (like IKEA beddinge) or the IKEA Hemnes trundel bed but I realize that is probalby not an option. Otherwise, center the bed. Also, make sure that the duvet cover pattern is small or solid. Use a tall bookcase with open sides to double for storage and a bedside table/s. Can you put a dresser in the closet - you can get something cheap since it won't be seen.

Rather than dark curtains, maybe use blinds (they probably came with the rental) and a roman shade or lighter curtains hung higher up the wall to the floor.

Across from the bed put either bookcases as Ketchup suggested or a tall but not so deep chest of drawers.

I know you say you like color, but I would recommend going white minimal for this one. It really makes a room look bigger. Then, once you have all your basics in white, add one splash of color that will really make it pop. You'll find that you are drawn to that one color (and love it!) without making the room look even smaller.

I would recommend painting your walls a light (pastel?) colour or white/off-white and use white or light coloured curtains. Keep the curtains a lighter colour than your walls.

Start thinking of it as an alcove instead of a bedroom. If possible, consider widening the doorway. Or remove the door itself if privacy is not an issue. Structured drapes that sort of frame the window would make it serve the visual function of a headboard. Match your bedding to the drapes for a more unified effect. Besides the bed, just have one side table or a wide shelf mounted to the wall.

I have an 8X10 room and the bed (full sized) is centered against the long wall. I got a platform bed frame (frame only - no headboard) so I could ditch the bed skirt and box spring. I also put up plantation shutters on the window to block light.

Also in the room is a very compact lounge-y chair next to the bed on one side and a teeny dresser on the other (only 11 inches deep by 24 wide). I've got floating book holders on the wall and bedside lamps that are wall mounted.

The guy who lived in the apartment before me slept in the living room because he thought the bedroom was too small but my friends are always raving about how cute the room is now. You can do it with a small space - just cut it back to the essentials.

I just went thru this recently, same situation. I put little foam things on the points of the platform under the bed so I don't get bruised (I have about 12 inches at the foot of the bed and less on the side of the window. BUt I painted the room antique white Benjamin Moore, which is very soft, and the windows and borders Dove White, and the two together really opened up the room. White silk (fake silk) curtains from BB&B, really cheap, & white bedding in different textures and two tiny stands on each side of the head of the bed with lamps For about $600 bucks you can do the whole room. light from the floor it makes the room look more open than the overhead. You still will have to crawl over the bed to the window a lot of the time but it won't feel as bad!

Have you considered putting the LONG side of the bed under the window?

Murphy bed. Or if that's too much, a bed with storage drawers underneath, like the Ikea Mandal bed.

I'd make it a cave, a cozy place to sleep or read with the bed placed in the center of the room. I'd hang floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall velvet drapes with art hanging in front of them. Top it off with a really dramatic chandelier.

Awesome.

t8
www.strangeclosets.com
when design takes priority, the result is often strange closets.

i had a bedroom that was about 8x10... it sucked. i had a very basic platform bed frame with all white bedding and white walls, which made everything seem a little bigger than it really was. the bed was tucked into a corner so it touched the wall on one side and at the head of the bed, and i had a little night stand with a lamp and that was basically it. when i was in there i didn't feel claustrophobic at all because the window let in so much light and everything else was white. i'd suggest taking down the heavy curtains and replacing with plantation shutters.

Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate all of your great suggestions. I checked out t8's site and found a pic that inspired me based on what some of you said about keeping the walls and everything light and using some accent colors.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CRI6VijMMhc/SLtdgwiRJ3I/AAAAAAAAIBM/pemQgCqdEbw/s400/DSC_7443

I played with it in photoshop (not a photo xpert, but fun nevertheless!) to incorporate those ideas. What do you guys think about something like this? Doable?

I don't know how to post pictures in these messages so I will put it in my profile.