Fellow AT:LA reader, Killorn, needs help with ideas for his new place:
Hello AT, Help! I just secured this apartment and I am starting from scratch in terms of outfitting it. I would love to get your readers' suggestions on what they would do with it!
(A floorplan is after the jump)
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We think the first thing you should think about is what functions the space needs to fulfill. Do you do a lot of entertaining? Do you work from home? Do you require a lot of storage? etc... From there, you can start finding the basic pieces that will fulfill those needs. Then, finish it off with accessories.
One idea, based off of the floorplan, is to open up the closet, and utilize part of it as a mini-office/landing strip. Maybe bookcases/shelving inside? Depending on how high your ceilings are, perhaps you can also have some sort of raised /loft type bed, using the space underneath for something else... What do you guys think? Suggestions?
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Comments (2)
The best advice I ever received about living in a small space was to use a well executed designer hotel room as a template. Hotels are masters of economy when it comes to space because people have certain expectations about what they will find: a bed, a desk, a chair (or chairs), closets or storage, and a television. New York hotels in particular have a real challenge because the spaces are so tiny - and yet they must find a way to fit these basics in. Guests expect that they will be able to work, sleep, eat, watch tv, and entertain a friend or 2. My suggestion would be to check out pictures of various rooms at the W Hotel, Morgans in NYC, the Royalton (NYC), Roger Williams(NYC), The Shoreham, The Hudson (veerrrry tiny rooms - NYC), The Mercer, The Rivington, The Standard, etc... Pick the one you would want most want to wake up in everyday and use it as a guideline.
I think a lot of people living in studios try to divide the space into sleeping and living but it just usually ends up cramped. The less you need to put into the space, the roomier it will feel. And since you won't be needing a ton of furniture, don't be afraid to do a couple of custom pieces (like a bed and a desk) to help you economize the space and make the room look unified.
Richard in LA makes a good point about copying the hotel layout and I agree that that is some very good advice for small space living. Still following that advice, if you didn't want your bed out in the middle of your room all day you could go with a murphy bed type option on your short wall like this "Twirly Bed" from flyingbeds.com. http://www.flyingbeds.com/14.Euro_BunkBed/Twirly/TwirlyBed.htm
With that you would get 3 pieces in one, bed, bookcase and table, and not have to look at your bed (or worry about making it really) when guests come over. Also, you could just buy a set of chairs and use the table as a dining table for company and a place to sit with your laptop when you're alone. The rest of your space could be used for living/entertainment area with a nice sofa, chairs, coffee table, entertainment center, or what have you, and you'd be all set.
Good luck with your new space.