First suggestion, reverse the toilet - you don't want to sit facing the wall!

You should try a loft bed, this way you can put the living room seating underneath giving you the rest of the room free for a desk/eating area/etc.

Common Sense -- WILL DO!! :) Please also ignore the horrible overhead light in the photo...

In your current set-up, float the sofa in the middle of the room and place the tv on a low tv unit/bench under the bay window. You might even be able to angle a small chair into one of the corners depending on the size of the TV unit. And you'd have a nice view outside. You'll just have to play with the scale of the couch so it doesn't get to crowded.

Or...

Move the bed under the bay window, put the sofa at the foot or in front of it and have the TV on the wall next to the entry hall. But then your bed will be beside the entry to both the kitchen and the bathroom.

I have a terrible spatial sense, but could you fit a ROUND bed in that niche and still get into the kitchen and bathroom? Then you could put the TV flat on one of the walls.

Helllllow Katie - what a great apartment! I too have a small studio very similar to yours. I know studios are small, but I was able to make mine very people friendly by adding a triple bunk bed. It's great!!! I own a small turkey jerky factory that I run with my 2 brothers and we all live in the studio on the second floor of the factory...the triple bunk is amazing. So much room! ;) But if you don't have a roommate a regular bed should work fine. I like the placement you have. Let me know if you're into jerky and other dried foods and I'll ship some your way!! Ciao!

a murphy bed with the unit facing what appears to the entry to the main space.... chairs and tables -- not a sofa! -- to make the bay window a cozy seating area .... flat tv mounted on a wall ... ditto audio equipment.

just some late night thoughts. it looks like a lovely space.

My trick for making small spaces feel large has always been fewer pieces, more function. When you try to add extra furniture, I always feel that it just makes the smallness of your space more obvious. A loft, for example, always seems cool in theory. But you can usually get the same functionality by choosing double duty pieces instead.

I agree with suggestion #2 by colophon. Put the bed under the windows, then add lots of pillows. It may cut into your dining nook opening, but that's ok. The bed will low enough to see out the windows without problems, and then it won't be the very first thing people see when they enter your space. Plus, how nice to wake up to the SF sun in your very own studio? Then put the couch in the corner where the bed is now. Get some floor pillows, so you won't need to cram a chair into that area when guests come. Or chose a couch with a built in chaise, to get extra guest seating in one sleek piece. TV on the wall, and if you're ambitious you can put it on a pivoting arm for easy bed viewing.

Then in the kitchen... can I suggest a round table? It seems like you have plenty of space in there so don't need to be efficient, and it can be really nice to break up the squareness of a kitchen with something curvy.

Good luck! Post updates!

The bed is in the right place, but it's facing the wrong direction. Place the bed so that the foot is towards the entry door. Hang gauze-y curtains from the ceiling at the foot of the bed to help define one wall of a "room" Place a nightstand w/ lamp next to the bed by the closet door and run another set of the same curtains from the ceiling outside of the nightstand - for interest, angle this rod from the edge of the closet door towards the outside corner of the bed to define that bedroom.

On the wall that backs up to the kitchen, place a narrow wall-mounted shelf - and mount a flatscreen TV above.

In the bay window, place a large rug, a pair of upright armchairs/wing chairs on either side of a 36" dia round end table with a nice table lamp, and an ottoman: This is your sitting area/dining area. A 3-drawer dresser with a mirror above can go on the wall that's next to the bathroom door for clothing storage/display. (A sofa is a bad idea here - you simply don't have the space.)

In the kitchen, place a long/narrow desk under the windows - You could simply use a pair of filing cabinets and have a 24" deep countertop cut to fit. You could also use a tall bookcase on one end in the corner opposite the large window to support one end - and place the end of the counter inside the bookcase on a shelf and the opposite end on a filing cabinet. Either way, with one or two chairs, this is your workspace/breakfast counter.

Finally, in your entry hall, place another shallow 3-drawer dresser on the wall opposite the front door and another mirror on the wall above. With a lamp, etc, and a wastebasket on the floor in the corner, this is your landing strip.

I'd get rid of the wall that separates the couch area from the dining area and that will give a big increase in space.

I'd also arrange an area on the wall to hang an LCD TV and free up more floor space.

Mafan
Laser Modules For Raves!!!

If for whatever reason you don't want to put the bed in teh window alcove (I like that idea best), do turn the LOVESEAT (sofa is too big) or two really comfy chairs around 90 degrees (as well as the bed, as suggested above) so that it faces the opposite wall , and mount a flat-screen tv on the wall. I hung mine on the wall with an articulating arm. When I want to watch it, I extend the arm. When not in use, the tv sits on wall like a picture frame.

if cuddling while you watch the tube is the objective, turn the bed 90 degrees and put the tv on the wall at the foot of the bed.

I don't know about you but I cannot stand having to make a bed that sits flush against a wall. Allow access on either side.

Definitely use smaller scale, streamline furnishings that serve dual purposes. A minimalist sofa will help make the area feel more spacious. Target has an inexpensive option that gets great reviews from a friend who has a studio about the size of yours.

http://www.target.com/Boardwalk-Tufted-Loveseat-Mocha/dp/B000Z9EKPM/sr=1-18/qid=1228976837/ref=sr_1_18/175-0269188-5039077?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aloveseat&page=1

i'd consider putting the bed in the bay, with the head of the bed by the dining area. in the space between the side of the bed and the windows, perhaps a window seat/storage. a sofa could go where the you have the bed currently, and maybe the tv could go on the wall on the side of the kitchen. an unusual configuration, but i'd like to have my guest area nearer the entry and would love to wake up under those windows, looking up at the trees.

Dinning area:
Create an open, inviting and multipurpose area by creating a psuedo banquette with storage benches along the two walls with windows. One set of benches could even back into the fridge, creating a long, sofa-esque area. Complement the banquette with a round glass table. The lack of chair backs and the transparency of the glass will visually open up the area, plus you'll add storage and be able to seat a large number of people at the round table (up to 6 at a 40" diameter).

On the wall, next to the doorway, you could hang a flat screen TV to watch from the kitchen / dinning area.

Entry area:
Create two functional spaces. Right next to the entry door, set up outer wear (coat, hats, gloves, etc.) storage and a landing strip area for keys, mail and money. This will likely take up 4 - 8 square feet. At the opposite corner, set up a paper & book storage area with a small work surface. This could be a wall of bookcases with a filing cabinet and pullout work surface or a desk with a shelf for books, depending upon your needs. While I don't think that this will be a comfortable work area, a lot of paperwork, like bills need to be processed quickly and regularly, and individual books tend to sit for long periods of time between reads. Hopefully, this entry area can serve some "office" needs without becoming an office.

Main living area:
Keep the bed against the back wall. Rotate it so that the foot is towards the entry area and the head is at the closet wall. Hang flat curtain panels at the foot of the bed (and around the side of the bed) to create a visual division between the sleeping area and the entry way. Add a small side table (or repurpose an extra dinning chair) next to the bed for function.

The bay windows are great, and their architecture would be hidden behind a couch. Place two comfy chairs in that area. Add two matching ottomans for comfort and for functionality (two more people could sit on the ottomans, or they could be used to hold blankets, magazines, books, etc.). Include a sturdy coffee table on top of a rug that defines the "living room" area.

A flat screen TV could be hung on the wall that separates the living area from the kitchen area.

A couple other things:
- Splurge on your bed linens and make sure that they coordinate well with the comfy chairs - they'll be seen together and should work together.
- Have fun with throw pillows. They can be used on your bed, on the banquette or in the comfy chairs.
- Spending time and money to organize your closet. It's worth the investment.
- If you want extra storage space, check out:
Storage mattress base box
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10098893
Storage benches to create a banquette
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40120840

Addendum:
If a coffee table takes up too much space, place a small end table between the two comfy chairs in front of the windows for added function without a large foot print.

Ok. If 12 years of California public school disaster training taught me anything, it is that you do not want to put your bed under a window. Nor do you want to put shelves over your bed. Earthquakes! Broken glass! Your face!

Ahem.

I agree with the other posters that a sofa is way too big for a little studio. If you want something couch-like, I suggest one of those big chairs that folds out into a twin bed. I have a sleeper chair in my studio and it works well for me. It's big enough for me to lounge on and 2 friendly people can sit comfortably.

I think your current setup is pretty close, actually.

I would just turn the bed 90-degrees so the head is along the closet wall. Don't push it all the way into the corner but make it so that you can still access the bed from both sides with a narrow walkway along the far wall. This will help it feel like a "bedroom" instead of just having the bed shoved in a corner of the living room. Then create a wall along its foot with either floor-to-ceiling curtains or thin bookshelves or a luan wall (depending on your DIY skills) so that it is blocked from the door. You could also put a second curtain along the side facing the living room to use for privacy when wanted, but probably only occasionally.

This might be of help too.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/house-tour-lauras-pared-down-perfection-relocates-new-york-069394

For the TV/sofa setup, I would actually look for a small sofa that could fit within or go around the corner of the bay window and then have the TV on the wall that the bathroom is on. Or, two armless chairs with a coffee table between them might be able to work with the curve too.

It looks like a really nice space!

curved sofa ideas:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dark-Brown-Armless-Curved-Loveseat/2197449/product.html

http://www.nantuckit.com/ellen.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Spring-Green-72-inch-Cul-De-Sac-Lounger/3482013/product.html

http://www.homefurniture2go.com/catalog/byCollection/Roundabout-by-Avenue-Six.aspx?sort=3

Hey! I lived in a 250sf studio for two years, and the number one piece of advice I can give you is to obtain an IKEA lack bookshelf pronto. Turn the bed the other way and use the bookshelf along the long side of the bed to create a separation of space between living & bedroom. It makes such a wonderful difference. You can actually use both sides of the bookcase too -- but if you don't need the full back side (facing the bed) get a pretty piece of fabric and tack it up to hide the back side. I did this, but left a line of shelves open nearest the head of the bed to use as a bedside table -- a little light, some nice odds-n-ends, and an alarm clock.

Good luck!

P.S. I still have my ikea lack bookshelf 4 years later. It's been through something like 5-6 apartments on opposite ends of the country. Out of all the furniture I have obtained and lost during this time, that wonderful bookshelf is one of the few things that lives on!

Dang! I meant Expedit, not lack... I knew that didn't sound right!. Expedit.

This one in fact: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40047675

Sorry!

I suggest snuggling the foot of your bed into the bay window, like the 2007 Smallest Coolest contestant with the blue living room and long hallway (can somebody post a link to that entry? I used to visit that house tour all the time, but I can't figure out how to search the house tours by square footage any more). This accomplishes a couple things: if you keep your headboard moderately low it means you'll get daylighting and privacy in both your sleep and living space without having to build a wall in an already small room; it also maintains a sort of "spectrum of privacy" in your space, letting you move from front door to kitchen or hang up a guest's coat without stomping through the most private space in your apartment - the place you sleep.

In the kitchen, I'd suggest thinking about your cooking and eating style before before deciding on furniture. If you like sit down meals, the design you've got looks great. If you like to socialize while you cook, I'd suggest IKEA's little fold-down table that mounts to the wall, so that you can open up the space and even drag in an easy chair from the living room so you can chat with a friend while fixing dinner.

Wow! All of your creative suggestions have visualize my space differently, and also think about practicalities that I wouldn't have otherwise. THANK YOU.

My thoughts so far ---

- BED: I'm absolutely torn. Two composites of fantastic suggestions:

A) BED BY BAY WINDOWS: as Gerungirl puts it, keeps people from "stomping through the most private space" in an apartment when they enter, and I would also love to wake up to the beautiful sunshine and trees outside. Also, I cringe at the feng shui of putting the bed by the entryway. Also lessens the need for a "divider" which could truncate the small space I already have. I'd like to see the apartment Gerundgirl suggested, I'll try to do some digging on my own :)

B) BED IN CURRENT LOCATION, FLIPPED 90 DEGRESS: I'm feeling Cola on this one - original 1950s window panes CA earthquake my face = :( Also, this keeps the bay windows open and inviting, (good point, Shekina!) In this case, I would add a divider (Between the foot of the bed/entry -- a curtain -- great link Home Body -- or perhaps a custom wall like Tracy's bedroom in a dining nook? (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/inspiration/tracy-falks-vancouver-studio-071265 )

- LIVING: I remember the previous tenant - if you can believe it - had not one, but TWO sofas and an armchair, but personally yes I agree on less is more! If the bedroom area follows "A", I'll have a bit more flexibility on the size of the pieces, but not much. I'll have to wrap my head on whether a SMALL loveseat with an armchair, or two armchairs, would be best. If bedroom situation "B", I'll have two chairs table between

- KITCHEN: Tthe counters in the kitchen are actually a unique curved shape, so the round table would tie this in well! I also really like the idea of creating a pseudo banquette, although I will have to think more about the organization - the three kitchen windows have fantastic views and I'd love for guests to be able to see that from their seats.

- ENTRY WAY: Definitely need to set up a small table of sorts that can capture the mess I bring in after work (papers, receipts, keys, et c)

- TV: mounted with an "arm" that lets me flip back and forth… but just the other day I tried to hang up curtains and ended up with three holes in the wall, so we'll see how that goes!

- BATH: Reverse the toilet!

- Will now contact papapug for some of that homemade turkey jerky!

Katie.t:

Love your spirit and your space!
Might I echo the Murphy bed suggestion? These days, they sell mecchies for them, using your own bed. Also, I'd do a horizonal Murphy...looks like your bed would fit that way against the wall, and then you could hang your TV above it--it leaves lots more floor space. I'd put the head by your close.
Also...it means construction of sorts...but have you thought about opening up an entrance to your kitchen from the entryway and closing off the entrance from the living room? That would give you one less door in the living room to deal with, and would accomplish two things: more room in kitchen for your table and chairs, and perhaps room for three (or even four) chairs, facing one another around an ottoman (round one?). Two would go in the Chairs could be relatively small, giving you seating but lightness; ottoman could give you one/two more seats. TV could also now go on the eastern wall--the one where the kitchen entrance was...
You could also do a banquette in the southeast corner of the kitchen to add to seating there and clean up the chairs...

I like all of bepsf's suggestions...a curtain at the foot of the bed will keep the bed area private and cozy, and maxamizing storage in your pretty large entryway is a good idea...but while you may not have space for a sofa, I think you could float a small chaise lounge (Ikea has a great one for about $300) in the middle of the room opposite the chairs in the bay window so you have a conversation area and a comfy lounge for watching tv.

Found it. Lydia's Subtly Divided Studio (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/small-cool-2007-entries/northwest-semifinalist-4-lydias-subtly-divided-studio-023147). This is one of my favorite spaces AT has profiled.

Also in SF, also in a small space. I purchased a "ZzZ chest bed," it is a murphy bed but when you fold it up it looks more like a large cabinet and the top is low enough for books etc.

Good Luck!