Why not put a real bed (maybe the kind with storage drawers underneath to save space in the bottom right corner of the space). Then hang some curtains with ceiling track, or bookshelves around the "bedroom" space to hide it off from the "living space." This will leave with you with a nice 13'6"x13'6" space for your living room

Will a bed fit in the closet by the entry door?

A loft bed with storage underneath could work:
http://www.loftbed-store.com/p/tradewins-echo-falls-computer-loft-bed-loft-bed?utm_source=Google_Base&utm_medium=Shopbots&utm_term=www.loftbed-store.com&utm_campaign=13524873__tradewins_echo_falls_computer_loft_bed_loft_bed

I would put the bed where nikokera suggested. Then maybe a small sofa floating in the space with its back to the kitchen, and maybe a desk or dining table (depending on your needs) set up against it. I really like the floorplan and I'm currently looking for something similar in Chicago... would you mind telling me how you found the unit? Maybe e-mail me the info?

Ooo. I like this better: http://www.thebeanbagstore.com/bhbowermanloft.htm

Another vote for a bed. Because I didn't want a visible bed, I slept on a futon in my first studio apartment. It was a silly mistake. In retrospect (especially after I've seen so many gorgeous studios on AT), I should have gone with a bed. As long as you have other places to sit (like chairs or floor pillows), I wouldn't give it a second thought. It's really, really nice to have a real bed. (Again, as long as no one sits on it. I hate when people sit on my bed. But maybe that's just me.)

I think it would depend on how you intend to use the space. Do you like having friends over, or do you go out more? When I lived in a studio (smaller than yours), I had a full bed and a computer desk, and I ate at the bar that divided the kitchen area from the bed, so no dining table. But I also did most of my socializing out of the apartment, and did not watch TV, so no need for couch.

In your case, I would start off with a bed in the corner where nikokera suggested, and then see how much room you have left over. You can always opt for a love seat or a couple of arm chairs instead of a standard three-seater, or even a low coffee table with floor cushions if you are the type who prefers sitting on the floor (there was a recent post on that).

As for colors, I would also go slowly. Work with the occasional tables you have, see if they fit the space. No need to get flustered at this stage, because you can always go a different direction once you've settled in and see how the light and colors work. It's super that you already have a piece of art to anchor your space. You can certainly pull inspiration from that.

Congratulations and good luck!

I used to sleep on a futon and my back hated me for it. Strong vote no on the futon. Instead, I agree with others, get a quality bed and another small, comfortable couch, love seat, extra wide comfy arm chair, or two club chairs. Search the small spaces archives here on AT for some good inspiration on how to set up your space. In a space this size, I'm not a fan of cordoning off your bed from the rest of the room with curtains or shelving as a partition. I say integrate your bed into the space.

Do yourself a favor and forget the futon. You can still squeeze a full-sized bed into the bottom right corner and hang a drape or use some kind of room divider to "extend" the foyer. This should create a cozy alcove while leaving a decent amount of space for a living area.

I would put the TV against the wall with the window and place a small "apt sized" couch facing directly at the TV. Having the couch floating in the middle (instead of pushing it up against the wall) will also separate the living area from the bedroom "alcove." This layout also allows you to watch TV from bed as well.

The rest of the decor should fall into place. To maximize efficiency and flexibility, I would go with a couple storage ottomans in lieu of a coffee table and second sidechair. There should still be enough space for a bookcase and even a small desk. I wouldn't add much more beyond that however.

Look at the small spaces archive for inspiration!

I think I would put the bed in the bottom right sector of the drawing, as people mentioned. I would integrate it into the rest of the space, though probably use a piece of furniture (IKEA Expedit shelf?) in the bottom middle to kind of visually demarcate the sleeping area.

Thry this option or look around their website. I was just in the store and it's some really cool stuff - easy to manuever and a lifetime warranty.

http://www.resourcefurniture.com/swing

I don't mean to hijack this person's question and my apologies if it's bad form to ask but I was interested in hearing people's experiences with futons as sofas. The consensus seems to be that they are not as comfortable as regular beds but how do they compare to sofas ? We're considering going for this - http://www.futoncompany.co.uk/sofa-beds/3-seater-sofa-beds/solid-oak-sofa-bed.html - to replace our tatty old sofa. For £599 one would be hard pressed to find a three-seater with solid oak frame. Thoughts ?

most definately a bed. you can put on it the bottom right corner. it looks like you've got some sort of built-in bookshelf in that corner. it can double as your bedside table. Use some sort of room dividing panel or double-sided book shelf seperating the bed from the rest of the room. looks like you could get a cute futon, coffee table and desk in the rest of the space. (since you already have a dining-type table built in.)

reminds me of this apartment: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2009/small-cool-2009-kevins-triple-threat-teenytiny-division-15-081773

but i think you have more space.

it's a great first apartment! have fun with it.

Yes, get a bed. Put it in that corner like everyone says. Put the tv (if you are a tv watcher) in a place where you can see it from the bed. Then you can use a small sofa, a loveseat or just some comfortable chairs for your seating area - since you can use the bed when you want to stretch out and relax.

Go light with your paint colors, as it doesn't look like you have much natural light in there.

The bed is the better investment for both comfort and function.We had a futon as a couch/guest bed, and it was uncomfortable for either purpose. I have never been so glad to see a piece of furniture go out the door in my life.

Get a bed and (if you don't mind people sitting on it) use it as both bed and couch.

I have a studio with a half wall myself (it's weird, but it was originally a one bedroom except the walls were all interior, so no windows = against code). I considered getting a couch, but instead I bought a chaise lounge chair and I absolutely love it! If I have friends over, I can use it like a couch (and I have extra big pillows on the floor as well). But if it's just me, I can stretch out on it to study, watch movies, read books... Perfect compromise!

I really support the idea of a bed - however, with such a small place, I might opt for something that you wouldn't mind people sitting on - like this daybed I'm in love with at West Elm: http://bit.ly/b3clLD

You could easily go with something like that a couple comfy chairs (or one of those itty-bitty loveseats some stores are selling now) and add a desk too. But I'm big on desks, so maybe a little dining table?

1) Definitely get a bed - you spend a third of your life in it, so that should be a priority. If you get a fold out couch or a futon you will almost never put it away.
2) Get a queen size bed - preferably with a head and foot board. (I like sleigh beds in open studios because of the sense of enclosure they provide.) Put the head against the wall that is at the bottom of the screen. Line the left edge up with the left edge of the peninsula. This leaves you with a nice square living and dining area.
3) Do the curtains trick described above (ceiling railings) or if you are handy with a staple gun, get at least 9 yards of some great fabric and hang it over the bed -- it should hang behind the headboard, follow the length of the bed and then fall down behind the foot board. This will provide a sense of enclosure, and block the view of the kitchen, and bring pattern and softness into the room. You can get two coordinating fabrics -- 9 yards each and make it two layers -- so from the outside you see one pattern, and lying in the bed you see another. I've done that in my own bedroom and I love it.
4) Looks like there's not a whole lot of light in there, so get a large mirror and put it somewhere -- behind the peninsula on that wall? -- where it will pick up light from the windows.
5) Get some table lamps -- at least one matching pair. Light spaces and tasks - nopt rooms. None of those torchieres!
6) For storage -- a line of book shelves (scoop a bunch of old ones off craigslist, and paint them all the same color and stack them or line them up along the wall where your headboard is.
7) Where to put the couch. It's a conundrum. You don't have any real focal point -- either you are looking at a bgalnk wall, the bed or the kitchen. Hmm. You could float a couch in front of the bookshelves by a couple of feet. I like big couches (not those massive ones, but long, enough for 3 people to sit at a party, or two comfortable to read the paper, watch tv) rather than small. have squashy, downfilled pillows. I dont like small room stuff in a small room. Feels like a dollhouse. Better to have fewer, larger and more functional pieces. You could also put the couch against the wall with the window facing the front door, or have its back to the kitchen -- leave at least 4 feet between the couch and the counters -- and put the tv on the wall with bookshelves with one, smallish comfortable arm chair. I'm not wild about any of these options.
7.5) I would look for a round coffee table.
8) I am concerned about orange and brown together. Very 70s in a bad way. I'd stick with orange and cream or orange and white, and let your art work and accessories bring in the color.
9) Anchor the seating area with a good area rug.
10) if you want to have a dinner party, get a piece of plywood cut to the size you want (3 X 6?) and clamp it to the peninsula/breakfast bar. Get a 4X4 cut to serve as a leg, and screw that in from the top of the plywood -- easily removed for storage. Throw a table cloth over it. I presume you'll need barstool height stools... Or just use your (large, round) coffee table and have everyone sit on cushions on the floor.
I am temporarily bored at work so will scour chicago craigslist and make some furniture suggestions for you on my blog...
pam
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

I would suggest a twin bed and a chaise (like the karlstad from ikea) set up in a corner as a sectional. Put pillows up against the wall in order to make it more comfortable when being used as a sofa. Sleep on the twin or push the 2 together when you have company over. I did this in my studio and I think it worked out really well.

It's not the futon that's uncomfortable, it's the frame.

Want more space with all the comfort of a traditional mattress and box springs? Get an air mattress! Get one with a built-in pump, deflate it every morning as the coffee's brewing, and voila! lots of space is now available for other activities :)

Wow - thanks for all the comments!

I think I'm finally set on going the bed route. What does everyone think about putting the bed on the OTHER side of the room? The only reason I'm thinking that is because the divider i want to use has an ugly rear-side and I'd rather have the ugliness face the bed and not be the first thing you see when you walk in. Also, I'd really like to be able to have that built-in bookshelf be part of the living space. (great space-saver ... i can use this instead of putting up even more bookshelves)

On the living side of the divider, I'm thinking I will float the couch. I'm hoping this couch I can get for free won't be too big (3-seater) because I really like the style. Also, I'm thinking I will hang the TV on my wall and use the floating LACK shelves from IKEA above/below it for my DVD player, etc. I would really like to put a small desk against the back of the couch, but I don't think there will be enough space...

I can't wait to get in there and try everything out!

Does anyone know where to get one of those futons with the arms that fold up and down? (almost spring-loaded)

Bed on the other side of the room = ok as long as you don't block the light from the window. Just my 2 cents.

I'm going to suggest that you take a look at Rashida Jones' layout because it is very similar to yours.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iL1HGhWmUTw/SZKwtmd3xzI/AAAAAAAAAG0/DP1MYTAmTCk/s1600-h/hoar_3steps_organize_02.jpg

Evan...I did some craigslist trolling for you:
http://howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-evan-in-chicago-should-decorate-his.html

I apologize in advance for my creepy over involvement in your decor. I clearly don't have enough work to do.
pam
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

You should really look at dailydecorator.com's website. For $100 you can get a room makeover. There's a room makeover on today's post http://www.dailydecorator.com/?p=8171. She'll pick out paint, furniture, lighting, etc. and do a room layout. Good luck!

I would opt for a real bed and a small loveseat for a sofa. I'm in the camp that, even in a studio, the bed should be separated. For your layout, I'd try putting it across from the bathroom, but not shoved into the corner - pulled out a bit so you can walk around the sides.

One of the easiest ways to create a room would be to get a 4-poster bed and put fabric or curtains along two edges - instant wall. Ikea has an inexpensive one: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S89861543
If you put it floating away from the wall, you could have the sense that you have a bedroom. Put some low bookcases along the headboard side (which would abut the living room area), and it will really feel like a 'wall' from the living room area.

This house tour is also full of great ideas on making a small space work.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/house-tour-jays-chelsea-loft-new-york-city-089223

Think "Luxury/Boutique Hotel Suite" rather than "Studio Apartment".

That means a bed with a pair of nightstands (or a bachelor's chest for storage and a nice desk on the other side of the bed) and a pair of lamps on either side - and a pair of upholstered armchairs (wing chairs?) on either side of a round cafe table at the window.

I'd urge you to consider dressing the entire window wall - from the column to the fridge - in floor to ceiling curtains with sheers, etc.

No sofa, no coffee table - You just dont' have the space.

Keep the kitchen clean and uncluttered with a nice coffee machine and few accessories - and use the closets to their maximum for storage of clothing, clutter, etc.

Here's a great hotel that has some of the colors you like - just rearrange the colors to fit your needs.
http://www.hotelmaxseattle.com/seattle-hotel-rooms/

If you want to have the bed on the other side, I would push the head of the bed against the wall with the window. The TV can be placed directly opposite on the wall next to the built-in bookcase. The couch can then be floated near the foot of the bed as a natural divider. I'm not sure I would even put up a tall divider with this layout since it will block light as well as your view of the TV from bed (don't underestimate this perk in a small studio apt).

Actually, the more I think about this layout, the more I like it!

I like the idea of a chaise lounge as a sofa. For such a small space, though, you might consider floor pillows and several chairs, or possibly a loveseat; if this is your 1st apartment you'll probably have to move a lot and reconfigure your furniture many times in the future. Also for this reason, worry more about if the furniture goes well with the other furniture you own than with the orange wall.

Double beds, as in this post http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/bedroom/endtoend-twins-126031
could be nice if you're a neatnik and make your bed every day. But if you're a slob like me I suggest a hefty bedcover that you can toss over your rumpled bed along with some pillows for seating.

If you're looking into dividing the space with curtains I suggest just a yard-width of fabric sectioning off the head of your bed rather than fully closing off the space. Better yet, use a rug to subtly section off the 'living room' from the 'bedroom.' The glass doors used as dividers here would be nice too: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/crosspost/green-style-recycled-glass-doors-room-dividers-125457

I also agree with the suggestions for mirrors to stretch the space and low table lamps to cut down on the Soviet feel of one overhead fixture. I have to say, the Warhol Curious George sounds awesome!

As for the colors, orange/brown does sound pretty 1970s basement-y. I like your addition of the navy lamp, and I'd pump up the navy element of the room and nix the brown curtains in favor of navy. Also see if you can add in some cream and black/white elements. Also some plants would make it a little less heavy in there. Please don't get a beige rug.

@doubtfulguest: As far as using futons for couches, the link you provided didn't work but in my opinion they always look sloppy, wrinkled and saggy. Maybe to save $$ you could go for what is traditionally a patio couch or loveseat?

Go for a real bed - you should at least be able to squeeze in a twin size by the entry. I vote for a loveseat faced away from the bed to create the sleeping area - a small console table behind with some plants could further separate the space without adding an odd bookshelf or dressing screen to the space. If you have a TV, place it opposite the loveseat so it is possible to watch TV both from bed and the loveseat. You might be able to squeeze in a chair to the left of a TV stand (could use stand, cabinet, or even a low dresser)...and if you need a desk, to the right of the TV there should be enough room for a smaller one. You might even be able to add a small (note small) rolling island to the kitchen to add on to countertop space.

I agree with pamh ideas.

@pamh....clearly you don't have enough work to do...and I love it. Do me next, please. PLEASE.

You're a grown-up now.
Buy the bed.

Futon=broke college student. Get a bed. If you don't necessarily want to create a separate sleeping area (I totally would), why not get a day bed? You can get a removable mattress cover instead of using standard sheets, and you can store the blanket(s) under the bed or in an ottoman during the day. That way you get the feeling of a living room during the day but you're not stuck on a futon or sleeper sofa. Plus, you can get or make all kinds of pillows to combine the colors you were talking about.

Have you considered a Murphy bed? They are just as comfortable as a regular bed but you won't have a big bed taking up all sorts of space. I'd put one against the wall with the window if there is enough space.

there was a post earlier this week about using 2 twin beds as a 'sectional' sofa, then when you're ready to sleep at night, put them together and you've essentially got a king-sized bed.

i would check that out and see if it would work in your space. it's a great way to keep things functional and a fresh new way to add lots of seating when you're entertaining!

In regards to the backside of your divider being ugly, could you paint it or wallpaper it or do something else creative with it? After painting or wallpapering could you put some of those 3M hooks on it to hang pictures, guest coats, etc.?

And I agree with the others - buy a bed with storage under and put it in the corner that nikokera said to. The built-in shelves can be your night table.

You actually have lots of space to work with. Remember, you can always rearrange and rearrange and rearrange which is something I forget.

i'm concerned about the room divider. I think because it's such a small space you don't want to cut off views ANYWHERE -- you want to borrow all the view and light you can. So define spaces rather than divide with canopy curtains (though not totally blocked off) and area rugs. And keep this in mind: every area should have a specific function -- this is where I sleep, this is where I eat, this is where I watch TV. What makes a small place feel horrible is if you sit on the couch and do all those things in one spot. Just a step to the let or right to accomplish those things really makes the space feel used, and useful, and bigger than it is. You don't want your destination to always be the couch or, god forbid, futon.

@studioren: you are SO next. My boss is out of town Tuesday too. Hit me with your situation in a comment at howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com and I will, indeed, tell you how to run your life in a post next week! yay! I'm running out of people I know face to face to boss around. I need Netizens!
pam :)

I may be the lone voice--but I have a futon and a bed and prefer the futon. I bought the futon about 10 years ago when I was getting my first apartment and platform beds, which was what I really wanted, were much harder to find than they are today. it is a nice futon, solid wood frame and innerspring mattress. I "upgraded," so I thought, after a few years to a bed and moved the futon out of my bedroom.

today, I find myself more and more pulling the futon out and sleeping on it. I find it to be just so much more comfortable than the traditional mattress.

yes, the cheap futon you get at target or wal-mart probably won't be that comfortable, but a nice futon might actually be quite comfortable to sleep on.

I'm probably going to get laughed off of the blog, but if you do have to resort to a futon, they have some really nice, modern ones at Target and Walmart that don't look like futons at all. We just bought one to try it out in place of our couch and we love it! And it was very well priced!

I think the first issue is what size of bed do you require? The size of beds varies: twin or xtra long twin to king and cal king. Whatever else goes in the apartment will depend on what bed you select. The second consideration is which is more important: a comfortable bedroom or an entertaining living room.

home body suggests the very bed i was going to suggest! it creates a separate sleeping "area" and no need to use ugly divider. why would you want to wake up every morning and look at something ugly?

as for the rest, i have often found myself decorating small spaces and for me the absolute fail safe is using low furniture
(which obviously negates the IKEA bed above...)

keeping everything low adds to a feeling of airiness.
also another vote for keeping the bed in the lower right corner. the only time you are guaranteed not to need light from the window when you sleep. AND it's right next to the kitchen wall which you are guaranteed to use if you entertain.
you can still use the built in as a book case. it's just next to your bed which is not a contradiction in use.

As for colors, if you have already chosen orange as an accent color and it's a done deal, then along with the pop art and blue i'd pick the colors from the warhol. perhaps finding curtains in the same blue as the lamp?
a yellow chair instead of beige?

some color inspiration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8230585@N06/3267052985/

here is a kitchen that has similar colors as yours:
http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=5526&relatedPhotoId=31371&index=1

Um, what keeps irritating me is language: a futon is the mattressy-bit, which is made of cotton/wool/padding. Properly, they are a specialist item with a long & respectable history.

The whole sofa/chair into bed thing is a piece of furniture that behaves that way & often (but not always) has a futon on it. They are not actually a futon, except (by now, perhaps) linguistically.

Futons seem to be getting a terrible reputation here, but they're not what is being criticised. The Best Bed Ever we had was a special made futon filled with wool & cotton, which we then placed on a wood-frame bed. Don't pick on futons for what they are not.

As someone who just moved into her first studio two days ago - forget the futon. Get a real bed - a big one. Put your TV across from it (wall mounted, if you can).

Skip the sofa. How much seating do you need? You can watch TV on the bed and you'll appreciate the space.

Things I learned the hard way:
1) The place is smaller than you think it is once you move everything in.

2) unless you're planning on entertaining, you don't need everything you would for a 1 br.

3) Have a place to sit (chair, etc) other than your bed. Not a sofa - no room - but it gets old eating all your meals, working, etc all in bed.

4) USE YOUR WALLS. Store up up up! Load up on hooks, shelves etc.

If you have to divide the room, consider a small bookshelf/cabinet unit like ikea' s Expedit - it provides storage and keeps the room feeling big.

oh - and go slow. You don't need to furnish your whole place on move in day!

@joandoesnyc - i try to remind myself of your last point every day! i need to slow down and give myself some time to get things figured out. thanks :)

if you do orange walls, white accents with blue curtains would look awesome! (depending on what color of orange) and for the living space i would recommend a daybed with storage underneath (the space is lacking a little) get some accent pillows for day as a couch, then a bed for night. you would have to maneuver some chairs in the space, but a TV mounted on the wall with the window (on a swival for cooking shows :D) would be perfect in my opinion!!

I also have to pop in here and put in a word for the futon... I had a bed the whole time I was a broke college student, but now that I'm living the futon life, I almost wish I had one through school. Both beds and futons have their own merits... I loved my bed for a long time, but it always seemed like it took up so much room, it was so heavy and massive... I was always bumping into it, and jumping over it to get around. Folded up, with my bedding stored, the futon (just one from ikea) just has a really clean, neat look. This also keeps me from getting distracted and ending up lying around in bed during the day!

If you can afford it, this line is so amazing: http://www.resourcefurniture.com/space-savers ...Some day... sigh... haha