Could you use these? http://www.crestviewdoors.com/order/redi-screens.html

Or, what if you hacked an expedit from ikea with some o'verlays so you create privacy but still have a lot of functionality?

Please let me know what you end up doing - I'm working on a space and sq footage that's similar, but have a little bit different layout.

How about curtains or curtain panels?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-after-create-a-bedroom-in-a-tiny-studio-with-ikea-panels-180144

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/small-space-solution-use-curta-82160

Ah, welcome to the club. I'm in a 180 sq. foot place now and I rearrange about once a month. Good luck!

Can you put the bed in the closet space between kitchen and bath? Opens up the entire living area.

o nvm...you'd have to bounce of the bed to enter bath haha

Hmm I know your place isn't as long, but could you possibly turn your bed sideways and put your couch at the end of it, a la this (AMAZING) studio house tour: http://theeverygirl.com/feature/nikki-rappaports-washington-d-c-studio-home-tour/

could you switcht the bed and futon. If so, you could float the futon a little out further into some of that unused space without blocking the closet door. I like the proposed kitchen set up but the space looks really small in the photos so it might feel too cramped. I think a small or expandable table with slim chairs under your art next to the fridge might work better. That way you could bring it out a little if you need to when using it but put it back when you are done. I have some stackable bent wood West elm chairs that are great and have a small foot print. I would recommend something similar.

Multi-purpose furniture would be most beneficial in this space. There isn't a ton of room for both a bed and couch comfortably...could you change to a daybed? This way you can set up your living space like a living room and bedroom at the same time. End tables on each side of the bed/couch, a coffee table that has inner storage, TV across from couch/bed, and this way you could even include a rocking chair, book shelves, etc. I would put the dining table beside the fridge where that little round table is or where the short cabinet is in the floor plan. Hope this helps, it is a charming, bright space.

For the kitchen, I would get a larger island that can double as an eating space- as a posed to two separate pieces of furniture.
As for the bedroom/living room situation. I see two options: one is to buy a murphy bed- there are some nice ones out there now, with book shelves and even sofas attached, but they can be pricey. The second option is to embrace the bed. Make it like a deep day bed that can be lounged on like a couch, and maybe move it under the window, length-wise.

You would probably feel better about things if you didn't walk through the door and directly meet your bed (as in the diagram). You could screen it, but you might get a better entryway feeling if you put the bed against the bathroom wall so you see your "living room" when you come through the door.

It's too bad about that kitchen. The space is way too large to be comfortable, but too small to divide in half (or so it looks from the photos). [The place wants a gut-job and rearrangement.]

I agree with DuluthGirl, I would put the bed against the bathroom wall so that when you walk in, you're walking into the living room area. I'd put the couch facing away from the bed and facing the wall and TV on that wall (assuming you have a tv?) and then maybe you could even fit in a small side chair angled off the couch

What about if you rotated the bed so that the head of the bed was against the bathroom wall, then place the futon against the end of the bed with the table in front of it, essentially creating a small living room where you could place a rug to define it and a couple of small chairs. Add some art, a tv, or shelving (or combination of the three) on the newly opened up wall space. You could also even add something like a small pallet wall, to give the bed a little privacy, next to your bed near the corner of the wall where you turn to meet the bathroom door. that would give you something to hang a reading lamp on and a bookshelf also! :) Something like the smaller side of this wall as an example. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fDR_f_phqE/TUSaHwyMLTI/AAAAAAAAAWg/7TdnkxWRLFg/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG

Ha! Sorry, that was a lot of wall talk!

Could you hang a long curtain from the ceiling along the end of the bed? And maybe place a *very narrow table in front - giving you a "front hall". You could also continue the same curtain along the top 1/3 of the side of the bed near the window - I would tie it back, to give the bed a more secluded feel (I picture a canopy bed style draping). I would place the futon on the wall facing the bed, with the table in front - a low round table would be great in this space- and with this configuration, there might be room for a small chair angled towards the bed.

The kitchen is definitely tricky with the fridge being across the room, but I feel like you have to ignore this little challenge. I agree with another comment here that maybe a long island down the centre, with bar stools would be your best bet, rather than all of the seperate pieces.

Remove the closet doors and the rest of the stuff inside the closet and make that area the space for your bed. Get an armoire for your clothes.

I love ispellkonfusion's suggestion. I'd push your bed up against the bathroom wall, and instead of rotating the bed and putting the sofa at the bottom of the bed. I'd try keeping the bed the orientation that it is, and having the sofa back up to the side of it. You could use a nightstand/end table at the end of the couch that would serve both purposes. It would accomplish what DuluthGirl pointed out about too.

If you really wanted to seperate the space, you could hang a curtain in between the bed and the couch. You could even hang a mirror/piece of artwork from the cieling right infront of the curtain to give more of an illusion that there's a wall there. Sort of like this: http://materialgirlsblog.com/houston/2009/07/13/the-layered-effect-art-on-curtains/

The only caveat is that you'd need a really low footboard/no footboard. Or be willing to crawl over the sofa to get in and out of bed.

Not sure how you feel about feng shui - if you do, coming into the room looking at the foot of the bed is a no-no. Also, it makes it awkward if the bed isn't made up completely when you open the door for arriving guests/delivery, etc. So, I agree with DuluthGirl about swapping the bed and futon. I put my table and chairs near a window since sitting in the kitchen (that does not have windows) is not so appealing. Not sure what your chairs look like (what height?) - if they are standard height (seat is 19" or therabout), you could use them as additional seating in the main room and the table as a side table or desk under the window. Another possibility (although it's out of the mainstream thinking) would be to use that wall next to the refrigerator for tall, freestanding closets/wardrobes to give you more storage. Then, have the island across from the sink and cabinets to divide the kitchen space; adding a couple of stools to when you just want to have coffee or a quick bite or have friends over so they can keep you company when you're preparing food or drinnks. I'm all for screening off the bed if it doesn't block too much light, and even partially closing off the large opening to tke kitchen (so you don't have to rush to clean the kitchen if you're entertaining. I tried getting rid of my bed and using a daybed but found it uncomfortable. I also tried just using my sofabed (with an upgraded mattress) and found that the mechanism wore out from being opened and closed every day. Last idea (!) would be to make everything in the apartment similar colors and intensity and just vary textures or add color in accessories, pillows, rugs, window coverings, etc. - I have found this makes the space seem less cluttered. Best wishes!

I think you need a rectangular bar-height table positioned perpendicular to the wall next to your fridge - with four comfy upholstered bar chairs. I'd make the kitchen the heart of your home...

Bed against bathroom wall and butt the couch against the end of the bed. You could mount a TV/computer screen on the wall which could now be seen from the couch & bed. Put a long library type table with shelves under the screen to accommodate "stuff". And an extra sitting chair would fit next to table to create a conversation area with couch. Attach a floating canopy above the bed that can loosed to cover the bed. Drop down table against wall by fridge that can be pulled out to seat 4.

Checkout The Brooklyn Home Company site for design ideas. I especially like their lath wall partitions around beds.
http://www.thebrooklynhomecompany.com/portfolio/15th-street-3a4a/

Ok, this is going to sound nutz but maybe you can fit your bed into the walkin closet and put a row of Pax wardrobes along the west wall. Or flank a shelving unit by Pax wardrobes. I have a walkin that would accommodate a double easily and it's not a huge closet.

What if you put the bed against the bathroom wall, as suggested by others, with the head of the bed against the window wall. Separate the bed from the living space with a sheer curtain. Place the futon flush with the opposite wall facing the bed and curtain. Against the curtain "wall" place a low table for TV. You could even have room this way for a small arm chair to close off the living space facing the window wall.

Move the bed where the futon is now (reposition so that the headboard is against the bathroom wall and bed is in front of the window). That way you can section that area off with a shelf or curtain panels. Move the futon so that it is along the wall where the entrance is (facing the bathroom "nook"), or move it so that the back is to the "bedroom" space and facing the kitchen. Move the furniture around and see what seems to work the best

I'd leave the kitchen island where it currently is in the photos and put the dining table against the wall to the right of the fridge (otherwise, you're going to have to walk around the island and table every time you need to get to your fridge). If you're willing to get rid of the dining table, I would suggest putting an IKEA Expedit 4x4 (or 5x5 if it will fit) with a desk attachment against the fridge wall. It will give you a TON of storage space, plus an eating surface without taking up a colossal amount of space. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116071/#/40116070

I think it's fine to leave the bed where it is, but maybe put a curtain or a screen at the foot of the bed to separate it a bit and then you'd have a place to put a bookshelf, desk, cabinet, landing strip , etc. at the foot of the bed for when you enter the apartment.

This is a challenging layout.

But I agree, put the bed on the right, long side against the bathroom wall. Sofa facing the bed. Coffee table in the middle. The space will shrink if you curtain the bed off. In a space like this you have to "embrace the bed," as someone said above, and make it part of the living area decor.

I would also get a couple of butterfly chairs for additional seating. They are attractive and take up little visual space and will give it more of a living room feeling without adding bulk.

Basic Feng Shui: Not a good idea to sleep in a bed that faces a door. Also having the sofa facing the windows, with its back to the larger space, makes the living area feel unwelcoming.

Hi Nicole! I have a similarly sized studio, and since the space is so small I felt that breaking it into different areas (living versus sleeping) would only make it feel smaller. Instead I decided to act like it's a bedroom that happens to have a sofa in it so that there's no hiding of the bed area. My advice would be to center the head of the bed against the long 20' wall and then put the sofa either up against the window or against the wall that borders the bathroom. Ideally, I would flank the bed with side tables and lamps for symmetry and make that the wall that your eye gets drawn to first (a headboard would help with that if you don't already have one.) That way it would feel like you were entering an airy bedroom. Though putting beds in corners saves a bit of space, I tend to think it feels cramped and odd since it's not the way anyone who had a separate bedroom would arrange a bed. Whatever you do, I hope you send in pictures afterward! :)

I love your kitchen...is that wrong?

try putting the head of the bed on that 20' wall and your futon at the end of the bed. then, if you want to, you can get an expedit bookshelf and put it along the length of the bed. That way, if you're in the kitchen, you don't see the bed, just a loveley bookshelf and a sitting area.

like this:

windowwindowwindow

futon
bedbedbedbed futon
bedbedbedbed futon table
bedbedbedbed futon table
bedbedbedbed futon table
shelfshelfshelf futon

good luck, Nicole!

some of my spacing didn't work out. crap. obviously the table wouldn't be flush with the futon. oh well. you get the idea!

I understand that you would want a kitchen table, not just an island, and you do have room for it. But I would definitely put the table on the wall next to the fridge, not in front of the fridge where it is blocking access to the rest of the kitchen. Then, if you are eating alone you can leave it against the wall and if you have company you can pull it out into the space a bit. You have a nice wide opening there so it wouldn't be in the way.

IN which case, leave the island against the back wall rather than float it.

I wonder if you couldn't create a sort of super cool built in Indian inspired nook for your bed in that closet across from the bathroom.

Also ignore the Fung Shui hokum. :D

Runwithscissors was on to something. Would the long end of the bed fit the wall of the closet space opposite the bathroom door? You'd likely still have enough room to get in the bathroom. Alternatively; splash out a little and have somebody move the sink to the opposite wall and create a door where the sink is now. The bed then goes in the nook where the bathroom door is. By putting three identical bookshelves on either side of the new bathroom door, and on the short bit of wall where now is the short cabinet, you make that entire wall flow as one, acting as an architectural structure between living room and bathroom and bedroom. Make sure they are high, as far to the ceiling as possible or budget allows (Billy's from Ikea are great for this) You now have the entire kitchen and living room to go wild with a small table (not just a bar) and a sofa. You might even consider putting the fridge by the actual kitchen and then restoring the closet to it's once full glory. This will also allow you to get a bigger table as the wall where the fridge is now, will be closed off again. Good luck! The space has great bones!

Your studio has some nice features, including the kitchen which does not dominate the whole space and nice floor. I think the problem lies with the centre area which seems to be struggling to find a purpose in the present layout. It's also difficult to hide a bed in a smallish space - unless you have the height for a mezzaine for example. What I would suggest is making a feature of the bed, with a nice (fitted?) cover and lots of cushions and incorporate it into a sitting area with the futon (same treatment). As a centre piece a large metal or old leather trunk could serve as a 'coffee table' and also be used to store bedcovers, duvets etc that you can easily access when it's time to go to bed. Hope this helps.

Do you have a TV? If, not how about this layout:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carnu/8508077498/in/photostream

I change my layout every year, I think this makes me feel good and energetic! Kind of trouble too, but...
If not not a rental, bed nook in the closet near the bathroom is the best! But it'll take some real work changing walls. Good luck with your space, i love the floor!

Design the layout as if it were a hotel room rather than apartment...as others have already suggested try using your couch as the divider between sleep and living areas. Studies show that using your bed for anything other than sleep and sex can impact your sleeping habits.

PS: I hope your mom isn't reading this. I hope my mom isn't reading this.

I'll add my nickel's worth and recommend strongly moving the bed to the bathroom wall. To that I add the suggestion that you choose fabrics and paint that will tie all your furniture together. As for the kitchen/dining area, it may be worth taking the chairs and table out of it altogether, and instead incorporating your futon as part of an entertaining/dining area with the chairs and your table (depending on their relative heights, some raising or shortening may be needed. Your bed can then join in as needs may require.

@Camu: Wow. That sketch and inspiration sampler are amazing! Is this your profession? :-)

I'd move the bed to the wall nearest the bathroom, then have the sofa facing away from the bed, toward the other wall (and presumably the TV if you have one); sofas don't have to be back against walls, and in this case, just creating a focal space away from the bed begins to add a sense of separation. Many people have suggested curtains -- a folding screen could also work -- and with this furniture placement, the curtain or screen could go behind the sofa.

Because of the placement of the windows I would leave the bed where it is but give it a daybed feel during the day simply by putting throw pillows or even a long angled pillow on the long wall. You can put a small divider made of pallets or a panel of some sort at the end of the bed thus creating an entry way table area you see when you first walk in and a lovely place to hang art or a mirror. I would place the couch long ways on the wall by the bathroom and set the coffee table in front of it to form a sitting area with your new "day" bed. As for the kitchen I would put your existing island on the wall with the fridge to make more room for your kitchen table. You can get some blinds or panels to separate the kitchen from the rest of the space. I think it is entirely possible to do all of this without buying new furniture or making a radical change.

1. sell the island and purchase a bar height table set.

2.place the bed in the closet and space near bathroom.

3.buy a coffee table that transforms into a table for parties.

4.area rugs are great for defining spaces

5. when all else fails...contact Samna in Seattle, WA

Really cute place! First, I'd suggest an island that can double as a breakfast bar, or a tall cafe table, to make the most of your kitchen space. Or perhaps get a nice foldout table that you can lean against the wall by the refrigerator/put in a closet until you need dining space.

If you want to try putting the bed on the bathroom wall, you could try something like this. You could put a sheer up between the bed and the living area, then hang a piece of art or mirror from the ceiling to give the impression of a wall. http://tinypic.com/r/2nqt8xe/6

If you want to keep the bed where it is, I'd suggest hanging some pretty curtains just at the foot of the bed (again, you could hang art from the ceiling - faux wall idea)... or you could use a tall, open air bookshelf at the foot of the bed... something to block the bed from immediate view of the front door to give some privacy and the illusion of an entryway. Something like this: http://tinypic.com/r/288pf06/6

Have fun decorating! (And take heart - I've been in my house almost 4 years and I still get the urge to rearrange things... the process, it seems, is never complete) :)

Do you own or rent? if you own, i'd take out the closets and reconfigure the space. But if not:

Bed/Seating - I’d put the bed against the bathroom, get/make a huge roll cushion and deck out like a loungy day bed. Google Balinese daybed to see what you come up with. You could make a platform, and take apart one of those decorative screens to make a hinged skirt for under bed storage & a headboard. Put the futon where the bed currently is, so you have a conversation area where people can face one another. If you have lots of people over, pad the table with enough tufting to make it ottoman friendly, but still useable for table/seating. If you like to entertain, tv trays or nesting tables have come a long way.

Entry area - the closet door seems to block traffic, you could remove it and put up a curtain. Also , that long wall would make a great gallery wall, and ‘pull’ the hall into your main area uniting the space. Cheap frames from ikea/street/flea market and you could mount your tv [if you have one] on a swing arm, amid the frames to hide it, and put your landing strip underneath, or re use your short cabinet.

Kitchen – lots of great ideas already

love the Samna comment

Hmm, no one's mentioned this, could you loft your bed? I'd also move it to the bathroom wall, but if you loft it you can fit a TV/desk area (desktop as TV?) and have the couch face that nook (or run perpendicular to it).

Didn't see it mentioned; can the fridge come out of the cubby and placed next to the kitchen cupboards; then, clean, paint where the fridge was and use as more shelving or storage.

Is your bed a Full or Queen size? If it's only a Full, Ikea has a loft bed that you could use to reclaim the space below. You could look at that.

I would move the fridge closer to the sink and put storage shelves in the nook where the fridge is now. This opens half the kitchen area for your table. Consider adding wall shelves to the left of the fridge to accommodate the microwave (opening up counter space) and all the stuff in the island. Many of those fridges have reversable hinges--or get a handyman to help--so you can set the fridge to swing open toward the sink side.

Personally I'd also say goodbye to the futon, use the bed as a daybed and get some director's chairs for when you have guests. They're comfortable enough, can be used with your kitchen table, and fold up to stick in the nook where the fridge once was LOL

Looks like a nice place--hope you enjoy it!

Personal question I realise, but do you generally sleep alone?
If so, I would suggest you downsize to a 4" (3/4) bed, and fit it into the closet space facing the bathroom. If your pillows are on the right as shown you would still have some window view when you wake, and you can alway hide your landlords doors and rail in the closet behind the fridge, and put them back when you leave. Then I would have the futon for guests, and another sofa or two chairs, facing each other with a rug/coffee table between in the main 'living room' space. If the remaining closet isn't enough storage space for you, you can get a low drawer unit/sideboard to put along the wall where your bed now is (If you watch TV, forgo the other seating and place the TV on top of this) and also remember that you can have drawers in your new bed's base. Finally, I would move the island to the wall beside the fridge, and have a proper table and chairs in the middle of the kitchen for eating.

I love your space! My first thought was putting the bed in the closet - sideways- opposite the bathroom door. Beds are 6'3" if I recall and closets are often just 6' so that may not work. Downsize to a twin bed; you really don't need to live as if you expected someone to join you at any moment (gals, I am giving you the benefit of 40 years - been there, done that. It's ok to hold out for something better).

Double duty is great- I made my own daybed by hacking an IKEA frame, getting a very high quality mattress (at a Sears outlet, a $1400 mattress "return" in pristine condition, sanitized, for under $300. No ugh factor, I've slept in hotels before and how many people stayed there before you, and there isn't any sanitation process going on in hotels) that feels like a sofa, and building a sofa table that slides over the top and against the wall. It is about 10" higher than the mattress and provides the firm backing for large, square sofa pillows. I roll the bedding up in the am, it fits under the sofa table and no one is the wiser. At night, I pull the bed out a bit, unroll and I'm good to go.

I made the sofa table top by buying one salvage bi-fold door with character, at 6 feet it is just right. I bought another salvage door, cut both ends off to use as the "legs". I screwed the legs to the ends of the character door, and I am still in the process of adding some trim. Then it will be painted. It looks great! And I love having a "night stand" right there for the remotes, books, glasses. water, etc.

Note: the mattress for the daybed is covered in an Indian cotton duvet cover, fitted close and tucked in well. I am planning to get several sets of deep pocket linen sheets to cover the mattress. The rest of the bedding (bottom sheet and duvet with comforter inside) is what is rolled up in the morning.

If you own the space, try to change places between the kitchen & the bed: You will have a nice bedroom with walk-in closet (close the door left from the entrance, and open new one when You move the fridge). Kitchen can be at two places: in front of bathroom entrance - I think there is enough place to put sink & stove, maybe even a smaller fridge. This is my preference, so You will stay with open space at the rest of the apartment where You can move, or - as the open concept - at the bathroom wall perpendicular to the window.

@gooddog thanks for the life advice! for some reason i needed to hear that today.

@gooddog thanks for the life advice! for some reason i needed to hear that today.

I really wish the askers-of-advice would at least have the courtesy to respond to all the suggestions made. People took TIME and made EFFORTS to share their experiences and visions. A bit of appreciation would not go amiss.

Here's what I would do:

Move the bed-- horizontally into the corner formed by the window wall and the bathroom wall. Head lines up with the bath tub.

Flip the futon-- leave it where it is, just have it face toward the kitchen. Move the coffee table so it's now in front of the futon.

Replace shoe cabinet with a comfy chair-- put the shoe cabinet in what seems to be your walk in closet near the bathroom. Where the cabinet was, put a big arm chair.

Now you have a comfy conversation area in the main living area.

Kitchen-- ditch the table and chairs, you're not gaining anything.

Enlarge the island-- either buy a new one, or replace just the top with a large butcher block that you can get cheap at Ikea. Float the island in the kitchen, buy some comfy bar stools for either side of the island, and you have a work/eat space.

Now you have an apartment that flows! You can even fit a small desk in the corner where the bed used to be. Or put a huge bookcase there.

Enjoy! If you want more ideas on what to do in small spaces, go here: http://abitofbrooklyn.blogspot.com/search/label/Small%20Spaces

Thanks for the responses everyone :)

I'm still moving everything around, but will be sure to take some pictures when I'm done!

If you have the budget for a foldout bed, there are some beautiful ones out there. Fold the bed up, and fold out the hidden table that stays underneath. No dust bunnies under the bed that way either.

There was one thing in the drawing I couldn't figure out -- is the space behind the fridge available, or is that pretty much taken up by someone else's stairway?

(And personally, I don't check every day so please go right ahead and give me a week to comment!)

My first thought was too get rid of the large refrigerator and use that nook for something else. Get a small refrigerator and put it closer to the sink and stove. Instead of having a sofa consider maybe 2 large lounge chairs with a small round table in the middle and a reading lamp. Move the bed to the opposite wall of where it is right now (against the bathroom wall)
In the kitchen move the island facing the sink. Now you have the smaller refrigerator closer to the sink, the island creating a distinct space for the kitchen and there you can put a round small dinning table with two chairs. The nook were the refrigerator was you can create a little coffee, bistro corner.

Let me know if you like these ideas.

I love this space.
Especially the kitchen. In order to fill the interior space, I'd attach a larger top to the freestanding cabinet, turning it into a bar and place it in the arched opening to the rest of the room, with two stools facing into kitchen. There would then be room across the back of the kitchen for open shelves. You could fill it with dishes, etc to make it look like a dining wall. You would be able to walk across the back of the space to reach the fridge.

In the living room, I'd place the futon against the bathroom wall, with the side table against the window wall. The bed then sits against the opposite wall, with a pair of three foot dressers along the side facing the entrance. And two three foot bookcases placed at the foot of the bed, facing the futon. This would create an entrance feature, shelving and a tv stand facing the futon, privacy in the bedroom, and storgae.

You might wish to hang curtains or a place a screen at whatever height you please between the bed and the surrounding furniture to create more privacy, likely allowing light to pass through and above.

I love this space.
Especially the kitchen. In order to fill the interior space, I'd attach a larger top to the freestanding cabinet, turning it into a bar and place it in the arched opening to the rest of the room, with two stools facing into kitchen. There would then be room across the back of the kitchen for open shelves. You could fill it with dishes, etc to make it look like a dining wall. You would be able to walk across the back of the space to reach the fridge.

In the living room, I'd place the futon against the bathroom wall, with the side table against the window wall. The bed then sits against the opposite wall, with a pair of three foot dressers along the side facing the entrance. And two three foot bookcases placed at the foot of the bed, facing the futon. This would create an entrance feature, shelving and a tv stand facing the futon, privacy in the bedroom, and storgae.

You might wish to hang curtains or a place a screen at whatever height you please between the bed and the surrounding furniture to create more privacy, likely allowing light to pass through and above.

I hope you're still getting notifications -- but where did you find the layout site? That one looks fairly easy to use (well, maybe more logical). Thanks!