Don't make your bedroom a social center. You don't have to fill up space. Instead, put in a comfy reading chair or two and a good lamp with a small table to hold your coffee cups. That will be more versatile.

beautiful space.

i'm with barefoot. put in something you're going to actually use...or alternatively- something you don't mind looking at when you're relaxing in bed.

Why is the bed smooshed against a corner? Perhaps you should center the bed against a wall in the room for better balance.

Agreed. I made this mistake a couple apartments ago... space is not there to fill. A reading area, a desk area, or moving the bed seems ideal. I would put the bed between those two windows pointed out, with bookshelves on the newly empty wall, or the reading area there (on the left), away from the blast of the a/c.

http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/before-after/before-after-convert-storage-boxes-into-sophisticated-seating-138501

I agree with the others who suggest moving the bed between the windows. I shared a smaaaaaaaalllllll bedroom with an ex once, and we had no choice but to put the bed on the corner. After two years of crawling over him to get to the bathroom and beck I swore I would never push the bed in a corner again.

If you do decide to move the bed you will have room for a nightstand for each of you, and still have plenty of room, for a second desk perhaps?

I agree with most everyone so far- center the bed on the wall with the windows and add a small table and chairs in the corner where the bed currently is.

separate the room into sections using area rugs and furniture. Try these sections: sleeping area, dressing area, sitting area, getting ready area.

When you divide a room visually, it feels less vast and makes for a warmer, more inviting space! :) GOOD LUCK!

Maybee a low shelf as divider at the footend of the bed & two or three beanbags for the sitting area? They are less massive than a big sofa.

If you move the bed between the two windows, you'll have room for side tables. My boyfriend and I are currently sleeping in a large closet, and it's a little weird to have to sleep with our cell-phones-as-alarm-clocks, as if they were teddy bears. And then you could have lamps too, for late night reading.

The rest of the space could be used for an office or two divided offices, if you don't have a spot for that already. Also, I notice that you don't have a dresser. Are you so lucky to have a giant closet? I would be jealous! Since, of course, mine is currently a bedroom.

Why is the bed crammed in the corner?

Put it between the windows where it belongs, and get some night tables, lamps and a dresser in there!

You're right that a couch or loveseat might be too large. What about a couple of slipper chairs instead? Prices vary significantly and you can definitely find a pair in your price range.

I agree with others that the bed could be repositioned, but that really depends on what functions you want / need for your room. If you're really just looking to fill space, then go with what others have said. If you need it to be more multi-functional, I think a couple of chairs would be best.

Good luck!

Could you move the bookshelf to the wall at the foot of the bed and then take the small table there to about where bookshlf is now and place a couple of reading chairs on wither side? If placed just right it could hide a bit of the air conditioner. Art over the chairs, the right lighting and a rug to double as an exercise mat would give you enough weight and warm up the space.

I agree with the rest of the posters that the bed would be great between the two windows and add on some nightstands. Then maybe a reading nook by the red poster.

For the reading nook, you could put a small sofa or loveseat if you wanted or alternatively a chaise or lounger. West Elm, Chiasso & CB2 have some nice low options (caveat... I'm only looking online). Maybe you could check craigslist for a preloved piece?

Another option is to have a low, long console table with the tv on top. I had one in my old apartment living room that was just a few feet high.

I can see where you're going, you wanted to face the tv while in bed but that's pretty far. Plus, I don't think it is conducive to restful sleep to be facing a work area. I have my tv on the side of my bed (but on a oscillating arm mounted on the wall). It's closer and ultimately more comfy for us to lie on our side together to watch tv than trying to squint at a tv 15 feet away at the end of the room.

I agree with pretty much everyone above. Move the bed out of the corner and in between the two windows. Then use rugs to define distinct spaces in your bedroom- office space, sleeping, dressing, etc based on what space is left.
Its a lovely apartment- enjoy!

I definitely agree with not making it a social place, but rather your own comfy lounge area. If you like to read, study or just relax you have your own area to covet.

http://www.loungingluxury.com

Thank you so much--these are all fantastic suggestions!! We'll try them out and let you know how it goes.

I agree that having the bed smooshed in the corner is not ideal. Unfortunately we can't center it on the current wall because it would block the fire escape (or is that allowed? I have no idea). We have thought about rotating it and placing it between the windows, but it would come pretty close to the opposite wall (which is hard to visualize from these pictures). But I might try that again and see how it looks.

@pleiovn -- We do have two great closets on the wall opposite the windows!

I totally get it now why you want the sofa at the end of the bed. You know, AT had a post on that a few months ago.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/inspiration/inspiration-sofas-at-the-foot-of-the-bed-141747

Wow... I can tell you guys are not used to space. Your furniture is hugging the walls. BREAK OUT! Put the bed front-and-center between the windows. How about splurging like 500 buck on a comprable IKEA queen bed instead of a double?

As for your other space issues, if you are on a budget, consider hitting a vintage shop for an old trunk to put at the foot of the bed or against a wall...

If your bed won't fit turned 90 degrees between the windows, it my be worth considering angling it out from the corner, would still give you room for small bedside tables, and a trunk or sittable upholstered ottoman at the foot. Anchoring it with a big-ish rug would help the bed seem like it's part of the rest of them room instead of shoved completely in the corner. You would probably still have room for a reading corner as well, I have a low chaise in my bedroom that I love reading in! It's good for tv watching too of course.

Depending on how much clearance you have, rotate the bed and center it between your two window. You'll then have 2 more even and smaller spaces created by the bed acting as a room divider. Never smoosh the bed into a corner or against a wall unless you absolutely do not have space in the room. Being able to access the bed from both sides is important especially when you are sharing the bed with someone else.

Think about creating a reading nook by one of the windows or a working area depending on your needs. A few area rugs will help to create a cozier ambiance.

Have fun, you have a great room to furnish!

I would move the bed out of the corner. Most people think this is a no-no, but if you really want to eat up some empty space, you can angle the bed in a corner. It's supposed to be bad feng shui, but that's how my bed is because that's what works best in my space.

I was thinking the same about the bed location - move it to center stage. (Especially in apartments, I always try to see what arrangement they had in mind, and once I think about it that way, it's usually obvious.)

Then a sofa, or loveseat or chaise makes good sense to me. Ikea's Kivik reads as low and horizontal - bet it would work for you. Just got one myself and so far I love it.

While keeping tge room relatively uncluttered makes sense, so does making the most of the space you have, and having a retreat for those times, say, the roommate wants to watch a chainsaw movie and you'd rather read (or vice versa) - just good sense.

I have to say I'm with the others who are suggesting you spread out the furniture a little more. Seeing as you're not used to having so much space maybe you've forgotten how to enjoy it? :)
But if what you really want is the additional sofa/tv area why don't you try something different like big floor cushions? You can make something really comfy and less obtrusive than a couch. Maybe a small shaggy rug under it so it looks more intentional.

Ditto on putting the bed between the windows. That's the arrangement I have in my bedroom, and I really like it.

Some other ideas to use or ignore, depending on what works for you:

-- what do the windows look out on? If a nice view, you might want to put a small desk in front of one so you have something pretty to look at while working at your desk. (You can get small, inexpensive, light desks at Pier One or Cost Plus, if not on craigslist - something just big enough for a laptop and a lamp would be good)

--I wouldn't put a couch at the end of a bed, but a nice wicker storage chest would be great for storing extra blankets, linens, etc.. Or you could put a nice bench or banquette there - some place to sit while you get dressed, or you could put shoes underneath. Or there are surely some nice storage benches (even better), for combined seating and storage.

--If you have good lighting, some plants would be good (if they're not a hazard to any pets). Years ago, when starting a garden outside my then-apartment in SF, I used to go by my local Sloat gardening center on trash night and gather up bedraggled plants that they'd tossed out (and that were perfectly easy to revive).

--Are any other rooms of the apt overcrowded with stuff? If so, you could move some things from there into your bedroom (but stop before you overfill the bedroom ;) ) -- more bookcases, a coatrack, tv, stereo, etc.

--I also agree with other commenters' vote for floor cushions. You can stack them up when not needed, or spread them around for lounging or entertaining. Also, if you have pets, they love them. I bought 2 outdoor chair cushions for my indoor bistro set; they stand up very well to my 2 cats. Poufs in traditional Moroccan style or contemporary style are also a good idea. I bought some pouf covers on etsy months ago, and gradually filled them with a mix of pillow fiberfill, old T-shirts, old pantyhose, and plastic inflatable packaging (of the sort you get in Amazon shipment boxes). They add color to the room, and work for guests or pets.

-I also agree about a reading nook. Sometimes you want to curl up in a chair, rather than lying down, to read. Get a comfy chair, a nice reading lamp and a little side table for a drink, and set that up in a corner of the bedroom.

--if you need still more storage, some stacked elements (modern boxes or hat boxes or vintage-looking suitcases) would be handy and would add visual interest.

--Another nice addition would be some big standing candleholders, for architectural interest and possibly for a certain romantic touch.

Good luck, and post some "After" pics down the road after you have fun decorating :)

p.s. the area rugs that others suggested, above, are also a great idea -- A nice white flokati rug would really make the space feel cozier and should look great against that floor. You can get smaller sizes fairly cheap from the big catalog retailers. (Bonus to flokati rugs: they stand up well to feline attention; my girlcat sometimes "kneads" the flokati rug, and it doesn't show any damage)

--artwork, large framed posters, a mural, stencil or decals on one wall would also help the space, and work well if renting

Does this room have to be the bedroom? Is the living room even bigger?

Repositioning the bed between the windows would definitely be an improvement but as I don't live in a home with a need for air-conditioning (Ol' Blighty, bah!), I'm wondering, how noisy would it be for the person who would be sleeping nearest to that AC unit, and also, how draughty would it be? No point in having a beautifully laid-out room if one of you ends up suffering from constant sleep deprivation and a permanently stiff neck!

I'm one of those people who like to sleep in small cosy spaces so I would hang a room divider like a curtain or something like it at the end of the bed to make the sleeping area smaller. Then you wouldn't have to worry about the height of the bed when choosing the seating. If not then small mid century 2 seaters are usually quite low and would work well the the low bedframe. Also I'm with confounded - I would angle the bed out from the corner so one of you don't have the crawl over the other to go to bed. Then you could put a triangle shelf behind the bed to make use of the otherwise wasted space in the corner to put things like the alarm, reading material and whatever you night time ritual requires on. Or you can keep the bed just as it is and just move it 10 inches away from the short wall to make room for a shelf to serve as a bedside table for the person slepping up against the wall.

This might be a good place to do one of the IKEA style things that was touted here last week. Not sure how to describe it, but here is the link: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-email/ikea-2012-preview-design-ideas-worth-stealing-151826

put the bed in the middle of room.

If it doesn't fit on the other walls, why not center it on the same wall as the entry door? You would probably be able to get a little more clearance on the left side of the bed so no one has to crawl over the other person (which trust me, gets old pretty quick). That would also leave the opposite wall, where the bed currently is, free for a chaise lounge, loveseat, or desk.

Blocking the fire escape is probably fine, as its just for your use.... probably not the SAFEST solution, but not illegal as far as I know. If it was something that needed to be publicly accessible, that would be another story.

I say DEFINITELY move the bed. A big bedroom is a luxury - think about what you will actually use - especially if you don't have roommates, a TV and a sofa in the bedroom seems a bit redundant. As long as there is still room to get by, I think it's fine if its a bit tight there. It will create two separate "zones" in the room, on either side of the bed.

The zone closest to the door could be a reading area, with your desk/bookshelves, a comfy chair and a great lamp, and a rug.

For the zone on the other side of the bed, furthest from the door, maybe a dressing area? A bench for sitting and laying out clothes, a small dressing table for jewelry/makeup (since you have room, you could move that kind of thing out of the bathroom).

This is what I'd do if I had more space in my bedroom.

As it is, I live in a newer townhouse, and our queen size platform bed takes up the ENTIRE room... there's barely room to walk around it... we took the doors off of our closet, because you couldn't walk past them when they were open! Envious of your space!!

I'd love to have your problem. I agree with the advice above. Don't make your bedroom another area for socializing, it's your haven! Why have you put the bed in the corner of all places? Move the bed forward and towards the center of the room, giving access to the fire escape. Put a dressing area with a closet against the head of the bed, thereby creating a headboard but still giving access to the fire-escape, if I understand you correctly. The area forward of your bed then becomes your lounging area. Put a low daybed at the foot of the bed so it makes the bed more of a rectangle instead of a square which is awkward in a rectangular space. Rugs will make each area welcoming.