If you're living in a studio apartment, this solution is probably old hat to you: having the bed function as a sofa. If you've been contemplating doing this in your home, there are a number of ways to walk the fine line between comfortable lounging and getting ready for bed. We've compiled a few of our favorite bed/sofa combinations after the jump...
You may recognize this one from our very own AT Europe house tour featuring François and Raphaëlle's amazing Paris flat. Since it was important for their two kids to each have their own space, they put their own queen bed in the living room; at night, the living room becomes the master bedroom. By putting the bed in the corner, pillows are lined up against both walls to create an inviting nook to relax.
This photo from Domino was also featured in a fairly recent reader question over at AT:Chicago. Instead of shuffling the bed to the corner, it's positioned in the dead center of the studio space, giving the room a definitive focal point. This example is done up in the usual bedding accessories (pillows at one end with a cozy comforter), but if you're looking to camouflage your bed situation a bit more...
...then fashion designer Erin Featherston's Parisian living room might be a more fitting solution. Her pink settee is wide enough to be a twin bed, but covered with casual throws that are usually draped across sofas. Having throw blankets on the bed offers you (and your guests) the option of staying warm without having to get under covers when hanging out or watching TV.
Arrange pieces around your bed as if it were a sofa. We're in love with Thomas O'Brien's studio apartment--his collection of art, the pile of pillows, and the casual arrangement of side tables makes the bed/sofa fit perfectly in the space.
Got your own tips on how to dress up a bed to do double duty as a sofa? Share it with us in the comments!
[ Photos from Domino Magazine and Australian Vogue Living ]
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Kinda disagree with the Miles Redd and Parisian examples. In both cases, they have proper sofas in the rooms. They just don't/can't hide their beds. Redd's bed is clearly made up like a bed. Francois and Raphaelle just keep theirs very simple since it is next to the room's only entrance.
view Lady J's profile
Most of these don't look like small enough spaces where you'd need to hide a bed.....why not show some small studios and what people have done instead? If you can also fit in a couch, there was no point.
view ChrisGal's profile
This came at a perfect time! We're actually planning on turning a twin bed into a sofa... but were wondering: are there any ideas out there on how to take two beds (or one bed and something else) to create a sectional?
view Yuliz's profile
This is obviously a matter of taste, but I couldn't sleep very well with my bed right in the center of the room. I'd feel like I was sleeping on an open raft in the middle of the sea! Plus, if you want it to function as a couch, shouldn't there be something you can lean back on?
view cedargr0's profile
Yuliz, check out the two pictures at the bottom of this post:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/bedroom/10-ways-to-accommodate-guests-in-a-small-space-070694
I'm planning on doing the solution in the photo set second to last. Those two white twin beds.
view Gideon's profile
Am I the only one who thinks most of those look WAY to bedlike? I do have a tip! If your putting a twin bed to a couch and dont want to deal with indiviual pillows go to walmart and get one of those large floor cusions.
If you fold it in half it will stay nice and make a very lovely (and firm) couch back.
view jen of the north's profile
Gideon, like the link -- I can't remember who posted it first on this site, but it's the best way to have a ton of seating in a studio and still get a big bed.
view ChrisGal's profile