apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

how'd you guys make that really cool king/twin bed thing? lol its awesome! great job!!

I like the built ins, but how do you have privacy? Don't you need adult moments?

Wow! I will never again complain about my family of three living in a one-bedroom. The bed / loft contraption is absolutely genius.

Anytime a family of 4 can comfortably live in a place that's less than 700 sq feet - and do it in style? - That deserves a big win!

Ingenious bed-over-bed contraption. I wonder about the privacy issue as well, but the apartment looks great, so welcoming and cozy... love the color scheme.

The bed contraption is amazing!

very creative...do you get saw dust/splinters on your bed?

i would also worry about "adult moments"

I really want to see more photos of this place; you've done an incredible job. The no privacy thing must be awful (no way I'd be able to endure that). That bed/loft design looks really interesting.

Wow. Totally livable and brilliant.

That bed/couch is simply amazing.

Not a fan of the strange bedroom contraption (it's too plywood-y for my taste) but I like the rest of the place.

Uh, can't you find the kids their own place? Isn't there an apartment down the hall you can rent for them?

I'd give this 2 thumbs up if I could. Incredible use of space.

That is Ingenious! Who designed it?

This is completely genius! I would recommend you paint the bed unit...either to match the walls, so that it blends in, or an accent color to make it stand out. It looks not-quite-finished as it is.

I'm more amazed you have room for all the "stuff" that comes with a baby and a preschooler! Well done all around...

wow very cool use of space

the sq footage is kind of impressive for a studio, i have lived in 2 bedroom apartments just as big, cramped, but still separate rooms.

Wow, now this is small cool! Instant win, I can't believe you cheerfully live in this small of a space with two kids. Kudos!

Ingenious use of space indeed!

It's always fun to see people think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions to their living situation, especially those of us who live in spaces that are a 1000SqFt or less and still be able to do what we need to do (such as artists that need a spot to do their work for instance) and the compromises one has to make to achieve it all is indeed the challenge of small space living.

Here you kept to a simple color scheme and used plum/purple/red to bring color to the space while maintaining a feeling of spaciousness as a mere 630Sq Ft can muster.

BTW, your studio is very large for a studio. My 1 bedroom is just 600Sq Ft.

not a fan of the lack of privacy, a bit unhealthy mentally for my tastes. Can you all fit in there, yes, but aren't we beyond living little house in the prairie era?

That's got to be the coolest bed arrangement/construction ever! How awesome! I love that you didn't paint it or stain it and just left the natural wood as the finish. :D

We've adapted to living in one room, and find it quite cozy - for the meantime. A white noise machine, and wireless headphones for the TV help a lot. Thanks for your comments!

Ingenious! The pictures are great, also. What a creative, inventive use of space and design.

Regarding no doors for intimate moments: it's always nice to have a door that locks for privacy but with a 4 year old, you probably wouldn't do that anyway because a) they would freak out if locked out of a room or b) for safety reasons. Let's hope she's a heavy sleeper!

Is this in Clinton Hill?

Re the intimate moments- I am sure the bathroom is used quite often!

The place is very, very cool- it is kid friendly and chic

How about upholstering the bed frame?

Great job!

Amazing!!

now THAT is neat! much better than a murphy bed i think

That is crazy and phenomenal all at the same time. Great use of space for 4 people! How long did it take you to design and implement your loft bed combo?

big, big thumbs up! THIS is what small cool is about. Real people, real FAMILIES, living in small, creative spaces and being at peace with it.

re: "house on the prairie" - we should all pray for the return of an era where family values trump everything else (including a little lack of privacy, which probably leads to better moments than most people have behind locked doors)

Wow! I live in a one bedroom with my partner and 2 year old and I know all about the wireless headphones. They are the best. Great use of space and keeping it simple helps during the twenty times one must clean up during the day!

I think this deserves huge kudos just for the great use of space and design to make one is inconceivable (4 people living in a studio) completely doable!

Your "room divider" is the most creative use of space I've seen! Especially in comparison to the other small cool competitors so far. I hope lots of people give you a thumbs up, Chelli (and Ted)!

I think you are ingenious! I am very surprised at the comments regarding privacy, This is real life, a real family and you'd be surprised how many people actually indeed live like this. I agree, having less privacy makes for more special moments! I love the cozy factor, would love to see more pic's too!

wow, what an interesting take on the murphy bed/sofa bed/daybed idea. thumbs up for creativity!

Brilliant use of space. We lived in a one bedroom for two years (from the time our son was born to the age of two) and used a curtain hanging from the ceiling to separate our space from his. This also helped in case we weren't quiet enough during those 'adult times'. It provided a few moments to compose ourselves before putting him back to sleep.

"not a fan of the lack of privacy, a bit unhealthy mentally for my tastes. Can you all fit in there, yes, but aren't we beyond living little house in the prairie era?"

There are many cultures where this is common. One person's normal doesn't mean another setup is unhealthy.

after reading daughter sleeps above.. i must have expected photo to show a 70's-style, pull-down platform (à la hitch trailers)... but no...

creative, multifunctional, beautiful, hardworking use of very little space instead - i *love* it! kudos on sacrificing separate space *to* the wee ones, which doesnt look much like a sacrifice at all! you've managed to maximize your living space unlike any other teensy, apt-type space i've seen in a really long time. seriously. hands-down winner, in my book.

am liking the visual interest of the rounded ladder as well. did you both design/build the loft/divider? good luck!

this is a seriously impressive use of space. bravo!!

Wow! The decorating style isn't necessarily to my taste, but I am beyond impressed with the way they've used their space! Just amazing.

Makes me feel kind of bad for all the complaining I've done about adding a third child to our 1100 SF 3 bedroom house (very small for where we live).

This is the winner, right here!

This is small space creativity at its best.

And good for you living on a smaller footprint. My husband and I live in the same square footage and I am inspired by your example.

awesome! (though I admit I'd feel uncomfortable about the "adult moment" situation myself - maybe I'm a prude and should get over it though?) on the topic of the plywood - personally, I like it. It adds warmth and texture to the space. AT - I'd really love to see more photos of this place in a house tour?

Really ingenious! I read the comments before I looked at the pictures of the bed contraption, and I was surprised--it offers visual privacy, just not much sound insulation. It wouldn't bother me at all! And anyway, when you think about it, an apartment with thin, cheap walls wouldn't be much better. Little kids are usually sound sleepers, too!

This is amazing! Excellent use of space! Thumbs up! The bed idea is totally cool! You should post building instructions!

A joy to behold!

Wow! Very creative use of your space. This is small and cool!

I think we have a winner folks!

You did it!!... how can 630sf seem so spacious!
You must be exceptional designers.
Honestly the attention to detail is commendable.
I know how hard it is to make something feel so simple!
Quick - copyright that "bunk bed" idea.

Incredible. Jaw-dropping.

The bed thing is very cool! Don't listen to anyone who says paint it; plywood is very clean and modern when left as is. There's things I don't like about the place (mostly the colours (not a fan of such muted ones) and lack of privacy) but you've done something quite original here!

This apartment fascinates me, I want to see more! Even though I imagine there isn't much more to see. Thumbs up from me, although I do think the living room needs a pattern somewhere. Maybe a pillow or painting.

I absolutely love the colors in the space and the extreme functionality - and the kitchen is a stunner. My pragmatic libido, on the other hand, wonders: "is it possible to still have an active sex life when your four-year old sleeps above your bed?" Although, I imagine that a couple creative enough to create that space had that figured out ages ago! Truly an awesome "Small Cool!!"

I'd like a full blown tour of this one. What are those cabinets in the (kitchen?)? Where is the credenza (-like row of cabinets) from. Etc. etc.

There's so much here that I'd like to know more about.

Big ups

I absolutely love the bed to couch conversion... I've never seen that before, it's so creative!

To answer some of your questions:
-I designed the bed and my husband built it in about a week.
-To address the privacy issue without embarrassing myself, I'll simply say I think it will be more of an issue as the kids get older. The bed's bolted together so it can be disassembled and reconfigured as a kid's bunk bed when they (hopefully) have their own room.
-I'd like to post more pictures but I think its against the new contest rules. If I find out differently, I'll definitely do that.
Thanks again for your comments!
Chelli

I truly love the apartment, the use of space, the design of the bed/couch/bunk, etc... I just think about the enmeshment/intrusion issues within the family. sorry, i just think it's.... a problem, esp w/ a family of 4. not to mention intimacy b/t the parents.

The age of excess is OVER! And you've made it look so stylish and easy!

I really love this use of space design/idea. My husband and I live in 1200 square feet with one 3 year old son and I'm afraid to have another baby due to the crowded factor. You really show how anyone can make it work no matter how small a dwelling.

Hi Chelli,
That is so funny to find you here! I also posted my apt for the contest (division #26).
I love how you guys incorporated the bed into the living room, what a great design you did! I wonder where little Zada sleeps. I know, also wanted to post more pics 5 are just not enough even for small spaces.
Take care
Arena

OHhhhh now I see the bunk bed AND the crib behind!! Wow even more amazing bed/bunk-bed/division! Yeah at least a pic of the kid's area would have been perfect!

WOW.

This is really smart and creative.

Only thing that makes me really really cringe is the privacy issue..
it brings back unfortunate memories of my parents when I was about five....we used to live in a studio too. ew.

But great place. wonderful job.

This should win. Hands down. Incredible.

This is incredible! I can't understand why ppl are so afraid to add a child based on space! This in truly amazing! I would love to see more pictures!

absolute genius! Never saw a bed like that before, you should patent the design! GREAT idea.

WOW. This place is amazing. The use of space is so creative, and I love the design of the couch/bed/daughter's bed. The kitchen seems quite large too. Hands down this is the winner!

I missed the thumbs up voting, but think you did a fabulous job! Great thinking within the box!

You certainly get the award for creativity and ingenuity!
It looks very functional. Awesome!!

As a single mom who can't afford anything even as big as this, you have given me an ocean of hope! :)

Yes Yes Yes!!
Finally a real family living in a small space!
Thumbs up, both for Chelli and AT, and hope many more small homes for families with 2, 3, 4 or 11 kids to come on the site!!

please, please advise on how you created this incredible bed/loft set-up!!? my husband and i have been brainstorming on this for some time and have never seen the idea put into practice in such a cool way. any design/construction how-tos would be much appreciated. love it!