On first glance at this pretty bedroom, you wouldn't think that it's riddled with layout problems. But, on closer look, we can relate to a few of the challenges that are overcome in this small space. All of them are issues we've come across in small apartment bedrooms at some point or another:
- A window at the head of the bed: Small spaces often don't leave you with a whole slew of choices on furniture placement. Especially when it comes to large pieces like beds. This bed is placed smack under a window, but a properly-sized headboard allows a leaning surface without blocking too much of the window.
- Security grating on the window: The accordian-style grating in this window isn't even good-looking. But, treated matter-of-factly, it's not really much of an eyesore. We think maybe the bamboo shade camouflages it a bit.
- Radiator right by the bed: This isn't the perfect location for a radiator. But the best is made of this one's location with an enclosure that doubles as a night stand. Wall-mounted reading lamps help keep its surface clutter-free.
Do you have any of these problems in your bedroom? Does this photo help inspire solutions to any of them? Image: DecorPad
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Any idea where that wallpaper might be from? It's cute!
Putting a headboard in front of security grating that is able to be opened is not a very smart move - that's usually where the fire escape is. There's a reason why you need fast and easy access to that window.
My NY apartment bedroom is narrow. It's so narrow that there is only one direction the bed can be placed so that it doesn't block walking areas.
Once you get the bed in this "good" spot, there's no room for a nightstand or anything on either side of it, and it's against a cheaply built wooden wall that can't be trusted to hold shelving or lamps.
We're coping with weak overhead lighting and tables at the foot of the bed to hold books, glasses, water etc. But it's quite far from being comfortable.
I could never sleep right next to a radiator in the cold months. I wish we could see another shot of the room so we could contemplate alternative arrangements!
That photo looks nice now, but once that gate is closed it won't look so great. And really that's the point of a security gate--it needs to be closed all the time. Lived in apt where a burglary was thwarted by a window security gate. And to Home Body's point, if firemen were to have to climb in to rescue you, it'd be tough navigating around the bed (especially in the dark when they can't see what's there).
Otherwise, really lovely pretty room. Wallpaper, brass accents and white bedding work beautifully together.
I bet that radiator boils those flowers.
My bedroom is huge, but the layout is ridiculous. It is shaped like a long, narrow rectangle. If you're looking in from the door, the long wall straight across has two huge windows. The shorter wall to the right has two decent-sized closets with a couple of feet of wall separating them. The short wall to the left has another large window and a long, uncovered radiator.
I've managed to fit a double bed and nightstand to the left of the door, leaving just enough space between the bed and the radiator. The dresser is centered beneath the two windows on the long wall, and a have a bookcase between the closets. The room looks sparse because there is almost too much floor space, and I would have preferred to have a more symmetrical layout, but there isn't really a convenient place to add more furniture. Although I am considering picking up a small upholstered chair to stick beside the dresser.
The room in the photograph looks cozy (something that I am still struggling to achieve in my own bedroom), but I'm not crazy about the idea of a bed placed in front of a window.
I hadn't even noticed the security grating. My eyes went straight to the fantastic window treatment.
In California the bed under a window is a BIG no-no. Eathquakes sending glass shattering on you face while you sleep is bad news.
Very cute. Changing out that security gate for an old fashioned wrought iron one that can swing out on hinges or some other security solution would be an improvement. I think you and the firemen can navigate over or around the bed or just push it aside altogether in the event of an emergency.
To some of the commenters concerned about the heat of the radiator, I have a cover like that in my office, and I have both my printer and a plant sitting on it -- it doesn't get that hot. Also, if the room is particularly small (which I'm guessing it is), it might be best to have the radiator off, since they can overheat the room.
Love the colors in this room...
@Kendokendokendo: I suggest you go to Lowe's/Home Depot/True Value/Ace/your favorite home improvement store and talk to the people there about your situation.
They can help you find wall mounts that will allow you to hang lamps and art without much worry about the thickness of the wall material.
I live in an apartment where the walls are just dry-wall, and the studs are metal U-studs that are spaced really far apart. (I'm fairly certain that the only wood in our building is the wood furniture we brought with us.) So all we've got for holding stuff is the dry-wall. We found some different types of screws and mounts that have allowed us to hang all sorts of stuff, including a pretty hefty antique mirror, without tearing up the dry-wall. It might damage the dry-wall when we move out (not sure yet), but we'll just patch and putty it up.
I live in a pretty wacky (but wonderful!) attic apartment, and the "bedroom" zone is really a narrow room with a little step-down area with a slanted ceiling that the landlord tried to sell to me as perfect for storage. I switched it up and put my bed in there--sans bedfame, nightstand, everything, to avoid bumping my head--hung a ton of lights and art on the wall and made it into a kind of sleep-nest.The upper part is, also, devoted entirely to clothes, a mirror, and general preening.
I never thought I would be a mattress-on-the-floor, nowhere-to-sit-but-the-bed kind of girl, but I absolutely love it--it really forces me to do most of my living in the living room and kitchen, and leaves one space just for sleep, rather than having my bedroom be the place where I spend literally all of my time. That's the thing I've come to love about small space living--it forces you to streamline how you actually live, and in most cases, really organizes and improves your lifestyle.
@christinalouise: Thanks for the tip!
Yes it is usually possible to have your radiators turned off - or you might have to install a device that enables this. I live in a Manhattan rental where the heat in some apartments is unbearable and relentless. Installing valves was a good idea. Crucial if you intend to use the radiator cover as a shelf.