could you fit something (foam core) around the pipes to match the line of the window opening, so that it looks like a continuous line. you could do a fabric curtain for the door opening and upholster the foam core, as well. if you made the foam core "valance" two sided you could recess the curtain rod inside. i wish i could draw you a picture and use my hands! my words aren't enough! maybe glass blocks in the window opening? once the place the place is furnished the sound will be softened, too.

I don't believe you will be able to significantly reduce the sound in a space with that many large openings. Sound travels through air, so any openings that allow air through also allow sound. Have you tried earplugs? Those will reduce noise far more than any makeshift effort (probably more effective than even adding an actual wall) and they cost next to nothing. I wear earplugs daily because my downstairs neighbor likes to play his video games at 4am and it works like a charm. Try adding a tiny bit of gel lubricant to the earplugs to reduce chafing and to increase the seal and effectiveness of the earplug.

As for light, the first thing you should do is add under cabinet lighting and not use the overhead lights in the kitchen/common area when you are sleeping. You can buy under cabinet units cheaply at a place like Ikea. This will contain the light only where you need it (so the kitchen remains functional) but prevents the bright overhead lighting from spilling into the room. Right now, you are lighting up the whole area. You want to place directed light only where you need it (preferably on a dimmer) and not just blast overhead light around the place like its a grocery store. Ikea also carries track/spot style overhead fixtures. You can replace some of the bulb/fluorescent overhead units with spots so that light only lands where you need it. If that doesn't reduce enough light, I would go to a custom window covering store and have spring loaded blackout roller blinds made to cover the doorway (below the pipes) and the "window" opening. These won't be cheap and they won't block all the light, but they will reduce light significantly.

Add as many soft things to the space as you can. I've been living w/the exact same problem for nearly a year now. There are sound deadening curtains on the market. Get the heaviest drapes you can afford and line them w/black out fabric. Add rugs...anything to absorb sound. Think about layers. Do what you can and then learn to live with it. Get ear plugs and and eye mask. It won't ever be perfect :).

Didn't I see this EXACT post about a month ago?

Yes, a couple of months ago and everybody told her she should have got an apartment, not a loft.
AT gets lamer everyday.

I used to have a similar situation. Anything that dampens sound will help, throw rugs, tapestry wall hangings... curtains. A white noise machine may be the best way to help at night. I worked in an office that also served as a showroom, and the difference between when it was on and when it was off was amazing.

If you're not renting (or if you are, but aren't averse to putting some money in to the place) I would recommend a laminated glass up on the top - even just a thick glass would probably help, but sound-deadening glass would really do the trick. For the entry to the bedroom, I would consider doing some kind of pocket door coming out of that wall to the right. Or just a more standard swinging door that folds flat to the closet on the right when not in use, but fills the entryway when opened. I'd say that doing both of those things is worth it, since it will be a value to the next owner.

If you're renting (or you just want to stay less expensive), on the top I'd get a length of foam and cover it with a nice bright-colored fabric - make it a feature, don't try to hide it. For the entryway, you're probably limited to fabric, though if you wanted to go a little crazy you could probably rig up a lightweight, foam backed door that opened UP instead of to the side. There are probably some nicer hinges that could do that (perhaps something with gas springs) but the first thing that comes to mind is one of those attic ladder door hinges.

My loft has the same arrangement. I live alone though, so it's not much of a concern! Still, I wear earplugs and an eye mask to bed to keep out the light and sound from the common area and its windows. It gets easier as you get used to the space :)

I have the same problem. I have now wool- and thick cottoncarpets on the walls. On the floor a lot of carpets. That, together with soft armchair and fuiture solved the problem. I didn´t need my curtain, and a blind solved the light.

not sure if this will help with sound, but in regards to privacy you should do this: create a sliding door for the room

AT's written about a DIY for it in the past (link below), and it looks like it'd look great in your space!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/how-to/how-to-create-a-sliding-barn-door-house-tweaking-141003

I'm in the earplugs eye mask club. Cheep and highly efficient. And no altering of the space which will not retain the character I'm assuming you choose it for after you cover all the openings and staple egg crate to the walls.

Really curious to see all these suggestions as my main hesitation with loft living has always been how the layout works against privacy/noise....

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/how-to-create-door-in-noisy-loft-good-questions-150817

I don't mind AT reposting things like this but I don't think they should be presented as though it's a new post instead of one that's being recycled

This is exactly like our loft minus the opening in the wall! I solved the light problem by putting a nice looking tension shower curtain rod in the doorway with a blackout curtain. As far as noise goes...I keep earplugs on my nightstand. It's hard to tell how big that opening in the wall is, but maybe you could use it as a shelf for little-read books and in turn block some light and sound?

This is one of the (many) reasons I couldn't do open floorplans. Give me walls and separation of space any day!

Light is a tough one... maybe a shower curtain type set up would be best for reaching high heights, and allow for easy opening/closing. You could adjust the length for the horizontal opening above kitchen... As for noise, throw rugs are awesome, but if you don't like the extra cleaning that comes along with them... try buying some cheap carpet remnants and installing them on the back side of wall hangings, or under tables or chairs. Ever felt carpet under the table at a restaurant? It's to absorb noise!

What does the wall look like inside the bedroom? Is there room for a barn door? We have one in our loft, the wall inside our bedroom is long and empty, so it's perfect for a barn door when it's open. We are still totally open on the top though (you just have a sliver, our entire bedroom is open at the top) so we get a lot of light but it works fine for us. We have dark curtains in the bedroom and the light from the living room comes across the top of the wall and it's easier to wake up in the morning. But I've lived there 6 years. It takes a little getting used to.

For the "window", for sound, how about lining some vases across there, or other objects to help dampen the sound? No, your room isn't going to become a sound-proof light-proof area, but you moved there kind of knowing that right?

ENJOY the space. It's very fun to live in a loft!!

How about HEAVY floor to ceiling dark theatre type curtains along the entire wall and door opening on the inside of bedroom?

I am not an expert on NYC real estate law but it I am not sure you can legally close it off. In NYC if it does not have a window it is not legally a bedroom. Since it currently is open on the top and at the "door" I believe it bypasses that law.