apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

"Bedrooms make no sense"

Hah, I couldn't agree with this more. I've never understood the need for a large bedroom. All I need and want is room for a bed, some nightstands, and maybe a small chair.

Bed alcoves make a lot of sense to me.

Privacy? Quiet when other family members are being active, but you want to sleep? A door to close to keep the pets off the bed, if so inclined? Personal area temperature control? I can think of lots of reasons for having a bedroom. Alcoves for those who want them, but I'll keep my room!

It's a nice idea...but what about the other activities that occur in bedrooms?

I love the idea. I wish we could do it in our apartment. But I do understand the practical concerns about noise and privacy.

I think that the historical reason for alcoves in the central part of a home was a lack of central heating. You wanted to be near the stove or fireplace. But good heating is available now, in the modern world at least. And we know all about the importance of good ventilation while sleeping (so a bedroom with operable windows is desirable). And, yes, privacy is a must -- for all sorts of things. But I did turn a closet into an alcove in a tiny studio apartment when I was a pup. The idea has its uses, for those with limited space.

But bedrooms make LOTS of sense. Just not big bedrooms.

I just wanted to say this is a great post.

I often use "A Pattern Language" when I need inspiration for client projects. It helps you think out of the box and how to use space differently. A former colleague of mine created a bed alcove with a trundle in her breakfast nook so she could eat in the bed and have extra sleeping space for guests in a pinch.

Bed Alcoves make less sense to me. I don't see the the need a large bedroom - but there is lots of reasons for bedrooms. Privacy when you sleep or during intimate sessions, quiet when other people are sleeping, a place not in the open for someone who is sick, a room to send a child if it needs time-out, etc.

For those who want even smaller sleeping spaces, why not just build rooms the size of walk-in closets of the living space so you can have both the small sleeping space and a little privacy.

Changing the sheets on an alcove bed is difficult, even impossible for many older or handicapped people. Imagine trying to make a king-size bed enclosed on three sides!

Even Jefferson's 2-walled alcove requires running through the doors to reach opposite sides. (Of course, he had household help whose convenience was ... irrelevant.)

Another point - where do people get dressed if their bedroom is an alcove if you have company or if you have kids? I will never trade in having a bedroom for an alcove - seems so insane.

i actually just moved into a one bedroom after a series of shared sublets or studio apartments, and i found that a whole bedroom was too much for me! it felt echoey and far too big.

especially after seeing tracy falk's beautiful studio post here, and another on that alcove with a diy captain's bed, i found myself daydreaming of the coziness of a studio and even briefly looked on craigslist for a smaller apartment! (boston's real estate market being the foul pit it is, though, i came back to my senses rather quickly.)

SO, i've moved my bed into a corner of the room and am hanging a wall to wall curtain to screen it off into its own homemade sweet little nook. it will be just big enough for the bed, a lamp, a small rug and a little table.

that gives me space in the rest of the (very oddly shaped) room for a dresser, which i couldn't have before, not to mention a full length standing mirror and an entire small settee! plus, i feel tucked in and wonderful every night when i go to sleep. long live tiny sleeping spaces!

Curvatura - With you though, you still have a dressing area separate from your living area. I really get why people like small bedrooms (though I like to keep mine medium sized), but a bed alcove just seems illogical.