apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I suppose it's fine, as long as you don't plan to be making any...uh... vigorous movements that might shift the bed. In such cases, a wall can be a helpful anchor.

You'd need a headboard if you don't want your pillow to keep falling off in the middle of the night.

I actually really like this concept, and as someone whose always lived in weird shaped spaces, I wish I had thought of this idea sooner!

Worse than an unorthodox furniture arrangement, I think, is the alternative of having to push everything against the wall for more room, which is usually ugly.

I had this layout in my dorm room in college (sans headboard), and it isn't very practical. My pillow always fell off or I would find myself so far up the bed my head was tilting off. It looks nice though!

Not so hot if you read in bed, unless you get a big, heavy headboard.

You'll note that in each picture there are no bedside tables, because they would look weird and ungainly. Moving the bed away from a wall would also expose cables for alarm clocks, lamps and other electrical items.

By the way, "distancing" is not a word in this context. Sorry, but this is a pet hate of mine.

You're not alone in feeling that it invites sneak attacks. I placed my bed in the most "sheltered" area my studio affords because it makes me feel cozy and safe to be there. Does this make rational sense? No. But a desire for a sheltered sleeping area is probably genetic.

I would be in constant fear that something monstrous was getting ready to sneak up and eat my brains. I'm 37, but I blame a lifelong habit of horror movies and fiction.

I moved my bed to the middle of my room so that I could sleep directly under the fan and the AC vent (because it's freaking hot in TX). It takes a little getting used to, and may not be for everyone, but I love it.

The alarm clock sits on a table against the wall, so I do have to get up to turn it off. But, I have to get up anyway. I guess I don't get too restless in my sleep because I haven't lost a pillow yet. As for sex, i only wish that was an issue.

If anyone is thinking about doing it, just give it a shot. If it doesn't work for you then get back up against a wall.

I really don't see the problem with having a bed away from the wall. We just don't usually have the room to set it away from the wall. As for a nightstand, you could have a small stool nearby that would work. I keep a stool near my bed on which I stack books I'm reading. Otherwise, I don't need a nightstand.

I think a monster can get you just as easily if your bed's in the corner :)

does anyone know a source for the bed with the even sized headboard and footboard? i've been looking for something like that for a while. thanks.

Oh my gosh, I feel panicky just looking at these photos. I NEED my head against a wall.

What's all this talk about "sneak attack"s? Are there bedroom ninjas I have yet to be informed about?

Thanks KidMoe, I was about to ask the same question. Sounds like something my daughter might have said...25 years ago!

I did this for one good reason; spiders. I'm in a garden-level and the spiders were freaking me out. They can't get into the bed if it doesn't touch the wall. (Getting rid of bed-skirts) helps too.

I tried it in a large 'L' shaped studio with a big Eastlake bed - the kind with pointed head and foot board. Facing away from the living area blocked all light. Facing the living area made it look like an activity center.

I learned I didn't need or want a bedside table. This was in the mid Nineties when experts announced that you had to eliminate all stimulus from your sleeping area if you wanted good rest.

My main complaint was that I had one more area to clean up each morning before leaving the house. Empty space attracts socks and other shit.

Good one, 39520expat! So funny.

Seriously though, bad idea. Why would you put it away from the wall if the room is small? Wouldn't it just make it look/feel/seem/in actuality smaller? I would get annoyed very quickly having to walk around it all the time...

kahlil,

I remember looking up that bed when I moved into my place and being so discouraged to find out it was $$$$ (of course!). Not much more info than to say the photo is from domino.

However! IKEA (i know!) Malm beds are plentiful on craigslist, and a second headboard is all you need.

My husband and I are currently sleeping in a bed that is placed litterally in the middle of the bedroom. It's a space that's a bit less than 15 sqm (150 sqft) and a previous renter has installed a huge built-in wardrobe that covers an entire wall. We've got a queensize bed without headboard but with a wooden frame that adds about 15cm on each side of the bed to its length and width. The original solution was put it up against the wall as the outlets were there for nightlamps for each side of the bed, but that made it awkward to pass between bed and wardrobe to get to the window not to mention that it was impossible to fully open some of the wardrobe's doors.

After a couple of weeks, we turned the bed by 90 degrees, placed it into the middle of the room with the head towards the window. That way, we both can leave the bed without having to climb over the other. Instead of two nightstands, we've got a small, round table that offers enough space for a lamp, an alarm clock, two books and glasses that's placed between the bed and the window where we both can easily reach it.

I thought initially as well that sleeping like that in the middle of the room would be strange, but that concern was entirely unwarranted. Plus, that way I get to be closer to the window - more fresh air for me. :)

I don't fear sneak attacks but I do like to read in bed and I do need a bedside table (for books and glasses of water) so I'm not sure this would work for me for those reasons. However, my bedroom has either a window, closet, or a door in the middle of every wall so I understand the challenges the lead people to try unusual arrangements. I am about to move my bed back in front of the window, even though that is supposedly bad feng shui.

@chimpo - Haven't you ever seen a spider drop down from the ceiling by its web?

Bad Feng Shui...
...and shades of Edina Monsoon's bedroom.

i remember watching an episode of oprah where nate berkus redesigned a woman's tiny NYC apt. he floated the bed in the middle of the room and it worked well. it also served as additional seating for the space.

thanks for the info. clareyfairy

I want to try this but my bedroom isn't big enough.