apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

are there any more pics of this place? it's hard to tell the layout without seeing it from the other direction. i second the idea of getting a long, low credenza to replace the bedroom-y dresser. something so easy that someone on AT suggested to me for my own studio is to have a folded quilt, lengthwise across the bottom of the bed. it's so simple, but it really does anchor the bed visually and makes it look much neater.

I think if you could turn the bed sideways and push it up against the wall, then put the pillows against the wall instead of the headboard and add a few more pillows, that it would feel more like a daybed.

Perhaps a duvet cover custom made out of a heavier (think upholstery-weight) fabric would help, too.

It would make your bed appear more weighty and less sheet-y.

I bought a shoji screen and put it in front of the bed so it was less obvious. I bought it from homedecorators.com and it has slats that go through it for shelves so it's even more useful.

If you don't want a sofa bed you could do a futon instead. My boyfriend and I slept on a futon for a few years, and it was actually really comfortable.

I agree that we need more pictures to be any real help. It looks like you could push the bed under the windows, but I'm assuming you tried that and it didn't work? Either more photos or a floorplan would be great to get a better sense of the room.

How about a raised loft bed? Are your ceilings tall enough?

I agree with the weightier bedcover idea.

I'd probably do a rug, like a kilim, and would also draw the eye up to the wall with a massive mirror or a clock or piece of "non-bedroomy" art.

I think the kilim sounds like a good idea to me because it reminds me of a lounging platform in a harem tent. Now all you need are some people of your preferred gender to fan you with palm fronds and hold your hookah.

What would happen if you turned the bed around? Or how about a single bed? I know it sounds lame, but it adds a lot of space... do you have a lot of sleepovers?

oooh, i like that idea! turn the bed around so it faces the wall... put some kind of narrow console table up against the back of the headboard... it could really define the "bedroom" space better when you walk in. Hard to tell if there is room for that though without more pictures or a floorplan.

Get inspired by the wall-beds at http://www.mobelform.com (go to products, then sofabeds/ wallbeds). If you can swing it, a sofa bed or Murphy bed would work well in the entry’s alcove.

If this is not an option, then do try the great idea of swinging the head-board in the opposite position. Either use a console as a desk or an actual sleek desk in front of the head-board. The viewer’s eye will then be drawn to the desk and its chair.

To further hide the bed, consider panels of fabric (or curtains) strung on a steel cable system immediately behind the headboard (See West Elm’s 20’ long “Steel Cable System” for only $34.00; see http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODb209&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1RUGHDW&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1RUGHDW).

Consider one panel or curtain to each side of the head-board so that each panel or curtain meets the floor; and one panel in the middle (that gets folded as it meets the bed). From the front, the three panels of fabric/ curtains together will form an additional “wall” that, again, conceals the bed. Good luck.

Tim, I have exactly the same issue in my studio (in NY), where I've lived for 3 years. I definitely second the idea about artwork. Get something big and beautiful over the bed and you will care less about its location.

I also agree about the dresser giving a "bedroom feel". I don't have any "bedroom-y" furniture other than the actual bed, but others in my building (with the same apartment) do and it accentuates the problem.

Michael

I have the same problem, and I agree that having be linens that look less like bed linens works. I made my bed super fabulousish by getting this really bold print fabric at Britex for my comforter cover, then added huge silk pillows and hung silk fabric over the wall. It's still my bed but it's sooo not bed.

I live in a studio too. I agree that if you're not going to hide it with fabric or screens, making the bed part of the decor is the thing to do. Maybe design around a duvet cover you like especially. And make your duvet fluffy and inviting with pillows that don't look like the kind you sleep on. The first thing my friends want to do is lie down when they enter my place, so it's not like everyone's just trying to ignore your private bedroom space if it looks really made up, like a display. It's hard not to live without a dresser if you have no place else to put it. Maybe paint that and the headboard of your bed?

I've lived in my 280 square foot studio apartment coming up on ten years and my fiancee moved in with me three years ago. I'd always been interested in a murphy bed and finally last year we bought one. It's amazing! Very comfortable and it makes such a huge difference. When we walk into the apartment we just see space and light (getting rid of the bed makes it seem like there's more light) as opposed to a clutter.
They do tend to be expensive but we found just a frame on craigslist for $200. The cabinets tend to be pretty expensive. Anyway, can't recommend it enough. My only regret is that I didn't get one 10 years ago.

I LOVE my Murphy bed! I am with josie on this one-I can't recommend it enough!

What about getting a low platform bed so it looks more like a raised portion of the floor rather than a bed? I would choose a model without a headboard where the bed extends around the edge of the mattress, like this one, which even includes an interior drawer for storage: http://www.boconcept.us/default.aspx?id=62866&ImageID=536

I would then get rid of the dresser and scatter some pillows around to make it feel more like a conversation pit.

My bed is also in my living space (the teensy space that is intended for a bed is too small and is now my work studio) and the attached is what I'm buying. I'm buying the Queen size.

http://www.jlifeinternational.com/Beds/zen.html

My thought is that if I need to have a bed visible, why not make it a beautiful one. It goes with my decor.

I agree that having bedroomy furniture around it would not be wise. I have an repro antique chinese bar that I use as a dresser for intimate things. No one realizes what it is, hence, less of a bedroom feel. My other things are in the closet.

http://www.jlifeinternational.com/Beds/zen.html


I'll try this again....

how about useing a curtain or a larger bookcase to place on the side of the bed bumps up against the 'living room'

I like the idea of facing the bed the other way, or absolutely a Murphy Bed (and agree that more pictures would be very helpful, regardless)!

Two additional options:

#1. Take the pillows off - you could even stash them on the floor on the far side of the bed during the day - and cover the bed with a gorgeous bright cover (or even a rug!) that goes all the way to the floor... giving the impression that this area is just a beautiful "platform," not a bed. Something like this might work well: http://tinyurl.com/2cls9w . Again, definitely let it touch the floor!

#2. Make the entire bed clean crisp white. It will "disappear" - especially if you put a big bold piece of art over the headboard (which I definitely recommend you do!) to draw your eye there.

Finally, as just a side note, you might want to move your full-length mirror to the other corner - I think it's adding to the bedroom "vibe" and doesn't seem quite as sophisticated as the rest of your space.

Good luck!

Jumping on the Murphy bed bandwagon, I think that it is a great way to go. They can get a little spendy, but in my experience it is definitely worth the investment. I got mine at a company called Old Creek, http://www.wallbedfactory.com, and have been completely satisfied with it. I have a small space as well (though not quite as small as yours) and having the ability to raise my bed during the day makes my apartment feel twice as big! I have the model with the table on the front, which I use as an extra work/eat space.

If you do go this route, I would suggest a colorful rug to break up the room a bit more, and make it feel a bit more alive.

good luck!

Move the dresser and mirror as suggested (room in a closet? dresser as landing strip?) Put the bed against the wall and try placing the headboard against the wall to mimic a back to a daybed. I did that with a twin bed once and it really looked rather nice.