Hi! Thanks for all the advice. I went to help her set things up and to look at it in order to decide how to provide privacy. I decided to get ceiling tracks (found some at BBB for $9.99 on sale from $39!). I got 4 tracks of 48" each to cover the 12' span. I'm going to attach to the ceiling and I made 4 blackout curtain panels (bought ready-made panels from Target and added blackout fabric to them) to hang on the tracks. The opening at the staircase will not be covered so light will come in there,but for privacy that will be okay. She'll decide later if she wants something added there. So here's is my final question: The ceiling is 9' tall and the half-wall is 4'. So that leaves a 5' space to fill with the curtains. I am all done making them except to hem to the final length. Should I have them extend beyond the top of the half-wall, so maybe hem them to 65" or so? I was thinking that if the curtains are a little bit longer than the opening, they would stay closed better if there are slight breezes from AC or the nearby ceiling fan. Would about 5" extra inches be sufficient, or should it be more, like 10 or 12"? So far: Ikea bed with drawers, over-bed storage rack form BBB, a soft-sided Ikea wardrobe, Ikea shelf with plastic bins (instead of a wooden dresser), shelf from BBB. Adding soon, a small laptop desk and a swivel chair from Ikea with will fit at te foot of the bed where there are about 4' left. We realize nothing matches but we were going for function and had to choose from what was available.

Bed opposite the entry door makes for optimal sleep so you're good there. I would get a second nightstand, or perhaps two new ones that are the right height and are chest style with drawers for more storage - always in short supply. Top them with new lamps that are properly sized.

I also vote no to the plastic liner. hard to clean and wasteful to just replace them all the time. Nylon curtains can be thrown in the wash and bleached (it's easier to wash them routinely though, before the bottom hem gets moldy). I use this kind of hook which makes that chore super easy. I used to have two curtains doubled up on regular hooks and that worked just fine, btw. double sided hooks or double rods are not really necessary unless you just like the way it looks.

I think you got better starting advice from the 2 nonPROS. The term gas chamber is so disgusting just ugh. Its on their wish list so obviously they want one, as as we debated before, contrary to your opinion, most home owners would like to have one. And Patricia, you offered nothing. If you cant or dont understand a pretty clear question, skip it and come back later. Edit: Also , dont post your entire floor plan (if you are set and ok with your floorplan) if you just want advice for your loft. There are a few people that will tear it apart in sn effort to save you from yourself.