Studio Apartment Living - Need recs!
Taylor Inman
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
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Lars/J. Robert Scott
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
question for studio apartment dwellers
Comments (9)I have a large studio apartment--the main room is 40' by 20', with a separate kitchen. The landlord built a sort of half wall (it only goes up 9', the ceiling is 14') that extends about 55" into the main room about 3/5 of the way down the long wall. It is really a closet and helps to hide the bed a little bit. I also have two tall bookcases back to back at one point on the opposite long wall, with an matching low bookcase butted up to one of them. This both helps to hide my always messy desk, but also to bring some furniture out into the middle of the room so that it doesn't look as if all the furniture is pushed back against the walls. I'm not a big fan of sofa-beds. I think they are a hassle and tend not to get made up most of the time. And they are not as comfortable as a real bed. If this is where you are living full-time, you really need to take that into account. You can create a headboard for your bed out of bookcases which you float in the open space of the room. Face the shelves into the living room area of the apartment and put the bed against the back side. This will also face the bed away from the living area. I thought when I rented my apartment that I would buy a floor screen to help separate the space. I've decided not to, as I like the big expanse of open space. (So do the cats.) I'm also not a fan of curtains. I think the curtains get pushed to the side most of the time and pulled shut only when there's company. If the idea works for you, there are some cable suspension systems that would work well. I entertain a lot (I'm a single woman.) It really hasn't been a problem having my bed visible from the living/dining area. Partly because of the closet wall that's there, which partly hides the bed, although the foot of the bed is clearly there. Partly because I put away the floral lavender quilt I used to use and bought a tailored bedspread in a dark red that coordinates with the rest of the furniture. I have a quilt in dark colors folded at the foot of the bed. No fancy pillows or anything, so it doesn't look too girly. It just looks as though it belongs there and no one seems to notice it. What really separates the apartment in to different spaces are the area rugs. I've got wood floors and downstairs neighbors, so I needed to put something on the floors to muffle the noise. I have a large 9' by 13' rug for the living room, a 7' by 9' rug for the dining room, a 6'by 9' rug for the bed room, a 5' by 7' rug for the study and a 3' by 5' rug for the cozy reading nook that was the only use I could find for the corner opposite my bed. I went to Ocean State Job Lot one day and got most of the rugs at the same time. They are fake Orientals and are all from the same company. They have different patterns, but all use the same colors in different proportions (they all have tan, blue, red and brown, but one looks mostly tan, one mostly red, etc.), so they all blend together. Then I just worked with furniture placement. All the living room furniture is at the end with the entrance, along with the TV and stereo. Then the dining room. Both of these take up the full width of the apartment. Then there's the study and cozy reading nook along one wall, with the bedroom opposite them. I find it's a lot easier to vacuum when there are no separate rooms. And I like the feeling of space. I rented this place to save money to buy a house, but I may just stay here a few years because I like it so much....See MoreFurniture Arrangement for Studio Apartment
Comments (5)I would consider a good quality sofa bed. There are many designs now that go beyond the standard pullout with the thin mattress and uncomfortable middle bar. Some may have a storage drawer underneath. Also look for convertible furniture and pieces that can do double duty: chests of drawers for end table/nightstands; hollow ottomans/hope chests for coffee table can store bedding; a lift up coffee table can be used to eat at; folding trays & chairs can be tucked away and brought out when you have guests; expanding & drop leaf tables can as well. I hope you have a lot of fun furnishing this place. Love your bay window!...See MoreFurniture Arrangement for Studio Apartment
Comments (25)With an apartment that small, I wouldn't be that worried about company. I for one would not want to fuss with putting my bed up and down each day. Get a daybed or futon and use as a couch and bed. Get a duvet to cover you and that's that. Or build a loft bed if the ceiling is high enough. I'd get one of those tables that is either round or square and had two fold down sides, so you can fold up when you need a work space or have company, and down when it is just you. I had one for years in my apartments, the extra chairs store under it, which is also nice. It comes in square, round and oval variations. Get a rolling coffee table and maybe some rolling storage files and boxes so you can roll out various things you might be doing in the apt. and then stow in the closet when not in use. Get a good Internet connection, kindle books and a library card so you don't need a lot of media equipment....See MoreRug for living area in studio apartment
Comments (26)@Jilly I love that suggestion - thank you! @Flo Mangan The feedback on the coffee tables is interesting. The tables are quite small so I thought placing them vertically would be better than horizontally but I'll definitely give that a try when I'm home later. The sofa width is about 63"; the bigger table measures 21" L x 13.25" W x 20.5" H and the smaller one is 16.75"L x 13.5"W x 17.5"H. These are the tables for reference: https://www.onekingslane.com/p/4765671-gilt-bamboo-style-nesting-tables-s-3.do?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiA64GRBhCZARIsAHOLriJPKMOlTFuqX1F423F_j1vXJJHyRjzEBQ3Vwa0gLTez9BF5Yu7AQtoaAm2mEALw_wcB. I'm just missing the medium sized one! Also the sofa is from Target Opalhouse! I bought in May of 2018. They don't sell it anymore sadly so going to hold on to this one for as long as I can... or at least until I can get a one-bedroom! Ha! https://brickseek.com/target-inventory-checker?sku=249-08-6313...See MoreTaylor Inman
6 years agoDesignbyRuchi
6 years agoAllison0704
6 years agopennydesign
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agodecoenthusiaste
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6 years agoAtelier Marchand
6 years ago
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