Is the bedspread a gray color on the other side, if so, turn it over and get plain white pillow covers, then get to the choices for your couch. Choose some colors from the rug and add them to your couch. Others will send you ideas but I love your rug and it can work just fine. Can you put your bed on the opposite wall? That way you could put a screen in front of it and add a nice side chair close to the sectional.

Nicky - I have lived in too many small rental studios - none as nice as yours! Agree with both CDR and Janie - post more photos or a floor plan with measurements. If possible move your sofa about a foot or a little more from your nightstand and add 1 or 2 open decorative shelving units @ a right angle to the wall. This will give you some separation between living & sleeping spaces & space for a little storage in decorative baskets/boxes while still letting light through. I like the rug & the bedding & budget permitting I would change out the sofa for a love seat in a medium to light grey and use the colors in your rug for accents. If you are on a tight budget I would recommed HomeGoods, if there is one in your area - they have a lot of options but do not carry stock - so you purchase the item(s) that are out on the selling floor - just check for damage & defects before purchasing - save your receipts so you so you can easily return if an iten is just not quite right. Always have your apartment measurements with you. Another option is Wayfair - lots of choices for a smaller budget. Good luck - hope you enjoy the process!

Would this work? Wasn't sure how long your sectional is.

You said you don't love the rug purchase. Can you return or exchange it? Most places understand that it's nearly impossible to know a rug will look until it's in the room.

Everything goes nicely except for the rug. Its a small space so I would have every element in the same color family - black, white and grey would be nice for example.

I’m wondering if you could switch the bed and the sofa? Maybe use shelving (IKEA?) that you can see through so not too much light is blocked but it allows a little extra storage and creates more distinct zones. Might be great to have friends look out the windows instead of at your bed.

This is SUPER rough, but it‘s the thought that counts, right?

Here’s the shelving I had in mind, used two different ways. As you can see, it can be very practical for books and other items, or you can keep it very minimal and sophisticated.

It wouldn’t have to be something exactly like this, but this conveys the idea...

My Houzz: Sweet Sophistication for a Manhattan Studio · More Info

Contemporary Dining Room · More Info

And here are a couple of other (likely more expensive) shelving/divider examples.

Clapham Apartment · More Info

Contemporary Living Room · More Info

Or you could make your own... I used cinder blocks and planks of wood for shelving back in my early twenties. You can paint them any color you want. Very cheap and sturdy.

I would get the layout perfected (not that the way you had it isn't perfect---but there just might be a better way) before thinking about the pretty stuff.

I like the above ideas...maybe the shelving unit could be a low one so it doesn't halve the room?

Also I HATE to see the wasted space near the bay window. It's basically driving me nuts but I have no alternative in mind. I do like the idea of the seating over there rather than the bed...

Get some sliders for moving things (I think they're called "moving men"?) Your back will thank you.

Also, what's going on with the mirror? I see drawers and I can't figure that bit out...

Is the bedspread reversible? I agree with another comment that flipping it to the dark gray side (if that’s an option) might be just what’s needed to make it work with the rug— at least temporarily until you find something you like better.

if you don’t love the rug, I suggest you return it, and hold out for something better.

But if you love the rug, then we can start to make suggestions using that as the starting point/cornerstone for the rest of the design.

Looking forward to more pics soon when you start moving things around. Curious to see how your space plan works out.

Once the space plan is pinned down, it will help determine if you need to get any new furnishings or not. For example, in CDR’s space plan, she indicates one large rug to fill most of the space, instead of one small rug like you have now in front of the couch.

It would also also help us to make suggestions for specific items if we had a better idea about how you want your space to look and feel. One of the best ways to do that is to find some pictures of spaces that you like (do a photo search here on Houzz and save stuff you like to your idea book) and let us know what you like about them.

Option 3

What about the malm dressing table against the bed footboard (if you want to do option 2)? Then you could get a chair the serves double duty both for the desk and to pull out if you have company. Also you could use that dressing table to eat at...

Dimensions approx 47 w x 16 d x 30 h

I think the desk would be better here.

Option 4

The rug is beautiful and gives the room some personality. Get solid color bedding in a soft color taken from the rug - either the blues, greens, coral, or cream.

Ok so neutrals of sofa and bedding not in person great together. As said, turn it over and place folded blanket across foot of bed, in a color you want to see [from the rug]. Experiment with colorful towel, shirt, etc....

soft aqua might look neutral with solid grey bed, and let rug/sofa be more "the thing."

All Season Geometric Diamond Thermal Blanketfk jcx, Aqua, Full/Queen · More Info

MONACO 222 Area Rug, Multi, 6'7"x9'2" · More Info

As to curtains: do you need less sunlight during dawn hours? I don't decorate so I'm allowed to like casual length where your window ledge is -- casual tab tops in wall color? Art will be great.

Sunbrella Outdoor Curtain With Tab Top, Linen Silver · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/pawleys-island-sunbrella-outdoor-curtain-with-tabs-linen-silver-50x84-prvw-vr~27978243

Maybe, cdr. Nicky said that the mirrored doors can remain closed as that closet is accessible elsewhere. So maybe the sectional could be shifted down toward the mirror to give more elbow/walking room...(and maybe even a small end table)

Grabbed a teal canvas idea with simple shapes:

For quick fix to immediately start loving your space: totally agree about turning cover over to solid gray. Cushions for the couch and bed with various colors from the rug. A throw over the end of the bed or on the couch in one of your favorite colors from the couch. You have lots of solid base colors (couch, turned over cover) now add pops of colors. Then progressively find wall art, and work towards room layouts above.

Thanks @calidesign ! Those are helpful suggestions.

@everdebz teal is a great idea!

@Pennydesign you are right, the couch can be pushed all the way against the mirror to create space. The only issue is the TV maybe a little misaligned as i cannot move the tv table towards the entry as it would cover the utility closet. Do you think i can install wheels on my tv table? It may help with this issue. I have the IKEA Brimnes TV Table. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50337698/#/40337694 .

Also, with this rug what kind of coffee table would work? I'll try and match it roughly with the side table & desk. I don't want anymore white furniture in the room.

What is the size of your rug? You want to keep the rug but are willing to change out the comforter? What is the bedsize?

You cannot choose other elements until you have your furniture arranged.

I really think DH's idea (cdr's second option) is best space wise..did you say that was a no-go for you?

Not sure about adding casters to that tv unit but there are many tutorials online about adding casters to ikea furniture...TV's aren't that heavy any more, so I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have a problem with it. Just make sure they're in the right place for max. stability...

I know this is getting annoying, but you'll have a great place with the best layout by the time we're all finished :)

I think you can definitely do option 4. Here is it again. I have corrected the bed size to a full and dimensions of rug to 79 x 110. This is how I'd place the rug.

Yes...I think the nightstand needs to go somewhere tho...there's no place for a light or water or whatever...(still voting for the "bedroom" to be over by the mirror, tho)

Nicky is your sectional one of those with a reversible chase?

The tv stand can serve double-duty as a nightstand. A lamps could go on the tv stand or, if not enough room, you can add a floor lamp on the window side.

In normal home, we place the bedroom toward the back and the living toward the entrance. However, I can see an argument for the living area by the window.

It really comes down to what you like and feel comfortable with, Nicki. If option 4 works for you, then option 4 it is!

For your bed, I'd get a comforter the lightest color of the rug (sort of that cream/off-white color. Then, I'd get drapes that match the teal in the rug. This way, your eye will go from the rug, right up to the drapes. The bed will sort of disappear.

Late to the party, but when guests visit and come through the door, I'd prefer they be confronted with the living/sitting area rather than the bed, so I prefer CDR's option 3 posted 3 days ago.

Just popping in: upon entering there's a nice desk/ storage, then bed [behind medium-height case, maybe matching finish of desk].

Sofa/rug still on opposite wall.

I would want the windows in the living area so I like CDR's idea of switching the bedroom and living area.

Is it possible to do Option 3 but put a decorative screen (perhaps a carved wood) in front of the bed to hide it from view as soon as you enter the door as well as create an entry way feel?

That way guests enter your home and are "guided" to your sofa by the window.

I wonder if there's room for a bookcase type thing at the head of the bed (assuming that the foot is against the wall where the sectional is now)...it would both separate the space and serve as a "hallway"..DH mentioned it earlier...Also some colored baskets would add a much-needed accent color as well as fantastic storage...Maybe it would even eliminate the need for a nightstand if there's an outlet on the side wall for a short lamp.

Also wondering if Nicky has abandoned us rabid small-space lovers :)

I would purchase a larger bedside table and use it (with a lamp) in between the sofa and the bed. The TV cabinet and desk could be flipped.

following

Are you DIY/handy? Place bed by the mirrored closed for easy access; add screening and storage for your own private sleeping and dressing area.

Studio · More Info

Studio: Bedroom · More Info

Versatile at 4' tall - in this room could be parallel to the closed front door. As though a headboard, with bed behind it. Might feel cozier with some small separation....

Different colors for $79. Could hang sturdy fabric over it, quilt, etc...

4' Tall Woven Fiber Room Divider, Cream, 3 Panel · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/4-tall-woven-fiber-room-divider-cream-3-panel-prvw-vr~10958504

If bed shares same wall as sofa, so that the bed faces guests, I think it has an inviting appearance, "lay down" here... instead of sofa/art as focal point. This thread has a small table backed up to the sofa - this is what I thought of for your bed [a sideways look for sofa sitters]

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/beach-condo-window-treatment-dilemma-dsvw-vd~5700294#n=2

… less view of bed pillows, and more attention to possibly subtle art you'd place above it.