Only you know how you will be happy living in that space in the sense of where you want the bed, where you want your desk, where (and how) you like to sit to watch TV, and whether you plan to have guests in the apartment, and where you want them to sit, what you do and do’t want them to see.

For some people ”minimal” means a neutral color scheme, and no window treatments or fancy lighting. That sound like you — or does minimal suggest to you blocks of color and single focual points of drama?

“Modern/minimalist” is still too vague.
Your preferences:
Color-neutral
Bold-subtle
Comfy-formal
Straight-angular
Artist-engineer

Any favorites or habits you can share will be helpful

Start here

The tv goes where the cable outlet is if you intend to use cable. The desk goes where you want to work. Everything else follows.

Place the bed opposite the door for optimal restful, secure sleep. Get a pair of generous chests to flank it and provide additional clothing storage. Chests should arrive at mattress height. With lamps on top, the total height of the vignette should be 58-64" above the floor. To save floor space, I would use a bench, two chairs and a trestle table against the wall opposite the kitchen. A nice piece of art or poster on the wall above the bench will brighten your entry. You have room for a foyer table and lamp there on that wall by the kitchen door. With no dining chandelier, consider using an arc floor lamp standing in the corner and extending over the table.. There is still a lot of space between the dining spot and the more narrow end of the room by the windows. Reserve the window area for your desk and a comfy chair and lamp for a reading nook.

Then all the space between can be used for the living area. A 3-seat sofa and two upholstered chairs will serve you well. Put TV on the wall opposite the kitchen and float the sofa to make a pathway behind it to the bedroom and desk areas. Use a coffee table 12-18" from the sofa and put a chair at each end of the coffee table. Swivel chairs could work well for conversation and for turning to watch TV. Look for great storage pieces as you select furniture. Here's a piece with a work/dining surface and lots of storage. Would be handy if you like to eat or mess with the laptop while watching TV. It is sold via Houzz.

Nesnesis Modern Round Lift-top Nesting Wood Coffee Table with Drawers, White/Black · More Info

Look at DWR website for some ideas for modern furniture. If you can afford the prices, go to a showroom with your apartment measurements to know what will and won’t fit in your space. You can also look up more local furniture stores that sell some similar brands. Many furniture places do not have warehouses with items in stock, so you may need to wait for items to be made, 8-16 weeks in some cases. If the prices are out of your range, try some resale shops for more vintage pieces like tables, lamps, etc. Take your time and think about how you want to use the space, if you want to invest in a few key pieces now and add to it with more big box items that are more affordable (IKEA has some great modern designs and will ship to you).

Thanks for the replies. I am going to answer some of the questions that were asked.

@User By "minimalist" I mainly mean that I don't want a lot of extra decorations or "loud" patterns, would prefer a few nice simple items, with basic colors instead of bright neon green. That's probably the best way I can describe it, don't know enough about interior design to be more specific.

@Therese N To answer your preference questions, I would say

- Neutral

- Subtle

- Formal

- Straight

- Engineer

With regards to your design example, Is having 2 feet of space between the desk and bed okay? Given that the bed is 7 feet long, a desk is like 2 feet deep, it only leaves 2 feet of space in between. Do you think that is enough space?

Also, is it fine to put a couch that close to an gas electric baseboard heater? Or should I bring it a couple inches off the wall?

Ok. I think one of your biggest initial expenses and commitments is deciding what kind of window treatments you want, because it looks to me like you’ll need to cover the windows for privacy. You might also need to consider blackout for sleeping and keeping glare off TVs and computer screens. Solid drapes in a neutral color can be great. If you prefer clean lines and the option for light-filtering, you might want to spring for shades, which can look very nice.

Here are some really low cost rugs that might interest you for starters

Poly and Bark Siriat 6'x9' Area Rug in Off-White · More Info

CN20A Rug - Chanai, 5'x7'6" · More Info

Rugs America Jasper Contemporary Geometric Soft touch Area Rug, 8' X 10' · More Info

RugSmith Charcoal Ezra Geometric Bohemian Area Rug, 8' x 10' · More Info

Abani Laguna LAG100B Rug 7'9"x10'2" Gray Rug · More Info

I'll post some mood boards so you can see everything you need.

Check Article for sofas/chairs. I have a few of their items and really like how they look

Are you familiar w/Ikea media console hacks? They look really good

this one is painted (I think) and topped w/simple wood boards you get at the big stores.

also Ikea hack w/added metal hairpin legs.

Or, look for a vintage mcm console. I found a Brasilia to go w/my decor.

pair it w/this look. hopefully you can mount your tv. find a nice rug, plants, accents

or maybe you want more modern? look for one of these media center, all-in-one items.

how minimal do you want?

don't forget to bring in textures (the rugs, plants) maybe some leather items, just to keep everything from looking too blah. Art on the wall makes a huge difference.

or something w/a bit more character?

Shades

Roller shades New York City · More Info

Window Coverings · More Info

drapes

High Rise Apartment · More Info

As to "style", there are modern versions of MCM furniture that have a minimalist vibe -- not ornate and, if you prefer somewhat heavier furnishings, consider Amish furnishings -- neither are particularly ornate.

My best advise: Less is more. As you begin to furnish your place, only get what you need rather than crowding yourself.

LIVING ROOM:

First find a really comfortable chair ... perhaps a recliner that "fits" you or any chair that is comfortable with a foot rest -- something that you really like and likely will use daily. Then pause. Now you have something to match or with which you can coordinate other living room furnishings. In a small apartment, a pair of good comfortable chairs can make a lot more sense than large sofas. By choosing a pair of comfortable dining chairs, you have guest seating.

If finding the chair(s) you want seems difficult, wait rather than rush the decision and go another direction:

OPTION:

For a modest amount you can get a couple of folding camper chairs for when you have guests and you could even buy a pair of those first to give you more time to shop and choose your chairs that will be a greater investment. Do choose basic comfortable chairs with arms for your portable chairs rather than a design with all the fold out shelves, etc. -- much easier to fold, carry and/or store. On the up side, you can also use the portable chairs for their intended purposes -- to take on a hiking/camping trip or to an outdoor concert or on a picnic or into your own back yard and they usually come with their own bag, making storing and carrying them easy. (or to wait in line to vote, if you're in a large city)

https://www.google.com/search?q=folding+camper+chairs&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1i77ymvfvAhW4EFkFHUeNAJwQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1329&bih=620

If you buy such relatively inexpensive otherwise usable furnishings, you can take the time to shop and get a better idea ab out your options -- even shopping local thrift and vintage/antique stores for bargains for wood pieces (not upholstered ones) and even for kitchen items.

A portable side table (or even a pair of them) could be useful even long after you buy actual end tables for the living room or side tables for the bedroom. They can even be used as plant stand as long as you protect the top from moisture from the pot such as with a plastic or glass "pie pan" tray. Investing in one or two of these can also "buy you time" to choose your living room side table(s) and bedside table(s) rather than risk rushing and ending up with regrets.

https://foter.com/sturdy-tv-trays

A smaller tv and a wheeled portable cabinet as a stand for your tv might be a wiser investment than a large piece of furniture especially since a really large tv would visually shrink your space.

https://www.amazon.com/Printer-Cabinet-Portable-Casters-Machine/dp/B086WN41HC 

There are other versions of this and if there is a used office supply store near you, check that out so you can actually see and touch what you buy. While you're there, check out any short filing cabinets that might serve as end tables or bed side tables . Some are wood, actually look really good and are lockable ... a good idea if you entertain and have curious guests. Choose file drawers with sides rather than just the metal file rails if you go that route.

BEDROOM:

In a small space, go vertical for your storage. A pair of well made chests of drawers will provide you with more storage than a shorter wider piece.

If you have a metal frame and don't have a huge headboard, wall sconces could be more practical and space saving than larger bed side tables. A white or light colored shade will give you more light. https://www.lampsplus.com/products/set-of-2-antique-brass-empire-shade-swing-arm-wall-lamps__35y08.html 

DINING

Consider putting your dining table in the narrower part of the living/dining area by the bedroom rather than by the kitchen. Otherwise, consider a drop leaf table since it will take up less space but enable you to have room for a pair of guests to dine as well and with one drop leaf down can be pushed against a wall.

@James Jones yes 2 ft is a bit tight. Better find a chair, or maybe a narrow tall chest for the foot of the bed, or leave it bare. I would look for a simple sectional in a grey tweed-like fabric, choose a simple rug that you like and use things like throw pillows and wall art for a little color that’s easily changed as you decide what you like. Keep your big pieces plain. Straight lines, symmetrical or balanced placements. I like that navy console up-thread. That is an easy color to begin with. Every other color on earth works with it. Natural wood tones. Avoid white. Start by browsing IKEA. They have good inspiration, even if you buy somewhere else. Also utilize the inspiration photos here and on Pinterest. Target has a line called Project 62 that I think you’d like. A couple colors you could try in SMALL doses here and there are citrus greens (actually soothing nature color - you’ll learn to love it 😉) and/or red-orange (confidence color).