Definitely get a headboard. The room looks very unfinished without it.

Hard to tell since you haven't given us measurements, but can the bed be rotated? I think it would look better than seeing the bed sideways.

More even lighting would make the space look better. Overhead light, although practical, doesn't make the room look inviting. Not sure if that is a built-in bookcase beside the door (closet?) Maybe a clip-on lamp, on the shelf? Or plug-in wall-mounted sconces?

I don't think painting 3 walls will work. You have the shelf and door on one side so very little wall there. And on the other side, the issue of where to stop the paint.

Do you have any wall art that you are going to put in that area? Are you planning to buy new bedding?

Eould your landlord let you install a ceiling track like oned used in hospital? You could put up semi-sheer curtains which would give privacy illusion. Valance and curtain pic lovely but would be expensive to have made and installed.

I think a headboard would definitely help. I would also consider a new light fixture. You can find really cool ones for affordable prices.

Measurements - 68in on wall with closet and bookshelf (included a pic here), 115in on wall with bed on it right now, and about 75in from arch to wall. @housegal200 - where are you suggesting the open bookcase? Where the lamp table is currently?

@partim - yes to bedding though haven’t decided style yet. For context I have added a pic of the rest of the apartment. Not finished so don’t judge too much! Planning to keep color scheme in the nook as well. In terms of headboard, would you think canopy, something wood/traditional, or upholstered? I would say my style veers transitional/“grandmillenial”. I have 3 wall sconces but haven’t figured out where they would go yet - two above the bed and not use the third? Attaching a pic of the art I would like on the long wall as well.

This is actually a nice size studio. Both my daughters own studio apartments and we undertand the limitations.

I agree with partim. If the bed can be rotated, you might be able to put a bookcase type piece of furniture, like housegal suggests, but lower and just the width if the bed. If not, it would still look better in that direction.

Honestly though, most of your friends won’t care that they see the bed.

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I think this is indeed much better. Bed pokes out a little from entry. Do we think that is ok? Obviously ignore the enormous mess 🤪 going to do a headboard and two small night stands with lamp or sconces and move the dog kennel into the kitchen. Small art above bed and large bird art on empty wall

Personally, the bed sticking out is not a 'good vibe'. It's not wrong, but looks messy.

floor to ceiling curtains, and as a room divider

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?
good reviews, $176.

Possibly cheaper at Hobby Lobby.

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A favorite concept of mine using lathe to surround and separate the bed from the rest of the space. Note the storage under the bed on both sides and the fact that the closet is in the same secluded area.

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If hanging chair or bed can be suspended from the ceiling, likely a couple screens, whether of lightweight wood, or metal, could be hung too.... ?!

These panels might be not spring-loaded, but something like it?

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Don’t think bed poking out a problem. You hsve a roomy studio but still a studio. Use the space the way it feels and works best for you.

Free- standing open bookcase a good look but needs attachment to floor/ceiling to not be a fallover hazard. Might not be feasible in rental.

The spacing around the bed seems nice with it turned, but you lose the magic of the nook to make your bed seem like it's in its own room. I think I'd rotate it back, and then use either a curtain or a thin (like shogi) screen to extend from wall to at least 3/4 the length of the bed -- that would make a cozy bedroom and a complete divide from the LR side. (Would press the bed against either the screen or the wall.) Wall sconces are perfect, or you can get a reading light that stands on the floor but goosenecks around to where you need it (with base mostly under bed).

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Just brainstorming... :)

48 x 72” divider goes together with an included Allen wrench. Linen-look panel is taut across steel crossbars, and glides along the uprights, allowing you to position at desired height, and secure with thumb screws. In addition to the twist n fit spring tension installation, has optional anti-tip system; by way of concealed screws inside the mounting feet, our panel can be securely fastened into place.

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To help your budget stretch, places like Value Village and Goodwill can be a good source for soft goods. The ones near me have lots of curtains, some of them really large. And the bedding can be quite lovely. People redecorate and switch out things that are as nice as new. Or they get a bigger bed and donate their almost new bedding.

My teenage bedroom had a "canopy" like the pink striped one in your first picture. My Dad hung 2 curtain rods on the ceiling. I chose a fabric that looks the same on both sides, so I didn't have to double it. I just hemmed it all around. You could even use iron-on tape to finish the edges and make it a no-sew project, or I'm sure an alterations place or seamstress would charge very little. It is a charming look. My matching bed skirt was just a piece of the same fabric attached to the box spring with these pins.

Here’s a DIY room divider. I would keep the fabric selection very neutral. IKEA has inexpensive cotton panel. You could use multiple curtain panels and gather on the rod.

https://www.kootutmurut.com/2011/03/21/building-a-screen-rack/

Put the bed back where it was. Bed sticking out just looks wrong. Get a shoji screen or bookcase to define the area.

A not--too-deep open bookcase with cubbies would provide a bedside "table," a place to drop keys in a bowl, mail in a basket, more books, attractive cubby containers for office items and more! It doesn't have to be too tall either. Everything in a studio should multi-task.

Okay, it was worth a try. you are better off with your original position.

Eld6161, I slept on it (literally) and agree. Going to swap out the light fixture, get a headboard, art, hang my sconces and get a smaller “drink” style table for side of bed. My issue with a bookcase, housegal200, is that the space between the bed and start of arch is rather small. I will make these smaller improvements and report back! Thanks to all for the suggestions and if you have any other input please do keep it coming! It is much appreciated. This has been knocking around in my brain for far too long. :)

If you live alone, consider using only one bedside table. It works for me.

You might be able to use 3M command hooks on the ceiling to hang a grommet curtain or even light weight rod and curtain for something not permanent and not expensive.

Hope you show us pictures of what you end up doing, and your little one is really cute!

maybe this has been suggested, but if you want the look of a headboard but don’t wanr to lose the floorspace, look at ideas for creating the illusion of one by creating something on the wall with paint or fabric and some light duty trim that will be easy to remove when you leave. They even make headboard decals!

I love Decoenthousiaste's suggestions but don't know if that's possible for your space. However, turning the bed around, buying a headboard and night tables is a definate improvement. Ikea has nice night stands only 13 inches wide. I would suggest you get a ceiling light that provides better lighting than the yellow cast of the one there now. Either a nice white pendant or a flush light.

This one below from Ikea (price in CAD):

Make some alcove using just drapes on ceiling rod.

Honestly, adding drapes is good in theory, but not in such a small space.

Who wants to dance around drapes on a daily basis?

Delaney, all your friends know you live in a studio apartment.

Agree Eld6161 - I am going to add pic updates but will do art, bedding, lighting before I consider anything else!

@Delaney Lindell I just noticed you asked where to put bookcase. Yes, where light is now. Even a small, low bookcase would define that space a bit and give you nightstand utility, a place to drop mail, keys, etc. sort of a pony wall effect. Do a search for "shallow depth bookcases."

This shallow bookcase from Wayfair is 9.4" deep

This taller one is 8.6" deep, also from Wayfair:

A soft area rug would not only be cozy, but help define the area, too.

Great apt, I really like your style.

Check out apartmenttherapy.com for some great real life studio apartments, and what their people have done.

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I'm in the minority here I'm sure but I don't like the idea of the curtain. I like a headboard or some shelves/artwork on the walls. I like the continuity of the same color throughout a smaller apartment.

Given that there is a large stand fan, I would also wonder about heat being trapped by draperies. Although I love the look of the space that Celery posted with those heavy draperies. It would be such a cozy place to sleep.

In a studio that small I might go with shelving or something if I could anchor it good enough. Something that could be used for storage. I'd go with shelving and then use baskets and decorative cardboard hat type boxes to put stuff in. It would read like art and not have visual clutter.

tension room divider rod

Without changing the bed you could still set it up like a day bed. I think that is how I would show it. No curtain needed, no head board needed...keep the bed where it sits in the first pic push it up against the wall centered. The book case on the left can be used as a 'table' find something for the right that gives you storage and a place for a lamp. A trip to BIG LOTS will get you some large cheap pillows you could cover with fun fabric for day....

Looks like a NYC apartment!

Here's a floor plan to consider.

A four poster bed will create an invisible wall around the bed without blocking it off. The position of the bed should have the headboard on the back 115" wall. This way you can embellish luxurious bedding and good sized nightstands.

With your sofa in the middle of the room, it makes the room even smaller. The furniture layout shown opens everything up with good wall space for art. That one window should be a fantastic window treatment, as it is the first thing you see when entering the room and it will balance the bed area.

Position the dresser to the side of the sofa facing the bed. Suspend art or a large mirror facing the bed as it will also serve as an entrance "foyer".

What's through the French doors? I'm assuming it's the eating area and kitchen. Very cute studio.

Sliding panel

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