I was just going to suggest a screen or narrow bookshelf to create an entry 3-4' from your front door to hide the bed and direct people to your living space. You could use it as a drop zone or if you find something that you can attach to the wall (to be sturdy), you could have some "cubbies" facing to bed area (for storage) and others to door for your keys, mail, etc

Yes, I hate that my bed is RIGHT there when you enter. I have that wall heater that makes it difficult to place anything there. But going to play around with dimensions and see if something makes sense there.

I agree with ACM

Brooke I think you should try this idea: it will give you a sense of 'entry' and more storage. It includes swapping your rugs and potentially painting the wall noted in red (up to but not including the heater). I don't think you should paint the long wall or at 3/4 height as that will trick your eye into making the space feel smaller/lower ceiling. Let us know what you decide!

Not shown - you could add a fluffy flokati / sheepskin rug right by the bed (or leave it bare - showing the wood floor is nice)

EDITED - you will need a minimum of 13' from entrance wall in towards bed wall to consider this idea

And the storage/divider wall could be a combination of open and closed - depending on budget there are some nice things out there to consider. You could also run an extension cord from the bed wall to power a small lamp, radio, etc here. This is a custom solution but C&B makes a storage solution called Aspect that is worth looking at.

IMO there is no space for a divider all it would do is make that entry too narrow . I think in studio apts. murphy beds are worth every dime. You could get one with a desk attached so it doesn’t even look like a murphy . As for the walls get some art first then see if you need to paint.

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@thinkdesignlive I took all of your suggestions and made it happen! Here are the updated pictures. I believe you couldn't see the other doorway so do you have any tips on this layout now that i can't have a nightstand? Do we think we should continue with this format given the door frame location? I really appreciate your thorough comment! If we keep this layout, paint that wall still?

aww darn. I was hoping there wasn't a doorway there. Well, what do you think felt better - bed in new position (you could do a mini martini table there just for the very smallest of nightstands, or you could sneak in a headboard ledge for a nightstand overhead) or bed in original position? I hate making a bed in a corner so I'd probably lean towards the original layout - then maybe color block the headboard wall.

@thinkdesignlive the first day of making bed in corner was not ideal. So I agree there. I love how much space i have "for activities!" haha. But too many challenges I think. Regarding color block, do you have any tips on color (bold or subtle?) and do i just stop 6 inches before the heater or something?

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Do you own or rent? If you own you could consider taking it up over the bed like this to create a room within a room 'feeling'. The color blocking idea could be translated in a solid paint or even a removable wallpaper if you rent. My recommendation: move the bed back as it gives you a useable nightstand area and take your eye off the heater by bringing a solid block of 'something' behind just the bed.

@thinkdesignlive i rent, but they said i can paint! Unfortunately we have popcorn ceilings or i would do the ceiling like that, it's beautiful! I've seen these color blocking trends on pinterest (specifically the big circle!) So I'm into this! Thank you so so much!!

Ohhhhhh no partially painted wall please.

It looks not good at all.

I would go with entire wall

I would go back to the original bed orientation because I have to have a nightstand. But I would consider some sort of shallow 'screening',so still not ideal bedmaking. Hence, the invention of the duvet ;-)

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@Celery. Visualization, Rendering images how did you do that!? looks awesome! I want to try the colorblock look that thinkdesign just recommended to me!

You could hang a beaded or sheer curtain all around the bed. Don't chop up the room with partly painted walls; you need consistency and then great art.

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I think if any wall should be painted it's the back wall near your bed. Will help delineate the sleeping space from the living space. I'd also put in some sort of room divider-ish bookcase between the two spaces that still maintains an open feeling so you can take advantage of the light from the window.

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I like the idea of putting the bed back in its original position and painting that back wall. Color blocking just behind the bed will give you the feeling of a headboard. The Behr Dragonfly is a really pretty color and a good jumping off point for accents.

I like Hollybar's maple slated wall screen, makes everything light and airy. If you want you privacy just hang some fabric.

Is there anyway you can move the bed to another part of the apartment? I never saw an entrance to anything that opened into a bedroom. It looks & feels odd.

Have you considered putting the bed over near the window area and then have the living area be the first thing you enter when you come in? Kind of like shown in the Manhattan Studio picture above.

@lyfia @samondragon might give this layout a try tonight and see how it turns out!

That sounds like a great idea.

They do have those tables in hospitals that slide under the bed and wrap around the top to provide for eating meals in bed...similar to the ones made for couches...but bigger and more easily moveable ..

They are available in all price ranges on internet search

As to making the bed easier..use duvets instead top sheets...and maybe a smaller size so that it does not have to tuck in ..on the wall side

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In a rental I don't think you'll be able to hang anything from the ceiling and unless you post the exact dimensions of the space we really can't recommend anything specific. It looks like there is minimal room at the end of the bed (in the original position) to add anything without it being crowded into the seating area - but overall dimensions would help. As for switching the room orientation you'd have to tell us more about the way you use the space/entertain. Personally, I'd want the bed closest to the bathroom and at the darker / interior end and the living space closest to the kitchen and natural light (which is the way you have it now). As for introducing color into the space I'd say get some art / pillows you love first and play off those to find the right color that speaks to you and works with your 'stuff'. Right now you are all neutral and that can be a great look too - and if you stay that way, I'd keep your color block accent wall a neutral as well (charcoal/black).

Darker colors really do close in an area. I painted an accent wall in my dining area adjacent to the kitchen. Each time I turned around, I felt as if I was gonna run into that wall which was 18 ft away. I believe you should use the Dragonfly color for accent pillows, etc. Looking forward to watching your area 'grow.'

Celerygirl gave you a good sense of what one painted wall would look like. I agree with those recommending a complete switch of the furniture and move the bed away from the entry. It may feel less intrusive when you have guests to have them walk into your “communal space”. I would hold off on painting till you get the layout right, more artwork and rugs to delineate the spaces. It’s small but can be very adorable.

Why would you want your communal space way in the back end of the room?..away from the window?..the bed in the corner is the only way the space works...it leaves the other end airy ...with natural light...and a little more elbow room..and all the doorways unblocked for traffic flow...a screen at the end of the bed creates a little foyer...and a cosy little space for sleeping ..reading..napping?

A shot of color in the sleeping nook will make it cheerful and inviting..a crisp cheery lemon yellow perhaps...

Maybe a border like this to frame the color change in the sleeping cove?

@btydrvn i completely agree, the more I have been looking at it today the more it does not make sense to try to flip it. I like that my bed is away from the window so when I have people over we are socializing on one half of my studio (kitchen/living room side) with the sunshine. I have moved the rugs around today and that has helped create more space. Updates to come!

@thinkdesignlive I will get you measurements ASAP. A girlfriend is coming over to help me take them later. I think I would prefer to use the bright side of the studio to entertain and keep everyone on that half of the studio with the kitchen and windows. Just makes more sense to me. Going to make some tweaks tonight to see if i can bring it together more. THANK YOU again!

Your coffee table looks a perfect size for one end of the couch...and a bigger more colorful rug to define the “ living room” ...and make it visually look larger....colorful pillows and throws will look more appropriate on the “slouchy“ couch...and offer more things for the eye to focus on other than the size of the space..plus solid not squishy ottomans with storage can work for tables with small trays or foot rests...

The little round table can hide at the end of the couch by the window ..settled at the best spot for reaching handily...in general in a small place like this... a more bohemian feel adds lots of personality to make up for the lack of space..same theory for art and curtain details..( maybe add trim to sides of curtains..i love pom-poms in white for a tiny eye catcher ..

A really big bag of stuffing to firm up the couch pillows will go a long way to make the couch less disheveled as well

While you are rearranging and tweaking the space why not straighten the TV against the wall its on? (or is there too much glare from the windows?) And the round shelf thingy behind the TV on the wall - try that low on the wall above the white chest (don't be afraid to layer some art in front of it - you don't want it too high up).

Have you considered keeping your bed in current location but moving bed to the corner wall (I know not so easy for putting on sheets, but...), and then adding a short bookcase divider on the door side to serve as your nightstand (shelves facing towards your bed)? It'll give you another 1-2' for entry way and if you can add a clear/airy partition above the bookcase to the ceiling, then it's another visual barrier (perhaps even a cloth screen to hand from hooks from the ceiling).

Just a thought as I too think the living space by the window makes the most sense

Gcubed look in the thread. That's already been explored.

Ah, sorry!

Do you live alone? Could you get a twin bed or a hide a bed? If you need the double bed, I like it with the foot toward the window and I would paint the wall that the head of the bed is on. Night stand and lamp on one side and floor lamp in front of heater...moved if it gets too hot.

Nice apartment! How about a very narrow bench/low bookcase/credenza at the foot of the bed, with a tall object(s) on top (plants, ceramic vase, etc.)? Have you explored an attractive screen? Look for something that creates some visual separation, without being too imposing.

I think you are doing a lovely job. In your case, an accent wall is totally optional (coming from a color lover, that is saying a lot), but if you are really feeling the need for color, go for it. With your current furniture, you aren't really hedged in color wise. It is pretty neutral. So I would advise you to find the art for above your sofa, and then pick a color from that or to complement that. Paint comes in almost every color of the rainbow, so always pick your "bossy" items, then your paint.

Going back to the first bed orientation. What would happen if you pushed the bed to the left away from the entry door and moved your night stand to the other side of the bed. Allow just enough room on the left side to make the bed (18" or so), and put a floor lamp there. This may give you the space to put some kind of barrier (like the suggested Ikea shelf) between your "bedroom" and your front door.

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