Design Question
I have recently moved into a studio apartment and I am having some trouble arranging the space to create a sense of privacy. When you walk in, the first thing you see is my bed. I really hate that. I’d like to be able to hide the bed from view. Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch!
Design Answer
From your question, I’m assuming that the bed cannot be moved. If by chance it can, switch it to one of the walls on either side of the door, furthest away from the entrance as possible. If that is not an option, there are some other things that you can do.
The most important thing to keep in mind when “dividing up” a studio apartment is that it retains its functionality and esthetic appeal. In other words, anything you do to create privacy in the space should not:
- affect traffic flow
- chop up the space, making it visually unappealing
- make the space look cramped or feel cluttered
Using a divider is the easiest way to create a sense of privacy in a studio apartment. Room dividers “mark” out and separate the individual areas of a studio living space. They also have the added advantage of being portable – you can simply fold them up and store them away when you wish to open up the area. Some types of portable screens are on wheels.
For something a little more “permanent,” bookcases work well as dividers. If this idea is appealing to you, make sure that the bookcase you select has a finished back – sometimes manufacturers don’t finish that backs of living room furniture pieces that aren’t expected to be seen like entertainment centers, bookcases or other kinds of storage units. However, when using bookcases as room dividers, be careful not to block out any light source. Choose something like the Modloft Pearl Bookcase that has no back and will let some light filter throughout the living space.
I hope this has been helpful. Thanks for writing in. Keep sending me your design questions, and especially if you’re asking for advice regarding wall color, tips on rearranging a specific room etc., include pictures if you can.
