Hi, so I have a studio apartment I need to get furniture for. I drew some layouts and need help choosing the best option. Also does anyone have any experience with sofa beds? Are they comfortable for 2 years?
I have all the pictures with dimensions too.
by Miguel_Santos8
8 Comments
I like number 1- lets you have the light/window for living vs sleeping. I would get a curtain to put between the bed and kitchen to act as a divider. You can mount it to the ceiling and doesn’t have to come out more than a few feet.
This will keep the space separate but allow you access to get in and out comfortably. A full bed is 54in and you can get a shelf for above the headboard to lamps and such. It’s tight but that would be ideal as a sofa bed is not a great idea.
Another idea is a Murphy bed for the wall- in that case I would put it so your feet face the kitchen when it’s down.
5 (sofa bed) makes the most sense to me. ✨
We have a “good” sofa bed (american leather) and it’s just ok as a bed and just ok as a couch. I think you will want a real bed.
Maybe consider other furniture that can do double-duty? A drop leaf table that can store chairs, under bed storage, etc?
#1 is a winner for me
it’s separated into different spaces and you can have both a bed and a sofa
That window area is begging for a cozy spot. Centering a small sofa bed there would really ground the space and tbh, they’re way better than they used to be now. Definitely worth getting a thicker mattress for it. Then, put a slim, warm wood media console on that big empty wall—I’m a total sucker for those mid-century vibes personally. Placing the table right across from the kitchen island is super convenient for grabbing food and adds a good separation between zones. It’s looking pretty good already.
https://preview.redd.it/akc8wu6et8qg1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=e21aee638d35cafd1557075cdcdcd84ad809334b
I didn’t really come up with anything new but I made your apartment to roughly to scale. I wouldn’t do a sofa bed, I think you’ll get tired of converting it. My husband had one and it was always a bed. The bottom option is probably better but the walking space along the bed is only like 14″ which is not ideal. The goal is to create a separation of spaces. My bed has a walking space of like 16″ which is enough not to have to walk sideways but it has a wall on one side, not low shelves.
https://preview.redd.it/zf6ac56uu8qg1.png?width=524&format=png&auto=webp&s=39608ff647bfd2a80e1334e1ba4974fea0533929
Think about a freestanding island too. adds dining/counter space and maybe leaves room for an office area?
https://preview.redd.it/xjkv7d0mw8qg1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b8f06faead1217de7518ea740119dc80a1a491b
Seconding layout 1 – putting the bed near the window means you get natural light when you wake up, and it creates a more natural zone break between sleeping and living areas.
On the sofa bed for 2 years: it really depends on quality. Budget ones have a bar you feel through the mattress and the cushions are usually too firm or too soft for both uses. If you go that route, look for models where you can swap in a separate memory foam topper or aftermarket mattress sized to fit – that genuinely changes the experience. But even the ‘good’ sofa beds tend to win as one thing and lose as the other.
Honestly, a full-size bed in layout 1 plus a small loveseat or compact sofa on the living side will serve you better long-term. A bed with a finished upholstered headboard and styled throw pillows can read almost like a daybed from the living area, so it doesn’t immediately scream studio to guests.