No Bedroom in Your Studio? 7 Clever Ways to Carve Out Space

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Studio apartments have their advantages (such as lower rents and less housekeeping to do), yet they have one great big disadvantage too: the challenge of where to situate your bed so that it doesn’t completely dominate the place.

Because, let’s face it, having your bed in plain sight is a major home decor bummer—particularly if you want to have people over. Also, it’s always there, tempting you to take a nap.

Yet don’t despair (or snooze) just yet. The solution to the “no real bedroom” studio apartment problem is to create a semblance of division within your space.

“No matter how small a living space, it’s always good to have it clearly defined, because mentally, it prepares you for the tasks you want to accomplish,” explains Rob Hill, a decor expert at MyKabin.com.

So no matter how small your studio, know that there are ways to create a bedroom space where none exists. Here are some options.

1. Disguise it

Photo by Kate Jackson Design 

A day bed or twin-size sleeper can easily be “hidden” with the right pillows and a bit of styling.

Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP suggests running a set of large cushions or a bolster along the backside of your bed, so that it mimics the look of a sofa. When it’s time to hit the hay, stack the cushions on the floor and tuck in.

2. Paint a wall

Photo by Mary Cook 

Paint can hide a multitude of sins—and can create the impression that you own two different spaces. Paint the wall nearest to your bed in a darker color to help define the space, suggests Hill.

“And then you could add a chair that’s angled away from the bed and toward the window or television, to create an illusion of separate areas,” he adds.

3. Put up a screen

Photo by Rikki Snyder

However many panels it has, a screen used as a room divider can definitely carve out a sleep spot, even if some screens may not be big enough to separate the space completely. This option, though, works well without taking up much space, and it’ll hide an unmade bed when guests drop by.

“You can often find highly decorative screens at flea markets and secondhand stores, and older ones might have exotic designs and carvings, offering your space a bit of world traveler flair,” says Hill.

4. Hang a curtain

Photo by Crescent Builds 

A simple curtain is often inexpensive and easy to hang, though some pros warn that it can look messy.

“Curtains are clever and effective at hiding the bed in a small space and they can look elegant and tastefully done when the right fabric is chosen,” points out Marty Basher, a design and organization expert at ModularClosets.

Nope—not a bedsheet here. Instead, seek out a well-made panel, and spring for a handyman to install it on a curtain rod if you’re not the DIY type.

5. Divide with bookcases

Photo by Smith & Vansant Architects PC 

A well-positioned bookcase, set of bins, or a rack of baskets does double duty as a functional room divider and handy storage, say the experts.

Pick canvas bins in a bright color for some visual interest and covered storage to hide clothing and kitchen items that aren’t frequently in use. If light is an issue, consider a low-slung bookcase that won’t block windows across the room.

6. Build a half wall

Photo by EMR Architecture

A half wall or knee wall is a great room divider, but it’s not always practical for renters or homeowners who aren’t willing or able to create something permanent, notes Basher.

“But if you’re handy or have a friend who’s in construction, this wall isn’t an expensive hack, and it can be built in one day,” he adds.

Keep in mind that a half wall won’t hide your dirty laundry on the bed (you’ll need to construct a three-quarter wall for more privacy on the other side).

7. Install a Murphy bed

Photo by Kerrie Kelly Design Lab 

Today’s Murphy beds have come a long way: They’re a snap to operate and fold seamlessly into the wall. Basher is a fan of the space that this solution offers in a cramped apartment, its comfy mattress and the extra storage that can be built around it.

“Murphy beds also aren’t hard to find, as most custom companies like California Closet will install one for you,” says Darla DeMorrow, of HeartWork Organizing.

This solution will cost you more than most of the others here and certainly more than a standard bed and frame combo. However, it will be much less pricey than building an extra room or paying higher rent in a larger apartment, she adds.

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