I am downsizing to a studio this month, and I am nervous

A regular bed.

Depends on the layout of the place. Have you considered a sofa bed? They make them much more comfortable these days.

Murphy Bed

Look into a Murphy bed.

You will regret not getting a regular bed, even if a daybed sounds more sensible for the space.

Get a “full” sized bed, not a twin.

Arent daybeds the same thing as a regular bed, only sideways?

Downsize your possessions now, before you move. 300 sq ft probably won’t fit all your stuff.

The first apartment I had by myself was a studio, and it had a Murphy Bed in it. It was great. It was hidden in the wall during the day, giving me plenty of living space, and at night, I'd just move my coffee table, open up the double doors, and bring the bed down.

im 6ft 3in and have gone to twin ,adjustable bed. My theme now is "dorm room" chic. Im 63 and single and like smaller spaces now

OP, when I moved from San Diego to the Bay Area, all I could afford was a tiny studio, too. One thing I liked about that move was that if forced me to get rid of anything that wasn't absolutely necessary in my life. As for beds, I'd say get a regular bed and just have some nice decorative cushions you can style it with when you have company. At the end of the day, the majority of the time it's just going to be you, so your comfort and wellbeing is what matters the most. There are higher end murphy beds as well, but that gets costly fast and will require repairs to the walls when you vacate.

R11 I won’t do a Murphy bed for that reason. I actually hate holes in walls lmao minus very few. That takes a lot.

I am for a regular bed or daybed. They have nice full size daybeds now.

R10 I am the same way. I’ve always had a 1 bedroom (or multiple bedrooms with roommates) and this is the first studio I’m moving into, and like the idea of a smaller space for some reason.

I'm not sure if your question is a full-sized bed vs. a twin

or a conventional bed frame vs a daybed frame

At 300 sq ft you're going to only have room for a twin or a Murphy Bed

A daybed is basically a twin bed with pillows and/or a frame that can be disguised as sofa

Either way get a memory-foam mattress (instead of an inner-spring) - that makes all the difference in my sleep. Memory foam is so much better.

When I has in financial trouble and had to live in a place even smaller, my bed was a sort of low-budget "captain's bed". A proper captain's bed is a wooden frame with drawers and storage space under the mattress, mine was a series of cheap wooden boxes, some of which had drawers in.

If you're moving from a larger place to a very small one, you've got to think differently about storage space.

When I has in financial trouble and had to live in a place even smaller, my bed was a sort of low-budget "captain's bed". A proper captain's bed is a wooden frame with drawers and storage space under the mattress, mine was a series of cheap wooden boxes, some of which had drawers in.

If you're moving from a larger place to a very small one, you've got to think differently about storage space.

[quote] If you're moving from a larger place to a very small one, you've got to think differently about storage space.

IMO, you have to think differently about how much you can own.

I’ve seen people make full beds work in smaller than 300sq feet. Some of you are acting like it’s 150 sq feet.

It will just need to be a minimalist way of living.

R7, a Day Bed is the same size as a regular bed, often with another bed underneath that pulls out, sometimes called Trundel bed.

R25 is correct. Captain's bed are usually Twin size with lotsa storage space underneath. A friend bought a single size bed disguised as an ottoman.

Back in the 90s I had a futon/sofa bunk bed that was great for a small space. The bottom could fold flat to a full size bed or fold up to a sitting sofa; the top was a regular twin size mattress. I left the bottom as a sofa most of the time to sit and watch TV and slept “upstairs” (unless I had company.) I don’t see anything exactly like what I had but the concept is still around if you search.

unless you have a dog

Those "ladders" are ridiculous.

R19 is psychic

R20, I'm guessing you were very young when you had this bunk bed / sofa set-up. If OP is older than 22 or so, it will be a head-scratcher to his gentlemen callers.

OP/R12 used "lmao" so it's plain to see why she is having to collapse into the residential form of a cardboard box.

Maybe someday she'll work her way up to having a window. And then maybe one that doesn't open to the air shaft.

I guess Mom was so trashy she didn't have a place with a basement.

BIGGEST CLUE TO USER-LOSERVILLE: Demanding advice from strangers on an anonymous board.

Equivalent to lifetime failure. But without a window at least a person can't jump.

A full size fits fine in 300 sq ft with room for a small sofa and TV etc. you all are acting like 300 sq feet is a small bedroom. Jesus.

R25 what are you going on about? You’re pathetic. I could have afforded to stay where I am (and can for some time longer) if work was still going strong. But it isn’t. Covid hit many of us hard. Sorry we aren’t all in your bubble of luxury.

I meant you asshole. But you know.

Stalker ass.

I approve of studios OP

Check out some of these ideas to separate your sleeping space from your living space.

I buy beautiful wood frames in Germany for extra long futon. Its not your college starter apartment - comes in different qualities of wood. You can order 220cm long futons, which are also excellent German products, kind of luxurious with horse hair, rubber, cotton, very high tech hippy stuff. This thing bends into a sofa when you want, or keep it open as a bed. I've bought 2 so far. Other rooms have cigogne twin day beds, where one bed collapses under the other. Buy great mattresses. Guests love that.

Square root of 300 is 17. So, this is maybe a 17 x 17-foot room. Not too shabby, really. Could also be 14 by 21 feet. There's a lot you can do.

Save your money -- sleep in your car under a bridge!

[quote] A full size fits fine in 300 sq ft with room for a small sofa and TV etc. you all are acting like 300 sq feet is a small bedroom. Jesus.

Correct. For some perspective, this is 300sf studio apt.

R24, i was in my 20s and my gentleman callers never had any complaints. On the contrary, while fucking on the futon the metal support bars for the top bunk were great for them to hook their feet onto during sex.

That looks pretty good R34.

I lived in multiple six mat rooms in Japan (approximately 99 square feet). If you can get a futon and have a closet big enough to store it during the day, why don't you go Japanese style? I loved living that way.

[quote] [R24], i was in my 20s and my gentleman callers never had any complaints. On the contrary, while fucking on the futon the metal support bars for the top bunk were great for them to hook their feet onto during sex.

Good to hear, R35. Glad your gentlemen callers could make good use of the metal support bars.

My first apartment was a studio and I loved it! I had a full sized futon that slid closed to create a couch. This way it looked like a living room other than at bedtime, and a bigger bed in case I had an overnight guest.

Murphy beds can be very expensive. When I was looking for one, I was thinking of buying this.

I ended up not needing it though

A tour of a 300 sqft apartment. If you are creative you can do a lot with the space.

A bed in the middle of a 300 ft studio is going to make it look like a bedroom. Period . Buy yourself something like a gorgeous Chinese wedding bed . At least it will be something pretty to look at . They make some very nice daybeds now as well . The one and only time I lived in a studio (NEVER again) I separated the room with vintage dividers in orange and blue glass I found at a thrift . Very mcm . The guy who was moving in paid me to leave them , he loved them so much.

Meant to add a pic...

Or I can buy a nice divider and put it by the bed.

No day beds, murphy beds or tacky futons. Buy a great mattress and a nice mental institution old timey frame. In Black or White metal with rounded lines and linear spokes. A bed is necessary for your life and sleeping and back and fucking. A thick firm well supported bed can be a couch anytime you want. You still have room for a small table and two dining chairs, as well as some nice entertainment organizer and a really nice expensive upholstered chair and ottoman/side table. For reading and watching TV. Working. Sleek lighting, one nice carpet or cowhide, no coffee table, clean window coverings and whatever kind of bedding suits your style. A statement cactus and a few well framed posters. Nice. A very few ornaments that appeal to you. Glass or stainless - no pottery or sculpture. A real slender shelf in a hall spot with a few framed photos and personal items.

GET A double Bed.

*(not coffee table) was meant to be in brackets. Do get the rest.

Have you even looked into Murphy beds? They've come a long way. I think you need to reconsider.

Having a queen size bed takes up around 60-80 sqft (including min of 2 feet around it), if not more. That's going to be close to 1/4 of your apt for just a bed that won't be used.

You're moving into what sounds like an efficiency, not a studio. You're going to have to make some concessions.

Of course, they also have pull-out twin beds from chairs nowadays, if you want to get tiny. Won't make for comfortable fucking though.

An efficiency is a studio.

300 sq feet is pretty small. I'd do a Murphy Bed, despite the holes in the wall.

If not, get a regular bed, but get a lower platform bed without a box spring - will make the space feel slightly larger.

It's called a bachelor pad.

R30 and R34 have it right - divide the space into rooms, probably at least four (bedroom, living room, kitchen, and office), using area rugs, bookcases, paint, furniture arrangement. You will want the separation of space so you can "get away from yourself" especially if you're working from home, so your bed doesn't become your desk. The store has to be "closed" sometime.

Also correct: do your discarding before you move. You'll probably do another purge once you move in, but the bigger purge should be before you go.

With regard to furniture, it's all about scale and portability, that you don't buy things too large for the room. Measure what you have space for, then shop. That means a loveseat that doesn't have huge arms instead of a sofa, and a sleeper loveseat to turn the "living room" into the "guest room" if you're having company from out of town. Nice folding chairs (if your building doesn't supply) are a good investment if you're having people over frequently.

Your kitchen table should be drop-leaf, if you like to have company, so it can open up to seat four or six but folds down to seat two when it's just you at home.

I would agree with the Murphy bed suggestion if you know you're going to stay in the apartment any significant length of time, or if you're going to entertain at the apartment and need the floorspace.

Finally, regarding storage, there's one direction to go, and that's UP. If you have a lot of stuff and can't downsize, think floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Your desk should have a hutch on top. Keep things off the floor so you can clean, find things that are tall with a smaller footprint. You never want to have so much stuff that you have to move things out of the way to get the thing you want. You also don't want so much stacked in the bookcases that it feels like there's shelving everywhere and you live in a warehouse and one good earthquake would do you in.

Remember the value of negative space. You want closets, shelves, etc. at least 25% empty when you complete the move so you don't feel crammed to the max from day one.

Mirrors and light will make the space look bigger, as will light color fabrics and paint. If you want to use a darker color, use a supersaturated one. Wall mount the TV. Even the ottoman and (small) coffee table can be used for storage.

Not everyone does a lot of entertaining. It's also important to be realistic about your personal needs. You know what you need out of your apartment more than we do.

R51's grand plan is ridiculous. The entire space, including kitchen and bathroom is 300 square feet. Don't try to make it look like 4 rooms. Enjoy it for what it is. Downsize and don't cheat yourself out of a bed. No one buys box springs anymore, so what the fuck was that about anyway? Listen to people who have actually lived in 300 square feet before. It can be not only very attractive but amazingly freeing. But you'll never have six fucking people to dinner. HA. Enjoy it OP!

[quote] Nice folding chairs (if your building doesn't supply)

What apartment building supplies folding chairs?

Possibly turn some tricks sell some ass and move up yo 450sqft.

I live in a studio and the great thing about it is that it has a very large covered porch which I use all the time.

Yrs ago I moved into a revoltingly small studio about 400 sqr feet after having been in 600 to 800 sqr feets most of my life. Get rid of any crap you have in storage. It is hard to part with crap but don't waste money on storage. Give it away if you have to. I have a full queen size bed which fits in a lil area designated for beds. So many in my building have 2 people living in these tiny apartments. I could never do that. I need space for myself. Hate anyone intruding on my space. Yuck.

A daybed is not comfortable for either sleeping or sitting. 300 sf is plenty big enough to have a full size bed and a separate sitting area. The Captain’s bed is a great suggestion because not only do you have storage underneath but you can get a storage headboard that also eliminates the need for a night stand.

How to absord food/fried oil smells? I am thinking of a tub of kitty litter (or baking sode) in the kitchen (I have no pets)

My downstairs neighbor's fried oil smells are killing me. I think running my heat now doesn't help.

One with a good super and pricey maintenance. Did I miss the part where he said if he was renting or buying? OP said a nicer area. Plenty of doorman buildings also have basic party equipment (rolling coat racks for the hall, card tables, folding chairs) available to tenants. Just because they'd be more likely to be used by tenants in larger apartments in the building doesn't mean OP couldn't use them. OP doesn't say anything about how swanky the building is.

And actually R53, I'm a small apartment/condo veteran who has lived in doorman buildings and dumps, and I know what has worked for me. Plenty of people make a studio into just one big room where they twirl around and try to convince themselves that they love how open it is, but 300 sf is too small to get that open effect. You'll want mental changes of scene and multiple cozy spaces.

I've seen plenty of downsizing disasters from friends who didn't fully understand what they were doing when they moved to a smaller space. I had small groups of people over all the time and they liked that my place was cozy and welcoming and yes, they came back. The only time I really packed it (max 15 people) was the holiday parties...with the Murphy bed up to get that extra floor space!

Just get a normal bed. Sofa beds and futons are never very comfortable. Poor quality mattresses. Unless you plan to be entertaining there a lot, which I doubt.

[quote] where they twirl around

Lol.

R48 - no kidding dumbass. But studios aren't usually 300sq ft. I would assume the apartment has more of a kitchenette - that and the small size qualifies it as an efficiency.

You can fit a small kitchen into 300 sqft, it doesn't have to be a kitchenette.

I have a small studio and have been sleeping on a sofa bed for 25 yrs. They make them so much better these days. You can even get a memory foam mattress or a Sleep Number specifically designed for sofa beds. The days of horrid Jennifer Convertible beds with springs popping out are over.

They have Murphy beds that pull down on top of the couch which folds. Works as you usually only need one or the other. If u are taller that 5’7” u need an extra long full or twin or queen.

OP here.

The setup for this studio isn’t as bad as some others.

When you walk in, the kitchen is lined up along the left side of the hall. The bathroom is nice and on the right. Then you walk to the end of the hall and it’s the studio. One room. One small closet and one “small” walk in closet. In the third closet there is a washer and dryer.

It has a doorman, a gym, a game room with a pool table, WiFi, a fire place, a seating area with magazines etc. also a rooftop area.

It’s a great building. I won’t use most of those things, but I got a good deal.

My previous apartment was a one bedroom in an ok area in a very old building. I love old buildings but I am tired of paying that ridiculous rent. Rent shouldn’t be as much as it is these days, especially not for some of these apartments.

A regular bed OP. You'll always be sorry otherwise.

[quote] [R48] - no kidding dumbass. But studios aren't usually 300sq ft. I would assume the apartment has more of a kitchenette - that and the small size qualifies it as an efficiency.

Efficiency vs. studio is a regional dialect thing. The only place I've ever heard / used "efficiency" was when I lived in Washington, DC. Every other place: "studio," regardless of size.

That's right R64, you can get a full kitchen into around 7 feet of space along one wall.

20" wide apartment stove with a glass door on the oven and the controls on the front (not behind the burners) 18" wide apartment dishwasher (with counterspace on top) 24" wide apartment refrigerator (go for standard width here, not the 22" width) 15-18" wide sink

You'll only have about 22" counterspace in that arrangement, but one of those rolling counters with bar stools underneath and a drop leaf table can mitigate that.

Get an over-the-range microwave to go above the stove. Buy a compact drainboard.

You can also undermount a coffee pot or small toaster oven (Black and Decker Spacemaker). Store the blender and hand mixer--no room for a countertop mixer--except when you're using them. Have a good set of nesting bowls.

If you have a few more feet available, add a stackable washer and dryer along the same water line.

More power to you, but I can't fathom living in 300 sq. ft. total. That's smaller than my living room. I would lose my mind.

Just move to a tent! All the cool kids do it!

Some of you don’t realize that some people like small spaces.

I actually hate too much space. Gives me anxiety. I don’t know why.

Hate open spaces too. A studio is fine.

I live in a 500 sqft 1 bedroom and it doesn't even seem small to me. I have all the room I need.

OP, get a twin bed, but put it lengthwise along the wall across from your TV. Get lots and lots of big, plush, colorful sofa pillows to place against the wall for a backrest and voila, you have an enviable couch by day, and a snug, comfy bed by night!

And if you're throwing a cocktail party and one of your guests takes a shine to you, after you've bid the other guests a fond goodnight, as soon as the door closes you can sweep the pillows off the erstwhile divan and growl "TAKE ME NOW!"

I’m the sane r73. I hate big open spaces.

To be honest, most modern studios are shoeboxes. Most apartments in NYC and LA are shoeboxes now.

They are making apartments tiny so they have room for more apartments to rent out to yuppies willing to pay $2600 a month for a 400sq ft studio.

My stepdad goes to visit a man he’s known for years who is in his 80s now. He is born and raised in Brooklyn, as were his parents and going back generations. He still lives in the 4 bedroom apartment he grew up in. If you see that apartment, it’s HUGE. Huge living room, spacious kitchen, nice bathroom, an extra room, and 4 big bedrooms. They don’t make apartments like that in NYC now.

He also pays like $300 a month for it. The owners of the building are hoping he dies soon. No lie. They are already planning on renovating and turning that space into at least 4 studio apartments or 3 studios and a one bedroom. He knows it too.

PS, I hate that this building has a doorman. I never liked it. Born and raised Brooklyn and always preferred your normal, nice, building in a nice area where you just walk in and out. Hate the idea of Doormen because I always feel like they’re watching and judging lmao.

Like if I come home, then decide to run back out, then come home, then realize I forgot something so run back down fast, when there is a doorman he sees this. I think of things like this.

You can make all the "gorgeouso" plans you want, but if you have nightmare neighbors who are noisy or worse, well.

R79 that can happen with any apartment of any size.

This thread causes me to reconsider my desire to add a second sunroom to my house. Because I want even more houseplants.

Lots of good ideas here; I hope you're getting encouraged, not discouraged! I used to live in a 4-bedroom 2,200 sq ft house, and have just kept downsizing to where now I'm in the perfect size for me: a 400 sq ft studio. I vote for the double bed, memory foam, as well. The murphy beds have improved, but not THAT much, and mostly I see people leaving them down most of the time anyway, unless someone comes over. Get a platform for it, making sure that it has enough height for storage underneath. I also have a floor to ceiling , 6-shelf bookcase, with one shelf being bamboo-type stage bins for office supplies, cords, files, etc. I also have a 3x5' desk that works for dining (but truthfully, I've not had many over for dinner...) Then I have another 3-tier shelf for TV, photos, etc., a leaning bookshelf that fits snug in one corner, and a wider love seat from Crate & Barrel. The kitchenette is compact, but I also bought apt size 4-burner gas stove & 9cf refrig. I have a pass thru storage area next to the bath, with 2-tier hanging rods and more shelving. It feels to me like a compact, efficient room in a long-term stay hotel... I've been here nearly 5 years and have never felt claustrophobic nor regretted the downsizing. Yes, you do need to purge, and think priorities as to what you really need or want to have. I'm also lucky that I was able to pay cash, so I have no mortgage and just $357/mo in HOA, utilities are under $25 (just for electric), and taxes a few thousand annually (high cuz it's NJ, but I think of it as a convenience tax since I'm just across the Hudson from Manhattan... a pretty cheap way to live these days. Hope you enjoy it. Is it perfect? Is it forever? Maybe not, but it's a sound, logical choice.

Some Murphy’s are a cabinet not attached to the wall but the mattress is three way foldout

OP, invest in some inexpensive, easily-assembled French Doors. Not only will they partition the area nicely, but your expectant beau will have a sense of "entering the garden" when he throws them open to ravish you in your most private space.

The best murphy bed you can buy or a regular bed.

Here you go OP. This studio is 300 square feet. Has some good ideas.

I can't locate a good photo so i'll try to explain. I saw a cool idea where the designer had a sofa table custom made so a full-size bed could slide about 1/3rd under the table, horizontal size parallel to the wall and table. When the bed was rolled in it approximated the dimensions of a sofa. There twas a cover that made the bed look and feel more like a sofa., and pillow backs to place against the table to create a sofa effect. The photo I've linked gives a vague idea, but it's no where near as sturdy as the custom table and is oriented crosswise instead of lengthwise. One could make this type of table to have some drawers, and/or to be on wheels to add some versatility.

A variation on the theme would be to use a shelf sticking out from the wall instead of a table.

LISTEN UP BUTTHOLES!!!! A STUDIO is a apartment WITHOUT a bedroom. It can have more than one room.

An efficiency is one room with a kitchenette included in the room. Do you get it? There is a major difference between efficiency and a studio.

If you have enough room to get a separate sofa, get a chaise lounge or an apartment sized sofa or loveseat. Apartment sized is usually around 75”. Loveseat is around 60”. If your sitting room space is really tight, get a loveseat and a delicate chair or two. Don’t get upholstered chairs that go with the loveseat. It will never work. Get some chairs that can be easily moved around with lots of openness in the design, not a solid looking piece. Like wicker, lucite or a Scandinavian or Italian looking chair with thin legs. Be really careful about the measurements of furniture you buy. Some upholstered chairs are 36” deep. Don’t get furniture that’s really deep, you’ll regret it. Find out the door measurements, some tall backed furniture might not fit through a narrow door.

One thing that’s been really helpful is I have a room divider than has some colored glass panels in it. It folds up. I’ve used it a lot of different ways. You can put it in front of the bed to section it off, if you don’t have a bookcase. I have a carved Indian one in my bedroom and that’s been helpful. You can use it as a dramatic headboard if you get a nice one. Beds with conventional headboards and floorboards take up a lot of extra floor space. Don’t get a footboard if there’s not much space between the foot of the bed and the wall.

You can get two identical dividers if one alone is too small, and line them up side by side to completely cover your bed area. Put a palm in a pot in front of one, which will reinforce it and make it sturdier, or a dresser, or a large wicker hamper with a lid you can use for storage. Or you can bend them to different angles and make a small alcove you can use as a reading nook with a chair. In a small room, sometimes it’s nice to have some little quiet corners so it doesn’t feel like all the different room purposes are all thrown together.

You can also use a room divider as a nice background for your zoom calls. Put a potted plant behind you and it’s a nice nondescript background that doesn’t give too much away.

Go on Pinterest and Instagram and search for studio or bohemian or boho or room divider or furniture arrangements. Even if that’s not your personal style, look at the furniture arrangements, not the furniture styles. A lot of those places have small rooms. It gives you an idea of what can realistically fit in there.

Oh and another thing for all the butthole real estate agents out there: a pied-à-terre is an apartment with a ground floor entrance!!! There are very few off Park Avenue! It means literally "foot to earth" !!

It's an apartment that has an entry directly off the ground floor. Most pied-a-terre listings in New York are NOT true pied-a-terres. You should NEVER EVER deal with a realtor that lists an apartment in such a manner if it does not have a ground floor entrance!!

I HATE ALL OF YOU!!!!!!

Here’s a pretty good example of a typical studio furniture arrangement. Look at how the furniture is arranged, not the style.

If you put a tall room divider between the dresser and the back of the sofa, that would cover up all the personal stuff but not take up any more room.

Thanks for the ideas guys

R88, by "another room" do you mean the bathroom?

Yeah I'm not sure what r88 is going on about.

Studios don't have have multiple rooms unless you mean the bathroom. If there were walls creating a separate room for a bedroom....it would be a one bedroom not a studio.

A studio, especially in Chicago, can have a dining room. You have a dressing room that connects to the bathroom a main room, a kitchen and a dining area. It's very common. An efficiency is one room with a kitchenette and only the bathroom. A partitioned wall does not create a one bedroom. You guys are just ignorant or very young. There are many types of different studios.

Hey R95. I realize this thread is eldergay porn for you, but a 300 square foot studio that includes the kitchen and bathroom and closets is still 300 FUCKING square feet. Got it? And the OP already explained the layout of his joint. Sounds nice. No dining rooms or separate rooms or any crazy nonsense. All this stupid talk about extra chairs and dinner parties. A man needs a cool space AND a good bed. Not a bed you pull out or down every day, not a dining table that converts into an escort and not some old faggy ideas about dividing a small space using a lot of different colors and dividers and gross rugs. We're not all 80 years old here R95. And you don't live in such a space. STFU.

Actually I live on the 51st floor of a 600 square foot studio. With a doorman. And a party room that I can borrow folding chairs from when I need them. It's really quite nice. The views of the Hudson are great.

As I said, you don't live in such a space. STFU. Your pedantic desire to tell people how to live speaks to how many decades it's been since you got fucked. Fuck off now gramps. Once again with the folding chairs? Enjoy the view.

I own a 3 story Victorian. Nothing like either of you. But I've lived in 330 square feet total. Nicely too.

R98 relax. It’s not that deep. Idk why you’re so triggered. And I doubt you own a 3 story Victorian.

R98 you just seem so bitter. Oh and hon I got fucked by one of the neighbors last night.

When I was at university in my late teens/early twenties I lived in a tiny studio. This was in the early nineties.

I use IKEA's IVAR shelving system to create a room divider. I used the 12/89" post height so it was tall. Everyone who visited commented on how cool it was. It was like a wall separating the tiny couch sitting area and created a sort of bedroom area. It was cheap and looked good and you can set it up any way you want to. I can hunt down some photos if anyone is interested.

Anyway - just an affordable thought.

Why would you doubt what I own old man? You're grotesque in all your suggestions R100.

R102 you're supposedly so young and you live in a fucking grandma victorian? Do you have doilies all around too Missy? How's that flowered wall paper holding up for ya? Oh by the way, my Murphy bed is so comfortable to fuck on! I'd suggest getting one of those OP. The best you can.

I live in Montreal. My husband and I own and live in a very cool and beautiful Victorian house. Yeah. No dollys or dollies or folding chairs or Murphy beds. We're not grotesque old men who lie. You gross me out. A hospital bed is the only place you will ever be penetrated, R103. What's your damage? Leave younger men with different ideas alone. If I need a rolling rack or a walker - we'll call you.

JUST STOP IT R104/R103.

So why should you need so much room OP? Less to dust is a good thing.

Definitely get a regular, full size bed. Sleep is important and you want a full for gentleman callers.

Also, have storage for putting things away, preferably built ins. The key to small space living is not letting the place seem cluttered and cramped.

R98 is my kinda cunt. She tickles me pink.

[quote] I live in Montreal. My husband and I own and live in a very cool and beautiful Victorian house. Yeah. No dollys or dollies or folding chairs or Murphy beds. We're not grotesque old men who lie. You gross me out. A hospital bed is the only place you will ever be penetrated, [R103]. What's your damage? Leave younger men with different ideas alone. If I need a rolling rack or a walker - we'll call you.

Funny, R104, was just speaking to someone who lives in Vancouver about incredible Montreal. Having lived there, can appreciate the Victorian house you describe.

Though my friend was complaining about the people of Montreal: how they tend to be argumentative and nasty.

You live up to the reputation, unfortunately. Giving the great city an otherwise sullied character.

Oh, and whether you’re 37 or 87 makes no difference. You words (and energy) come across as entitled bullying.

And this is from someone who has just read the thread, and posted for the first time. I have no skin in the game....

Don’t get a Murphy bed or anything you have to convert when you’re tired or inebriated and just want to sleep.

maybe get a storage space for a couple of month, if you need more time to figure out what to keep? It is always another options. Moving is stressful.

Back in 2000 when I lost everything due to a startup failure, I was also forced to move to a studio. (The suburbs were NOT an option for me!) As depressing as it was initially, I actually ended up having the most fun period of my life there. You find that you travel more, accept more invitations, do more outside, and are more social because you’re not consumed with keeping up with a large home. Throwing away crap I’d been dragging along with me for years was also wonderful.

^^ don’t worry things will eventually improve ^^^

A day bed is a girl's bed. Get a Murphy bed.

Get a real bed, OP. When I lived in the city in the 80's I was lucky to have an L-shaped studio and a full bed fit into the L (along with a nightstand). A friend had a studio without an L and pulled the couch out every night to sleep-- what a pain! From your layout it looks like you can fit a full bed, maybe even a queen?

It won’t matter OP because the ACA will be struck down and you won’t be able to pay the medical bills.

R116 what????

R116 yes, a Queen fits if I wanted it too but do not need a Queen sized. It’s just me.

I am getting a regular bed. And there are very nice looking Daybeds now. I personally don’t see why some of you are against it, they’re literally regular beds but designed to look like a sofa...

I have a daybed. It works fine as a bed, but it doesn't work as a couch - it's too high and too wide. Get a regular bed.

Get a gun, you won’t want to live after tonight.

I cannot imagine living in a studio apartment, I'd go out of my mind. Though, I do notice flyovers, who move to big cities like NYC and LA, tend to spend a lot of time out of their apartments, they essentially use their places like a hotel. But now during a pandemic, there's not much to do away from one's home.

OP, are you working from home? Some studios do have separate alcove areas, to either add a desk or a single bed. What passes for studio apartments, especially in NYC, depends on the square footage and how the real estate person see the space.

A female friend, who lives in Manhattan with her husband, has what would be described as a 'huge studio' in the East Village, it's about 650 square feet. They have a separate area for their bed (the husband built a wall, he works in construction), a full size kitchen and a full bathroom with bath and a shower, the rest of the apartment is set up as a living room and office area.

The apartment was some type of conversion, the apartment next to their's has two large bedrooms, that explains why their apartment is so large for a studio, my friend's apartment got the third bedroom which is now their living room/office space. They aren't going anywhere, they've been in that place over 20 years.

(R92) 2200 sq ft seems mighty small for a 4 BR house. I have years of RE experience so can speak with experience. Were the BRs tiny or what.?

sorry R92 I used the wrong post # - now I can't find the correct one.

This was a studio apartment featured on Apartment Therapy years ago. I love it and it really stuck with me. If I had to live in a studio, I'd do it this way. The large mirror is attached to the murphy bed.

Get a regular full sized or queen sized mattress, OP.

If the schematics you or someone else posted upthread are correct in scale and design, I see no problem with either of those sizes.

Small spaces are fine. Stay as light as possible and rid yourself of any clutter you no longer need, such as older, cheap lamps and ugly vases or things your pals gave you as gag gifts.

Use clean, simple lines when furnishing, and if you have that really ugly yet popular furniture that was popular back in the early 00s, it will look dreadful in your studio.

Check out the catalog from Design Within Reach, if they’re even still around, and consider revamping your entire space with furnishings that are at proper scale & smaller, as well as lower to the floor, as Modern Mid Century furniture has clean lines and well scaled design for smaller spaces.

Use clean and inconspicuous shelving for when ever you need extra space, but remember the less is more (than enough) rule when scaling down.

Keep the walls WHITE, and Use the artwork as pieces to pull in focus, rather than hanging up a million pieces and covering every single free space on the walls.

But yeah. You can fit a regular sized “full” mattress in there, bypassing a Murphy bed concept.

Murphy beds are for last resort or only choice situations, & look somewhat hokey in a studio occupied by a grown man or woman. Plus, you’ll never store the bed back into the wall and then pull it down again every day. It will stay out on the floor, regardless of your promise to yourself to store it everyday, so you might as well purchase a proper bed for an adult rather than a stored bed that is usually used by college students living off campus or a hostel the kids hit up after graduation and go for because the rates are cheap, when traveling through Europe.

My maid has a larger bedroom. She has to share a bathroom and living areas with the other staff but still...

Murphy Beds aren’t cool, and no one wants to pull down their bed every night. They also aren’t all that sturdy at times. No thanks.

r118, that daybed looks nice but uncomfortable. Unless you weigh 80 lbs and are 8 feet tall. It's too high and wide to sit on comfortably and has no support.

"Not cool" r127. Whats "cool" to many people is maximizing the floor space in a small living area. Being able to keep your bed out of the way when you aren't using it can be a lifesaver.

Not for everyone, but if you like to have people over thats probably a priority.

Murphy beds destroy walls

Had a sofabed in my very first apartment, and remember the stupidity of it to this day. I never closed it up so my room always looked like shambles.

When I first moved to NYC, I shared a 288 sf (12X24) studio with three others. We set it up like a dorm room with four twin beds, one dresser where we each got a drawer, one metal storage locker we used as a coat closet and to stuff whatever we couldn't fit in the regular closet, a small table with four chairs and a TV on a metal cart with shelves and wheels. The cart was actually kind of cool and I wish I still had it, I think it was an old-fashioned room service cart. We all utilized the space under the bed for storage, I kept all sorts of sports equipment and shoes under mine. We had two bikes mounted on the walls. It wasn't pretty but we were on our own in NYC and it was everything to us!

[quote]I am downsizing to a studio this month

Oh, no! I hope it's not to one of those low-end places like Republic, or God forbid, Monogram! I still have nightmares about when MGM let me go and I had to downsize to Warner Bros.!

R132 how long did you stay in such conditions? I would kill myself!

R134 maybe they were ex convicts and used to close quarters.

I think our RV has about the same amount of space . . .

[quote]Born and raised Brooklyn and always preferred your normal, nice, building in a nice area where you just walk in and out. Hate the idea of Doormen because I always feel like they’re watching and judging lmao.

Oh, it's the "born and raised Brooklyn" guy. You're right about doormen. I hated having one for the same reason. He always wanted to talk about my tricks the next evening. Weird af.

Lol r135. R134, I lived there about a year and a half until I had enough saved to move on. The roommates and I were hardly ever there. We were young and living in NYC. I felt like my life was just starting out socially, sexually, culturally and professionally. When we weren’t out we were working. Two of us worked multiple jobs, one had just started his medical residency and the fourth landed a part on a national Broadway tour and was gone for half the year but didn’t want to give up her spot so continued to pay rent.

My next place was a bigger studio on CPW. I sublet furnished complete with a Murphy bed that I hardly ever put away.

R137 yeah. Hate the idea of someone there watching every time you walk in and out etc. if you bring someone home. Hate it.

....

Gays, watch my movie, "Tiny Furniture."

OP Which did u get?