Bez kategorii
Bez kategorii | Data: 2024-01-15
Choosing a Bed for a Small Apartment – Practical Advice
The bed is a vital element of any home’s furnishings. It significantly impacts the quality of a stay by providing comfort, rest, and sound sleep, which in turn directly affects our overall well-being. Choosing the right furniture and mattress is therefore key to living healthily and feeling good.
Are you dealing with limited square footage and wondering what kind of bed would be best for a studio? We present the essential rules for selecting a bed for a small apartment, along with a handful of inspirations on how to separate a sleeping area in a one-room interior.
Beds for Small Apartments: Basic Principles
In a small apartment, space planning is of particular importance. The choice of furniture, its arrangement, and even the color of decorations affect the actual usable space and can optically enlarge or shrink a room.
As a rule, bright colors make a room appear visually larger. When living in a studio, opt for whites, beiges, or light browns, and avoid dark wood or black. It is best to place the bed along a wall or tucked into a corner; this way, it occupies the least amount of space and won’t interfere with other furnishings or foot traffic—a crucial factor in a studio.
What is the Best Bed for a Studio?
Contrary to appearances, a bed in a small apartment doesn’t necessarily have to be small. There are interesting options such as multi-functional furniture or large beds with storage compartments under the mattress that are worth considering. In some cases, a bed taking center stage can even be an asset, so you don’t always have to try to hide it.
Large Beds: A Must for Rental Apartments Residents of one-room apartments rarely choose very large beds (like a double Queen Size) because the limited dimensions make it difficult. Such a prominent piece of furniture standing next to the dining table or kitchen might also feel a bit out of place when friends or family visit. However, it is an excellent solution for short-term rentals.
A large double bed, often referred to as “Queen Size” or “King Size,” is specifically highlighted by booking portals and is a popular choice for guests. In a rental apartment, the bed is undoubtedly the most important piece of equipment. Guests staying for one or two nights primarily seek a comfortable night’s sleep. Therefore, it is worth prioritizing a large bed in the living area, even at the expense of a distinct lounge zone like a sofa and coffee table. This minimalist concept can be a perfect choice for guests who value sleep quality above all else.
Compact Single or Double Beds A single bed (70 cm wide) or a compact double (140 cm wide) is a space-saving solution that preserves sleep comfort in most cases. While some require a wider mattress for a good night’s rest, these sizes are sufficient for most people—and in a studio, every extra 20 cm matters!
Multi-functional Furniture Furniture stores now offer many interesting solutions dedicated to small spaces. In a cramped room or studio, a loft bed combined with a desk underneath is a great solution, especially for students or remote workers. Another creative way to optimize space is a bed integrated with a wardrobe or chest of drawers for extra storage.
Convertible Sofas and Couch Beds Fold-out furniture is highly practical. By night, it serves as a bed; by day, it is a standard piece of living room furniture suitable for hosting guests. Simply fold it, store the bedding, and add a throw or decorative pillows. The only downside is slightly lower comfort compared to a permanent mattress. Some people also find it less ideal to sleep on the same piece of furniture they use for lounging during the day.
Where to Place the Bed in a Studio?
In most small rooms, placing the bed or a chest of drawers against the wall or in a corner works best. If the furniture is convertible, remember to leave enough clearance from the opposite wall or other furniture so that there is still room to walk even when it’s fully extended.
As mentioned, in some cases, placing a bed (even a large one) in a prominent spot in a studio is perfectly fine. However, if you wish to shield it from guests’ view, you can use a partition wall or sliding doors.
How to Separate the Bed from the Living Space?
While having a separate bedroom is the best option, not every apartment is large enough. In a studio, you can create a dedicated sleeping zone yourself:
- Partition Walls: Using drywall (plasterboard) is a popular and cost-effective way to effectively separate the space.
- Sliding Doors: Available in many variants—fretted, wooden, glass, or mirrored (which optically enlarges the space). Beyond functionality, they add unique style: wood is perfect for a Boho interior, while glass and metal fit the Loft/Industrial style.
- Screens and Curtains: Easily movable screens or fabric curtains provide privacy and add a touch of warmth to the interior.