How to Create Private Bedroom Space in a Small Loft or Studio

When you live in a small loft or studio apartment, you already know that privacy is a precious commodity. Many who live in studios have learned simply to make do with their bedroom space being part of the main living area. But if you are sharing small living quarters with a partner, or often entertain company, you certainly wish sometimes that the bedroom could be separated from the main living area. If remodeling  your whole home isn't an option – for reasons of finances, condo board restrictions, or available square footage -- then it's time to think outside the box. Try these ingenious solutions to claim a private bedroom space.

  1. Transform an Alcove  

Some studios, especially those in older home conversions, have small alcoves that might not seem spacious enough to use as a bedroom, but you'd be surprised what you can do … with a little imagination. A queen size mattress measures only 60" x 80" -- that is, 5' x 6'8". Find a carpenter to build a bed platform, with storage below to utilize every available inch of the alcove. (Make sure your new layout allows you to open drawers and get in and out of bed easily.) Install wall shelves and lighting to completely outfit this tiny bedroom.  For the final touch, add drapery panels or screens to provide privacy.

  1. Enclose a Corner with Drapes or Screens 

If you’re living in a studio or loft that doesn’t happen to have a handy alcove or similar architectural feature available, you will find it more challenging  to set up your private bedroom nook, but still possible. Those same drapes or room divider screens mentioned in the above example can also be used to enclose a cozy sleep corner, even if it's just on one side.

  1. Arrange Your Furniture

Why not use the furniture itself to define a semi-private spot in a studio? Position a free standing bed with an attached headboard back-to-back to your sofa. Voila! You’ve just created a room-within-a-room bedroom that has a little bit of privacy. Store your clothes, bedding, and other household items under the bed in wheeled bins that will alleviate clutter and the need for additional bureaus in the room. The key for this type of bedroom is simplicity. Side tables with drawers will provide additional storage as well as flat surfaces for lamps, cell phones and chargers, and even an alarm clock.

  1. Nestle in a Four-Poster Bed 

Finally, a great way to carve out a private bedroom niche for yourself is to use a four-poster bed hung with drapes. This is another example of the clever "room-within-a-room" concept, and it has been around for quite a long time. In centuries past, four-posters complete with curtains were used for warmth, but their on-trend modern counterparts also serve to provide a nice sense of privacy within a larger space. This is a fantastic idea for open lofts with tall ceilings.

 

With a little bit of ingenuity, it is possible to create a private bedroom space within an open studio or loft. Plus, your decorating options are nearly endless. Intriguing style ideas such as modern shoji screens or feminine drapery can be incorporated into your plans for a personalized and functional design that makes the most of the available floor plan.

Photo credit: Zarprey's photostream on Flickr

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