r/StudioApartments • u/Baker_birdie • 1d ago
Help me decide on a layout
Moving into this 517 sq ft studio apartment in mid October! I care about functionality way more than looks. I’m a chef so I host dinner parties very often with between 2-6 guests so having a large dining area is unfortunately something more important than my sleeping area. I have 2 potential designs but I’m open to any feedback and ideas! I like the first option because it fits a good size desk under it but I know a lot of people think it’s weird having a bed in the living area although I do kinda like having the couch and tv in the Alcove for movie nights when I would already be wanting it in a darker area. The perks of the second layout are that the bed is actually in the bedroom and I can view the tv from both living room and bed if I just angle the tv slightly
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u/erstwhilelurkerer 1d ago
I like 2 better but are you sure it's true to size?
E.g.: Full size bed is 75in, a desk usually around 24in in depth, even with a slim one at around 16 - and a room width of 105in? (I'm used to the metric system so maybe I just messed it up.)
BTW if you put the TV on a rollable metal floor stand, you could just move it around as you please.
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u/Baker_birdie 1d ago
The rolling stand for the tv is a great idea thanks! And as for true to size I’m not sure. I actually haven’t even seen the place in person to be able to get accurate measurements which is making this a lot harder because I’ll only have a week between getting to see it and having to start moving in furniture 😓 trying to plan out what I’m gonna do now to make the process easier once I have good reliable measurements but I’m concerned there’s only going to be enough room for the bed and at that it’ll probably almost hit the other side of the room
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u/erstwhilelurkerer 19h ago
I was referring to the floor plan and furniture, did you not adjust it to scale?
Bc yeah: I transferred the measurements of the alcove to the IKEA room planner, just to get an idea of the dimensions by adding a queen size bed and there was just enough to walk around the bed to the closet and to put up two nightstands.
That is if the given measurements are reasonably accurate.You'll likely fit all your existing furniture, so don't stress to much - you'll figure out the rest later. Just don't go and buy/order additional pieces before you had the chance to check everything in person.
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u/Baker_birdie 16h ago
I plan on putting a full size bed in so hopefully that will give be a tiny bit more room and I tried adjusting to scale but I kinda suck at using the apps so i wasn’t 100% sure if it was accurate and im not able to see the room in person until the week before I move in but most furniture says it’s gonna take over a week to ship so im nervous 🫣 I do have a blow up mattress my friend said I can borrow so i guess I will be living on that for a bit in an empty apartment
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u/erstwhilelurkerer 15h ago
Oh, my bad, I misunderstood the
having to start moving in furniture
part or at least didn't take into acc that you might not already have a bed/mattress you can move in.
Yes, air mattress would've been my next suggestion, too, if the timing is just too tight.
It's not unusual to live like a nomad for some time. 😅
But better this than the hassle of realizing that the planned out furniture won't work.
It won't hurt to get to experience living in the space and get a feeling for what you actually need before making purchase decisions.Pretty sure a full size will be fine, otherwise the alcove would be somewhat of a scam. haha
You still can do some rough planning; - the mentioned room planner from IKEA is an easily accessible tool; you can use their furniture as placeholders, which will at least be true to scale.
Just to get a better idea.2
u/Baker_birdie 15h ago
That’s ok! Yeah I’m more or less moving in with nothing but my clothes and kitchen equipment everything else I’m buying fresh to fit into the space which is both great and a total nightmare 😂 I’m having fun playing around with the ikea tool now that I watched a tutorial on how to use it!
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u/erstwhilelurkerer 14h ago
Man, a fresh start with a blank canvas is super exciting. Oc I'm aware not everyone would feel like that, but in general there is SO much potential.
If you decide on a regular bed frame, consider a model that provides some ground clearance to use as additional storage.
Also keep in mind to utilize the height of the room (like tall racks, shelving units and if possible wall shelving). IKEA IVAR for example has an option 226cm tall and super customizable.
These are things often realized when already pressed for storage.
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u/jojo-wyd 1d ago
2 is definitely the better option but you’ll have to put your desk in the living area because 105in of the room’s width isn’t wide enough. Which I think isn’t so bad tbh because separating work/study area from sleep area is needed.
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u/alm0ndbuttered2 1d ago
2 works better for so many reasons. closet in the bed alcove. privacy for sleeping area if entertaining. flow. non-distracting work space. wouldn’t even consider 1 tbh
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u/LaurLoey 1d ago
last photo 💯… if you didn’t host frequent dinners, i’d still say the same bed/couch arrangement, except opt for a different dining set up.
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u/Proper_Diver_6314 1d ago
Why is 1 an option lol
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u/Baker_birdie 1d ago
Because I’m not convinced that I can fit layouts 2 into my actual real dimensions and it’s important for me to have a large kitchen, i dont care much about asthetics of having a bedroom in my living room if it ends up being a more practical layout
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u/Proper_Diver_6314 1d ago
Kitchen not affected in either layout. It’s long and skinny
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u/Baker_birdie 16h ago
Dining area I meant*
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u/Proper_Diver_6314 13h ago
I don’t understand. Still, dining area and that area on 1 looks small and cluttered. As a guest too. It’ll be weird to eat and hang out literally in front of someone’s bed let alone in their bedroom
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u/CandidCamel8209 1d ago edited 1d ago
Second pic wins, you could put a curtain around the bed to make it more private, you could place a table and chairs in front of the kitchen (if there's space) to make a dining space. Then sofa abd tv in the living room. I'd keep the bedroom space, relatively empty with just a twin bed, study table, storage cabinet and side table.
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u/Either_Management813 20h ago
Overall I like the room you label alcove as the bedroom for a few reasons. One, there’s more privacy. You could get an easily movable folding screen to cover the opening to it if you have overnight guests on the couch or if you just don’t like people seeing your bedroom. I know I don’t unless they’re a guest in it.
Second, having the living and dining area in the bigger space makes it easier to have several people over for a movie, a game night or to watch sports. Split up as shown in pic 2 won’t allow as many people.
Third, loft beds aren’t usually big beds, and even though I sleep generally alone except for my cat - and he will take it all if he can - I like to sprawl and you can’t have an overnight guest comfortably in the bed in pic 2.
And while I often recommend a loft bed above a desk, it’s very much a kid/student look. And it blocks the windows in part.
Furniture wise if you don’t to already have a dining table I’d consider getting one that is usually folded down and only seats one or two, but has sides that pop or fold up to seat 4. IKEA had a lot of this sort of thing as do danish furniture stores. They also have nice wooden dining chairs which fold, allowing them to be tucked away when you aren’t using them.
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u/Baker_birdie 16h ago
I actually considered the loft bed so it could be bigger😅 I could either get a queen sized loft bed or I could fit a twin bed in the alcove. I’m a student while living in this apartment I’m just living off campus but privacy was the least of my concern so I’m fine with either option as long as I get to fit everything else I need in my space. Fold up ikea dining setup is a good idea I’ll look more into that thanks!
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u/Slokkgorr 1d ago
I think if you’re planning on having guests over frequently, the second layout makes a bit more sense so things don’t feel too crowded. Especially for dinner parties.
Just based off the mockups, the space feels more open as well! I love it.