Well-placed bookshelves can provide a sense of separation between the bed and the living space in a small studio. (Getty Images)
In a city like New York, studio apartments are a way of life. But while cozy and frequently charming, studios can be a challenge to decorate, what with the kitchen, bedroom, and living area all packed into one (often tight) space. The open-plan look has its appeal, but it can be a drag to have your bed right in the middle of all the action — after a long day, it’s nice to be able to retreat into your own private nook. Here are five studio apartment layout ideas to create a sense of separation between your bed and the rest of your living space, even in the smallest of studios.
Studio Separator 1: French Doors
We love the way a half-wall made of classic French doors and molding makes this Hell’s Kitchen studio feel so much roomier than it is, imbuing the space with character and letting in tons of natural light. The installation gives the impression of a separate bedroom and an open space, all at the same time.
Manhattan Studios Under $2,500Article continues below
Hamilton Heights
603 West 140th Street
$2,495No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
220 West 122nd Street
$2,350No Fee
1 |
1
Washington Heights
467 West 164th Street
$2,154No Fee
1 |
1
Washington Heights
467 West 164th Street
$1,995No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
21 West 118th Street
$2,425No Fee
1 |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
409 West 50th Street
$2,395No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
234 East 119th Street
$2,095No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
428 East 117th Street
$2,175No Fee
Studio |
1
Fort George
112 Nagle Avenue
$1,950No Fee
1 |
1
Lenox Hill
1450 First Avenue
$2,200No Fee
Studio |
1
Gramercy Park
346 East 20th Street
$2,195No Fee
Studio |
1
Kips Bay
139 East 27th Street
$2,488No Fee
Studio |
1
Studio Separator 2: Bookshelves
A bookshelf is the perfect multipurpose furniture piece that every studio needs. Not only can you use it to store books, photos, plants, and decorative objects, it can also double as a semi-open room divider, providing separation but still allowing light and air to get through, like in this cool studio in the Financial District. This airy white shelving unit from IKEA is both sleek and budget friendly, and you can line up more than one based on the amount of space you’re looking to divide.
Studio Separator 3: Curtains
There’s something old-world and romantic about bed curtains, conjuring images of glamorous mahogany four-posters. Velvet drapes, for example, will have a more dramatic effect, while sheer white curtains offer a more minimalist appeal. You can opt for a DIY canopy or hang fabric from a ceiling rod — either way, it makes a great style statement and creates a little separation between your bed and the rest of your space.
Studio Separator 4: Low Furniture
A sofa or low shelving unit won’t completely conceal the bed, of course, but it definitely will help create a sense of separation. In this streamlined East Village studio, for example, a sofa near the foot of the bed helps define the bedroom and living areas as their own distinct zones.
Brooklyn Studios Under $2,500Article continues below
Bushwick
18 Irving Avenue
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
East Flatbush
1183 New York Avenue
$2,450No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
121 Pulaski Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
219 Franklin Avenue
$1,900No Fee
Studio |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
876 Greene Avenue
$2,495No Fee
2 |
1
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
57 Lincoln Road
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
Boerum Hill
231 Smith Street
$2,499No Fee
Studio |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
42 Howard Avenue
$2,225No Fee
1 |
1
Weeksville
1275 Sterling Place
$2,500No Fee
3 |
1
Fort Hamilton
9031 Fort Hamiltn Parkway
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
217 Macon Street
$2,395No Fee
Studio |
1
Kensington
260 Ocean Parkway
$2,295No Fee
1 |
1
Studio Separator 5: Portable Screens & Garment Racks
A portable screen is an easy way to set your bed apart from the rest of your space (no tools or installation required). Even better, you can move it around or put it away whenever the mood strikes. When it comes to room dividers, many options abound, from opaque to see-through, but we particularly love the intricacy of this hand-carved wood folding screen, available at Target. Garment racks are another fashionable and functional way to create a partition between your bed and the living area — and as an added bonus, they also make a great storage solution if you don’t have much closet space.