If you have ever lived in a studio apartment, you are familiar with the struggles of entertaining company: You have no table and only one chair due to lack of space, the smell of dinner has settled into absolutely everything you own and you have succumbed to the temptation of practically living in your bed.
Studio dwelling can be frustrating and limiting, it can leave you feeling cooped up and it can force you to spend time elsewhere, ultimately keeping you from enjoying your space and all the time and effort you've put into curating it. Fortunately, there are a few ways to modify your studio that will give you a little more privacy, keep you from having to stare at your bed all day, and maybe even create a larger space.
To attain a separation from your living and sleeping space, try mounting a curtain to the ceiling around your bed. You can achieve this by installing a rod from one end of the room to another, or if that is too daunting of a task, try buying or making your very own canopy bed. This solution is an especially good one because you can easily swipe the curtain aside if you want to open up the room, and if you get a thick light-blocking curtain, it's almost like adding a wall.
If you need to make a trip to Ikea this weekend, consider picking up some ceiling-mounted sliding fabric panels. They slide apart easily, and can be positioned anywhere. It is almost like adding a whole new room! If these sound like too much work to install, you could also pick up some bookcases (like the Billy or Expedit) and surround your bed with them, creating not only room divider, but also a cozy book nook.
Are you sticking to a budget and not looking to buy anything new? If you have the room, why not try positioning your couch directly in front of your bed? This creates a visual separation of the spaces without the expense or hassle of installing or hanging curtains or panels.
If you would rather go the furniture repositioning route, perhaps try putting a credenza or long bench in front of your bed, then hanging a tapestry from the ceiling behind it. This will hide your bed from guests, and if you choose fabric with a white back, it will double as a projection screen from your bed. Movie night, anyone?
If you haven't signed a lease yet, but are in the market for a studio apartment, try your luck at finding one with a large closet. It might be worth it to create a closet out of clothing racks and dressers instead of using the one you have for its intended purpose. That way, you will have a separate sleeping space with an actual door. It's almost like you sprung for the one-bedroom after all, isn't it?
Last but not least, if you're new to the studio life and have not purchased a bed yet or are due for a new one, consider buying a daybed, or a hide-a-bed. That way, you will have extra seating for guests, not have to worry about creating a separate sleeping space and ultimately end up with a little more room in that 300 square foot box you call home.