transforming studio apartment

Living in New York City isn't all adventure and dynamism. Unless you are wealthy the way no real person is, you probably have to settle for a living space that is cramped and cluttered. It is the project of Graham Hill, entrepreneur and treehugger.com founder, to come up with an ideal New York apartment—one with a small footprint, both physically and environmentally, and one that offers just as much beauty and functionality as a pad multiple times its size.

Hill's Life Edited apartment is a constantly evolving space. He is always tinkering and researching, looking to streamline the already spare cube in SoHo to its bare necessities. Still, what exists now seems completely livable with very few compromises. Even for a pack-rat like myself, there is an allure to its simplicity.

When you walk in, you encounter what is, at first glance, a small studio apartment. Within that cube are actually 8 functional spaces. The living room and office become the bedroom with a tug of a bookshelf. Open one of the closets and you'll find 10 stackable chairs that go around a telescopic dining table for large dinner parties. An entire guest room with bunk-beds and a closet is revealed behind a wall that slides out on tracks. And of course, a well-equipped kitchen and bathroom await.

The space doesn't only rely on proprietary architectural designs. It is also an amalgamation of furniture and wares from dozens of companies like Resource Furniture. From the kitchen tongs to the shower-head, every object has been chosen for its economy of space, design, and sustainability.

office

dinning room

dinning room

living room

bedroom

 reference : http://gizmodo.com/5967622/the-tiny-transforming-apartment-that-packs-six-rooms-into-350-square-feet

Small Studio Apartment Design Ideas

Mirrors

One of the easiest ways to decorate a studio apartment is by using mirrors. By placing a mirror or two in a small space, you will automatically create the impression of more space. Mirrors also reflect the light, which makes an apartment feel larger. In addition, you can place a small shelf under a mirror to hold cosmetics and other toiletries, which eliminates the need for a bulky dressing table. If you are decorating on a budget, look for mirrors at thrift stores or use cheap adhesive mirror tiles, which can be found at most home supply stores.

Lofted bed

Instead of looking for a daybed that does double-duty as a couch or a bed that folds into the wall, consider putting up a simple loft to increase floor space without sacrificing the comfort of a bedroom. If you have basic carpentry skills, you can set up a loft in an afternoon using 2-by-4 inch boards and larger planks to form a base. The loft does not need to modify the structure of the apartment and can be painted any color you choose to fit with the apartment decor.

Storage

One of the most important limitations to consider when designing a small studio is storage space. To that end, look for furniture with hidden storage space or create your own. Instead of a traditional coffee table, for example, look for one with drawers or doors underneath; the extra area will allow you to reduce clutter, which can make a small apartment look smaller.

Base colors

When choosing the base colors for your apartment, look for light, pale colors, which will reflect the light you have and make the small space look larger. Paint is the easiest way to use light colors in a studio, if your lease allows modifications of the walls. If not, look for furniture in pale colors and choose curtains, art, and bedding that is bright and light.

Bright accents

If you'd like to add color to your studio apartment, do it in small bursts against a pale palette. Keep in mind that too many colors in a small space can be chaotic; stick to shades in the same color family to add color without overwhelming the space. Color is easy to add in accent pillows, chairs, lamps, art, or vases.

references: http://www.ehow.com/list_6734366_small-studio-apartment-design-ideas.html#ixzz30A0LqjqU

multifunctional furniture

I took this article from other's blog and used it as one of my research.

The biggest complaint I hear from condo owners is about the size or lack thereof in their condos. Whether it’s a problem getting their sofa in through the door, not being able to find a sofa that they like but also won't overpower the living room, or just simply not having enough space to have all the necessary items fit without overpowering the room. With less space comes less room for guests and most important for storage when using traditional furniture pieces.  

 

Multi-functional 'smarter' furniture helps solve all these problems! As apartments and condos become smaller in space, or you're transitioning from a larger home to a smaller one your furniture needs to follow suit and fit with the needs of its owner.

When purchasing furniture consider one that has multiple functions.  If you need more storage opt for an item that also includes a hidden storage unit. You never realize how much storage space you truly need until it's not there for you to use. Furniture with built-in storage units help minimize on clutter and makes being organized easier.  An organized clutter free home will automatically make your home feel lighter and more spacious.

 

Do you love to entertain? Are dinner parties on your enjoyment list? Many  women worry that condo living will make dinner parties next to impossible to do. A foyer table or coffee table that doubles as a dining table is something you should consider. Not only will it take up minimal space in your home when not in use but you'll still be able to organize a dinner party without worrying where everyone will fit and when you're finished it'll fold right back up in seconds.  
Or maybe entertaining is simply not your thing and having a dining table in your home just takes up unnecessary space. You know you'd rather use your dual living and dining room area as a large living room table instead of having a dining room table that sits there unused collecting dust.  With a multi-functional foyer table like the one below you can maximize on living room space but still have a back up dining room table when you do have guest over.
 
What about sleep arrangements, do you have space for an overnight guest? A sofabed is a must have for any home. Whether your guest are expected or unexpected with a pull out sofabed guest sleep comfortably and you'll never have to worry about sleeping arrangements again. A sofabed conveniently pulls out or folds down when needed and when not in use functions and looks like a regular sofa. I've heard people say well I'm just looking for a sofa, I don't want a sofabed because of the stigma of how a sofabed looks verses a traditional sofa. Your sofa doesn't have to scream sofabed if you don't want it to, keep it your little secret and go with a style that you like.
You can provide all your household needs with multi-functional furniture. Forget those items that only have one function and opt for an item that looks amazing, is a conversational piece and makes living in a smaller space worry free.

Your furniture should work for you, not the other way around.
Show your furniture whose boss, and demand your needs!

taken from :http://blog.modernsensibility.com/2012/04/condo-must-have-transforming-furniture.html

pros and cons of murphy bed

A Murphy bed is one of those unique kinds of beds that folds down from the side of the wall. Often it flips up vertically so that it can be easily stored behind a closet door. The Murphy bed has been around since the beginning of the 1900s and is also known as a wall-bed or foldaway bed. Many architects have begun to incorporate Murphy beds into their designs, especially in modern condominiums and hotels. They are also found in some mobile homes and apartments. What are the benefits of Murphy beds, and what are the disadvantages? Below, the pros and cons of the Murphy bed are explored.

First, the biggest pro is that Murphy beds can be easily stored out of the way to make more room in a tiny space during the day. That is, in fact, what they were designed for-to save space. This is especially convenient for hotels and condos who may want to utilize smaller spaces in order to provide more rooms and, therefore, be able to rent to more people rather than using more space to provide a larger room. Plus, you don't necessarily have to make your bed for presentation since it will not be seen by any guests you may have. Moreover, Murphy beds are sometimes not only space-saving but financially economical as well, for in some cases they are cheaper than a regular bed.

The cons, though, are that Murphy beds do not have box springs. Rather, they usually just lay on wire mesh, so some people may find that they are not as comfortable or sturdy as regular beds. In addition, Murphy beds do not have headboards, footboards, or bed rails, which some people may find aesthetically pleasing and wish to use for decoration purposes. Also, Murphy beds must be folded away every day if you wish to have much room in your space, and this task may become tedious to some people over time. Plus, some people, such as older citizens or some girls, may find it extenuating to fold away a heavy bed.

Those are the pros and cons of the Murphy bed. Granted, there are slightly a bit more cons than pros. However, whether a Murphy bed is for you or not is all up to your personal preference. Some people quite enjoy them, while others do not like them at all. It all depends upon your furnishing space and financial situation.

research taken from : http://voices.yahoo.com/pros-cons-murphy-bed-2963919.html