Bachelerette pad (small flat) tips

[Sumarokoff]

Hi. I have bought a small studio flat. I need to be very economical with every spare metre and I am thinking of not buying a bed that just stands there, but a couch which can pull out as a bed (sofa bed) and then be put away in the daytime. I just feel a bed sitting there in daytime is taking up too much precious space. This way I have both a bedroom and a rest zone in the day (as opposed to my work zone in another room).

Can anyone recommend me a really good sofa bed that will be well sprung and actually nice to sleep on? Hopefully I can compensate by buying nice sheets and blankets. To be honest, I would really like a sort of Turkish or Middle Eastern style bed/couch.

Any other tips/experiences on how to wring use out of every single square centimetre in a small flat?

Do you think that having to make up your bed every night might get tedious? Can't imagine coming in after a night out and having to faff about with sheets before going to bed. Where will you store the bedding in the day time?

My best advice for small spaces is to have less stuff and one really big cupboard all kitted out with hanging space and tailored storage for all your things.

Could you invest in a wall bed? There are ones that have a couch attached, so you can sit on it during the day, and then just pull down the bed at night time. It would be a great space saver. In reality I'm not sure how comfortable the sofas are though.

https://www.wallbed.co.uk/product-category/sofa-wallbeds/

If you look on Youtube, there are loads of videos about design ideas and storage tips for studio apartments.

On holiday last year, we stayed in a tiny (but lovely) property which had a Murphy bed/wall bed, it was really comfortable, because it was a proper mattress. I've never slept on a sofa bed that was comfortable for every day use.

You can see it in the 4th and 5th pictures here https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/isle-of-wight/little-chert

I would get a Murphy bed.

Look at ikea showroom for clever storage for small spaces

The other good thing about a Murphy bed is that you don't have to make it up every night, the sheets and duvet stay on all the time, you just have to stow the pillows in the bed cupboard when you put it away in the morning.

I can't give a rec as mine came from a shop that closed ages ago.

But I have a fully sprung sofabed and had to sleep on it most of the heatwave summer of 2018 (bedroom window was one that didn't open properly as it was a high rise).

It was fine, even after a back injury a couple of years prior.

If you go somewhere that specialises in sofabeds or maybe even a DFS type place, you might find something that comfy. Also, the folding mechanism is such that you don't have take the sheet off, it will fold away and fold out fine.

I think this is likely to be around £1000 now though.

I like the Remodelista website for loads of tips and ideas on small space living
Browse the archives.

Sofa beds are never comfortable - someone I know had one that pulled down from the wall that was ok

Definitely look at Murphy beds. Yes they are spendy but this is where you will spend half your life. You can buy a type of Murphy bed that converts to/from a sofa as well. It’s not a sofa bed mind you. You can also get a Murphy bed with a desk.

other tips:
boiling tap not kettle
convection microwave oven instead of oven and microwave stack (or just oven no microwave)
build in as much of the kitchen as you can - Inc fridge freezer, slimline dishwasher and washing machine. Also the bin. Build that in. The more that is built in the less visual clutter you will have and the bigger the space will feel. Avoid too much on show in the kitchen. It’s visually jarring and takes up space.

Try extra space saving racks that clip into cupboards onto the shelves so you can store extra stuff.
thin velvet hangers not chunky wooden ones.

be really brutal about what comes into your new home. Everything must earn its place!

if you don’t go for a Murphy he’d try a bed with a pneumatic lift so you can use the whole underneath for storage

No sofa bed, get a Murphy bed. You'll have nowhere to put the bedding otherwise.
If you are not naturally neat, learn now!
Get storage that can stack (eg my jeans and t shirts are rolled Marie Condo style into wooden boxes that go beneath the hanging space in the wardrobe).
Use under-counter space for hooks etc. This also works in cupboards and wardrobes.
Get over-door hooks too.
Extension rods are super useful.
Put non-perishable foods like rice into Kilner jars. They stack and you won't have packets cluttering up cupboards.
Thin hangers that have the underneath bit for trousers so you can double up every hanger.
Get a shoe rack. You can double what it holds by stacking the shoes sideways in see-through boxes.
Cantilever boxes for your make-up/hair/tools etc.

If you want a Moroccan vibe what about one of those daybed things they have?