Convertible Bed in NYC

April 29, 2004 10:58 AM

I live in NYC, I have a small bedroom. I'm hoping to find some sort of convertible bed that will allow me to maximize my space...

In my room I currently have a full-size desk, a large dresser, a queen-size bed and a Nordic Track elliptacal machine. Each one resides in a corner, and there's just enough room to get through. I'm hoping to find a bed that will take up less space, but can expand when my girlfriend comes into town.

I may end up with a futon, but I'm hoping to find something a bit cooler/grown-up.

posted by o2b to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

I saw a sort-a Futon thing at Urban Outfitters. it was made of metal and looked like a modern-style couch. It could fold down into a bed, but could also fold into other positions, many more than a futon. For instance, it could fold up like a poolside sunbathing couch (long and flat but with the head propped up). I think there were 6 different looks it could have.

I believe the one I saw was a Twin but they may come in other sizes. It was C$439, which is probably aboout us$300.
posted by dobbs at 11:12 AM on April 29, 2004

I lived for several years in a tiny studio. Queen sized bed, dresser, desk, sofa, coffee table, and several bookcases. It all fit into that one tiny space, with plenty of walking-around room to spare. The key was a Murphy Bed (aka wallbed). Sometimes you can see them in classic movies of the 30s and 40s, especially comedy stuff where someone gets on the bed then the bed swings up into the wall and the person is trapped--ha ha. Or else someone gets conked on the head by the bed dropping out on its own. But the modern mechanism is counter-balanced (stays down when it's down, stays in when it's in, and it's an easy one-handed lift), very sturdy, and once the cabinet is mounted to wall or floor it's quite safe. I loved mine. Plus it takes a standard mattress, so no lumps like a sofabed. And the cabinet usually extends only about 18" or so from the wall so during the day it leaves a lot more room space than a sofabed or futon. The downside is, it's definitely not cheap. Though apparently there are make your own Murphy bed solutions if you're on a budget.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 11:48 AM on April 29, 2004

And if you're not on a budget, something like this would be tres cool.
posted by adamrice at 1:27 PM on April 29, 2004

murphy bed center in manhattan, or go down to a fullsize bed.
posted by amberglow at 4:09 PM on April 29, 2004

or, you could build a loft, but they're a pain, especially if you were out late drinking.
posted by amberglow at 4:10 PM on April 29, 2004

The problem with Murphy Beds is that you need the full bed-sized floor space clear whenever you want to use it. If you're a tidy person by nature, then no problem. Otherwise it will require you to add a tiny bit of neuroticism to your personality ("NO! I've told you time and time again, don't put your shit on the floor in front of the bed!").
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 8:46 PM on April 29, 2004

Nah, the bed is supported by a bar or leg at the unhinged end. Most models leave clearance below, just like a regular bedframe, so as long at the stuff piled on the floor is relatively low to the ground (cough*dirtyclothes*cough), only a narrow strip of floor space needs to be clear at night and the rest can stay where it is. Though since o2b is looking to impress the girlfriend, keeping the place ctidy is at least as good a tactic as getting a new bed.

A loft bed might also be an option if heights (fear of, ceiling clearance) aren't an issue. Most are marketing at twin or full size, but if you can find one for queen or bigger you'd have all that lower space for a desk, sofa, or entertainment center.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 10:57 PM on April 29, 2004

Lofts are awesome from a design point of view -- I've seen units that include built-in desks underneath the bed that can save a shitload of space in a cramped apartment.

The "getting into them while drunk" argument is valid, but then, "walking down the street while drunk" is probably more hazardous to your health. Another problem with lofts that's not often mentioned, but might be a consideration: unless you have really high ceilings, a loft bed can seriously cramp your sexual repetoire.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:39 AM on April 30, 2004