In a studio flat, a TV bed usually works best in the part of the room furthest from the front door and kitchen, with the foot end facing towards the living area. This creates a natural sleeping zone at the back of the flat while letting the screen serve both the bed and the rest of the room. Use a room divider, open shelving or a rug to separate the bed from the living space, and keep a clear path around the foot end so the lift can operate freely.
Studio flats combine living, sleeping, cooking and often working in one open space. That flexibility is appealing, but it also means the bed is always on show. A TV bed helps by replacing a separate TV unit and offering storage, and our range of TV beds UK includes compact sizes that suit open plan homes. The real skill lies in placing it so that the flat feels like a home with distinct areas rather than a bedroom with a kitchen attached.
Studios vary widely. Some are long rectangles with the kitchen near the entrance and a window at the far end. Others are closer to square, with an alcove or a separate sleeping nook. Before deciding where the bed goes, sketch the room and mark the front door, kitchen, bathroom door, windows, radiators and sockets.
Think about how you move through the space. The route from the front door to the kitchen and bathroom is used constantly, so it should stay clear. The bed belongs away from this main route, in the quietest part of the flat. It also helps to plan the bed alongside the other pieces it will live with, and our modern bedroom furniture UK collection includes compact wardrobes and slim cabinets that fit into alcoves and corners.
In most studios, the best position for the bed is the far end of the room, away from the entrance. This gives you a sense of privacy, because visitors do not walk straight past your bed. It also keeps the sleeping area away from kitchen smells and steam.
If the far wall has a window, consider placing the headboard against a side wall rather than under the window. This keeps the window accessible and avoids glare on the screen when it rises. Positioning the bed lengthways along a side wall can also leave more floor space for the living area.
One of the advantages of a TV bed in a studio is that the screen can be viewed from more than one place. With the foot end facing the living area, the screen rises towards the bed, but depending on the model and any swivel feature, it may also be visible from a small sofa or armchair nearby.
This can remove the need for a second television or a separate TV unit in the living area, saving space and money. Plan seating so it sits within a comfortable viewing angle and distance, without blocking the walkway around the foot of the bed.
Separating the bed from the living area helps a studio feel more like a proper home. There are several ways to do this without building walls.
A freestanding room divider is one of the simplest. Folding screens, slatted panels and fabric dividers all create a visual barrier while letting light through. Our range of modern room dividers UK includes designs that can be moved or folded away when you want a more open feel. Place the divider along the side of the bed, rather than at the foot end, so it does not block the view of the screen.
Open shelving units make an effective alternative. A tall, open backed shelving unit positioned beside the bed acts as a partition and provides storage at the same time. Books, baskets and plants on the shelves soften the divide and make it feel intentional.
Storage is always at a premium in a studio flat. Make full use of the space inside the TV bed for bedding, clothes and seasonal items. Many models offer an ottoman lift or side drawers, so choose a design that suits how you will access it.
Beyond the bed, choose pieces that serve both zones. Shelving units UK can divide the room and store items for both sleeping and living areas. A chest of drawers at the end of a dividing shelf can act as a bedside surface on one side and a console on the other. Our article on fitting a chest of drawers into a small UK room offers useful guidance on sizes and placement.
Wall space is worth using too. Shelves above a desk or a slim cabinet mounted beside the kitchen keep everyday items within reach while leaving the floor clear, which matters in a room where every square metre is shared.
A bed that is too large will dominate a studio and squeeze the living area. For one person, a small double often provides a comfortable balance. For two, a standard double is usually the practical choice. King size beds work only in larger studios with plenty of floor space.
Remember to account for the extra length of the footboard on a TV bed, along with the clearance needed for the lid to open. Mark the full footprint on the floor with masking tape before you commit, so you can see how much space remains for walking and seating.
In a studio, there is a temptation to place a sofa or coffee table close to the foot of the bed. Leave enough space for the lid to open and for you to walk past comfortably while the screen is raised. Anything placed too close can obstruct the lift or make the room feel cramped.
If the bed and sofa face the same direction, there should be a clear gap between them. Treat this space as a walkway rather than spare floor.
Because the bed is visible from the living area, it helps to style it neatly. Make it each morning, add a fitted throw and arrange a few cushions against the headboard. This turns the bed into a comfortable daytime seat and makes the flat feel tidy when friends visit.
Choosing upholstery that relates to the sofa or living area colours also helps. A grey TV bed with a grey sofa, or a warm sand bed with oak and cream furnishings, makes the whole studio feel coordinated.
Many studio dwellers also work from home, which adds a third zone to the mix. Avoid placing a desk directly beside the bed if you can, as it blurs the line between rest and work. A small desk near a window in the living area is usually a better option.
If space really does not allow for a desk, working from the sofa may be the practical answer. Our article on working from the sofa in UK homes explores how homeworkers make this work comfortably.
Lighting is one of the most effective ways to separate areas in an open plan space. Use warm table lamps or wall lights near the bed, and brighter, more directional light in the kitchen and work areas. In the evening, switching off the living area lights and leaving only bedside lamps on makes the sleeping zone feel distinct.
Position lamps to the side of the bed so they do not reflect on the screen. Dimmable lighting is useful in a studio because it lets you adjust the mood as you move from evening activities to bedtime.
Check where the sockets are before deciding on the bed’s position. The TV bed needs power for the lift and the television, and the cable should reach a socket without stretching across a walkway. Run cables behind furniture and secure them neatly.
Placing a TV bed in a studio flat is about creating a quiet sleeping zone while keeping the rest of the space open and practical. Position the bed away from the door and kitchen, use dividers and shelving to define it and keep the foot end clear. With the screen hidden away when not in use, the flat can feel like a calm, organised home.
To explore beds and space saving furniture for open plan living, visit Furniture in Fashion.
Usually at the end of the room furthest from the front door and kitchen. This creates privacy and keeps the sleeping area away from cooking smells and the main walkway.
In many cases, yes. The screen can often be seen from both the bed and a nearby seat, removing the need for a separate TV unit and saving floor space.
Room dividers, open shelving units and rugs all help. Place dividers along the side of the bed so they do not block the view of the screen.
A small double for one person or a standard double for two works well in most studios. Allow for the extra length of the footboard.
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