Don’t work in bed, and other tips for creating a peaceful sleep zone in a studio apartment

There’s a lot to be said for the work/play energy of a nice studio or other small apartment during the day. But how do you bring that energy down to get a good night’s sleep?

With electronics, cookery, clothes and books all in one space, it can be a challenge to create a restful refuge.

Prioritize a sleep space, starting with the bed

Everyone needs good sleep to stay healthy.

“The primary rule, maybe the only rule of small space design, is people have to be honest about how they really live,” says Olivia Hosken, House Beautiful’s deputy managing editor. “When there’s limited square footage, there’s less allowance for things that don’t function optimally.”

So, spend your money on a proper bed or a quality sleep sofa. Skip big tables or chairs you won’t use, she added.

Andrea Morris of Lancaster Place Interiors in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a fan