An Artist’s Studio in Italy Gets an Overhaul, Murphy Bed Included

There are two kinds of studio apartments: the ones that look calm and the ones that feel calm.
Most of us live in the second one for approximately six minutesright after cleaning, right before dropping a
charger, three sketchbooks, and a suspiciously sticky tape measure onto the only available surface.

That’s why this Remodelista-featured makeover of an artist residency studio in Bolzano, Italy still hits like a
design espresso: it’s a live/work space that can flex from “serious making” to “actual sleeping” without a full
furniture rodeo. The hero move? A Murphy bed (plus a few deceptively simple, moveable pieces) that lets the room
behave like a studio by day and a bedroom by nightwithout looking like either is an afterthought.

Why This Kind of Studio Overhaul Works So Well

If you’ve ever tried to paint, edit photos, sew, sculpt, or even just wrap holiday gifts in a small space, you know
the real enemy isn’t square footageit’s competing functions. A bed wants to be the star. An art
practice wants to spread out like it pays rent. And somewhere in between, a human needs to eat, sit, and find that
one pen that “was literally right here.”

The smartest small-space renovations do three things at once:

• They make sleeping disappear when it’s not needed.
• They create zones without building walls that shrink the room.
• They reduce decision fatigue (less “where do I put this?” and more “oh, that’s where that goes”).

Remodelista’s “Artist’s Studio in Italy” makeover nails all three by treating furniture like a toolkit: simple,
sturdy, and mobile. It’s not fussy. It’s not precious. It’s “I have a deadline” design.

The Project Snapshot: A Live/Work Studio Built for Artists (Not Just Instagram)

The spacean artists-in-residence studio in Bolzanoneeded to host more than one person comfortably and still serve
as a place to make and install art. That’s a tall order in a small footprint, because “studio” in artist terms
usually means “surfaces everywhere” and “bedroom” usually means “please don’t lean plywood against my pillow.”

The solution highlighted by Remodelista centers on straightforward, crafted pieces (notably in pine) designed to
move, tuck away, and reconfigure quickly. Think: furniture that behaves like stagehands. Quiet. Efficient. Always
ready for the next scene.

The Murphy Bed That Earns Its Keep (and Doesn’t Ruin the Room)

In many studio apartments, the bed is a permanent landscape featurelike a mountain range you must hike around to
reach your coffee. A Murphy bed changes that relationship. Instead of designing around the bed, you design
the bed to leave.

1) It “reads” like storage, not a sleeping compromise

One of the most satisfying tricks in this makeover is that the closed Murphy bed resembles a compact wardrobe. That
visual disguise matters. In small rooms, what you see all day affects how spacious things feel. When a bed is always
visible, the room feels like a bedroom first, studio second. When the bed closes into something that looks like
storage, the room mentally reclassifies itself as a workspace.

2) Built-in shelving + bedside lighting = fewer loose pieces

A Murphy bed works best when it doesn’t require extra furniture to function. Integrated shelving reduces the need
for a separate nightstand; built-in lights reduce the need for table lamps. That’s less clutter, fewer cords, and
fewer things to knock over in the dark (which is a big deal when your “bedside” is also your “where I temporarily
stored my camera tripod” zone).

3) Mobility changes everything

Remodelista notes pieces set on casters for flexibility. That detail is pure studio-apartment gold. Even if you
never roll your furniture dramatically like you’re resetting a theater stage, knowing you can makes the
room feel adaptable. Casters are permission to rearrange without dread.

Moveable, Minimal, and Surprisingly Warm: The Furniture Strategy

The Remodelista story highlights “simple, moveable furnishings” that are ready to copy. The genius here is not in a
complicated built-in wall of cabinetry. It’s in a handful of pieces that do heavy lifting.

The desk that behaves like architecture

The multi-person desk is described as resembling an oversized open wall shelfor an empty frame. That’s a helpful
mental model: instead of a chunky desk that eats floor space, the desk reads as a lightweight structure. In a small
studio makeover, “visual weight” is as important as physical size.

A dining setup that doesn’t pretend it’s a formal dining room

A picnic-style eating area is a practical choice in a live/work environment: it’s casual, resilient, and friendly
to mess. Artists don’t need a dining room; they need a surface that can handle coffee, lunch, and the occasional
“I swear this is dry” project piece.

Lighting that does more than illuminate

A silver tip bulb casting a low glow over a full-length mirror is a small, cinematic movefunctional but also mood
setting. Meanwhile, the dining table’s floor lamp with an industrial-pipe-shaped frame and wood-box base adds
character without adding clutter. When a room is tiny, you don’t have space for a lot of decorso the functional
elements have to carry the aesthetic too.

Material Choices That Make a Studio Feel Calm (Not Cold)

A common fear with minimalist small-space design is that it will feel sterilelike a waiting room that happens to
have a duvet. This makeover avoids that by leaning into honest materials and warm tones.

• Pine brings warmth and softness, especially in natural or lightly finished form.
• Unfinished wood adds a workshop vibe that suits a creative studio.
• Black-painted MDF (used inside the closet) adds contrast and a “clean shadow” effect, making storage feel intentional.
• Industrial details (like pipe-shaped lamp framing) give edge without overwhelming the space.

The overall effect is “creative residency” rather than “tiny apartment hack.” And that’s an important distinction:
the best small studio apartment design doesn’t scream “small.” It whispers “well planned.”

Steal This Approach: A Practical Plan for Your Own Studio Makeover

You don’t need to move to Italy or join an artist residency program to borrow the logic. Here’s how to translate
the Remodelista-style strategy into real-world steps.

Step 1: Decide what the room is most of the time

Be honest. Is your studio mostly a workspace? Mostly a living room? Mostly a “I work from home and also host guests
twice a month” situation? Your answer determines whether the bed should disappear daily (Murphy bed) or occasionally
(sofa bed, daybed, or sleeper chair).

Step 2: Pick the right Murphy bed style for your space

Not all Murphy beds behave the same. Some fold vertically, some horizontally. Some integrate shelving, desks, or
cabinets. Some are full built-ins; others are freestanding “bed chests” that open without permanent mounting.

• Vertical wall bed: classic, space-efficient, great if you have wall height.
• Horizontal wall bed: useful in rooms with low ceilings or wide walls.
• Murphy bed with storage: best when you need the bed to replace a dresser/nightstand setup.
• Murphy bed chest: more flexible for renters, often less visually seamless but easier to place.

Step 3: Treat installation like a safety project, not a decor project

A Murphy bed isn’t a floating shelf. It has moving parts, leverage, and real forces involved. Many systems must be
secured to wall studs or anchored using approved methods. If your walls are old, uneven, or mysterious (hello,
surprise plaster), it’s worth consulting a pro. Safety and smooth operation are non-negotiableespecially in a
tight room where clearances are already limited.

Step 4: Build zones with furniture “edges”

In the Italy studio makeover, zones are suggested through placement: desk area, eating area, sleeping area (when
needed). You can do this without walls by using:

• A rug to define the work zone
• A wall-mounted shelf or slim console to create a visual boundary
• A tall mirror to bounce light and “extend” the room
• Lighting layers (task + ambient) to signal what each zone is for

Step 5: Make “closed” mode look intentional

When the bed is up, what do you want the room to look like? A studio? A living room? A gallery? The Remodelista
example makes the closed bed look like storage, which is brilliant: it becomes a calm vertical volume rather than a
reminder that your bed is hiding behind a panel like a shy robot.

Design Moves That Make Small Studios Feel Bigger (Without Lying to Yourself)

You can’t trick physics, but you can absolutely influence perception and flow. Designers consistently return to a
few principles that pair beautifully with Murphy-bed living:

Go vertical, but don’t go chaotic

Shelves, hooks, and tall storage help, but only if they’re curated. A single tall unit can look calmer than five
small shelves scattered everywhere. Aim for “one clear storage wall” rather than “storage confetti.”

Use fewer, larger visual elements

One oversized artwork can make a room feel more deliberate than lots of tiny frames. Similarly, one good rug sized
correctly can make the space feel grounded, not chopped up.

Light like you mean it

The studio makeover’s lighting details are a reminder: small rooms need layered light. Use a mix of overhead,
wall-mounted, and task lighting so you’re not relying on one harsh fixture that makes the whole room feel like a
dressing room at a bad theater.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Murphy-Bed Studio Renovation

• Ignoring clearance: Measure the bed’s footprint when open and ensure pathways still function.
• Forgetting where bedding goes: Plan storage for pillows, duvet, and sheets in a way that’s effortless.
• Overfurnishing “just in case”: Studio living rewards commitment. If the bed is the guest bed, don’t also buy a sleeper sofa “just because.”
• Too many small organizers: They multiply quickly. Choose fewer, better storage solutions.
• Weak task lighting: Especially for artistsyour eyes deserve better.

Conclusion: A Studio That Can Actually Host a Life (and an Art Practice)

The reason the “Artist’s Studio in Italy” makeover resonates is that it doesn’t treat sleep as a nuisance or work as
clutterit treats both as legitimate, daily needs. The Murphy bed is the headline, sure, but the real story is the
system: moveable furniture, integrated storage, thoughtful lighting, and materials that feel honest and warm.

If you’re planning your own studio overhaul, aim for the same outcome: a room that can transform fast, store
essentials neatly, and look calm even when real life is happening. Because the dream isn’t just a beautiful studio.
The dream is a beautiful studio that still works when you’re tired, busy, and holding a paintbrush in one hand and
your phone in the othertrying to remember if you already ate dinner.

Real-World Experiences: What Living With a Murphy Bed in a Creative Studio Is Actually Like (500+ Words)

Design photos are great, but lived-in reality is where a Murphy bed either becomes your favorite “why didn’t I do
this sooner?” decisionor the thing you glare at while wrestling a fitted sheet at midnight. Here are practical,
experience-based truths people tend to learn after the honeymoon phase, especially in a live/work studio where art
supplies and daily life share the same oxygen.

1) The “open/close ritual” becomes part of your dayso make it easy

If you have to move a chair, a side table, and a laundry basket just to lower the bed, you’ll start negotiating
with yourself like, “What if I just nap sitting up?” The best setups keep the open/close path clear by design.
Think of it like a runway: nothing should be stored there, ever. If you need a reminder, a slim floor tape line
(or a rug edge) can quietly train your habits.

2) Bedding management is the make-or-break detail

In real life, you want a bed that closes fast. That means choosing bedding that behaves: a medium-weight duvet that
folds neatly, pillows that compress without looking sad, and a system for where the extras go. Many people keep a
dedicated “bed kit” basket nearbyfresh sheet set, extra pillowcases, and a light blanketso changing linens doesn’t
turn into a scavenger hunt.

3) Your lighting needs change when the bed moves

A Murphy bed changes where you read, scroll, or wind down. If your lights are only set up for “bed down” mode, the
room can feel harsh or dim when the bed is up. The most comfortable studios use layered lighting so both modes feel
intentional: task lighting for art-making, warm ambient lighting for evenings, and bed-adjacent lighting that doesn’t
require a wobbly lamp balanced on a random shelf.

4) The room feels bigger emotionally, not just physically

Here’s the part photos can’t show: when the bed disappears, your brain relaxes. People often describe feeling more
in controllike they can “reset” the room. That reset matters in creative work. It’s easier to start a project when
the space looks ready for it, and it’s easier to rest when the room isn’t shouting “unfinished business.”

5) Maintenance is small, but real

Like any moving mechanism, Murphy beds appreciate basic care: occasional checks to ensure everything feels stable
and aligned, tightening hardware as needed, and keeping the surrounding area free of items that could snag. In a
studio where dust from paper, fabric, or sanding might exist, a quick wipe-down routine helps the bed stay smooth
and quiet.

6) Guests love itif you’ve planned for them

In a creative studio, guests often feel unsure where to put their bag, shoes, or coat because everything looks like
“it might be part of a project.” A couple of obvious landing spotshooks, a small tray, one clear shelfturn the
Murphy bed from a novelty into hospitality. If the bed is a twin, consider where a second sleeper would go (or be
honest and keep it as a one-guest-at-a-time space).

7) The best studios treat furniture like a toolkit

The Remodelista example leans into moveable pieces, and that’s exactly what lived-in studio life rewards. A rolling
cart for supplies, a stool that tucks under a desk, a table that can shift from dining to workthese items help you
adapt without clutter. The goal isn’t to own less for the sake of minimalism; it’s to own smarter so the
room can switch roles without drama.

Bottom line: a Murphy bed can be a game-changer in a studio makeover, but the win isn’t the bed itselfit’s the way
it forces you to create a system. And once you have a system, a small studio stops feeling like a compromise and
starts feeling like a well-run creative headquarters. With better sleep. And fewer bruises from walking into a
chair you moved “temporarily” three weeks ago.