Making Art and Room in a Brooklyn Studio Apartment
Apartment Therapy recently showcased Josh Ayala’s 500-square-foot studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. A painter and art director, Josh needed his home to function as a living room, bedroom, art studio, and workspace. By incorporating Resource Furniture’s bestselling Penelope Desk wall bed, he transformed his studio into a flexible, multi-use environment that adapts effortlessly throughout the day, maximizing functionality without compromising on style.
Why a Murphy Bed Was the Perfect Fit for Josh’s Studio
In space-starved New York City, every square foot counts. Josh realized this as soon as he saw the layout of his new studio apartment. He measured the space and planned to install a Murphy bed even before moving in. “I knew that I wanted a Murphy bed,” he recalls of that early decision.
For him, the appeal was all about flexibility. As an artist, he needed his bedroom to double as a studio by day. “It makes my studio space so much bigger to be able to put my bed up and have a work desk where I can paint and draw,” Josh explains. When friends visit, tucking the bed away makes the apartment feel “a little bit more cozy” for hanging out. Josh’s experience shows why a Murphy bed for small apartments is such a game-changer: it instantly frees up floor space and lets one room serve multiple purposes.
Customizing the Penelope Wall Bed
When it came time to choose the exact model, Josh went with Resource Furniture’s Penelope Desk wall bed, a queen-size Murphy bed that also features an integrated work surface. He felt its dimensions and design were the perfect match for his needs. “The sizing for the bed was right – a queen size,” Josh says, explaining that having a generous mattress size was important, even in a small space. He also loved that the Penelope offered an optional desk. “I wanted to use the other component for work and drawing,” he notes.
Another big draw was the ability to customize the wall bed unit with extra storage. “I wanted storage in my wall unit since my studio has only one real closet,” Josh explains. Resource Furniture’s offering stood out in this regard: “Other companies… just offered the bed, sort of like a generic Murphy bed,” he recalls. With Resource Furniture, he was able to tailor everything to his needs – from adding shelving to choosing finishes – rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all solution.
Josh visited Resource Furniture’s New York City showroom to try out various designs in person and ensure the Penelope was the right fit. From there, everything went smoothly: the team measured his wall, drafted a custom layout, and handled delivery and installation. “It was super seamless,” Josh says of the process. The installers had the bed set up in just a couple of hours, so he was up and running in no time.
A Studio That Does It All
For day-to-day living, Josh finds the wall bed simple to use. He doesn’t always fold it away each morning-–only when he needs the extra floor space for a project. “Usually I put it up when I need to make room for work,” he says—for instance, when he’s in the middle of a painting.
And when it is time to sleep, the wall bed doesn’t skimp on comfort. Josh admits he initially worried a seven-inch mattress might not be ideal, but those fears quickly disappeared. “Honestly, it’s way more comfortable than a lot of those super plushy mattresses—my back is supported,” he shares.
Josh’s space-saving setup has even inspired others to rethink their own homes. Friends, family, and social media followers have been amazed at how his bed disappears to create a multi-purpose room. “I would say my Murphy Bed is the most unique thing about my home. It allows me to convert my apartment into my own mini art studio where I can work on my paintings and drawings, do work, and open up my space when family and friends come over,” Josh told Apartment Therapy. “It allows me to make the most out of my small space.”
Encouraged by the response, he started an Instagram account (@lejoshhome) to document his apartment’s transformation and share ideas with fellow small-space dwellers. In just 500 square feet, he’s managed to fit a bedroom, living room, home office, and art studio all in one, a true testament to creative, space-saving design.
Ready to maximize your own small space? Our team at Resource Furniture is here to help you find smart, stylish solutions that work for the way you live. Stop by a showroom or reach out to explore our collection of modern Murphy beds and multifunctional pieces, and see how a few thoughtful choices can completely transform your home.
