Apartment set-up - for family visiting from India.

neha1 · Jan 24, 2012

We live in a one bedroom apartment and we have family members visiting us this year(my parents and husband's too).

I would like to get ideas on how to set up a one bedroom apartment so that all of us can have privacy. My FIL actually uses one who room to himself, reading newspaper or other books. He can lay in that room for almost 24 hours but we don't have a separate room to spare. The family members might be here for 2-3 months

any one who entertained family members/any ideas? It is way to expensive for us to rent a 2 bedroom, rent for a one bedroom in my city is $1500.

navs23 · Jan 25, 2012

Neha,
If the living room is spacious, you can try using something like a space divider/room divider and set up a futon there(for your father in law), so it would pretty much be like a room. The others might have to adjust with the rest of the living room and bed room. Do you have a dining hall included(some living rooms in 1 bedroom apartments are L shaped), if so, you can remove the table and again put up a divider and use it as a room. A room divider(cheap one) costs about $150 to $200, but will definitely help with giving a separate space temporarily. Attached pictures of room dividers, just for an idea.

neha1 · Jan 27, 2012

Navs,
Thanks for those pics! Really gave me ideas.
I don't have any separate dining hall. It is the kitchen, then the living room, finally the bedroom and the bath is on the other side. Just one bath.

I'm going to keep the room divider idea in my mind and will, in the meanwhile, wait for more suggestions too. Thanks

navs23 said: ↑

Neha,
If the living room is spacious, you can try using something like a space divider/room divider and set up a futon there(for your father in law), so it would pretty much be like a room. The others might have to adjust with the rest of the living room and bed room. Do you have a dining hall included(some living rooms in 1 bedroom apartments are L shaped), if so, you can remove the table and again put up a divider and use it as a room. A room divider(cheap one) costs about $150 to $200, but will definitely help with giving a separate space temporarily. Attached pictures of room dividers, just for an idea.
View attachment 148420
View attachment 148421
Click to expand...

SAKS007 · Jan 28, 2012

navs23 said: ↑

neha,
if the living room is spacious, you can try using something like a space divider/room divider and set up a futon there(for your father in law), so it would pretty much be like a room. The others might have to adjust with the rest of the living room and bed room. Do you have a dining hall included(some living rooms in 1 bedroom apartments are l shaped), if so, you can remove the table and again put up a divider and use it as a room. A room divider(cheap one) costs about $150 to $200, but will definitely help with giving a separate space temporarily. Attached pictures of room dividers, just for an idea.
Click to expand...

good suggestion thanks

Ami · Jan 28, 2012

Hello navs,

Could yu tell where can I find these kind of room dividers? Looking for one to the pooja room.

Thanks.

Srama · Jan 29, 2012

Hey Neha, as bad/odd as this may sound, I have to put it out there, the first suggestion I mean. I don't know the duration of their stay, so here I go -

1. May be for a short period of time, it may not be a bad idea for all you girls to sleep in the bedroom and the guys in the living room - I am just suggesting this assuming your mom/MIL may feel uncomfortable to sleep in the room with other men

2. Room dividers is a great idea - perhaps you should think of separating your bedroom like this and give one half to each set of parents. Hubby and you use the living room.

You can also consider hanging nails (U) from ceiling and tie a thread across and hang curtains.

3. In either case, can you make a corner either in the living room or kitchen where there is a dining table for your FIL to have a nice rocker with a small table next to it so that he may feel comfortable in his spot.

4. Bathroom, you have no choice so you and DH may want to be up and done before the others wake up so that it does not feel that rushed.

5. Of course you need sleeping bags and looks like you need to be on your toes cleaning up all this even if your mom/MIL do the cooking - just so that all of you don't feel crowded.

6. It would be great to remove anything that you think is not useful and pack it away for time being - this will make the space open up.

All said and done, this is just one part of adjustment. I am sure you will work it out - best wishes and have a fantabulous time.

neha1 · Jan 30, 2012

You can it in any frniture stores, even the local ones. Ikea and target also have some.

neha1 · Jan 30, 2012

Thank You Srama!
Well, we might have them for a good 2-3 months. So may not be a good idea for me and Dh to sleep separately!
Also, we are not having both sets of parents at one time( NO WAY!! )

First it would be husband's family for a couple of months and them mine.
I think I will have to put up dividers or a curtain in one part of the living room, so that there is some privacy for the person who wants to be in that part of the room.
I really like my Husband's family and would want the family members to be cozy!. Same goes for my family.

Srama said: ↑

Hey Neha, as bad/odd as this may sound, I have to put it out there, the first suggestion I mean. I don't know the duration of their stay, so here I go -

1. May be for a short period of time, it may not be a bad idea for all you girls to sleep in the bedroom and the guys in the living room - I am just suggesting this assuming your mom/MIL may feel uncomfortable to sleep in the room with other men

2. Room dividers is a great idea - perhaps you should think of separating your bedroom like this and give one half to each set of parents. Hubby and you use the living room.

You can also consider hanging nails (U) from ceiling and tie a thread across and hang curtains.

3. In either case, can you make a corner either in the living room or kitchen where there is a dining table for your FIL to have a nice rocker with a small table next to it so that he may feel comfortable in his spot.

4. Bathroom, you have no choice so you and DH may want to be up and done before the others wake up so that it does not feel that rushed.

5. Of course you need sleeping bags and looks like you need to be on your toes cleaning up all this even if your mom/MIL do the cooking - just so that all of you don't feel crowded.

6. It would be great to remove anything that you think is not useful and pack it away for time being - this will make the space open up.

All said and done, this is just one part of adjustment. I am sure you will work it out - best wishes and have a fantabulous time.
Click to expand...

Srama · Jan 31, 2012

Oh Neha, then there is no problem is there? I assumed it was all of them visitinig together! I am sure you can continue using your bedroom and create some space for your inlaws/parents in the living room. If your dining room is even a teeny weeny bit away from kitchen, you can think of converting that for that cozy space.

Of course you must have a good time with family - both that of your inlaws and yours as well. It is nice that you are trying to make it nice for them. Enjoy!