Yes thats a GREAT idea, I have a 1 bedroom apt as well and thats what I did with peanut. I just got him a xpen an set him up on some tile with a bed, blanket toys and food and a chew toy (nylabone or kong) and the pad on one half and the other half was all this stuff,and he figured it out. Then when I was home I would just put his pads in the corner and take him there every so often and soon enough he got the hang of it
its a lot of time and frustration but WELL WORTH IT Good luck!!! and congrats!! cant wait to see your new baby