Searching for an apartment—even a small apartment, such as a studio or one-bedroom unit—is no easy feat. From the location to the price, renting versus buying, there’s much to consider. The most critical first step is to decide which type of apartment you’re after. On the smaller side, you have two options in terms of layout: a studio (in which the sleeping quarters are part of a multi-functional main room) or a one-bedroom apartment, where the bedroom is separate from the living area. Which works best for your lifestyle? Ahead, we’ve laid out everything you need to know about the two options to get you one step closer to moving into your new home.
What is a studio apartment?
A studio apartment is defined as “a small apartment consisting typically of a main room, kitchenette, and bathroom,” according to Merriam-Webster. The layout is an embrace of the open floor plan, because the main room often serves as the bedroom, living room, dining room, and sometimes kitchen—all in one space. Through your furniture layout and decor hacks, you can better define these spaces into functional zones.
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Studio apartments can range in size, but they’re generally between 300 to 600 square feet. They can certainly be bigger or smaller. Some smaller New York City studios exist without a bathroom inside of the apartment and, instead, have a shared one for the floor.
What is a one-bedroom apartment?
A one-bedroom apartment is exactly as the name suggests: an apartment with one bedroom in addition to a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. With more walls than a studio, a one-bedroom offers a clear separation between the sleeping area and those spaces. There’s also a chance you’ll have a bigger or even built-out dining area (like a kitchen bar) and more closets. Which especially large and small one-bedrooms exist, a typical layout ranges from the size of a large studio to closer to 1,000 square feet.
What should you consider when deciding between a studio or a one-bedroom apartment?
Size, price, and location are some of the main factors guiding your decision about any apartment. When comparing a studio and a one-bedroom apartment, the difference in size depends on your personal needs, like if you plan to share the space with a partner or pet or simply need more storage space. When it comes to the price, one-bedroom apartments cost more on average than studios. They also produce higher utility bills, since you’ll have more space to heat or cool. The location can affect both the size and the price. What you might pay for a large one-bedroom in a suburb might be the same price as what you might pay for a small studio in a big city.
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Along with those main factors, it’s crucial to understand the benefits of living in a studio and a one-bedroom apartment to figure out which type is best for you.
Privacy
Living in a studio apartment often means where you sleep is also where you eat, hang out, and maybe even work. In a one-bedroom apartment, you have a dedicated space for sleeping and a separate one for living, dining, and more. The separation a one-bedroom apartment provides can be ideal for a variety of reasons, including taking a work-from-home call at the same time as your significant other or hosting dinner parties.
If you live alone and don’t host a lot of social gatherings, one room might give you all of the privacy you need. Or if you prefer to have a couple of friends over and don’t mind hosting in a space that’s technically also your bedroom, then a studio can be right for you. Plus, there are plenty of design hacks to gain privacy, like using a folding screen to close off your bed from the rest of the living room.
Amenities
One-bedroom apartments can feature some in-unit amenities that may not fit in a studio, including in-unit laundry, more closet space, full-size appliances, and extra cabinetry. Some studios can have all of that, while others might lack appliances like a dishwasher or have smaller versions. Some buildings have shared laundry rooms, which might make a nice alternative to in-unit laundry.
While it’s rare to find an apartment that checks off all of your boxes, determine which amenities are really important to you and which ones you can do without. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for within either apartment type if you’re willing to compromise on some other factors.
Lifestyle
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When deciding between a studio or a one-bedroom apartment, consider how much time you’ll spend in the apartment. Will you only be signing for a year? Do you travel a lot for work or vacation? If you’re in a short-term rental or travel a lot, having a big space might not matter as much compared to if you spent most of your time at home.
If you like to entertain, you’ll want to think about what you want those spaces to look like. Will you need a sizable dinner table or a layout that can accommodate a TV premiere viewing party? Both a studio and one-bedroom apartment can technically work for entertaining, so it’s up to your preferred layout and size.
Is a studio or one-bedroom apartment better?
It’s all about personal preferences and budget. What works for one renter might not work for another renter. No matter what type of apartment you select, it’ll surely make a big impact on your lifestyle.
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Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens