Recently I was talking to a friend about my Airbnb. He’s thinking about adding his 50 sqm one bedroom apartment to the platform and wanted to some insights. My friend then mentioned that he didn’t understand how people could live in such small spaces. But his tenant, of ten years, loves it. So how small is too small when it comes to apartment living?
What’s your lifestyle?
When I lived in London I lived in bedsits. This is literally one room with a kitchenette, bed, wardrobe, table and chairs. That’s it. In one place I stayed, I had to share a bathroom. But in another bedsit I had my own bathroom. I thought it was super luxurious to have my own bathroom.
But I wasn’t home much. So it didn’t matter how big or small my place was. I just need a bed. I need a place to shower and get dressed. I want to make a quick cuppa and head out for the day.
It’s not unusual for people living in London to leave home at 7.30am to head off to work and come home after last drinks from the pub around 11pm.
In Australia cities our lifestyles vary. If you spend more time outside than inside, you don’t need a big home.
So when considering apartment living and the size of an apartment whether renting or buying consider your lifestyle. Are you out a lot? Or do you like to stay home?
This could be the difference between an extrovert or introvert as to whether a small apartment is for you.
Furniture & cooking in an apartment
When I was looking to buy an apartment in 2022, I saw a lots of so called dog boxes. With small bedrooms that hardly fit a double sized bed and two bedside tables.
The wardrobes were so small I knew I couldn’t fit all my summer and winter clothes in it. There was limited space to store linen and towels, even a vacuum cleaner.
In one of my apartment living projects (link) the client wanted to renovate their kitchen. One of the functional problems with the kitchen was the sink was too small for their largest pot. It didn’t suite their cooking style.
Love cooking? Then make sure the apartment kitchen has standard size sinks. Check for drawers, cupboards, and shelves. Make sure there is some benchtop space for preparation.
If you have a lot of clothes, you might need to check if there’s enough room in your apartment. Consider getting a free standing wardrobe.
You might also have to forgo big beds and sofas. Even if you could fit a big bed or sofa in your apartment, you need to consider other things. Would this piece fit in the lift or stairwell? Can it pass through the doorway to be moved into the apartment?
Apartment living by choice
There is a supply and demand housing issue in Australia. Apartment living is becoming a good choice for many people. This includes young families, singles, and downsizers.
I think living in an apartment can be great. However, we can’t expect to live in an apartment the same way. Living in a standard 3 bedroom house in the ‘burbs is different.
Our lifestyle, furniture and storage expectations need to be taken into account. We know that in Tokyo homes are small. We’ve also seen teeny tiny places on Insta in Paris and New York.
How small is too small when it comes to apartment living, depends on your lifestyle, furniture, stuff and cooking style. But less is more and small can be beautiful, so maybe it’s time to embrace apartment living.
Cover Photo by Benjamin Salvatore on Unsplash
