Studio Apartment vs One Bedroom Apartment

Apartment hunting can be an exciting experience for most people. With so many different apartment styles to choose from, there’s no shortage of unique setups to imagine yourself living in.

Many singles and couples have developed a preference for living in small apartment spaces due to the relatively low cost of rent and ease of maintenance.

Among these choices are studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments.

Studio apartments are unique because their kitchen, living room, and bedroom all exist within a single room.

A one-bedroom apartment on the other hand features a bedroom that is separate from the kitchen and living room areas.

However, there are many other differences between the two.

Let’s compare these two apartment styles in more detail.

Table of Contents

What is a Studio Apartment?

In a studio apartment, the layout is such that it combines the bedroom, kitchen, living room, and dining space into a single large room.

Some people assume that the term “studio apartment” refers to an apartment that is small in size. However, these living spaces are classified based on their layout, as opposed to their size.

In ordinary apartments, the bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and dining room are typically separated by walls. However, such an arrangement can be difficult to fit into an apartment with limited space.

In these situations, property owners will need to reduce the number of rooms in the unit. Alternatively, they can combine various rooms to offer a more integrated living space.

This is where the concept of the studio apartment comes in.

This enables residents to enjoy the functions of each room type without taking up additional space.

Also read: Is a Studio Apartment Good for a Couple?

What is a One Bedroom Apartment

A one-bedroom apartment is simply an apartment space with a single bedroom that is separate from the kitchen and living room areas.

The non-bedroom portions in the unit can be individual rooms, or they may be combined, similar to a studio apartment.

These apartments make efficient use of compact space, but also allow residents to enjoy the privacy and comforts of a separate bedroom.

Let’s compare some of the other differences between studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments.

Size

There are no set criteria for how large or small a studio and one-bedroom apartments should be.

However, we can compare the average size of each type to get a better understanding of how compact they are.

Unfortunately, the data regarding apartment sizes are limited, so the following numbers may not be exact.

The average size of a studio apartment in the United States is believed to be between 500 and 600 square feet.

On the other hand, the average size of a one-bedroom apartment is around 604 square feet.

This means a one-bedroom apartment is likely to be larger than a studio apartment; however, there may be many instances where the latter is larger in size.

Privacy

In terms of privacy, a one-bedroom apartment is a much better option than a studio apartment.

Having a separate bedroom gives residents a chance to get away from the other living areas in the unit.

Conversely, with a studio apartment, residents have no choice but to reside within a single room.

It should be noted that both one-bedroom apartments and studio apartments feature bathrooms that are separated from the other rooms, so residents of either apartment type can take a break from the other room or rooms if they need to.

Number of Occupants

There is no given limit to how many residents you can fit into a single apartment. What usually matters is whether or not each occupant is living comfortably.

Both studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments are generally designed to accommodate one or two residents.

A couple may be just as comfortable living in a one-bedroom apartment as they are with a studio apartment.

However, the one-bedroom apartment may be able to accommodate additional residents temporarily. This is because the living room can be used to fit a bed or a pull-out couch.

Couples living in studio apartments do not enjoy this privilege, as there will be limited space for an additional bed.

As a result, studio apartments can’t accommodate more than two people comfortably at once.

Maintenance

There may be differences in the amount of cleaning required to maintain each of these apartment types.

A studio apartment may be easier to clean as everything is confined to a single room.

However, this also means that your entire apartment may get dirtier faster, given that the entire living space will be used regularly.

Conversely, a one-bedroom apartment may not get dirty as frequently, as most activities will be confined to one or two rooms.

However, cleaning your entire space could take more time, as each room will need to be cleaned individually.

Rent

The aforementioned size difference may lead you to believe that a one-bedroom apartment is more expensive to rent than a studio apartment.

However, it has been observed that the median rent for one-bedroom apartments varies between $1,171 and $3,600. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,621.

There was no available information for the median rent of studio apartments across the United States. However, the aforementioned source mentions that the average rent for a studio apartment is $1,691.

This implies that a studio apartment is slightly more expensive to rent than a one-bedroom.

This trend may seem strange. After all, a one-bedroom appears to offer many advantages over a studio apartment.

The reason for this price difference may lie in the fact that studio apartments are generally built in metropolitan areas and are located closer to job centers than one-bedroom apartments.

The increased demand for studio apartments in these areas may be pushing their rent up so that they are higher compared to one-bedroom units.

Also read: Apartment vs Villa – Which is Better?

Which Apartment Type Is Right for Me?

Picking between a one-bedroom apartment and a studio apartment can be tricky. However, you can make this process easier by assessing your needs and financial situation.

If you are a single person that wishes to move to an apartment unit, a one-bedroom or a studio apartment are both great options.

If you do not mind having your kitchen, living room, and bedroom in the same area, a studio apartment can seem like an attractive option.

However, many people are reluctant to have their kitchen and sleeping area so close together, as they are used for different activities.

Some do not want the scent of food from the kitchen area to be prominent around their bed. Unfortunately, with a studio apartment, you may not have a choice.

You can try moving your bed to the opposite side of the room, but it may still feel close to your kitchen.

A one-bedroom apartment gives you a chance to get away from the kitchen and living room when you are sleeping.

This means other residents can use these spaces without disturbing others resting in the bedroom. A one-bedroom apartment may also be a good option if you host guests regularly.

If your friends or parents are coming into town to stay with you, you may be able to accommodate them by setting up a bed or pull out a couch in the living room.

As you can see, both one-bedroom and studio units offer their distinct advantages and drawbacks. Remember to keep these points in mind the next time you go apartment hunting.

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