Getting the Most Space Out of Your Bachelor Apartment Rental
Posted on October 31, 2009
Filed Under Apartment Living | 18 Comments
Renting a bachelor or studio apartment is a great choice, especially for students and young professionals, as these apartments can be incredibly affordable and convenient. Despite these advantages, however, many potential renters still can’t get over the lack of living space available in a bachelor apartment for rent.
Yes, the apartment might be small (compared to other one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments), but that doesn’t mean you have to think small! Here are just a few of the things you can do to open up the space and make your bachelor apartment look bigger than it really is:
Simplify Your Life
If it’s your first time renting a bachelor apartment, you’ll probably have to take a hard look at everything you own and decide what you really need to bring with you to your new apartment. Remember, space is at a premium – there’s no room for extra junk that will just sit around.
Put a higher priority on items that can save space by performing multiple functions. For starters, consider your bed. Is there enough room in your apartment for both a bed and a couch? Or would you be making better use of your space by combining the two items with a futon or convertible sofa?
While you can’t bring everything you own into your new apartment, you can keep it elsewhere. Many apartment buildings have onsite storage lockers, and most cities have numerous self-storage facilities to choose from.
Stack ‘Em Up
When it comes to making more space in your apartment rental, stacking is key. For example, if you decide to keep your regular bed, try putting it on risers and buying a set of under-the-bed storage containers – doing so will save space on your shelves as well as in your dresser and closets.
Speaking of the closet, stacking is key here, too. Adding multi-tiered shelves will give you more space for towels, shoes, and well, pretty much anything. Adding a behind-the-door organizer that hooks onto the top of your closet door will also give you a multitude of options with minimal space requirements.
As an extension to the stacking concept, you could also install a shelf that runs along the wall through your entire apartment (be sure to ask your landlord or building superintendent before doing any serious installations, of course). This type of shelf is great for storing books or various knick-knacks at eye level, simultaneously showing off your collections while keeping them from being cluttered elsewhere.
Keep It Clean
Of course, it’s important not to add too much to the walls – if there isn’t enough empty space, the room will feel crowded and small (even if the space is technically being put to good to use). Instead of cluttering the walls with shelf after shelf, you might also want to try to use mirrors and lighting, which will make the apartment appear bigger and brighter.
Living and Working from a Bachelor Apartment
Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small business owner, turning your studio apartment into viable office space is extremely important.
An efficient home office doesn’t have to be in its own separate room. Both desktop and laptop computers are getting smaller, and cell phones are becoming more and more versatile. Wireless technology is quickly becoming the norm, meaning you can fit your equipment anywhere it needs to go – even into the smallest of makeshift workspaces.
You might not have room for a full-size desk inside your bachelor apartment. No need to worry – you can set up a drop-leaf table with a chair alongside it. When you’re ready to work, just open up the table, pull up the chair, and turn on your laptop.
If you need to borrow space from a bedroom, it’s important to separate your work life from your home life. You can do this by tucking your laptop into an armoire, or by setting up a folding screen or room divider between your desk and your bed.
In the end, creating more space in a bachelor apartment is all about making some sacrifices, thinking smarter, and being creative. And remember, it’s not how big the space is – it’s what you do with it that counts.
Watch the video related to studio apartment living
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Help answer the question about studio apartment living
please suggest how to decorate and organise a studio apartment. 500 Sq ft and we are two ppl living there…?I have been living in a studio for 6 months and have just renwed the contract for another year… i am constantly stuggling to organise things and decorate the place… as it is quite small and easy to move around the furniture i like to give it a new look every 3-4 months…
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18 Responses to “Getting the Most Space Out of Your Bachelor Apartment Rental”
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nice———we have a frog fo the kit.
400sq ft is pretty good for a single person its bigger than most r.v.s. amd doen’t roll. you can do alot with the space if you know how,
There is no standard percentage. Some floor plans are much more efficient than others- lack hallways and such. Besides there are a lot of people that want a huge part of the square footage in the kitchen and bath.
no roommate. it would be a bit arkward to share such a small space with a friend.
Rent in most big cities can be really expensive. If you're single, then a studio is the cheapest way to live.
Yes, it's uncomfortable, but that's the price to pay for the luxury of living in the city.
I live in Toronto, and rents are sky-high in the downtown area. I live in a small one-bedroom. It's really small (not a studio though), but I wouldn't give up the size if it meant giving up my location. I love my neighborhood, and if I had to choose a studio to be able to live here I would.
were i live you can get one for $160-$205 i don’t pay for heat either since i have a space heater. so utilities is just water and electricity. so about an extra $60 a month
$80 electric
$20 water if it is not included in rent
$25 telephone
$25 cable tv
$10 dial-up internet; $40 cable internet
$200 groceries (after you have done your initial shopping trip to get bags of sugar and flour and rice)
$20 gas if your apartment offers gas utilities
$50 gas for your car
nice man. u livin that GOOOOD life. lol
From experience:
-Rent is cheaper
-Furnishing is easier
-Utilities are less
BUT, you must be willing to live in a space that requires absolute organization. With all living space combined, you need to maintain order..i.e. don't leave out leftover pizza all night, or it will be an unpleasant wakeup call!
Ikea.
You want a smaller breed that is low-energy. And one that doesn't bark a lot (because that will annoy your neighbors). A lot of apartments have weight or size restrictions on dogs too, so I'd find out what the rules are at the apartment before getting one.
Some smallish low energy breeds are:
French Bulldogs
English Bulldogs
Italian Greyhounds
Other breeds that could be good are:
Pugs (not high energy and don't bark a lot)
Some types of Spaniels like Cocker Spaniels or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Chihuahua
Papillion
Whippet
Just stay away from any type of "terrier" dog since they bark a whole lot. That includes Beagles.
Animal Planet has a "dog breed selector" tool where you can answer questions and they'll tell you what type of dog is best for you:
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do
If your only fear is the dark, you can keep nightlights going, and you'd be fine. But if your fear is really more about being alone, then I'd strongly suggest you get an apartment share.
Why torture yourself? You can get your own room in an apartment shared with other people, have a bit of privacy, but still have the security of the others being around you.
Thanks! I’ll message you.
It depends on how much you eat and what you buy. What about utilities or a phone? Be sure you allow yourself enough money to live on and go places and buy those things you want and need. Good luck. . .And remember prices are going up and going up fast.
That is a GREAT deal, in Sydney a $240 studio gets you an old run down studio with a shitty 1940’s kitchen and old floorboards. One like yours here would be round $300, and that would be in a hald decent area
Yo! UR crib is nIcE!
wow, very nice!!
That looks amazin. im trying to get a studio here in Sydney but there really pricey and tiny, how much do you per week there in the states?