Are you looking for a more straightforward and more sustainable way of living?
If yes! Then, I welcome you to the world of small dwellings. These homes are tiny but blend various elements, including functionality, charm, and innovation.
Thus, it has become popular with students and young working adults. One such small dwelling is known as an efficiency apartment. These apartments usually have simple floor planning and strip-down amenities.
If you want to rent a small and livable space under your budget, go for efficiency apartments.
An efficiency apartment usually contains everything in one room, be it your bedroom, kitchen, or dining area.
Yes! I know what you are thinking. It does sound like studio apartments. It does have some similarities. However, there are a lot of factors that make them different from one another.
In this blog, I will help you explore everything about the efficiency apartment you must know before deciding or choosing one.
What Is An Efficiency Apartment?
An efficiency apartment is a single room with an open space to cook and sleep. It comes with a lounge as well. No proper wall in the room can separate the sections from one another.
But don’t worry, that isn’t the same for the bathroom. That is the one space separated by the walls.
This might sound like a studio apartment, but that’s not the case. The only difference is the kitchen part. On one side, the studio apartments have a complete kitchen setup. However, the efficiency apartments have kitchenettes.
A proper kitchenette in a studio apartment usually contains a mini fridge, a stovetop with one or two burners, and a few appliances.
But that doesn’t mean that the sizes are not sufficient for you! An efficiency apartment comes with better quality items and affordable prices.
What Are The Differences Between An Efficiency Apartment And A Studio Apartment?
There are a lot of things that make an efficiency apartment different than a studio. Even though you can use the two terms interchangeably in the real estate industry, the differences matter during the time of real estate listing.
In general, what you call an efficiency apartment is what I can call a studio. I will provide the critical differences between a studio and an efficiency apartment In the following.
Size
When it comes to studio apartments, the size is generally between 400 and 700. However, it can be larger or smaller as needed.
On the other hand, the efficiency apartments are less than 400 square feet.
Layout
You will find small designated areas for sleeping, working, and cooking in a studio apartment. However, you may not find any regions designated in an efficiency apartment.
But, yes, you can transform your spaces based on your needs. For example, you can quickly turn your bedroom into a living room just by making a few changes.
Bathroom
You may find a full-size or smaller bathroom in a studio apartment. Some of them even have a bathtub in them. On the other hand, the efficiency apartments have a three-quarter bathroom consisting of a shower stall.
Kitchen
Studio apartments offer almost an apartment-sized kitchen, comprising all the standard features. It includes a half to full-size oven, refrigerator, and small counter spaces. Moreover, there are a lot of studio apartments where a wall separates the kitchen.
On the other hand, efficiency apartments usually have kitchenettes and all kinds of alternatives to the standard features. For example, you may find a two-burner stove, a mini fridge, etc. All of these are incorporated into the living area.
Storage
The studio apartments often include one or two closets. However, when it comes to efficiency apartments, they may or may not come with a closet.
Occupancy
The studio apartments are primarily suitable for a couple or a pair of roommates who can live well. On the other hand, efficiency apartments are ideal for a single person or couple who prefers living a very minimal lifestyle.
The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Efficiency Apartment
Like any other housing and real estate, the efficiency apartments also come with certain advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- First of all, if you are planning to rent an efficiency apartment, it will allow you to live alone in a proper location at a very reasonable price. Usually, the rents are lower than the single housing types.
- The utility costs are minimal. So you won’t have to spend much per square footage.
- The efficiency apartments are straightforward to clean because there is not much space that you will have to clean.
Disadvantages
- Do you love cooking? Then, the kitchen of an efficiency apartment can be a significant drawback for you. In general, the efficiency apartments provide you with minimal kitchen space.
There can be instances where you may find yourself cooking without any kitchen counter. If you plan to have some good food, you might spend your money on restaurant food.
- Efficiency apartments offer you tiny square feet. This means you may have little storage space. So, you might have to pay for a storage extension for your extra things.
- If you have claustrophobia, efficiency apartments are not the perfect option for you. There is also a very minimal space, which leads to a need for more privacy.
Now, if you have some guests coming over, then you may need more space to entertain them properly.
Should I Go For An Efficiency Apartment?
Knowing about the advantages and disadvantages of an efficiency apartment is the first and foremost step.
Once you get the proper knowledge about it, the next thing you must do is to understand how they can make an impact on your buying decision.
If you already have a lot of furniture, you may opt for a larger apartment. The same goes for your privacy needs. If you have a roommate, spouse, or children, then an efficiency apartment might not be the perfect option for you.
However, there are a lot of students, recent graduates, young adults, and even first-time renters who prefer renting an efficiency apartment. For them, the efficiency apartments are both practical and cost-effective.
On top of that, efficiency apartments are also an ideal option for busy business professionals. If you are a person who travels a lot for work purposes and does not want a home to keep up, efficiency apartments are perfect for them.
How To Find An Efficiency Apartment?
There are a lot of potential ways to find efficiency apartments, such as:
Online Search
You can use different search engine platforms, such as Apartment.com, where you can search for different efficiency apartments in your area. Other than that, you can also look for various communities that specialize in micro-sized apartments.
They often have their own websites. It will be easier for you to check their websites and find the perfect efficiency apartments that suit your needs.
Additionally, when you are searching online, try out keywords like “efficiency apartments for rent.” This can make the process easier for you.
Asking Questions
You can find professional leasing managers and real estate professionals who know a lot about efficiency apartments. You can let them know about your choices and preferences, based on which they can help you find a suitable, efficiency apartment for you.
Photos
Photos often play a crucial role when you are looking for a rental space. You can look at the amenities and features and check if that is what is going to satisfy your daily needs.
Kitchens are the most essential part of an efficiency apartment. So, through the photos, you can check the kitchens to see if that is an efficiency apartment or not.
Final Thoughts
An efficiency apartment only works for some. If a person requires excess space or prefers cooking a lot, then efficiency apartments might be better for you.
However, if you love having your own space, a little privacy, and better living under a limited budget, then an efficiency apartment is the best option for you. Yes! It is true that there are certain limitations, but if your mindset is to live frugally, then efficiency apartments are THE ONE for you.
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