Compact Apartment Studio

What is a Compact Apartment Studio:

As the name suggests it is a very compact unit i.e. very tiny and is used as a working studio as well as a residential apartment. You work and live in the same place. Which would've been normal because some do that on regular basis but it's not, as this is not a normal flat, it's a compact flat. In very simple words, it's a small space designed to accommodate every day to day activity of the residents living there.  

They are not so small that you might feel claustrophobic. They are around 23 sq.m. to 65 sq.m. in area. They are usually open floor plans meaning no internal walls. The spaces are divided by curtains, sliding doors or screens. They consists of spaces like living area, working area, kitchen area, toilet block and you could fit in much more spaces if you want/can. They are not the same as 1bhk flats because in 1bhk, you have different rooms for living room, kitchen and bedroom, whereas in compact apartment studio, you just have just one room and you allocate the spaces in that room as per your needs.

They are very minimalistic and cozy looking. If designed properly will function outstandingly. These are low risk apartments with low investment and still luxurious looking and have the sense of homeliness. They are the trend in modern days for people usually living alone away from home for work purposes or educational purposes. 

Need:

What is the need of such tiny apartments? 

• We need them in places where even 30sq.m. of area costs a fortune. Let's say Mumbai, you have to sell your soul to get a decent looking flat where your kitchen is overlapping with your bathroom. 
• We need them in areas where there is shortage of space. You cannot possibly make the apartments spacious if you don't have the space required to increase the footprint. Like places with increasing population, increasing demands of houses but the ground coverage still remaining the same if anything decreasing, thanks to global warming. 
• We need them for people who prefer small, cozy places instead of big apartments with unnecessary spaces. They are very aesthetic looking compared to huge ass normal flats. 
• We need them for people who are staying alone and don't really require bigger apartments. Best suited for introverts. Easier to avoid guest when you literally don't have the space to fit them in.  
• They consume less power, meaning less bills. Therefore, budget friendly. 
• Less maintenance for lesser space. Less cleaning work, less furniture, less everything. 
• Affordable prices than 1bhk. Although, price may vary from place to place. 

Aesthetic:

This studios can be so aesthetic looking but only with proper interior designing. These places function so efficiently. You can have all the facilities you want whether it's a bathtub or a lavish bay window. You just have to make a very good choice in the interior designer and you are all set. Pick someone who has worked with such projects before and make sure you have looked at their work before choosing because the wrong choice will haunt you for a long time. The space is tiny as it is, even one fault will ruin the whole apartment for you. 

You can add lots of convertibles to use one space for multiple purposes and you can have hidden storage beneath the bed or bed that can roll up to free up space or kitchen counter that turns into working table top. Partition walls to divide sleeping area from kitchen, also gives a bit of privacy. A lot of such techniques will help you save space and can be useful for utilizing one space for various needs Having hidden storage is the key. It's better to have all the mess not visible to anyone. This helps in making the compact unit look spacious. Will not recommend this life style if you plan on moving here with a messy toddler. You'll never be at peace with all the toys and shit laying around all the time. 

A subtle color palette will make the place much more attractive. The right choice will act as a cherry on top and enhance the whole look of apartment. People usually go with subtle pastel colors for these kind of units. Avoid ornamentation because even your basic appurtenances like bed and table will make the place crowded so adding decorative ornament will make the space feel stuffy and suffocated. These units will turn very aesthetic with right choice in color palette, material palette, furniture. For reference, you can search "Compact Apartment Studio" on Pinterest, you will find some very aesthetic anxiety calming pictures.  

Drawbacks:

What are some of the disadvantages of such apartments:

• Very obvious one being that the space is small, you have very little functional area to work with restricting activities. 
• You may go wrong with the interior design, and face functional errors that will mess with your day to day activities. 
• If you have convertible furniture then you have to put in that effort everyday. 
• Very small though wrong decisions will ruin the look of whole apartment. 
• Cannot afford more people in case of guests. 
• Privacy will be an issue if more than an individual is coexisting. 
• Not suited for bigger families. 

Where:

They are found in almost every country of world. They are called different things in different parts of world. Some examples are Italy - Monolocale, Brazil - Quitnete, Canada - Bachelorette, Japan -1R, Jamaica - Quads. In India you can find them in crowded cities or developing cities with major hubs like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata. They are usually located near IT hubs or college campuses. The majority of people opting for this kind of life style are students or working employees therefore these locations makes it even easier for sellers to attract tenants or buyers. 

Personal Note:

They are a budget friendly investment for an individual or a couple. They serve efficiently and make a good residential choice. The risk factor is interior designing, a good designer will actually make it easier for you to exist and a bad one will ruin your every single day. Suitable for students, working employees and bachelors. It is convenient to maintain small units and also goes easier on your wallet with bills. In this modern era, living like this is not just cost effective but also considered minimalistic and posh way of living. Would recommend it if you have a trusted enough interior designer. Also looking forward to living in one some day. 

By Isha Mutha

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