5 Different Apartment Plans

An apartment plan is not a house plan. Unlike a house, which has four exposed sides (windows on all facades), an apartment has only one or two exposed sides (windows only on the exterior walls). The interior of an apartment relies on borrowed light from windows, open plans, or light wells. The challenge is fitting all rooms (bedrooms, living, kitchen, bathroom) into a narrow, deep footprint while giving every room natural light and ventilation.

1. The Studio Apartment (Single Room, All Functions in One Space)

A studio apartment has one large room that serves as living, dining, and sleeping area. The kitchen is along one wall (often with a breakfast bar). The bathroom is the only enclosed room. The studio is the smallest apartment type (25-40 m²). The challenge is separating the sleeping area from the living area without walls—using furniture, room dividers, or level changes.

This plan is for singles, students, or anyone living alone. The emotional effect is compact, efficient, and flexible.

Quick Specs

• Total area: 25-40 m² (270-430 sq ft).
• Bathroom: 3-5 m².
• Kitchen: 4-6 m² (along one wall).
• Sleeping area: 6-10 m².
• Living area: 10-15 m².
• Window: on one exterior wall.

2. The One-Bedroom Apartment (Separate Bedroom)

A one-bedroom apartment has a separate bedroom (enclosed with a door) and a living-dining-kitchen area (open or semi-open). The bedroom has a window on the exterior wall. The living area shares the same exterior wall or has a second window. The one-bedroom is the most common apartment type (45-65 m²). The challenge is fitting two distinct zones (day zone and night zone) into a narrow footprint.

This plan is for couples, singles who want a guest room or home office, or anyone needing separation between sleeping and living. The emotional effect is zoned, efficient, and livable.

Quick Specs

• Total area: 45-65 m² (480-700 sq ft).
• Bedroom: 10-14 m² (with window).
• Living-dining-kitchen: 20-30 m² (open plan).
• Bathroom: 4-6 m².
• Storage: closet in the bedroom and entry.

3. The Two-Bedroom Apartment (Two Separate Bedrooms)

A two-bedroom apartment has two separate bedrooms (each with a window), a living-dining-kitchen area, one or two bathrooms, and storage. The two-bedroom is for small families, roommates, or couples with a home office (65-90 m²). The challenge is giving both bedrooms windows (the building facade is limited) and providing privacy between the bedrooms.

This plan is for families with one child, two roommates, or anyone needing a guest room or home office. The emotional effect is family-sized, efficient, and dual-zone.

Quick Specs

• Total area: 65-90 m² (700-970 sq ft).
• Master bedroom: 12-16 m² (with window).
• Second bedroom: 10-14 m² (with window).
• Living-dining-kitchen: 25-35 m² (open plan).
• Bathrooms: 1-2 (one attached to master, one common).
• Storage: closets in both bedrooms and entry.

4. The Three-Bedroom Apartment (Family-Sized)

A three-bedroom apartment has three separate bedrooms, two bathrooms (one attached to master, one common), a living-dining-kitchen area, and storage. The three-bedroom is for larger families (90-120 m²). The challenge is fitting three bedrooms (all with windows) into the facade—often requiring a corner unit or a deep building with light wells.

This plan is for families with two or three children, or anyone needing multiple home offices. The emotional effect is family-sized, spacious, and multi-zone.

Quick Specs

• Total area: 90-120 m² (970-1300 sq ft).
• Master bedroom: 14-18 m² (with window, attached bath, walk-in closet).
• Second bedroom: 11-14 m² (with window).
• Third bedroom: 10-13 m² (with window).
• Living-dining-kitchen: 30-40 m² (open plan).
• Bathrooms: 2 (master attached + common).
• Storage: closets in all bedrooms, entry, and linen.

5. The Corner Apartment (Two Exposures, L-Shaped)

A corner apartment has windows on two perpendicular exterior walls (corner of the building). The L-shape or open plan takes advantage of two exposures for light and cross-ventilation. The living area is often at the corner (with windows on both sides). The bedrooms are along one or both walls. The corner apartment is the most desirable (and expensive) unit in a building because it has more light and air. The challenge is arranging the rooms so the corner is not wasted (bathroom in the corner is a waste; living area in the corner is best).

This plan is for any apartment in a multi-story building, especially upper floors with views. The emotional effect is corner-oriented, light-filled, and airy.

Quick Specs

• Total area: 60-120 m² (depending on bedrooms).
• Two exposures: north-south, east-west, or north-east, etc.
• Corner: living area at the corner (windows on both sides).
• Bedrooms: along one or both exterior walls.
• Cross-ventilation: windows on two sides for airflow.

Comparison Summary

Conclusion

The apartment plan is the most constrained building type. Unlike a house, which can expand horizontally, an apartment must fit within a fixed footprint (the building’s floor plate) and a fixed facade (windows only on the exterior walls). The depth of the apartment (from exterior wall to interior corridor) determines how much natural light reaches the back rooms. Apartments deeper than 8-10m without an interior light well will have dark bathrooms and dark hallways.

The five apartment plans presented here offer different strategies for different household sizes:

The Studio Apartment says: one room for everything. This is for singles and students. The challenge is separating sleeping from living without walls—furniture, room dividers, or level changes. The studio is efficient but not private.

The One-Bedroom Apartment says: separate the bedroom from the living area. This is for couples or singles who want a guest room or home office. The challenge is fitting two distinct zones (day zone and night zone) into a narrow footprint.

The Two-Bedroom Apartment says: two separate bedrooms for small families or roommates. The challenge is giving both bedrooms windows (the building facade is limited) and providing privacy between the bedrooms.

The Three-Bedroom Apartment says: family-sized. The challenge is fitting three bedrooms (all with windows) into the facade—often requiring a corner unit or a deep building with light wells.

The Corner Apartment says: take advantage of two exposures. The corner apartment has the most light and cross-ventilation. The challenge is arranging the rooms so the corner is not wasted (bathroom in the corner is a waste; living area in the corner is best).

When designing an apartment plan, ask: Where are the windows? Every habitable room (bedroom, living room) must have a window to the exterior. Bathrooms and kitchens can have mechanical ventilation (fans) but natural light is preferred. The number of windows is limited by the building facade.

Ask: What is the depth? Apartments deeper than 8-10m from the exterior wall to the interior corridor will have dark interiors. A light well (an interior courtyard) can bring light to deep plans.

Ask: Where is the bathroom? The bathroom should be accessible from the living area (not through a bedroom) and near the bedrooms. In a two-bedroom apartment, one bathroom is often attached to the master; the other is common.

Ask: Where is the kitchen? The kitchen should be near the entrance (for grocery delivery) and open to the living area (so the cook is not isolated). A breakfast bar between the kitchen and living area creates a social connection.

Ask: Where is the storage? Apartments need closets: bedroom closets (for clothes), linen closet (for towels and sheets), coat closet (at the entrance), and kitchen pantry (for food). In small apartments, built-in storage (floor-to-ceiling) maximizes space.

Ask: What is the circulation? The entry hall should not be a long, dark tunnel. In a studio, the entrance opens directly into the living area. In larger apartments, a short hall (3-5m) with a closet is acceptable.

The best apartment plan is not the one with the most square meters. It is the one where the morning sun hits the kitchen, where the bedroom is quiet (away from the elevator and garbage chute), where the bathroom has a window (or a good fan), where the living room has a view, and where every square meter is used—no wasted halls, no dead corners. It is a plan for city living.