A micro apartment is a living space that's typically anywhere from 100-500 square feet. Micro apartments have a small kitchen, a bathroom, and sometimes a patio or balcony. The layout is similar to a studio apartment, but micro apartments have more space constraints. Many areas will perform double duty as a result. You’ll find micro apartments in large, densely-populated cities where real estate is more difficult to come by and more expensive by the square foot.
The reasons for renting a micro apartment vary from the desire to live in a more expensive area of the city to a desire have a smaller footprint and live a more simplistic lifestyle. No matter the reason for choosing a micro apartment, here’s what you’ll want to know about living in one.
How to Organize a Micro Apartment
Make your space multifunctional
In order to maximize space and minimize clutter, find furniture that can serve more than one purpose, like a murphy bed that folds away into the wall when not in use or a storage ottoman that can also serve as a table. Nesting tables, folding chairs you can hang on the wall when not in use, stackable furniture — these will all maximize function and take up minimal space. This is crucial if your apartment is roughly the size of a doctor’s exam room.
Do some downsizing
With a limited amount of space to work with, you’ll want to get rid of anything that’s unnecessary. Get rid of as much as you can because clutter is one of the quickest ways to make your small apartment feel even smaller. When you come across items you aren’t sure you want to part with, ask a friend or family member to keep it for you temporarily. If you find that you don’t miss the item, then let them discard it for you. You might also consider a storage unit if you would rather store your belongings.
Watch how you shop
Living in a micro apartment means you’ll have less room to store and display things, so think carefully before making a purchase. You will probably want to skip the discount warehouses, since buying in bulk will be difficult. Most micro apartments have less kitchen storage and smaller refrigerators than standard apartments.
What to Look for in a Micro Apartment
Certain features might make your micro apartment feel less … micro. If you are thinking about renting a micro apartment for the first time, try to find one with some of these amenities:
- High ceilings
- A kitchen that is open to the living quarters
- A patio or balcony
- Natural light (it will make the apartment feel larger)
- Storage that goes all the way to the ceiling
- A kitchen bar that can double as a countertop for cooking and dining
- Communal spaces such as a garden, picnic area, or clubhouse
Finally, look for an apartment with a great layout. The layout is often more important than the square footage. For example, a large apartment with odd angles and alcoves might have great square footage, but it isn’t very functional. If the layout works for you, you’ll find your micro apartment cozy and welcoming. When you are ready to start your search for a micro apartment, go to Apartments.com and search by square footage.
