An efficiency apartment is an apartment with everything contained in one room: the living room, bedroom, dining area, and kitchen. Right now, you might be thinking, “But wait. That sounds like a studio.” Yes, it’s true; efficiency apartments and studio apartments are very similar, and the terms are often used interchangeably. But while these two spaces share many features, they aren’t exactly alike.
What is the difference between a studio apartment and an efficiency apartment?
While the basic layout is the same, an efficiency has a few features that make it different from the typical studio. While there are no rules as to what makes an efficiency an efficiency, these subtle differences can help you figure out which space best fits your needs.
What studios and efficiency apartments have in common
Both studio and efficiency apartments are contained in one room. They are both open concept, with one space serving as living room, dining room, and kitchen. The only room with a door will be the bathroom (and maybe a closet).
The size of an efficiency is similar to that of a studio, with both averaging about 500-600 square feet. However, a studio can be much larger than that, even as large as 900-1,000 square feet. An efficiency apartment is almost always small and might even be less than 500 square feet.
What makes an efficiency apartment different from a studio apartment
Studio apartments have full kitchens, meaning you’ll have a full-size refrigerator, range, and a full-size sink. A studio kitchen is often along one wall, which maximizes the amount of available floor space in the apartment while still providing ample counter space.
An efficiency typically has a kitchenette. A kitchenette offers a minimalist approach to a kitchen. If there is a sink, it’s typically smaller than a standard kitchen sink. A kitchenette will likely have a mini refrigerator (counter-height or smaller). You might find a microwave or a small cooktop, but you won’t have a standard kitchen range. Unlike the one-wall studio kitchen, a kitchenette is usually in a separate area, such as a small alcove. A kitchenette has little to no counter space and few, if any, cabinets.
Your bathroom may also be smaller in an efficiency. For example, you may find a bathtub and no shower (or vice versa) rather than both.
The location and availability are also noteworthy. While you can find a studio in any location, efficiencies are most common in very large, densely populated cities like New York and Los Angeles. Efficiencies are also more common in converted properties, such as a traditional single-family home with a garage, basement, or attic apartment.
Are efficiency apartments cheaper than studio apartments?
While efficiencies tend to be slightly less expensive than studio apartments, a lot depends on location. If you want to live in the heart of downtown, it’s going to cost you. It also depends on whether the apartment community offers luxury amenities and what types of features and upgrades are included in the space. But if you want to live where the action is, an efficiency is likely the most affordable option — especially if you can walk, bicycle, or take public transit when getting around and thereby reducing your need for a car, maintenance, and fuel costs.
Because an efficiency is such a small space, you’ll pay less in utilities (it won’t take much to heat or cool a 500-square-foot room). You’ll need less furniture and décor, as well, which could also save you some money.
On the other hand, not having a full kitchen could mean that you’ll want to dine out or order in more frequently, which (depending on your preferred restaurants or delivery places) could end up costing you more than if you cooked meals at home.
What do efficiency apartments look like?
An efficiency apartment looks like a studio, minus the full kitchen. Most efficiency and studio apartments (at 500-600 square feet) are slightly larger than a standard hotel room and roughly the size of a high school classroom. When people come over for the first time and you want to give them a tour, you could stand in the middle of your apartment and “show” the entire place without actually moving (unless it’s to open the door to the bathroom).
While studio apartments often have alcoves, lofts, or high ceilings to give the feeling of more space, efficiencies most often don’t have these features. But efficiency apartments are very cozy, and if you like the idea of living a minimalistic lifestyle, you’ll appreciate the practical layout of an efficiency apartment.
Is an efficiency apartment right for you?
If you value location over space, then an efficiency could be a great option for you. Since they are typically located in busy downtown areas, you’ll be able to walk to many destinations like restaurants and shops. You might even be able to walk to work, eliminating your commute.
If you want a pied-a-terre (a secondary home often located in the city), an efficiency is an affordable, practical option. A pied-a-terre is often used as a weekend getaway or as a place to stay during the week when you don’t want to commute home.
An efficiency apartment probably isn’t the best option for those who enjoy cooking and entertaining. With such a limited kitchen space and usually no oven, you probably won’t want to host many dinner parties.
Speaking of hosting, having out-of-town guests stay with you will be difficult, as well. If you like having company and want friends and family to visit you often, an efficiency might not provide the space you need.
Efficiencies work best for those living alone. While you could share an efficiency apartment with a roommate or significant other, the lack of privacy and limited space might make it difficult.
How to Decorate an Efficiency Apartment
When decorating your efficiency apartment, you’ll probably want to find furniture pieces on a smaller scale, as well as ones that do double-duty. For example, put your bed along the wall lengthwise and add some oversized throw pillows along the back so it functions as a daybed (a sofa during the day, your bed at night). You could do this with any twin or full-size bed, but one without a headboard and/or footboard works best. If you don’t already have a bed, consider purchasing a daybed or a futon so you won’t need a separate sofa. Other options include a sleeper sofa or a murphy bed. Use bookshelves, curtains, or screens to divide spaces.
For storage, consider adding floating shelves to one wall. This will add visual interest in the space and give you a place to store your items. A storage bench could double as a coffee table. Some beds and sofas have built-in storage, or you could create your own by using under-the-bed storage containers. If your efficiency doesn’t have a closet, try using shelving and a clothing rod to serve as an open closet.
While you’ll probably want small-scale furniture in your efficiency, that doesn’t apply to artwork. A dramatic, oversized painting will add an eye-catching design element to your space. Consider bold colors when decorating, as well.
If you want your space to appear larger than it is, mirrors are a great way to enhance a small space. Try positioning one across from a window to brighten up the room. If you don’t have a wall across from a window, try putting a mirror behind a lamp or candle to illuminate the room. Put a floor-to-ceiling mirror near the front door. Not only will it open up the entryway, but you can give yourself one last glance before leaving the apartment.
Read your lease or check with the landlord before doing anything major (like painting a wall) so you don’t jeopardize your security deposit. If you are allowed to paint or swap out light fixtures, this is a great way to personalize the apartment and show off your style.
How to Find Efficiency Apartments
Efficiency apartments are most common in large cities. If you are searching in a small city, you might want to try searching for a studio apartment instead.
Efficiency apartments may not be advertised as such. For example, you might find it advertised as a studio apartment with an efficiency kitchen. Since “studio” is a more familiar term, efficiencies are sometimes advertised this way.
When searching for an efficiency apartment on Apartments.com, search by “studio” (located under “max bedroom” in the menu next to the search bar). Scroll down to “Keywords” and enter “efficiency kitchen.” (You could also search by “efficiency,” but you’ll get fewer relevant results since some appliances are also labeled “efficiency.”)
As you look at photos of rentals, be sure to look carefully at the kitchen. An efficiency should have fewer appliances, most likely no stove, and a mini fridge. A studio apartment will have a fully equipped kitchen.
While the differences between efficiency and studio apartments are slight, if you don’t need or want a full-size kitchen, an efficiency apartment is likely the better option for you. May your efficiency apartment search be efficiently efficient!
