The Layout Guide to 400 Square Feet
Mike was planning for his first move. How hard could it be?
He had moved back home to his parent’s place after graduation from college. Recently, he had accepted a job offer with a firm in another larger city. So now, he would have to move away from his smaller hometown. Looking in the local apartment listings online, he saw several promising apartments until the realization came to him that he wasn’t quite sure about their size and which one would work for him.
So, how big is 400 square feet?
400 square feet is roughly the size of a two car garage. You might find apartments of this size listed as a studio or an efficiency apartments. Couples can live here comfortably, but it’s more common to find a single person renting it as you don’t have to compromise as much on belongings when it’s just one person occupying the space.
In this article, you’ll learn…
- How to visualize a 400 square foot apartment
- How to measure 400 square feet
- Who can live in 400 square feet
- How to find a 400 square foot apartment
- Tips for living in 400 square feet
How To Visualize A 400 Square Feet Apartment?
400 square feet is not exactly roomy, but it does offer possibilities. It is roughly the size of a two-car garage. An apartment of this size is more likely to be a studio than a one-bedroom apartment. The rooms are separated, so you’ll have a room for the kitchen, the living or dining room, and the bedroom.
Watch this Youtube video of a 400 square foot apartment tour.
How To Measure 400 Square Feet
The minimum size of an apartment in New York City used to be 400 square feet until the law changed.
Measuring 400 square feet is easy. You just need to make sure you have a measuring tape, pencil, and notepad beforehand. First, measure each room for length and width. Multiply this length and width to come up with the square footage for the room. Repeat the process for the remaining rooms. Then, add the square footage for each room to get the total square footage for the entire apartment.
You may also choose to measure the length of individual walls where you believe. You’ll thank yourself later when it’s time to select and buy furniture pieces.
Is a 400 Square Foot Apartment Right For You?
There’s a market for these types of apartments. It turns out people who want to live in them either because they want to avoid high rent, they don’t want to move in with parents, or they don’t want to be homeless
This kind of apartment is ideal for single people or couples who don’t mind giving up a little privacy. And you can also clean up this space very quickly without much fuss.
Where Can I Find A 400 Square Foot Apartment?
Big metropolitan cities like New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles usually have these apartments. Although in smaller areas, single-family homes may have these in a garage, basement, or attic.
Most likely, you may see an apartment being advertised as a studio and located near downtown areas where renters can be close to their jobs, shopping, and eating spots.
Tips For Living In 400 Square Foot Apartment
There are many creative hacks that you can use to get the most out of your apartment. The important thing is to keep things simple and don’t worry about not going through with a solution that sounds too complicated. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Add Wheels
- Heavy furniture can be tough to lug around, especially when cleaning or clearing out some space for an activity. To get more versatility, an apartment renter installed wheels to the bottom of a trunk which also served as a table.
Multifunctioning Furniture
- Get multifunctioning furniture such as a bed with storage space underneath or a couch with storage space.
- Use this example of a cabinet system that acts as a full bar set-up, TV stand, extra kitchen storage, and dresser for one renter.
Storage
- Hang items on the wall such as cookware or clothes like coats and jackets that you plan to grab later.
- Use vertical storage solutions like shelving or stackable bins for towels or blankets.
Final Thoughts – How Big Is 400 Square Feet?
Are you prepared to use creative strategies in designing or decorating your 400 square foot apartment?
Go ahead and let us know in the comments!
Related square foot articles
- What is the average size of a master bedroom?
- How big is 1000 square feet?
- How big is 600 square feet?
- How big is 300 square feet?