The Apartment and Room Guide to 600 Square Feet
As a new prospective renter or homeowner, the experience of searching for a new home can feel both exciting and overwhelming. It is exciting that you are selecting a new, fresh place to live, but also it can feel overwhelming because you are constantly trying to figure out the best place for your belongings among all the different choices you may tour. A home measuring 600 square feet might be your next best option.
How big is 600 square feet?
The real estate market lists homes of this size constantly around the world. In the United States, a 600 square-foot house or apartment is about the size of a three-car garage. And there are a variety of different options that come with living within 600 square feet of space.
Are you still wondering about 600 square feet and how you can best maximize this space?
In this guide, I will show you:
- What 600 square feet looks like
- How to measure the square footage of a home
- Whether a 600 square foot apartment is small
- How many people can occupy 600 square feet
- Offer tips for living in 600 square feet
Let’s get started.
What Does 600 Sq Ft Look Like?
Think about or visualize 600 square feet in terms of a one-car garage. The square footage of a one-car garage measures about 200 square feet. So, if you multiply this by three you will get the size of one 600 square foot home.
Not every house or apartment will be the same. However, you can expect the home floor plan for 600 square feet to include one to two small bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and a laundry closet.
You may even see home buyers purchasing tiny houses of this size from the real estate listings. According to CNBC, houses measuring under 600 square feet can be considered ‘tiny homes.’ The term ‘tiny homes’ has become popular today due to an increasing movement of people choosing to downsize their belongings and live minimalist lifestyles in very small homes with little square footage.
Watch this YouTube video for a walkthrough and tour of a 600 square-foot apartment.
How to Measure 600 Square Feet?
Homes are usually listed with square feet in the real estate listings. But it makes sense that you measure each room of your potential home yourself so that you will know the sizes of furniture or materials you will need to furnish your house or apartment. Follow these steps to measure for square feet in your home.
Step One: Gather the materials
It’s very easy to find and solve for the square footage of a room. Just make sure you have a measuring tape, pencil, and a piece of paper before you start.
Step Two: Calculate square feet
Choose a room and measure for both length and width using your tape measure. Write down the length and width of the room and multiply them together.
You now have your total area for the room which is expressed as a square. For example, a room measuring 12 feet by 12 feet comes out to 144 square feet or 13.4 square meters.
A square foot is a unit of area and it’s how you can express the size of a space.
Step Three: Get the total square footage of the apartment or house
Repeat and go through each room using the exact same method described above. Add up the numbers to get the total number of square feet.
Do not include areas such as a patio or deck in your total calculations. These areas are not usually included in square footage for a home because they are not livable areas.
Is a 600 Square Foot Apartment Small?
An apartment of this size can have plenty of room for a lot of furniture without having to compromise much on space. And you won’t feel crowded if you keep your belongings down to the minimum.
Some of the furniture or appliances that you can expect to fit in the home include:
- King-size bed or queen bed set with dresser
- Full-size couch and side table
- Dining table for seating up to 4
- Washer and dryer set (or stackable washer and dryer)
- Medium size refrigerator and stove
- Kitchen island with counter space
You can also expect the storage area within the home to include a bedroom closet for two people, a laundry closet, kitchen cabinets, and a bathroom vanity cabinet. However, you may want to install some shelving if they are not already inside the home.
So, it’s really up to you to decide what fits your needs and to design the space accordingly.
Is 600 Square Feet Enough for Two People?
This apartment is the ideal size for the following sets of people:
- Single person
- Couples
- Small families of up to 3
You can probably include a small pet like a cat or small breed dog inside of the home too and still be comfortable. Be sure to check first with your landlord or property manager if you are renting.
If you have any more people living in the home, then it may feel crowded for you and everyone. And may pose a danger to the occupants in the future. So, it is not recommended to have more people than the groups described earlier.
As far as entertaining in the home, this type of home could probably host a party of up to six people.
Tips For Living in 600 Square Feet
Decorating and designing a home measuring 600 square feet comes with its own challenges. However, it is not impossible. And you will find yourself discovering creative and clever solutions.
Here are a couple of tips to get you started.
Light Colors
Paint walls with light or bright colors to bring out the space in the rooms. White or light gray colors will work, and they will even make the room feel like the home is bigger and airy. Plus, you will feel your mood will brighten when you come back home to rest from work.
Wall Space
Walls are not only limited to pictures, but you can also use wall space as much as possible for hanging and storing items. This will save and increase the floor area and you will not need to bring in more furniture. Some ideas you can do right now are:
- Mount televisions on the wall
- Install floating shelves or hanging bars and racks for items such as pots or towels
- Install a closet system with racks and baskets
- Use a hanging shoe organizer
Multipurpose Furniture
Choose multipurpose furniture that also has storage space. Some furniture ideas that has dual purpose include:
- Ottoman for storing blankets
- Side table for extra storage or coffee table with cubbies
- Beds or couches with storage areas
Wrapping Up: How Big Is 600 Square Feet?
Well, that does it.
You now have a better understanding of 600 square feet and how to make the most of the living space you have. Let your imagination run wild as you design the space that can fit best your needs.
600 square-foot homes offer many designs and decor possibilities for renters and homeowners alike. A 600 square-foot house or apartment in the United States measures around the size of a three-car garage. And two people or small families of up to three can live comfortably in this space.
Have you designed or decorated a home up to this size before? Let us know in the comments how it went!
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