Choosing an apartment is about more than finding a place within your budget. The floor plan can have a major effect on how comfortable and convenient your home feels every day. When comparing options such as Palm Beach Gardens, FL apartments with swimming pool, renters should also consider how the available floor plans, shared amenities, and living spaces fit their daily routines. The right apartment should give you enough room for the way you actually live without paying for space you do not need.
When comparing apartments, it can be tempting to assume that more bedrooms or more square footage automatically means a better home. However, that is not always the case. A person living alone may prefer a comfortable 1-bedroom apartment that is easier to maintain and costs less. Someone who works from home may find that an additional bedroom provides valuable space for a home office. Couples, roommates, and families may need more privacy, storage, bathrooms, and shared living space.
Learning How to Choose the Right Apartment Floor Plan for Your Lifestyle starts with thinking about your daily habits and what you need from your home.
Start With How You Use Your Home
Before comparing floor plans, think about what you actually do at home. Your apartment should support your routine rather than simply provide the largest amount of space possible.
Consider how much time you spend sleeping, working, cooking, relaxing, entertaining guests, and storing belongings. If you spend most of your time outside the apartment, a smaller layout may provide everything you need. If you work remotely or frequently have friends and family over, additional space may be more valuable.
It can also help to think about your plans for the next few years. Your needs may change if you start working from home, move in with a partner, get a roommate, or need space for a growing family.
The goal is to find a layout that works for your current lifestyle while giving you enough flexibility for reasonable changes.
Is a 1-Bedroom Apartment Right for You?
A 1-bedroom apartment can be a practical choice for someone who wants a private sleeping area without paying for multiple bedrooms.
For example, Brookstone offers the Stoneybrook, which is listed as a 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartment with 790 square feet. This provides a useful example of how a one-bedroom layout can offer a separate bedroom while still keeping the overall space manageable.
A 1-bedroom apartment may work well for:
- People living alone
- Couples who do not need a separate office
- Renters who want lower housing costs
- People who prefer a smaller space that is easier to maintain
- Residents who spend much of their time outside the home
However, think about how you will use the available space. If you work from home, you may need to place a desk in the bedroom, living room, or another part of the apartment. If you own a lot of furniture or belongings, storage may also become a concern.
A smaller apartment can be a great fit when its layout matches your needs.
When a 2-Bedroom Apartment Makes Sense
A 2-bedroom apartment offers more flexibility. The second bedroom can serve as a traditional bedroom, but it can also become a home office, guest room, hobby room, or storage area.
Brookstone's Pebblebrook, for instance, is listed as a 2-bedroom, 1-bath layout with 933 square feet. Compared with a smaller one-bedroom layout, the additional bedroom can provide more options for using the home.
A 2-bedroom apartment may be a good choice for:
- Couples who work from home
- Roommates who want separate bedrooms
- Renters who frequently host overnight guests
- People who need a dedicated home office
- Residents who want additional storage space
The important thing is to consider whether you will actually use the second bedroom. Paying more for a room that remains empty most of the time may not make sense. On the other hand, if you currently work at the dining table or bedroom and want a dedicated workspace, the extra room could make your daily routine much easier.
Consider a 3-Bedroom Apartment for More Flexibility
A 3-bedroom apartment provides even more space and can be useful for families, roommates, or renters with multiple needs.
For example, a household could use two rooms as bedrooms and the third as a home office. Roommates may each have their own bedroom while still having shared living space. Families may appreciate having separate rooms for children, guests, or other household needs.
However, more space also typically means more to clean, furnish, and maintain. A larger apartment may also come with higher monthly costs.
When considering a 3-bedroom apartment, think beyond the number of rooms. Ask yourself how each room will be used. If you cannot identify a practical purpose for the extra space, a smaller floor plan may be a better value.
Think About Square Footage and Layout
Square footage tells you how much space an apartment has, but it does not tell the whole story. Two apartments with similar square footage can feel very different depending on how that space is arranged.
A well-designed apartment layout can make it easier to move between rooms, arrange furniture, and separate different activities. A smaller apartment with an efficient layout may feel more comfortable than a larger apartment with awkwardly placed rooms.
When touring an apartment, imagine where your existing furniture would go. Measure larger pieces if necessary and consider whether you have enough room for your bed, sofa, dining table, desk, and other essentials.
Also pay attention to the amount of usable space. A large hallway or unusual corner may count toward the apartment's square footage without providing much practical room for everyday activities.
Create a Comfortable Home Office
Working from home has changed how many renters think about apartment layouts. A home office does not always require an extra bedroom, but having dedicated workspace can make a big difference.
If you work remotely, consider whether the floor plan gives you enough room for a desk, chair, computer, and other work equipment. You should also think about privacy and noise.
A 1-bedroom apartment may work if you can comfortably fit a desk into the living room or another area. A 2-bedroom apartment can provide the option of turning the second bedroom into a dedicated office.
If you frequently attend video meetings, having a separate workspace can also make it easier to keep work equipment and personal activities apart.
Pay Attention to Storage
Storage is easy to overlook when touring an apartment, especially when the rooms themselves look spacious. However, insufficient storage can become frustrating after you move in.
Look at closets, cabinets, bathroom storage, kitchen space, and any additional storage areas included with the apartment. Think about what you already own rather than what you hope to buy later.
If you have sports equipment, seasonal clothing, large kitchen appliances, or other belongings, make sure the apartment has a practical place for them.
More bedrooms can sometimes provide additional storage options, but you should not assume that a larger floor plan automatically has enough storage. Check the actual closets and cabinets during your tour.
Consider Bathrooms and Privacy
The number of bathrooms can be especially important for couples, roommates, and families.
A single-bathroom apartment may be perfectly comfortable for one person or a couple with similar schedules. However, sharing one bathroom with several roommates can become inconvenient during busy mornings.
Privacy should also be part of your decision. Think about how bedrooms are positioned in relation to the living room and other shared spaces. Roommates may prefer layouts that give each person more separation, while families may prioritize easy access between bedrooms and common areas.
The best apartment layout depends on how many people will live there and how they use the space.
Think About Entertaining
If you enjoy having friends or family over, consider how the living and dining areas work together.
An open and comfortable shared space can make it easier to host meals, watch movies, or simply spend time with guests. A smaller living area may still work well if you usually host only a few people at a time.
Think about your usual activities rather than an idealized version of your lifestyle. If you rarely entertain, there may be little reason to pay extra for a large living area.
Compare Cost With Actual Value
Budget should remain an important part of the decision. A larger floor plan may offer more space, but that does not necessarily make it the better choice.
Compare the monthly rent with the features you will actually use. If an extra bedroom gives you a dedicated office and solves a major problem, the additional cost may be worthwhile. If the room will mostly remain empty, you may prefer to save money with a smaller apartment.
Remember that a larger home can also require more furniture, decorations, utilities, and cleaning time. Consider the overall cost of living in the apartment rather than focusing only on the number of bedrooms.
Apartment Floor Plan Checklist
Before choosing an apartment, ask yourself:
- How many people will live here?
- How many bedrooms do I actually need?
- Do I need a home office?
- How much storage space do I need?
- Will my furniture fit comfortably?
- How many bathrooms would make my routine easier?
- Do I regularly host guests?
- How much time do I spend at home?
- Do I expect my needs to change soon?
- Is the additional space worth the extra cost?
- Does the layout provide enough privacy?
- Can I easily move through the apartment without wasting usable space?
Answering these questions can make it easier to narrow down your choices.
Choose a Floor Plan That Fits Your Life
There is no single apartment floor plan that works for everyone. A 1-bedroom apartment may be ideal for someone who values simplicity and lower costs, while a 2-bedroom apartment can provide valuable flexibility for roommates, couples, or remote workers. A 3-bedroom apartment may make more sense for families or renters who need several separate spaces.
Brookstone's available floor plans provide examples of how different layouts can meet different needs. The Stoneybrook offers 790 square feet in a 1-bedroom, 1-bath layout, while the Pebblebrook offers 933 square feet in a 2-bedroom, 1-bath layout. Floor plans, pricing, and availability can change, so renters should check current listings when making a final decision.
Ultimately, How to Choose the Right Apartment Floor Plan for Your Lifestyle comes down to understanding how you use your home. Think about your daily routine, work needs, belongings, privacy, guests, and budget. Instead of choosing the apartment with the most rooms or the highest square footage, choose the layout that makes your everyday life easier and more comfortable.