A studio apartment is an all-encompassing residence in which the living room, kitchen area, dining area, and sleeping area are in a single large room, with no walls, doors, or other features to distinguish one space from another. In a studio [floor plan](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-read-a-floor-plan), the only separate room will perhaps be the bathroom. Other names for a studio apartment include efficiency apartment and micro apartment.
The defining difference between a studio flat and a one-bedroom apartment is a one-bedroom will have a floor-to-ceiling wall or a door that can separate the sleeping space from the rest of the living space. Studio apartments are often smaller spaces than one-bedroom apartments with less storage space, slimmed-down features, and [minimalist interior design](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-minimalist-interior-design-to-simplify-your-home).
A studio apartment’s defining characteristics are a single-room floor plan and small square footage. With those come a few benefits that might fit your lifestyle and budget, depending on your preferences. Consider these characteristics of a studio apartment:

1. __Affordable monthly rent__: Compared to larger apartments, studio rental prices can be more affordable since they comprise fewer square feet. Lower rental rates for these small spaces can make it more feasible to live in areas where the cost of living is high—such as in large cities and other desirable metropolitan areas. Additionally, renters might see lower utility bills than what they might expect in a larger home, as there is no separate bedroom area or separate kitchen to heat, cool, or light.
2. __Minimalist interior design__: If you appreciate sleek interiors and regularly [declutter your home](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-declutter-your-home), a studio apartment with a kitchenette might be an attractive option. You can make up for the lack of storage space with multipurpose, space-saving [furniture](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-arrange-furniture), like a Murphy bed (a type of bed you can pull down or out from a wall). You might embrace the opportunity for creative interior design, too. While some L-shaped studio designs create a sense of privacy with a divider or small partition wall, you can also make distinct spaces using screens, [bookcases](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-bookshelf), stacked storage containers, or other furniture.
3. __Open floor plans__: You might find the open-concept, one-room designs of studio apartments appealing since they can offer plenty of flexibility. With the right mindset, renters can mold the open space to their needs and personality rather than feel limited by its constraints. Also, it’s common for [real estate developers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-real-estate-developer) to make up for this type of single-room floor plan’s limited square footage with large windows and high ceilings, allowing natural light to flow through the [open floor plan](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/open-floor-plans-explained) living area.
All you need is a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and our exclusive video lessons from prolific entrepreneur Robert Reffkin, the founder and CEO of the real estate technology company Compass. With Robert’s help, you’ll learn all about the intricacies of buying a home, from securing a mortgage to hiring an agent to tips for putting your own place on the market. 
Studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments both offer enough space for a single bed or sleeping area; however, apartment complexes still differentiate between the two types of apartments. Learn what a studio apartment is and how landlords define this type of unit.

Studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments both offer enough space for a single bed or sleeping area; however, apartment complexes still differentiate between the two types of apartments. Learn what a studio apartment is and how landlords define this type of unit.

What Is a Studio Apartment? 3 Benefits of Studio Living

A studio apartment is an all-encompassing residence in which the living room, kitchen area, dining area, and sleeping area are in a single large room, with no walls, doors, or other features to distinguish one space from another. In a studio <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-read-a-floor-plan' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-read-a-floor-plan","linkCopy":"floor plan","category":null}'>floor plan</a>, the only separate room will perhaps be the bathroom. Other names for a studio apartment include efficiency apartment and micro apartment.

What Is a Studio Apartment?

The defining difference between a studio flat and a one-bedroom apartment is a one-bedroom will have a floor-to-ceiling wall or a door that can separate the sleeping space from the rest of the living space. Studio apartments are often smaller spaces than one-bedroom apartments with less storage space, slimmed-down features, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-minimalist-interior-design-to-simplify-your-home' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-minimalist-interior-design-to-simplify-your-home","linkCopy":"minimalist interior design","category":null}'>minimalist interior design</a>.

Studio Apartment vs. 1-Bedroom Apartment

A studio apartment’s defining characteristics are a single-room floor plan and small square footage. With those come a few benefits that might fit your lifestyle and budget, depending on your preferences. Consider these characteristics of a studio apartment:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Affordable monthly rent: Compared to larger apartments, studio rental prices can be more affordable since they comprise fewer square feet. Lower rental rates for these small spaces can make it more feasible to live in areas where the cost of living is high—such as in large cities and other desirable metropolitan areas. Additionally, renters might see lower utility bills than what they might expect in a larger home, as there is no separate bedroom area or separate kitchen to heat, cool, or light. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Minimalist interior design: If you appreciate sleek interiors and regularly <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-declutter-your-home' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-declutter-your-home","linkCopy":"declutter your home","category":null}'>declutter your home</a>, a studio apartment with a kitchenette might be an attractive option. You can make up for the lack of storage space with multipurpose, space-saving <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-arrange-furniture' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-arrange-furniture","linkCopy":"furniture","category":null}'>furniture</a>, like a Murphy bed (a type of bed you can pull down or out from a wall). You might embrace the opportunity for creative interior design, too. While some L-shaped studio designs create a sense of privacy with a divider or small partition wall, you can also make distinct spaces using screens, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-bookshelf' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-bookshelf","linkCopy":"bookcases","category":null}'>bookcases</a>, stacked storage containers, or other furniture. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Open floor plans: You might find the open-concept, one-room designs of studio apartments appealing since they can offer plenty of flexibility. With the right mindset, renters can mold the open space to their needs and personality rather than feel limited by its constraints. Also, it’s common for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-real-estate-developer' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-real-estate-developer","linkCopy":"real estate developers","category":null}'>real estate developers</a> to make up for this type of single-room floor plan’s limited square footage with large windows and high ceilings, allowing natural light to flow through the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/open-floor-plans-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/open-floor-plans-explained","linkCopy":"open floor plan","category":null}'>open floor plan</a> living area. </li></ol>

3 Benefits of a Studio Apartment

All you need is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and our exclusive video lessons from prolific entrepreneur Robert Reffkin, the founder and CEO of the real estate technology company Compass. With Robert’s help, you’ll learn all about the intricacies of buying a home, from securing a mortgage to hiring an agent to tips for putting your own place on the market.

Ready to Learn the Ins and Outs of the American Housing Market? 

Studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments both offer enough space for a single bed or sleeping area; however, apartment complexes still differentiate between the two types of apartments. Learn what a studio apartment is and how landlords define this type of unit.

Studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments both offer enough space for a single bed or sleeping area; however, apartment complexes still differentiate between the two types of apartments. Learn what a studio apartment is and how landlords define this type of unit.
