Looking for an apartment? A one-room or studio apartment may be a great fit. Living in a studio apartment is often more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, as rent and utilities are typically less expensive.

The biggest con when it comes to a studio setup is the amount of space, as you often don’t have the luxury of housing your excess belongings in the basement or converting a spare room to a storage space. Optimizing your living space is a must.

Here are some things to look for in your next one-room apartment.

Picking the Right Spot

This might sound like a no-brainer, but your unit’s location, the position it sits in the apartment complex and the outlying neighborhood will often greatly impact your living experience. Is your apartment on the first, second or third floor? Does it feature a lawn or balcony? These are questions you should ask yourself.

Finding a one-room apartment close to active parts of your town or city can be a huge advantage. Your apartment’s close proximity to your job, schools and where you like to spend your free time is going to make commutes quicker, easier and more cost-effective.

Prioritizing Amenities

Always be sure to ask what amenities come with your one-room apartment. Because of their limited space, studio apartments may not provide certain major appliances. Dishwashers, washing machines and dryers all take up a lot of space. If you feel like you can’t live without these appliances in-unit, be sure to ask beforehand if they’re included in your apartment.

What about heating and cooling? Ask if your apartment will have central air conditioning and if you’ll have in-unit control. Your apartment may include heating and air conditioning, but you might not be the one handling the thermostat, depending on the setup of the complex.

Familiarizing Yourself with Layout

First and foremost, your living space needs to be comfortable. You know that you’ll have less space than in a multi-room apartment, but you should never live in a place that feels restrictive or cramped. Is there room for necessary storage, baskets and containers that would make or break your living experience? As studio apartments often have limited closet space (or sometimes no closet at all), make sure you have methods of preventing your space from becoming cluttered, disorganized or cramped.  Make sure your layout will work with your lifestyle.