With the high cost of living in the city, it is no wonder that some smaller-than-desired apartments are more popular in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. If you are renting an apartment for yourself or with a roommate, you are likely to make a decision between a studio unit and a 1-bedroom unit.
The two apartment layouts may have a lot in common, but the different space utilisation will determine which suits you and your roommate better.
Studio and 1-bedroom units are popular in the city because they are more affordable and easier to manage. In comparison, the 1-bedroom unit offers more working space, storage and privacy for roommates. In contrast, the studio unit is cheaper but sacrifices privacy and separation between the bedroom and kitchen.
So before you decide on a studio or 1-bedroom apartment, let us take a look at what these apartment designs have to offer.
What is a Studio Apartment?
A studio apartment is essentially a space that combines the living room, bedroom, kitchen and dining area into one single room. There are no walls or separation that divide the different functions except for the bathroom. The main idea is to have all your basic needs in one single large room.
In Malaysia, the average studio apartments measure around 450 square feet or less. Having all the conveniences in one single room, studio apartments can be comfy and convenient for individuals living alone and not expecting party crowds.
For some, it will require some time to adjust to the fact that your sleeping area shares the same space as the kitchen. If you are a foodie that loves cooking, then you want to know that a lingering smell from dinner can stay in the bedroom way longer than you imagine.
If your shirt stinks of last night’s dinner, hehe, you know why..
Having said that, there are interior design elements you can consider in creating the separation between the room functions.
Some common ideas in creating separation between room functions are
- Utilizing storage pieces to create separate space.
- Placing the sofa and bed on opposite walls creates the illusion of a separated space.
- Use versatile furniture to mount television as entertainment for the bedroom and living area.
- Carve out a separate sleeping area using bookshelves.
If you are looking to stay alone in a city where the living cost is high, going for a cosy studio can save you a lot of money if you do not mind sacrificing the living space.
What is a 1-Bedroom Apartment?
A one-bedroom apartment is a single room living space with a clear separation between the living room, bedroom and kitchen. This offers more space and privacy to occupants as compared to the studio apartment which allows for entertaining guests when the occasion arises.
While the actual built-up of a 1-bedroom apartment may not be significantly larger than the studio unit, the clear separation between room functions creates more space and privacy. Simply having a bedroom door offers privacy for people who frequently entertain – making the living room an ideal place to host guests.
For those who frequently work from home, having the bedroom separated from the living room is highly appreciated. This creates the psychological separation between a workspace and a resting space, reducing the risk of sleep disorder.
Compared to the studio unit, 1-bedroom apartments tend to demand higher rent and do require more furnishing. If you are staying with a roommate and having that space separation is critical, then going for the 1-bedroom apartment can be a good option, albeit costing more.
What is the Rent Difference Between Studio vs. 1-Bedroom Apartments?
In the city, 1-bedroom apartments tend to cost more than studio units by 20%. For the cost of privacy and more space, the 20% additional cost may just be worth it.
Below, I’ve listed the rent comparison in a few popular cities in Malaysia. The rental difference between a studio and a one-bedroom unit is especially significant in main business districts such as Mont Kiara, KLCC and Bangsar South.
| Average Rental for Studio Units (RM) | Average Rental for One-Bedroom Units (RM) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur | 1,900 | 2,200 |
| Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur | 1,800 | 2,000 |
| KLCC District, Kuala Lumpur | 2,400 | 3,000 |
| Georgetown, Pulau Pinang | 1,800 | 1,600 |
| JBCC, Johor Bahru | 1,100 | 1,100 |
| Kuching City, Sarawak | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Kota Melaka, Melaka | 1,200 | 1,300 |
| Ipoh, Perak | 1,100 | 1,500 |
How Do You Decide Between a Studio vs. 1-Bedroom Apartments?
To be honest, there is really no simple straightforward answer to which is better than the other.
The choice between a studio unit or a 1-bedroom apartment all boils down to your needs, preference and budget. To help you with that, I’ve listed 5 things you really want to be considering.
1. Privacy
We all have our own lives to live and if you are one to live alone and not a fan of using your place for social gatherings, then a studio unit will give you all the privacy you need.
However, whenever you do decide to have guests over, you might find your guests sitting on your bed because there is nowhere else to sit. If you are particular about cleanliness, especially when it comes to where you sleep, living in a studio unit will likely mean never having any guests.
A one-bedroom is specifically designed to have dedicated space for the bedroom and living area. Compared to the studio unit, having doors to separate rooms offer more privacy. Having a dedicated bedroom space also means having some personal time when hosting family or friends.
2. In-unit Amenities
Being an “open concept”, the studio apartment requires less furniture to feel complete as there is less available space. This makes studio apartments relatively cheaper and easier to furnish.
On the other hand, storage space is limited in a studio apartment – smaller wardrobe, smaller fridge and 2-in-1 washer/dryer system. Having bigger furniture tend to make the place feel crowded, especially if you are living with a roommate.
One way to increase the available storage space is to go for multi-purpose furniture. If we could use big bulky furniture for storage purposes, then we would have effectively increased the number of storage spaces by 50% of what is available.
Imagine, if we can make storage space out of a standing lamp or have the coffee table house an armchair. Having this multi-purpose furniture in a studio unit definitely amplifies the functionality.
3. Lifestyle preference
To put it simply, your preferred lifestyle needs to be taken into consideration when choosing between a studio unit or a one-bedroom apartment.
If you like having friends over for parties or movies then you will definitely need more space for entertainment. On top of that, you probably want to separate your bedroom from where you host your guests. If the above sounds like you, then you will want to consider having a one-bedroom apartment.
On the contrary, if you prefer living alone have a peaceful quiet evening with your loved one over a good book, then there really is no compelling need to have as big of a place. You will probably need to find a place that gives you sufficient space to keep all your things. In this case, a studio may very well fit your need.
Another thing to consider is your working needs. If you’re working from home all year long, then you might want to consider a bigger place with a dedicated workspace. Having a studio is compact and convenient but if you’re working from home, you might not want to be tempted by the allure of jumping on the bed.
4. Regular upkeep
I think we have all heard it before, a smaller space requires less upkeeping. Logically thinking, a studio apartment is definitely easier to clean.
In reality, since a studio unit and a one-bedroom apartment is roughly the same in terms of built-up, both types of apartment layout will have the same upkeeping requirement.
Having that said, having a smaller space also tends to cause more clutter since you will be limited with less storage space. Having a one-bedroom apartment with more storage space will indirectly mean less clutter over time.
There is also the monthly, quarterly and yearly cleaning that needs to be done. Having a smaller place with fewer in-built amenities is definitely a plus to the wallet since less work and cost is required to maintain the place.
5. Budget
The final piece you should consider is how much you are willing to part every month for a rented space.
A one-bedroom apartment typically costs 5% more than a studio unit. However, if you are able to get a roommate to stay with you, that effectively brings your personal expenses down to a reasonable level.
If you are planning to live alone and on a tight budget, then the studio unit will suit you well. Not only does it cost less to rent, but having no wall to separate the rooms also means lower utility bills and furniture costs.
Having said that, it all depends on how much you have set aside for rent.
Final Words
Thank you so much for reading this article. I hope the information shared through my writing has been helpful in your journey in building your investment portfolio.
Until the next article, take care and stay safe.
