Micro-apartments: Why small living spaces are becoming increasingly important in cities
Wunderflat, Smartment or Behomie? Behind these names lies a new residential trend that is becoming increasingly important, especially in urban areas: so-called micro-apartments.
The demand for small, affordable housing units in urban areas is higher than ever: over 40 per cent of households in Germany are single households. Rising rents and a shortage of living space are making it increasingly difficult for city dwellers to find suitable accommodation. To counteract this problem, investors and architects are increasingly focussing on new living concepts such as micro-apartments. These small flats are particularly popular with students and commuters, but are also attracting increasing interest from other population groups.
Living in a micro-apartment: how does it work?
- They always consist of just one room.
- They range in size from 14 to 35 square metres.
- They are particularly centrally located and have good public transport connections.
With such a small size, creativity is also required when it comes to furnishing: in many practical examples, multifunctional pieces of furniture are used that can either be easily stowed away or converted after use.
Another important component of "micro-living" is that the flats are often part of a larger complex that is equipped with additional facilities such as fitness rooms, roof terraces or gaming rooms. Regular in-house events, co-working spaces or communal kitchens are also often part of the concept. Micro-apartments therefore not only offer high-quality living in a small, centrally located space, but also have a wide range of additional facilities within the building complex.
Small living space, big solution: our best tips for designing small rooms
- Flexible furnishings are a must. With customised furniture that can be easily stowed away or converted, you gain a lot of space and flexibility.
- Light creates more visual space. With various lighting elements such as floor-to-ceiling windows, distributed light sources in the room and translucent materials, you can create the perception of a few extra square metres. Mirrors and doors are also helpful here.
- Utilise all the space available to you - even upwards! A popular solution in micro-apartments are small mezzanines for sleeping areas or particularly high shelves and cupboards.
- Provide structure and depth. Visual partitions, for example room dividers or sliding doors with glass cut-outs, create more depth even in a small room. You can read more about our sliding doors here.
What is it actually like to live in micro-apartments?
Micro-apartments are an increasingly sought-after niche product on the German property market. While in this country the term micro-apartments is usually only associated with living spaces for students, "micro-living" in the world's metropolises has surprisingly great advantages for every age group. Micro-apartments can follow different living concepts, but they all have certain characteristics: they consist of just one room, they are between 14 and 35 square metres in size, they are centrally located and they are well connected to public transport.
In addition, and this is what distinguishes them from tiny houses, micro-apartments are part of an entire residential complex, which in turn consists of micro-apartments. The differences between individual micro-apartments are mostly conceptual. For example, there are some that specialise in a social and sustainable lifestyle. In co-living, the focus is on the networking of all residents. In addition to living space, there are communal sports facilities, cinemas, libraries, lounges and car-sharing stations in the building complex. The second concept category of micro-apartments is more service-orientated. Here, cleaning and laundry services, Wi-Fi access and integrated furnishings contribute to increased living comfort.
From West to East: Forward-looking practical examples
In a metropolis like New York City, where rents have no limit, affordable micro-apartments are particularly sought-after. One award-winning micro-apartment project is the "Carmel Place" in New York City. The complex was designed by the Brooklyn-based architectural firm nARCHITECTS. It is a modular building with seven to ten storeys.
The living spaces are between 22 and 33 square metres in size and impress with their bright, functional and minimalist design. Tables can be extended or raised and cupboards can be transformed into sofas or beds. The white tones, light-coloured wood and floor-to-ceiling windows make the rooms appear larger. Carmel Place has a fitness and gaming room as well as a lounge with access to the roof terrace. There is also a social club that organises activities for the residents. Guests can also benefit from the Hello Alfredo housekeeping service.
On the other side of the world, the residential building "LIFE" residential building in the trendy Gangnam neighbourhood in the capital of South Korea. It is 16 storeys high and houses 140 micro-apartments. The architect Ian Lee in collaboration with the co-working agency Fastfive to create a sustainable and timeless interior design for the 16 to 23 square metre flats. The flats should be cosy and comfortable, but at the same time offer space for the residents' personalities.
To achieve these goals, the micro-apartments are predominantly made of birch wood and translucent materials. This makes living with a view of the city feel like living in a cosy urban tree house. To reinforce the co-living concept for the residents, the LIFE residential complex integrates various communal spaces, such as co-working spaces, a lounge, a sports area, a roof terrace and a communal kitchen. The house staff plan weekly events and themed evenings for a dynamic and connected community.
Smart home, smart doors: innovative living with SmartDOORS
If you live in a small, space-optimised flat, you don't want to make any compromises when it comes to accessing your home. Digital access systems are the ideal solution for multi-storey residential complexes in which many parties live. SmartDOORS are access solutions with integrated digital access technology that are controlled by smartphone or transponder. Flat entrance doors, cellar, laundry room and garage access doors through to parcel room doors and pergola doors can be opened and closed as if by magic. Temporary access can also be granted to tradesmen, parcel couriers or other visitors. SmartDOORS offer you living comfort and maximum security. You can find out more about our SmartDOORS here.