Interior apartment features are an important consideration when you are apartment shopping. But what are they and how common are they to find?
Apartment features vary from buildiing to building. They include things like washers and dryers, private balconies, central air, walk-in closets, and more. The most common interior apartment feature is hard to avoid noticing – the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the apartment.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Typically, the larger the apartment the more expensive it will be, but this isn’t always the case. Generally, a two-bedroom apartment will cost more than a one-bedroom within the same building. This doesn’t always hold true, however, when you are comparing different apartment buildings, especially when the buildings are in different neighborhoods.
The features described next are less quantifiable but equally important to consider.
Washers/Dryers
Ask any resident the value of having a washer and dryer in their own apartment, or at least a semi-private (limited to a few users) washer and dryer, and they will use adjectives like “incredible” or “immeasurable”. Throwing in a load of wash and not having to babysit invariably adds time to one’s day for other activities. Additional advantages include knowing when the machine is going to be available, not having to look for quarters or to buy a card, and not having to clean up after someone else.
All in all, it is quite easy to understand the importance of this feature to renters. Some residents actually consider this a necessity and not a luxury.
Private Balcony
Additionally, high on the feature wish list for tenants is private balconies. They add natural light and fresh air to an apartment. Study after study confirms the importance of natural light and fresh air to our health. Private balconies provide residents with a place to enjoy the sun and relax without having to leave the confines of their home.
Some apartments window covering package includes balcony window treatments.
Central Air
Having central heating and air greatly enhances the value and comfort of the resident experience. Central Air Systems allow for more efficient heating and cooling, better circulation, and a more visually appealing appearance to your home.
Walk-In Closet
Another sought after feature in an apartment is abundant closet space, including walk-in closets and other storage spaces.
Concrete Ceilings and Floors
Concrete ceilings and floors can be a great feature for both sound control and fire safety. Few consider this in their apartment search, but start to miss it very quickly if it suddenly is not longer there.
Eat-In Kitchens
While many apartments have dining rooms or areas, most households prefer to eat their breakfast or lunch meals in less formal settings and a kitchen big enough to place a small table allows for this. This table often doubles as the household “office” and extra food prep area.
Kitchen lighting should be bright, not adequate. Wall coverings like Formica or tile (versus paint) between the wall and base kitchen cabinets make it easier to keep the kitchen clean. A frost free refrigerator and dishwasher is a must, and while it’s not necessary that the kitchen come with a built-in microwave, this is also a nice feature to have.
Gas or Electric Cooking
There are two forms of cooking heat in apartments: gas and electric. Many residents prefer gas for cooking, and while it won’t be the determining factor for a final decision, it may be meaningful if one member of the family takes more than a little interest in cooking.
So there is a lot to consider when it comes to interior apartment features. Some apartment shoppers like to include these items on their list when short-listing and then touring apartments. It helps with decision making.
Last Updated: December 30, 2022
