Should I Get a 1 Bedroom or 2 Bedroom Apartment?

If you’re looking for an apartment, there are a lot of things to consider: location, price, finishings and amenities – the list goes on! However, one of the choices most people get stuck on is deciding on a 1 bedroom vs. a 2 bedroom apartment. To help you make the right choice, we have outlined the main differences between renting a 1 bedroom vs. a 2 bedroom apartment.  

Cost & Lifestyle Factors

What factors play into the price of your rent? The number of bedrooms aside, cost can depend heavily on square footage, layout, and even the building itself (age, prestige, amenities, etc.). 

Moreover, location plays a huge factor in the price of rent per bedroom. A 1 bedroom apartment located in an upscale area can cost the same as a 2 bedroom apartment in a more mid-scale neighbourhood. Check out data reports such as these that show the cost increases with a 1 bedroom vs 2 bedroom rent, per region. 

1 Bedroom Apartments

Why choose a 1 bedroom apartment over a 2 bedroom? Simply put, rent is lower, maintenance is lower, and the space is yours. A roadblock for some is committing to a roommate with a 2 bedroom, just to stay within their budget. If you don’t want a roommate at this point in your life, you might do well to stick to a 1 bedroom apartment (even if that means setting up a desk and office chair in the corner of your bedroom). The good news is that 1 bedroom apartments can be spacious and cozy all at the same time, depending on how you furnish and decorate!

1 bedroom apartments are a great middle ground between a studio (bachelor) layout and a 2 bedroom. You get a proper living room space, a kitchen, and a separate room for your bed and clothing. A common misconception is that a 1 bedroom apartment fails to provide enough living space. However, this isn’t necessarily true. They are perfect for singles or couples as that separate bedroom allows you to hide clutter and gives you a dedicated space for entertaining or just hanging out in the living room. It’s a very workable amount of space, and many people choose 1 bedrooms because you get the benefit of a real bedroom, without the added cost of paying for 2.

2 Bedroom Apartments

Now, let’s look at the reasons for renting a 2 bedroom apartment vs. 1 bedroom. Besides the obvious increase in space, you can also easily opt to share the space with a roommate, which can make it cheaper than having a 1 bedroom apartment to yourself!

If you choose to go it alone (or with your significant other), the second room has many uses; you can use it as storage, a home office, or even a gaming den. The advantage of having that second room means you have more options, and ultimately more space to do things.

A 2 bedroom apartment makes the most sense if you want to make the most of your time at home. If you’re at a stage in life where you just need a place to rest on the weekends because you’re out all week, you might not need the extra space!

It’s important to factor your lifestyle into the decision because an extra few hundred dollars a month could be very well spent on the extra space, or you might want to use that for savings, investing, travel, or any number of things. Consider what you want for at least the next year, and then you can choose to upgrade or move (benefits of being a renter!)

2 Bedroom vs. 1 Bedroom Apartments

Overall, there is no straight answer on the 1 bedroom vs. 2 bedroom apartment debate. A lot of it comes down to your priorities for the next couple years. If you’re looking to save on rent and you don’t mind compromising on the home office, a 1 bedroom apartment is a huge step up from a studio apartment layout, and gives you a good amount of flexibility for having guests over, decorating, and furnishing the way you see fit.

2 bedroom apartments typically give you more space and options (and you will have an easier time sourcing a roommate if that’s what you’re after), while a 1 bedroom apartment can be the perfect size if you want a reasonable amount of space without a large monthly rental cost. Consider yourself and your needs, and know that you can always move in a year if you need to  that’s what makes apartment living flexible!