IN recent years, the popularity of studio rooms among property buyers have significantly increased. One segment which appears to have great interest in this type of housing is the millennial population. In fact, statistics have shown that millenials prefer renting a studio room compared to owning a one-bedroom apartment unit.
The difference between the two lies in the space within its walls. By definition, a studio room is a single unit that combines the bedroom, kitchen and living area into one large room. The open floor plan does not have walls separating the sleeping and living areas, and the kitchen area may or may not be separated by a wall.
The only exception is the bathroom. Unlike the other living spaces, the bathroom stands on its own. It has a door that provides privacy. Although the size of a studio room typically varies based on its location, renters can expect to find a place that is between 400sq ft and 600sq ft.
On the other hand, a one-bedroom apartment unit is a one bedroom dwelling that is defined by its separation from the other living areas. It has walls and a door separating the bedroom from the kitchen, living room and bathroom. Prices are determined based on the size of the rooms.
Factors such as affordability and functionality are some reasons that put studio rooms in favour of one-bedroom apartments among young buyers. To further understand the demand for studio rooms, theSun spoke to five young adults about their preferences.
Alistair Wong, 29, talent handler
I prefer studio rooms over one-bedroom units due to the rising costs these days. Sure, one-bedroom units may be more spacious, but as someone who has always strictly lived on a budget, studios are fine by me. Besides, I get to save a lot more by renting a studio room to myself. With the extra cash, I get to invest in my other interests.
Laynisha V.J., 24, digital marketing associate
I have always been a fan of open living spaces. The concept of breaking down walls makes the room feel bigger and brighter. Less rooms also mean less furniture and easier cleaning. Definitely the more practical option if you’re living alone.
Katherine Dupree, 23, sales executive
For someone who likes things simple and convenient, a studio unit is a much more suitable choice for me. Its adequate space suits my fast-paced lifestyle. In fact, I only need the space for resting and my hobbies. Paying less for maintenance, furniture and with less cleaning, studio units definitely save a lot of time and money.
Sanjivan Gabriel, 25, product specialist
The lack of storage space usually highlighted as a con for studio apartments is not a big issue for me. As someone who is a minimalist, the open layout and small storage space allows me to save costs. This is because it removes the temptation of hoarding and unnecessary spending on things that are not essential.
Jack Tan, 25, graphic designer
I like the idea of a one-floor house where I can easily access the kitchen, living room and my working house-office. It gives me the warm feeling of home. It’s also great for having family members and friends over. Also, as a toy collector, the spacious unit allows me to display my collection.
The millennial generation has no doubt effectively shaped the real estate industry. With strong buying power, they have solely brought high investment value to the studio apartment segment. As such, the potential for future growth in the sector is high.
