What Is the Definition of an Efficiency Apartment?

The phrase “efficiency apartment” is shorthand for the kind of bare-bones lodging appropriate as a starter or temporary apartment, or an accessible housing alternative for budget-conscious minimalists who want to live alone. It is more of a real estate marketing term than a building type.

What Is the Definition of an Efficiency Apartment?

Efficiency Apartments: A Brief History

Around 1930, the phrase “efficiency apartment” was coined. Efficiency apartments can now be either equipped or unfurnished. The phrase efficiency apartment is often used interchangeably with the more widespread term: studio, and its meaning varies by area. While studio apartments and efficiency apartments are frequently separated by the presence of a separate fully equipped kitchen rather than a kitchenette built into one of the unit’s walls, this is not a hard and fast rule. Efficiency apartments may be found almost anywhere, but they’re especially common in densely populated, high-cost cities where space is limited and there’s a steady influx of people looking for economical living options close to work. While efficiency apartments are often the most affordable private housing on the market, the definition of an efficiency apartment varies depending on the region and the time period in which it was built. Fred F. French, a real estate developer, created the Tudor City neighborhood on Manhattan’s east side in the late 1920s, the world’s first residential high-rise complex.

These were designed for busy city professionals who lived in these little flats during the week and strolled to Grand Central Station on weekends to take the train to their suburban residences. The units included built-in Murphy beds, but no kitchens at first because tenants of the building had access to three dedicated restaurants where they could order room service over the phone. Many of those efficiency units are now only 200 square feet, falling short of New York City’s legal minimum building size restrictions. In the lack of an actual restaurant, many owners have transformed the Murphy beds into closets, installed kitchenettes, and ordered takeout. And if you’re looking for an efficiency apartment in Tudor City on the internet, you’re more likely to see them advertised as studios. In reality, any tiny-space apartment, from railroad-style apartments to small studios to what were once known as bachelor apartments, might potentially be classified as an efficiency apartment. Micro apartment, tiny apartment (to mimic the popularity of the tiny house movement), or even mini loft are words that architects, building developers, and realtors favor today.

Efficiency Apartments Have all of the living, dining, cooking, and sleeping spaces in one place.
Due to space limits, small separate bathrooms are more likely to have showers than bathtubs.
Kitchenettes, rather than fully equipped separate kitchens, are frequently constructed into one wall.
Although some bare-bones efficiency apartments lack kitchenettes, they do come equipped with individual basic culinary gear such as a hot plate, microwave, electric kettle, or compact refrigerator for quick food preparation and storage.
Built-in space-saving features such as Murphy beds may be included in various layouts with a focus on efficient use of space.

Decorating Ideas for Small Apartments

Multipurpose furniture, such as Murphy beds, couch beds, extending dining tables, and ottomans with built-in storage, can help you save room.
For storage, make use of vertical and wall space.
Install wall-mounted lighting to make the most of your limited floor area.
Use light colors on the walls to give the impression of more space.
To create an airy effect, paint the walls, ceilings, and trim the same color.
Mirrors should be placed across from windows or in gloomy corners to reflect light and provide additional viewpoints and views.
Choose small space furniture that is proportionate to the room’s size.
Separate zones via furniture placement, carpets, room dividers, or intelligent space planning to create flow.