How Many People Can Live In A 1 Bedroom Apartment?

When looking for an apartment, one of the first questions many people have is how many individuals can reasonably live in a dwelling with a certain number of bedrooms.

In this article, we will explore how many people can live in a standard 1 bedroom apartment while maintaining comfort and living standards.

What is Considered a 1 Bedroom Apartment?

What defines a 1 bedroom apartment? Generally speaking, a 1 bedroom apartment will have:

1 separate bedroom that can comfortably fit a queen sized bed (or smaller beds like twins).
An open living/dining room area that may include a kitchenette or full kitchen.
1 full bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower/tub.
Some 1 bedroom apartments may have a small den or extra space that could be used as an office but is not a fully enclosed room.

So in summary - 1 separate bedroom, 1 full bathroom, and an open living space make up the basic layout of a standard 1 bedroom apartment. The size can vary but most fall in the range of 500-800 sq ft total.

How Many Adults Can Live in a 1 Bedroom?

When it comes to strictly adults living in a 1 bedroom apartment, the general guideline is 2 adults maximum for long term living. Here's a breakdown:

2 adults - This is considered the capacity for typical day-to-day living. Both adults would share the bedroom while using the living area as a common space.
Potentially 3 adults short term - On a temporary basis like for a few months, 3 adults could manage by having 1 person routinely sleep in the living room. However, long term this would lack privacy.
More than 3 adults is not recommended. At that occupancy level, the space would feel overly cramped and privacy would be severely limited with more than 1 person per room. Overall comfort levels would be compromised.

Does Size Matter for Capacity?

The size of the particular 1 bedroom unit can influence how many people may be a reasonable fit. As a rule of thumb:

For a smaller 1 bedroom (500-600 sq ft), 2 adults is likely the limit.
A medium 1 bedroom (600-700 sq ft) could potentially accommodate 2 adults plus 1 small child on a long term basis.
Among the larger 1 bedroom floor plans (700+ sq ft), you may see configurations designed for 2 adults and up to 2 small children long term.

So in larger 1 bedrooms is when you start seeing guidelines interpret allowing for possibly a family of 4 if the children are young. But space per person is still an important factor to consider for comfort.

How Many Children Can Live in a 1 Bedroom?

When it comes to families with children in a 1 bedroom apartment, the number that can reasonably live there long term depends on the age of the children:

2 adults + 1 infant - An infant sleeping in the bedroom with parents is generally fine space-wise in a 1 bedroom.
2 adults + 1 toddler - Works for a smaller toddler bed in the bedroom, but may be tight long term.
2 adults + 1 young child - For a child 4-6 years old, this can work depending on unit size.
2 adults + 2 young children - Would require a larger 1 bedroom to not feel cramped over the long run.

Conclusion

So in summary - A family of 4 (2 adults and up to 2 young kids) is possible in the largest 1 bedroom floor plans. But 3 people total including children is usually the practical long term limit.