What Is A Junior 1 Bedroom Apartment?

With the demand for living space constantly on the rise, new types of apartments are being introduced into the real estate market. There are many varying terms used for these apartment types, and some may be confusing or misleading, especially if you don’t have too much experience in apartment hunting. One of the less conventional apartment types currently in the market today is the junior one bedroom apartment, and depending on your location and price range, it might just be what you are looking for, so read on for more information.

What is a junior 1 bedroom apartment? A junior 1 bedroom apartment is basically a studio apartment that comes with an additional room that you can use as a sleeping area. However, this extra space cannot be legally referred to as a bedroom since it usually does not have a window, it is too small, and in most cases, the separate space may just be a ¾ room that does not have a door.

A junior one-bedroom apartment is a slight upgrade from a studio rental unit that usually includes an extra room in addition to the central space that you can sleep in or use as a home office depending on your needs.

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What to expect from a junior one-bedroom apartment?

Do not confuse a junior one-bedroom apartment with an alcove studio, (a unit that has an L-shaped partition that is meant to create the perception of more space in a studio), which is very similar, but it lacks the extra room. Ideally, a junior one bedroom apartment should have a room that is large enough to fit your bed, a nightstand or even a small dresser. However, this is not always the case since these units greatly vary in size, and the extra space you get might not even have a door. As a result, this makes the term “bedroom” for these units debatable.

In older apartment buildings that have higher ceilings, some tenants opt to utilize a loft bed in the extra room that a junior one bedroom provides and use the space below them as a home office, storage, or any other use to save space. In the event that your junior one-bedroom apartment does not have a door, there are many options you can use to cover the entrance:

A curtain – Curtains are a cheap and easy way to improve the privacy of the extra room in a junior one bedroom. They offer coverage without feeling too claustrophobic.

A foldable screen door – You will have a wide selection to choose from when it comes to foldable screen doors. Whatever you pick will depend on the size of the doorway, the material, the price, and most importantly, your needs.

Making use of the extra space

Depending on your needs, there are many ways you can utilize the extra room in a junior one-bedroom unit. They include:

As a “bedroom” – Most people tend to use the extra room as a sleeping area. The separate space is ideal for rest away from the activity in the living area, and it also offers privacy when you have people over and you don’t want your sleeping area to be on full display.

As an office – Instead of using the extra room as a sleeping area, you can also use it as your home office or study room, especially if it is more of a walk-in space than a room, or it is situated near the entrance of your apartment a small desk and a chair should be able to fit in well, and you may also be able to squeeze in a bookshelf as well. You can add your computer, printer, and a cabinet for your files if space allows it. Keep in mind that since this room is not an actual bedroom, there won’t be an outlet available so you will need extension codes in order to charge your electronics.

As a closet/storage space – In junior one bedroom apartments where the extra room can only accommodate a double bed at most, tenants prefer to convert the extra room into a walk-in closet or storage space for other household items and sleep in the living room instead. Remember, to convert your bonus room into a walk-in closet, you will need to install shelving and racks, so you might have to consult with your landlord first.

Upsides of living in junior one-bedroom

Privacy – Unlike in a standard studio apartment, you have an extra room in a junior one bedroom that you can use as you please. Even if the room is not fully separated from the main living space, it allows you privacy especially when you have people over. If you have items that you don’t want in the open, you can simply store them in the room as long as there is space.

Easy time cleaning – Since junior one bedroom apartments are still relatively small in size, you have less square footage to cover when it comes to cleaning. If you don’t have too many belongings and you are organized, the cleaning process of your apartment should not take up too much of your time.

Keeps you from accumulating clutter – The reduced space in a junior one-bedroom apartment forces you to simplify your lifestyle and cut down on unnecessary items. You probably won’t have space for furniture that takes up too much space and unnecessary items. As a result, you will avoid clutter and your rental unit will be neater in the long run.

Cheaper than a one-bedroom apartment – Junior one bedroom apartments are generally cheaper than normal-sized one bedroom units. This is because junior one bedrooms are essentially studio apartments with an extra room, which means they are relatively smaller in size.

More space – One of the reasons you may want to upgrade from a studio apartment to a junior one bedroom is the difference in space. Since they have more space, you can live more comfortably without feeling too confined.

Downsides of living in junior one-bedroom

Still too small – Some tenants still find junior one bedroom apartments to be too small in size. The only perk of the unit is an extra room, which means the main room may be the same size as what you will find in a studio apartment.

More expensive than a studio apartment – Expect to pay more rent for the extra room in a junior one-bedroom apartment than what you would normally pay in a standard studio apartment.

Turning your studio apartment into a junior one-bedroom apartment

If your studio apartment is big enough, why not turn it into a junior one-bedroom apartment of sorts? There are a couple of strategies you can use to separate your sleeping area from the rest of the living space in a studio unit:

Using sliding partitions – Sliding partitions are one of the most efficient and stylish ways to partition a studio space. Go for glazed sliding doors since they are great for privacy but still let light into your unit. Consider consulting your landlord first before installing sliding partitions of any kind.

Bookcase divider – Using a bookcase divider is not a new hack, but it will always work for you. In addition to acting as a partition, they will also provide storage space for your belongings.

Plantation shutter faux wall – Another way you can partition a studio space is by using a plantation shutter faux wall. The shutters are made of wood and you can close them to create privacy or open them when you want to let light in.

Using crates – Another creative way of creating a private space is by using crates that are fastened together for stability. Additionally, they can also be used for storing household items and they generally improve the look and style of your apartment.