Regular studio apartments have long been loved for their efficient square footage and relative affordability, compared with other living space options, like one-bedroom apartments. Some of these sweet little spots come with an often unexpected bonus — the alcove.
How an alcove studio apartment is different from a regular studio
First, a primer on what makes up a standard studio apartment. A studio unit is the ultimate in simplistic living, as it’s just one room with a bathroom for good measure. In that room, the kitchen, bed, dining room and main room/living space are all on full display.
The bathroom does have a door for privacy, thankfully, and many studio apartments also have a closet. All of this studio apartment goodness is usually packed into a small amount of square footage.
This little detail, and more space, make an alcove apartment stand out
An alcove studio has the same general features, however, it also has a little extra privacy that standard studio apartments don’t boast. Instead of the space being one big square or rectangle, an alcove studio has a small nook worked into the floor plan, making it more of an “L” shape.
This sleeping nook is made expressly for the bed and generates extra privacy, often thanks to a wall divider, temporary wall or something to that effect. Alcove studio apartments are also known as convertible apartments, by the way, so don’t let the terminology fool you.
The alcove is not an entirely separate room, but the divider wall helps to create an illusion closer to that of an actual bedroom. This separate sleeping area is helpful for people who don’t mind living in a tiny studio apartment, but who want a little bit of privacy from guests. Not everyone wants their bedroom on full display for anyone and everyone to see, so the alcove adds quite a bit of value to such renters.
One thing to note is that an alcove doesn’t add an enormous amount of extra room. In fact, it’s only about 40 square feet total, on average. So perhaps outfit it with a smaller bed, instead of a California king, to keep your one-bedroom apartment from feeling completely stuffed.
Other ways to use the alcove
Although an alcove is generally intended for use as a bedroom, there’s no hard and fast rule that requires a renter to do so. In fact, one could easily sleep on a pullout couch in the living area, and repurpose the alcove into an office, TV space, extra closet space or something else entirely! Or, put a small twin bed in the alcove and add in some extras to make it a multi-use area.
Where to find an alcove studio
Many alcove studios are found in older cities like New York, which has lots of real estate such as repurposed pre-war buildings, industrial buildings and the like.
Often, a building that offers alcove apartments is known for its incredible character and architecture, like high ceilings and other fine details. The truly classic studios even have a Murphy bed, which comes out of the wall when it’s time to sleep.
The downsides to renting an alcove studio
Unfortunately, that extra privacy is likely to cost a renter, as an alcove studio apartment is usually more expensive than a standard studio apartment. So if you can’t afford any extra costs, it might be better to save those pennies for a regular studio.
The alcove in a studio is also usually not near a window, so that can be a challenge for some people who really enjoy morning sunlight.
Then, there’s the fact that sometimes the bathroom is actually accessed via the alcove. This can be annoying for renters who don’t want guests traipsing through their sleeping area.
How renters make full use of alcove studio apartments
Anyone who has ever lived in a tiny unit can tell you that minimalism is key to a happy existence. The size of a studio apartment is usually about 500 to 600 square feet.
Clearly, there’s simply not as much space in a studio as in a one-bedroom apartment and not enough room to provide a lot in the way of closet space. Fortunately, living in an alcove studio is nonetheless absolutely doable and just requires a bit of creativity.
Use room dividers to break up the floor plan
People who rent apartments with unusual floor plans or small spaces often have to employ creative methods to create a fully functional unit. For example, some use temporary room dividers to break a small rental unit up into pieces. This should be done sparingly, however, as too many dividers can make a studio apartment feel claustrophobic in a hurry.
Space-saving furniture and decor make all the difference in an alcove studio
Many renters also invest in space-saving furniture. For example, ottomans or coffee tables that have storage space inside, a trundle bed with a drawer underneath or bean bag chairs that are easy to move around and put away, if needed to create extra space.
A convertible couch, which features a pullout mattress for guests, is another great example of double-duty furniture. In studio apartments with only a few hundred square feet, any and all additional space is a difference-maker. Also, consider adding decor that serves a purpose, like wall shelving.
Purge, purge and purge some more
Ideally, before move-in, get rid of as many extraneous items as possible. Sell, donate or give away anything that’s still usable — and trash the rest. Clutter creates chaos, and no one needs that in a tiny living space.
Alcove studio apartments are a unique type of living space
Although an alcove unit differs slightly from a studio apartment, it does have many of the same features that renters know and love. So, for people who don’t need the square feet afforded by big old one-bedrooms, but who long for a bit more privacy than a traditional studio, an alcove space could be an option that achieves the elusive happy medium.
