microapartment

A microapartment is a compact, self-contained dwelling designed for urban living and characterized by a small footprint and emphasis on space efficiency. Typical microapartments measure well below standard one-bedroom units, often under 350 square feet (about 32 square meters), with a combined living area, a kitchenette, and an integrated bathroom. Floor plans frequently use built-in storage, movable or fold-down furniture, and partitioning to create distinct zones within a single room or a few rooms.

In purpose-built buildings, microapartments may be accompanied by shared amenities such as laundries, lounges, or rooftop spaces; some designs use studio layouts with multi-functional furniture, allowing a bed, desk, and kitchen to occupy the same area.

Microapartments are common in densely populated cities where housing demand and rents are high and land is scarce. They are found in parts of Asia (notably Hong Kong and Tokyo) as well as in North American and European cities like New York, London, and Singapore.

The concept emerged from practical responses to affordability and land-use pressures and has played a role in discussions of compact living and urban density. Critics point to reduced privacy, higher neighbor noise, and longer daily routines due to shared facilities, while proponents argue that microapartments can lower housing costs, accelerate development, and promote efficient energy use when well designed.

As urban planners and developers explore alternative housing models, microapartments continue to appear in various forms, from rental pods to for-sale micro-condominiums, sometimes integrated with co-living or co-housing concepts.