microapartments

Microapartments are small, self-contained residential units designed for single occupants, focused on dense urban living. They typically range from about 150 to 350 square feet (14 to 32 square meters) and emphasize compact layouts and efficient use of space.

Common design features include open-plan living areas, built-in or multi-functional furniture, fold-down beds, integrated kitchens, compact bathrooms, and extensive storage solutions. Some units use mezzanines or movable partitions to separate sleeping and living areas; many also employ modular or prefab elements.

Microapartments are often positioned as a response to rising urban housing costs and land scarcity, enabling higher density and shorter commutes in city centers. They appeal to single professionals, students, or people seeking reduced maintenance and lower monthly costs.

Pros include lower monthly rent or mortgage per unit, lower utility costs, and efficient land use. Cons include limited privacy and storage, restricted living and working space, and potential social or psychological downsides from small living areas.

In many cities, micro-units appear in purpose-built developments or conversions and are part of broader strategies to increase housing supply. The concept is known in various regions as micro-apartments, micro-units, or micro-flats, with notable prevalence in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and other high-density markets, as well as experiments in Europe and North America.