What Is a Studio House? What You Should Know

If you’re looking at the housing market, studio houses are in every city that has some density beyond detached single-family homes. 

They are an important housing option to consider so let’s dive into studio houses and how to decide if it’s right for you. 

What is a Studio House?

A studio house is a single-room house where your bedroom, living space, and kitchen are all in one area with an open floor plan that means no separating walls like a traditional home. The bathroom is the only area guaranteed to be separated with a door, but even the kitchen may not be. 

Studio house sizes vary across cities, but you should expect between 400 to 600 square feet, which is usually best for a single person and if a little larger, a couple. 

The cost of a studio house is usually the most affordable living option for single people who do not want roommates, but that’s not always the case with some luxury studio houses. Studio houses also can be significantly more expensive in large cities than sharing a house or apartment with roommates so be wary of that factor. 

Make sure to do your own research, but we’ll also explain the pros and cons of studio houses as well.

Pros and Cons of Studio Houses

• Pros

  • Cost: Smaller studios are usually the cheapest way to live without roommates due to their size so they have a more affordable rent or mortgage bill and usually smaller utility fees.

  • Cleaning: Because of their small size, you can clean an entire studio house quickly compared to a larger apartment or home. 

  • Community-Focus: Studio occupants usually have to spend a significant amount of time outside in their community because they live in one room and a desire for a new background requires them to explore their neighborhood. 

• Cons

  • Lack of Space: You won’t have closets found in shared common space so you’ll have to enjoy a more minimalist lifestyle with a studio house.

  • Suitability for Couples: Most studios may be too small for a couple to share especially as there is no private space beyond the bathroom that has a door. 

  • Isolation: While studios may force occupants to be outside more to get a change of scenery, that also tends to make some studio house occupants feel lonely and isolated when they are at home. 

Conclusion: Is a Studio House Right for You?

Studio houses may not be right for everyone, but for someone looking to graduate from a shared house or apartment to own their living situation, they can be a great option. They also differ from other options like efficiency apartments, which are smaller than studios and don’t have full kitchens (fewer appliances), and one-bedroom houses, which are larger than studios and have a separate bedroom area with a door. 

If you’re looking for a house that may be a little less lonely and even cheaper than a studio house, try looking at Alcove’s co-living options where you can find vetted roommates and prices that are 50% cheaper usually than a normal studio house.