Layout of a flat to buy and to rent

The arrangement of rooms in a flat is, alongside floor area, one of the basic aspects we consider when buying a property. Sometimes even the smallest space, if it is easy to furnish and has a practical layout, can be more tempting to buy than a larger flat with a completely ill-thought-out arrangement of rooms. So if you are planning to buy a flat, analyse the layout of its interior carefully. In today's article we suggest what to pay the most attention to.

New-build developments place far greater emphasis on a functional room layout than was the case ten, twenty or more years ago. This does not mean, however, that it is impossible to buy a property with a well-thought-out layout on the secondary market. You will just have to spend more time searching. And what should an attractively arranged interior be like?

Access to opposite external walls

The basis of a well-laid-out flat is access to opposite external walls. This makes it easier to ventilate the interior and cool it on hot days. Daylight in every part of the flat is also important, or at least in all the rooms and the kitchen. Bathrooms, after all, often have no windows. Fortunately, this is changing in new developments.

Window layout

Another important element is the position of the windows. The living room should have windows facing south or south-west. This way the afternoon sun will stream into the interior. The bedroom, in turn, should be on the east side, so that the occupants find it easier to get up with the morning light.

Space in the hallway

It is also worth paying attention to the hallway and the entrance to the flat. This space should be large enough to fit a wardrobe. It must also leave enough room to put on and take off outdoor clothes comfortably. As for the front door, it is best if it is located roughly in the middle of the whole flat.

Division into a day zone and a night zone

Another important matter is dividing the space into a day zone and a night zone. Rooms such as the living room, dining room or kitchen, which are used by everyone, can be more open in character. The bedrooms, bathrooms and dressing rooms, that is, the night zone, should be close to one another and away from the day zone, so that the two spaces do not overlap.

Open or closed kitchen?

When buying a flat, you also need to decide whether you prefer an open kitchen connected to the living room and dining room, or a closed one. Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages.

An open kitchen encourages the household to bond. It allows you to spend time together and enjoy cooking, and then eating meals together. Its drawbacks, however, are cooking smells drifting from the kitchen into the living room and the noise of preparing meals, which may disturb anyone who is in the living room at the time.

A closed kitchen, in turn, allows you to separate the cooking process from other activities. However, it does not encourage family bonding. The person cooking will always be excluded from the conversations and events taking place in the living room.

So before you decide on a particular flat layout, first think about your expectations and the needs of your family. One layout will suit a single person, another a couple, and yet another a family with children. It is worth looking for a space that will meet all your requirements and be comfortable for every member of the household.

If you are currently looking for a flat to buy, use the services of an experienced estate agent, Marta Kulawik, who will gladly find you a property whose space will make you feel at home.