Choosing your next apartment home? There’s a lot to consider, from bedroom count to included appliances and the overall layout. That’s where a floor plan comes in as a helpful resource in visualizing your future lifestyle. Here are some smart tips for what to look for when viewing an apartment floor plan.
What Is a Floor Plan?
A floor plan is a visual representation of an apartment’s layout from an aerial perspective. It includes all major features and details like windows, doors, walls, stairs, closets, entryways, appliances, balconies or patios. A floor plan will convey how many bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas are in the apartment, and where they are located within the unit. Looking at a floor plan is like looking down at an apartment from above with no ceiling.
Room Layout
Simply knowing how many bedrooms and bathrooms an apartment has doesn’t necessarily provide all of the information you need for making a rental decision. For example, you may prefer to have a bathroom connected to the primary bedroom or you may prefer that all bathrooms are accessible from common areas. If you work from home, you should consider home office preferences, such as natural light from windows, space for a desk and access to the rest of the apartment. Do you love to entertain? You may prefer an apartment with a dedicated dining room or an open concept that flows from the kitchen to the living room. All of these factors affect your day-to-day activities and should be considered before signing a lease. A floor plan can serve as a first look into whether an apartment is right for you.
Storage and Bonus Space
Storage (and space overall) can be a challenging aspect of apartment living. You can utilize a floor plan to determine storage areas and where they are located within a unit, such as closets, cabinet space and pantries. Prospective residents should also remember to look for bonus areas such as lofts, dens, outdoor patios and balconies, all of which provide extra space and should be clearly marked on a floor plan.
3D Floor Plans
Some apartment communities offer 3D floor plans to give renters a more realistic view of an apartment. 3D floor plans are multi-dimensional and often include ideas for furniture and other elements to show how things could look within a space. These types of floor plans may even let you click to “walk through” or virtually tour the apartment and explore different rooms and areas. Want to see an example? Irvine Company offers virtual 3D tours, powered by Matterport, for each of our apartment communities.
Ready to find an apartment layout that is right for you? Start your search today at IrvineCompanyApartments.com and discover a range of thoughtfully designed communities like spacious Rancho Alisal in Tustin, Ambrose conveniently located within walking distance of UCI or Park West situated in the heart of Irvine’s parks and biking trails. When you find a community that fits your lifestyle, you’ll be ready to compare floor plans and find your perfect home.
