5 Tips for Measuring Apartment Square Footage

Are you moving into a new rental apartment and eager to know the exact square footage of your space? Calculating the square footage is crucial for planning your interior layout and ensuring that your furniture fits perfectly. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through five tips of measuring and calculating the square footage of your apartment. Whether you're moving into a empty flat or a furnished apartment, being able to accurately determine the exact size of your living space is key to making it the perfect home.

The basics of measuring square footage

Before diving into the specifics of calculating square footage for your apartment, let's start with the fundamentals. Square footage refers to the area of a space, typically measured in square feet (sq ft). To calculate square footage, you need to measure the length and width of each room in your apartment.

Area = Length x Width

Another important task is to gather the essential tools so you can accurately measure different angles, lengths, curvatures and more. Here's what you'll need:

1. Measuring Tape: Invest in a good-quality measuring tape with both imperial (feet and inches) and metric (centimeters) measurements. A tape with a locking mechanism will help you keep the measurements in place while you record them.

2. Laser Measuring Tool: While not necessary, a laser measuring tool can greatly simplify the measurement process, especially for larger spaces. These devices use laser beams to measure distances accurately and display the results on a digital screen.

3. Notepad and Pen: Keep a notepad and pen handy to record your measurements. It's important to write down the measurements for each room as you go along to avoid confusion later.

Now that you have the basics in place, let's get measuring.

Tip 1: Measure room by room

When starting to measure, it is best to begin with the largest room as it will serve as your reference point. Measure the length and width of the room by extending your tape measure from one wall to another. Multiply the length by the width to get the square footage of that room. Repeat this process for all the other rooms.

Tip 2: Handle oddly shaped rooms differently

Not all rooms are perfectly rectangular. In the case of irregularly shaped rooms like circular ones or those with a lot of nooks and crannies, it is best to break them down into smaller sections. Calculate the square footage of each section separately, and then add them together to get the total square footage. The image below provides a couple of basic area formulas to calculate different shapes:

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Tip 3: Account for nooks, alcoves and irregular spaces

Sometimes, apartments feature nooks, alcoves or irregular spaces that are not considered as separate rooms. To include these areas in your square footage calculation, measure the length and width of each nook or alcove, calculate their individual square footage, and add them to the overall square footage of your apartment.

Nooks and alcoves add a special design that can make a room look bigger or more spacious if decorated properly. By knowing the area of these spaces, you will be able to fit in the right pieces of furniture that will turn your overall room into a much cozier or functional spot.

Tip 4: Consider limitations of furnished apartments

If you are moving into a furnished apartment, you might come across furniture and built-in fixtures that cannot be moved easily. In such cases, you will have to exclude the square footage occupied by fixed furniture and built-in elements from your calculation.

To do this, you should first calculate the area of the entire room without considering the fixed furnishings. You should then calculate the amount of space various fixed furnishings take up and deduct that from the overall area. This is key because it will allow you to focus only on the areas that are available for your use and flexibility of change.

Tip 5: Construct your floor plan

When moving into a new flat or a new rental, a floor plan is not always available. Floor plans offer you a bird's eye view of the apartment layout and usually contain the measurements of length, width, fixed structures and more. These plans are usually done by architects and interior designers when they are building or fixing up a structure.

Even if you are not an architect or designer, you can easily create a floor plan by just drawing it out and estimating where specific fixtures are situated. You can then begin placing where other furniture should go, with an idea of the right size and shape.

Benefits of knowing your apartment's square footage

Understanding the square footage of your rental apartment provides several advantages.

1. Efficient Furniture Placement: Knowing the exact dimensions of your apartment allows you to plan and arrange your furniture more efficiently. You can determine the appropriate size and scale of furnishings to ensure they fit comfortably in each room without overcrowding or wasted space. By optimizing furniture placement, you can create a well-balanced and functional living environment.

2. Accurate Interior Design and Decor: When you have the square footage at your disposal, it becomes easier to visualize and plan your interior design and decor. Whether you're considering new paint colors, wallpapers, or flooring options, knowing the square footage helps you estimate the amount of materials needed accurately. This knowledge allows for better budgeting and prevents the wastage of resources.

3. Space Optimization: Understanding your apartment's square footage empowers you to make informed decisions about how to best utilize the available space. You can identify underutilized areas that can be repurposed for storage, study nooks, or creative spaces. By maximizing the functionality of your apartment, you create a more organized and comfortable living environment.

4. Renovation and Remodeling: If you have plans for renovations or remodeling projects, knowing the square footage is essential. It enables you to estimate costs more accurately, plan for materials, and hire contractors or professionals based on the scope of the project. Whether it's a kitchen upgrade or bathroom remodel, having the correct square footage ensures a smoother and more efficient renovation process.

5. Future Move Planning: Knowing the square footage of your rental apartment can be beneficial when you decide to move to a new place. It allows you to compare and evaluate potential apartments by size, ensuring you have a clear understanding of how your furniture and belongings will fit in the new space. This knowledge saves time and helps you make informed decisions when selecting a new rental property.

Conclusion

Calculating the square footage of your rental apartment is a valuable skill that empowers you to optimize your living space. By following the tips outlined here, you can confidently determine the exact size of your apartment, whether it is a move-in ready furnished flat or en empty space. Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about furniture placement, interior design, and renovations to create a comfortable and stylish living environment that perfectly suits your needs.

At Ukio, it is key that our guests know the size and layout of the rental apartments they are staying at so we ensure that we can provide it. Even though all our apartments are fully furnished, for guests staying for long periods, by adding key fixtures and design pieces they can turn their apartments even homier.

If you are looking for beautifully furnished rentals that you can still tailor to your likings, contact us to find your ideal home.