The Square Footage Myth: Why Layout Efficiency Beats Size Every Time
In real estate, we are obsessed with “Price per Square Foot.” But this metric can be dangerously misleading. Many buyers chase bigger numbers on a brochure but ignore layout efficiency, ending up with a 1,200 sq. ft. apartment that feels smaller and functions worse than a smart 900 sq. ft. unit.
The Curse of the Corridor
Where does the space actually go? In many older or poorly designed towers, up to 20% of the square footage is wasted on “dead zones.”
- Long Entry Corridors: You pay for this hallway, you cool it with AC, but you cannot put furniture in it. It is useless space.
- Awkward Pillars: Large structural columns in the middle of a living room destroy the flow and limit where you can put a sofa.
- Odd Angles: Rounded or triangular rooms might look cool from the outside, but try fitting a rectangular bed against a curved wall. It wastes space.
Efficiency = Rentability
In contrast, a well-designed modern apartment minimizes hallways, integrates open-plan kitchens, and uses square aspect ratios.
A 900 sq. ft. unit with a perfect square layout will allow for a full dining table, a large sectional sofa, and a king-sized bed. It feels larger, flows better, and most importantly, it rents faster. Tenants walk in and immediately see how their life fits into the space. They don’t see “900 sq. ft.” on the paper; they see “livability.”
Can you see the TV from the sofa without a pillar blocking it? Is there space for a shoe rack at the entrance? If you have to struggle to fit basic items, walk away—no matter how cheap the price per sq. ft. is.
Light and Volume
Finally, remember that space is 3D. A smaller unit with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows will always feel more premium than a massive unit with small windows and low ceilings. Light creates the illusion of space.
Don’t buy square footage. Buy livability.
