Finding the perfect apartment in Texas regardless of your credit or background history means more than just choosing the right location and amenities. It means finding the right apartment floor plan layouts for your lifestyle – even if it’s a second chance apartment complex. After all, you’re not just choosing four walls; you’re picking a space to build memories in. This isn’t just about square footage, it’s about making those square feet work for you.
We’ve toured hundred of apartment communities and units throughout Texas. Apartment floor plan layouts aren’t one-size-fits-all – especially if you have a roommate or a family member who needs to be on the opposite side of the unit for privacy purposes. Many new buildings are going to have open concept layouts with those Texas-sized high ceilings, or the defined charm of traditional spaces you’ll often see with properties build in the 1980s and 1990s? No matter what style of floorplan is right for you, it’s about matching your vision to the space where you’ll live, laugh, and call home for atleast the next 12 months.
Understanding Apartment Floor Plan Layouts
Apartment hunting in eachmajor metropolitian area of Texas comes with its own set of fun challenges. The biggest one? Understanding which apartment floor plan layout is for you. Let’s break down some popular layouts and what they offer. This will give you a headstart in your apartment search.
Open Concept Living
These have taken the apartment world by storm, especially with all those new, modern highrises popping up across downtown ares in Texas.
Imagine this: your kitchen, dining, and living room are all one big, happy family. No walls separating them, just pure flow, which is great for gatherings. High ceilings in these layouts? You betcha! (sorry that’s a Minnesota phrase ya’ll!).
This open layout design gives you that spacious vibe, even if the actual square footage isn’t enormous. Think about hosting – this layout lets everyone mix, mingle, and move freely.
Traditional Layouts
Although, sometimes a little separation is what we crave. Traditional layouts are all about giving each room its own spotlight – a dedicated living room, a separate dining area, and a kitchen that’s its own zone. This means walls and doors for you to hang pictures, photos and really get that seperation of space.
With walls comes peace and quiet! If you’re looking at studio apartments as an option, then keep in mind that a traditional layout might make the studio apartment feel larger and look for older properties that will built with this type of construction.
This layout works great if you like things organized and defined, especially if you need some peace from your roommate or a significant other after a long day of work.
The Uniqueness of Split-Level Apartments
Enter split-level apartments – where the best of both worlds sometimes collide. They jazz up traditional layouts by having different living spaces on…well, different levels. Usually connected by a small set of stairs. It’s like a mini-house inside your apartment, offering both privacy and an open flow.
That said, those stairs can be a pain and unfortunately if you like this floorplan, they are harder to come by. Think of older buildings or penthouses that embody this type of layout. If you’re someone who values their sleep, just imagine the frustration of forgetting something downstairs or waking up in the middle of the night just to grab a glass of water!
Making Your Apartment Floor Plan Layout Work for You
We’ve talked layouts, but what about making the most of whatever layout you pick? It’s all about maximizing space and flow so that you actually enjoy coming back to your apartment after a hectic day. This can turn an okay apartment into an awesome apartment! Before you even start looking at a unit apartment, consider these tips for making the most of any apartment floor plan.
Strategizing Laundry Placement
Think about those late-night laundry runs…only to have your sleep interrupted by the washer’s victory dance. Laundry placement within your apartment floor plan matters and while many communities stack the washer and dryer, we’ve always thought the side-by-side units were a bit more fuctional and better at cleaning clothes. Expert tip: Avoid placing it next to your bedroom unless you enjoy the gentle hum of a washing machine lullaby.
Maximizing Open Layouts
Ensure there is enough room for all your furniture without turning it into an obstacle course. If a studio is too small you’re gonna have to get a larger 1 bedroom. Also, good traffic flow matters more than you think, especially if you like to host so in those specific cases aim for a minimum of 750 to 900 square feet.
Good traffic flow lets people mingle without playing dodge-the-coffee-table. Having an open floor plan can really open up the space in a small apartment which will lead to you inviting more friends over to your place before you go party on the town.
Cracking the Storage Code
Nobody wants a cluttered apartment. It’s about smart storage that seamlessly integrates into your floor plan. Ample closet space – this one’s a non-negotiable. And think vertical with SHELVES!
Have you ever considered built-in shelving or cabinets? Because in a smaller space, utilizing that vertical space is key to maximizing your apartment building plan and you can browse Amazon visit your nearby Container Store.
Hidden storage? Yes, please. Those ottomans with storage compartments aren’t just cute, they are strategic but you’ll need to purposefully hunt for this type of furniture as you’re unlikely to find in on Facebook Marketplace or searching the local craiglist links. Trust me, good storage can completely transform how your space feels because it allows you to hide all the little small items you’ve got laying around making your apartment feel cluttered.
Flooring Matters
Often overlooked but so crucial when looking at apartment floor plan layouts. You are going to walk, live and create memories all over that flooring. Which floor apartment you decide to rent out a is a great place to start thinking about what type of flooring would work for your lifestyle – especially since 1st floor units (the most popular in Texas due to many complexes not having elevators) typically don’t have carpet.
Carpet vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank
In Texas, flooring needs to handle life, not just look good. Carpet – warm, inviting, a haven for dust bunnies. Cleaning can be a beast and we’ve even had some clients that avoid carpet alltogether since cat dander can be difficult to remove and let’s face it – no one like living in a place where you might have allergies starting to appear because the previous tenant had a cat.
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank), on the other hand, is like that low-maintenance friend; a quick sweep, and you’re done. Stains? What stains? It looks like wood, doesn’t smell like wood but cleans like wood!
Plus, with those high ceilings in Texas apartments, choosing the right flooring influences your apartment’s whole vibe so it’s cohesive and ties the place together from a design perspective. Exerpt tip: find a place with golden warm tones in the flooring that resembles white oak – this flooring color really gives off a welcom home vibe.
The Power of Sunlight in Your Space
Texas sunlight hits differently, especially if your windows are West facing? Big windows not only frame your view but totally change the mood of your apartment. Imagine waking up with the sun VERSUS roasting in your apartment because it’s Summer, your place faces West and it’s 110 degrees. Not the best place to be! You can create stunning light that will feed your plants in your apartment with well-placed windows that are facing North, Northeast or East.
The Sunlight and Wellbeing Connection
Ever wonder why those sun-drenched apartments feel so good? It’s more than aesthetics. I’m talking mood boost from increased serotonin production, better focus if you work from home – which let’s be real, a lot of us do since Covid created a paradigm shift for those looking to work from home instead of going to the office.
As we mentioned before it’ll keep those plants growing and keeping your air clean. When touring potential apartment buildings, make sure you inspe t the windows and whether they fuction properly.
Pay attention to which direction those windows face. East-facing = beautiful sunrises, perfect for a cheerful breakfast nook. West-facing = mesmerizing sunsets, great for an evening relaxation spot.
Window Placement Strategy
Look for those larger windows that flood your space with that amazing natural light, making it feel larger and more welcoming – anything with a downtown view is just icing on the cake. Big windows are your friend and you’ll likely see more apartments in downtown highrises that have floor to ceiling windows.
Outdoor Space: Your Personal Oasis
Let’s talk outdoor space – specifically patios. Texans love a bit of outdoor living and grilling so if that’s important to you try to get a 1st floor unit with a larger area as opposed to a 2nd floor unit that has a smaller patio layout. A well-designed floor plan often incorporates those options, even in the heart of a bustling city and if you have a dog and need that green space you’ll likely want an apartment with a private yard.
Balconies & Patios
Even a small balcony or patio can massively improve your living experience because you can decorate it with plants, string lights or even those bamboo sheets that provide a wall of privacy when you hang them from the ceiling outside. It’s like having an extra room…but with better airflow and no one peeking into your apartment to see what you’re up to. You can use rugs, furniture, and clever lighting to make your outdoor space an extension of your apartment as well so don’t be lame if you decide to rent an apartment with a patio – use the space and use it wisely.
Embrace Nearby Green Space
If you live in Austin, you’ve likely walked the Barton Creek trails and know that many apartments were built along the greenbelt. Apartments with access to nearby walking trails are fantastic but going to cost a little more. If you don’t want to break the bank consider renting a place that’s close to a park. A nearby park isn’t just about having somewhere to stroll but offers peace, quiet, fresh air, the sounds of nature and the opprotunity to meet new people assuming you have time to hang out there and talk to your neighbors. Consider parks an extension of your living space like those European cities where people meet for social gatherings because they are limited on outdoor green space in a bustling city. Evenings become about leisurely walks, not being stuck within four walls as well – especially if you have to take Fido for a walk.
Finding the Right Apartment is Hard
Exciting, challenging, and all about knowing what you want, especially when it comes to apartment floor plan layouts. Don’t settle for just any space. Match your lifestyle to a layout you’ll absolutely love so you can actually enjoy living there. Our free apartment locating service in Texas caters to renters who need help finding a place they not only like but one they can get approved at and just in case you didn’t know we were featured on the ApartmentGuide blog! Check out the recent article we were quoted in: 5 Tips for Finding the Right Apartment Floor Plan if you would like more thougths on this topic. You deserve an apartment that isn’t just a home but your sanctuary, reflecting your personality and how you live life.