Is a 1 Bedroom Bigger Than a Studio? Space Showdown for Indian Setups

If you’re searching for a new apartment and see the words ‘studio’ and ‘1 bedroom’ everywhere, you might wonder—are these the same thing? Not really. The main difference is simple: a 1 bedroom has a separate sleeping area with a door, while a studio puts everything—bed, living, and sometimes kitchen—into one open space.

So, in most cases, yes—a 1 bedroom is bigger. In India, your typical 1 bedroom flat usually measures around 450-650 square feet. Studios often start smaller, sometimes just 250-400 square feet. But here’s the kicker: real-life comfort isn’t just about the number on the brochure. It’s how usable that space is, and there are plenty of smart ways to make even a studio apartment feel roomy if you know what to look for.

If you’re eyeing a space for your home office, music setup, or just a no-fuss lifestyle, the type of apartment you pick can make a big difference. Ready to dig into how these spaces stack up, and which one makes more sense for your setup?

• Studio vs. 1 Bedroom: What’s the Real Difference?
• How Size Compares in Indian Cities
• Why Size Isn’t Everything: Layout Matters
• Tips for Maximizing Your Space

Studio vs. 1 Bedroom: What’s the Real Difference?

The line between a 1 bedroom and a studio can feel blurry when you’re looking at listings in India. If you ask anyone who’s rented both, they’ll tell you size is part of it, but so is privacy and layout.

A studio apartment packs everything—your bed, living space, and kitchen—into a single open room. Most times, there are no walls to divide up your sleeping area from your living area, and if there’s a kitchen, it’s usually just a small nook. The bathroom is the only thing that gets its own separate door.

With a 1 bedroom flat, you get a separate bedroom. This bedroom has its own door you can close, separate from the kitchen and living area. This setup really matters if you want a spot to unwind or need to keep work away from your sleeping zone.

To give you a clearer picture, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:

For singles or folks who don’t need lots of space—or just want to save money—a studio can be a smart choice. But if you’ve got a partner, work long hours from home, or just like shutting your door and tuning out the world, a 1 bedroom will feel a lot more comfortable.

One thing most people miss: in Indian cities, the difference in rent between these two isn’t always huge, especially in older buildings. In some places, a small 1 bedroom can cost only a little more than a new, fancy studio in the same neighborhood. So, always compare your options before deciding.

How Size Compares in Indian Cities

Size is a big deal when you’re picking between a 1 bedroom and a studio, especially in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore where every square foot costs real money. Studios are usually the tiniest options you’ll find. In Mumbai, for example, a studio can be as small as 220-350 square feet—barely enough for a bed, a compact kitchen corner, and a tiny bathroom. In contrast, an average 1 bedroom flat in the same areas goes from about 450 all the way to 650 square feet, giving you a separate sleeping room and a bit more privacy.

If you look around at newer developments, especially in suburbs or upcoming localities, you’ll notice that even the studios have gotten a bit bigger—sometimes up to 400 square feet. But the classic rule still holds: if you want a clear boundary between living and sleeping, you’re almost always looking at a 1 bedroom flat.

Even the pricing reflects this. A 1 bedroom’s rent can be 20-35% higher than a studio in the same building. So, people working from home or wanting to share spaces with a roommate often end up feeling cramped in a studio and prefer the upgrade.

According to property consultant Anarock, “In top Indian cities, the average 1 BHK still provides at least 30% more usable space than a typical studio, and these few extra square feet can totally change your living experience.”

If you’re setting up a work-from-home station, hosting friends, or just need a spot to park your bike indoors, even a small jump in square footage can make things way easier. The difference might not look huge on paper, but you definitely feel it once you move in.

Why Size Isn’t Everything: Layout Matters

It’s easy to get caught up comparing floor space, but the layout can totally change how a studio or 1 bedroom feels day-to-day. Square footage on paper is just half the story—how the space actually flows counts for even more.

For example, in Indian cities, you’ll find plenty of 1 bedroom flats with long, narrow hallways and weird nooks. These eat into your usable space. Meanwhile, a well-designed studio setup—even if technically smaller—can feel open and airy, with no wasted corners. It’s not just about cramming in furniture, either. It’s about how the space lets you move and live comfortably.

• Open floor plans in studios can make a room pull double duty—your bed area can instantly switch to a work-from-home desk or reading corner with a simple divider or curtain.
• Look at window placement. Apartments with more natural light (even small ones) always seem bigger and friendlier.
• Check for built-in storage—wardrobes, shelves, and loft spaces save square feet you’d otherwise lose to bulky cabinets.
• Smart furniture matters. Beds with storage drawers, foldable desks, or nesting tables instantly boost how much you can actually do in a small home.

You can also spot how top builders in places like Mumbai and Bengaluru are nailing this. Some new studio apartments carve out a tiny alcove for a kitchenette or add a partition to zone the sleeping area from the sofa. That little difference can mean you get privacy when friends come over, or avoid work-from-bed syndrome on long days.

Here’s a quick look at how layout can play out, even with the same or less space:

The real hack? Don’t just chase the biggest number. Walk through or check a detailed floor plan. If you love hosting, that open-plan studio setup might fit you better. Prefer shutting the door and crashing alone after work? Then that classic 1 bedroom has your back—even if the number of square feet isn’t wildly different.

Tips for Maximizing Your Space

No matter if you have a studio or a 1 bedroom, smart use of the available space matters way more than the number of square feet. In Indian cities, every inch comes at a price, so let's make it work for you, not against you.

• Use Multi-Purpose Furniture: You can’t beat furniture that does double-duty. Beds with storage, foldable desks, or a sofa-cum-bed are lifesavers in both studio setup India flats and small 1 bedrooms.
• Go Vertical: Think racks, wall-mounted shelves, and hooks. Your walls are wasted space if you don’t use them for storage. It clears up your floor, giving your home a neater look and making it feel more open.
• Declutter Regularly: If you don’t use it, lose it. Most people in a studio find that less is definitely more. Be brutal—if you haven’t touched something in months, pass it on.
• Choose Light Over Dark: Lighter wall paints and curtains make any room feel larger. In cities like Mumbai or Bangalore, where natural light may be scarce, this trick instantly brightens things up.
• Smart Layout: In smaller homes, try keeping furniture closer to the walls to open up central walking space. For studios, use a bookshelf or curtain as a makeshift divider so the sleeping and ‘living’ zones don’t blend into each other.
• Hidden Storage: Storage ottomans or beds with drawers underneath are gamechangers for shoebox apartments. Even your kitchen can use vertical storage for spices and utensils, freeing up counter space for actual cooking.

If you’re the techy type or working from home in a studio setup India flat, invest in cordless gadgets and compact, wall-mounted charging spots. That way, cables and gear won’t eat up your living area. Studies show that people who keep visible clutter out of sight report lower stress—and who doesn’t want that?

Ultimately, whether you’re squeezed into a cozy studio or living it up in a 1 bedroom, a little creativity goes a long way. You don’t need a huge flat to feel at home—you just need to be clever with what you’ve got.

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