Your Ultimate Guide to Apartment Types

Apartment types can be a little confusing, so we're here to help. This guide will walk you through the differences between studios, loft apartments, mid-rise apartments and more.

Your Ultimate Guide to Apartment Types
Check out all of our apartment listings on SpotEasy.com!

Apartment types can be a little confusing, so we're here to help. This guide will walk you through the differences between studios, loft apartments, mid-rise apartments and more. As you read through this guide, if anything is still unclear, don't hesitate to ask us in the comments!

Studio apartments

Studio apartments are a small apartment that is one room. They typically have little separation except for the bathroom and possibly the closet. Studios tend to be the smallest apartments available, though they vary depending on location and building age.

Loft apartments

Loft apartments are usually located on the top floor of an old building. They're also small, but they make up for their lack of space with high ceilings and large windows. Loft apartments typically have concrete floors and walls, as well as exposed brick. If you want to make your loft feel more like home and less industrial, consider adding some artwork or decorations that reflect your style!

Mid-rise apartments

Mid-rise apartments are typically between 4-10 floors. They're a little more expensive than low-rise apartments, but they tend to be located in more urban areas with better amenities like gyms or pools. If you want your apartment to feel like home without being too high up from the ground, this is probably the best choice for you!

Low-rise apartments

Low-rise apartments are typically a single story and have fewer than five stories. They're also generally more affordable than high-rises, but that doesn't mean they aren't in good shape. In fact, many low-rise buildings were built before there were strict building codes for safety or energy efficiency. If you're looking for an affordable option with older features, this might be your best bet!

High-rise apartments

High-rise apartments are the tallest type of apartment building, typically with 12 or more floors in the building. Taller than 40 floors is considered a skyscraper in the US and common in larger cities. High-rise apartments usually come with standard amenities like a gym or pool on site so that residents don't need to go far for amenities. Since these types of buildings are so tall, they also tend to have pretty good views!

Luxury apartments

Luxury apartments provide amenities beyond standard, including upgraded appliances and huge closets. State-of-the-art facilities include a swimming pool on the rooftop, although not super common in Boston because of the weather.

Photo by Donald Pepple / Unsplash

Penthouse apartment

Penthouse apartments are located on the highest floor of a building. They're often considered luxury apartments due to their spacious size and amenities. A penthouse apartment can be found in any type of building, but they're especially common in high-rise buildings like skyscrapers.

Condo

Condominiums, or condos for short, are a type of apartment that's popular in many major cities. Condos are individually owned units, so you rent from the owner of your unit rather than from a landlord who owns multiple units in one building.

Maisonette apartment

Maisonettes have a private entrance and are usually connected to a larger house. They can be found in urban areas; however, they're more common in Europe than America because of their European roots. The word "maisonette" is French for "little house."

Walk-up apartments

Walk-up apartments are located in a building without an elevator. They are often older and can be renovated, but the price is usually lower than other types of apartments. Walk-up apartments are great for people who don't mind stairs and want something affordable.

Boston Aerial View - Houses at Night
Photo by Mohit Singh / Unsplash

We hope you have found our guide to apartment types helpful. If you're still confused about what kind of apartment is right for you, don't worry! We’re here to help. Check out our listings on Spot Easy and reach out to an agent if you have questions.