How Big Is a 700 Sq Ft Apartment? Layouts, Room Sizes, and What Fits (with m²)

• Vishal Dhanraj
• 16 Sep, 2025
• 0 Comments

You clicked because you want a straight answer: is 700 sq ft small, cozy, or actually quite livable? Here’s the short truth-700 sq ft (about 65 m²) is typically a comfortable one-bedroom or a very generous studio. It can work for one person, a couple, or even a couple with a cat (my cat Leo approves) if the layout is efficient. But the layout makes or breaks it more than the raw number.

• TL;DR: 700 sq ft ≈ 65 m². Usually a 1-bedroom or spacious studio. Feels big if open-plan; feels small if chopped up.
• Rough size picture: think slightly bigger than a standard two-car garage, or about a quarter of a tennis court.
• What fits: living zone, bedroom, full bathroom, compact kitchen, dining for 2-4, and a small WFH setup.
• Who it suits: single or couple, possibly with a pet, and one dedicated WFH spot. Roommates are tight unless the layout is perfect.

What 700 sq ft looks like (and how to picture it fast)

First, convert it. 700 sq ft equals roughly 65 m². In day-to-day terms, that’s enough for a proper bedroom, a living/dining area, a bathroom, and a kitchen that isn’t just a hallway. Whether it feels spacious or cramped depends on walls, windows, and circulation.

Quick mental pictures:

• As a rectangle: 35 ft × 20 ft (10.7 m × 6.1 m) or 28 ft × 25 ft (8.5 m × 7.6 m). Real apartments are broken into rooms, but these dimensions help you picture the footprint.
• Compared to familiar spaces: A typical two-car garage is 400-600 sq ft; 700 is a step up. A primary school classroom is often ~800-900 sq ft; 700 is smaller.
• As a home layout: it’s usually a 1-bedroom with a separate sleeping room and wardrobes, or a roomy studio with space for a bed, sofa, dining, and a desk.

Common 700 sq ft layouts:

• One-bedroom: Bedroom (100-130 sq ft), living/dining (170-220), kitchen (60-100), bathroom (40-60), entry/hall/closets (60-100). Balcony, if any, varies and may not be counted in some regions.
• Large studio (open plan): One big multi-use room (300-400 sq ft) plus a compact kitchen, bathroom, and closets. Often feels larger because you’re not losing space to walls and doors.

What affects the feel more than the number:

• Ceiling height and windows. Taller ceilings and big windows boost perceived space.
• Circulation. Long hallways and awkward corners burn square footage with zero payoff.
• Storage. Built-ins and clever closets reduce clutter, which makes the same area feel bigger.
• Kitchen style. A U-shaped kitchen can be great for cooking but may eat up floor area. A single-wall kitchen saves space but needs thoughtful storage.

Typical furniture footprints and clearances (so you can test fit in your head):

• Queen bed: about 60 × 80 in (152 × 203 cm). Minimum comfortable bedroom width for a queen with side tables is ~9 ft (2.7 m), assuming sensible door swings.
• Three-seat sofa: ~84 in (213 cm) wide; two-seat: ~70 in (178 cm). Leave 30-36 in (76-91 cm) for main walkways.
• Dining table for 4: 48-54 in (122-137 cm) round or 30 × 48 in (76 × 122 cm) rectangular. Allow ~36 in (91 cm) around for chairs and movement.
• Work desk: 47 × 24 in (120 × 60 cm) is a good sweet spot. Float it near a window if possible.

Why these ranges? They reflect common dimensions found in mainstream listings in Australia, the US, and the UK, plus furniture industry standards (e.g., mattress and sofa manufacturers publish standard sizes). The point isn’t to be exact to the inch-it’s to help you judge whether your stuff and lifestyle fit into 700 sq ft.

Plan and furnish a 700 sq ft home: layouts, rules of thumb, and mistakes to avoid

If you’re deciding whether a 700 sq ft apartment works-or you’re trying to set one up-use this step-by-step plan.

1. Map your zones on paper first. Divide the space into four jobs: sleep, lounge, cook/eat, work. If two jobs must share the same area, decide which is primary. Example: a living room that doubles as a work zone-make sure your desk can tuck away or face a view.

2. Prioritise flow. Leave 30-36 in (76-91 cm) for main walkways, 18 in (46 cm) around the bed edges, and don’t block windows. Shoving a sofa too close to a TV just to “fit” a dining table is a false economy-you’ll hate the cramped feel.

3. Choose right-size furniture. Go for a 72-80 in (183-203 cm) sofa instead of an oversized sectional. Round dining tables (48-54 in / 122-137 cm) are perfect in 700 sq ft because they cheat corner space and seat 4.

4. Use vertical storage. Bookcases to the ceiling, wall cabinets in the entry, over-toilet shelving, and a tall pantry if the kitchen is single-wall. Floor space is gold; don’t waste it on low, deep pieces that eat room.

5. Pick dual-use pieces. Sofa bed for guests, lift-top coffee table, nesting side tables, a Murphy desk, or an ottoman with storage. Think: can this item do two jobs?

6. Light and mirrors. Layered lighting (ceiling + floor + desk) helps zones feel intentional. A large mirror near a window expands the room visually without any renovation.

7. Contain the mess. Closed storage for ugly items, open shelves for display only. One drop zone near the door (hooks + tray + shoe cabinet) stops clutter from spreading.

8. Define zones with rugs. A 5×8 ft (152×244 cm) rug under a two-seat or small three-seat sofa defines a lounge; a 4×6 ft (122×183 cm) under a dining table anchors it without eating space.

9. Mind door swings. Pocket or barn doors can salvage precious space in bathrooms and laundries. If you can’t change doors, arrange furniture so door arcs don’t hit chairs or nightstands.

10. Measure twice, buy once. Tape out furniture footprints on the floor with painter’s tape before buying. It’s the fastest reality check you’ll ever do.

Example setups that work in 700 sq ft:

• 1-bedroom for a couple WFH: Bedroom with queen bed + 24 in (61 cm) deep wardrobe; living with 78 in (198 cm) sofa and wall-mounted TV; 48 in (122 cm) round dining table that doubles as a meeting spot; desk by the window; single-wall kitchen with tall pantry.
• Open studio for one: Bed tucked behind a bookshelf divider; 70 in (178 cm) sofa facing a media console with low profile; compact island on wheels; wall-mounted fold-down desk; tall wardrobes along one wall.
• Pet-friendly (hi from Melbourne): Keep a 24-30 in (61-76 cm) cat tree by a window and use a closed-lid litter box in a ventilated laundry nook; store pet food and litter in sealed bins inside a hall cabinet.

Rules of thumb to remember:

• One giant piece per room is okay; two is trouble. If you want a big sofa, keep the coffee table small and light.
• Keep sightlines clean. Nothing tall right in front of windows; tall storage belongs on the darkest wall.
• Choose 2-3 harmonising colours across the whole apartment. Fewer colours = calmer, larger feel.
• Wall-mount where you can. TV, shelves, even bedside lamps. The more floor you see, the bigger it feels.

Mistakes that make 700 sq ft feel tiny:

• Too many small pieces. A swarm of tiny tables and chairs looks messy and still blocks movement.
• Buying a sectional before measuring. Corners rob circulation; a standard sofa plus an accent chair is often better.
• Underestimating storage. If the unit lacks closets, you must create them with wardrobes and cabinets; otherwise you’ll live out of piles.
• Ignoring acoustics. Curtains, rugs, and soft furnishings absorb noise, especially important in open-plan studios.
• Overloading the kitchen. A freestanding island that kills walkways will irritate you daily. Use a slim cart on casters instead.

When 700 sq ft is enough-and when it isn’t:

• Enough if: One person or a couple, one WFH desk, light hobby gear, occasional guests, a pet or two.
• Borderline if: Two full-time WFH setups, extensive sports/music equipment, frequent overnight guests, or a baby on the way without external storage.
• Tricky if: Two unrelated roommates who need private WFH areas. In that case, look for a split-bedroom layout with similar bedroom sizes and good sound separation.

FAQs, quick comparisons, and next steps

700 sq ft vs other sizes-how does it feel?

• 700 vs 600 sq ft: 700 often gives you a separate bedroom instead of studio, or simply better storage. The lifestyle difference can be big even though the number isn’t.
• 700 vs 800 sq ft: 800 is more forgiving-bigger bedroom or a real dining nook. If you need two desks, 800+ is safer.
• 700 vs 900 sq ft: 900 can edge into small 2-bed territory. If budget jumps a lot, weigh the trade-off: do you value a second room more than location?

Mini-FAQ

• Is 700 sq ft considered small? It’s on the compact side, but not micro. In most cities, it’s a standard 1-bedroom or large studio.
• How many people can live comfortably? One person, very comfortably. A couple, comfortably. Two roommates is tight unless there are two legit rooms and good sound separation.
• Can I fit a king bed? Usually, but check door swings and bedside access. A king can crowd a 10×10 ft room; a queen is easier.
• Is there space for a dining table? Yes. A 2-4 person round or a 30×48 in rectangular table fits in most 700 sq ft layouts.
• Good for WFH? Yes for one desk. Two desks require careful zoning-use living + bedroom or add a fold-down desk near a window.
• Does 700 include the balcony? Depends on local listing rules. Some agents quote internal area only; others show total (internal + balcony). Always read the floor plan legend and ask for the internal area separately.
• What about storage? Look for at least one full-height wardrobe and a linen or utility cupboard. If not, budget for wardrobes or a storage locker.

Quick checklist when touring a 700 sq ft apartment:

• Measure the bedroom width at the narrowest point. Can a queen fit with two 18-20 in (46-51 cm) side tables?
• Check window placement. Is there a natural spot for the sofa that doesn’t block light?
• Count closets. Minimum: one wardrobe + one utility/linen. If not, note where wardrobes could go.
• Kitchen depth. Do you have 36 in (91 cm) clear between counters/appliances? Open the fridge and oven to test clearances.
• WFH corner. Can you place a 47×24 in (120×60 cm) desk near a power point with daylight?
• Laundry and bathroom doors. Do they hit anything? Pocket doors can be a future upgrade if allowed.
• Noise check. Stand still for 30 seconds near windows and the bed wall. Any constant hum or neighbour noise?

Decision guide: One-bed vs studio at 700 sq ft

• Pick a one-bed if you need noise separation for WFH or different sleep schedules.
• Pick a studio if you want airy, open space and plan to use flexible furniture and storage to keep it tidy.
• If you’re a heavy cook: One-bed layouts often give the kitchen its own wall and better ventilation.
• If you entertain: A studio can feel larger for gatherings because there are fewer walls and better flow.

Small-space pro tips from real life:

• Use a headboard with built-in shelves to replace bedside tables in a tight room.
• Mount a curtain track across a studio to create a soft “second room” when guests are over.
• Swap a TV console for a low wall unit with doors. Your lounge will look calmer and bigger.
• Choose a platform bed with drawers and skip a dresser entirely.
• Put the dining table on felt pads and slide it against the wall on weekdays to free up floor space.

Next steps

• If you’re shopping online: Ask the agent for the internal area (excluding balcony), a dimensioned floor plan, and ceiling height. Request exact bedroom width and living room length.
• Before moving: Tape out the major pieces on your current floor. If the tape maze feels tight, downsize the largest item first (usually the sofa or dining table).
• On a budget: Prioritise three buys that change everything-sofa that actually fits, a round dining table, and tall closed storage. The rest can be upgraded later.
• WFH heavy: Get a compact desk, a good task chair, and noise control (rug + curtains). Place the desk where your webcam won’t point at the bed.

Troubleshooting by scenario

• Two people both WFH: Put one desk in the living room and one in the bedroom; use noise-cancelling headphones. Consider a fold-down desk or wall-mounted table for the second station.
• Musical instruments or gym gear: Use vertical wall racks (guitars, bikes), and pick a folding bench or keyboard stand that slides under the bed.
• Lots of books: Tall, narrow bookcases; avoid deep, low units. Add LED strips under shelves to reduce visual bulk.
• Entertains often: Opt for stackable dining chairs and nesting side tables. A 54 in (137 cm) round table can seat 5-6 in a pinch.
• New baby: Carve a nursery corner in the bedroom with a crib and a narrow dresser; use blackout curtains for naps. Keep a rolling cart for baby supplies to avoid clutter.

If you remember one thing, make it this: 700 sq ft isn’t about squeezing-it's about editing. With decent light, smart storage, and furniture that fits the scale, it lives bigger than the number suggests. And yes, there’s space for a cozy reading chair and a cat by the window.

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