1. Avoid Buying Apartments With Unusual Designs
The saying goes that even the ugliest design can be improved with a remodel to increase practicality and space utilization. However, apartments with unusual designs are often extremely challenging to renovate. No matter how much money you invest in remodeling, it sometimes simply isn’t possible to make it work, and it won’t feel as comfortable as a regularly shaped apartment.
If you buy an apartment with an unusual design, you may encounter the following issues:
Low space utilization: For example, an apartment with a long hallway will always have wasted space, no matter how you design it.
Difficult to renovate: Not all apartments are structurally possible to renovate. If you buy an apartment with a load-bearing wall in an awkward position, renovation might be out of the question.
High renovation costs: Many people say that a renovation that doesn’t involve breaking down walls isn’t a real renovation. But how many people consider the cost of such extensive remodeling? If you have to tear down multiple walls, the costs will skyrocket.
Advice: When buying a new apartment, opt for a traditionally shaped one. If that’s not possible, at least avoid apartments with uneven spaces.
2. Avoid Buying North-Facing Apartments
Many modern apartments have “backwards” features, such as a south-facing living room and dining room, with only the balcony facing north, or bedrooms that are north-facing.
While these apartments may have all the functional spaces, they aren’t very comfortable to live in, and here’s why:
Dark and damp: North-facing apartments don’t get direct sunlight, so they tend to be cold and damp. This isn’t ideal for the health of the elderly and young children.
Poor lighting: Although north-facing apartments do get some daylight, the duration is short. On cloudy days, you might have to keep the lights on all day.
Bacteria breeding ground: The lack of sunlight and constant darkness make these apartments a breeding ground for bacteria, which can affect your health.
Advice: Don’t buy a north-facing apartment, even if it’s cheaper. An apartment that gets some sunlight, even for just two hours a day, is far more comfortable than a north-facing one.
3. Avoid Buying Apartments Without Cross-Ventilation
One of the most important factors in determining a good apartment is cross-ventilation. The biggest advantage of this type of apartment is that the air inside can circulate, keeping the space dry and preventing dampness and mold.
Additionally, when you have windows on both the south and north sides, the natural lighting in the apartment is significantly better. Even on cloudy days, you won’t need to turn on the lights during the day.
However, many people mistakenly believe that as long as the living room has windows on both sides, it has cross-ventilation. In reality, only when the following two criteria are met can it be considered true cross-ventilation:
The living room and dining room are on the same straight axis, with no obstructions in between, and they can open up to a balcony to allow for a breeze.
Bedrooms are divided between the south and north, with bedroom doors facing each other for airflow. If the doors are not aligned, it’s not considered cross-ventilation.
Advice: When buying an apartment, inspect all the rooms to ensure you aren’t misled. When designing the interior, be mindful not to block the natural airflow.
4. Avoid Buying Apartments Without an Entryway (Small Hallway)
An entryway or small hallway is the first thing you see when you enter a home. Besides providing a transition space and privacy by blocking the line of sight, it primarily serves as a storage area.
If your apartment doesn’t have an entryway, you may encounter these issues:
Clutter by the entrance: Without an entryway, there’s little to no storage space. Over time, the entrance will become cluttered with shoes and other items, making the space look messy.
Lack of privacy: Apartments without entryways often have an open design, leading directly into the living room. This reduces privacy and may make you feel less secure.
Lack of a grand entrance: For those who value quality living, an apartment without an entryway can feel like something is missing. No matter how beautiful the interior design is, it may not feel complete.
Advice: Opt for an apartment with a separate entryway. If you have to compromise, make sure it’s possible to remodel and add an entryway in the future.
5. Avoid Buying Apartments With Bathrooms That Can’t Separate Dry and Wet Areas
Bathrooms nowadays tend to be small, but even a tiny bathroom should be designed to separate the dry area (sink) from the wet area (shower).
If this separation isn’t possible, you may encounter several problems:
Low efficiency: If the sink isn’t separated, when someone is brushing their teeth or washing their face, it’s difficult for another person to use the toilet.
Hard to keep clean: If the shower area isn’t separated, after each shower, the whole bathroom will be wet, making it difficult to keep clean.
High humidity: Bathrooms are already humid places, and without a separate shower area, the space will be hard to dry, leading to bacterial growth.
Safety hazard: Even with anti-slip tiles, if the floor is always wet, it can be dangerous for the elderly and children, who may slip and fall.
Advice: I prefer bathrooms with three separate areas, including a separate toilet area. So, when buying an apartment, at the very least, ensure the bathroom can separate the dry and wet areas; otherwise, don’t buy it.
The above information is for reference only!
The Coolest Way to Use an Electric Fan
The smart use of electric fans can be a game-changer during scorching summer days. By strategically placing and using your fans, you can maximize cooling effects while keeping energy costs down. It’s all about harnessing the power of airflow to create a comfortable and cost-effective environment.
