Apartments come in different shapes and sizes. There are studio apartments, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and more. However, one of the most unique apartment styles you can find in the market is an apartment with a den. An apartment with a den is essentially one with an extra spare room. To give you a better idea of what it entails, here’s a comprehensive review of its pros and cons. We’ll also give you some practical tips on how you can maximize the additional space that you get when you rent one. Read below to learn more.
Main Takeaways
- An apartment with a den features an extra room that is not a legal bedroom because it lacks certain building code requirements, such as a proper egress window.
- This additional space offers flexibility for a home office, gym, or hobby room, and is a cheaper alternative to a full two-bedroom apartment.
- The main drawbacks are that den apartments are less common, may cost more than a standard one-bedroom, and legally cannot be used as a permanent bedroom due to fire safety concerns.
What Is an Apartment With a Den?
Came across listings from Austin, Texas property management companies for an apartment with a den? When it comes to rental apartments, you’re most likely familiar with studio and bedroomed units. So, what does it mean for an apartment to have a den?
When an apartment is listed as “with a den”, this means that it comes with an extra room that is not dedicated or considered a bedroom. It’s mostly as a matter of technicality, since landlords or property managers can’t call a room a bedroom if it doesn’t meet specific housing standards and building codes.
For example, Austin, TX, follows the 2021 International Residential Code, which states that bedrooms must:
- Have a minimum size of 70 square feet for single occupancy, with an additional 50 sq ft per added person
- Include an egress window with at least 24” high and 20” wide that is 44” above the floor at maximum, with a net clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet.
- Feature a ceiling height of 7 feet in at least 50% of the room.
On top of these, Austin housing regulations mandate that bedrooms must meet local fire safety standards. So, if the room does not meet these requirements, then it can only be considered and marketed as a den.
How Dens Are Usually Used in Apartments
Now that we’ve established what makes an apartment “with a den”, this begs the question of how dens are commonly utilized if they’re not ideal (and legal) to be a bedroom. Since dens are typically an extra alcove, how do tenants make use of this additional space?
First, a den makes the perfect home office. Even with minimal space, you can turn it into your dedicated workspace as long as you can fit a desk and a chair. Not to mention the seclusion that a den can provide can be great if you need the quiet to focus.
Other than that, a den is great to convert into anything hobby-related. You like to read? Make yourself a library with a reading nook. Want a dedicated place for your home workouts? Get your dumbbells and enjoy your personal home gym.
And while a den is not considered a bedroom, you can still use it to accommodate guests for short periods. You can fit in a sofa bed or a daybed that you can turn into a comfy sleeping area with just enough privacy for your guests.
Pros of Renting an Apartment With a Den
Taking the different ways you can use a den into consideration, it’s safe to say that dens offer you the creative freedom to transform it into anything that you like or need. However, what else could be the benefit of renting an apartment with den space? Let’s dive in a little deeper:
In a practical sense, one of the key benefits of living in an apartment with a den is that it offers additional space at a relatively cheaper price. In the real estate market, there is a significant jump in price between a studio apartment and a one-bedroom unit, as well as between a one-bedroom unit and a two-bedroom unit. Having a den provides you with that additional square footage without the price tag of a dedicated bedroom.
Aside from that, dens also offer a great deal of privacy. Given that these dens are often enclosed spaces, you can turn them into a personal retreat where you can enjoy some privacy and personal space.
Speaking of transforming your den into your personal space, another primary benefit of dens is their versatility and flexibility. Instead of having a bedroom dedicated to just one purpose, your den can turn into anything you need – a gym, library, home office, studio, closet, pantry, and more!
Cons of Apartments With a Den
Now, what about the cons of living in an apartment with a den? While it can be great to have that additional space, there are still some drawbacks that you need to consider.
First, dens don’t tend to be a common feature in most apartment layouts. This means that not only can it be difficult to come across an apartment with a den, but this added feature can come at a slightly higher price than a unit with a standard layout.
Even if it’s still relatively cheaper to rent a one-bedroom apartment with a den than to upgrade to a full two-bedroom unit, you also need to compare the difference between a one-bedroom apartment with den and a standard one-bedroom unit. Standard one-bedroom units without a den tend to be cheaper than those with one. Ask yourself if it’s worth the additional rent and if you can actually utilize and maximize the den space.
Another factor that you need to consider is design. Since dens are typically interior rooms, they commonly don’t have any windows. And when a room doesn’t have access to natural light, you need to add more lights and other fixtures to make it feel less dull and dark inside.
In relation to the lack of windows, in Texas, you legally can’t convert dens into a permanent sleeping area, even if the room is big enough, if they don’t have egress windows. After all, if the den doesn’t have these windows, it’s considered a fire trap. While you can have it as a guest bedroom for short stays, it’s illegal for you to have it as an additional room for a roommate or to rent it out to a subtenant.
How to Maximize a Den (Even If It’s Small)
Let’s say that you do rent an apartment with den. The challenge now is to find ways to maximize the space that you have. We’ve mentioned that you can turn an apartment den into anything you want or need. Well, here are some practical design tips that can help you maximize the limited den space that you have:
- Make use of vertical space when adding in storage units. Use tall storage units, wall-mounted shelves, and even hanging organizers to clear your floor space and not clutter the limited walking space that you have inside.
- Avoid using dark paint or wallpaper. Instead, use lighter colors to brighten up the space.
- Strategically place your lighting fixtures. Use a mix of overhead lights, floor lamps, and desk lights to make the space feel brighter and more open (even without windows).
- Keep clutter at a minimum so that the space doesn’t look and feel cramped and overwhelming.
Start Your Home Search With BMG
Getting an apartment with a den is the perfect choice for tenants looking for additional space without the higher price tag of a standard larger unit. With the versatility and flexibility that dens have to offer when it comes to purpose and design, you need to be strategic about how you’re going to design the space to suit your preferences or needs.
However, an apartment with a den can be hard to come by. With this in mind, partnering with home rental management companies, like BMG, can be the answer. Whether you’re home searching in Austin or nearby areas, we at Bay Property Management can help. Come visit our website and browse our expansive listings of Texas rental homes.