Apartment Layout Guide: 15 Types From Studio to Penthouse

This article was prepared from the source material provided, which is a guide compiled by The Spruce featuring commentary from interior designers Emma Kemper, Christina Kim, Tina Ramchandani, Cheryl Eisen, and Sarah Tract.

Apartment hunting often comes down to more than price and location — the layout itself shapes daily life. A guide compiled by The Spruce outlines 15 common apartment types, from basement units to penthouses, with input from interior designers on what each one offers and where it falls short.

Ground-Level and Below: Basement and Garden Units

A basement apartment sits on the lowest level of a building. It tends to cost less because of limited light and a less desirable position, though it can be styled to feel cozy. The guide suggests viewing these units in person to check for security or pest problems.

Garden apartments typically fall between the basement and first floor and include small backyard areas. Emma Kemper, founder of Emma Beryl Interiors, told The Spruce that the goal is to let in as much light as possible while preserving privacy. Christina Kim, founder of Christina Kim Interior Design, noted the trade-off: private garden access is a major plus, but ground-floor or basement placement means less natural light and more bugs from the garden.

Open and Vertical Layouts: Lofts, Penthouses, and Duplexes

Tina Ramchandani, founder of Tina Ramchandani Creative, described loft apartments as "the original open concept" spaces, many of which formerly served as warehouses. They are roomier than studios, sometimes include a small secondary sleeping level, and typically feature high ceilings, large windows, and open floor plans. Kemper advised keeping the sleeping area strictly for sleep and designing the living area to be multifunctional.

A penthouse occupies the top floor of a building. Ramchandani said these units often have luxury finishes, expansive views, and in some cases a private elevator. Cheryl Eisen, CEO of IMG Interior Marketing Group, said her team uses low-profile furniture to avoid blocking views and places mirrors strategically to double the owner's access to the vistas.

Duplex apartments span two levels connected by a staircase or sometimes an elevator. They can house one family or two separate households. A triplex works the same way but combines three units, which again may serve three families or a single household.

Studios, One-Bedrooms, and Railroad Layouts

A one-bedroom apartment includes a separate living room, kitchen, and sleeping space that can be fully closed off with a door. A junior one-bedroom is slightly larger than a studio but smaller than a standard one-bedroom, with a nook that can be walled off — sometimes with glass doors or partial walls — to function as a bedroom.

In a studio, the living area, sleeping space, and kitchen share one room. Sarah Tract, founder of Sarah Tract Interiors, said creating separation between the bedroom and kitchen is essential and recommended using different area rugs to mark off living and sleeping zones.

An efficiency apartment is similar to a studio but more compact, especially in the kitchen, where prep space is extremely limited and a mini fridge may be the only appliance. The guide suggests efficiency units suit short-term or business stays.

Railroad apartments are long and narrow, with rooms that connect directly to one another — walking from the living room to the bedroom might mean passing through the kitchen or a dressing area. Kim said these layouts work well for single dwellers or couples because of the sprawling feel, but are less practical for roommates.

Building Height and Access: High-Rise, Low-Rise, Mid-Rise, and Walk-Up

High-rise apartments are generally in buildings of nine floors or more and often carry the highest rent in the building, with limited outdoor space and windows that do not open. Low-rise buildings top out at around four floors and tend to be more community-oriented, with access to gardens and walking paths, plus more amenities and privacy. Mid-rise apartments fall in between, typically five to nine floors, balancing amenities and privacy.

A walk-up is accessible only by stairs — no elevator — and usually lacks amenities like a gym or rooftop. That generally makes these units more affordable. Most walk-up buildings are no more than five or six floors.

A floor-through apartment takes up an entire floor of a building, making it large and often considered luxurious. With no neighbors on the same level, it offers complete privacy, and ground-floor units may include a terrace or patio.

For renters weighing these options, the guide's throughline is that each layout carries trade-offs — light, space, privacy, amenities, and cost rarely align perfectly, and the right fit depends on how someone uses their home.