Apartments in Prague are now selling for more than 200,000 crowns per square meter. And the larger ones are so expensive that it is very difficult to sell them at all. As a result, developers are redesigning their projects to include as many small apartments as possible. Even apartments as small as 16 square meters are no exception.
Small apartments used to be considered “starter” homes for young people, who would eventually move on to larger ones. Today, however, even for a couple with a decent income, a small apartment is the most they can afford.
“As prices have risen, people have stopped buying apartments based on the number of rooms. They’re increasingly focusing on the price they can actually afford,” said Denisa Višňovská of the CoreStone real estate agency. As a result, small apartments dominate the market, and even the smallest ones—which used to be practically unsellable—are now selling.
Interior designers are now also focusing on living in small spaces. “We very often deal with situations where a developer originally designed a building with larger apartments and then divided them into smaller ones before construction began,” explained architect Gabriela Brixová of Tempus Design.
Architects help investors who buy apartments to spruce up the interiors so they can rent them out for the highest possible price. “A stylishly furnished apartment rents for a higher price, so the investment pays off quickly. In a small apartment, space is more valuable than furniture. That’s why it’s important to make use of the ceiling height, build furniture that reaches the ceiling, and minimize wasted space,” explained Brixová.
It is common to invest in built-in furniture and fold-down beds, which give the impression that the tenant will actually fit in there.
Saves both money and space
However, there are also people who are interested in the work of architects simply because they have given up on the idea of buying a larger apartment and would rather invest in making life in a smaller one work. Even saving on one room can mean savings of several million, and thus a significantly cheaper mortgage.
Some tips for surviving in a small apartment include, for example, using the dining table as a desk, incorporating storage space into benches and beds, creating storage space under the ceiling, hanging folding chairs on the wall, and visually separating different zones—such as areas for sleeping, working, relaxing, or eating.
Door manufacturers are also feeling the trend toward smaller apartments. There is a growing demand for fewer doors. “Today, it’s common to find small investment apartments that have only two doors—the front door and a sliding door to the bathroom,” explained Pavel Šatný, head of the door manufacturer Doornite.
