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Apart from the substantial factors of a real estate, what counts for the living comfort above all:

1. Living
2. Bathroom, Cooking
3. Sleeping, storeroom
4. Stairs, Elevator

Old building apartment: stucco, high ceilings and floorboards

In Germany, apartments in old buildings are among the most sought-after properties. And rightly so: the era of old buildings ended an estimated 70 years ago, when the use of concrete walls and insulating glass windows became increasingly common. These buildings are thus filled with stories from the so-called Wilhelminian period around 1900, which is also noticeable in the architecture and the rooms, which are in the style of the Renaissance. Due to the predominant proximity to city centres, Altbau apartments are highly sought after on the market.

High ceilings, bay windows and box-type windows are characteristic features of this architecture and promise a feel-good factor. Whether renting or buying, here you will find useful tips, advantages and disadvantages around this special building type.

• Old apartment

Apartment: Small apartment, space miracle and often very modern

Apartment: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne? Apartments are extremely popular in cities with millions of inhabitants and large cities. Many singles, students, trainees or seniors resort to this small but fine housing option. One-room apartments offer enough space for single people and score especially with lower prices. An apartment is a small flat with only one or at most one and a half rooms. The modern small apartment usually has high-quality furnishings.

Apartments are also available as fully furnished apartments. This type of apartment is mostly used for properties that are advertised for interim rent. An ideal solution for people who only need an apartment for a fixed period of time. Furniture and equipment can be taken over by the owner or landlord for a fixed price in the rent.

• Apartment

Top floor apartment: search, air conditioning and living with a view

A home under the roof can be super cozy if furnished correctly. But before you decide on a loft apartment, there are a few things you should consider that could complicate your move-in. Any apartment directly under the roof can be considered a loft apartment in and of itself. Penthouse apartments and lofts can also be attic apartments.

In the following article, however, we will focus on the general understanding of attic and mansard apartments as rooms that have special circumstances due to sloping roofs. We will introduce you to the advantages and disadvantages of attic apartments, and also give you a little insight into how you can make your life in this type of apartment a little more pleasant.

• Attic apartment

Granny flat: definition, features and advantages for landlords

As the name implies, granny flats are apartments that are “tucked in” to a house, i.e. a separate apartment in a house.

Granny flats are particularly popular for multi-generational homes: young adults or seniors can live here with their family, but still have privacy. However, a granny flat is not only attractive for members of a family. Due to the low rental and purchase prices, this form of housing is also popular with working singles, students or even au pairs. Whether in the attic or in the basement – granny flats can have just as much charm as normal apartments.

• Granny flat

Apartment: Lots of living space, several rooms & perfect flat share

Apartment is understood as all the apartments, which extend above the ground floor and below the top floor over an entire floor. This creates a lot of living space. Mostly, the apartments are found in apartment buildings, because smaller buildings often offer it to expand an entire floor to an apartment. Especially annoying stair climbing in your own home is omitted here. In addition, a flat on one floor is perfect for a shared flat. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of this type of apartment for you in the following article.

• Apartment

Loft: space for free development, luxury and modern equipment

During the 1940s, lofts first appeared in large cities such as New York. Old warehouses and factories were converted into living space in order to live inexpensively. This definition has nothing to do with today’s meaning of a loft. Nowadays lofts are highly sought after, exclusive and very expensive. Old industrial wastelands are still used as floor plans, but these have now been extensively modernised to meet luxury standards. Most of the residents are young, successful adults, also called yuppies. In addition, nowadays new buildings are also being built in loft style. If you want to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages or tips about this type of architecture, then you are exactly right here.

• Loft

Maisonette: Living on 2 floors, with gallery or spiral staircase

In Germany, a maisonette apartment is an apartment that is arranged contiguously on at least two floors of a building. It can be located both on the lower and upper floors of a house. In most cases, however, a maisonette apartment comprises the attic and the floor below. The second floor of a maisonette apartment can also be designed as an open gallery, as well as a comprehensive floor. Charming features of this type of housing are staircases, which often extend into the living space, and high ceilings. If you want to learn more about maisonettes, check out our article.

• Maisonette

Penthouse: Enjoy luxury & living comfort with plenty of space

When the word penthouse is mentioned, it is often clear: this is something particularly exclusive. Penthouse apartments promise special luxury and an excellent living experience. Mostly you know the apartment form especially from media such as film, television and video games. A penthouse stands for space, luxury and living comfort. Quality and a lot of living space are often decisive features of a penthouse.

This type of apartment has become big in the U.S.A. and is still the most widely represented there. But also here in German-speaking countries you can find one or the other penthouse. If you are looking for a luxurious living solution, it is definitely worth taking a closer look at this type of apartment. After all, a penthouse has its very own charm and stands for luxurious living.

• Penthouse

Basement apartment: cool and close to the ground

Basement apartments are underground living options which can be found in the basement or cellar. In addition, they are usually located in the middle of downtown but because of the location in the house, many potential buyers are initially deterred. Whether renting or buying. We did the research for you and found out all about the advantages, disadvantages, possible mold and the rental prices. Maybe your first impression was wrong and you like this kind of apartment.

Basement apartments are one thing above all. Cheap and practical. Usually located in the middle of the city center, these properties are rather unpopular due to various aspects and scare people away. However, you should not be fooled by this, because this type of apartment also offers some advantages that you do not include at first.

• Basement apartment

Terrace apartment: Living with a view

Ground floor apartment with terrace: the residential dream of many, especially in big cities. To escape the turbulent and hectic life in metropolises, terrace apartments are perfect. Cafés, crowds and hustle and bustle outside the four walls, peace, comfort and a piece of nature in your own four walls. If you’re lucky, your terrace will lead on to a small garden. As you can see, a dream of many apartment renters. But this is not where the definition of a terrace apartment ends. Especially in cities, the “rooftop terrace” trend is constantly gaining popularity. Modern architecture is reinterpreting the terrace apartment! See for yourself what advantages and disadvantages a terrace apartment has to offer, who it is suitable for and what other information is hidden behind this gem of an apartment!

• Terrace apartment

Are you looking for the right apartment? Here you’ll find definitions, meanings and lots of information on penthouses, granny flats, apartments & co.: Apartment types from A-Z

As you have already experienced, basement apartments are located in basements or cellars. That means you live underground. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that your living space is gloomy or uncomfortable. It is possible to convert an existing basement into an apartment, but nowadays basement apartments are designed as a proper apartment when a house is built and are therefore designed according to the requirements. Normally, you will have a separate staircase leading to your apartment. Most of the time, even a small terrace or green area is also included. So there are also some benefits even if in your apartment the ceilings are a bit lower or there is less daylight. You can make up for all that with the right decoration. But more about that later.

Basement apartment building: Can any basement become an apartment?

Often the basement in the house is converted into an apartment for personal use. For example, if the daughter would like a little more privacy, you convert the basement and create a second entrance by adding separate stairs. If that’s your plan, then nothing stands in your way. However, it’s a different story once you plan to rent out your basement space. Then it starts with the fact that you need a building permit. So first find out what the regulations are in your state. There is always a minimum ceiling height requirement. This is 2.30m- 2.50m, depending on the state. In addition, basic equipment such as a radiator must be available. However, you should also inform yourself about the exact regulations.

Source: Basement apartment (Lukinski.de)

Advantages & disadvantages of a basement apartment

To be sure that a basement apartment is right for you, or if you are still in the process of handing over, you should definitely take a look at the pros and cons of this type of housing. As with any apartment, there are pluses but also minuses and you have to decide for yourself if you can live with the little flaws. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find out about some advantages that you didn’t see before?

Advantages: low prices, good location and short distances

So let’s start with the advantages. First in a big plus point the indoor climate. Especially in summer, your basement apartment remains pleasantly cool and only little heat gets in. Accordingly, it is also warmer in winter, because the warm air can not quickly escape from your apartment. In addition, you only have to climb a few stairs and have short distances. Unlike the other tenants, you only have a small flight of stairs, which is especially convenient when carrying shopping bags. It is also not unusual to have your own terrace or green area, as you do not have a balcony. And last but not least, the biggest plus point is of course the price. Many basement apartments are very affordable, especially for a downtown location.

• Good indoor climate
• Short distances and few stairs
• Own terrace, green area
• Lower prices despite city centre

Disadvantages: little daylight and low walls

You also have to consider the disadvantages to decide whether this apartment suits you. The biggest point would probably be the low daylight, since the windows are usually not too large. In addition, the walls are usually lower than in other apartments and the stairs to get to the entrance, the basement apartment is not barrier-free. Also higher heating costs can arise, because you have no heating tenants under / above you. At the same time, it is sometimes the case that the heating pipes run next to your apartment and this would balance out. In addition, you should also be aware that the entrance is usually located directly on the street and a higher probability of burglary would be present.

• Less daylight
• Lower walls
• Not barrier free
• Possibly higher heating costs

Basement apartment: For whom is this form of housing suitable?

A basement apartment is one thing above all: different from what you are used to. You are forced to make sacrifices and accept some shortcomings. Because of this, this type of apartment is not for everyone. We thought about it and considered which people would fit into a basement apartment.

Students: low rent and proximity to the university

Students are probably the first port of call when it comes to finding potential tenants for a basement apartment. There are several reasons for this, one of which is location. The accommodation is usually located in the middle of the city centre and close to universities. In addition, the low price, especially for students, is a great advantage. The central location and the small rent are probably the main plus points. For this, some students also accept the small shortcomings. In addition, you could get a rent reduction if an area of your apartment only has a ceiling height of 1m-2m. With the corresponding square meters, you only have to pay half the price per square meter.

Singles: The first home of your own?

A basement apartment would also be suitable for singles or single people. On the one hand, you could consider building this into your parents’ house to take a first step towards independence. But also in the middle of the city center, especially the location would be a big plus point. You’re well connected and usually have a short commute to work. In addition, in some cases you have your own green space and could design it according to your personal wishes. Many also use a basement apartment as a kind of transitional housing, for example, to save money.

What you should consider before buying / renting a basement apartment

Whether you want to buy or rent. As with any property, you should do your research beforehand and think about what you need to consider. Especially with non-classical apartments, you need to consider some important things that you might not even consider in the first place. Therefore, we have summarized the most important points, with which your purchase or your inspection can not go wrong.

If you’re actually thinking about buying an apartment, there are a few factors to consider. In our comprehensive article on buying an apartment you will find the advantages and disadvantages of buying an apartment, as well as information on the process and costs.

Light, climate, insurance: these aspects are important

This tip may sound a bit strange at first, but it is very important if you want to visit a basement apartment. You should make sure that your viewing appointment takes place in the afternoon (12:00-16:00), because at this time most light comes into the apartment and you can see how much daylight you would get at most. Based on this, you can then decide whether you need to install more lamps or weigh up whether the light is sufficient for you personally.

Next, you should pay attention to the room climate and possible smells when you enter. Does it smell damp, musty or even stale? That would not be a good sign, because it indicates mold! Look at the walls and windowsills and look for stains or discoloration. If you see water stains, pipes may be leaking or the walls may be poorly insulated. You should have all of this checked out and fixed before you sign your lease or purchase agreement. By the way, mould can be prevented by airing the apartment well in the morning and evening.

Also find out beforehand whether the apartment has a backwater protection and whether your insurance pays for flood or storm damage. Heavy rain or storms can cause cellars to be flooded, which in this case would be your apartment. So check everything beforehand so that you are on the safe side in the worst case.

Also pay attention to the orientation of the windows. Often they face the street and you have to install a screen, which takes away valuable daylight. However, if your windows face the garden and a green area, your room will look brighter and more inviting. No uninvited guests could look into your apartment and you would have a pleasant view.

Check list to buy/rent

• Afternoon viewing appointment
• Pay attention to the room climate: Odours? Wet walls?
• Backwater protection? Does your insurance cover storm damage?
• Where are the windows facing?

How can I furnish my basement apartment?

With the right decoration, you can turn the smallest and most inconspicuous rooms into something very special. This is also true for a basement apartment, which can seem a bit dark and dreary at first glance. We show you here with which tips and tricks you can create your perfect living space. Take a look at our comprehensive furnishing guide with tips on furnishing the living room, bedroom and more: Furnishing rooms.

With the right decoration you get the best out of your apartment

Use as much daylight as possible and don’t waste any. Do not place furniture in front of the usually small windows and do not cover them unless you are forced to use a light screen. Install clever lamps, the best ones are light lenses, which are attached to the ceiling or walls. You can also use mirrors that reflect daylight.

It’s best to keep your wall color light as well. The window frames should be white so that the direct light is reflected more brightly. You can paint the other wall colors in white or beige tones. They make your apartment look bright and friendly and create a pleasant atmosphere.

Also, when choosing furniture, do not use too many and different furniture. It’s best to keep it narrow and tall to fit perfectly in the room. Also make sure to choose your upholstered furniture in a uniform color and not to decorate too much. A few plants always do well in small rooms and look lively. However, don’t use too many decorative items and focus on the open space.

Tip! The trendiest interior styles such as boho chic, minimalism or country style can be found here at a glance: Furnishing styles XXL.