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.

Attic / mansard apartment: What does it mean?

Sloping roofs have been around since the 17th century. They were built at that time as a space-saving solution and were modified into various forms. The first sloped roof structures were found in France and to this day the famous Louvre Pyramid is a prime example of the use of sloped roofs.

However, if you take a look at the French capital Paris, you will quickly notice that the roofs of the romantic sandstone buildings have a somewhat different roof. The cross-sectional view is more reminiscent of an irregular pentagon with the edges coming together less pointedly. This type of roof construction is called a mansard roof and it too opens up the possibility of a penthouse. The slopes of the mansard roof are slightly higher in the room than is the case with other roofs.

Any apartment directly under the roof can in itself be called a loft apartment. Penthouse apartments and lofts can also be attic apartments. In this article, however, we will focus on the general understanding of attic and mansard apartments as premises that bring with them special circumstances due to roof slopes.

Tip. You are about to move and need help with the organization and planning? Then take a look at our moving guide, which answers most questions comprehensively and guides you through your move!

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

Features and design of living under the roof

Depending on the architecture of the building in which the attic apartment is located, the premises that form this type of apartment also differ. In some attic apartments, both sides are characterized by roof slopes, while larger buildings often also divide the upper floor, so only a few rooms have this feature.

Source: Attic apartment (Lukinski.de)

Apartments under the roof: layout, rooms and size

Being housed in an attic can have its advantages and disadvantages, which we’ll take a closer look at later in this article. But before that, let’s take a look at the room layout and size you can expect in an attic apartment. This may sound a little confusing at first, because of course this data is absolutely dependent on the apartment you are looking at.

However, it is very important that you are aware of how a sloping roof reduces your usable space, because the space for high pieces of furniture in such a living environment is limited. High shelves and wardrobes are not recommended, as they can only be placed in certain areas of the room. The best thing to do is to take a close look at the floor plan of the apartment and plan your interior design on that basis.

If you like handicrafts, this type of apartment is a great place to live out this inclination, because you can design and build the most suitable furniture yourself.

Advantages & disadvantages of an apartment in the attic: temperatures and space

Here we would like to present you with the things you should pay the most attention to when choosing your new home, because a room under the roof comes with a lot of advantages and disadvantages that you often don’t think about when looking for a flat, because you already have too much on your plate and the housing market is limited.

So, to make your life a little bit easier, we’ve put together a few important aspects to help you decide.

Advantages: Save on heating costs, view guaranteed?

As always, advantages are also always shaped by situation and personal preferences that one develops over time. For example, little space can be perceived as cozy or the actually beautiful view can be blocked by the annoying neighboring house. Nonetheless, these are the things that might persuade you to rent or buy a loft apartment:

• Lower heating costs
• No head tenants
• Beautiful view
• Large windows
• Pleasant rain sounds

Disadvantages: Heat in summer and little space?

A huge, recurring drawback of rooms under the roof is the extreme heat, which can make life extremely difficult for occupants, especially in the summer months. Also, it’s very likely that you’ll be limited in your furniture choices and will have to adapt or compromise many. So don’t be surprised by:

• Extreme summer temperatures
• Loud wind noise
• Limited accessibility, if applicable
• Restricted living space

Attic apartments: For singles, couples and families

A loft or attic apartment can be so great, but far from for everyone. This is because some groups will face more problems in the cosy living spaces than others. As always, the statements made below are very generalized and do not have to be true, especially since the size of attic apartments varies extremely.

Singles and students: cosy, low-priced accommodation

An attic apartment is a very suitable housing solution for singles, because alone you hardly suffer from a space problem in an appropriate attic apartment. A huge advantage of the apartment form is that the offers are often cheaper than other apartments with similar floor space in the same location. So you can get a good, cheap apartment even in averagely more expensive parts of the city.

Couples: togetherness

All people with partners are also advised to the apartments on the top floors, provided that a little more tight does not beat the temper of both parties. Because from time to time, this form of housing can become quite oppressive and cause a bit of tension. However, it can be very fun to furnish the unusual four walls together.

Families: good option for the start

All those who are planning a family can rejoice, because for a small family the space of an attic apartment is usually sufficient and does not cause any problems at first, but if there are to be more children or if the child grows up, there are dangers lurking in an attic apartment that other forms of living do not necessarily bring with them. The low roof slopes can be a place where a child quickly bumps into.

Pensioners: Limited accessibility

As an older person, you may suffer from certain limitations that can make living in a loft apartment difficult. The low ceilings can be disruptive and pose a safety hazard. In addition, both the high temperatures in the summer and the location on higher floors can cause disadvantages as you age. For this reason, living in an attic apartment is really only recommended for older people under certain conditions, such as the presence of an elevator.

Furnishing attic apartments: Ideas, Tips & Tricks

Furnishing an attic apartment can be a complex task that requires a lot of creativity and initiative. It is often recommended to have special furniture made to measure, but if you show a bit of craftsmanship, it is also possible to customize furniture yourself. In addition, the Internet offers many tips and tricks.

We at FIV have also picked out a few inspirations for you. You can find them on our Pinterest profile. There and on our website, we have also dedicated an entire section to the topic of furnishings, which is definitely worth a look!

Suitable furniture for sloping ceilings

One of the biggest shortcomings of the apartment we have often mentioned in this article. But the problem is very easy to work around. You can simply use low furniture under the sloping roof, such as beds, low chests and sideboards or sofas.

Besides, you’re not alone in your problem. Thousands of people live in attic apartments and share the disadvantages. Thus, you would not be the first person who deals with the solution of this. Where there is demand, the supply is not far away, and so you can of course also quite simply order shelves for sloping ceilings and the like on the Internet and build relaxed.

And last but not least, there is always the option that has been mentioned several times in this article: Invest time and do it yourself. Again, there are countless tutorials on the web that will help you build something really good.

Tip! If you’re looking for a special style for your new interior, you’ll find a lot of inspiration here: Overview of interior styles

Making clever use of roof beams

Occasionally, attic rooms are also fitted with roof beams, but these should be seen less as a disruptive factor and more as an opportunity. The beams can be used, for example, as a kind of shelf or storage space for plants. In addition, hooks can also be attached to them for hanging lights, decorations and co.

Between two higher beams there is also the option of attaching another board, which can then be used as a shelf. Just make sure that you don’t put too much weight on the beams. Before you rearrange the roof beams, it is best to check your documents again or contact the property management. If you are in a rented flat, it is advisable to consult the tenancy agreement or, if in doubt, speak to the landlord or landlady.

Small tip: It is best to approach the person who is renting to you with more concrete plans, if he or she knows what exactly your plan is, he or she may be more willing to agree.