How Big Is 800 Square Feet?

If you’re wondering, “How big is 800 square feet?”, visualizing five parking spaces together gives you a rough estimate.

800 square feet is a decent amount of space, especially if you're living solo. But it's not always easy to envision how it will all come together if you've never rented an apartment or are viewing an empty unit.

In this article, we’ll explore more ways to visualize 800 square feet and how to make the floor plan work for you.

How Can You Calculate 800 Square Feet?

You can calculate an apartment's square footage by using measuring tools and doing simple math.

It's essential to know exactly how big your apartment is when you move in, so you can plan for painting, furniture, and how it will accommodate a significant other or roommate. So, how much is 800 square feet?

Here’s how to determine square footage for an apartment:

1. Gather supplies: Grab a measuring tape, pencil or pen, calculator, and paper.
2. Measure the space: Measure each room in your apartment separately, including closets, kitchenettes, and bathrooms.
3. Do the math: In each room, use your measuring tape to measure its length and width, and then multiply those two numbers together to calculate its square footage.
4. Exclude unlivable spaces: Some rooms and spaces are excluded from the square footage of an apartment, including balconies and patios, which are not considered livable areas.
5. Add the totals: Once you've calculated the square footage of each room, add them all together to get your final number (in this case, around 800 square feet).

If your lease states that the square footage is 800 square feet and you measure 798 square feet, you might consider that an acceptable discrepancy. But if you’re missing a dozen or more square feet, you may be able to negotiate the rent with your landlord.

What Does 800 Square Feet Look Like?

An 800-square-foot apartment is about the size of three school buses together. Other people might visualize 800 square feet as an oversized studio apartment with a little extra room to spare. If you have a good handle on feet by width, you can visualize an 800-square-foot apartment as roughly 25 feet wide by 32 feet long.

Is 800 Square Feet Big for an Apartment?

An 800-square-foot single-family home is cozy, but not big; it's a comfortable size for a two-bedroom apartment, with room for a kitchen and a small living space. If you're looking for a one-bedroom apartment, an 800-square-foot floor plan is comfortable, and you probably wouldn’t need a larger space unless you want to live with someone else.

Whether or not 800 square feet is big for an apartment also depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a lot of space, collect travel souvenirs, and have a large wardrobe, 800 square feet may feel snug. You'll feel right at home if you lean toward a simple lifestyle.

What Are the Top Tips for Living in 800 Square Feet?

You can make the most of living in an 800-square-foot apartment with a few simple tips.

1. Make Use of Dual-Purpose Furniture

Dual-purpose furniture and storage can make your space more efficient and eliminate the need for excess stuff. Invest in a bookshelf that can double as a place to showcase artwork and serve as a room divider.

Other items include a storage ottoman that can tuck away blankets, pillows, and linens, and a coffee table that doubles as a dinner table with cushions serving as chairs.

2. Arrange Your Belongings Vertically

Leveraging vertical space can free up room on your floor and make your 800-square-foot apartment feel bigger than it is. Mount your TV or hang a vertical garden, use floating shelves, and add door hooks to stow folding chairs when not in use.

A bookcase with colorful storage bins is also an innovative solution to store mail, shoes, and seasonal clothing, where no one can see what you've tucked away. Every room in your apartment can utilize vertical space, including your bathroom. Use a hanging shoe organizer to store makeup, hairstyling accessories, and other bathroom essentials.

3. Utilize Neutral Colors

If your landlord isn't picky about what colors you paint your walls, try a bright white or neutral tone to make your 800-square-foot apartment feel airy and open. You can accompany neutral furniture with a few splashes of color in your throw pillows or area rugs to infuse your personal style in your apartment.

4. Get Rid of Clutter

Clutter quickly overwhelms smaller areas and can make your space feel stifled. Contain the clutter by dealing with junk mail right away and spending five minutes a day clearing off surfaces. You can also grab some inexpensive bins and labels to sort everything as you go.

Key Takeaways

All you need are a few simple tools, like a tape measure and a calculator, to determine how big 800 square feet is. Once you're ready to sign your lease and move in, take the time to organize and decorate your space so everything feels orderly. Once you’ve made your apartment your own, you'll feel like 800 square feet is the ideal amount of space for you.

Make Your Move: Start Apartment Hunting

Ready to find the perfect apartment? Take Apartment List’s personalized quiz and start looking for 800-square-foot apartments now. It takes a few minutes, and you’ll have matches delivered straight to your device, without the endless hours of scrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions About 800-Square-Foot Apartment

Is 800 square feet a small apartment?

Apartments that are 800 square feet are considered medium-sized apartments, not small. Small apartments are typically those under 600 square feet, which are suitable for one person.

How many people can fit in an 800-square-foot apartment?

An 800-square-foot apartment is ideal for one adult, a couple, or a small family unit with two adults and one child.