How Big Is 400 Square Feet?

Apartment-hunting means comparing the metrics of all your potential new homes, which can be hard if you're stuck wondering, "How big is 400 square feet?" A 400-square-foot apartment is a studio size — typically enough for a combined living room/sleeping area, a bathroom, and a simple kitchen. To get a good idea of what to expect, you can start by thinking of a two-car garage. Once you’re in the space, you can also measure it yourself with just a few simple tools.

The good news is that you can play with the design of a 400-square-foot apartment to make it look and feel bigger than it is, eliminating the need to spend any more on rent than you need to. A smaller space can also save you money on furniture, apartment essentials, and even grocery items like cleaning supplies.

Let’s start by walking through each step of how to measure 400 square feet to help you plan for your next apartment.

How to Measure 400 Square Feet

While you could probably ask your landlord exactly how big your apartment is, you can also measure it yourself. Knowing how to measure more generally is also helpful for when you want to paint and add new area rugs with these simple steps.

• Gather your supplies: Grab a 100-foot tape measure, a pen, paper, and a calculator.
• Sketch out your apartment space: Sketch out the apartment shape, outlining each room, including closets.
• Measure the width and length of the room: Measure both the width and length of each room, rounding to the nearest inch, and write them down on your paper.
• Divide each measurement by 12: This will convert your measurement from to feet.
• Multiply the length by width in feet: This calculation will get the square footage of the room.
• Repeat: Do this for every room, including closets. Balconies and other areas that aren’t considered livable don’t count.
• Total the sums: Add the total square footage of each room to get the total square footage of the apartment.

You did it! Now you know exactly how big your apartment is, but there are still more questions to consider as you plan for your apartment.

What Does 400 Square Feet Look Like?

If you’re not sure what 400 square feet looks like, you can visualize the two-car garage example or an oversized bedroom. An apartment of this size is functional and cozy, but it isn’t going to offer a luxurious amount of space.

You’ll probably find that 400-square-foot studio floor plans and micro-apartments are more common in urban areas like New York City or Washington, DC, as opposed to suburban areas.

Is 400 Square Feet Livable?

Yes, with the proper setup and a little creativity, a 400-square-foot apartment is definitely livable. You probably won't have any extra space to play around with, but you can enjoy a bedroom, kitchen area, and some kind of living space without much difficulty.

10 Tips for Living in 400 Square Feet

The key to living in a 400-square-foot apartment is excellent organization. Here are some of our best tips and strategies for living comfortably in 400 square feet.

1. Consider Multifunctional Furniture

Instead of investing in furniture that serves one purpose, make it as multifunctional as possible. A storage ottoman serves as a place to tuck away extra blankets or pillows. At mealtime, try eating around the coffee table on cushions instead of using valuable space for a kitchen table and chairs. You can also set up a futon as a couch that doubles as your bed or as guests’ sleeping quarters.

2. Embrace Minimalism

A 400-square-foot apartment doesn't leave much room for collectibles, knickknacks, and decor. Instead, consider embracing minimalism, and you'll quickly realize how little space you need. Purge your excess stuff and only buy what you need for a simpler (and less expensive) way of life.

3. Maximize Vertical Space

When you live in 400 square feet of space, you need to re-conceptualize how you furnish and decorate your apartment. Maximize the vertical space you have with floating shelves, wall-mounted racks, and hooks. Even lightweight folding chairs can quickly store on a mounted wall rack to free up more floor space.

4. Create Designated Zones

If you live in a 400-square-foot studio, it can feel like everything you do, from sleeping to eating, is in one single space. You can give your space dimension by creating zones. Use vertical room dividers or bookshelves to separate your bedroom from the living area. Colorful rugs can also help designate specific areas — perhaps for a workspace or reading nook.

5. Use Storage Solutions

Whether or not you have a closet in your 400-square-foot apartment, you'll still need plenty of options to keep your space clean and tidy. Look for storage bins that slide under your bed, shelving dividers, and a rolling wardrobe rack to store coats or seasonal items. A shoe organizer that hangs on the back of a door would be perfect for bathroom products like soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics.

6. Draw Upon Natural Light

In a smaller space, lighting can make all the difference. Utilize the natural light you already have by choosing lightweight window treatments. The switch could help warm up your apartment naturally and save on utilities in winter. Hanging mirrors across from windows can amplify the effects of natural light.

7. Choose Light Colors

Keep your 400-square-foot room feeling light and airy with the right colors. Paint your walls white or another light neutral and select a similar color palette for your furniture and bedding. If you're missing color, paint a single accent wall a bold color and incorporate lively artwork, rugs, and throw pillows to add variety.

8. Utilize the Outdoors

If you have access to outdoor space, such as a balcony or patio, make use of it as an extension of your living area. Set up a small seating area or create a mini garden to enjoy some fresh air and expand your space. You can also ask your landlord if you can keep an outdoor storage bench on your balcony to provide seating while keeping excess items out of sight.

9. Stay Organized

Once you have your storage solutions in place, use them! Stay as organized as possible by tucking away miscellaneous items and having a home for everything in your apartment. When everything is organized, your apartment feels both stress-free and clutter-free.

10. Be Flexible and Adaptable

Enjoying living in a small space requires flexibility. Be open to reorganizing and rearranging your furniture or decor as needed. Stay open to new ideas and solutions that can help optimize your space.

Make Your Move: Start Apartment Hunting with Apartment List

Now that you know the answer to the question "how big is 400 square feet," you can get to work planning your space. A 400-square-foot apartment is livable and can even feel roomy with the right organization and layout in mind. You'll probably even find you didn't need as much space as you thought, leaving more room in your budget for when rent rolls around each month.

Ready to find a 400-square-foot apartment of your own? Search Apartment List for the ideal apartment, whether you want something a little bigger or a micro 200-square-foot apartment. With Apartment List, you’ll spend 5 minutes and save 50 hours searching. Start your search today!