A studio type condominium unit may not be the type of accommodation that comes to mind if you're looking for a shared living space. A studio type unit is about 25 to 30 sqm. Though tighter than other condo units, it’s as comfortable as any other home.
“If you're used to living in a traditional house, with different rooms for everything, living your entire life in one room can be, at least initially, kind of weird,” shared Nancy Mitchell in ApartmentTherapy.com. Nevertheless, a growing number of people are choosing a studio type condo unit not only for solo living but also for shared dwelling. For newly married couples, it's a practical choice over a larger home. It's also preferred by professionals living a mobile lifestyle.
If you're looking for a condo for lease, you may want to consider a studio type unit. Here's your guide to this trending accommodation.
What is a studio type unit?
A studio condo in DMCI properties is about 25 to 30 sqm. Its commonly known as a bachelor's pad or a studio flat. This home doesn't have divisions to separate the living area, kitchen, and bedroom though some studio apartments feature a half dividing wall which provides privacy. The only separate room with a door is the bathroom. Nevertheless, you can always place a divider between your living space and sleeping area. Although a rent to own option allows a bit more freedom.
There are studio type units that have a balcony, giving you extra space for an outdoor reading area or a mini garden. The floor area is not as cramped as you may think. A studio unit in Tivoli Garden Residences can comfortably accommodate a household of two to three with the right interior design.
Build up your savings quickly
The most obvious reason for leasing a studio type unit is the cost. The rent for this unit is about 20 to 30% lower compared to a one-bedroom unit. Many young couples choose a simpler accommodation that suits their budget while they save up, with a rent to own goal in mind. Choosing a studio type condo for rent can allow you and your partner to build up your savings in a shorter period of time. A smaller home means fewer furniture and appliances, and lower utility bills.
Enjoy your honeymoon phase in a studio unit
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It is said a married couple is on their honeymoon phase for the first six months after their wedding. A study published by New York University extends this romantic period to 30 months. “It's that extraordinary time when the only thing you can focus on is your partner and the only thing you want to do is to spend time together,” wrote Laura Argintar at Elite Daily. Renting a condo studio type is perfect for your honeymoon phase – no walls to separate you from each other, so to speak.
Share the space with a reliable housemate
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Did you recently join the labor market? Renting a studio type condo for shared living can be a smart option for you. You can invite two of your closest friends to share the space. You can even talk about the possibility of rent to own. This can help with the bills and you may need the company on your first months or years of your professional life. There's a number benefits of living with a housemate such as having a reliable partner and having someone to share the household chores.
Focus on more urgent matters
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It may appear a petty excuse for someone to choose a smaller house to avoid time-consuming cleaning chores, but if you're a student preparing for an important licensure exam, you understand the merits of this point. An hour of studying for the board or bar exams is of great importance to students. A studio condo for lease can allow you and your housemates to focus on urgent matters at hand such as reading your reviewers and researching. A huge house is understandably not in your list of priorities while you prepare for your exams, not to mention the effort needed to maintain it.
A studio unit for minimalist tenants
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A studio condo is the perfect home for individuals who live a minimalist lifestyle. Minimalism is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity. People with this lifestyle have few possessions, choosing only the essentials. A studio style condo has a tight space that limits the number of furniture and appliance one can own. It also features a lot of storage spaces such as wall cabinets and kitchen drawers. A minimalist avoids clutter and adequate storage helps clean up the visual chaos.
A home for on-the-go busy bees
Condo living is a relief for busy professionals in the city. DMCI properties are strategically located near main roads, business districts, and commercial hubs. They also feature amenities that help homeowners and tenants maintain an active lifestyle such as a fitness gym, swimming pools, and play courts.
Couples with demanding jobs may opt for a studio condo which can be easily maintained. This accommodation is a practical choice for those frequently sent to off-site work assignments. Nevertheless, you can have the relaxation you need when at home. Enjoy a dip in the leisure pool or some quiet moment at the Sky Lounge.
Explore the right design for your small home
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There are a lot of creative ways to maximize space in your studio type home, or create an illusion of space. You can mount mirrors on your condo walls to make a room look bigger. One tip is to install a floor-to-ceiling mirror and put it behind a long table. You may also decorate your condo unit with soft lighting and light window treatments.
A studio type condo unit typically includes wall cabinets and drawers. But you can add more storage not only to keep your stash, but also to create a sense of vastness in your home. Consider installing floor-to-ceiling cabinets.
A studio type unit is a suitable accommodation for solo tenants, couples, and a group of friends. You can live as comfortably in a studio condo as in a larger home. The key is in choosing the right furniture and interior design. But no matter the type of accommodation you choose, consider condo living in the Philippines and its many comforts.
10 things to look for in a studio type condo unit
In the United States, 20 sqm mini-apartments are the next big thing as more households are being occupied by single persons. The industry of condo rental in the Philippines is not any different. With the popularity of small space designs and furniture, more and more young people are lured towards condo living.
But what exactly do you look for in a studio for rent? What red flags should you avoid? Here’s an ultimate guide for yuppies who are ready to take the big leap.
What’s in the package?
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Before you sign any contract for short-term or long-term renting, make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. What is included in the package? Does your unit come with a parking slot? Most studio units do not have parking slots, so if you have a car, better raise this question. Are you free to use all the amenities? Do you have to pay dues for garbage disposal, security and overall maintenance? Make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.
Mind the layout
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So it’s an open floor plan. What else can you do with it? Check to see that the spaces give you some freedom. Most small condo interior designs incorporate functional dividers. See if the layout allows you to do that. Are you comfortable where the bed is supposed to be? Is the bathroom big enough for you to take a bath comfortably? Where is it located? Speaking of where things are located, make sure your condo unit is not facing the garbage disposal area or too near the elevator that people will need to pass by throughout the day.
Room for everything
You might think, how can you find room for anything in a 20 sqm condo? In a studio type condominium, the living area, dining, bathroom, and bedroom share the open-plan room layout. But try to visualize where you will put everything. Think about your lifestyle and what you like to do most inside the house: cook and eat, sleep, watch TV. Design your unit based on that. Make sure there’s room for things that are important. Don’t worry because there’s always multi-functional furniture to rescue you.
Look for built-in furniture
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The kitchen and bathroom must at least have built-in cabinets for storage. Small condo interior designs discourage you to bring in those bulky dressers and cabinets. Look for available storage space. Studio units from DMCI Homes have these features to give the unit more function.
Rules that let you move
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Of course, there are rules but as much as possible, go for a condo that doesn’t keep you from doing the things you love. For example, does it allow pets? Are you allowed to rent out the unit if you are gone for a considerable amount of time? Are you allowed to have guests?
Free from design limits
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Look for a studio that allows you to design your space. Young professionals living in a condo have a vision of what they want their space to look like, no matter how small it is. Rent a condo that allows you to repaint and decorate. You should be able to hang some floating shelves for additional storage.
Furnished or not?
Studio units for rent are either bare, semi-furnished, or fully furnished. Before going on a hunt, you have to decide which one you prefer. The thing with semi or fully-furnished is that you don’t get to decide on the furniture you want, which is very crucial since you can’t really have a lot.
Where you can breathe
A small condo unit can feel cramped without proper ventilation. When you are hunting for one, go for a unit with windows. This will help you live a more sustainable lifestyle. Let in natural air and light every once in a while. Bare and furnished units at DMCI Leasing are not only well-ventilated but even have balconies where you can enjoy fresh air and look at the city skyline at night.
The usual complaints
When you are being offered a condo to rent, you will hear nothing but good things from the realtor or the landlord. But you are wiser than that. Do your own research and find out what the usual complaints are in the condo community. Is the management quick about fixes? Is water pressure strong? Is it safe? Ask about your building’s reputation and research about your neighborhood.
Zone in on prime location
Whatever type of condo you intend to rent, remember to zone in on your preferred location especially if you are going for long-term renting. Survey the neighborhood to see if public transportation is easily accessible, if areas of interest such as malls and groceries are near enough, and if its distance from your workplace will let you save on gas or commuting expenses.
Renting a studio unit is a good way to familiarize you with condo living. For young professionals, it is not too big and not too costly. The experience will give you an idea on how to live independently and how to manage your space. It will also teach you how to invest in things that truly matter.
7 studio condos in Metro Manila that fit your budget
Starting with studio-type condominiums, the most basic unit option, a young professional can experience the comforts and conveniences of condo living. It is also just the perfect size for a couple or two best friends.
Find out the studio-type condos for lease in Metro Manila that are perfect for you.
Raya Garden: Balinese living in the South
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If you work in the South or just a regular Southie with roots in Las Piñas, Pasay or Parañaque — Raya Garden Condominium should be on your list. The community is a fusion of exotic Bali living and East Asian design, which will surely give you a soothing and calming feel.
A studio type unit in Raya Garden measures about 24 square meters, significantly bigger than regular condos. It has a simple interior design with an open floor plan that is flexible and designed for optimal usage. A bare studio condo can be rented for Php15,000/month. It also offers semi-furnished and fully-furnished studios for Php17,000 to Php20,000 per month.
Tivoli Garden: A modern oasis in Mandaluyong
A vast community located near the Makati-Mandaluyong bridge, Tivoli Garden Residences is a modern oasis in the bustling metropolis. It was designed with Asian Tropical gardens in mind to give you the relaxing resort vibe.
A studio type unit in Tivoli Gardens measures 30 square meters with a balcony to view the Mandaluyong skyline. It is spacious, stylish, and every corner is functional. A bare studio condo may be rented for as low as Php13,000 a month, while a fully-furnished studio is leased for up to Php18,000.
Rosewood Pointe: Premium living in Taguig
Taguig City is one of the most expensive areas for real estate. With the rise of Bonifacio Global City as an economic center, the cost of living in Taguig also took an upward trend. Living in a condo in this area almost seems like an impossibility for a middle-income earner.
Rosewood Pointe, a project of DMCI Properties, changes all that. It’s got everything a small, growing family could ever need. It certainly has all of the things you’ll look for in a condo, like the Neo-Asian architectural architecture also makes the condo community feel like home.
If you are just starting to grow a family or a young professional who likes to live close to work, a long-term lease of a bare studio goes for Php16,000 a month. This comes with a modern bathroom, functional kitchen area, and cozy dining and living areas. Semi-furnished and fully-furnished studio condos for rent are also available.
Zinnia Towers: In the heart of Quezon City
Zinnia Towers lies in the heart of North EDSA. Apart from buses plying EDSA, it is also near an LRT Station. You can go to downtown Manila or in BGC. A resort-themed community, Zinnia Towers promotes a well-balanced lifestyle. A bare studio type condo in Zinnia Towers is leased at Php13,000 per month, while long-term lease of a semi or fully-furnished studio goes for Php15,000 to Php20,000 a month.
Sorrel Residences: Resort living in Manila
A resort in the middle of Manila? Sure, the name’s Sorrel Residences. It is a one-tower condo development in Sampaloc that features generous open spaces, resort-style amenities, and easy access to areas of interest in the metro.
Apart from the usual amenities such as a swimming pool, fitness gym, and playground, there are pocket gardens everywhere, thematic garden, sky lounge and sky park with an Observatory. Sorrel surely enhances the overall living experience in the city.
A studio condo for lease in Sorrel goes for Php13,000 to Php18,000 depending on whether you’d prefer it bare, semi-furnished or fully-furnished. It is perfect for students who are enrolled in one of the many universities in the area. It is also perfect for singles and professionals who are working in Manila, Quezon City or Ortigas.
Stellar Place: A less crowded haven in Quezon City
Another DMCI development in Quezon City is Stellar Residences, a condo community in Visayas Avenue. It is tucked away in a less-crowded portion of the city, making it ideal for growing families. It is also easily accessible by public transportation whether you are working in Makati or Monumento. The green, open spaces also promote closeness to nature and encourage fostering ties with friends and family.
For Php12,000, you can rent a bare studio condo at Stellar Place. All units have a balcony and single-loaded corridors with breezeways make the condo an airy and breathable residential development. The cabana, landscaped gardens, sky park, and sky lounge are also a treat after a long day at work.
Ohana Place: Hawaiian vibe in Las Piñas
Ohana Place is one of DMCI’s most comprehensive and all-inclusive condominium communities. Ohana, a Hawaiian word meaning family, will surely make anyone feel at home. It consists of seven mid-rise condos spread across a three-hectare terrain in Las Piñas, which is ideal for couples or single professionals working in Makati and Alabang. A long-term lease of a bare studio type unit would go for Php12,000 per month. Semi and fully-furnished studios are also available.
Wherever you are in the metro, there’s surely a DMCI Homes development for you. Each is unique and offers different opportunities. A studio condo may have a smaller square footage, but it does come with big gains and advantages. And it also guarantees a living experience unlike any other. Check out the best condo in Manila, DMCI Homes.
