Types of Apartments
There are many terms used to describe the various types and sizes of apartments available for rent in Toronto. While some are universal and self-explanatory, others are newly coined and uniquely regional. The following is a glossary of terms currently used in the Toronto marketplace that should help take some of the mystery out of your apartment search.
Bachelor Apartment
Bachelor apartments, also known as a Studio apartment, is basically a one-room apartment with separate bath and sometimes (but not typically) a separate kitchen.The single room serves as a bedroom, dining room and living room, and is usually connected to an open kitchen. These can range from very small (big enough for a sofabed and a desk) to very large (can accommodate a king-size bed and have a separate sitting area and dining area). The larger bachelors tend to be in older, low-rise apartments. Bachelors are typically the most affordable, independent apartment unit with occupancy often limited to one person.This type of apartment is great for students and single people.
One Bedroom Apartment
Very simply, a one bedroom apartment consists of a separate bedroom equipped with a built in closet, living room, kitchen and bathroom. Some one bedroom apartments have full separate kitchens; some do not. These apartments vary dramatically in size. Some bedrooms can fit only a twin-size bed or cot; others can accommodate a king-size bed and offer a sitting area. Typically, one bedroom apartments are meant for a single person or a couple.
Junior One Bedroom Apartment
Junior one bedroom ("Jr. 1") apartments vary in both size and structure. In Toronto, a junior one bedroom usually implies a small one bedroom apartment with the actual bedroom being quite small, fitting at best a twin-size bed and nothing else. A Jr. 1 bedroom could also be an extra-large studio, large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom. Jr. 1 bedrooms are great for students. Most renters of this type of apartment are single as two people living in a Jr. 1 bedroom can feel cramped. The key benefit is that Jr. 1 bedrooms are cheaper than the one bedroom option, and still offer that separate bedroom, making the entire apartment feel larger.
One + Den Apartment
One + Den apartments are actually not apartments - they're in condominium buildings. Also referred to as "one bedroom plus solarium", these units have an extra room which can be used as an office, living area or potentially a bedroom. The set up and the placement of the Den/Solarium varies from unit to unit which will be the key factor as to whether it can be used as an extra bedroom. If the term "solarium" is used, there is more promise of using this room as an extra bedroom as these rooms always have windows and are typically separate from the other bedroom.
Two and Three Bedroom Apartments
Two and Three bedroom apartments are the same as one a bedroom apartments but with more separate rooms. Bedroom sizes can vary widely, from a baby's room or small office to a sprawling master bedroom suite. Three bedroom apartments are relatively rare in Toronto. Typically the price difference between a one bedroom and a two bedroom is not that large which will make it enticing to find a roommate to not only split the cost of rent, but all utilities and amenities.
Loft
Lofts are typically a big, open space that usually results from a commercial building having been converted into residential units. Lofts generally have very high ceilings, extra-large windows and often exposed brick, plumbing pipes and columns. Some remain open spaces with few internal walls; others have been constructed into one, two, or more bedrooms. Real lofts are mostly found in previously commercial neighborhoods. More recently, a number of new condominium/lofts have been built. These "Loftaminiums" have many similar characteristics as traditional lofts, however they haven't been converted from commercial buildings, so the exposed brick and plumbing (for example) were simply constructed to mimic the look of a converted loft.
Penthouse
A penthouse is an apartment on the top floor of an apartment building or condominium usually with extra balconies or a roof top deck. Usually considered to be quite luxurious and desirable places to live.
Basement Apartment
Basement apartments are located in the lowest story of a house or building partially below ground level. Basement apartments range in size, but many are typically the equivalent to either a bachelor or one bedroom apartment. While theoretically windows and proper ceiling height are enforced by city codes, that certainly isn't always the case and as such, it's imperative to view the apartment prior to signing a lease. As well, as these units are partially below ground level, they are typically the cheapest rental units on the market.
Live/Work
Usually refers to a commercial building where some residential tenancy is accepted. A live/work space has a kitchen and full bathroom with shower.
Bachelor Apartment
Bachelor apartments, also known as a Studio apartment, is basically a one-room apartment with separate bath and sometimes (but not typically) a separate kitchen.The single room serves as a bedroom, dining room and living room, and is usually connected to an open kitchen. These can range from very small (big enough for a sofabed and a desk) to very large (can accommodate a king-size bed and have a separate sitting area and dining area). The larger bachelors tend to be in older, low-rise apartments. Bachelors are typically the most affordable, independent apartment unit with occupancy often limited to one person.This type of apartment is great for students and single people.
One Bedroom Apartment
Very simply, a one bedroom apartment consists of a separate bedroom equipped with a built in closet, living room, kitchen and bathroom. Some one bedroom apartments have full separate kitchens; some do not. These apartments vary dramatically in size. Some bedrooms can fit only a twin-size bed or cot; others can accommodate a king-size bed and offer a sitting area. Typically, one bedroom apartments are meant for a single person or a couple.
Junior One Bedroom Apartment
Junior one bedroom ("Jr. 1") apartments vary in both size and structure. In Toronto, a junior one bedroom usually implies a small one bedroom apartment with the actual bedroom being quite small, fitting at best a twin-size bed and nothing else. A Jr. 1 bedroom could also be an extra-large studio, large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom. Jr. 1 bedrooms are great for students. Most renters of this type of apartment are single as two people living in a Jr. 1 bedroom can feel cramped. The key benefit is that Jr. 1 bedrooms are cheaper than the one bedroom option, and still offer that separate bedroom, making the entire apartment feel larger.
One + Den Apartment
One + Den apartments are actually not apartments - they're in condominium buildings. Also referred to as "one bedroom plus solarium", these units have an extra room which can be used as an office, living area or potentially a bedroom. The set up and the placement of the Den/Solarium varies from unit to unit which will be the key factor as to whether it can be used as an extra bedroom. If the term "solarium" is used, there is more promise of using this room as an extra bedroom as these rooms always have windows and are typically separate from the other bedroom.
Two and Three Bedroom Apartments
Two and Three bedroom apartments are the same as one a bedroom apartments but with more separate rooms. Bedroom sizes can vary widely, from a baby's room or small office to a sprawling master bedroom suite. Three bedroom apartments are relatively rare in Toronto. Typically the price difference between a one bedroom and a two bedroom is not that large which will make it enticing to find a roommate to not only split the cost of rent, but all utilities and amenities.
Loft
Lofts are typically a big, open space that usually results from a commercial building having been converted into residential units. Lofts generally have very high ceilings, extra-large windows and often exposed brick, plumbing pipes and columns. Some remain open spaces with few internal walls; others have been constructed into one, two, or more bedrooms. Real lofts are mostly found in previously commercial neighborhoods. More recently, a number of new condominium/lofts have been built. These "Loftaminiums" have many similar characteristics as traditional lofts, however they haven't been converted from commercial buildings, so the exposed brick and plumbing (for example) were simply constructed to mimic the look of a converted loft.
Penthouse
A penthouse is an apartment on the top floor of an apartment building or condominium usually with extra balconies or a roof top deck. Usually considered to be quite luxurious and desirable places to live.
Basement Apartment
Basement apartments are located in the lowest story of a house or building partially below ground level. Basement apartments range in size, but many are typically the equivalent to either a bachelor or one bedroom apartment. While theoretically windows and proper ceiling height are enforced by city codes, that certainly isn't always the case and as such, it's imperative to view the apartment prior to signing a lease. As well, as these units are partially below ground level, they are typically the cheapest rental units on the market.
Live/Work
Usually refers to a commercial building where some residential tenancy is accepted. A live/work space has a kitchen and full bathroom with shower.