1 Plus 1 Apartment: What It Really Means and Why It Matters

When you hear 1 plus 1 apartment, a compact living space with one full bedroom and a separate living area that can double as a sleeping space. Also known as 1BHK+study, it’s a layout designed for people who want more than a studio but don’t need a full second bedroom. It’s not a 2BHK. It’s not a studio. It’s something in between—and that’s exactly why it’s growing fast in places like Mulund, where space is tight and budgets are real.

This layout gives you a closed bedroom, a living room that can fit a bed, and usually a kitchenette. You get privacy without the cost of two full bedrooms. Think of it as a 2BHK apartment, a standard housing unit with two separate bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen that lost one bedroom but kept the soul. Many young professionals, couples, or even remote workers in Mumbai are choosing it because it’s cheaper to buy or rent, easier to maintain, and still feels spacious. It’s not about having more rooms—it’s about using what you have better.

The apartment layouts, the arrangement of rooms and functional zones inside a residential unit you see in New Zealand or the U.S. might call this a T2 or studio-plus, but here in India, it’s called 1 plus 1. And it’s not just a trend—it’s a smart response to rising land prices, smaller families, and changing lifestyles. You don’t need a guest room if you’re not hosting often. You don’t need a formal dining area if you eat at the counter. This layout strips away the fluff.

What makes it work? Flexibility. The extra space isn’t wasted—it becomes your home office, your reading nook, your guest zone. Some landlords even install fold-out beds or Murphy beds to make it official. Compare that to a 2BHK where one room sits empty 80% of the time. That’s money you’re paying for unused square feet.

And it’s not just about size. It’s about location. In Mulund, where transport links are strong and demand is high, a 1 plus 1 apartment gives you access to the city without the premium price tag of a bigger unit. Investors love it because turnover is faster. Renters love it because the rent is lower and utilities are cheaper. Builders love it because they can fit more units on the same plot.

You’ll find these layouts popping up in new projects around Mulund West and near the railway station. They’re not flashy, but they’re practical. And if you’re looking to buy or rent, this might be the sweet spot between affordability and comfort. The posts below cover real examples, comparisons with other layouts like T5 and 2BHK, and what to watch out for when you’re evaluating one. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a young professional, or someone downsizing, understanding what a 1 plus 1 apartment really offers can save you time, money, and stress.