Apartment Types Explained: 2BHK, LDK, and What Really Matters

When you hear apartment types, categories of residential units defined by layout, size, and room configuration. Also known as housing units, they shape how you live—not just how much space you have. It’s not just about bedrooms. A 2BHK isn’t the same as an LDK, and neither is the same as a studio or a 1BHK. The difference isn’t just in the number of rooms—it’s in how you move through your home, how much you pay, and how easily you can rent or sell it later.

Take the 2BHK, a two-bedroom, one-hall, one-kitchen layout common in India and parts of Asia. Also known as two-bedroom apartment, it’s the sweet spot for young couples, small families, and investors. In 2025, the most popular size ranges from 65 to 85 square meters—big enough to breathe, small enough to keep bills low. Then there’s the LDK, a Japanese-inspired open-plan design combining living, dining, and kitchen into one fluid space. Also known as living-dining-kitchen layout, it’s gaining ground in New Zealand and urban India because it feels bigger than it is. No walls. No wasted corners. Just open flow. But it’s not for everyone. If you hate cooking smells drifting into your living room, an LDK might feel like a design flaw.

Apartment types aren’t just about floor plans. They’re tied to money, lifestyle, and even legal rules. A 2BHK in Mulund might cost less than a studio in Mumbai’s south, but its resale value? Higher. Why? Because more people want it. An LDK might look modern, but if your building doesn’t allow open kitchens or your neighbors hate noise, it could hurt your peace. And don’t forget: some cities have rules on how many people can live in a 2BHK. Others regulate what counts as a kitchen or a bedroom. You can’t just guess—you need to know what you’re signing up for.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of definitions. It’s a real-world look at what these apartment types actually mean when you’re buying, renting, or investing. You’ll see how 2BHK sizes vary across cities, why LDKs are trending overseas, what hidden costs come with layout choices, and how a tiny change in design can make or break your daily routine. No fluff. No theory. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what to watch out for before you sign anything.