Is a 1 bedroom bigger than a studio? Size, layout, and what you really get in India

When you’re hunting for a place in Mumbai, Delhi, or even Bangalore, you’ll see two options popping up again and again: studio and 1 bedroom. Both are small. Both are cheap. But one is bigger-and it’s not always the one you think.

What’s the real difference between a studio and a 1 bedroom?

A studio is one room. That’s it. The bed, the kitchen, the living area-all in the same space. No walls. No doors. Just a curtain or a half-wall maybe separating the sleeping zone. A 1 bedroom has a separate room for sleeping. That’s the whole point. The rest-kitchen, bathroom, living area-is shared in the main space.

So yes, a 1 bedroom is almost always bigger than a studio. But size isn’t just about square feet. It’s about how the space feels.

In India, studios often range from 250 to 400 sq. ft. A 1 bedroom? Usually 450 to 600 sq. ft. That extra 150 to 200 square feet isn’t just added space-it’s a whole new room. That means you can shut a door at night. No more hearing your neighbor’s TV through the wall. No more tripping over your laptop charger because your bed is in the middle of the kitchen.

Why do studios even exist?

They’re cheaper. That’s the truth. In cities like Pune or Hyderabad, a studio might cost ₹8,000 to ₹12,000 a month. A 1 bedroom? ₹14,000 to ₹22,000. For students, fresh graduates, or people working gig jobs, that difference is life-changing.

But here’s the catch: studios aren’t just small-they’re designed to be minimal. Most don’t have proper kitchen counters. You cook on a hotplate. Storage? A single shelf and a closet that barely fits your winter coat. Bathrooms are tiny. Often shared with other tenants in the building.

A 1 bedroom gives you breathing room. You can fit a proper dresser. A small dining table. Maybe even a bookshelf. You can close the bedroom door and have quiet. You can invite someone over without feeling like you’re hosting them in your bed.

Layout matters more than square footage

Not all studios are created equal. Some are designed like shoeboxes. Others have clever layouts that make them feel bigger. A studio with a lofted bed? That frees up floor space. A studio with a kitchen nook tucked into a corner? That’s smart design.

But even the best studio layout can’t beat a 1 bedroom’s separation. In a 1 bedroom, the bedroom is a real room. Not just a corner with a mattress. That means you can buy a proper bed frame, not a fold-out sofa. You can hang curtains. You can put up photos. You can make it feel like your own.

And in India, where privacy is a luxury, that matters. A 1 bedroom gives you control. You can lock the door. You can sleep without worrying about someone walking in. You can work from home without your roommate staring at your screen.

Who should pick a studio?

If you’re single, young, and on a tight budget-studio is fine. If you work long hours and are only home to sleep? Studio works. If you don’t mind cooking on a gas stove in the same room where you sit to watch Netflix? Studio is okay.

But if you plan to stay longer than a year-if you want to host friends, if you need to work from home regularly, if you care about having your own space to unwind-skip the studio. The savings aren’t worth the stress.

One real example: A friend in Chennai moved from a studio to a 1 bedroom. Her rent went up by ₹3,500. But her sleep quality improved. She started cooking real meals again. She stopped feeling like she was living in a closet. That extra ₹3,500? Worth every rupee.

What about storage?

Storage is where studios really fall apart. Most studios come with one small closet. Maybe two. A 1 bedroom usually has a proper wardrobe in the bedroom and another in the living area.

In India, where seasonal clothes, wedding outfits, and holiday decorations pile up, storage isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential. A studio might force you to store things under your bed or in plastic bins on the floor. A 1 bedroom lets you put things away-out of sight, out of mind.

Is the price difference worth it?

Let’s say you’re choosing between a ₹10,000 studio and a ₹16,000 1 bedroom. That’s ₹6,000 more a month. ₹72,000 a year.

But here’s the hidden cost of a studio: you’re paying in comfort, not just rent.

• You spend extra on laundry because you can’t hang clothes indoors.
• You buy more takeout because cooking feels messy in a shared space.
• You pay for co-working spaces because your home isn’t quiet enough to work.
• You stress more. And stress has a price too.

That ₹6,000 difference? It might be less than you think.

What to look for in a 1 bedroom in India

Not all 1 bedrooms are good. Some are just studios with a fake wall. Watch out for:

• Rooms with sliding doors that don’t close properly
• Bedrooms that are smaller than 8x8 feet
• Buildings where the kitchen is shared with 3 other units
• Windows that don’t open

Ask to see the unit at night. Is it quiet? Can you lock the door? Is there ventilation? Is there enough light?

A good 1 bedroom in India has: a door that locks, a window that opens, a functional kitchen, and at least 500 sq. ft. of space. If it checks those boxes, it’s worth the extra rent.

Final verdict: Is a 1 bedroom bigger than a studio?

Yes. And it’s not even close.

A 1 bedroom gives you space, privacy, and peace. A studio gives you a roof and a bed. That’s it.

If you’re just passing through, or you’re broke and desperate-studio is okay. But if you want to live, not just survive-go for the 1 bedroom. The extra cost isn’t an expense. It’s an investment in your sanity.

In a country where space is scarce and privacy is rare, having your own room isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.