The expert called the signs of an apartment with an unsuccessful layout

When choosing an apartment, it is important for buyers to evaluate not only the area and location of housing, but also the layout features, since large corridors, walk-through rooms and lack of storage space can reduce the comfort of living. On July 10, the author of the manual on optimizing the organizational structures of the EAEU, Egor Khalilov, told Izvestia about this.

The expert called the corridors too large, which occupy a significant part of the area, but do not perform a useful function, one of the signs of an unsuccessful layout. At the same time, well-designed passageways can separate the private and common parts of the apartment.

Khalilov called the passage rooms, which are more common in the old housing stock, another problem. According to him, such rooms are difficult to use as a bedroom, office or personal space, since other residents constantly pass through them.

"Bedrooms should not open into the living room or be at the front door. The proximity of bedrooms with an elevator, a garbage chute and other noisy areas is also undesirable, it will be impossible to sleep at night," the expert noted.

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He also drew attention to the lack of storage space. If the apartment does not have a dressing room, niches for built-in wardrobes or other solutions for storing things, the space is gradually filled with furniture, which reduces the useful area. According to the expert, it is worth assessing the level of natural lighting before buying. Small windows or the location of all rooms on the north side can make the apartment dark most of the year.

Khalilov added that an uncomfortable kitchen — too small, elongated or irregular in shape — can also become a problem in everyday life. Buyers should check in advance whether it will be possible to place the necessary equipment and work areas.

The expert stressed that it is important to take into account the possibility of future redevelopment and the design features of the house. If most of the changes are limited to load-bearing walls, it will be more difficult to adapt the space to the changing needs of the family.

"If a large apartment has one bathroom, it quickly becomes inconvenient for the family. Ideally, the toilet should be separate from the bathroom or shower, and with two bedrooms and more, at least two toilets are needed," Khalilov added.

According to him, when choosing a home, you should not focus only on the area, cost or location. The decoration can be changed, but it is often impossible to correct the unsuccessful logic of the space.

Boris Sidorov, director of Kashirsky Dvor Shopping center, told Izvestia on June 6 that Russians are less likely to organize repairs on their own. According to him, more and more people prefer to entrust the selection of materials, the search for contractors and the control of work to professionals, or choose ready-made solutions.