When you’re searching for an apartment, it’s good to first schedule a tour of the available rental space. There are apartment hunters who don’t look at it first; instead, they only want to know the location, the price, and the amenities. But if you take a tour first, it can help you make sure there are no surprises, such as a lack of sunlight, insufficient closet space, or a ceiling that shows water leakage.

When you take a tour of an apartment, don’t be shy about asking questions. You need to know the amenities included in the apartment – like which appliances the kitchen has or what utilities are included in your rent.

You must also know the sizes of the living room and each bedroom. Be sure to take a measuring tape to ensure your couch, cabinet, beds, nightstands, and dressers will fit into each assigned room. You’ll want to sleep comfortably in a room and not feel cramped. You don’t want it to feel empty either though, so think of things to fill the room you’d be sleeping in.

The hallway is another area to consider when searching for an apartment. Make sure you can maneuver your computer table or cabinet to the bedrooms. If you have a king bed, make sure that it can be accommodated.

The kitchen and dining areas are other important spaces to consider when you move to a new place. If you are a good cook, check that the kitchen has enough cabinets, shelves, and counter space. And if you entertain guests often, make sure the dining area can accommodate your guests without needing to split them up into a separate area in the living room.

Does the bathroom have medicine cabinets, a tub or shower? Is there a linen closet to keep towels and washcloths? Make sure the apartment that you have chosen is going to provide all the things you need.

Does the living room of the apartment already have furniture? Or does the apartment you’re considering provide the right amount of space for your furniture. Having a spacious living room is much better than not having enough room, which may cause you to bump into furniture, as you go into another room.

Even in a spacious living room, you may have a hard time trying to arrange your furniture if wall space is interrupted by windows, doorways, or other appliances. Once you find the apartment you want, and are ready to move, keep in mind to get rid of any extra furniture you have, before you move in. Of course, if you don’t have much furniture, be sure to budget money to shop for furniture to fill your new space.

Whatever type of apartment you want to rent, whether it’s a standard or a luxurious one, it will depend on your budget and lifestyle. Make sure the layout of the apartment you’ve chosen meets your needs...does it have enough space for your furniture in every room, is there a parking space, or an on-site gym? Everyone wants to enjoy a comfortable life in every home they live in.

If you rent an apartment with roommates, make sure that the apartment provides everyone with opportunities to have privacy and tranquility. Also, it is good to be courteous and make sure the television in the living room is not played at a loud volume, when someone is sleeping on the other side of the wall.

Even if you live alone and sleep in a single bedroom, you don’t have to rent a one-bedroom apartment. Some people find that renting a two-bedroom apartment allows them the opportunity to turn the other room into a home office. The second room helps you become hyper-focused, enabling you to get things done more quickly and efficiently, especially if you work from home occasionally and manage everything at home. The second room can also create a place for doing other things or could even be used as a party venue.

Apartment size and layout does matter for people who want to avoid being cramped in a small space. Your apartment is your home, and it’s meant to make you feel and live comfortably. If you feel crowded, you’re bound to find unhappiness along the way.