A studio is a self-contained, small apartment, combining living room, bedroom and kitchenette into a single unit. Bathrooms are generally separate, although odd bathroom setups within the studio room have been reported. Studios commonly range from about 200-500 square feet – generally the smallest and cheapest on the market. However, they are generally the most expensive per square foot. A studio’s primary advantage is privacy. So, if you want your own place at a reasonable price, get a studio. If you don’t mind sharing, take a larger apartment with a roommate – you’ll enjoy more space for the same amount of money you would pay for a studio.

An alcove studio is an “L-shaped” studio apartment with an alcove, usually used for dining or extra sleeping space. Alcove studios may or may not be bigger than regular studios and can range from 350 to 600 square feet.

The “Junior One” is often misunderstood. Essentially, it is an alcove studio with a window. If a wall is put up in the windowed alcove, it would be a separate bedroom, though it may not necessarily be a legal sized bedroom. The size of this type of apartment usually ranges from 350 to 700 square feet.

One bedroom apartments usually have a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and a legal sized windowed separate bedroom. The bathroom may or may not be accessible from the bedroom. One bedroom apartments range from 390 square feet to 1,200 square feet.

Only in New York ! A junior four is a one bedroom rental with a separate dining area. The “Four” references the number of rooms. When searching, check your room counts and make sure it really is 4 separate rooms. “Junior Fours” can range from 500–1,000+ square feet.

Also known as a "Flex Two" apartment, the “Convertible Two” is essentially a large one bedroom with a dining room, or sufficient space to create a wall for a second bedroom. This may or may not have two bathrooms although a flex two may only have one complete bathroom. Many “Junior Fours” are also referred to as “Convertible Twos”, which can be a little confusing.

There are many classifications of two bedroom apartments. The one constant is that by definition, a two bedroom must have two distinct bedrooms and a living room with or without a separate dining area. A “True Two” usually means a larger two bedroom/two bath apartment and a higher price tag.

This apartment is generally a two bedroom apartment that has a windowed dining room large enough to partition into a third bedroom. Three bedrooms are tricky as they may or may not have a common area such as a living room.

Another classification used primarily in New York ! A classic six is a two bedroom apartment with an extra tiny room. Most of these are prewar apartments with a tiny maid's room which may or may not have windows.

A true three bedroom home must have three separate bedrooms and at least two full baths, with a separate living room or dining area.

By definition, a loft is a large open space with few or no walls. Most original New York lofts were conversions from commercial/industrial buildings to residential spaces. Most lofts have very high ceilings, large windows, and can be subdivided into 1-5 bedrooms. Lofts can be confusing as many developers or landlords will assume a unit to be a loft simply because it is located in an area with a lot of lofts. Also, beware of landlords or sellers who improperly use the word “Loft” to indicate a bedroom that is part of a lofted ceiling. Rather than a true loft, this describes an apartment with very high ceilings and a staircase to an area that cuts the room height in half to create a bedroom – it’s a mezzanine bedroom effect, but not a true “Loft Apartment.”

This apartment may be fully or partially furnished, and usually rents for shorter terms at premium prices. A furnished apartment may or may not include additional utilities, cable service, or internet. These are good for people who are relocating or require short-term living space. Most furnished units have a minimum lease term of one month.