Optimizing Space in Multifamily Projects: 7 ways to make the most of your square footage

When it comes to building or remodeling multifamily housing, there's one thing that remains true no matter what's trending: it's essential to optimize space. But let's get real: making the most of the space you have while allowing for the amenities renters seek can be a challenging balancing act. What do you sacrifice? What can you reimagine so that it uses less of that precious space?

Working in tandem with design and build experts can empower you to modify your property to maximize space and profit. Here are a few options to make the most of your space.

1. Consider corralling common space

Thinking about your development in terms of what generates revenue and what doesn't can help you identify areas that could be modified to maximize space. Consider, for example, the hallways and stairwells of your property. Thoughtfully designed, these areas can be reduced in size to allow for more multifamily housing units or larger units while potentially reducing operating expenses. Again, it's a balancing act that a design and build team can help you navigate, as common areas that are too cramped can create issues related to safety and tenant comfort. Yet innovative design solutions considered early in the development process may be just the answer to maximize your investment.

2. Refigure your floor plans

In-unit space is just as important as common spaces when it comes to maximizing square footage and potential. It's easy to focus on square footage alone when there is often opportunity over our heads. Living units that have taller ceilings can look and feel more spacious than they are. But the opportunities don't end there. Large windows can also make spaces feel larger and more welcoming, and open-concept designs can also help a room feel, well, roomier. Creating a sense of spaciousness can be helped along with design solutions like proxemics, elements that create a sense of spatial separation through different finishes or low-profile dividers.

3. Reimagine closets

Closets always seem like a good idea, but once in place, they are sorely underutilized, with as much as 50% of the functional space actually being used. Optimizing closet space can be a bonus for tenants, whether it's in a kitchen pantry, a bathroom, the laundry room or bedrooms. Talk with your design-build team about how closets can be optimized by including shelving, rods, varied levels for hanging and storage, and other organizing tricks. The upgrade to more usable closets with additional usable space may hold appeal for current as well as future tenants.

4. Don't duck the ductwork

Older HVAC models may be taking up valuable space, so if it's time to remodel an existing multifamily housing complex, talking ductwork could help you optimize your square footage. Horizontal distribution systems are one solution owner/developers are turning to, as they employ the newest HVAC technologies to maximize space. Stacked vertical HVAC systems may also be an option for your multifamily housing construction project.

5. Think floor to floor heights

Reducing the floor-to-floor height in your housing build, even by less than a foot, may enable developers to add an additional floor on the top of the building without increasing the construction height.

6. Ponder parking efficiency

Parking lots historically command a lot of space. However, there are solutions to maximize even parking space. Many of these options depend upon the site of your multifamily housing construction as well as aspects like ingress/egress locations, site grades and subsurface soil composition. Depending on your build site, your design and build team can advise you on whether options such as tuck-under parking, cantilever parking system or other creative parking structure may be right for your build.

7. The amenity aspect

For some tenants, it's all about the amenities, so while it's essential to optimize space in your multifamily housing complex, cutting amenities is usually not the best solution. However, taking a hard look at amenities that add value versus those that are underutilized can help you determine what stays, what goes, and what changes. Simply put, amenities do not typically generate income, so they need to provide a return on investment. That may mean it's time to rethink amenities. That doesn't necessarily mean scaling back, but it may mean reimagining spaces, augmenting offerings and/or upgrading technologies to make the most of what you have.

Long before you open the doors to tenants, it's essential to consult with an experienced team about how to optimize the space in your multifamily housing construction project. Rest assured, the design-build construction model gives you a head start on optimizing space in your next commercial build .