What counts as a half room?
If you’re looking for an apartment, you’ve probably come across listings like “1.5-room” or “3.5-room” apartments. But what does that half room actually mean? Which spaces are included in the room count – and what’s behind a 0.5 room?
What is a half room?
A definition was published back in 1951 in DIN 218: “A half room is a space between 6 and 10 square meters with a minimum width of 2.10 meters.” However, this standard was withdrawn in 1983. Today, the term is used a bit differently. A half room is not an additional full-sized room of equal value. It usually refers to a smaller living area, such as:
- A Kitchen within a living area of at least 12 square meters
- A Dining area or living section within a kitchen of at least 6 square meters
- An Entrance area or spacious hallway (often with a wardrobe) of at least 6 square meters
In many cases, property managers use the “half room” label to avoid raising expectations too high. There is no official definition anymore, so this information should be seen as a guideline rather than a strict rule.
Half rooms can, for example, have the following layout (the half room is highlighted):
Full rooms
When renting or selling an apartment, the following spaces count as full rooms:
- Living room
- Bedroom
- Office
- Children’s room
Rooms that are not counted
The following spaces are not counted as rooms:
- Bathroom
- Shower
- Kitchen
As mentioned above, there is one exception: kitchens that are integrated into a living area. These so-called eat-in kitchens are counted as half a room.
Calculate your maximum rent
A half room can make a big difference to the rent. That’s why it’s important to know what you can actually afford. With our rent calculator, you’ll find out in no time. Create your personal budget and instantly see the maximum rent you can set when searching for your new home.
