When comparing a 3 BHK vs 4 BHK, which one truly stands out? Is a 3 BHK the right option? Or going with a 4 BHK will be advantageous?
To help with this dilemma, we bring you a brief comparison of the space, lifestyle, and privacy of a 3 BHK vs 4 BHK apartment, in layers.
Page Contents
3 BHK vs 4 BHK: Understanding The Layouts
A 3 BHK Apartment
| A 3 BHK apartment has 3 bedrooms, one of which is the homeowner’s master bedroom, and the rest are reserved for parents, kids, or guests. |
| The hall or living room doubles up as a dining room. Designed to be open or semi-open, it seems larger than it is and inviting. |
| The kitchen is modular enough to squeeze out maximum space for utensils and appliances. Designed for budget-conscious homeowners, it looks and feels minimalist. |
| The bathrooms are limited to 2 or 3 units, one of which is part of the master bedroom. The rest are designed for rush hour use by the remaining people at home. |
A 4 BHK Apartment
| A 4 BHK apartment has 4 bedrooms, 1 or 2 of which are master bedrooms. The rest are reserved for other family members, guests, or as home-office & entertainment spaces. |
| The hall or living room is spacious, with separate zones for dining and general entertainment. None of these zones crosses into the others, and all of them feel equally inviting. |
| The kitchen is spacious and lavishly furnished. This apartment may even host a servant’s room. |
| Every master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. The residents in other rooms share the remaining 2 lavish bathrooms. |
3 BHK vs 4 BHK: Space Comparison
A 3 BHK Apartment
| A 3 BHK apartment’s carpet area ranges between 1200 sq. ft. and 1600 sq. ft., depending on location. Every room opens up into another, with little or no area reserved for passages. |
| As these spaces are innately woven with each other, the design seems practical. It sets a balance between space and affordability. |
| This apartment accounts for lower maintenance charges and other expenses, such as electricity bills, water bills, and property taxes. |
| It enjoys higher resale and rental demand, thanks to steady occupancy rates, resulting in fast returns. But it has lower year-on-year growth in value compared to its 4 BHK counterpart. |
A 4 BHK Apartment
| A 4 BHK apartment offers more carpet area, ranging from 1500 sq. ft. to 2000+ sq. ft., depending on location and project developer. It is designed to be versatile, as each room’s purpose can change with time. |
| To achieve this, the architect makes and furnishes the apartment in a modular way, adding a touch of luxury for a grand feel. This affects the apartment’s ticket size. |
| It accounts for higher maintenance charges and other expenses such as electricity bills, water bills, and property taxes. |
| It has high demand and ticket prices at affluent locations. The demand and ticket price also depend on the builder’s reputation and the premiumness of the residential project. |
| It draws stronger value appreciation year-on-year, making it an ideal investment for high-net-worth individuals. |
| It even offers a dedicated study room, storage room, or a servant’s room. |
3 BHK vs 4 BHK: Lifestyle Comparison
A 3 BHK Apartment
| A 3 BHK apartment is best suited for nuclear families with little ones or parents-in-law. As it is a minimalist apartment, upkeep is fairly easy and convenient. |
| At times, a room in such an apartment can be repurposed as a home office for a hybrid work model. If not, this apartment has enough space to welcome occasional guests. |
| This kind of minimalist apartment attracts lower furnishing and renovation costs than its 4 BHK counterpart. |
A 4 BHK Apartment
| A 4 BHK apartment is perfect for multi-generational families, or families expecting to grow with time. This lavish apartment needs time and effort to be cleaned and maintained in pristine condition. |
| It has special rooms for guests and for celebrating festivals. It even features a special room that can be used as an entertainment zone or a home-office. |
| Its furnishing and upkeep costs are more than those of a 3 BHK apartment because a 4 BHK apartment offers a premium lifestyle and adapts gracefully to changes when needed. |
Also read: Should I buy Mid-Segment vs Luxury Property in Mumbai?
3 BHK vs 4 BHK: Privacy Comparison
A 3 BHK Apartment
| A 3 BHK apartment is designed to be economical with space, thus offering more within a tight budget. But it comes at the cost of residents’ privacy. |
| One of the bedrooms in such an apartment can be converted into a study room or a prayer room. |
A 4 BHK Apartment
| A 4 BHK apartment is designed to be spacious, with guest rooms directly at the entrance. This design ensures guests have a comfortable stay without crossing into the privacy of their hosts. |
| Such a lavish apartment has a dedicated study room or a prayer room. |
Key Takeaways
| Go for a 3 BHK | Go for a 4 BHK |
| If your budget is low, and you don’t mind rooms that open up into each other to use space economically. | If you have a bigger budget and want dedicated spaces for everyone in your family. |
| If you have a nuclear family and can reorganise rooms for a home-office, or to celebrate festivals. | If you have a multi-generational family and need separate spaces for study, home-office, and servants. |
| If you have limited time to upkeep the apartment. | If you have the time and effort to upkeep the apartment. |
| If privacy isn’t much of a concern, even when guests drop by at your doorstep. | If privacy is a concern, and you need a proper room to host your guests. |
Whether a 3 BHK apartment will meet your needs or buying a 4 BHK one is a better choice depends on the lifestyle you wish to lead, the space you expect from your home, the budget you allocate for it, and the privacy it offers.
Also read: Is upgrading from 2 BHK to 3 BHK worth it?
FAQs
| What is the difference between a 3 BHK and a 4 BHK apartment?
A 3 BHK apartment is small and cozy compared to a 4 BHK apartment. It has only 1 master bedroom as opposed to 2 master bedrooms in a 4 BHK apartment. It usually doesn’t waste space on passages that lead from one room to another. A 4 BHK apartment may feature a separate study or servant room. |
| I intend to raise a young family with my partner. What kind of apartment is right for me?
If you want to raise two children with your partner, then a 3 BHK is enough. If you have a higher budget, then you can opt for a 4 BHK apartment. This will cushion you against further increments in the number of family members. |
| I want to live a quiet and serene life with my spouse, children, and my parents. Which apartment configuration should I prefer?
You should choose a 4 BHK apartment in a neighbourhood that is away from city chaos. At such a place, the price will be lower than in affluent locations in the city. |
| Which apartment configuration is better, considering the privacy factor?
A 4 BHK apartment is definitely better in this case. Every room is separated from the other in a way that none of them invade each other’s zones. |
| What if I want higher value appreciation year-on-year on my investment?
If you are going to buy an apartment as an investment, then a 4 BHK at an affluent or premium location in the city will be the best bet. Because such an apartment will see higher appreciation over time. |
