When you explore the property market to buy a new home, you frequently come across the term ‘BHK’. This is a term used to describe the size and configuration of a residential apartment or villa. But, do you know the full form of BHK? That’s what we are going to understand in this blog.
In India, homes are described in terms of BHK rather than their actual square footage. Due to urbanization, the popularity of multi-storey apartments has significantly risen, and developers are coming up with homes in different formats to meet the growing need for housing.
The term BHK was introduced to help in differentiating apartments of different sizes.
The full form of BHK is Bedroom, Hall, and Kitchen. Therefore, the term BHK indicates how many bedrooms, hall, and kitchen you have in an apartment.
For example, if we consider a 3BHK apartment, it will have three bedrooms, one hall, and one kitchen. While the term BHK gained popularity in India, it is now being used in other countries too.
Now that you are aware of the BHK full form, let’s understand why the term is so important in the real estate industry.
In the real estate industry, it is important to understand the term BHK as the number of rooms in an apartment determines its price. Naturally, larger apartments with a higher number of bedrooms are considered to be more spacious. These homes may also come with additional luxury features, and therefore, they are priced higher in the property market.
On the other hand, homes with fewer BHKs are suitable for smaller families and they tend to be more affordable.
Real estate developers design apartments with different numbers of bedrooms to meet the demands of families of different sizes. For instance, a single-family or a newlywed couple may go for a 1 BHK apartment. A small family with a few kids can buy a 2 BHK flat. On the other hand, larger families need 3 and 4 BHK apartments as they are more spacious.
The price of an apartment is also influenced by other factors like amenities, locations, and facilities. If you book an apartment in a prime location to enjoy seamless transportation, the price may be higher compared to the same configuration located in suburban areas. Likewise, flats with modern amenities like swimming pools, gyms, and parking areas are considered more valuable in the market.
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BHK Configuration
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Description
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1 BHK
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The 1 BHK full form is one bedroom, hall, and kitchen
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1.5 BHK
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A 1.5 BHK includes one full bedroom, one smaller room, a hall, and a kitchen
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2 BHK
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The 2 BHK full form means two bedrooms, hall, and kitchen
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2.5 BHK
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A 2.5 BHK includes two full bedrooms, one smaller room, a hall, and a kitchen
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2.5 BHK 2T
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It includes two full bedrooms, one smaller room, a hall, a kitchen, and two toilets
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3 BHK
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The 3 BHK full form is three bedrooms, a hall, and a kitchen
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4 BHK
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It includes four bedrooms, a hall, and a kitchen
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5 BHK
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It includes five bedrooms, a hall, and a kitchen
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Now that you know what each configuration means, check out the factors to consider while purchasing these properties.
Your budget is the first aspect to consider when you are buying any property. In general, bigger homes with more bedrooms are likely to cost you more compared to a smaller home with fewer bedrooms. So, you need to decide how much you can comfortably manage, depending on your financial situation and your immediate requirements.
Also, consider the number of members in your family. For instance, if you are a single person or living with your spouse, a 1 BHK property may be fine. 1 BHK means one bedroom, hall, and kitchen, which should be adequate for two persons.
However, if you are planning to start a family or have children, you must go for a 2 or 3 BHK house. These properties come with more bedrooms to accommodate larger families.
Your living habits and lifestyle also play a key role in the decision-making process. If you value privacy and space, a 2 or 3 BHK apartment may be perfect for you. However, if you travel frequently or hardly spend any time at home, a smaller house will be a practical choice.
Do you live somewhere close to commercial zones where the cost of living is high? In this case, a 1 BHK home can be the right option. However, if you can live a little away from the main city centre, you can afford a larger home within the same budget.
When you buy a new house, make sure to consider your future plans. Do you want to live for a long time in the house? Do you want to start a family? In these cases, a 2 or 3 BHK home would be more suitable. 2 BHK means two bedrooms, a hall, and a kitchen, which would be adequate for an expanding family.
In some areas, the demand for a certain configuration of home can be higher. This sets the market trend, which eventually decides the returns you can enjoy in the coming years. Also, if properties in a particular format are in high demand, you will come across a wider range of these homes.
If you are willing to invest for commercial purposes or expect a higher return in the future, make sure to follow the trend and invest.
Difference between a Studio Apartment and a Flat
A studio apartment and a flat are two different types of living spaces. They differ in terms of size, functionality, and layout.
Generally, flats are more spacious and come with multiple rooms. They also have separate areas for kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. They may also have multiple bathrooms and storage spaces. Usually, they are owned or rented or families who require more privacy and space.
A studio apartment, on the other hand, is a compact living space. It combines the bedroom, kitchen, and living room into one open space, and has a separate bathroom. Since studio apartments are smaller, they are less expensive compared to flats. Usually, they are rented by young professionals or students looking for affordable spaces to live in urban areas.
Considering the limited space, studio apartments need proper space management to make the most of the available area.
Also Read | Flat vs Apartment
No, BHK doesn’t refer to square footage, it defines the number of chambers or rooms in an apartment. For instance, 3 BHK means three bedrooms, hall, and kitchen. However, you may come across 2 BHK flats that are larger in terms of floor area than 3 BHK apartments even when the former comes with two bedrooms.
Again, properties of the same configuration tend to be smaller in size in the centre of the city compared to those in suburban areas. In old constructions, some 1 BHK homes can also be converted to 2 BHK homes.
Besides the location, the size of properties varies among developers, which eventually determines the cost. The dimensions of rooms may not be the same in 2 and 3 BHK apartments.
In this blog, we have comprehensively discussed what BHK means, and how you can choose the ideal configuration depending on your requirements. Consider your family size, future plans, budget, and purpose of purchasing a home before you invest in these properties. If necessary, you can consult a reputed real estate broker who can guide you further regarding the choice of the right configuration.
FAQs
The term BHK is used in the real estate industry to indicate the number of bedrooms, hall, and kitchen in an apartment.
2 BHK means a house or an apartment containing two bedrooms, a hall or living room, and a kitchen. Depending on the configuration, it may have one or two toilets.
In the real estate industry, the term 1.5 BHK is used to indicate an apartment or house that comes with one bedroom and a smaller room along with a kitchen and a bathroom. The smaller room can be used as a half-bedroom or a study room.
1 RK means ‘1 room kitchen’. These properties contain a single room that combines the bedroom and the living room. Separate spaces are integrated for kitchens and bathrooms in these properties.
The ideal configuration of a property depends on your specific needs. So, consider the purpose of buying your property and proceed to the purchase process.
