{"id":871,"date":"2026-09-13T12:36:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T12:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/when-square-metres-are-not-everything-from-a-dark-apartment-to-a-bright-new-home\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T13:16:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T13:16:01","slug":"when-square-metres-are-not-everything-from-a-dark-apartment-to-a-bright-new-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/when-square-metres-are-not-everything-from-a-dark-apartment-to-a-bright-new-home\/","title":{"rendered":"When Square Metres Are Not Everything: From a Dark Apartment to a Bright New Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t<div id=\"text-938767530\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p><em>When looking for a new home, we usually have a fairly clear idea of what we want.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>A specific location, enough space, a balcony, a lift, a good layout \u2026 and then viewings begin, and we quickly realise that a perfect apartment almost never exists.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>That was also the case with our client. After selling her older house, we began the search together for a new home in Ljubljana. It was not only about finding something \u201csuitable\u201d. It was important to find a space that matched her wishes, needs and lifestyle, and where she would feel comfortable.   <\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-938767530 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-938767530 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3239029544\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2>When a Few Square Metres Are No Longer the Most Important<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3239029544 {\n  font-size: 1.25rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3021291081\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>At the beginning, the wishes were quite clear. The apartment was to be around 50 m\u00b2; a good location in Ljubljana was important, as well as proximity to public transport and shops, a lift, and a balcony. <\/p>\n<p>After several viewings, we found an apartment that met almost all the key criteria, but it was significantly smaller than the originally desired size. It had 35 m\u00b2 of living space and a 5 m\u00b2 balcony. <\/p>\n<p>And of course, this raised doubts.<\/p>\n<p>Would 35 m\u00b2 really be enough?<\/p>\n<p>The difference between the desired 50 m\u00b2 and the actual 35 m\u00b2 was considerable, so the concern was entirely understandable. However, the more we looked at the apartment itself, the clearer it became that the number on paper does not tell the whole story. <\/p>\n<p>The layout was good, and the balcony added something you cannot see in the floor area alone. Especially in the warmer months, it becomes an extension of the living space and gives the apartment a greater sense of openness. <\/p>\n<p>In addition, the apartment had several very important advantages: good public transport connections, shops nearby, a pleasant neighbourhood, a lift, and a balcony. The neighbours also turned out to be friendly, which ultimately matters more than it may seem at the first viewing. <\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3021291081 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-3021291081 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-4168829711\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2>Price per m\u00b2 Matters, but It Is Not Everything<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-4168829711 {\n  font-size: 1.25rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-2671309286\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>When buying an apartment, we very quickly start talking about the price per square metre. And it is right to compare it. No one wants to overpay for a property relative to the market.  <\/p>\n<p>Still, it seems to me that sometimes too much attention is given to this figure.<\/p>\n<p>Two apartments can have the same floor area, yet one will feel much more spacious and be more practical in everyday life. A lot depends on the layout. A long corridor, many unused corners, or awkwardly placed rooms can \u201ceat up\u201d a lot of space.  <\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, a well-designed 35 m\u00b2 can offer a surprising amount.<\/p>\n<p>That is why, when buying, it is not only about how much a square metre costs, but also how much usability we actually get from those square metres.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-2671309286 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-2671309286 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3364840094\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2>First Impressions Can Be Very Misleading<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3364840094 {\n  font-size: 1.25rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1542440675\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>At the time of purchase, the apartment did not really show its potential.<\/p>\n<p>It was quite dark, and the furniture and colours were not chosen particularly well, so it felt even smaller, more closed-in and less pleasant than it actually was.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1542440675 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-1542440675 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1688145624\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1448\" height=\"1086\" src=\"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-pred-prenovo.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"Apartment before renovation\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-pred-prenovo.jpg 1448w, https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-pred-prenovo-533x400.jpg 533w, https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-pred-prenovo-1067x800.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-pred-prenovo-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1448px) 100vw, 1448px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1688145624 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-661431776\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-661431776 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-2647075820\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>And with apartments like this, it often happens that buyers dismiss them quickly.<\/p>\n<p>We see an old kitchen, dark walls, unsuitable furniture, and it is hard to imagine that the space could look completely different.<\/p>\n<p>But colours can be changed. Furniture can be removed. The kitchen can be renovated.  <\/p>\n<p>However, we cannot move the location. Nor can we simply add a balcony to an apartment or a lift to a building. <\/p>\n<p>That is why, with this apartment, we focused primarily on what cannot be changed, and on the potential that could be realised through renovation.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-2647075820 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-2647075820 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1805671836\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2>We Considered the Budget Already During the Search<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1805671836 {\n  font-size: 1.25rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1956639929\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>An important part of the whole story was also the budget.<\/p>\n<p>From the very beginning, it was clear to us that buying the apartment would not be the only cost.<\/p>\n<p>The apartment needed renovation, so from the start we had to think about the entire project, not only the purchase price.<\/p>\n<p>This means that during the search we did not look at apartments at the absolute upper limit of the available amount. Some funds had to remain for the renovation. <\/p>\n<p>I consider this very important when buying. You can buy an apartment that seems \u201cwithin budget\u201d at first glance, and then realise that almost nothing is left for the renovation it needs. <\/p>\n<p>That is why we factored in the renovation cost already during the search, which made it much easier to assess which apartment was truly suitable.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1956639929 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-1956639929 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1541609786\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2>The Renovation Was Not Only About a Better Look<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1541609786 {\n  font-size: 1.25rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3458396365\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>The goal of the renovation was not only to make the apartment look nicer.<\/p>\n<p>Above all, we wanted it to be brighter, more open, functional, and adapted to the new owner.<\/p>\n<p>With a smaller floor area, every decision is even more important. The wrong furniture or too many dark elements can quickly close in the space. Well-chosen colours, materials and fittings do the exact opposite.  <\/p>\n<p>We thought a lot about where storage should go, how to preserve as much light as possible, how to place the furniture, and how to ensure that, despite the smaller area, the apartment would not feel cramped.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, we also kept the budget we set from the beginning in mind with every decision.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3458396365 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-3458396365 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1311972841\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2>The Same Apartment, a Completely Different Feel<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1311972841 {\n  font-size: 1.25rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3769198682\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>After the renovation, it was hard to believe we were looking at the same apartment.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, we did not add any square metres. It was still 35. <\/p>\n<p>But the feel was completely different.<\/p>\n<p>The apartment became bright, airy and pleasant. A better layout of the furnishings made a big difference, and the balcony adds an extra sense of space and connection to the outdoors. <\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3769198682 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-3769198682 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1564391267\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1448\" height=\"1086\" src=\"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-po-prenovi-rnp.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"Apartment after renovation\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-po-prenovi-rnp.jpg 1448w, https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-po-prenovi-rnp-533x400.jpg 533w, https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-po-prenovi-rnp-1067x800.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stanovanje-po-prenovi-rnp-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1448px) 100vw, 1448px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1564391267 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-437060311\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-437060311 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-250761720\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>And that initial concern about the smaller floor area? After the renovation, it was no longer so important. <\/p>\n<p>For me, this is precisely the best part of the story. At the beginning, we were looking at a rather dark, unremarkable apartment that required some imagination. In the end, it became a bright and pleasant home, adapted to the new owner.  <\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-250761720 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-250761720 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-989329230\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2>What Can a Buyer Take Away from This?<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-989329230 {\n  font-size: 1.25rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-4238303999\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>When searching for an apartment, it is very easy to get caught up in the numbers. How many square metres does it have? What is the price per m\u00b2? How many rooms? How large is the balcony?    <\/p>\n<p>All of this matters, but it is not the only thing.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes a smaller apartment with a good layout is more practical than a larger one where a lot of space is poorly used.<\/p>\n<p>That is why, during a viewing, it is good to look a little beyond the current condition.<\/p>\n<p>Does the location suit you? Is the layout good? Is there enough light? Does the apartment have a balcony, a lift, or other features you cannot change later? Could it be adapted to your lifestyle through renovation? And above all\u2014are the purchase and renovation together still within your budget?     <\/p>\n<p>Sometimes you need to be able to distinguish between an apartment that is truly poor and one that is simply poorly presented.<\/p>\n<p>It is not the same.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-4238303999 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-4238303999 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-4155880085\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<h2>Sometimes the Right Compromise Is the One We Did Not Want at All at the Beginning<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-4155880085 {\n  font-size: 1.25rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3117899225\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p>At the beginning, we were looking for around 50 m\u00b2.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, we bought 35 m\u00b2 and a 5 m\u00b2 balcony.<\/p>\n<p>On paper, the difference was large, so the decision was not straightforward. In practice, however, we gained a good location, proximity to public transport and shops, a pleasant neighbourhood, a lift, a balcony, and an apartment with a solid base that we could truly make the most of through renovation. <\/p>\n<p>Because we also took the renovation cost into account already during the search, it was possible to carry out the entire project as we had planned.<\/p>\n<p>The result is not only a renovated apartment.<\/p>\n<p>It is a new home.<\/p>\n<p>And perhaps this is also the best advice for anyone currently looking for their next property:<\/p>\n<p>Do not look only at what the apartment is like today. Try to see what it could become. <\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3117899225 {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n#text-3117899225 > * {\n  color: rgb(0,0,0);\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":877,"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871\/revisions\/877"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rnp-nepremicnine.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}