The Gist: This article explains how designing for student housing differs from designing for general multi‑family residential properties — even though they share common features — and why understanding those differences matters.
What you’ll learn
How community areas, amenities, materials, and technology vary between student living and multi‑family housing; which design decisions best match the lifestyles of students vs. long-term renters; and why a tailored approach can improve leasing success.
After reading, you’ll be ready to
Tailor your design strategy to your target resident type, decide which features and finishes will most resonate with students versus multi-family renters, and make better choices around amenities, tech, and materials to differentiate your property.
Talking points
Student housing and multi-family share needs for gathering spaces, quality fixtures, and high-speed internet; but they differ in how those features are executed: student living demands collaboration areas like study rooms and media centers, while multi-family favors reservable lounges, coworking, and family spaces; luxury amenities overlap (e.g. pools, bike storage), but some are more specialized (maker spaces, dog parks); students may expect in-unit kitchens and private bathrooms, while multi-family often emphasizes master suites and air/water quality systems; technology for student housing highlights fast Wi‑Fi and smart elevators, while multi-family may use virtual doorman systems or automated doors; understanding these differences helps design teams attract the right residents and out‑position your property in the market.
Understanding the differences
Student Housing Vs. Multifamily
Although multi-family housing and student living properties share many things in common, there are vast differences in how to approach the design for each. The way these properties are designed will ultimately dictate whether or not prospective residents will be sold on signing a lease/decide to call your site home.
It takes a knowledgeable design team to nail down the nuances that distinguish these properties from one another. By taking the time to truly assess the needs of your future residents, a thoughtful interior design team will be able to help you attract new leases with greater success!
Student Living vs. Multi-Family Housing Design
What’s the Same?
Before we dive into what makes designing these properties different, it’s important to point out the things they share in common. Both student living and multi-family housing residents have certain expectations for their living experiences, including:
- Areas to gather as a community
- Luxury amenities
- Quality fixtures and materials
- High-tech features and fast internet
- Beautiful yet functional design
What separates the way in which these properties are designed more than anything is how each of these needs are met for the specific residents they are meant to serve.
What’s Different?
It’s important to consider who your resident will ultimately be before getting started with the interior design. The following illustrates how each of the aforementioned considerations change depending on what property type you’re designing:
| Design Consideration | Student Living | Multi-Family Housing |
Community Areas |
Computer rooms and semi-private study spaces Student dining and event areas Gaming and media centers Project collaboration areas |
Reservable lounges for family events Business centers and coworking areas Communal kitchens Family care spaces (i.e. daycare areas) On-site dining options |
Luxury Amenities |
Resort-style pools Rooftop community gardens Indoor-outdoor living spaces On-site or in-unit laundry facilities Full-service fitness centers Indoor bike storage Large mail rooms and package storage space |
“Maker spaces” featuring work benches, floor drains, or extra HVAC ventilation Dog parks Indoor bike storage Resort-style pools and private cabanas Ground-level community gardens Large mail rooms and package storage space |
Fixtures & Materials |
Walk-in closets Private bathrooms and kitchens Quality countertops High-end kitchen appliances |
Master suites Quality countertops High-end kitchen appliances Indoor air quality and water purification systems |
Technology |
Fast internet speeds and Wi-Fi connectivity Smart elevators |
Access to high-speed internet providers Smart elevators Virtual doorman systems Automated doors |
As for the interior design of your property, you’ll need to take much more into consideration when creating spaces for your ideal resident. Additionally, you’ll need to compare your property to similar properties in your market to see how you can fill voids that your competition is currently lacking. For instance, if you’re a multi-family housing property on the coast of Florida and your competition doesn’t offer private cabanas by the pool, this could be a great way to attract new residents.
Why Does It Matter?
Understanding how to cater your design to your residents is what separates successful properties from the rest. By taking the time to create a truly unique living experience that tends to the specific needs of your residents, you’ll be able to attract the right people to your community.
Interior Design Solutions for Any Living Situation
Creating spaces that speak to the residents they’re meant to serve is exactly what the SouthPark Interiors team does best. Our interior designers specialize in crafting carefully-curated living spaces for virtually every commercial living situation, including student housing, multi-family living, apartment complexes, and senior and active living communities. Contact our team to schedule a student housing or multi-family living design consultation today!
