When considering floor spaces, it can be difficult to visualize exactly how much area 500 square feet covers. By looking at some common examples and doing a few calculations, we can get a good sense of the size of 500 square feet.
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Visualizing 500 Square Feet
Here are some ways to visualize the size of 500 square feet:
- It is approximately the size of a 20 ft x 25 ft room.
- It is about half the size of a typical 1-car garage (10ft x 20ft).
- It is 1/10 the size of a basketball court (50ft x 94ft).
- It could hold 25 twin size beds laid out side by side with room to walk around.
As you can see, 500 square feet is not exceptionally large, but it’s big enough to serve as a small apartment, office, or retail shop. The exact layout that 500 square feet can accommodate depends on what furnishings or features need to fit inside.
Typical 500 Square Foot Spaces
Here are some examples of the types of spaces that are around 500 square feet:
- Small 1 bedroom apartment
- Studio apartment or loft
- Home office or guest room
- Small retail shop
- 1-2 person office
- Large master bedroom
- 2 car garage
While 500 square feet would be considered small for a whole house or apartment, it can work very well for individual rooms and small commercial spaces.
Uses for 500 Square Feet
What can you do with 500 square feet? Here are some potential uses:
- Kitchen – Enough room for appliances, island, table and chairs.
- Living room – Fits a couch, chairs, TV stand and coffee table.
- Dining room – Seats 6-8 with a medium sized table.
- Bedroom – King or queen bed with dressers and nightstands.
- Home office – Desk, file cabinets, chairs and bookshelves.
- Retail store – Boutique, wine bar, specialty foods.
- Restaurant seating – Seats approximately 20-25 guests.
The furnishings that can fit comfortably depend on the room dimensions and layout. But in general 500 square feet gives you flexibility for a variety of purposes.
500 Square Feet Room Dimensions
Here are some possible room dimensions for a 500 square foot space:
| Length | Width |
|---|---|
| 20 feet | 25 feet |
| 25 feet | 20 feet |
| 16 feet | 31 feet |
| 40 feet | 12 feet |
As you can see, 500 square feet can be configured in many different rectangular shapes. Common lengths are between 15-40 feet, with widths of 12-25 feet.
Square Footage Calculation
To calculate any square footage, you multiply the length by the width. Here is the calculation for a 500 square foot room:
Length x Width = Square Feet
25 feet x 20 feet = 500 square feet
You can use this simple formula to find the square footage of any rectangular space. Non-rectangular spaces require adding together separate calculations for each shape.
Cost per Square Foot
When pricing spaces like apartments or office rentals, the cost is often quoted in cost per square foot. Here is how you would calculate the monthly cost of 500 square feet at various per square foot rates:
| Cost per Sq Ft | 500 sq ft Total |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $500 |
| $2.00 | $1000 |
| $3.00 | $1500 |
| $4.00 | $2000 |
As you can see, the total cost per month increases linearly with higher per square foot rates. This shows how the per square foot price directly impacts the total monthly rental cost.
Flooring Estimates
If you need to install new flooring in a 500 sq ft space, you can easily estimate material needs:
- Carpet – About 550 square feet with 10% extra for cutting waste.
- Tile – About 550 square feet assuming 16 inch tiles.
- Hardwood – About 550 square feet of boards, assuming 3” widths.
- Laminate or vinyl – About 550 square feet.
Always add at least 5-10% extra for any cutting waste during installation. For most flooring types, you can simply round up to 550 square feet for a 500 sq ft room.
Furniture Capacity
How much furniture can fit comfortably in 500 square feet? Here are some estimates:
- Chairs – 6 to 8 around a medium dining table.
- Bar stools – 10 to 15 at a kitchen island or home bar.
- Coffee tables – 2 larger ones, or 3 smaller ones in a living room.
- Bookshelves – 20 to 30 linear feet of shelving along the walls.
- Chests of drawers – Up to 5 narrow vertical dressers in a bedroom.
The furniture capacity varies greatly based on room dimensions, layouts and what types of furnishings are needed. But the above numbers give a reasonable estimate for a 500 sq ft space.
Painting and Wallpaper
To estimate paint or wallpaper needs, begin by calculating the total wall space:
- Room is 25 ft x 20 ft = 500 sq ft
- Height of walls is 8 ft tall.
- Total linear wall space is 2(25 ft) + 2(20 ft) = 90 linear feet.
- Wall area is 90 ft x 8 ft height = 720 sq ft of wall space.
For paint, estimate 350 sq ft coverage per gallon, so you would need about 2 gallons. For wallpaper, measure square footage based on rolls size to determine how many you need.
Conclusion
In summary, 500 square feet is a versatile mid-sized space. It can accommodate a variety of room layouts, furnishings and uses. When planning the design, you can use the length, width, and total square footage to make flooring, paint and furniture estimates. Keep in mind that the shape and ceiling height impact how spacious 500 square feet will feel. Overall, 500 square feet gives you many options for creating a comfortable, functional indoor environment.