No Railroads in Sight: Here’s What a Railroad Style Apartment Actually Is

When you hear the name “railroad apartment,” you probably think of an apartment located near a railroad, where you constantly hear train sounds. However, railroad apartments actually aren’t found by railroads, but are instead often located in dense neighborhoods like Brooklyn, NY, and in cities like San Francisco, CA. With a unique layout and name to boot, you may be wondering just what a railroad-style apartment is and whether it’s the right option for you.

So before you decide which type of apartment you’re looking for, find out what railroad apartments have to offer. And maybe you’ll find it’s the perfect place for you.

What is a railroad apartment?

A railroad apartment is a layout that’s typically located in subdivided brownstones or old tenement buildings. The layout is akin to a train car, with one main hallway leading to every room in the apartment. Some railroad apartments are “floor through apartments,” meaning the unit extends from the front of the building straight through to the back.

History of a railroad-style apartment

During the mid-1800s, railroad apartments rose in popularity as a way to combat overcrowding in major cities. Most railroad apartments are located in major cities like New York City, San Francisco, CA, Washington DC, Chicago, IL, and New Orleans, LA. Most buildings were constructed with different standards, meaning that there may be limited light, airflow, and no elevators leading to higher floors.

However, many railroad apartments still exist and are often times more affordable than their modern counterparts. So if you’re looking to live the city life without the hefty price tag, a railroad apartment may just land at the top of your list.

Characteristics of railroad apartments

With its unconventional layout and old-world charm, there are lots of unique characteristics that define the railroad apartment.

Exterior: You’ll typically find a railroad layout in multi-family and older tenement buildings, converted multi-unit brownstones, or walk-up apartments. There are typically only windows on the front and back of the building.

Apartment layout: A railroad apartment’s layout is unique. When entering, you’ll likely find the living room, followed by the kitchen in the middle of the apartment. The bedrooms are often located in the back, with bathrooms off to the side. A railroad apartment often has 2-3 bedrooms, but this varies depending on the unit.

Interior: There are typically high ceilings, making the rooms seem bigger. There may be a lack of natural light due to the limited windows. You may also find limited storage space and closets in the apartment. There are also often exposed brick walls and a lack of doors to separate the rooms. Some rooms may have pocket doors which is a sliding door that goes into the wall.

What’s the difference between railroad, floor-through, and shotgun floor plans?

Some apartments use the three terms – railroad, floor-through, and shotgun – interchangeably, but there are some differences.

Shotgun houses are typically very narrow and long units, with a width of less than 12 feet. Like a railroad apartment, the rooms follow one after the other. Shotgun-style houses or apartments are often found in the South.

Some railroad apartments also have a floor-through style, but not all of them. A floor-through style apartment means that it takes up the entire floor of a building. They’re typically wider than railroad or shotgun houses. Like railroad-style apartments, they often only have windows in the front and in the back.

Pros and cons of a railroad-style apartment

As with any apartment style, there are pros and cons to consider before signing your lease or rental agreement. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of railroad-style apartments.

Pros of a railroad apartment

Minimalist living: Since there’s only one central hallway in the apartment, this layout can be great for minimalist living. You’ll have space in each room but no wasted hallway space.

Efficient use of space: Similarly, the space is efficiently arranged with the rooms flowing to one another, meaning you have less wasted space, like hallways, entryways, or oddly-shaped nooks.

Affordable: Compared to other apartment styles, railroad units are often cheaper than traditional layouts in the same neighborhoods. However, this can depend largely on the city and rental market.

Cons of a railroad apartment

Lack of natural light: Unless you’re living on the side of the building, you’ll probably only have windows in the front and the back of the apartment. That means the rooms located in the middle of the apartment won’t have any daylight.

Less privacy: Depending on your living situation, this may not be too much of a con. If you’re living with roommates, the connecting rooms may leave you with a lack of privacy. Some rooms may not have doors, so you’ll need to consider room dividers or curtains separating the rooms.

Limited airflow: There were different building regulations when these units were built, meaning that there’s not great airflow in railroad apartments. You typically won’t find an in-unit AC, so you may need to get a window AC unit. Since windows are usually at the front and back of the apartment, rooms in the middle may get hot.

How to decorate a railroad apartment

Decorating railroad-style apartments can be a challenge due to their tight spaces and adjoining rooms. However, with a little creativity and style, you can turn your living space into one that meets your needs.

Keep clutter at bay: Clutter can make even the biggest rooms look smaller. And with tight quarters in a railroad apartment, clutter can make the space look tiny. Consider going vertical with your storage or embracing open shelving to make your apartment look bigger and less cluttered.

Minimal décor and furnishings: Apartments tend to be smaller in general, and in a railroad apartment, keeping furniture and décor to a minimum can help the space feel open and airy. You can also opt for multi-use furniture like convertible desks or Murphy beds.

Incorporate more lighting: Wall sconces, hanging lights, and string lights can help brighten up your apartment without the bulkiness of multiple floor lamps.

Use mirrors: Mirrors can help increase the natural light in your apartment. They’re also a great way of creating depth and opening up spaces.

Is a railroad apartment right for you?

Choosing the right apartment for your needs can be a task, especially if you’re looking for certain features, a specific location, or are sticking to a tight budget. If you’re living in a big city and looking for a more affordable option, a railroad apartment may just fit your needs. However, if you want an updated apartment with lots of amenities and modern features, a railroad apartment may not be right for you. But at the end of the day, many types of apartments can fit your needs and wants.

See more articles in our First-Time Renter’s Guide

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