"Monthly Rent in the 100,000 Won Range" Seoul Youth Safe Housing, the 'Aesthetics of Hiding' Utilizing 4.5-pyeong Space

As young people seek realistic alternatives amidst the high burden of housing costs in Seoul, the actual living environment and housing cost status of the Youth Safe Housing supplied by SH have been revealed. This video, delivered by SH tv_Seoul Housing & Urban Development Corporation, contains the lifestyle of a resident who efficiently decorates and uses a space of 4.5 pyeong (15 type) and the specific cost burden.

'Aesthetics of Hiding' and Storage Know-how Overcoming the Limits of 4.5 Pyeong

Resident A, who has been living in SH Youth Safe Housing for two years, has been using a 'hidden storage' strategy to make the narrow space of approximately 4.5 pyeong feel as wide as possible. A explained that the smaller the house, the narrower the space looks if items are left out, so the key is to manage them by putting them into storage boxes to keep them out of sight as much as possible. In fact, items such as vacuum cleaners or scales are also hidden and stored in places that are as invisible as possible to maintain the pleasantness of the space.

Specific items for space utilization were also notable. At the entrance, a lace curtain with about 50% transparency was installed using a tension rod to provide visual openness while controlling so that the inside of the room is not too exposed. Additionally, a narrow full-length mirror suitable for small spaces and a 6-tier drawer unit utilizing the gap space next to the desk were installed to increase storage capacity. For shoe storage, tips were shared on efficiently storing low shoes using organization items costing around 1,000 won sold at DAISO.

There was also a strategy for clothing management. Bulky winter coats were managed using compression bags to secure closet space, and the bed was placed horizontally rather than vertically to use the bedroom space widely. Next to the bed, multi-functional furniture was placed that can be used as a single-person sofa and then unfolded into a mattress when guests arrive, increasing the versatility of the space. On the desk, a curtain for the small kitchen window was installed on a tension rod, practicing the 'aesthetics of hiding' to cover items that might look messy.

Lowering Monthly Rent to the 100,000 Won Range Using the Mutual Conversion System

In the area of housing costs, to which the youth respond most sensitively, the 'mutual conversion system' played a key role. A was making maximum use of the mutual conversion system, which lowers monthly rent instead of increasing the deposit. Through this, the rent A pays every month is maintained at a level around 100,000 won.

Even if about 70,000 to 80,000 won in building management fees is added, the housing cost burden is significantly lower compared to the monthly rent of a typical studio apartment in downtown Seoul. A cited the reduction in housing costs as the biggest merit, saying, "In a situation where Seoul's house prices make even monthly rent unthinkable, I can live in Seoul thanks to SH."

A mentioned a stable living environment as the reason for choosing Youth Safe Housing. He stated that he has been steadily checking various types of announcements supplied by SH, such as purchased rental housing, jeonse rental housing, Happy Housing, and Youth Safe Housing, and that he moved in after winning the Youth Safe Housing type this time. In particular, he conveyed that he had been waiting for the opportunity to move in by meticulously checking all announcements based on trust in SH's housing support policies.

"A Handleable Size Optimized for Living Alone"

In terms of satisfaction with the living environment, A highly evaluated the infrastructure and ease of management. As a resident with a homebody personality, the fact that the location is well-equipped with living infrastructure and that the size is appropriate so that cleaning or management is not burdensome for living alone were satisfying elements. A emphasized the appropriateness of the space, saying, "If you live alone, it is so good to live while handling this size."

The resident utilized character interior design to express her own taste even in a narrow space. Using her favorite character 'Hello Kitty' as a theme, she placed props throughout the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. In the case of the bathroom, she added individuality by decorating with character products, including hand towels, cleansing water, toothbrushes, and even props inside the shower booth. Additionally, in the space where the rice cooker is placed among the kitchen space, she decorated and used it as her own favorite space by placing perfume and character dolls.

Source: original video (YouTube)