Qualitative Investigation of Micro-apartment Dwellers’ Perceptions of Home Comfort: Implications for Housing Standards

Micro-apartments have proliferated in many cities. In Hong Kong, the government has imposed a minimum space standard of 26 square metres since 2021. The implicit assumption is that smaller living spaces are uncomfortable. Nevertheless, perceived comfort may vary depending on housing design and household characteristics. Through photo-elicitation interviews with 18 micro-apartment dwellers, this study investigates the factors that influence residents’ perceptions of home comfort. The findings uncover the influence of housing histories, new technologies, socio-cultural expectations and urban context on perceived comfort. Furthermore, micro-living necessitates unique forms of “micro-living labour”. Micro-apartment residents are much more sensitive to the impacts of housing design on comfort, especially poor design features that require residents to expend a lot of time and more physical, mental and emotional labour when they conduct routine household activities. These insights have practical implications for future space standards and design guidelines.