Prior to 1974, two bedroom apartments had an average (local) extent of approximately 130m² and three bedroom ones of 160-180m² Nowadays the apartments have shrank in size and are on average 80 m² (2bed) and 110m² (3bed). This reduction in size is not due to the changed desire of Cypriots to live in smaller apartments, but it is the end result of the high cost of acquiring larger units (the market cannot respond financially towards the larger units). As such, the great number of people direct their interest towards the marketable, small, lower cost units. This continuing reduction in size of apartments, has been stopped by the new Town Planning policy, which has set minimum size of apartments depending on the bedroom number. This unique regulation (only Communist China has such a regulation) dictates that a new 3 bed flat cannot have a size less than 120m², a 2 bed apartment of 100m² etc. Of course, we hasten to add that the size of an apartment is not the only recipe of family happiness, but we must admit that spaciousness and increasing privacy of family members helps. As such and because each family member "needs his own space" we suggest the following:

THE MOTHER: Young mothers cannot claim that they are "chained to the kitchen sink" any more. We now live in the age of microwaves and takeaways, home deliveries and other facilities, which reduce the use of the kitchen to a bear minimum. As such, the kitchen does not play the important role that it did in the past. Most mothers work and what they want, is a modern fitted kitchen, with all the new gadgets. Don't forget the double sink, preparation/breakfast counter, granite or other attractive materials for the tops, pay particular attention to the fridge size (install water pipe) which is becoming larger and larger, don't forget the fitted dishwasher, carbage disposal, fitted oven, microwave, mounted "eyes" etc. Please avoid using gas and use electricity (investing a bid more on a gas camp heater for the quick preparation of coffee etc). Don't forget to install a well designed "fume extractor" over the cooker's "eyes" which can be a feature of your kitchen (e.g. through the use of copper etc). Watch out so that there is a kitchen verandah (for drying some clothes, placing the mob, the Coca-Cola cases etc). The young family no longer considers it a must to have a kitchen dining table (although this will very much depend on the number of children, which on average does not exceed 1 1/2 children per couple). As such, a fitted bench on a corner, with a table, will go a long way to save space, as will a breakfast counter. The young mother needs large wardrobes, a small store at basement level (10m² is reasonable), double level kitchen cupboards etc and if you save any kitchen space (in case you decide not to place a table) choose to give it to the living-dining area of the apartment, so that these areas have some spaciousness.

THE FATHER: The young father has no fixed prerequisites for an apartment other than a covered parking space, the antenna satellite dish piping, piping for his stereo and if there is space, a small bar "for the visiting friends" and an open fireplace. Of course, a large verandah is a must, as is the private shower/w.c. in the master bedroom.

THE CHILDREN: Although they do not have a major say in choosing an apartment, young couples must pay particular attention to the children and their own needs. As such, don't forget to install an extra telephone line (especially if they are over 13 years old) in their bedrooms, plenty of plugs for moving about the stereo and in order to increase the living area, have the bed at an elevated position. In a recent visit to an apartment, we have noted that the child's bed was raised (couchette type) and underneath there was the office, using the remaining area as a living room. This solution is an attractive arrangement, since young children can look upon a raised bed as an adventure.

GUEST W.C.: Not a necessity for small apartment. Pay more attention to the main bathroom and provide it with space for the washing machine, wardrobes and do not make a guest w.c. at the expense of the main bathroom. Make sure that there is a bathroom cende and use this as a storage space. No need to have a bath, a spacious shower unit is most satisfactory.

GENERAL: All those of us who deal in development and disposal of apartments, will note that the description "luxurious apartments" is used considerably for all quality of buildings, independently of standards and materials used. We feel that what is a luxurious apartment is that which has an attractive and spacious common ground/floor entrance, a good size lift of at least 4 people capacity, a spacious common hall at each floor level and a good external appearance. The rest is a matter of taste and financial ability of the purchaser of the apartment, since what quality one adopts internally for his own apartment, bears no relation to the other apartments in the same building.

An apartment building which was erected in Nicosia 12 years ago, remains, perhaps, the top luxury apartment block of the capital, because it has a spacious entrance, a good garden with decorative features, including pieces of art, mirrors and carefully designed letter-boxes, hidden lights, common entrance hall music, etc, whereas at each floor level (at the entrance hall) there are paintings, antique furniture, etc.

It is evident that our own attitudes on living space is changing and young people do not pay the attention that the older generation does. As such, developers, estate managers and estate agents, must move with the times and to understand the new spirit of want, which is nothing else than that which existed in Europe over the 1960s-1970s and which we tend to follow 30 years after. We will not mention now the new fashion that had started in America and now in Europe, that is the conversion of industrial buildings into apartments, because we will look into this in Cyprus around the year 2030!!!

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