Room and Parlour Self-Contain Floor Plan in Nigeria

A room and parlour self-contain is a self-contained apartment made up of one bedroom plus a separate small sitting room (the "parlour"), with its own private kitchen and bathroom — so you never share facilities with other tenants. The floor plan is essentially a compact two-space living unit: a private zone to sleep and a distinct zone to relax, eat or receive visitors. It is one of the most popular affordable housing formats in Nigeria because it offers real privacy and a sense of "home" without the cost of a full flat.

What the floor plan actually looks like

Picture walking in through the front door. You step first into the parlour — the sitting room — which doubles as the apartment's entry and social space. From the parlour, a doorway leads into the bedroom, giving it privacy away from the entrance. A second doorway (often off the parlour or from a tiny internal passage) opens into the kitchen, and the bathroom/toilet is usually tucked beside or behind the kitchen so plumbing can be grouped on one wall.

The logic is simple: group the "wet" rooms (kitchen and bathroom) together to keep pipework short, keep the bedroom as the most private room furthest from the door, and let the parlour act as the buffer that connects everything. Some builders make the kitchen a small alcove rather than a fully enclosed room, and in some units the bathroom opens off the bedroom. These are all common, equally valid variations — there is no single "official" plan. When you inspect, look for a window in the parlour for cross-ventilation, a kitchen that can safely fit a cooker and cylinder, and a bedroom door that gives you genuine privacy from the parlour.

Typical sizes & what each space holds

Sizes vary a lot between a budget build and a newer serviced estate, so treat the table below as general guidance, not fixed numbers. The point is the proportion: a modest but usable bedroom, a parlour big enough for a small settee and a TV unit, and compact wet rooms.

• Parlour: a small but genuine living room — fits a 2–3 seater settee, a TV stand and a small centre table.
• Bedroom: private, usually enough for a standard bed and a wardrobe.
• Kitchen: compact, sometimes an alcove — holds a cooker, cylinder, worktop and a little shelving.
• Bathroom/toilet: a combined wet room with WC, shower or bucket bath and basin.

Sizes are described generically; actual dimensions differ by building. Confirm on inspection.

Who it suits

The format hits a sweet spot for several groups. Young singles and professionals like it because the separate parlour means you are not sleeping, working and receiving guests in one room — a real upgrade over a one-room self-contain. Young couples often start here, getting a private bedroom and a space to host family without the rent of a full one-bedroom flat. Small families with a young child, and students or NYSC members wanting privacy, also gravitate to it. It is less ideal if you need a home office, host large groups, or have more than one child — there, a mini flat gives more breathing room.

How it compares: single-room self-contain vs room-and-parlour vs mini flat

These three formats are often confused because they overlap in price and size. The quick way to tell them apart is to count the living spaces.

In short, the room-and-parlour is the middle option — more comfortable than a single room, more affordable than a mini flat.

Renting one: costs to budget for

Rent varies enormously by city and neighbourhood, so the only reliable figure is the one on a current listing in the area you want. As a rule of thumb it sits above a single-room self-contain and below a mini flat in the same location. Beyond the headline rent, plan for these common extras:

• Agency & agreement fees — often charged as a percentage of the annual rent.
• Caution / security deposit — refundable, held against damage.
• Service or estate charge — where the building offers security, waste or shared maintenance.
• Utilities — electricity (prepaid meter or estate billing), water, and sometimes refuse.
• Furnishing basics — most units rent unfurnished, so budget for a settee, bed and kitchen essentials.

When you inspect, test the taps, check the meter type, confirm the toilet flushes, and ask how the water supply works — these practical checks matter more than the paint colour.

Frequently asked questions

Is a room and parlour the same as a mini flat?
No. A room-and-parlour has a bedroom and a small parlour; a mini flat is closer to a proper one-bedroom flat with a larger living room, so it usually offers more space and costs more in the same area.

Does "self-contain" mean I share a toilet?
The opposite. Self-contain means the toilet, bathroom and kitchen are private and inside your own unit — you do not share with other tenants.

How many people can live in a room and parlour comfortably?
It works well for one or two people, and for a couple with a young child. Larger households will find a mini flat or one-bedroom flat more comfortable.

Keep exploring

• One-Bedroom Flat Plan & Design Ideas in Nigeria
• 1-Bedroom Flat for Rent in Lagos: Prices & Live Listings
• Mini Flat for Rent in Lagos: Areas, Prices & Listings
• Find Room and Parlour Self-Contain Apartments in Ajah Today
• Room and Parlour Self-Contain in Surulere: Affordable Rentals
• One-Room Self-Contain Design in Nigeria: Layout Ideas & Tips

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