Here is why you need a kitchen apartment renovation.
Cooking brings joy to many, but when your kitchen is outdated, falling apart, and you’re bumping into every edge of your furniture because of the small space, it can turn into a chore.
With your apartment kitchen’s fresh new look, you have a greater use of its work space, and inspire you to use it to cook your meals.
Important Note: Always consult your landlord before making any structural changes to your apartment.
5 Essential Tips for Apartment Kitchen Renovation
It’s often a struggle to ensure that your kitchen stays tidy, often resulting in only having the bare minimum. But your kitchen should inspire you to cook and create.
Finding space for your appliances, food, and utensils in a small kitchen apartment can feel like a game of tetris.
We believe you should be able to maximise your space, and following the 5 apartment-friendly tips below you can finally have your desired kitchen.
1. Choose the Best Colour for a Spacious Feel
While white is a classic choice for making a kitchen feel larger, it’s not a colour you ‘have’ to choose.
Whatever you choose still depends on taste and case to case, but there are certain colour palettes and combinations that can make your small apartment kitchen feel big.
Here’s how to choose colours wisely to enhance the feeling of space:
- Natural Light is Key
The effectiveness of your colour choice depends heavily on the amount of natural light your kitchen receives.
When there is ample natural light, white can make your space feel alive and bright.
However, in spaces with limited light, white can sometimes appear dull or take on a slightly dirty look.
If you only receive a little bit of natural light, try bouncing it around with strategically placed mirrors, install wall lights, or choose lighting options that mimic natural light.
- Start With Lighter Colours
Lighter shades generally reflect more light, making your kitchen appear more spacious.
Think pale blues, soft greys, or creamy yellows for a bright and airy feel. Choose a combination that feels right to you.
Consider warmer, light colours such as:
– Lavender.
– Sunny Yellow.
– Powder Blue.
– Bright Orange.
– Soft Gray.
You can work these colours into tiles, paint, cupboards, the countertop, and even large appliances that you choose to leave out permanently.
The Power of Contrast
A dark splashback, wall nook, or accent wall can create the illusion of depth, making the overall space feel larger.
This works particularly well in kitchens with ample natural light, but can be used in a dimmer space to create a cave-like, or mature appeal.
If you plan to paint a dark colour in a space with less natural light, strategically spaced lighting such as under cabinet lights can give the space a more mature, luxurious look.
- Only Change Cabinet And Countertop Colours
Updating your cabinets by painting or swapping them for a lighter colour can help bounce light around the room.
Choosing to replace your countertop with a white or light-coloured one can create an optical illusion making cramped spaces feel airy and bright.
2. Work With Existing Features
Before considering a complete kitchen renovation, first make an assessment. Sometimes, a few design modifications can create a transformative impact.
Hire an inspector to check the plumbing, electrical wiring, and other things hiding in your interior walls.
They can provide recommendations and suggest what you can do based on their findings, such as:
- Improving your kitchen triangle layout (positioning of your sink, refrigerator, and stove) especially if there’s not much you can do.
- Give you the opportunity to make use of dead space to install shelves, pantry, or extra storage.
- Suggest a kitchen rearrangement such as cabinetry replacement and sink relocation for movability.
3. Consider Open-Plan Designs
Hosting a dinner for your family and friends with your small kitchen apartment can be claustrophobic.
An open layout is a fantastic solution, but what if breaking down a wall completely isn’t an option?
Here are ways to achieve a similar feel:
- Partial Wall Removal:
If you can’t completely take down a wall that isn’t structural (a wall that doesn’t hold up the building), consider building a half-wall.
This can create a small separation while still keeping the space open.
If there is a support in the wall but the rest of it can come down, consider making this support a statement piece.
Exposed support beams can be creatively incorporated into the layout, or you can leave them with a simple design for a more minimalist look.
- Change Entryway Designs:
You can transform a standard doorway into a wider archway or create a pass-through window between rooms.
This adds visual flow without major structural work.
- Furniture as Dividers:
Use a kitchen island, bar counter, or even a sofa to loosely define zones without closing off the space completely.
- Strategic Flooring:
Using different flooring materials for the kitchen and adjoining area creates a subtle boundary while preserving an open feel.
A simple tile pattern for the kitchen and then treated wood flooring for the rest of the space can help ‘separate’ spaces and mean easier kitchen clean up.
- Enhance Lighting:
Ensure plenty of natural and strategically placed artificial light flows through the space. This minimises the feeling of separate, confined rooms.
Consider wall lights either illuminating the path to and in the kitchen, or over the sink lights to create a sense of calm and a gentle feel.
The Benefits of Having an Open Layout for Your Kitchen
An open-layout kitchen design offers a wide range of benefits for your apartment:
- Spaciousness and Flow
A partial wall removal or clever furniture placement can significantly enhance the feeling of space, making cooking and movement within the kitchen easier.
- Improved Natural Light
An open layout allows natural light to flow more freely, creating a brighter and more welcoming atmosphere throughout your home.
- Enhanced Social Interaction
An open-plan kitchen lets you cook and entertain simultaneously, making your home a hub for socialising.
- Greater Design Flexibility
Open layouts give you more freedom to experiment with decor and furniture arrangements, adding to your apartment’s unique style.
- Inspiration to Cook
A brighter, more functional kitchen can inspire you to try new recipes and enjoy the process of cooking even more.
4. Increase Functionality With Storage Solutions
If your kitchen feels cluttered, consider renovating your cabinet and storage spaces. These kitchen storage solutions can help hide appliances, pots, and condiments.
Here are a few strategies to maximise your space:
- Utilise Vertical Space
Install overhead cabinets or open shelves to store less frequently used items.
- Maximise Under-Cabinet Space
Add hooks for mugs and pots, or consider under-cabinet drawers for easy access to small items.
- Reclaim Unused Corners
Rolling carts or corner shelves can transform wasted space into valuable storage.
- Add Storage Solutions to the Door
Mount racks or baskets on the inside of cabinet doors for spices, lids, or cleaning supplies.
- Think Creatively
Consider magnetic strips for knives, hanging baskets for produce, or even a pegboard system for pots and pans.
5. Prioritise Lighting
Adequate lighting is crucial for a functional and inviting kitchen workspace. They also contribute to a more spacious and inviting feel.
You can improve your kitchen’s illumination by:
- Maximising Natural Light
If possible, and with your landlord’s permission, consider enlarging windows or adding skylights to increase the flow of natural light.
- Strategically Placed Artificial Lighting
Supplement natural light with a combination of overhead fixtures, under-cabinet lighting, and task lighting.
This provides ample illumination for food preparation and creates a welcoming atmosphere.
The Value of a Kitchen Renovation
You deserve a kitchen that enhances your cooking experience, even within the parameters of a rental unit.
With careful planning and the expertise of experienced renovation professionals, you can transform your space into one that inspires and supports you.
Let MKJ Projects help you bring your dream kitchen to life. As a leading Sydney builder specialising in kitchen renovations, we understand the unique challenges of apartment living.
We’ll work with you to design a beautiful and functional kitchen that meets your needs and adheres to rental regulations.
Take the first step towards your dream kitchen – contact MKJ Projects today
FAQs
Do You Need A Landlord’s Approval For An Apartment Kitchen Renovation?
Before you start ripping out cabinets, let’s talk about rules. In most cases, you need your landlord’s approval for most apartment renovations.
However, landlords are required to be reasonable when it comes to “minor” changes, which include renovations that involve:
– Safety.
– Accessibility upgrades.
– And other reasonable improvements.
NSW Fair Trading has a whole list of what typically qualifies.
“Tenants can install fixtures or make alterations, additions, or renovations if they have the landlord’s written consent, or if the tenancy agreement permits it.
If the tenant’s request for a fixture or alteration, addition or renovation is of a ‘minor nature’ then the landlord must not unreasonably withhold consent.” – fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
Visit their website to see the whole list of what you can and cannot do for your apartment kitchen renovation.
Bigger renovations usually need permission from your landlord and local authorities.
This is where you need to convince your landlord that an upgraded kitchen is a win for them too, such as increasing their property’s value.
However, we recommend writing a contract in case they try to remove you or spike your rent (even if they’re the best landlord ever!).
What Shouldn’t You Do In Your Sydney Apartment Kitchen Renovation?
Before you jump into the action, here are 4 common apartment kitchen renovation mistakes that can cause major issues:
- Not Asking the Landlord’s Permission
Renovating without permission is a ground for eviction (and possibly losing your safety deposit).
- DIY Disasters
Unless you are an experienced builder yourself, some jobs are best left to the experts.
Doing the renovation yourself is the typical reason for a more costly renovation and accidents.
- Excessive Styling
Neon green cabinets may be part of your dream kitchen, but will your landlord like it?
Sometimes it’s safest to choose more subtle colours such as a dusty, olive green.
And when in doubt, get their input or a colour scheme, or come up with an agreement to repaint to their palette scheme when you leave.
- Appliance Considerations
Before your heart is set on large appliances, it’s crucial to ensure compatibility with your kitchen’s layout.
How Much Does An Apartment Kitchen Renovation Cost?
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much an apartment kitchen renovation costs. It can range from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on what you do.
Here’s why:
Scope of Work
The cost varies greatly depending on whether you’re aiming for a simple refresh or a complete remodel.
Replacing cabinet doors and countertops is far more affordable than a full gut renovation.
Carefully consider which elements need changing and which can be retained as-is.
- Additional Expenses
Factor in the cost of permits, unexpected repairs, and other potential hidden expenses.
Be sure to research your local permitting requirements for kitchen renovations, as these fees can vary depending on your location and the extent of the work.
Additionally, allocating a contingency budget for unexpected repairs, such as discovering outdated plumbing, can help you avoid project delays and cost overruns.
- Labour
DIY projects can save money, but hiring professionals ensures quality results and peace of mind.
For minor cosmetic changes, like painting cabinets or installing a new backsplash, DIY can be a viable option for those who are handy and have the time.
However, for more complex tasks, such as plumbing or electrical work, it’s always best to leave it to the professionals.
- Budgeting
For a basic kitchen refresh, expect a budget of around $10,000.
However, obtaining personalised quotes based on your specific kitchen and desired upgrades is always advisable.
If you need help with your apartment kitchen renovation, MKJ Projects can help you.
MKJ Projects are renovation builders in Sydney, trusted by residential and commercial property owners for more than 16 years.
We are a Master Builders Association member and a NSW Fair Trading Builders License holder, proving that we hold to the highest standards within the industry.
We have the qualification and credibility to provide you expert guidance to navigate the unique challenges in your apartment kitchen renovation.
Request a free quote now!
