8 TIPS AND IDEAS FOR RENOVATING A KITCHEN IN AN APARTMENT

As we move towards greater density in our capital cities, more of us are turning to apartment living. Along with older pre war purpose built residential buildings, the late 90s saw the start of a spate of factory and warehouse conversions, with kitchens that are now due for renewal. But before you dive into a renovation of this key part of your home, it’s worth taking stock with a few expert tips.

WHY AM I HERE?

Considering what you want to achieve by renovating or updating your kitchen is sometimes overlooked by homeowners. Is this property your home or an investment? Is it large enough to entertain or is it your pied a terre or love nest? Understanding what you want to get out of a renovation will help set your style and budget – and get the outcome you’re looking for.

DON’T MOVE, IMPROVE

Unlike a freestanding house, it’s quite difficult and sometimes just impossible to move services in an apartment because of the impact it will have on other parts of the building. This generally means the kitchen will need to stay where it is. Often, it’s best to stick with the same layout for services such as plumbing, gas and electrics for the same reason, although apartments with high ceilings can sometimes accommodate a change by concealing pipes in bulkheads.

GOING UP, AND DOWN

If you’re planning a major overhaul of your kitchen, you or your trades will be transporting materials through the building. Check with your Body Corporate about what your obligations are in terms of keeping common spaces clear and clean. Ideally, you will have access to a service lift but investigate how you plan on moving materials around. If it’s a difficult process, it could add to your costs.

TALK TO THE NEIGHBOURS

This is always a good idea, even if you’re renovating a house, but it’s critical in apartment blocks where everyone lives a little closer. Keep your neighbours abreast of noisy works, especially during the demolition phase, and try to be considerate of those working from home or on shift. Communicating your plans gives the neighbours the opportunity to make plans.

PLAN FOR OPEN USE

Kitchen design has changed a lot over the years, from basic U-shaped and galley kitchens to completely open plan options. We’ve even moved on from 90s open plan design, which was characterised by peninsular-style benches and raised counters to hide the mess. These days, the raised counter has been eliminated in favour of a more open style and to allow it to better integrate into the living and dining space.

MATERIAL WORLD

Because it will most likely be sitting within an open plan living space, treat the kitchen within the context of the whole room. That might mean integrating appliances such as the fridge, and using similar materials like laminate or engineered timber for the joinery that you can then continue into the living space. Details like door hardware and light fittings can also be used to link spaces and make them feel more generous.

STACK IT AND STORE IT

Apartment kitchens tend to be smaller than their freestanding counterparts, which means storage is always a major consideration. Use the entire space, right up to ceiling height and above the rangehood if applicable. Shallow shelving is particularly useful in kitchens, allowing you to easily see, as well as reach spices, sauces and cans. Make sure all your storage is highly functional and organised, with compartments in drawers, as well as cupboards.

KEEP IT SIMPLE, SWEETIE

Like the proverbial swan gliding across the lake, the overall appearance in an apartment kitchen should be streamlined and adaptable. Anything that will make a small space work harder, from a sink cover to extend bench space to a magnetic strip for storing kitchen knives should be considered, as long as it keeps the kitchen uncluttered.

Before you take the plunge, here’s a few commonly asked questions to ensure that your apartment kitchen looks and functions at its best.

Can you change the location of the kitchen in an apartment?

Because it’s part of a larger building, moving services like plumbing is particularly tricky in an apartment. With some clever design, sometimes pipes can be concealed inside cupboards or bulkheads but, for the most part, kitchens and bathrooms are fixed in apartments.

Do I need approval from strata to renovate my kitchen?

It depends on what you’re doing. If your plans extend no further than repainting, changing cabinet doors and replacing benchtops, then you shouldn’t need approval. But if you’d like to remove the wall between the kitchen and living room then, yes, you will need to seek permission. If you are looking at taking out a wall, expect to engage an engineer to ensure it will not affect other parts of the building.

What renovations add the most value in an apartment?

Just as it is for houses, a fresh coat of paint and updated kitchens and bathrooms will add the most value to your apartment when it comes time to sell. Having said that, buyers are often on the lookout for a shoddy job, so, if you have gone to the time, trouble and expense to renovate, get it done properly the first time.