Apartment Kitchen Renovations in Sydney: Strata, Costs & Compact Design
If you are planning an apartment kitchen renovation in Sydney, there are two questions to answer before you fall in love with a finish: what will your strata scheme allow, and how do you make a compact kitchen work harder. Get those right and the rest is enjoyable. At Eco2, we design and install custom European kitchens for apartments and units across Cronulla, Woolooware, Miranda, Caringbah and the wider Sutherland Shire, with space-smart layouts, integrated appliances and premium finishes built for smaller footprints. You can begin with a Smart Quote: send a quick 360 degree video of your kitchen and receive an itemised, no-obligation estimate, no home visit required.
Apartment living is a big part of the Shire, especially near Cronulla and the town centres, and apartment kitchens come with their own rulebook. They are usually compact, they share walls and services with neighbours, and any renovation has to pass through your owners corporation. This guide walks through the strata approvals, the realistic costs and the compact-design moves that make the biggest difference.
Short answer: what does an apartment kitchen renovation cost, and do I need strata approval?
As an indicative 2026 guide, an apartment kitchen renovation in Sydney typically costs between $15,000 and $35,000, less than a large house kitchen simply because the footprint is smaller, though premium finishes and integrated appliances can push a bespoke fit-out toward $40,000 or more. On approvals, most apartment kitchen renovations count as a minor renovation under NSW strata law, which means you generally need your owners corporation's approval by ordinary resolution (a 50 percent majority) before you start, under Section 110 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. If the work touches waterproofing, structure or external appearance, it becomes a major renovation needing a special resolution. Purely cosmetic changes usually need no approval at all. Always check your scheme's by-laws first, because they can vary. A Smart Quote gives you an itemised figure to take to your committee.
Strata approvals: the part people miss
The single biggest difference between renovating a house kitchen and an apartment kitchen is strata. NSW law sorts renovations into three categories, and knowing which one applies saves you time, money and awkward conversations with the building manager.
Cosmetic work (usually no approval needed)
Minor, non-structural changes that do not affect waterproofing generally do not need approval. In a kitchen context this can include things like repainting, or replacing a freestanding appliance. Cosmetic work must still be done competently and must not damage common property.
Minor renovations (owners corporation approval by ordinary resolution)
Most apartment kitchen renovations sit here. Under Section 110 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, minor renovations, including kitchen updates and changes to hard surfaces, require approval by ordinary resolution at a general meeting, or written committee approval if your scheme has a by-law delegating that power. A helpful recent change: since 1 July 2025, where a by-law authorises the committee to approve minor works, a request that is not refused within three months can be deemed approved, provided the process is followed.
Major renovations (special resolution needed)
If your kitchen renovation involves waterproofing, structural change, or alters the external appearance of the building, it is a major renovation and needs a special resolution (a 75 percent majority) at a general meeting, and often a special by-law that assigns ongoing maintenance responsibility.
What this means in practice
Start early. Approvals take time, so factor the owners corporation timeline into your plan.
Put it in writing. Submit clear plans, an itemised scope and your tradespeople's details.
Keep records. Owners corporations must keep a record of approved minor renovations for 10 years, and so should you.
Check your by-laws. Every scheme is different, so read yours or ask your strata manager before you commit.
We design apartment kitchens with these categories in mind, so wherever possible your project stays in the more straightforward minor-renovation lane.
Realistic costs for an apartment kitchen
Apartment kitchens are usually smaller than house kitchens, which helps the budget, but a few strata-specific factors can add cost. Treat these as indicative 2026 bands.
Compact refresh, around $12,000 to $20,000. New cabinetry and benchtop on a similar layout, with integrated or freestanding appliances.
Mid-range custom apartment kitchen, around $20,000 to $30,000. Fully custom European cabinetry, a stone benchtop, quality integrated appliances and an updated splashback.
Premium bespoke, $35,000 to $40,000 or more. High-end finishes, fully integrated appliances and clever space-saving joinery throughout.
Two apartment-specific factors to allow for:
Access and protection. Getting materials up via lifts and stairs, and protecting common-property hallways and carpets during the works, can add to labour.
Services constraints. Existing plumbing and electrical positions are harder to move in an apartment, so smart designs work with them rather than against them.
For a fuller breakdown of Sydney kitchen pricing, our kitchen renovation cost guide is a useful companion.
Compact kitchen design that works harder
A small kitchen is not a compromise when it is designed properly. In fact, the discipline of a compact footprint often produces the most elegant, hard-working kitchens we build. These are the moves that make the biggest difference.
Full-height cabinetry. Take the joinery to the ceiling to claim storage that a standard kitchen wastes.
Handleless European fronts. A clean, handleless look makes a small kitchen feel calm and uncluttered, and there are no handles to catch in a tight walkway.
Integrated appliances. Panel-ready fridges, dishwashers and rangehoods disappear into the cabinetry, so the kitchen reads as one seamless piece.
Deep drawers over cupboards. Drawers bring everything to you and use the full depth, which matters most when space is scarce.
A slimline or induction cooktop. These free up bench and reclaim space beneath.
Clever corners and fillers. Carousels, pull-outs and slimline pantry units turn dead space into storage.
Layouts that suit apartments
Single-wall kitchens. Everything on one run, ideal for open-plan apartments, with full-height storage at each end.
Galley kitchens. Two facing runs that maximise bench and storage in a narrow space.
Straight kitchens with an island or peninsula. Where the living area allows, a compact island or peninsula adds bench, storage and a casual eating spot. See our straight kitchens page.
Our custom kitchens page shows how we tailor each design to the room.
Finishes and healthier materials in a small space
In an apartment, you live close to your kitchen, so material quality and air quality both matter.
Premium European cabinetry in matt handleless, timber-look or painted finishes, built to last in a hard-working space.
Durable stone or porcelain benchtops that cope with heavy daily use.
Formaldehyde-free and low-emission board options, which are especially worth considering in a smaller apartment with less air volume. Our guide to formaldehyde-free cabinets explains why.
Why Smart Quote is the best first step for apartments
The Smart Quote process is a natural fit for apartment renovations, because it gives you an itemised figure and a design direction you can take straight to your owners corporation.
Film a quick 360 degree video of your apartment kitchen on your phone.
Send it via Smart Quote, Text or WhatsApp to 0466 119 712.
Receive your itemised quote, design direction and inclusions.
No home visit is required for the initial estimate, and it is free and no obligation.
Having a clear scope and cost early makes the strata approval conversation far smoother, and it means you can plan without the run-around.
Learn more about us or explore our custom kitchens across the Shire.
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FAQs
Do I need strata approval to renovate my apartment kitchen?
Usually yes. Most apartment kitchen renovations are classed as minor renovations under Section 110 of the NSW Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, needing owners corporation approval by ordinary resolution, or committee approval if a by-law allows it. Purely cosmetic work often needs no approval, while waterproofing or structural work becomes a major renovation needing a special resolution. Always check your scheme's by-laws first.
How much does an apartment kitchen renovation cost in Sydney?
As an indicative 2026 guide, most apartment kitchens run $15,000 to $35,000, with compact refreshes from around $12,000 to $20,000 and premium bespoke fit-outs $40,000 or more. Apartments are usually smaller than houses, which helps, though access and services constraints can add cost.
How long does strata approval take?
It varies by scheme. Minor renovations may be approved by the committee or at a general meeting, so timelines depend on your building's process and meeting schedule. Since 1 July 2025, where a by-law authorises the committee, a minor-works request not refused within three months can be deemed approved. Start the process early.
Can you move plumbing or the sink in an apartment?
Sometimes, but it is more constrained than in a house and may push the project into major-renovation territory if it affects waterproofing or common property. Wherever possible we design around the existing services to keep your renovation simpler and more affordable.
What is the best layout for a small apartment kitchen?
Single-wall and galley layouts usually work best, with full-height cabinetry and integrated appliances to maximise storage. Where the living area allows, a compact peninsula adds bench space and a casual eating spot.
Do you install in apartment buildings?
Yes. We regularly work in apartments and units across the Shire, and we plan for lift and stair access and for protecting common property during the works, which we factor into your quote.
Are integrated appliances worth it in an apartment?
For many apartments, yes. Integrated, panel-ready appliances give a seamless, calm look that makes a compact kitchen feel larger and more considered, and they suit open-plan living where the kitchen is always in view.
How do I get a quote for an apartment kitchen renovation?
Send a quick 360 degree video of your kitchen by Smart Quote, Text or WhatsApp to 0466 119 712. We prepare an itemised, no-obligation quote you can take straight to your owners corporation, before any home visit is needed.
Is renovating an apartment kitchen cheaper than a house kitchen?
Usually yes, because the footprint is smaller, so there is less cabinetry, benchtop and labour. That said, apartment-specific factors such as lift access, protecting common property and harder-to-move services can offset some of the saving.
What kitchen changes can I make without strata approval?
Generally only cosmetic changes that do not affect structure, waterproofing or common property, such as repainting or swapping a freestanding appliance. Replacing cabinetry or benchtops is usually a minor renovation needing owners corporation approval, so check your by-laws first.
