Converting a One-Bedroom Apartment into Two Bedrooms by Moving Kitchen

Lcoog123 on 02/02/2021 - 21:07
Last edited 03/02/2021 - 10:56 by 1 other user

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to purchase a one-bedroom apartment because I absolutely love the area/location. I think it has potential to be converted into a 2 bed-room apartment (I don’t have experience in this area) by removing the kitchen (to use that space for a bedroom) and installing a smaller 'one wall' kitchen in the living room/dining area - floorplan attached. The space I'd be moving the kitchen to is currently 3.6*2.8m. This would become my new kitchen/dining area, but I'd have no space for a living room / couch. I am ok with not having couch space provided the end result is a second bedroom.

https://imgur.com/20TI8g6

  • Who should I consult before bidding?
  • How doable is this ‘project’?
  • How much would something like this cost?
  • Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 02/02/2021 - 21:18
    +8

    I don't think strata/body corporate would let you do that. Might not be legal anyway. Bedrooms have to have a certain amount of windows I believe.

    • coog123 on 02/02/2021 - 21:24

      Thanks - There is currently a set of windows in both the living room and kitchen area.

      • jjjaar on 02/02/2021 - 22:54
        +2

        Depending on where you are, another bedroom may trigger the requirement for another car space, which you do not have. So if this is the case, you would need council permits to allow you to be exempt from these requirements.

        Also

        The space I'd be moving the kitchen to is currently 3.6*2.8m.

        My current lounge is 4.5x5 and it feels too small and I live alone. Are you sure you could handle a second person in a house with only 3.6x2.8 of common space?

      • Quantumcat on 03/02/2021 - 07:57

        You'll need approvals from council

  • mrsi on 02/02/2021 - 21:34
    +2

    Agree with the comment that strata likely won't let you do it- generally wet areas (kitchen, laundry, bathroom ) need to be on top and underneath where the other wet areas are.

  • swimmingtoad on 02/02/2021 - 21:36
    +6

    How doable is this ‘project’?

    It's probably not and would likely end up costing more than it's worth.

  • bcarp on 02/02/2021 - 21:42
    +2

    Not only would you have to deal with strata, some local councils won't let you do it either because the building was originally built with a certain number of designated bedrooms & isn't allowed to exceed this.

  • Settero on 02/02/2021 - 22:11
    +4

    a living/dining/kitchen thats only 10sqm

    the resell value of this place if you did the work…

    • mskeggs on 03/02/2021 - 15:32
      +1

      Market it in Kowloon Walled City!

      I have knocked out a wall to make a combined kitchen/dining in an apartment, and it was a pain to get strata and council approval, but ultimately possible.

      I don't think there is enough space here to make it desirable. Consider too, if the builder could have gained approval for a 2br on that floorspace, they would have gone with it.

  • Presence on 02/02/2021 - 22:26
    +5

    I am ok with not having couch space provided the end result is a second bedroom.

    Any renters or purchasers will care though.

    Moving plumbing in apartments is generally tremendously expensive or impossible.

  • Donaldhump on 02/02/2021 - 22:45

    Simplest way

    Put a mattress in the kitchen every night. Bedroom at night, kitchen by day.

  • wizzy on 03/02/2021 - 08:18

    As others have said you will need approval from the body corporate, and I don't think they will give it to you for lots of reasons.

  • avoidfullprice on 03/02/2021 - 08:50

    I think it has potential to be converted into a 2 bed-room apartment
    …
    I am ok with not having couch space provided the end result is a second bedroom.

    What is the resell value/rental value of your unit after remodelling? Who else would want to live in the new configuration?

    Who should I consult before bidding?

    Your living partner.

    Why do you want to have a second bedroom over a living area?

  • AndyC1 on 03/02/2021 - 09:20

    Call the council to see if it is possible with the current laws.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 03/02/2021 - 09:26
    +1

    LOL just do what some families do, put a bed in there during the day.

    Council legalities aside, you are totally underestimating how little space you will be left with. Measure it out in your current place (or this one, if you've bought it) and see how small it really is. No-one will want to rent a few square meters, this has to be a joke right?

  • AssamLaksa on 03/02/2021 - 13:26
    +6

    With the amount of money that you'll likely have to spend on achieving this (if strata would ever approve this)…. you're better off just buying an actual 2br in that same area and location

  • ddhar on 03/02/2021 - 19:45

    Tough proposition.

    Very costly to move a kitchen. Good luck getting council/body corporate approval too.
    Even if you do it illegally, good luck explaining that to future buyers (or body corp, if they find out).

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