How Many Square Feet for a 2-Person Apartment?

When you’re planning to live with one other person-whether it’s a partner, roommate, or family member-getting the right apartment size matters more than you think. Too small, and you’re constantly tripping over each other. Too big, and you’re paying for space you don’t need. So, how many square feet should a two-person apartment actually be?

What’s the Real Minimum Size?

In Melbourne, the most common 2BHK apartment for two people ranges between 600 and 800 square feet. That’s not a lot, but it’s enough if the layout works. A 600-square-foot apartment is about the size of a small garage. It fits a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living area-but barely. You won’t have room for a dining table unless it folds into the wall. Storage becomes a puzzle. Clothes go in under-bed bins. Dishes live in cabinets that double as TV stands.

Many new builds in suburbs like Footscray or Coburg are hitting this 600-square-foot mark because developers are chasing higher density. But if you’re not okay with living like you’re in a tiny studio with an extra door, you should aim higher.

Why 700-800 Square Feet Is the Sweet Spot

Go up to 700-800 square feet, and everything changes. You can actually have a separate living area. A small dining nook next to the kitchen stops feeling like a design afterthought. You can fit a full-size bed, a dresser, and a bookshelf in the bedroom without needing to rearrange it every time you clean. The bathroom doesn’t feel like a closet. And if you have a balcony-even a 4x4-foot one-you’ve got space for a couple of chairs and a small plant.

This size is what most couples in Melbourne choose when they’re not buying a house. It’s the standard for mid-range rentals in Carlton, Richmond, and even parts of Prahran. You’ll pay more than for a 600-square-foot unit, but the difference in daily comfort is huge. People who live in 800-square-foot apartments rarely say they feel cramped. Those in 600-square-foot ones often do.

How Layout Beats Square Footage

Not all 700-square-foot apartments feel the same. One might have a long, narrow hallway that eats up space. Another might have an open-plan kitchen-living area that makes it feel twice as big. The difference is in the design.

Look for apartments with:

• High ceilings (over 2.7 meters)
• Large windows that bring in natural light
• Open-plan layouts that merge kitchen, dining, and living areas
• Built-in storage (wardrobes, under-stair cupboards, wall niches)
• A separate bedroom with a real door-not just a curtain

One couple I know lives in a 680-square-foot unit in Fitzroy. It feels spacious because the kitchen opens directly into the living room, the bedroom has floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, and the bathroom is tucked neatly behind a sliding door. They use a fold-down table for meals. They don’t have a couch-just two armchairs. But they don’t feel like they’re living in a shoebox.

What You Can’t Fit in Under 600 Square Feet

If you’re thinking of going below 600 square feet, ask yourself: What do you actually need to do in this space every day?

• Can you cook without bumping into your partner?
• Can you have guests over without turning the living room into a bed?
• Do you have space to store winter coats, shoes, or groceries?
• Can you work from home without turning the bedroom into an office?

If you answered no to any of those, skip the smaller units. You’ll save money upfront, but you’ll pay in stress, frustration, and wasted time. One woman in Southbank moved into a 550-square-foot apartment to save rent. After six months, she was spending $150 a month on storage lockers just to keep her clothes and books. The rent savings vanished.

What About 900+ Square Feet?

Going beyond 900 square feet is fine-if you can afford it. In Melbourne, a 900-square-foot 2BHK might come with a second bathroom, a proper dining room, or a balcony that’s big enough for a BBQ. Some newer developments even include laundry rooms or walk-in closets.

But here’s the catch: the price jumps. A 900-square-foot apartment in St Kilda can cost $200-$300 more per month than an 800-square-foot one. That’s $2,400-$3,600 extra a year. Is the extra space worth it? For some, yes. If you work from home, entertain often, or plan to stay long-term, the comfort pays off. For others, it’s just extra rent for unused space.

Real-World Examples from Melbourne

Here’s what actual 2BHK apartments look like in different price brackets:

These aren’t theoretical numbers. I checked listings on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au last month. The 680-780 sq ft range had the most consistent positive reviews from tenants. People mentioned feeling “cozy, not crowded.”

What Experts Say

The Australian Building Codes Board recommends a minimum of 45 square meters (about 484 sq ft) for a two-person dwelling. That’s the legal floor. But it’s not the comfort floor. Architects and interior designers in Melbourne suggest 65-75 square meters (700-800 sq ft) as the ideal range for long-term living.

Why? Because beyond the numbers, it’s about human behavior. People need breathing room-not just physical space, but psychological space. A 600-square-foot apartment forces constant negotiation: who uses the kitchen when? Where do you put your stuff? Can you have a quiet moment? In a 750-square-foot place, those questions just… fade away.

Final Advice: Don’t Just Count Square Feet

Don’t pick an apartment based on a number alone. Walk through it. Imagine your morning routine: coffee in the kitchen, brushing teeth in the bathroom, watching TV on the couch. Can you do all that without stepping on someone’s toes?

Ask yourself:

• Can I open the fridge without blocking the sink?
• Can I close the bedroom door without hitting the wardrobe?
• Is there space for a second pair of shoes?
• Will I still like this place in six months?

If the answer to any of those is no, keep looking. You’ll find a better fit. The right size isn’t about what’s cheapest. It’s about what lets you live without constantly thinking about space.