Eight hundred square feet doesn’t sound like much when you’re scrolling through glossy listings. But if you’ve ever lived in a 2BHK apartment that size, you know it’s not about the numbers-it’s about how you use the space. For two people, 800 sqft can work. It can also feel like a prison. The difference? Planning, habits, and what you’re willing to let go of.
What does 800 sqft actually look like?
Eight hundred square feet is roughly the size of a two-car garage. Or a decent-sized studio with a bedroom added on. In a 2BHK layout, that usually means a bedroom, a second room (often called a study or second bedroom), a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living area-all squeezed into a box that’s maybe 25 feet by 32 feet. No closets. No walk-in pantries. No extra storage under the stairs.
Real estate agents will tell you it’s "efficient." Builders call it "modern living." But what does it feel like on a Tuesday night after work when you’re both tired, the rain’s pouring, and you’ve got nowhere to put your coats?
Let’s break it down. A typical 800 sqft 2BHK in Sydney might have:
- Master bedroom: 10x11 ft (110 sqft)
- Second room: 8x10 ft (80 sqft)
- Living area: 12x16 ft (192 sqft)
- Kitchen: 8x8 ft (64 sqft)
- Bathroom: 6x7 ft (42 sqft)
- Hallway/storage: 50 sqft
That leaves about 262 sqft for everything else-closets, shelves, your coffee maker, your books, your gym gear, your plants, your partner’s collection of vinyl records. You’re not just living in this space-you’re curating it.
What works in 800 sqft? Real-life examples
My friends Lena and Marco moved into a 795 sqft 2BHK in Marrickville last year. They’re both remote workers. No kids. No pets. They bought a Murphy bed for the second room. During the day, it’s a desk with a standing option. At night, it’s a guest bed for when Lena’s mom visits. They use wall-mounted shelves for books, foldable dining chairs, and a kitchen island that doubles as a workspace. Their TV is mounted on the wall. Their clothes? All on vertical racks. No drawers. No closets. Just bins under the bed.
They don’t have a dining table. They eat at the kitchen counter. They don’t own a vacuum cleaner. They use a handheld one. They’ve learned to live with less because they value experiences over stuff. Weekend hikes. Coffee dates. Late-night movies at the cinema. Their apartment isn’t a home for things-it’s a home for them.
Another couple I know, in Bondi, have a 2BHK that’s exactly 800 sqft. They have a dog. A cat. And a lot of cookware. Their secret? They rent a storage unit. $120 a month. They keep seasonal clothes, holiday decorations, and their board games there. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps their space clean and calm.
What doesn’t work?
800 sqft doesn’t work if you expect to entertain regularly. If you like hosting dinner parties for six, you’re going to be disappointed. You can squeeze in four people at the counter, but good luck finding a place for the appetizers. If you’ve got a collection of board games, vinyl records, or vintage cameras, you’ll need to pick which ones stay. The rest? Donate, sell, or store.
It also doesn’t work if you need privacy. If one person works from home and the other naps in the afternoon, you’re going to hear every keyboard tap, every sneeze, every YouTube video played too loud. Soundproofing? Expensive. Noise-canceling headphones? Non-negotiable.
And don’t even think about keeping a full-size sofa. A loveseat is the max. A sectional? Forget it. You’ll be tripping over it every time you walk to the kitchen.
Storage is everything
Storage in an 800 sqft 2BHK isn’t optional. It’s survival. Most units built after 2015 have built-in wardrobes, but they’re shallow-usually 20 inches deep. That’s not enough for winter coats, let alone suitcases. So you buy stackable bins, under-bed drawers, and over-the-door organizers. You use the back of the bathroom door for towels. You hang pots from the ceiling in the kitchen. You turn the space under the stairs into a shoe rack.
People who thrive here have one rule: if you haven’t used it in six months, it goes. No exceptions. That includes gifts from relatives, clothes from your college days, and that blender you swore you’d use for smoothies.
One trick: buy furniture with hidden storage. A bed with drawers. A coffee table with a lift-top. A bench with a seat that opens. These aren’t luxury upgrades-they’re necessities.
Is it worth it?
Let’s talk money. In Sydney, a 2BHK under 800 sqft might cost $650,000 to $800,000. A similar-sized 3BHK? $1.1 million. That’s a $300,000 difference. That’s a trip to Europe. A new car. Five years of KiwiSaver contributions. A down payment on a house in the suburbs in five years.
For young couples, first-time buyers, or people who prioritize location over square footage, 800 sqft makes sense. You’re not sacrificing lifestyle-you’re redefining it. You’re trading space for freedom. Freedom to live near work. Freedom to walk to the beach. Freedom to save money instead of paying a mortgage on a house you don’t need.
But if you plan to have kids, want a home office that doesn’t double as a guest room, or just need room to spread out after a long day, this won’t cut it. You’ll feel cramped. You’ll resent the space. And resentment doesn’t make a good home.
Who should live here? Who shouldn’t?
800 sqft is perfect for:
- Couples without kids
- Remote workers who spend time outside the home
- People who value experiences over possessions
- Those who don’t mind storing seasonal items offsite
- Anyone saving for a bigger place down the road
It’s not for:
- People who collect things
- Couples who want separate workspaces
- Anyone who needs a guest room for regular visitors
- Those who hate the idea of a storage unit
- People who want to host large gatherings
There’s no right or wrong. Only what fits your life right now.
How to make 800 sqft feel bigger
Light. That’s the secret. Open curtains. Use mirrors. Avoid heavy curtains. Stick to light walls-white, cream, soft gray. Dark floors make a room feel smaller. Light wood or laminate? Better.
Keep it clutter-free. One shelf of books. One plant. One piece of art. That’s enough. More than that? It becomes visual noise.
Use vertical space. Install floating shelves. Hang bikes from the ceiling. Use hooks for bags and coats. Your walls aren’t just surfaces-they’re storage.
And finally, don’t fight the layout. If the second room is tiny, call it a reading nook. If the kitchen is small, treat it like a coffee bar. Change your mindset. You’re not living in a small apartment. You’re living in a smart one.
Final thought
Eight hundred square feet isn’t a limitation. It’s a filter. It shows you what matters. If you can live happily in that space-with your partner, your routines, your stuff-it’s enough. If you’re constantly thinking about what you’re missing, it’s not.
There’s no magic number. Just the right fit for your life. And for a lot of people in Sydney, 800 sqft is exactly that.
Can two people sleep comfortably in an 800 sqft 2BHK?
Yes, if you’re okay with a shared bedroom or a Murphy bed in the second room. Most 800 sqft units have a master bedroom big enough for a queen bed, and the second room can fit a single or double bed on a frame. The key is avoiding bulky furniture. A bed with storage underneath helps free up floor space. If you’re both light sleepers, consider blackout curtains and white noise machines.
Is an 800 sqft 2BHK a good investment in Sydney?
It can be. Smaller 2BHKs in inner-city areas like Surry Hills, Newtown, or Redfern have high rental demand from young professionals and couples. They rent faster and hold value better than larger units in the same area. Over the past five years, 800 sqft 2BHKs in Sydney’s inner suburbs have appreciated about 5-7% annually-slightly higher than the broader market. They’re also easier to sell during downturns because they’re affordable.
Do 800 sqft apartments have good natural light?
It depends on the building. Newer developments often have floor-to-ceiling windows and open-plan layouts that maximize light. Older buildings might have smaller windows or shared walls that block sunlight. If you’re looking, visit at different times of day. A unit that looks bright at noon might be dark by 4 p.m. Ask about window orientation-north-facing gets the most light in Sydney.
Can you fit a home gym in 800 sqft?
Yes, but only if you’re smart about it. A yoga mat, resistance bands, dumbbells, and a foldable bench can fit in a corner of the second room or even the living area. You won’t fit a treadmill or a squat rack unless you’re willing to store them in a shed or storage unit. Most people who work out at home in small spaces stick to bodyweight training or compact machines like a rower or air bike.
Are 800 sqft apartments noisy?
In older buildings, yes. Thin walls and shared plumbing mean you’ll hear neighbors, showers, and footsteps. Newer buildings often have better insulation, double-glazed windows, and acoustic flooring. If noise is a concern, ask for a building inspection report or visit during peak hours-like Friday night when people are cooking or watching TV. If you hear everything, it’s going to be a problem.