Apartment living in Australia is evolving. No longer defined by compromise, today’s most compelling apartment interiors show how luxury and compact design can coexist, balancing spatial efficiency with refined materiality and intelligent planning. Whether working within tight urban footprints or rethinking larger apartments, designers are creating homes that feel both functional and considered.
Across Australia’s cities, renovation has become an opportunity to rethink how apartments are used and experienced. These five projects from Sydney’s harbourside homes to Melbourne’s skyline residences demonstrate how thoughtful interior design can transform apartments into sophisticated and highly liveable environments.
Eureka Penthouse by Studio Del Castillo
Eureka Penthouse in Melbourne occupies a privileged position within the upper levels of Fender Katsalidis’ iconic Eureka Tower. Designed by Studio Del Castillo, the apartment embraces its dramatic setting while reworking an angular architectural shell into a richly layered and immersive interior—aptly described by its owners as “living in the sky”.
Responding directly to the brief, the design introduces warmth, colour and texture through a series of expressive and highly detailed spaces. Curved forms soften the tower’s rigid geometry, while tactile finishes and sculptural elements create a sense of intimacy across the expansive footprint. Moments such as the private lift lobby—rich in brass, fabric and timber—set a theatrical tone that continues throughout, resulting in a home that feels both luxurious and deeply personal.
North Sydney Waterfront by Studio Dewar
North Sydney Waterfront reworks a dated harbourside home into a refined, light-filled sanctuary oriented to sweeping views across Sydney Harbour. Designed by Studio Dewar, the apartment is carefully reconfigured to improve flow and maximise outlook, ensuring that living spaces remain visually connected to the water.
A warm, tactile palette grounds the interior, with blackbutt parquet flooring and natural sisal underfoot, complemented by considered wallpaper and paint selections. Kitchens and bathrooms are fully replanned for usability, while integrated services and bespoke cabinetry discreetly house art and ceramics. The result is a calm and elegant home that balances functionality with a strong sense of place.
King Residence by Cast Studio
King Residence transforms a gutted two-storey penthouse in Perth into a sculptural, gallery-like home defined by restraint and material depth. Designed by Cast Studio, the apartment is organised around a central gallery, where a steel and timber stair connects lower-level bedrooms with upper-level living spaces.
Spotted gum panelling wraps walls and floors, set against existing concrete beams to create contrast between refinement and structure. A brass-lined skylight introduces warm light into the interior, while a generous master suite spans the façade. Above, the tone shifts to a lighter, more social environment with a chef’s kitchen and dual balconies, balancing intimacy with openness.
Courtyard Apartment by Brcar Morony Architecture
Courtyard Apartment reimagines a dated ground-floor apartment in Rushcutters Bay as a flexible, light-filled home centred around its private courtyard. Designed by Brcar Morony Architecture, the project strengthens the connection between interior spaces and outdoors, allowing light and air to move freely through the plan.
A refined palette of herringbone American oak flooring, Carrara marble and black steel detailing creates cohesion, while custom oak cabinetry enhances functionality. Thoughtful interventions, including a suspended study nook and integrated storage, maximise usability without compromising openness. The result is a calm, adaptable home that feels both contemporary and deeply liveable.
Sun & Moon Apartment by D Hage Design
Sun & Moon Apartment redefines compact penthouse living through a highly efficient and expressive use of space overlooking Elizabeth Bay. Designed by D Hage Design, the apartment uses an open-plan layout to prioritise generous social areas, including a large dining setting and modular seating for flexible entertaining.
Custom cabinetry drives the reconfiguration, with a continuous veneer wall concealing storage, wardrobes and a compact bedroom nook behind sliding panels. A hammam-inspired bathroom and layered living zones introduce contrast in scale and atmosphere. Despite its compact footprint, the apartment feels expansive, demonstrating how careful planning can transform limitations into defining design features.
