Condo Kitchen Renovation Design Guide
Updated September 9, 2024
Average reading time: 4 min
20+ Tips for a successful Kitchen Renovation of a Condo, Coop, and/or Townhouse
A kitchen renovation in a condo is tricky because the space is often limited; however, with careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can make your kitchen look and feel brand new. We created this resource for condo homeowners, specifically to articulate the factors and considerations in the design and renovation of a condo kitchen of a multi-family dwelling (or “high-rise”).
Articulated Design Studio is based in the West End of Vancouver B.C. (one of the most densely populated urban centres in Canada) and we appreciate the unique challenges of urban living. Armed with our background kitchen and bath design, this speciality is paramount to our success with condo renovations.
These are practical suggestions to help you visualise the legal and structural factors that affect a kitchen renovation design in a condo from an NCIDQ certified interior designer who specialises in optimising small kitchens. At the end of our tips, we have included links to our additional renovation topics and resources that will assist you along your design journey.
Key Topics in this Article
Understand your strata’s rules
Embrace building codes
Structure cannot be changed
Avoid changing sprinkler locations
Avoid changing electrical outlet locations
Select the best sink and faucet for the space
Avoid moving plumbing locations
Consider the resale value
Avoid moving ventilation
Shop for appliances that your power panel can supply
Rethink that induction cooktop
Invest in small appliances
Focus on adding smart storage solutions
Make it easy to be sustainable + green
There are alternatives to an Island
Rethink Open Shelving
Plan for things that can stack
Hire a qualified designer
Choose a contractor wisely
Be mindful of noise and disruption
Consider your schedule + ideal completion date
Think about where you will cook during the renovation
Plan for unexpected expenses
Be flexible with your finish date.
Can you make a Condo Kitchen Accessible?
Can you make a Condo Kitchen Accessible for a wheelchair
This condo’s kitchen was a part of an award winning full condo renovation by Fifth Element Construction
The kitchen layout was challenged by the shape of the unit. The goals were more storage and better function overall.
Where to Begin?
Let us start to visualise what type of project this is. If our principal designer were explaining this type of project to interior design students, here is what they would hear.
A kitchen condo renovation is an alteration or remodel project of an pre-existing kitchen in a condo in a multi-family dwelling, or high-rise. It includes the design, construction, and furnishing of a kitchen for high-rise condominiums, townhomes, low-rise condominiums, and co-op units. Kitchen renovations in a condo will not change the building envelope (exterior) or structure.
This means that you are working with pre-existing site conditions you will need to take into account with your design. Basically you can not easily change the existing kitchen’s layout in a strata unit. Keep in mind that your renovation will be subject to the same rules the developer was by the municipality of your condo building. This is not a detached house with timber frame construction, it is a shared space which you are invested in with other households.
#1 There are legal protections in place you need to be aware of.
Are there things that are cost prohibitive to maybe steer clear of?
Yes, and there are also tips worth investing in the kitchen renovation of a condo.
Do you have a Condo Renovation in Vancouver?
Check Out
Learn more about Accessible Design with our resources below:
By following these tips, you can ensure that your condo renovation project is a success and that you end up with a space that you love. Remember to communicate with your HOA, choose a contractor wisely, be mindful of noise and disruption, plan for unexpected expenses, and consider the resale value.
Before + After: Our Condo Kitchen Renovation in Coal Harbour
The before photos from this real condo kitchen renovation gallery.
Click on the images below if you want to check out some more of our condo renovations
Background
Hi! Andrew here, and I am the Design Director at Articulated Design Studio. We hope you enjoyed our article about renovating a kitchen in a condo, Coop, or townhouse. It includes some valuable tips based upon the most common assumptions people make about condo interior design and renovations in a strata type unit. Articulated is known for our high quality construction drawings, colourful styles, and how we work together with our clients and their chosen contractors in an integrated design approach.
Our condo renovation series documents the features, benefits, and structural parameters of condo renovations and urban living. As a design studio we are based in the West End of Vancouver, one of the most densely populated urban centres in Canada + North America. We understand and appreciate the opportunity and the unique challenges of urban living. Our founder Corey Klassen CMKBD NCIDQ IIDA, is recognised subject matter expert in kitchen and accessible bath design, and also a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer through the National Kitchen and Bath Association. As you can see each of our tips come from our actual projects that have been successfully implemented in a condo or coop unit or townhouse unit.
Our studio’s recognised expertise with regards to condo interior design and accessibility are derived from not only experience. But also through the continued contribution by Corey back to the design industry at large not only through teaching the next generation of designers, and speaking at design industry events across both Canada and the United States. He has also been involved in publications and programs for the design industry at large as well .
“Then there was the total revamping of our certification program. I would like to give a shout out to two of our long time collaborators: Corey Klassen CMKBD of Articulated Design Studio and Judith Neary CMKBD of Roadside Attractions. Thank you both for your help and guidance with our new program which features a learning management system that makes it easier to access materials, as well as to track your progress online. Our certifications as well as our growing badge program are even more valuable as a competitive tool in today’s market.”
Bill Darcy, CEO NKBA, January 31, 2023, Time stamp 20:57 min/sec
https://nkba.org/insights/nkba-ceo-delivered-state-of-the-association-address-at-kbis-2023/
Over the past few years there have been many things happening behind the scenes at Articulated that we can only start to reveal. Corey has won local and international awards for not only kitchen design. It wasn’t until a industry publication in 2022, recognised his contributions as an Innovator of 2022. Through an independent peer nomination, Kitchen and Bath Design News Magazine featured Corey amongst other leading innovators in the U.S. for contributions to both accessible and inclusive design to the industry at large across the United States and Canada. We look forward to telling you more .
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy the our comprehensive tip list for a condo kitchen renovation. By following these tips, you can ensure that your condo renovation project is a success and that you end up with a space that you love. If you are looking to renovate your condo or townhouse’s kitchen in a Canadian Municipality or the United States remember to:
Communicate with your Strata Council or HOA.
Choose a contractor wisely.
Be mindful of noise and disruption.
Plan for unexpected expenses!
AND consider the resale value of your unit with regards to what you are investing in.
If you’d like to learn more about condo renovations, see our other resources: