As Australia embraces higher-density suburbs, more and more Aussies are considering apartment living.
And, increasingly, apartments are making up more of the nation's housing stock. No longer restricted to the one- and two-bedroom market, Australia's apartment buildings are being built with more options, styles and offerings than ever before, becoming a feasible option for Australians and their varied housing needs.
PropTrack data points in the same direction: in May 2026, two- and three-bedroom units accounted for 76 per cent of unit searches, suggesting apartment interest extends beyond the one-bedroom stepping-stone they once were.
For buyers, that raises a practical question: beyond location, price and finishes, what design details actually make an apartment work?
“As more Australians commit to apartment living long-term, it’s the quality of design that is integral to determining whether density can improve people’s lives or simply adds to the city’s headcount,” said James Tutton, director of developer Neometro, which recently received a Victorian Architectural Award alongside architects MA+Co for their project Nine Wilson in Melbourne's Brunswick.
That thinking is visible in projects now selling across the market, if buyers know what to look for. Here are six elements to keep in mind when apartment hunting.
Nine Wilson received the Best Overend Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing at the 2026 Victorian Architecture Awards. Image: Neometro
1. Light, air and thermal comfort
Natural light is one of the first things buyers notice in an existing home, but when you're buying off-the-plan, there are some specific details to note
Look at orientation, window placement, cross-ventilation and how the home is likely to feel in both summer and winter.
Mr Tutton says Neometro’s design values centre around natural light, high ceiling heights and adaptable floorplans. These are “not solely design preferences,” but conditions that allow people to “sleep well, work from home, age in place and feel at ease in their own homes”.
This is visible at Neometro's latest project, 97 Alma Road, with park-fronting options to Alma Park for many homes, and all boasting light-filled interiors that make the most of orientation and thermodynamics.
Neometro's 97 Alma Road is an example of the developers comitment to light-filled spaces. Image: realestate.com.au
2. Privacy and noise control
Density works best when residents can be close to amenity and neighbours without feeling exposed.
Buyers should consider whether bedrooms are separated from living areas, whether windows look directly into neighbouring homes, how shared corridors are arranged and how well the building protects from street or internal noise.
Small details matter here: what sits beside the bedroom wall, how close the apartment is to lifts, waste rooms or communal areas, and whether balconies or courtyards feel genuinely private once neighbours are home.
The best apartment buildings offer privacy, while still giving residents the chance to connect when they choose.
3. Green space and outlook
Not every apartment will have a sweeping view, but every good apartment should offer some relationship to light, air, greenery or outlook.
That might be a balcony, courtyard, rooftop garden, park frontage or landscaped communal space.
In Brisbane's Hamilton, The Gallery, by developer Graya, pairs generous balconies with views across Brisbane city and surrounding suburbs. Full floor sliding doors open to expand the living space outwards, while privacy features such as curtains allow the space to still be closed off as much as residents desire.
The Gallery allows residents to bring the outside in, while also preserving their privace. Image: realestate.com.au.
4. Layouts that work for real life
A beautiful apartment can still be frustrating if the floorplan does not support daily life.
Storage, room proportions, kitchen functionality, laundry space, work-from-home options and flexible rooms all matter – especially if an apartment is being bought as a long-term home rather than a short-term step.
Adaptable floorplans can help apartments support different life stages, whether buyers are working from home, starting a family, downsizing or planning to age in place.
Different floorplans will be suited to different resident needs, but off-the-plan homes that boast larger, open spaces can often provide the best flexibility for residents wanting to tailor a space to their needs.
Arcilla, in Brisbane's New Farm, is an example of a boutique apartment offering that provides ample space for residents to create different living zones.
Arcilla, by developer and architect Joe Adsett prioritises living space across the boutique-scale nine homes on offer. Image: realestate.com.au
5. Connection to the street and neighbourhood
Good density does not stop at the apartment door.
Density "done well" means that buildings relate to their surroundings, offering something to neighbours as well. At minimum, that extends to a pleasant streetscape. Where local amenity is provided, it's a question of whether passersby are naturally invited in.
Look closely at the ground level: whether entries feel welcoming and easy to navigate, the frontage feels considered rather than blank, and the building feels part of the neighbourhood around it.
At the forthcoming Danks St District in Sydney's Waterloo, this idea of bringing the public into closer relationship with the building itself is explored not only through retail offerings, but the public space that offers shade and greenery across different levels.
Delivered by 4.5 Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder and developer Dasco, Danks St District offers green space over more than 50% of the site across communal gardens accessible by the buildings residents, as well as several different public domains for the local community.
Danks Street District showcases a commitment to creating both comfortable residential homes and an inviting neighbourhood for those at street level. Image: realestate.com.au
6. Shared spaces and amenities that earn their place
Amenities and shared spaces should not feel like leftover areas – or glossy extras added for a brochure.
Lochlan Sinclair, also a director at Netometro, says lobbies, courtyards, gardens and rooftops should be treated “with the same rigour as the apartments themselves,” because these spaces help build community.
For buyers, that means looking at whether common areas feel safe, useful and genuinely inviting.
Rooftop retreats, gardens, gyms, pools and wellness spaces can add value, but only when they are well-designed, well-located and likely to be used. At The Gallery, a private rooftop retreat brings together wellness and leisure, while Arcilla includes amenities such as a gym and hot and cold plunge pools.
Are you interested in learning more about Australia's new apartments? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.
This article was originally published on 7 Jul 2026 at 2:22pm but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.
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