Do you really need that second bedroom? Why some Sydney apartment buyers are thinking smaller

For years, the progression through Sydney's apartment market has been fairly predictable. Buy a one-bedroom apartment to get onto the property ladder, move into a two-bedroom when finances allow, and sometimes, eventually look for something larger.

But with the price difference between a one and two-bedroom apartment often running into hundreds of thousands of dollars, is that extra room always worth it?

It's a question that is becoming increasingly relevant for buyers across Sydney's Lower North Shore, where location, quality and lifestyle can be just as important as the number of bedrooms.

And it's not necessarily just about affordability.

For some downsizers, the priority is no longer finding an apartment that replicates the size of the family home they've left behind. For others, particularly those who divide their time between Sydney and another property, a well-located one-bedroom apartment can provide everything they need.

The concept is hardly new. In cities such as London, Paris and New York, the pied-à-terre has long been a popular option for buyers seeking a convenient city base rather than a full-time family home.

Sydney's Lower North Shore, with its transport connections, established dining precincts and proximity to the CBD, lends itself to a similar proposition.

It's a market developer Abadeen is looking to capture at its recently completed Northcote Collective development in Naremburn.

The Rothelowman-designed project was completed in the third quarter of 2026, with a selection of one-bedroom apartments still available, priced from $1.125 million with secure parking.

At that price, these are hardly entry-level apartments. But that's also part of the point.

Rather than competing with the most affordable one-bedroom stock in Sydney, Northcote Collective is targeting buyers who might otherwise consider a larger apartment but are prepared to sacrifice an additional bedroom for a better location, higher-quality finishes or more amenity.

The development's completion has also changed the buying process. Rather than relying on floorplans and renders, prospective purchasers can now walk through the finished apartments and get a clearer understanding of the space.

Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said that certainty was becoming increasingly important.

"Buyers are looking for certainty," Brown says.

"They want to walk through the front door, experience the space, see the quality of the finishes and understand exactly what they are buying. In a more considered market, being able to physically experience the residence, the building and the amenity gives buyers confidence to make a decision."

The developer says enquiry has been converting into inspections and sales since the furnished residences opened, including a recent purchaser who first discovered the project through Apartments.com.au.

While one sale is hardly evidence of a market-wide trend, it does raise an interesting question about how buyers assess value when comparing apartments.

A second bedroom might be useful for guests, working from home or accommodating a growing family. But for a single professional, couple or downsizer who rarely needs the additional space, it can also represent a significant amount of money tied up in a room that gets little use.

And that money could potentially be spent elsewhere.

It might mean buying closer to the city, choosing a better-designed apartment or securing a property with parking, something that can be particularly valuable in Sydney's established inner and middle-ring suburbs.

It could also mean buying into a development with communal facilities that reduce the need for additional space inside the apartment itself.

At Northcote Collective, residents have access to a rooftop swimming pool, landscaped dining and entertaining areas, sun lounges and breakout spaces.

For buyers who entertain occasionally rather than regularly, having access to shared spaces can offer an alternative to paying for a larger private residence.

The location is another consideration.

Northcote Collective sits within walking distance of St Leonards Station and the growing Crows Nest precinct, including its Metro station, restaurants, cafés and retail.

For a buyer who spends much of their time outside the home, the convenience of that location may carry more weight than an additional bedroom.

The same could be said for downsizers who want to remain connected to an established neighbourhood without maintaining a larger property.

Two-bedroom apartments will always appeal to buyers wanting greater flexibility, whether that's space for guests, a home office or changing family circumstances.

But for those who don't need the extra room, the price difference can be difficult to justify, particularly when it means compromising on location or the quality of the apartment itself.

At Northcote Collective, Abadeen is finding a market for one-bedroom apartments that offer many of the features buyers would typically associate with larger homes, from secure parking and generous living areas to extensive shared amenities.

With the development now complete, buyers can inspect the finished apartments and decide whether the space works for them.