A 104 sqm apartment gives you enough space for a comfortable family layout, but it also has enough rooms, surfaces, and material decisions to make the renovation budget feel unclear at the beginning. The easiest way to plan is to separate the project into budget tiers, define what each tier should include, and then make design choices that support the way the home will actually be used.
For most homeowners, the main question is not simply “how much does renovation cost?” It is “what level of finish, comfort, and long-term durability can this budget realistically buy?” This guide rewrites the key ideas from the source document into a practical English renovation plan for HOMESEE-Decor readers.
Quick Answer: How Much Does a 104 sqm Apartment Renovation Cost?
A 104 sqm apartment renovation can be planned in three broad tiers: a basic renovation that focuses on essential kitchen, bathroom, flooring, doors, and wall finishes; a mid-range renovation that adds better materials, more complete furniture coordination, and improved comfort; and a premium renovation that includes higher-grade finishes, custom styling, and more detailed design work.
The exact price depends heavily on the country, city, labor market, building condition, design scope, material grade, and whether the project includes custom cabinetry, plumbing changes, electrical upgrades, or structural adjustments. Use the tiers below as a planning framework, then request a detailed itemized quote before signing a contract.
| Budget Tier | Best For | Typical Scope | Timeline Expectation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic renovation | Rental homes, first homes, cost-controlled upgrades | Essential kitchen and bathroom work, simple floors, doors, windows, wall paint, standard fixtures | About 2 months when scope is controlled |
| Mid-range renovation | Owner-occupied family homes | Better finishes, complete kitchen and bathroom upgrades, selected built-in storage, coordinated furniture and lighting | About 2 to 3 months |
| Premium renovation | Long-term residence or high-design projects | Higher-grade materials, stronger style direction, custom furniture, detailed lighting, refined soft decoration | About 3 months or more depending on customization |
1. Basic Renovation: Keep the Home Functional First
A basic renovation is suitable when the goal is to make the apartment clean, livable, and efficient without overspending on decorative details. For a 104 sqm apartment, this tier normally prioritizes the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, internal doors, windows, wall surfaces, and necessary electrical and plumbing checks.
The source document uses a simple-renovation example of about 60,000 RMB. For international readers, the number should be treated as a local-market reference rather than a universal price. The useful lesson is the scope: basic renovation should solve daily living needs first. Spend on waterproofing, safe wiring, ventilation, durable flooring, and reliable sanitary fixtures before spending on decorative upgrades.
What to include in a basic renovation
- Kitchen and bathroom facilities that are complete and easy to maintain.
- Simple but durable flooring for living areas and bedrooms.
- Clean wall paint in neutral colors to make the apartment feel brighter.
- Standard doors, door hardware, windows, switches, sockets, and lighting.
- Basic storage where it has the biggest daily impact, such as the entryway and kitchen.
2. Mid-Range Renovation: Balance Comfort, Style, and Budget
A mid-range renovation is usually the best fit for a homeowner who plans to live in the apartment for several years. Compared with the basic tier, it allows more complete design coordination and better materials while still keeping the budget under control.
The source document gives a mid-range reference of about 100,000 RMB. Again, the number varies by market, but the structure is helpful: this level typically expands the project scope beyond purely essential work. You can plan more storage, higher-quality flooring, improved lighting, better bathroom fixtures, and a more cohesive interior style.
Where a mid-range budget creates the most value
- Kitchen cabinets: Better cabinetry improves both appearance and daily usability.
- Bathroom waterproofing and fixtures: These are high-use areas where cheap shortcuts often become expensive later.
- Lighting design: Layered lighting can make a simple apartment feel far more refined.
- Built-in storage: A 104 sqm home can feel much larger when clutter is planned out of sight.
- Durable wall and floor finishes: Choose materials that can handle children, pets, guests, and frequent cleaning.
3. Premium Renovation: Invest in Custom Comfort and a Strong Style Direction
A premium renovation adds more design freedom. It may include custom furniture, higher-grade stone or tile, detailed ceiling and lighting work, imported or specialty finishes, carefully selected soft furnishings, and a more complete style concept. The source document uses a high-end reference of about 150,000 RMB and notes that this tier may take around three months.
The biggest risk in premium renovation is not spending more; it is spending more without a clear design logic. Before choosing expensive materials, confirm the apartment’s layout, storage plan, lighting plan, color palette, and long-term maintenance needs. A premium project should feel coherent, not crowded with unrelated upgrades.
Practical Design Tips for a 104 sqm Apartment
Budget planning is only one side of renovation. The final result also depends on how finishes, colors, lighting, furniture, and flooring work together. The original document highlights several traditional design choices, especially European-style decoration. For HOMESEE-Decor readers, the broader principle is to select one main style direction and let every material support it.
Choose a style that matches the apartment size
European-inspired interiors can work in a 104 sqm apartment, but heavy carved furniture, dark wood, ornate trim, and large decorative pieces must be used carefully. If the apartment has limited natural light or compact rooms, simplify the style with lighter colors, cleaner profiles, and fewer heavy patterns. A modern classic approach often works better than a fully ornate European look.
Use wallpaper as an accent, not a default solution
Wallpaper can add character, especially in bedrooms, dining areas, and feature walls. However, busy patterns can quickly make a mid-sized apartment feel smaller. For better resale value and easier maintenance, use textured wallpaper, subtle stripes, botanical patterns, or soft geometric designs in limited areas. Keep most walls calm and bright.
Avoid lighting that fights the design style
The source document warns against shiny steel lighting in traditional European-style interiors. The larger lesson is simple: lighting should match the home’s material language. For a warm, classic interior, choose soft metal finishes, fabric shades, warm color temperature, and gentle lines. For a modern interior, use recessed lighting, clean pendants, linear lights, and simple wall lamps.
Use rugs to soften large rooms
In a 104 sqm apartment, the living room often needs visual zoning. A rug can define the seating area, soften the floor, reduce echo, and make the room feel more complete. Choose a rug with a restrained pattern if the furniture or wallpaper is already decorative. If the room is very plain, a textured rug can add depth without making the space feel messy.
Keep the color palette unified
A balanced palette is one of the easiest ways to make a renovation look more expensive than it is. Use one main base color, one supporting neutral, and one or two accent colors. White, warm gray, greige, light wood, soft beige, muted green, and matte black details can work well in many modern apartments. If you prefer dark furniture, keep the walls and curtains lighter so the home does not feel visually heavy.
Plan flooring according to room function
For ordinary flat apartments, wood flooring or quality laminate can make bedrooms and living areas feel warmer. Tile is practical for kitchens, bathrooms, balconies, and high-moisture areas. If the apartment is a duplex or has a large entrance hall, stone or large-format tile can create a stronger first impression, but it should still connect naturally with the rest of the home.
A Simple Budget Planning Checklist
- Measure the apartment and confirm the actual renovation area, not only the property certificate area.
- Separate must-have work from nice-to-have upgrades.
- Confirm kitchen, bathroom, electrical, plumbing, and waterproofing scope first.
- Choose one design style before buying materials.
- Ask for itemized quotes for labor, materials, cabinetry, lighting, appliances, furniture, and soft decoration.
- Keep a contingency reserve for hidden issues such as old pipes, uneven walls, or delivery changes.
- Confirm project timeline and inspection points before work begins.
FAQ
Is 104 sqm considered a large apartment?
It is a comfortable mid-sized apartment for many families. The space is large enough for a practical three-bedroom or spacious two-bedroom layout, but the design still needs disciplined storage, lighting, and color planning.
How long does a 104 sqm apartment renovation take?
A controlled basic renovation may take about two months. A mid-range project often takes two to three months. Premium projects with custom materials, cabinetry, and detailed styling can take three months or longer.
Where should I spend more in the renovation budget?
Prioritize hidden and high-use work: waterproofing, plumbing, wiring, kitchen cabinetry, bathroom fixtures, flooring, and lighting. Decorative upgrades are easier to change later, but poor basic construction is expensive to repair.
Final Thoughts
A 104 sqm apartment renovation becomes much easier to control when the budget is tied to scope. Start with the essential systems, choose a realistic finish level, and keep the design style consistent from walls and flooring to lighting and furniture. With a clear plan, the home can feel polished, comfortable, and durable without unnecessary spending.