Small Space Living: Design Dos and Don’ts Beyond Open Plan

This article highlights how Melbourne designers and residents are rethinking tiny homes. From Colin Chee’s Never Too Small movement to real-world micro-homes, the piece showcases practical, budget-conscious strategies that maximize space and improve flow.

It explains how to create the illusion of room without sacrificing comfort. The article also mentions a free talk during Melbourne Design Week where these ideas will be discussed, offering attendees actionable insights.

Small-space design philosophies from Melbourne’s micro-homes

Small spaces demand deliberate decisions rather than hurried renovations. Colin Chee, the founder of Never Too Small, built a philosophy around living in a space first and then making measured changes that respond to real needs.

His approach leans into economical choices, mixing second-hand finds, budget customisations, and slim-legged furniture. These choices maximise visible floor area and create the illusion of space.

Three real-world examples show how these ideas work day-to-day. In North Melbourne, Tahj Rosmarin installed a multifunctional six-metre joinery unit that doubles as bench seating, storage, display shelving, and a TV cabinet.

This single piece eliminates the need for extra furniture and keeps the space open. In another Melbourne walk-up, a cafeteria-style pass-through between the kitchen and living rooms preserves separation while enhancing visual connection and hiding kitchen mess.

Real-world micro-homes: case studies that inform the approach

Claire Scorpo and her husband transformed a poorly renovated Fitzroy bedsit by introducing a fluted glass partition to separate the dressing and bathing zones. They also designed a concealed sleeping nook for a double bed, showing that defined zones can be more practical than open plans in small homes.

Budget constraints are a unifying thread. Many projects use Ikea, Bunnings, and DIY hacks to mimic custom solutions at a lower cost, with some budgets as tight as $5,000.

The focus is on clever, affordable engineering instead of large-scale builds. Smart design beats size in small spaces.

Designers deploy several proven tactics to maximize space, improve circulation, and elevate the perception of height. These techniques are practical and accessible to homeowners with modest budgets.

Practical tactics that make small spaces work

Here are some tactics that recur across the featured projects and can be applied to many micro-homes:

• Elevated beds to create under-bed storage and keep floors uncluttered.
• Raising shelving and curtain rods near the ceiling to emphasise vertical height and draw the eye upward.
• Glossy ceiling paint to reflect light and expand perceived space.
• Multifunction joinery that serves as seating, storage, and display to reduce furniture clutter.
• Pass-through design between rooms to maintain connection without erasing defined zones.
• Concealed sleeping nooks or discreet sleeping solutions to free floor area during the day.
• Glass or fluted partitions to create separation while maintaining light and openness.
• Budget-conscious sourcing and DIY hacks to replicate bespoke aesthetics at a lower cost.

Open-plan layouts are not always the best choice for every tiny home. By defining zones, choosing multifunctional furniture, and using budget-friendly hardware, small spaces can feel generous and well-organised.

Learn more at Melbourne Design Week

The designers behind these projects will discuss these strategies and more at Small Spaces, Big Living, a free NGV talk during Melbourne Design Week.

It’s an opportunity to hear directly from practitioners about practical, scalable solutions for compact living.

Attendees can see how space planning and furniture systems can transform limited footprints into livable, stylish homes.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Open plan is not the answer: design professionals on the dos and don’ts of small space living