Small homes in Melbourne demonstrate how compact living can be adapted for contemporary use. Through creative planning, these properties prioritize light and flexibility in a city known for its liveability.
Fluidity in the East
In a 1970s apartment block just a few kilometres east of the Melbourne CBD, architect Jack Chen of Tsai Design reworked his own 35sqm/377sqft unit. Rather than major structural changes, Jack introduced integrated interventions: a black kitchen with concealed timber cabinetry running along one wall, a fold-out dining table tucked within the joinery seating up to six, and a fold-away home office that can “disappear” when not in use. For internal light, a full-height window between the bathroom and kitchen switches from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. Natural materials – timber flooring, preserved moss, large windows – soften the minimalist palette, while strategically placed mirrors expand the sense of space throughout this compact, considered home.
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The apartment moves fluidly between home and office. It uses clever engineering to create a feeling of openness. Even with the modest square footage, the space feels much larger than its measurements suggest because of how the elements are arranged.
Shared Spaces and Sustainability
Just kilometres from the city centre, the Nightingale Preston development by Breathe Architecture houses Teilhaus – seven 28sqm/301sqft lofts built around the organization’s triple bottom line: affordable, sustainable, and community-focused. Derived from the German for “part of a house,” the units extend daily living beyond their walls through shared rooftop amenities – a garden, bathhouse, communal dining, and laundry. Inside, a 4.5-metre ceiling amplifies volume, cork flooring and recycled brick tiles chosen as much for sustainability as warmth. A lofted sleeping area sits above a versatile nook, and the kitchen is equipped for full-scale cooking. “The design is half the size of a one-bedroom apartment,” says co-founder Jeremy McLeod. “It’s meant to be half the price, half the carbon, and ideally, half the bills.”
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DIY Renovations and Budgets
In a 1960s apartment block in the evolving inner-north neighbourhood of Brunswick West is 380 Albert – a 42sqm/452sqft apartment designed and renovated by owner and sustainable building officer Shaun Tompkins. With a budget of $20K AUD, the renovation was a budget-conscious DIY endeavour that came together with the help of YouTube tutorials, a tool library subscription, and friends. Built on accessible basics, like IKEA cabinets as the base structure for the kitchen and bedroom, pieces were then finessed – a recycled benchtop, custom timber fronts stained pistachio green, locally sourced terrazzo tiles, and plenty of marketplace finds. Clever insulation and ventilation strategies removed the need for an air conditioner entirely in this resourceful blend of old and new.
The use of a popcorn ceiling in both the 380 Albert and Park Street projects shows that renovation styles vary. Some homeowners prefer a modern sleek look, while others prefer to keep the original texture of the building. This difference in taste highlights how personal style plays a role in adapting older buildings for modern use. Shaun Tompkins kept the popcorn ceiling “to pay homage to the original design.”
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Restoring Heritage
Within the heritage-listed Grand Hotel in the Melbourne CBD is Small Grand Apartment – a 50sqm/538sqft conversion by the talented team at Tsai Design. The redesign saw the bedroom and kitchen swap positions, placing the sleeping area in the darkest corner of the floor plan, bringing the kitchen into the open living zone. There, an 8m wrap-around countertop sits seamlessly within the living area, its curve concealing the bathroom entrance behind a hidden door. A timber nook defines the sleeping area, its arched ceiling a nod to the building’s original restored archway. In the living zone, a custom credenza doubles as a TV cabinet and dining seating, while the drop-leaf table can convert between desk and dining, for a flexible space that matches light with purpose.
Postwar Aesthetics
In a 1970s apartment block in the inner-city suburb of Brunswick is Park Street. A 42sqm/452sqft apartment renovated by owner and urban planner Alex Antoniadis — also a lover of postwar architecture. This became the main aesthetic and intention for the renovation, just with an innovative edge. To maximise light and space, the internal wall between the kitchen and living area was removed, while custom birch plywood cabinetry lines the kitchen, including a retractable dining and work table that tucks away entirely when not needed. Locally sourced terrazzo tiles, mosaic details and timber panelling carry the postwar palette throughout, while the original popcorn ceiling keeps the original home Alex loves very much present.
