Vogue Living - 25 of Australia’s best small houses, apartments and units

FEATURED: 2020 HOUSES AWARDS SELECTION - ENTRY GLEBE STUDIO, A PROJECT IN COLLABORATION BY STUDIO203 WITH PROEPPER ARCHITECTS

Living in a smaller space can sometimes be challenging for those who have big design dreams… your ideal couch is slightly too big and there’s not really enough room for that outdoor entertaining patio. But, as anyone who’s lived in an apartment or unit will attest, there’s also plenty to love about smaller homes. They’re intimate and cozy, and allow a packed punch of personality to take hold as soon as guests step in the door. Plus, they don’t take as long to clean and are generally more affordable. Both definite wins. 

With that in mind, we looked to the 2020 House Awards for a little inspiration for our own small spaces. Two of the awards’ categories cater to smaller spaces, including the Apartment or Unit section and the New Residence under 200-square-metres section, both of which are packed with condensed living inspiration. From one bedroom apartments in the heart of the city to sustainable small builds in regional Australia, the shortlists encompass an interior style to suit everyone, and prove there’s merit in downsizing. 

While some small homes might seem large to others (any type of garden is a luxury in the city!), each of these projects has been made with space in mind. That means clever storage and innovative architecture. The Lawler Residence by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design in Sydney’s Potts Point is a lesson in creative thinking, with a custom timber bookshelf unit which doubles as a room divider, instantly bringing character (and space) into a modest-sized apartment. 

Likewise, a number of the newer, freestanding house builds utilise glass and light in ways that enlarge rooms and bring the outside in. Internal courtyards also prove a trend for those without any room to spare. Heralding sunlight and fresh air as well as an outdoor space to relax in, an internal courtyard won’t take up too much space and forgoes the need for a huge garden — often a big space suck on moderate blocks of land. 

Scroll on for every shortlisted project in both categories, and get inspired for your own home.