Compact Living Design

Clever, Personalised Interiors for Small Spaces

What is Compact Living?

Compact Living is a lifestyle centered around making the most of a home with a limited footprint. It often involves intentionally reducing possessions and focusing on functionality and efficiency rather than excess square metreage. This approach values quality over quantity. It’s about finding balance — between function and aesthetics, storage and space, comfort and flexibility. Whether you’re in an apartment, a small townhouse, or a rental flat, compact living design is about maximising what you have and enhancing your everyday life.

Live Large in Small Spaces

Compact living isn’t about sacrifice — it’s about intentional living. Whether you own your home or rent it, a well-designed space can improve how you feel, function, and thrive every day. I specialise in creating personalised, space-savvy designs that turn tight quarters into calm, joyful, and beautiful places to live. Small doesnt meant less - it means smarter. Let’s make every square metre work for you.

Why I’m Passionate About Compact Living

I don’t just design compact spaces — I’ve lived in them.
As both a homeowner and renter in small spaces, I’ve experienced the daily frustrations of awkward layouts, lack of storage, and furniture that just doesn’t fit. That’s why I’m passionate about helping others reimagine their homes — not as limitations, but as opportunities. Whether your compact home came about by choice or circumstance, I believe it still deserves thoughtful design. With the right approach, even the smallest home can feel calm, spacious, and uniquely yours.

How I Can Help You

Whether you’re living in your first home, downsizing or making a lifestyle choice, my goal is simple: to help you create a home that brings calm and joy. I take the time to understand your lifestyle, priorities, and habits so I can offer tailored design solutions that actually fit your life.

Depending on your needs, I can support you with:

Reviewing and optimising floor plans
Recommending clever, stylish storage solutions
Sourcing or designing compact, multi-functional furniture
Styling tips to bring warmth and personality into your space
Helping you navigate your project — big or small — with clarity and confidence

I work in a friendly, approachable, and professional way — always with your comfort and budget in mind.

But I Rent — Why Hire an Interior Designer?

Great question — and one I hear often.

Just because you rent doesn’t mean you can’t create a home that feels uniquely yours. I’m a firm believer that renters deserve beautiful, functional spaces too — and many of the design solutions I offer are non-permanent and portable, meaning you can take them with you when you move.

Whether you’re after better storage, want to personalise your space, or simply want it to feel more like home, I can help. Let’s have a chat about your goals and I’ll be honest about whether I’m the right fit for your project.

Interior Design Service Packages

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Interior Design Starter Package - $580*

For those who need a bit of guidance to pull your vision together to help you on your way!

— Initial consultation - 30min phone or Zoom call

— Floor plan for a single room

— Look & feel imagery

* Additional scope, changes or meetings are charged at our casual consult rate of $180/hr.

Compact Living Interior Design Packages

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At MH-YL Studio, we are particularly passionate about small space living and believe that thoughtfully considered spaces provide environments where our clients will feel a sense of calm and serenity. Through the ethos of living with less, in return we can live more intentionally by making conscious lifestyle choices. Whether you’re living in your first home, downsizing or making a lifestyle choice we can help you to maximise your home.

One Bedroom Dwelling – Up to 60sqm - $5800*

— Floor plan

— Elevations

— Mood board

— Materials & finishes selections

— Allow 2 x revisions

— 2 x meetings

Two Bedroom Dwelling – Up to 75sqm - $6800*