Making a small home feel bigger comes down to smart architectural design that maximises every square metre while creating the illusion of openness. At BAAHOUSE, we specialise in small house designs, granny flats, and secondary dwellings that feel far larger than their footprint—without compromising on comfort, functionality, or style.

Clever Small Home Design Solutions

Our architectural designs for small to medium homes achieve this through the following methods:

High raked ceilings
High raked ceilings add vertical height, interest, and volume. By orienting ceiling lines to capture natural light, our homes feel brighter, airier, and more expansive.

High raked ceilings providing vertical height and interest.

2. Seamless Indoor–Outdoor Connections

BAAHOUSE designs connect the interior spaces to the deck and surrounding nature — perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and making smaller floorplans feel much larger. Perfect for enjoying the Southeast Queensland (Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay) coastal and hinterland lifestyle.

With the use of fibreglass we create a translucent ambient feel to these homes at night.

3. Open -Plan Living Layouts

We eliminate unnecessary walls between the kitchen, living, and dining areas to create fluid, open-plan designs. These layouts maximise usable space and flexibility, with multipurpose rooms that adapt to changing needs—such as a study, guest bedroom, or home office.

Image showing open plan living for smaller homes. The use of inbuilt cabinetry for storage, ornaments and clever sliding barn doors to close off areas when not being used.

4. Inbuilt cabinetry design, vertical storage, sliding cavity or barn style doors

Clever storage solutions are essential for small house living. BAAHOUSE maximise wall space by incorporating built in cabinetry into the design allowing for more storage and reducing clutter. By extending the ceiling heights we can increase shelving and storage solutions vertically. Rather than wasted hallway spaces, our designs use these spaces for storage or home office spaces.

Replacing hinged doors with sliding cavity or barn-style doors saves space, improves functionality, and provides privacy without requiring wide hallways.

Our Drysdale design - 1-bedroom 35sqm with robe and small study area.

5. Natural Light & Colour Palette

Light-filled interiors are achieved with expansive bi-fold or sliding doors, louvre windows, and fixed glazing to maximise airflow and daylight. Paired with lighter flooring, walls, ceilings, and tiles, these selections enhance a feeling of openness and spaciousness.

6. Smart Lighting Design

As part of our deluxe architectural plans, BAAHOUSE provides detailed electrical and lighting layouts. Modern, minimalist lighting options—such as recessed downlights, track lighting, and LED strips—ensure interiors remain uncluttered and sophisticated.

Why Choose BAAHOUSE for Small Homes & Granny Flats?

Whether you’re after a small home or second dwelling, BAAHOUSE designs spaces that feel expansive, functional, and cleverly planned—without ever compromising on luxury or style. Contact BAAHOUSE today to explore our small home and granny flat designs in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast or Sydney and surrounds.