Colin Chee, founder of digital publication Never Too Small, is setting a new standard for small-space living. With over 2.8 million followers on YouTube and 242k on Instagram, he shares how he maximizes every inch of his 40 sqm Melbourne studio—proving that style and function can thrive in any space.
From using multifunctional furniture that seamlessly transitions from day to night, to incorporating personal collections that add character without clutter, Colin’s space is proof that a well-designed studio can feel like a home without compromise.
Plus, he’s got all the best Melbourne brunch tips for when you’re ready to step out!
Colin, tell us in 10 words or less how and why you live small?
Affordability and accessibility to all the wonderful things the city has to offer.
What are some of the biggest challenges in finding
pieces for your home?
Finding the right pieces for my 40 sqm studio apartment is often a challenge. Both my partner and I are quite tall—we’re both 6’1”—so it’s important for us to prioritise comfort and proportion. I want to avoid the assumption that just because it’s a small space, I need to downsize my furniture. Instead, I focus on finding pieces that are appropriately sized and comfortable without overwhelming the space.
There are several tricks for choosing the right furniture that prevent the apartment from looking cluttered. For instance, opting for furniture with slender legs can create an illusion of more space, making the room feel airier. We also use multifunctional furniture, like the Slideaway Sofa Bed that can be set to “sofa mode” when we have friends over or kept in “daybed mode” when we’re lounging at home. Additionally, we have a dining table that can expand to accommodate up to eight people for dinner parties, and side tables that can double as benches for extra seating.
These thoughtful choices help our small apartment feel spacious, functional, and comfortable without compromising on style or utility.
Are you a culler, curator or hoarder at heart?
I am definitely in a limbo state between curator and hoarder. People often assume that I am a minimalist just because I live in a very small home, but in reality, I collect many beautiful and meaningful things. From the refined candle holder I got in Copenhagen to my mum's old tiffin, each item has its own story. I don’t follow a particular style for my apartment, but I try to maintain a neutral and DIY feel for my and furniture, so whatever I bring in doesn’t clash with any specific interior style. I love second-hand furniture and items, and I am especially passionate about lighting. No downlights in my apartment!
What is your favourite slideaway sofa bed mode
of operation? Sit, slide or snooze? And why?
Slide! Because the daybed mode covers both sitting and lounging. I love to lounge on the sofa a lot, whether I’m watching YouTube or reading recipe books, and my partner Mark plays his Xbox every night. Before this, we used to have a footstool, and we both would fight over it. But ever since we got the slideaway sofa bed, we can both have our feet up—he can play his Xbox on the TV, and I can watch YouTube on my mobile, and we can lounge together comfortably.
In your opinion, who do the best multifunction products for inner-city dwellings? (You don’t have to say EVA, but you can).
I’m not posh nor rich, so I often start with second-hand options, either
from Facebook Marketplace or second-hand shops around Melbourne.
If I can’t find what I need, I’ll try other places, so my home has products from
both established companies and designers that still exist, as well as items made
by unknown creators from second-hand shops.
Sometimes, 'multifunctional' doesn’t just mean that a design can be folded or transformed. I often rethink how we could use a piece of furniture. For example,
my partner and I use seating stools as our dinner table when we eat from the sofa and watch TV. We also use two Ikea side tables left in this apartment by the previous owner as plant stands by turning them sideways. Sometimes, multifunctional doesn’t have to be complicated—just like when you get a pretty jug, you can use it for drinking or as a vase.
What is the best coffee/breaky/noodle spot
in Melbourne City?
I assume you mean for breakfast. I am still very Malaysian at heart when it comes to food. I enjoy my heavy, oily, flavourful Hokkien prawn noodles—the lovely spicy flavour in the prawn and pork broth is to die for! It's from Lulu’s Char Koay Teow in Hardware Lane, which is just opposite my apartment. It opens at 11 a.m., though, so it's more of a brunch spot.
Name your three favourite places to take out-of-towners?
- Shandong Mama dumplings and their signature Northern Chinese Pan-Fried Fish Dumplings (highly recommended—owned by my lovely godmother and best friend, thank you very much) are a must-try.
- Warkop Melbourne, an Indonesian-influenced sandwich bar, serves a sambal-spiked Filet-o-Fish that’s my go-to.
- For coffee, Maker Coffee, also in Hardware Lane, is where I go with my dog, Shiro. I get a croissant to share with him; it’s kind of like our Saturday ritual—a walk, a coffee, and a croissant to share.
If you had a fire in your block, what is the one thing you couldn't leave home without?
Don’t laugh at me, but my partner and I have our little cuddlies—a pillow we named Takimmi and our soft toy pig named George.
From space-saving tricks to his favourite local spots, Colin's approach to small space living is all about making thoughtful choices that reflect both his personal style and practical needs. By prioritizing comfort, creativity, and functionality, he's mastered the art of living big in a small space.
