7 Design Mistakes That Make Small Accommodation Units Harder to Live In

What makes a small accommodation unit difficult to live in?

Usually, it’s not the size alone.

The real problems come from layouts that haven’t properly considered movement, storage, privacy, noise, light, temperature and the way people actually live.

That matters with workforce accommodation. Workers may live in these units for weeks or months – not just stay overnight. They’ll sleep there, get ready for work, store their belongings, prepare food and recover between shifts.

Safe Work Australia says worker accommodation should allow for restful sleep and recovery. Small accommodation units can work very well. But there’s less room for error.

That’s why experienced farm managers, project managers and accommodation managers generally don’t try to design every detail themselves. They find a specialist manufacturer, look at proven accommodation designs and work through the options with people who understand compact living.

Here are seven common mistakes to watch for.

1. Designing around bed numbers, not the people using them

The first question is often: how many workers can we fit in each unit?

It’s an important question. But it shouldn’t be the only one.

The design also needs to consider:

• How long workers will stay.
• Whether they’re working different shifts.
• What gear and clothing they’ll bring.
• Where they’ll eat.
• How they’ll spend their downtime.
• How much privacy they’ll need.

A unit that’s fine for one or two nights may become frustrating after several weeks.

Start with the people. Who’ll live there? What will their routine look like? What will they bring with them?

A good accommodation manufacturer should ask these questions before recommending a layout. Aruva’s guide to zone-based accommodation design explains why choosing a unit isn’t simply about counting bedrooms.

That’s particularly important when planning modular accommodation on a farm or worker housing in regional and remote areas, where the routines, site and climate can vary widely.

2. Trying to fit too much into the space

More isn’t always better.

Another bed. A bigger bathroom. More appliances. Extra cabinetry.

Each addition may sound useful on its own. Put them all together and the unit can quickly become crowded.

You may end up with:

• Narrow walkways.
• Doors that clash.
• Furniture that’s hard to use.
• Storage that can’t be accessed properly.
• No clear space to sit or relax.

The goal shouldn’t be to fit the maximum number of features into the minimum floor area.

The goal should be to make the available space work properly.

Sometimes that means making a clear choice between competing priorities. A specialist supplier should be able to explain those trade-offs and show why one layout will work better than another.

This is one of the advantages of starting with a design that’s already been developed, built and reviewed. You’re not beginning with a blank page. You’re working from something that’s already had many of the problems resolved.

3. Forgetting how people move through the unit

A floor plan can look good on paper and still feel awkward in real life.

People don’t use buildings as flat drawings.

They walk in carrying bags. They open cupboards. They pull out chairs. They move around other people. They get dressed. They use the bathroom. They prepare food.

That’s where poor layouts start to show.

For example:

• A bathroom door opens into a wardrobe door.
• A chair blocks the main walkway.
• Someone has to walk through another person’s sleeping space.
• A bed blocks a window or cupboard.
• The front door opens straight into the only living area.

The Australian Government’s YourHome guidance highlights the importance of functional furniture layouts, good circulation, privacy, daylight, ventilation and storage.

You don’t need to calculate every measurement yourself.

Experienced accommodation managers will usually ask to see a fully furnished plan and talk through how the space works when it’s being used.

That’s the smarter approach. Test the layout before you commit.

4. Treating storage as an extra

Storage often looks like something that can be reduced later.

In practice, it has a major impact on how the unit feels.

Someone staying for several weeks may need space for:

• Everyday clothing.
• Workwear and boots.
• Bags and luggage.
• Laundry.
• Food and cooking supplies.
• Personal belongings.
• Cleaning products.
• Tools or work-related equipment.

Without enough practical storage, these items end up on beds, chairs, benchtops and floors.

The unit feels cluttered. Walkways get blocked. The available space becomes harder to use.

It’s also not enough to count the cupboards shown on the plan.

Where are they located? Are they deep enough? Can they still be opened when someone’s sitting nearby? Is there somewhere for bulky or dirty items?

Suppliers who’ve built accommodation for longer stays should already understand these issues. They’ll know that storage needs to work after the unit’s occupied – not just look neat in a brochure.

5. Not providing enough privacy

Privacy matters in a single-person unit.

It matters even more when two or more people are sharing.

You don’t necessarily need lots of walls. But you do need thoughtful separation.

Privacy can be affected by:

• Bed positions.
• Bathroom locations.
• Window placement.
• Entry doors.
• Shared living spaces.
• Noise from adjoining rooms.
• Noise from nearby units or communal areas.

Problems often arise when one occupant needs to walk through another person’s space, or when one person’s lighting, television or routine affects everyone else.

Shift work makes this even more important. One worker may be leaving while another is trying to sleep.

Good design should reduce those conflicts where possible. It should also consider sightlines, noise and how exposed someone feels when the door or curtains are open.

The NSW Apartment Design Guide discusses acoustic privacy, room placement and separation from noisy areas. The building type may be different, but the underlying principles still apply.

These issues aren’t always obvious from the total floor area. They’re the details an experienced accommodation designer should be able to explain.

6. Thinking comfort is just about adding air-conditioning

Comfort isn’t a checklist of appliances.

A unit can have air-conditioning, an exhaust fan and a window and still be uncomfortable.

For example:

• The air-conditioner blows directly onto the bed.
• The afternoon sun heats the room.
• Cooking smells remain in the sleeping area.
• External lights shine through the windows.
• The bathroom stays damp.
• Nearby plant or equipment creates constant noise.

Every expected feature may be included. They just haven’t been designed to work together.

Comfort depends on several factors:

• Airflow.
• Insulation.
• Window position.
• Shading.
• Heating and cooling.
• Moisture control.
• Noise.
• Light control.

YourHome’s guidance on passive cooling and designing for climate explains how orientation, windows, shading, ventilation and insulation work together to influence comfort.

The location matters too.

A design that works well in one climate or on one site may need changes somewhere else.

That’s another reason to involve the manufacturer early. They should be asking about the site, climate, orientation and how the units will be used – not simply offering the same answer to every customer.

7. Choosing a supplier based only on price and appearance

Price matters.

So does appearance.

But neither tells you whether the unit will be comfortable to live in.

A polished render can make almost any small unit look spacious. A low price can also hide compromises that won’t become obvious until workers move in.

Before selecting a supplier, ask:

• Who was the design developed for?
• Has it been used for similar workforce accommodation?
• How does the layout support everyday routines?
• How have storage and privacy been handled?
• What changes can be made?
• Which changes would weaken the design?
• How does the layout change for different numbers of occupants?
• How will the design respond to the site and local climate?

Listen carefully to the answers.

A good manufacturer won’t simply say yes to every request.

They’ll explain why the design works. They’ll point out potential problems. They’ll recommend a better option when a requested change creates another issue.

They should also be able to explain the broader modular accommodation process, including how design decisions connect with manufacturing, transport, site preparation and installation.

That’s valuable experience.

It’s also why smart accommodation managers look beyond the drawing itself. They assess whether the supplier has worked through the design, manufacturing, delivery and installation process on real projects.

Where practical, they’ll also visit the modular accommodation factory to see how the units are built and how the team handles quality before the building reaches site.

You don’t need to become a design expert

The goal isn’t to learn every rule of accommodation design.

It’s to find someone who already understands them.

The farm managers, project managers and accommodation managers who handle these projects well aren’t spending weeks trying to become amateur designers.

They’re going directly to specialist manufacturers.

They’re reviewing proven designs.

They’re asking practical questions.

They’re working with suppliers who’ve built units, seen how people use them and refined the design over time.

That’s the safer and more efficient approach.

Start with the people who’ll use the accommodation. Find a manufacturer with relevant experience. Review the design carefully. Then work together to adapt it to the project without losing the thinking that made it work in the first place.

Small accommodation can be comfortable, practical and easy to live in.

It just needs more design thought – not less.

Frequently asked questions

What makes worker accommodation comfortable?

Comfortable worker accommodation provides enough room to move, sleep, store belongings and complete everyday tasks without the space feeling crowded. Privacy, noise, lighting, airflow and temperature also matter.

How big should a worker accommodation unit be?

There isn’t one ideal size. The right footprint depends on how many people will use the unit, how long they’ll stay and which facilities are included. A smaller, well-designed unit can work better than a larger unit with a poor layout.

What should I ask a modular accommodation supplier?

Ask who the design was developed for, whether it’s been used on similar projects, how privacy and storage have been addressed, and which changes can be made without compromising the layout. You should also ask how the design will affect transport, site works and installation.

Should we use a standard design or create a custom one?

A proven standard design is often the best starting point. It’s already been worked through and refined. From there, the supplier can recommend changes needed for the occupants, site, climate and operating requirements. You can also compare site-built and modular accommodation before deciding which delivery model suits the project.

Why should the manufacturer be involved early?

Early involvement allows the manufacturer to identify layout, construction, transport and site issues before the design is locked in. It’s usually easier to solve these problems during planning than after the units have been built.

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