How to Choose the Perfect Home Design
Having to choose the perfect design for your home can be a fun, yet overwhelming experience.
With so many different builders and floor plans out there, it is important to ask yourself a few simple questions before decision-time arrives. Below are tips from our design team which can help you work out the most important features you need to choose the perfect design.
Timeframe
It is important to consider how long you plan to live in the home. If your plan is short-term, you’ll learn very quickly what works well, what features you like, and what you want to change for your next home. If it is long-term, you will need to think about how your lifestyle may change over the coming years.
Single or double storey
If you already have land, you will need to consider what type of home is going to best suit it. With lot sizes generally decreasing, a double storey home is a great way to get extra space for your backyard, as well as in your home. However, single storey homes are more age-friendly and energy costs can be significantly cheaper. Think about what kind of home is going to best suit your current and future lifestyle.
Children
The age and number of children will determine many factors. In addition to the number of bedrooms, parents of young children might want a rumpus room for the kids to play in, while teenage children might require a quiet space away from living areas to study. A home that has zoned the kid’s area in a separate wing is a great way to close the doors, dull the noise and hide any mess.
Location of bedrooms
Your bedroom is your sanctuary. You will need to consider whether you prefer it at the front of the home or the rear, and how close you want it located to the other bedrooms. You should always consider the proximity of bedrooms to the bathroom, laundry and living room noise as well.
Versatile Design
A versatile home is one that will adapt as you need it to. A rumpus room can be turned into a study as kids get older. Second living spaces can be converted into bedrooms for elderly parents. Be mindful of how your chosen design can adapt with you.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle will influence what features you have in your home. If you are an avid movie fan, you might consider a home theatre. If you love entertaining, an alfresco or formal lounge could be ideal. If you run a business from home, a home office located near the entry would be perfect.
Kitchen
Always consider the kitchen work triangle when looking at your design. The kitchen work triangle is made up of the distance between the most used items in the kitchen – your cooktop, sink and refrigerator. These three elements need to be close together for convenience, but not too close it becomes cramped. You will also need to decide where you will store everything. A good way to work out the best location for your pots, pans, plates and cutlery is to imagine serving dinner, unloading the dishwasher and baking a cake.
Block of Land
Your design must be suited to the block of land. If you have a narrow inner city allotment, your options are more restricted compared to a rural acreage block. In addition, if the land has a slope, you may need a split level design. Every land estate has different design requirements, so be sure to check your contract thoroughly.
Backyard
What you would like to achieve with a backyard will impact the size of the block of land you need and the size of the home. Keen gardeners, entertainers or people with pets may want a larger backyard than those who don’t spend much time outdoors.
Think About the Furniture You Currently Own
Many people like the look of a home, however when it comes to moving they realise there isn’t a place for their current furniture. Quite often new home buyers may find their couch that fit perfectly in their old home does not suit the configuration of their new one. If you have a piece of furniture you cannot let go of, make sure it fits!
Storage
Builders and designers are very savvy when it comes to incorporating storage into your home. There is no wasted space with every nook and cranny being used wisely. If you need more space room though, consider extending the garage to allow extra room for storing bicycles or a boat. You also may want to add extra storage inside your home for toys, linen or coats.
Study/Computer Nook
If you don’t want a complete study but you still want somewhere to store your computer or charge your laptop, a study nook is a great compromise. It is an efficient use of space and provides the perfect place to store all of your electronic devices, without giving up an entire room.
Room Usage
While a third living area or home theatre may look amazing on the plan, practical applications need to be considered. If you are not going to be using a particular room it is wasted space. Utilise it for some other means or omit it completely and extend other, more practical rooms.
Don’t Lose Sight of the Goal
Keep referring back to why you’re moving in the first place. If your reason for moving was to downsize, make sure you don’t get caught up in the design process and end up with a bigger home than you started with. Similarly, if it’s an investment, consider the versatility of the home to suit a wide audience.
For more on how to choose the perfect design, visit the Hotondo Homes website.
