Have you been to a multitude of display homes, and whilst each home has something different that you like, no one home is ticking all your boxes? Do you feel that you’d like to combine the best of what you have seen and design a home that better suits your lifestyle and needs?
A custom designed home (or a modification of an existing plan) might be the answer you’re looking for.
Matching your Home Design to your Lifestyle
Deciding to build (and design) a new home can be a daunting task. With so many options, features, styles, fixtures, fittings and finishes available – it can be difficult to know where to start.
The best starting point is a simple list of what you want and need from your new home.
Chat to other members of the family to see what they really want. Does your budget run to having a man cave? Do the kids need a quiet space for study? Is your family an active one that needs plenty of room for storage of sports equipment? Do you need a games room?
This is not to say you can achieve everything you desire, within your budget – but at least you have a list to start and prioritise from.
Look at Floor Plans not Details
As we all know, the internet can provide an immense amount of inspiration… and confusion!
When looking at homes for inspiration or photos and videos of what your building contractor has already built make sure you don’t focus on the taps or the light fitting or stone bench tops – those are details that come later. Instead look at the floor area – is it open plan allowing for various activities or it is closed with specialised room separated from each other.
Decide whether you want an ‘on show’ kitchen viewable from the lounge and dining areas that you must keep immaculate or whether you can incorporate a hidden butlers pantry to dump those dishes until you are ready to do them or load the dishwasher.
Rather focus on space and livability than details. Try to visualise how you and your family will live and interact in the home on a day to day basis.
Aim for Convenience and Functionality to Suit your Lifestyle
Try to incorporate convenience and features that suit your lifestyle. It may be an external shower to wash off sand from your regular weekends at the beach. It might be specific storage for bikes or other exercise equipment due to your healthy and active lifestyle.
It may even be the location of bedrooms relative to each other, or living areas should you have a growing family and need a combination of quiet space for a baby, and entertainment space for growing children.
Don’t Just Focus on the Inside
The Gold Coast climate and lifestyle is as much about outdoor living as indoor living – especially in those warmer, holiday months.
Think about how you want the spaces in your home to interact and connect with your outdoor areas, be they entertaining areas, a pool or tropical garden and lawn for the children. For example – do you want to be able to see the children playing outside from the kitchen?
If you are planning on a large outdoor entertaining space, can you save space on the internal dining room?
Energy Efficiency
Going green is also often on the list as we try to reduce our carbon footprint and increase our environmental responsibility. Try to incorporate water saving devices and energy efficient technology into the home design – these will enable savings on utilities giving you more to spend on the lifestyle extras you want.
Discussing your preferences and needs upfront– even if it is on a limited budget.
The Spectrum Homes Difference
Spectrum Homes is an Award Winning, locally owned and operated home building company in South East Queensland. We pride ourselves on having some of the most experienced staff, best trades and most innovative designs.
At Spectrum Homes we firmly believe that your lifestyle is unique and so should be your home. It doesn’t cost more to build a customised new home. You don’t have to settle for a ‘rubber-stamped’ home and you have the freedom to make changes to our standard designs, or bring your own.