Choosing a House Design: 6 Things to Consider

So, you’ve finally made one big decision to build a new home in Perth. It’s daunting but exciting nonetheless. Building a home from scratch typically means you don’t have to worry about changing your lifestyle, unlike buying an established home.

Different stages of life call for different types of houses. Are you building a new home because of your growing family, or do you wish to move to a nicer neighbourhood? Perhaps you’re tired of paying rent or want to live near your workplace. Whatever your reason and whether you’re buying or building, the house with the right layout and style should be at the top of your priority list.

Why do you ask? Home design is what makes your home comfortable for you and your family. The final layout tells others who and what you are as a person. A beautifully-designed house lifts your images in your social circle. It can go a long way in moving your personal and professional life forward. And believe it or not, the colours you choose can regulate your mood.

Designing your home is often complicated, but we’ll help make your new home-building journey as stress-free as possible. This blog puts together things you may want to consider when choosing a new home design that will meet your requirements.

Choose Your Layout

Building the home of your dreams means it is the perfect fit for your current lifestyle and plans. That’s why the first step is to know what exactly you need. Ask yourself questions, such as:

• Do you plan to have more kids soon? If so, does that mean the house should include a nursery or a playroom?
• Do you want to have a yard? Remember that upkeep is included in your list of responsibilities as a homeowner.
• Do you require a garage or driveway? If so, how big should it be?
• If you bring your work home, does it mean you need a home office?
• Should you have a separate room for any of your hobbies that you may be passionate about?
• What about extra storage space or spare room for visitors?

Having answered the questions above, the next step is to consider the aesthetics. An exciting part of building a home, especially for a first homebuyer, you may want to integrate your style into the mix. However, don’t get too carried away because the more important thing here is to pick a design that gives the most value to your home in the long term.

Design for Outdoor Living

The perfect Western Australian house embraces a fun outdoor lifestyle. The goal is to make the outdoor area an extension of the house. So, you don’t have to change the colour palette and furniture style. But an important aspect to consider when designing your home is the amount of outdoor space you can work with. Will it showcase a big garden or a humble courtyard? What about an area for entertaining guests? Do you have enough space to build a shed or even a pool? Here are some outdoor area designs that may interest you:

• Bring the living room outdoors, where you set up a hammock, fire pit, and comfy chairs and sofas surrounding a centre table. Don’t forget your favourite houseplants.
• Create a poolside paradise if you’re an avid swimmer or simply looking for a way to combat the Perth summers. It doesn’t have to be a massive pool. A pond can easily become the focal point of your outdoor space.
• Entertain your friends in the front yard. Who says that your outdoor living space has to be behind your home? This design is conducive for properties with already-established backyards or those with inadequate space.

You have unlimited choices, including adding an outdoor kitchen or bar in your backyard. Make sure you plan, so you don’t forget about your landscaping; otherwise, you could end up with dead plants or unused furniture.

Know Your Budget

It’s time to get serious. Before you can begin the fun part of designing your house, you need to figure out your budget. Do you know how much your dream home will be? Finance is not just land and building costs. Typically, there are additional expenses that you should budget for. But first, how much can you realistically afford to borrow and spend on building your new home?

This is where a building broker can help you. With all financing options, you can easily get lost in their “terms and conditions.” It would be best if you had a professional who understands everything from construction to buying existing homes, such as zoning and planning approvals. Aspire Building Brokers can save you serious time and money because you have someone with industry experience on your side.

Our mission is to help you make an educated decision by informing you about the smart choices you can make regarding the process of hiring builders, designers, and architects. With the help of our expertise, we can tell you what you can expect about construction timelines and even hidden project costs. Hiring Aspire Building Brokers ensures that you have people with a wealth of knowledge concerning builders and the building costs and process, which often include:

• Driveways and pathways
• Security systems
• Windows and window treatments
• Flooring
• Gates and fences
• Walls and wall painting
• Indoor and outdoor kitchen
• Landscaping and reticulation
• Light fittings and power outlets

There’s indeed a lot to keep track of regarding your budget. That’s why knowing how much you can reasonably afford to borrow is important. On top of that, the prices differ, especially with the property’s location. Suburbs near the coast, as well as up-and-coming areas, may be expensive. However, many are an excellent investment in the long term, especially if you can purchase a house close to Perth’s CBD.

Learning about government grants, including First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), is also worthwhile. If the property you intend to build will be your primary place of residence, you may be qualified for the grant. Check the other requirements here.

Determine How Much Space You Need

To create the most comfortable home possible, you need to think about how much space you need. The average room size depends on the use of that particular room. For example, a living room is generally about 25 square metres, a bedroom is around 14 square metres, and a kitchen is slightly smaller, averaging 13.5m2.

Base the amount of space on the following factors:

• Your family size
• Your preferred layout
• Storage requirements
• Living room space and how many you need
• Extra rooms like game rooms, home offices, and guest rooms
• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Garage size

When you build a new house, you get more control over space since you can add more rooms and even dictate the layout.

Explore Your Options

Always do your research. The goal is to land a cohesive, visually appealing home from the outside and inside. Look for inspiration, browse building websites, and get fundamental insights online. Some things to consider regarding the layout of the house are:

• Kerb Appeal: How does the exterior look? Stunning should be the only answer, especially if you plan to resell the property.
• Interior Design: Don’t fall for the “trendy” stuff. Something that’s in today may not be appealing down the track. Choose fixtures and furnishings that you know you’ll stick with in the future.
• Floor Plan: Have the floor plan drawn up, so you see how it fits on the block. Are the windows positioned to bring in natural light? Decide on the window placement and whether it affects your privacy. Also, find out if you have enough room for a backyard or alfresco area.

Take full advantage of the natural attributes of the property. Think about its orientation when choosing a house layout.

Check out our home designs or speak to us. Whatever your needs and preferences may be, you’re sure to find the floor plan that best suits your lifestyle.

List Your Must-Haves

Here’s a pro tip: Write down your must-haves and nice-to-haves. This list will be the basis of your research as you develop a picture of things you need in your home design. Here are some examples:

• Ensuite: If you’re about improving your quality of life, an ensuite bathroom can be a part of your custom home design.
• Double Kitchen Islands: Not a must-have but certainly nice to have, double kitchen islands are the latest trend in kitchen design, especially for open concept floor plans. You can have stacked or side-by-side islands where one serves as a workstation whilst the other is for family meals.
• Butler’s Pantry or Scullery: Speaking of extra space for prepping meals, a scullery is a good addition to your home design. It’s a good space for your dishwasher, washing dishes, or storage for dry goods and wine cooler. An alternative is a serving or butler’s pantry, which was the norm in lavish households in the 18th century. This transitional space between dining rooms and kitchens has evolved through the years and remains a smart area for prepping and storage.
• Office or Study: Take your work into a nice, quiet, and comfy room. Ensure the space receives plenty of natural light and perhaps a light or bright paint colour to make it feel more inviting.
• Privacy: Your home should be free from public scrutiny and attention. Confidentiality is key to self-expression and making personal decisions without other people’s interference. You can install shutters, a fence around the yard, switch to block out curtains, or even have your windows tinted if you are too close to your neighbours.
• Storage: Enjoy a happy, healthy, and organised space with adequate storage around the house. We’re not just talking about closets in the bedroom but also bathrooms, garages, pantry, rear foyer, and laundry.

There’s no doubt that selecting a home design is overwhelming. You can drive around Perth and view display homes, but we have the solution to help you save time. Get in touch with Aspire Building Brokers to see our wide range of house plans and designs available in WA today!