Of course, the main things that occupy your mind when planning to build a family home is the budget, contractors and time. However, while these points are certainly at the top of the importance list, they are not your only concern. If you want to have a functional, comfortable and durable family home, here are some other things to consider before you start building.
Pay attention to your layout
This is probably the most important thing to consider once you know which areas and zones you want to have in your home. Your layout will directly affect the look and feel of your home and set the atmosphere. There are two main options when it comes to layout: compartmentalized with separate rooms divided by walls (perfect for privacy) and open floor plan with uninterrupted flow through space (perfect for entertaining and socializing). Even though both have pros and cons, the latter is gaining more and more popularity, especially in first-world countries like Australia. That’s why builders in Melbourne often include open floor plans into their designs and create airy, light and pleasant homes. However, an experienced builder can also create a hybrid blend of these two layouts and adjust everything to your exact needs.
Plan for clutter
A family home can quickly turn into a huge mess. So, you definitely need to plan with clutter in mind and add plenty of storage to every zone in your home. If you’re worried about the budget now, plan ahead and anticipate where you could create additional storage in the future. One great thing you can do is raise the ceiling. This move will give you more vertical storage space and create a spacious and airy vibe in your home.
Add a mudroom
As your kids grow and as your family changes, you will need more space for sports gear, school bags, umbrellas, coats and shoes. So if you love minimalism and can’t stand to see these items scattered around your main entrance, incorporate a mudroom into your design. Introduce a big closet and a few hangers into your mudroom and you’ll always have a clutter-free space.
Consider your lifestyle
If you rush into the building process without considering this thoroughly, you can end up with a perfect house, but a house that’s perfect for some other family. So, make sure to think about the way you live your life—do you love to entertain? Do you often have overnight guests? Are you sporty and competitive and need a trophy room? Do you love to create and enjoy art and need a studio? All of these points should affect the way your house looks at the end.
Kids’ rooms need some careful planning
Your kids’ rooms need to be flexible, versatile and multi-functional. Kids grow and change, and with that, their needs and wishes also change. Young kids will benefit from a visually stimulating space that encourages play and creativity. However, older kids need a quiet study zone with plenty of privacy and freedom. So make sure to create spaces that can transform and grow with your children.
Don’t neglect your backyard
No matter how awesome your home turns out, you will want to escape it from time to time. So, make sure to pay plenty of attention to your outdoor spaces. If you have babies and toddlers, know that they will grow up and ask for slides, trampolines and cubby houses, so plan with these items in mind. If you wish to teach your kids about responsibility and botany, designate a zone for a mini edible garden. Also, when installing garden paths, make sure they are wide enough so your kid can ride a bike in the backyard.
Think of the future
When building a family house, it’s important to think about all the happy changes your family will go through. So, it’s important to build a house that can be modified and adjusted. For instance, see if you will be able to remove closets to free space for a second bathroom or build some walls to ensure more privacy. No matter how well you plan, family home is never completely finished—that’s the best part of it!
Building a family home is a wonderful adventure full of excitement. Make sure to plan carefully, think about your future and opt for a flexible space, but don’t forget to savour the experience and have fun!
