BuildHome NSW & Qld Issue #26.4

While buying shoes that are the height of fashion might well be a worthwhile indulgence, making decisions about the look and function of your home on transitory fads is not. That doesn’t mean, however, that trends in home building are to be ignored because they often reveal some very important innovations and leaps in thinking about how spaces can be best used and homes made more comfortable and easy to live in. We look at some of the trends that are continuing to hold sway and those that have really taken off in the last year. Small lots are now commonplace around Australia but when it comes to the house you build on them, well, small can be beautiful. Lots of limited size, which includes narrow building sites, can be found…

Media rooms, butler’s pantries, spa-like master ensuites, multiple living spaces and home offices … these are all trends that are either holding their own or gaining momentum. The same applies to sustainability, green outdoor spaces and multigenerational living with many of these trends growing at an accelerated rate due to COVID-19. “The strongest new trends at the moment are all in response to the pandemic,” says Sandra Setian, Interior Designer Display Homes, MOJO Homes. “People are looking to nature and our environment as a refuge and source of comfort during uncertain times — this means spending more time out in our gardens. Sustainability is also very important to people. As supplies of new items are disrupted due to freight issues, people are looking to locally made and sustainable options. “The return to…

Lots of limited size can present both challenges and opportunities. Whether it’s a narrow site for a knockdown-rebuild project in an urban area or a small block in a popular new suburb, you can make the most of the space you have and build a family home that meets all your needs. Of course for some, building on a smaller site is not a matter of having to work with what’s available just so you can live in your favoured location. For some, a big home with a big garden simply equates to more maintenance and more money, so going smaller is a matter of preference. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION “The number one rule of home ownership is location, location location,” says Sally McLachlan of Queensland-based McLachlan Homes. “With the increase in demand…

It is often difficult to know just where to start when building a new home. There are so many options out there in terms of design and layout it can be hard to visualise what will work best for your family. Display homes help you see the options in real life and get a good feel for what you like and what is possible. The creation of display villages has made viewing a broad selection of homes incredibly easy. Not only that, most project home builders now allow for a wide range of customisation so once you have chosen the design you really like, you can select the floor plan and inclusions that will best suit your individual needs and lifestyle.…

For families who want a home that is both a sanctuary and a place for laid-back entertaining, the single-storey Haven 28 is ideal. “The design brief was to create a welcoming family home that would make entertaining, indoors and out, easy,” says Nicholas Boliantis, Senior Architect and Designer, Clarendon Homes. Offering a relaxed lifestyle and flexible, open-plan living, the Haven more than delivers. This includes multiple areas for rest and recreation along with well-proportioned outdoor zones that beckon you outside and make you feel connected to nature. “All living areas enjoy garden views and lead out to the large corner alfresco zone, creating a seamless link to the outside and inviting natural light into the home’s interior,” says Nicholas. “Add to this the generous meals and rumpus spaces which are built for…

When you’re looking for space, space and more space, the luxurious Enigma 46 from MOJO Homes is for you. “There’s just so much to love here,” says Sandra Setian, Interior Designer Display Homes, MOJO Homes. “You’ll be drawn up the light-filled stairway to the first floor where you’ll find five spacious bedrooms, including a well-appointed master suite, along with a very generous children’s activity area and large family bathroom. “And there’s simply oodles of space downstairs,” continues Sandra. “There is an enormous family living area that flows seamlessly to an outdoor living space, a home theatre and a separate study giving you plenty of flexibility.” This is a home that creates perfect zones for sleep, work and play. The ground floor also features a home office, laundry, large walk-in pantry and kitchen,…