December 8, 2020
We always think the grass is greener on the other side. Whether it’s about your home design or about which lane of traffic you’re stuck in, there always seems to be the feeling that things could work better. So when it comes to designing your home, let’s have a chat about how to make the grass greener where you are and get a home that works best for you.
Consider the sun
The thing that rises in the east and sets in the west? Yeah, the bright light in the sky can hugely impact your home design simply by changing the orientation of a home. Without the natural light and warmth, your power bill is likely to be through the roof so when you’re looking at designing a new home, consider the sun.
In many Auckland urban environments, the best way to design a house is to maximise the exposure to the sun with the general rule is to have your main living areas facing north. North or north-east facing properties are considered the better design choice as the rooms will be exposed to the most direct sunlight throughout the day, especially in winter when the sun is at its lowest
Space it out
Regardless of how close your family is, everyone always needs a bit of space. So take that into consideration when you’re designing your new home. Think about the long term and what your home will need to accommodate as time goes on. Have a think if kids are in the picture now or might be in the future. They will need their own space, and you will too.
When kids are younger, it might be easier if they are closer to you however, as they get older you are going to want your own privacy. All families and homes will be different to suit different needs, but the future planning and flexibility of our design should be key when it comes to designing your new home.
Storage is key
As with any well lived in house, there’s never enough storage. Whether it’s your closet overflowing or the junk drawer is jammed shut, storage is always something you can use more of. Get clever with your storage design. Will, there be a reading nook that can double as some additional storage, or will there be usable space under the stairs for coats and shoes?
Regardless of the of things you own when you move in, there will always be things that sneak in and all of a sudden you’ll not have enough space for anything. Being clever with storage design and integrating storage solutions into your home design can save you from a few headaches later on down the track.
If you’ve read something here and its sparked something in you to make the most of your home, feel free to get in touch with us via our contact us page or download our design and build guide to see how we can make your next home be the greener side you’ve always dreamed of.