Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better when it comes to a custom home build project. A house that’s too large leads to steeper material and construction costs, tedious maintenance, a longer project timeline, lower energy efficiency, and inefficient spaces.
On the other hand, a custom home build that’s too small limits living space and mobility, limits layout alternatives, minimises future remodelling possibilities, increases storage challenges, and offers less privacy.
For these reasons, the sizes of Brisbane custom built homes must align with the unique lifestyle preferences and requirements of their inhabitants. If you’re building a new custom home but don’t know where to start, we can guide you through this exciting journey.
As a trusted provider of premium Gold Coast knock down rebuilds since 1996, our experience and expertise have helped numerous Australian homeowners see their dream custom homes come to life. This blog will explore how big your custom-built home needs to be, empowering you to take charge of your living space and enjoy a high quality of life with confidence.
Consider the Needs of the Occupants
The perfect starting point for the size of your custom home is the size of your family. How many family members and pets will occupy your new home?
Several unique situations worth considering include the following:
- Newlywed couples: We encourage newlyweds to think long-term and consider how many children they want in the future. Ensure that your preference aligns with your long-term budget and lifestyle accommodations. Consult your family, financial advisor, and a reputable builder to receive balanced insights and make an informed decision.
- Established families: Your custom home build may coincide with a growing and thriving family. Whether you have two, three, four children, or more, upsizing is critical to many Australian families. Consider your children’s life stages and their unique requirements when building your new home.
- Empty nesters: You may be considering a custom home build when your adult sons or daughters have left your home, and building additional rooms isn’t an option anymore. Hence, downsizing can be a reasonable alternative for empty nesters who prefer less maintenance, lower monthly utility bills, and more privacy.
- Tenant considerations: Homeowners who prefer including tenant space for additional passive income must consider the residents’ requirements, including spacious bathrooms, privacy, and storage considerations. Choosing the appropriate design not only satisfies tenants, but also ensures a wise, long-term investment.
Land and House Size Considerations
Building a custom home, especially in densely populated urban neighbourhoods, can be a complex and challenging process. However, consulting a reputable builder who has extensive smart design experience can be a game-changer. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations to help you align your area, size requirements, and unique preferences, ensuring that your new custom home is a perfect fit for you and your family.
Alternatives that are worth considering include the following:
- Compact sites: This alternative is perfect for couples, families, or empty nesters who prefer doing minimal yard work. Despite the custom home’s compact size, you will enjoy stunning and elegant layouts, outdoor flow, and easy access to parks, playgrounds, and walking tracks, allowing you to commune with Mother Nature and enjoy
- Mid-range properties: Established families can integrate seamlessly into mid-range properties with ample play areas for children, an outdoor BBQ or fire pit, and lush greenery. Medium-sized lots near cafes, bike paths, and parks resonate deeply with many families who strive to balance indoor and outdoor amenities.
- Expansive blocks: This option is perfect for large families and occupants considering additional tenant space. Large, custom-built houses on expansive blocks offer multiple options for socialisation, privacy, multifunctionality, open-floor layouts, and outdoor living spaces. Many Australian homeowners lean toward this alternative due to lifestyle preferences and maintenance considerations rather than necessity.
Regardless of your unique preferences, please remember that a custom-built home entails accommodation and shared amenity considerations. Many residents in multi-storey individually-designed homes on small lots live comfortably despite seemingly limiting space constraints. Smart design can make a profound difference, providing you with a high return on investment and the confidence that you’re maximising your space.
Maximising Your Preferred Space
Are you moving into a custom-built home in a densely populated urban neighbourhood? These strategies can help you maximise space in your new bespoke luxury home and enjoy high-quality living with confidence:
Open-floor layouts
As the term implies, this floor plan prioritises open spaces with minimal separation among rooms to encourage socialisation and communication. Open-floor layouts significantly improve traffic flow, enhance natural light and overall energy efficiency, and facilitate entertainment and socialisation.
Multifunctional spaces
These versatile rooms fulfil numerous functions and activities to help Australian homeowners maximise space. Multifunctional spaces transcend traditional kitchens, bedrooms, or offices by combining their unique features into a solitary living area. For instance, your builder can design a living area that transforms into a kitchen or home office with foldable or modular fixtures.
Multifunctional spaces provide homeowners with flexibility, intelligent designs, and space utilisation, regardless of their preferred custom-built home. They empower you to adapt your home to your changing needs and lifestyle, ensuring you always feel in control of your surroundings.
Smart storage solutions
Nowadays, you don’t need a large custom-built home to accommodate your numerous belongings and organise your indoor living space.
Even if you reside in a compact bespoke residence on a small lot, you can maximise space by using smart storage solutions, including ottomans with hidden storage, lift-top coffee tables, floating shelves, under-chair storage, and built-in cabinetry.
Typical Custom-Built Home Mistakes
Many homeowners overlook specific aspects of their custom homes, which can lead to long-term regret. You can prevent this scenario by avoiding the following mistakes:
Overbuilding
In this scenario, you have more rooms than you can manage. This situation leads to higher costs, longer project timelines, and increased stress levels due to the constant need for decision-making. Worse, the inability to maintain numerous spaces lowers long-term property value, making your property a financial liability.
Underestimating
The opposite of overbuilding, underestimating is a scenario where homeowners settle for a small custom-built home that cannot accommodate their daily needs. Hence, they deal with budget overruns, compromised quality, poor floor plans, and lower resale value.
Lifestyle negligence
Family size and budget aren’t the only key factors to consider when building a custom home. The best bespoke luxury homes align with families’ unique lifestyles and provide them with long-term satisfaction.
Whether you prefer biophilic settings, greenery, fitness, socialisation, or privacy, communicate your specific lifestyle requirements with a trusted Gold Coast sloping block builder who can align them with premium, cost-effective projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the average size of an Australian home?
The average floor area of a new Australian home is approximately 232.2 square metres, per the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
When is a custom home too small?
Your lifestyle is a critical factor in determining the size of your custom-built home. For instance, a two-bedroom townhouse is suitable for newlyweds, a small family, or empty nesters, but not for those with teenagers. Consult a reputable builder to ensure that your custom home size aligns with your unique lifestyle.
What land area do you recommend for a typical Australian family?
Many Australian families live comfortably on land areas measuring 400 m² to 600 m², allowing them to maintain a thriving lawn without tedious upkeep.
Will I eventually outgrow my custom home?
We encourage savvy homeowners to think long-term. Investing in a bespoke home is a long-term financial decision that requires thoughtful planning. If you envision a future with children, hobbies, and working from home, consider these factors when building a new home. A trusted builder can guide you through every step of your exciting journey.
Do bigger houses always mean higher resale value?
A large house that’s improperly maintained and dilapidated doesn’t resonate well with potential buyers. On the other hand, a smaller residence with an efficient layout and low-maintenance features catches their attention.
A smaller house can be as appealing as a bigger one, especially when it has the amenities buyers prefer.
Conclusion
Bigger isn’t necessarily better when embarking on a custom home build project. Consider the needs of your occupants, land area, lifestyle preferences, and space optimization strategies to receive a high return on investment and optimum results. Collaborating with a highly skilled builder will allow you to see your dream home come to life.
For nearly 30 years, Unique Built has designed and built custom homes for numerous clients in Australia. Our unwavering commitment to 100% customer satisfaction, safety, and professionalism has earned the trust and confidence of our clientele.
