If you own a small lot, employing the correct strategy will help you take advantage of every square metre. Constructing on a narrow block entails innovative design techniques, creative interior design methods, and an understanding of architectural nuances. You don’t have to scrap living in large spaces or sacrificing stunning, picturesque views—today’s narrow block home designs allow homeowners to defy the odds and create a custom home on limited space.
As a team of Gold Coast sloping block builders with a solid track record, we help clients turn their narrow lot home designs into a reality. With a bit of creativity and improvisation, you can join their ranks and experience the satisfaction of maximising a tight space by learning from the following tips:
Open Floor Plans
An open floor plan combines at least two rooms with a floor-to-ceiling wall or door. This interior design strategy drastically reduces separations among living spaces to encourage communication and interaction. Open floor plans facilitate easier movement, enhance lighting, and maximise space.
Many narrow block home builders feel open floor plans are the most effective strategy for building a house with limited space. Meshing the kitchen, dining area, and living room optimises space and natural light. We also recommend using sliding doors to transition into the alfresco area, maximising that space for family time and entertainment.
Take Advantage of The Great Outdoors
Southeast Queensland has pristine beaches, lush greenery, and natural beauty. If your narrow home plans need to make significant progress, it’s time to combine outdoor and indoor living spaces to help you maximise your lot.
For example, glass sliding doors allow homeowners to transition from their living room into their outdoor entertaining space. This transition provides a spectacular, thorough view and feel of the great outdoors without living in the comfort of their abode. The sliding door will also allow more natural light to penetrate their interior, slashing their monthly electric bills considerably.
Homeowners with narrow lot home plans designs enjoy eye-pleasing aesthetics and better space utilisation. Parents can also closely monitor young children playing while they do chores in the kitchen or living room, providing valuable reassurance. However, they must ensure the sliding door is closed when kids are around.
Use Light to Your Advantage
Savvy builders ensure their narrow block homes have abundant lighting, which makes your living space feel more roomy. Tiny, narrow houses feel cramped and depressing if they need more adequate lighting.
We also recommend installing many windows in luxury home plans for narrow lots. Strategically placed windows on the north-facing side and skylights will make your house feel more spacious. To ensure solitude, try installing transparent window coverings or an electrical privacy grass.
Install High Ceilings
High ceilings are an improvisation that makes tight, cramped spaces feel big, spacious, and extensive. If you want to construct a two-storey house to accommodate additional bedrooms, try adding a void in the second storey to optimise ceiling height. A void is a structural gap that creates a sense of spaciousness and allows more light and air to permeate the surroundings. Australian builders recommend a height of at least 2.7 metres to reap maximum aesthetic and functional benefits.
Construct Multi-Purpose Spaces
Lack of space requires creativity and improvisation. A unique way of maximising narrow block house space is designing multi-purpose rooms. Instead of constructing separate spaces for dining, relaxing, and working, combining these functions to optimise limited space is a better strategy.
For instance, open floor plans create seamless, multi-purpose lounging and dining spaces that maximise family time and interaction. Individuals who work from home will thrive in a functional nook that doubles as a study room for children.
Dividers, shelves, carpets, furniture, and plants can separate a large room into smaller zones. You don’t have to break the bank to create versatile multi-purpose spaces that help you do more with less.
Select Light Colours
Dark colours make houses on narrow blocks feel smaller. Try choosing a light or neutral colour scheme to offset that effect—minimise colours, textures, and patterns to make your living space feel more extensive and spacious. We recommend choosing just one or two feature colours to enjoy the full benefits.
Homeowners can liven up their dull and dreary surroundings with carefully selected bright colours. Simplicity is the key: choose stronger colours and don’t overdo them.
Use Sustainable Design Qualities
We strongly recommend utilising sustainable design features to maximise energy efficiency, comfort, and positive environmental impact.
Follow time-tested passive design strategies such as strategic window placement to improve natural cooling even during the oppressive Aussie summer months from December to February.
Passive design strategies consider the prevailing climate, site, and materials to regulate temperatures. They significantly reduce the need for heating and cooling, saving energy and making a positive environmental impact. You will also drastically reduce your monthly energy bills and save money for essential things over time.
As a team of reliable Brisbane sloping block builders and narrow block contractors with a proven track record, we recommend implementing the following sustainable features to make your house more environmentally friendly:
- Solar panels
- Rainwater harvesting systems
- Energy-saving appliances
Adorn With Mirrors
Mirrors are an effective strategy for making your narrow block house look bigger and more spacious. They can make a room feel twice as big because they intensify the effects of natural light. To enjoy this advantage, please use mirrors with well-defined frames.
Unique Built’s highly skilled interior designers can help you choose the appropriate mirrors and place them correctly to enhance your narrow block house’s aesthetic appeal and make it seem larger.
Please contact us to discuss your narrow block residence requirements. Our team of designers and builders will explore every possibility to maximise your home’s space and functionality.
