Faced with the challenges of creating a home that meets their growing family’s current lifestyle and future needs, Todd and Lauren made the pivotal decision to build their dream home. They had lived in and renovated two homes over the past decade, but their most recent house, despite its charm, couldn’t meet the demands of their modern lifestyle. With a clear vision of what they needed—including a functional, family-centered design and a modern aesthetic—they embarked on the journey of building a new home on a spacious block of land. Armed with a $600,000 budget and thorough planning, they are determined to craft a space where their family can thrive over the next 10–15 years.
Todd and Lauren’s current home has served them well, but they’ve outgrown its functionality. Despite previous renovations, several factors made it clear that this home wasn’t the right foundation for another project.
Layout Limitations
The kitchen and living areas are located upstairs, discouraging the children from going outdoors to play. A layout like this didn’t align with the family’s desire for a harmonious flow between indoor and outdoor activities.
Future Proofing
With two kids in the family, the next 10–15 years would be formative ones as the children grow up and eventually leave for school and work. Todd and his family wanted a home that would accommodate their evolving needs along the way.
Site and Financial Considerations
While their block of land was spacious and well-located, they had to carefully evaluate their budget of $600,000. A key question they always pondered was, would they get everything they wanted in their dream home while sticking to their financial plan?
The solution was clear: build a home tailored to their lifestyle, needs, and future goals. This meant choosing a block of land with excellent potential, designing a spacious and functional layout, and ensuring their construction choices maximised value within the set budget.
The Perfect Block
Todd and Lauren narrowed their choice to two registered blocks, ultimately selecting the block due to its superior northern aspect. This positioning would flood the rear of the home with natural light, making it an inviting and energy-efficient space. Both blocks were free of major concerns like flood or bushfire impact, and this peace of mind allowed the focus to remain on design and construction.
Key elements of the design were carefully selected to create a home that meets their current needs and future aspirations. With the family spending a great deal of time here, the design had to be both practical and modern.
Functional Layout
A spacious, open-plan design ensures that the living areas are located on the ground level, allowing seamless access to the outdoors for the children. The upper level will serve as a private retreat for the family, creating separation and balance.
Additional functional touches include:
A dedicated bedroom or study on the lower level for Todd, who works from home.
A full bathroom on the lower level to cater to guests and provide convenience.
Thoughtful allocation of bedrooms and bathrooms to enhance day-to-day living.
Modern Style
With light gray/white facade and a timeless Coastal Luxe style aesthetic, the home will exude a modern yet welcoming vibe. Inside, hybrid vinyl flooring sets the stage for a clean, contemporary look, while soft textures like carpet add warmth to the bedrooms and lounge. Stone benchtops in the kitchen and laundry elevate the functionality with a touch of elegance.
Customisation
The family wanted the house to feel personally tailored, which led to thoughtful features like a gold tapware finish in the kitchen, secure window coverings, and a well-equipped alfresco area with tiled flooring and the option for a gable roof.
Energy Efficiency and Practical Systems
By incorporating design elements such as 2.7-meter ceiling heights, properly designed water runoff systems, and the inclusion of a high-quality HSTP system, they made choices that balance sustainability and practicality.
With a focus on financial discipline, Todd and Lauren carefully allocated their $600,000 budget. Certain items, such as fencing and landscaping, will be deferred later, allowing them to retain control of their spending while still achieving a complete and livable house once construction is finished.
Items factored into the budget include:
Driveway construction
Inclusion of an HSTP system
High-quality fixtures and finishes, such as a 1200mm wide island stone bench and ducted air conditioning
By remaining proactive about costs and conducting regular reviews with their builders, Todd and his family are working diligently to avoid timeline delays and budget overruns.
The Right Design Can Transform Everyday Living
A ground-level living area and thoughtful separation of spaces ensure a functional and family-friendly layout.
Budget Discipline is Crucial
By carefully distinguishing between must-haves and nice-to-haves, Todd and Lauren are able to make the most of their $600,000 budget.
Planning for the Future
This home is being built with the next 10–15 years in mind, demonstrating that long-term planning is key when designing a forever home.
