You'll probably want a big house to go with it! While we don't necessarily believe these two things go hand-in-hand (see my post on small home living here), sometimes a big house is necessary.
If you’re lucky enough to have a nice big patch of earth to call your own then you can afford to think a little more generously when it comes to floor area. If your block is really big, then you might not even need to worry about things like overlooking your neighbours. Hooray, you can build anything!
However, this freedom of design might leave you feeling overwhelmed with option paralysis (apparently option paralysis is the reason Einstein had a wardrobe full of the same suit) so here are three ways to help you settle on some Big House plans:
1. Budget for the build
If you can lock this in early it will help to set that sprawling floor space. There’s no point being love-struck by a 400 square metre floor plan to find out down the track you only have the budget for 200 square metres! Don’t forget to include things like design fees, application fees, siteworks and landscaping when you’re working through the numbers.
2. List the rooms or spaces you absolutely need
By thinking about how you intend to use the house you can narrow down exactly what rooms will be required. If you have family who visit often, it is worth including a dedicated guest wing, perhaps with its own entrance and a retreat. Many of us are working from home now as well, so if this is you (or you plan to head down that path) then a home office that is in a quiet part of the house and can be closed off is well worth it. The trick here is not to get too carried away and design for every possibility!
3. Think about running costs
Your lovely new home will be around for a while, and on top of mortgage repayments you’ll also have ongoing running costs and maintenance. If you can include some sustainability measures during the design and building stages it will help offset the large building footprint and save you money in the long term. This website has some great tips on how to achieve an affordable, efficient home.
Plan well and your big house can be a seamless and efficient space that performs like a much smaller building. Feel like you’re ready to start planning your dream home? You can book a FREE consult here, or sign up to the Lintel Little Steps program for a deeper dive into preparing for your build.
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