Designing Your Dream Family Home
Creating a home that accommodates the ever-changing needs of a family can be challenging. Whether it’s childproofing for the little ones or ensuring teenagers have multi-functional spaces of their own, every aspect requires thoughtful consideration. Our homes are built for all the days you call it home, offering lasting versatility and functionality. Let’s look at our top 5 tips for family friendly design that embody modern family living at its best.
Function before form
Function before form is a key principle in home design, prioritising practicality over aesthetics. In the kitchen, where practicality is essential, ensure there is enough space for everyone, from little helpers to busy adults. Focus on the work triangle, positioning essential elements like the sink, stove, and refrigerator for maximum efficiency.
When designing your kitchen, start with the big stuff—the appliances—and then fit in cabinets and drawers for optimal workflow and space. Don’t underestimate the importance of counter space, and for a real game-changer, consider adding a walk-in pantry or scullery to keep your kitchen clutter-free.
For smaller kitchens, efficient layouts like galley or L-shaped designs are key. Use clever lighting and storage solutions, such as sliding shelves and magnetic strips, to enhance functionality and spaciousness. And don’t forget about the trash! Adding hidden trash and food waste compartments adds both convenience and aesthetic appeal to your kitchen.
Open-plan design
With busy schedules, bringing the family together can be a challenge. That’s why an open-plan layout is crucial for fostering family togetherness. Whether it’s cooking in the kitchen, homework at the dining table, or watching a movie in the living area, shared spaces encourage quality time. Plus, it’s perfect for entertaining, offering ample room for socialising and creating a welcoming atmosphere with lots of natural light and fresh air flow.
Open-plan design is all about connectivity, seamlessly weaving together different areas of the home. And when you add an undercover alfresco area to the mix, the possibilities expand even further. This extension of a sheltered living space outdoors allows you to enjoy outdoor living regardless of the weather. And with parents able to keep an eye on the kids both indoors and out, thanks to the seamless flow of the open-plan layout, family life becomes even more effortless and enjoyable.
Flexible living spaces
Multi-zone living is ideal for accommodating diverse family needs. Having a kid’s friendly area, such as a cozy reading nook or an activity room, means younger family members are well catered to. A dedicated home office fosters work-life balance for busy parents, while also serving as a study area for teenagers. Having two living areas provides ample opportunity for connection and entertainment, while also offering separation if needed. Multi-zone living offers moments of solitude and relaxation, allowing family members to unwind and do their own thing in a busy household.
Whether it’s re-purposing a room for a new family member or converting a space into a home gym, ensuring these spaces are versatile embraces a future-proof design approach. Consider how the home will adapt to the family’s changing needs over time, keeping living spaces adaptable and relevant.
Maximising home storage
Not the most glamorous topic and often overlooked, proper storage solutions are essential for keeping your home organised. A mudroom is the perfect addition, providing a dedicated space to store shoes and jackets, meanwhile, spacious garage shelving offers ample room for tools and outdoor gear. Inside, linen closets manage household essentials, while bathroom storage prevents toiletries from taking over. And let’s not forget about laundry storage – keeping cleaning supplies accessible and designating spots for the vacuum cleaner and ironing board.
With remote work on the rise, having proper storage in your home office is crucial. Even spare bedrooms benefit from generous closet space, and the inclusion of walk-in robes in the master suite adds an extra touch of luxury.
It’s not always about needing more space but optimising the space you already have. By embedding storage into the fabric of your home, you can blend aesthetics and functionality.
Optimal orientation
When setting up your dream home in Perth, orientation is key, and a north-facing home is a smart move for comfort and energy efficiency. This means your primary living spaces, usually with the largest windows, face north for optimal sunlight exposure. This natural light not only brightens up your space but also cuts down on the need for artificial lighting and heating, leading to potential energy savings. Plus, if your bedrooms face south, they’ll stay cooler in summer.
During winter, when the sun hangs lower in the sky, it streams directly through north-facing windows, providing warmth and light. And in summer, when the sun is at its peak, clever shading techniques kick in to keep things cool indoors without maxing out the AC. Eaves, properly sized and placed, are essential for balancing winter sun and summer shade.
When crafting your ideal family home, it’s important to consider every detail, from functional designs and versatile living spaces to optimal orientation, and even down to the amount of storage in the home. At Dale Alcock Homes, we understand the significance of these details and are committed to helping you bring your vision to life, ensuring that every aspect of your dream family home reflects your unique needs and lifestyle.
Find the home design for you
We have over 50 single storey and two storey home designs to choose from.