A home to grow into: Finding a layout that works both now and into the future
First-time or not, building a new home is a big decision, and choosing a layout that will work long-term is crucial.
How Australians use their homes has changed, with homeowners now holding onto their properties for an average of 10.5 years¹.
With multi-generational living also on the rise, homeowners are more concerned than ever with how the homes they build are going to meet their evolving needs.
John Care, New Product Design Manager at Celebration Homes, says building a home is a large investment, and that situations and circumstances change throughout many of our lives.
That’s why choosing a floorplan that can change and evolve over time is so important, helping to minimise stress later in life and reduce the need for costly renovations, extensions or relocations.
The floorplan features families actually use
When looking at what makes a floorplan practical for a family, John says that the first thing to consider is the balance between shared and private spaces.
He believes that a well-designed family home should include at least three distinct zones to create separation between areas for gathering, relaxing and unwinding.
The first is a parents’ retreat, with the primary bedroom and, where possible, a dedicated home office or home theatre. The second is the heart of the home, an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area that flows seamlessly to the outdoors, making it easy to spend quality time together.
The third is a more flexible zone, one that can be an area for kids or guests now, while also working as accommodation for older family members later in life. Flexible spaces like this are another must-have feature for families and John says they’re a smart choice in any floorplan.
Multi-functional spaces are becoming increasingly important in modern homes. From a dedicated work-from-home area to a space for wellness activities like yoga or hobbies, these versatile rooms can serve different purposes throughout the day. Our Flynn design is a great example of how flexible spaces can be thoughtfully incorporated into a floorplan.
Another key feature of a functional home is storage. Instead of relying on additional furniture for storage, smarter designs build storage into the footprint of the house. John says storage is increasingly integrated into modern floorplans, ensuring homes remain functional without feeling cluttered.
He highlights that utilising the ceiling heights of spaces like the kitchen, bathroom or laundry can be one clever way of making the most of the available floor area to add more storage to a family home.
How to plan for the future when building now
Layout is one of the most important choices buyers can make in their home building journey and there are many questions buyers should ask themselves when they’re choosing a floorplan.
John says that the decision to build is a “moment in time” but that doesn’t mean buyers shouldn’t be thinking about the future as they’re deciding.
Some important questions he suggests buyers ask themselves include thinking about what their family situation looks like now, as well as what it will look like in the future.
He also suggests thinking about what spaces of their home can be multi-functional as is, and what can be easily modified later if need be.
Work, daily routines, and long-term accessibility are all important things John says buyers should be considering too.
He also says that it’s worth thinking about their current or past homes and what aspects of these frustrated them, so they have a clear idea of what they want to improve in their new home.
With a wide range of thoughtfully designed home plans, we make it easier for our customers to find a layout that suits their lifestyle today while giving them the flexibility to adapt for tomorrow.
Where to find trusted advice for the big decisions
Choosing a floorplan is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during your home building journey, and it can feel overwhelming without the right guidance, especially during the research phase.
At Celebration Homes, it all starts with a conversation. Our New Home Consultants take the time to understand your lifestyle, priorities and future plans, helping you ask the right questions and narrow down the home designs that best suit your needs.
Once you’ve shortlisted a few designs, visiting a Celebration Homes display home is a great way to experience the layout in person. Walking through the space gives you a much better feel for how the home flows, how each room functions, and whether it’s the right fit for the way you live, both now and into the future.
Ready to take the next step? Explore our display homes and find the home design that’s right for you.
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Sources: [1] PropTrack data reveals Australia’s longest and shortest held suburbs – realestate.com.au