Tips to finding the perfect floor plan…
When building a new home, browsing floor plans and home designs can be an exciting step. As you search for your perfect design, it’s good to consider these floor plan selection tips…
1. Know your budget.
It’s important to have a clear and realistic idea of how much you can spend towards your home. Build prices will vary by the size of the home, the design features and also any changes you’d like to make.
Builders will usually have a range of home designs to choose from and will set their prices individually. Prices can vary depending on the inclusions, design features and finishes of the home.
Your First Home Solutions Advisor can help to provide you with an idea of what floor plans and size ranges may best suit your budget.
2. Think location.
If you have a few designs that you like, it’s wise to ask the builder which would best suit your block of land. Ideally the block should be flat and suitable for building on. Sloping blocks can increase site costs and may require a custom home design.
We’ve provided some Block Selection Tips here that may help you.
Another thing to consider is the direction that your home will face and the location of your windows. With a well oriented house, the sun can be used to heat the home during winter and can be blocked out during summer to help cool the home.
3. Make a wish list.
Think about your existing home and what aspects work for you and what doesn’t. You may want to put together a list of ‘must haves’ and a list of ‘nice to haves’. Also consider the things that you really don’t want.
For example, do you require a study space for work, or a separate media room for your family?
Our free Home Buyer Starter Kit features a useful ‘Priority Checklist’ that can help you with this.
4. Consider your lifestyle.
You may have a number of lifestyle requirements to add to your wish list. Here’s just a few examples.
- Open Plan Living – Ideal for entertaining, increasing natural light/airflow and bringing your family together.
- Single vs. Double Storey – Single storey homes can be more affordable and a popular choice for those who dread stairs. Double storey homes can provide separate living spaces and a smaller ground footprint to increase an outdoor yard, particularly for smaller blocks.
- Storage – This can be important to many, especially for families who need space for all the towels and food. If so, you may like a large linen cupboard or walk in pantry.
- Positioning of rooms – If you’re a shift worker, you may like a bedroom away from noisy areas or morning sunlight. Or maybe you want your study space to have a nice view.
5. Visit a display home.
Take a tour of your builders display home to get a good idea of the look and feel of the property. Think about the room sizes and features you like. Make sure to ask plenty of questions about the home and remember to take notes.
You may want to bring your family with you to get their feedback on the home to find out what they like and/or don’t like. This will help you when making your decision.
6. Think resale.
Ideally you wan to find a home design that has all the features that perfectly suit your lifestyle. If your budget allows, you may also want to consider things that could improve your homes resale value in the future. Here’s some examples:
- 900mm wide oven/cooktop
- High ceilings
- Ducted air-conditioning
- Modern facade design
- Timber flooring
- Shower niches
- Stone benches
- Open plan living spaces
- Outdoor covered alfresco
- Security screens
- Pendant lights to kitchen
All of our homes are designed with quality, comfort and affordability in mind. Learn more about our homes.
Browse floor plans.
We have a wide range of modern home designs and floor plans available on our website.
Have a browse anytime for some inspiration!