Construction & Contractors Blog
If you've ever fantasised about constructing your own perfect dream house, then you're in good company. Few people haven't dreamed about what their ideal abode would look like, and how it would feel to live there – but even fewer actually go through with having it built. Whether this is due to financial constraints, a desire to dodge the potential stress of overseeing construction, or a simple lack of drive, it's entirely possible to surmount all these obstacles and actually do it. If that's really something you're planning to do, though, then you have choices to make. One of the first things you'll need to do, before speaking to contractors, drawing up plans or even choosing land, is to decide on the intended look of your home. Here are a few options for you to consider, just to get the ideas flowing.
Contemporary & Modern
A style often only available to those who construct their own homes, these buildings are made up of clean geometric shapes and heavily feature reflective textures such as glass or metal. You may wish to incorporate solar panels into your design – and if that is your intention, then this style is a great choice, as the panels won't be fighting against the aesthetic so much as they will enhance it. Of course, this simplistic and minimalistic style isn't for everyone, but it's certainly eye-catching. As such, it likely won't fit into an existing neighbourhood of non-contemporary designs. Consider Pavilion-style housing if you consider 'contemporary' too broad a brush stroke.
Tudor
A classic favourite, Tudor style houses are recognisable by their decorative exterior frameworks and sharp white-and-dark colour contrasts. This style is suitable for both smaller homes and more grandiose structures; it's adaptable and doesn't look out of place on either. Choose smooth white surfaces paired with stone for a more traditional look, or with brick if you prefer something with a touch of modernity to it.
Ranch
Popularised in the USA, Ranch style homes are popular across Australia for their practicality and rustic charm. Frequently built on one storey only across a big stretch of land, these houses look traditional enough to fit into existing neighbourhoods, but may be best suited to being placed out on a large patch of their own land. If they are kept single-storey, they offer a simple design that doesn't try to fight against the environment and view around them, which is another reason that they're excellent for building out on their own. They can be comfortably paired with sheds, outhouses and stables without looking out of place.
Of course, there are hundreds of possible styles to go for, ranging from Gothic all the way up to Art Deco – but getting your ideas going is the most important thing. Taking that first step of picturing exactly what kind of place your family would be suited to will help focus your planning for the rest of the project, and achieve a nice coherent end result. Good luck!
Share27 October 2017
When we moved into the house we had a really cute patio, but it was so small that if more than two people wanted to share a meal or sit together there wasn't room. That's why I have been extending the patio and working on ways to make it more hospitable for the whole family to spend time out there, such as getting the music system to connect to some speakers in the structure. This blog has some tips for homeowners who are looking to attempt a patio renovation or extension and has some tips on which jobs to DIY and when to call in the professionals.