Whilst building a new home gives you an opportunity to perfectly capture your lifestyle, what do you do if your lifestyle is constantly evolving? A growing family’s needs and wants will change over time, but working with luxury home builders can help to ensure that they are catered for at every stage of life, from planning to have a baby through to adult children still living at home.
• Clever Zoning
You will actually find that zoning is essential for a growing family. We definitely recommend floor plans that provide children with their own ‘wing’ – spacious bedrooms, a shared bathroom and, ideally, an activity room. The great thing about the activity room is that it can grow with your kids from a playroom to a study.
• Second Lounge Rooms
If you have enough space, it’s also an idea to include a second lounge room within the children’s wing. This extra space will become invaluable when you have teenagers and young adults living at home, as they will want their own space to entertain and hang out. When the kids are young, use the second lounge as a rumpus room or formal living area.
• Master Bedroom Downstairs
You will find that placing the master bedroom (with ensuite and walk in robe) on the ground floor offers you a number of advantages. Firstly, it provides parents with some much needed privacy, no matter the life stage you are at. Secondly, it ensures that you can remain in the home for longer, as you won’t need to tackle stairs as you age.
• Multiple & Flexible Living
Extra living spaces are a popular addition by luxury home builders for the growing family. There is also plenty of scope for these rooms to be flexible based simply on the furniture you place in them. Some of the more common living spaces include home theatres, home offices and studies, rumpus or games rooms, and libraries.
• Bathrooms & Toilets
Having at least one family bathroom with a separate toilet can certainly help to keep the peace, particularly first thing in the morning. If you have the space, it can even be an idea to give each child their own ensuite or to have two bedrooms share a central bathroom. This can be particularly helpful when you have teenagers, who like to primp.
• Alfresco Areas
No matter how old your children are, a covered alfresco area is likely to receive plenty of use. Young children, for example, will be able to play outside without being in full view of the sun. Teenagers and young adults, on the other hand, will be able to entertain friends without making a mess indoors. It’s also a great place for the family to gather.
As you can see, there are a number of ways that a luxury home builder can create an ideal floorplan for the growing family. Whether you are expecting your first child or have a minivan full of teenagers to accommodate, there are plenty of ways that you can all live together in harmony. Ensure that you consider your future needs as well as the current needs when looking at designs.