As interest rates increase, many homebuyers are choosing smaller blocks of land due to their affordability and wondering how they can get their dream home on a smaller scale. Buying a small block doesn’t mean missing out on the idyllic lifestyle you’re after when you can maximise the use of every inch of space.

Here at Oreana Homes, we’ve spent years perfecting home designs to ensure our homeowners can elevate their lifestyle while delivering on both style and substance.

Here are our top tips for making the most of your home.

BACKING OUT OF A BACKYARD

There was a time when the Australian dream was for a quarter acre block with a big backyard – maybe even with room for a cricket pitch.

But that has changed, and the backyard isn’t as essential anymore.

People are sacrificing the backyard so they can have more space inside like three bedrooms, study, entertainer’s kitchen and potentially a second living area.

What they are giving up in yard space they are getting back with more home and that’s a really important trade off.

We’ve also seen that people don’t want to be mowing the lawn or doing gardening on the weekend and that’s something particularly noticeable in the younger generation.

Here at Oreana Homes, we focus on building in fast-growing areas where there is plenty of amenity and space outside in the wider community for recreation, because that’s what buyers tell us they want.

BECOME A STORAGE STAR

There’s no doubt storage is not the sexiest design feature of a home, but it isimportant, particularly if you have limited space.

And that means getting creative.

We know having plenty of storage space is a priority for many homeowners, so we are always thinking of new and interesting ways to maximise that space in the home.

This includes using the ceiling space in the garage with overhanging storage which is incredibly practical.

Using the space under the staircase is always popular while the staircase steps can be another place for extra storage with drawers.

Basically, it is about taking a fresh look at the home design and thinking of how it could be used in new and interesting ways.

REVERSE THE DESIGN

Because the average block size is shrinking, the vast majority of new homes on small blocks are double storey.

That can be turned into an advantage by turning home design on its head to have the living areas and kitchen upstairs and the bedrooms downstairs.

This is well suited for when the home is located next to parkland, for example, so it takes advantage of the wonderful views.

At Oreana Homes, we often work with local councils to incorporate parklands in our new communities.

This means for our home designs if the house is facing the parkland and has a good view, we can reverse design to have the living rooms, lounge, and kitchen upstairs with a balcony overlooking the parkland and the bedrooms downstairs.

It makes sense to have the outlook there because the living areas and kitchen are where people spend most of their time at home.

RAISE THE ROOF

Most homes are built today with flat rather than pitched roofs.

We think that’s a missed opportunity because pitched roofs enable more light to flow through to the home, while also creating a sense of room inside through the added height.

It’s a feature we’re including as much as we can in our new house designs. Councils are also supporting the inclusion of pitched roofs as they are looking for more architectural features.

FUTURE DESIGN

Home design is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs and desires of today’s homeowner.

That’s why Oreana Homes has a large catalogue of more than 30 home designs which are regularly scrutinised to find improvements.

It also ensures we stay on top of trends in a way that ensures we are creating homes that are durable, comfortable and designed to stand the test of time.

Homeowners know they can come to us because we are agile, accountable and we execute on our promises while building trust and respect.