Design Trend - Space to Stretch out

It’s no secret that blocks across Perth are smaller, but a growing number of homebuyers are realising they don’t want to compromise on the super-sized alfresco entertaining area, the family swimming pool, that big garden shed or the rumpus room for the kids.

Our growing awareness of just how important outdoor play is for our growing youngsters, means more families are designing a big back garden with room for all the extras, from a nature play space, to a trampoline and cubby house.

Space to stretch out

Looking for more backyard for your buck is a trend that has been gathering pace in recent years, partly in response to the pandemic and the extra hours we’ve all been spending at home.

As a result, many of today’s design trends demand a block with that bit of extra room, especially for families now spending more time at home working, playing, entertaining and exercising.

And it’s not just the outdoor features that are driving the space-for-me trend.

A bigger-than-average block gives you the opportunity to design in some of those popular indoor on-trend features, such as a home gym, dedicated home office or hobby studio.

Here are our five top tips when designing for a bigger block:

1. If play space for the kids is important, think not only about what it might look like now, but also how it might need to change as the kids get older.
2. Clarify what your priorities are when it comes to space for entertaining at home. Is it more casual than formal, indoors or out, large gathering or small?
3. Do you want to allocate space for dedicated zones in your home for kids, adults and family time? Ideally, what would these zones include?
4. Do you want to go to town when it comes to your kitchen or master suite? Kitchen features such as super-sized island benches and sculleries, and ensuite show-stoppers such as giant walk-in showers and freestanding tubs all demand extra space.
5. Think about whether you want to use some of the extra space to design great storage, from a place to stash camping gear, to toy cupboards and coat cupboards.