Is your family too close for comfort? Upgrading to a spacious new home could be your key to domestic bliss.
There are plenty of things to consider when designing the home of your dreams.
A science project has taken over your kitchen, a remote control war is raging in the lounge room and the dog is pacing the corridor.
If this sounds like an average day in your hectic household, it could be time for an upsize. With one chance to get it right, here are some key factors to consider when building your dream family home.
A good reputation
First thing’s first. No matter how good the glossy brochure looks, the reputation of your builder is paramount.
For Lawrence Flancia, choosing Rawson Homes at the new Horizon community meant he could step back and trust that the job would be done properly.
“Building a new home can be very time consuming, and when you have a young family, you just don’t have that time,” he says.
“Going with a package made lots of sense for us. It’s all included, you just need to choose what package you want and pick the colours.”
Timeless style
In a big, busy family, there’s enough colour and chaos without a flamboyant home competing for attention.
A classic, understated scheme will be the yin to your noisy yang, serving as a blank canvas for the beauty and drama of everyday life.
Neutral hues and more classic design features will give your new home longevity and see strengthen its appeal to buyers when the time comes to sell.
Avoid fussy light fittings and grand design statements, and save bold colours for your furnishings and decor.
Keeping it simple is not only visually calming, it will also make your home easier to maintain, and ensure it stands the test of time.
Functional work zones
When there are mountains of clothes to wash and hungry mouths to feed, investing in quality appliances will make your life easier.
Rawson understands this sentiment, partnering with industry leading brands such as a Westinghouse to include a top-notch oven and cooktop in all Horizon packages.
A spacious, functional kitchen is a must-have for growing families.
Spare a thought for your laundry. While not a showpiece of the home, a well-designed laundry with a Rheem washing machine, ample storage space and room to maneuver will make washing less of a chore.
Space to live
When thinking about your overall layout, having sufficient bedrooms is just the beginning. Be sure to look for multiple living spaces when choosing your design.
For young families, a second lounge room will save parents from watching Frozen on repeat, and can serve as a teenagers’ retreat down the track.
Indoor-outdoor living
Modern homes don’t stop at the back door. Horizon homes have an attached alfresco area, allowing you to expand your living space and keep all the mess outside during dinners, birthday parties and play dates.
Think about where you’ll barbecue and incorporate a covered space so that children and pets can play outdoors on rainy days.
The right community
You may have nailed the design of your dream home, but don’t forget to consider where exactly you want to live.
While Sydney’s north-west is developing quickly, there is still vast amounts of green space, walking tracks and parks.
New areas, with nearby schools and community facilities are magnets for young families.
The Flancias, from Rooty Hill, are among 350 families that will join the new Horizon community at Marsden Park.
With two young children, Lawrence Flancia was drawn to the area’s green, open spaces. “I like that we’ll have all the amenities we need right here,” he says.
“I see so much potential for the area, and there will be lots of families like ours.”
At the heart of the booming north-west, the Rawson Communities development is a short drive from Schofields Station, just 15 minutes from Rouse Hill Town Centre, and within easy reach of the Blue Mountains.
