The Changing Face of Australian Homes

It's everyone's dream to own their own home. A place to retreat to that suits their lifestyle. Yet getting your house to represent your style and success has often meant a lot of money and time. However with new advances in building materials and construction methods, more people are able to match their homes with their lifestyles and location, for a price that is affordable. Whether you are building or renovating a home you want to make it distinctive and fitting so it is important to consider all the options available.

What type of home do you want - a peaceful spacious home, a busy house to entertain or a sleek urban space?

A research survey conducted in 2006 established that there are six main styles of homes that people would like to incorporate into their homes. Obviously these six styles would not perfectly suit every person but they did indicate a variety of different elements that people wanted in their ultimate home.

Are you a classic and simple or comfortable and cozy?

Old homes often involve only one look, which often involves painting and rendering masonry like stone and marble. Today's home has been transformed with more subtle texture and a greater stylized feel. With new lightweight building materials you can easily create looks from contemporary crisp designs to seaside weatherboard looks.

Are you bold and individualist or formal and elegant?

People are moving away from the traditional home styles due to new affordable materials, like James Hardies Hardiflex sheets and Scyon cladding, being made available and being stylish in design. Traditional houses were confined to using bricks and tiles now there is more choice and at reasonable prices, research has shown that more people are demanding lighter materials and greater efficiency in housing design.

Consider some of these ideas which may better represent you.

Gone are the large front loaded garages, which stuck out like an eyesore. Designers are now putting the garage doors behind the front of the house and out of the way, but still convenient.
Use materials that are structurally sound and will stand against the elements.
Avoid changing materials on the outside of the house; keeping it simple will result in a quicker and more cost effective outcome but with an equal as beautiful finish. Try a change of colour or texture.
Keeping the roof simple, means no complicated gables or many expensive steps, but still gives a great look.
Double height entrances are a traditional, yet ineffective trait of old buildings. Try making your building welcoming for your guests, whilst also keeping out any of the harsh elements.
Don't forget the windows, have them sized to the human scale - it makes for a better living environment. Having windows on all sides of the house helps bring in natural sunlight and cross ventilation, no mater which way your home is orientated.

In today's current climate professional people lead busy lifestyles and are after a home that brings clarity and order to life away from the office, and these new homes have got the lot.

Do you want a coastal getaway, a rustic feel, or a sleek urban?

Remember not everyone has the same style, if you are some distinctive features to try and build an abode that suits you, it may be a good idea to look around at other homes and housing publications to get some ideas.

Check out magazines like 'Look Home' magazine which is sure to inspire you. You can also get a free copy sent to by signing up online.

Links to check out:
- Look Home magazine
- James Hardy Lightweight materials