The year 2020 transformed the way we approach our home and work life – from lasting lessons that shift perspective to the everyday, tangible changes of how we choose to live within our homes and interact with others.
Over the past 12 months, families have turned their dining room tables into conference rooms, their garages into gyms, and their living spaces into daycare centres. It’s no wonder so many Australian families are now investing their hard-earned cash into their immediate surroundings.
‘More time spent within the home and less opportunity to travel has caused many Victorian families to prioritise how they design their home,’ reflects Boutique Display Design Manager, Andrea Grover.
‘They want a home design that is light, bright and spacious, and able to be used for both work and leisure by the entire family.’
Here are just some of the ways COVID-19 has changed how Victorians think when it comes to designing their ideal home.
Shift to Regional Living
With alternative working arrangements now a possibility for many Australian workers, it also means a reduced weekly commute. The increased flexibility has allowed Melbourne families to leave behind the city-lights of an inner-suburb lifestyle for the plethora of larger blocks at lower prices in idyllic outer Melbourne suburbs or Regional Victoria.
‘What research and customer feedback shows is that businesses are more open to blended working environments, where employees split their time between working from home and working from the office,’ explains Andrea.
‘It has given people more scope to consider a tree change, and the lifestyle and home they have always dreamed of! This includes affordable house and land packages in Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and Geelong.’
How Boutique can help
As regional build specialists, we have a wide range of house plans, facades and interior design options to match the beautiful country surrounds and larger square meterage. ‘All of our floorplans translate really well into regional areas and vary from large 56sq doubles to 22sq singles. For example, the Fairhaven reverse living double can capitalise on rolling hill views while our Montana ranch style is perfect for a wider set block,’ says Andrea.
Multi-functional rooms and home office spaces
Working from home opportunities have seen families with more than one member suddenly working or studying from home. In fact, a Roy Morgan report has indicated that 32 percent of all working Australians have been working from home since the pandemic hit. This change has meant that a quiet, private space that is fit for Zoom meetings and critical thinking is now a key consideration for a new build.
Home designs must be beautiful and functional, yet agile enough to move with your personal circumstances and lifestyle needs.
‘Having a home that is designed for socialising as much as productive work time is essential,’ says Andrea. ‘Rooms need to be designed with more than one function in mind to make the best use of space so that the home is optimised for the way your family uses it.’
How Boutique can help
Along with a designated home office, think about how you can use other rooms to work from home when needed. Create a hidden study nook in your home theatre, suggests Andrea, or a cordoned-off study zone within one of your minor bedrooms. For inspiration, you can visit our Montauk 49 at Canopy Estate which has a stunning library, or for something more compact yet just as effective, the Barcelona 27 at Minta Estate has a designated study space towards the front end of the home.
‘Many of our display homes contain simple modern innovations, including in-built study nooks that are ‘out-of-sight and out-of-mind’ from your main living space,’ says Andrea. ‘Pocket and cavity slider doors are also a great way to separate living spaces during the working day and then transform them into a seamless, open-plan space at night.’
Designated outdoor entertaining space
With more and more time spent within the home, it makes sense to think about creating a suitable outdoor entertaining space.
‘Customers crave a bigger outdoor area where the kids can play, and the pets can run around. Many are also now considering nice-to-have features, such as room for a swimming pool and spa,’ adds Andrea.
‘While it’s true the COVID-19 vaccine may diminish the threat of regular lockdowns, many of the new blended working arrangements and increased spending of time at home is likely to remain in place. A significant outdoor space will remain an excellent investment for home builders.’
How Boutique can help
We incorporate beautiful entertainment and alfresco spaces into all our home designs. From luxurious timber decking and quaint outdoor fireplaces to seamless recessed sliding doors that bring the outdoors in, you can work with your New Homes Consultant to find an outdoor living design that best suits your needs and block. If a large outdoor entertaining area is high on your priorities list, take a look at the Parkville 31 at Minta which features an expansive outdoor living & dining space that includes a fireplace and basketball court.
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