There’s a reason people love to browse property websites in their spare time. With so many different architectural styles to choose from, from Gothic revival to Victorian houses to more modernised styles, properties are themselves works of art.

 

If you are in the market for a house, it is important to understand the merits and pitfalls of different styles and types of homes. Let’s explore some popular types of homes a little further.

1. Single storey 

A single storey home is a house that is designed and arranged on a single level, without a staircase. Another name sometimes given to these houses are bungalows, which tend to be detached houses, with the California bungalow being one of the more popular house styles.

 

See Ascott 22 design by Provincial Homes

 

The primary advantage of this type of house is its adaptability to all stages of life. With its defining characteristics aligning with aspects of design that lend themselves to housing people with reduced mobility, the single storey home is viewed as a safe forever home for buyers of all ages.

 

Other benefits include the fact that they are much easier to keep cool or warm depending on the season. They can benefit from a passive design, allowing the sun’s light to do a lot of the work for you for both heat and light. There’s a reason they’re one of the most popular types of houses in Australia.

 

One disadvantage of this house style, however is if the area is hit by flooding, the entire home and all contents inside will be vulnerable. And in order to maximise square feet of floor space, there is often less land left over for features like the front porch and the garden.

 

There are many popular styles of single story houses. These include the ranch style house, which has a sprawling design that maximises floor space. It has a distinctive low-pitched roof design and tends towards open floor plans, a very popular feature in modern living. 

 

Another is the Mediterranean style, which is one of the more romantic architectural styles. The key features include arches as a central design motif and the use of lots of natural materials. They typically have high ceilings, optimising airflow to keep the house cool. 

 

There are also more contemporary houses arranged on a single storey, which use modern design techniques to create a beautiful style with clean lines and serious curb appeal.

 

If you are interested in this style of house design, Provincial Homes have many single storey designs to browse within our range.

2. Double storey

Double storey house structures contain at least one staircase as the defining feature. The living spaces are arranged over two floors, typically with general living downstairs and bedrooms upstairs, but you can get houses where the reverse is true.

 

See Shellbourne 33 design by Provincial Homes

 

Among the popular styles of houses arranged over two storeys are 19th-century style Victorian homes. With beautiful, intricate detailing and symmetrical designs, these stunning colonial homes are eye-catching and well-built.  

 

Another popular style in architecture and design is the Federation home, hearkening to the post-Australian unification era from 1901, which sparked a national mood that was then reflected in real estate. These beautiful homes are ideally suited to the Australian climate.

 

There are of course, Modern designs. Contemporary homes tend to be luxurious in their aspect. You can always opt for twists on this depending on your design sensibilities, such as the modern farmhouse style with exposed beams.

 

The main benefit of a double storey home is naturally the space afforded by utilising another level. They allow for more privacy than their single storey counterparts tend to and can come with features like attached garages.

 

These homes, however, present challenges for someone with reduced mobility. When obtaining planning permission, you need to ensure you check your local zoning regulations for information on permissible building heights.

 

Browse the range of double storey house designs on offer from Provincial Homes.

3. Duplex

A duplex house is one where two separate residences share common walls on one block of land. There are two front doors and two independent sets of living quarters. If you build an entire duplex yourself, you can rent out the unit you do not live in and make a significant additional income from this.

 

See Aldgate 54 design by Provincial Homes

 

The downsides include complexity in the building project owing to strict regulations about their designs and space being at a premium. Plus, sharing common walls with others can present various challenges depending on your noise tolerance levels.

 

If you think this style of house might be what you are looking for, Provincial Homes can guide you through the process and give you food for thought with our beautiful range of duplex designs. 

4. Granny flat

If you’re looking for a multifamily home without compromising on privacy, a granny flat can make a superb addition to your property. This is a popular home solution since the flat is on the same land as the primary residence but is a detached house with its own separate entrance.

 

See Jeda design by Provincial Homes

 

They are an option that benefits those who want their independence but also to remain close to the family unit. They’re not just for grannies, despite the name; sometimes students and young adults enjoy being afforded these freedoms without having to sink their loans and salaries into rent!

 

They’re also becoming a popular housing addition for those who want a separate home office with extra mod-cons and can offer a chance to make rental income should you wish to rent it out for money.

 

The disadvantages are that they can take up a lot of backyard space. They can also require additional administration in the planning stage depending on your local zoning regulations, but people often find this a small hiccup compared to the benefits of the build.

 

Check out the diverse range of granny flat designs on offer from Provincial Homes if you want to learn more.  

5. Acreage home 

If you are looking for green space and fresh air, an acreage home is a wonderful way to connect with nature. Acreage designs are essentially detached homes that come with a large plot of land, bringing a country feel to modern house design.

 

See Berridale 79 design by Provincial Homes

 

They are one of the more expensive options, plus they come with added land management costs. But if you can leverage home equity, costs can be managed more easily, and for those looking to embrace outdoor living, this will be a price worth paying. 

 

The extra land can be utilised in a multitude of ways. Some acreage homes are used for agriculture, whilst others are merely used for hobby farms or alfresco entertaining in large gardens.

 

For acreage designs with all the modern conveniences, look no further than Provincial Homes.

6. Tiny home 

Tiny homes are seen by many as a neat solution to Australia’s housing crisis. They come in many different styles, such as prefabricated and modular homes and mobile homes (known as Tiny Houses on Wheels, or THOW).

Image source: Tiny Away

 

These housing options focus on simplicity, with often innovative designs with lower maintenance costs than larger properties. They discourage clutter, so they are perhaps not suitable for sentimental collector personalities.

 

But if you are looking for a cost-effective way to get onto the property ladder, a tiny home can be a fantastic stepping stone for you.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Home 

When deciding what type of home suits your family, there are a number of factors to weigh up, such as:

• Budget: How much do you have to spend on the design, the land and the building? This will likely be a defining and potentially constraining factor.
  

• Lifestyle: What styles of homes are best suited to your family unit’s needs? For example, do you want to prioritise green space or perhaps multigenerational living?
  

• Location: Elements like commutes and schooling are important to bear in mind when looking for a place to call your home. In NSW, different locations carry different zoning regulations, so this needs to be at the front of your mind when designing a home.
  

• Maintenance: There’s more to consider than just the initial costs of home ownership. Rolling home improvement costs for elements such as roofing, gutter clearing and cleaning need to be taken into account.

• Future Plans: You need to consider how long you want to live in this house and what purposes it will therefore be put to. If you are looking at family planning or retiring in your property, you should take such things into account.

Summing up

There are many popular home designs in today’s market. Home buyers are increasingly looking to design their own homes in order to get precisely what they are looking for. 

 

If you are looking to build your own home, there’s a multitude of options from which to choose depending on your aims for your lifestyle. From tiny homes to acreage properties, there are many home trends to consider.

 

If you are looking to design your own custom home, contact Provincial Homes to take your first step on 

Frequently asked questions

The following are some questions we are frequently asked about building projects.

Do I need planning permission to build a tiny home?

Planning permissions vary depending on zones and projects. Some builds in NSW are eligible for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), which streamlines and fast-tracks the process. If not, you can submit a Development Application (DA) to your local council.

What are the benefits of newbuilds over purchasing an existing house?

Unless you have a particular desire to own a heritage home, building your own place allows you to put your own stamp on the design. Home buyers are increasingly turning to the new build market to ensure a forever home that suits their lifestyle perfectly.

Can I get a home loan to support my new build?

 

Yes, there are a variety of home loan options, including construction loans, which can support your new build aspirations and get you started in the real estate market.