So, you’ve decided you want to build a custom home that suits your lifestyle and needs. It’s a great decision because you’ll end up with a home that’s more comfortable while supporting the life you want to live. But one of the questions we often get asked is: What can be customised? In custom design homes, it might be easier to explain what can’t be customised.

However, let’s look at some of the great customisations you can make in order to suit your lifestyle now and in the future.

Floor plans

Naturally, in any custom design home, you have complete control over the floor plan and layout. If you want a master bedroom and ensuite at one end of the house and the kids’ rooms at the other end, you’ve got that control. If you prefer open-plan living, that’s also completely customisable. Basically, unless there is some structural reason preventing your customisation ideas, there’s no reason you can’t have exactly the layout you want.

Generally, people do try to make some smart choices with layout, mainly around ensuring plumbing and electrical work can be done conveniently (and easily accessible for maintenance). But at the end of the day, it’s your home, and you can have your rooms set out exactly how you want it.

Kitchen customisations

There is basically an endless list of kitchen customisations you can choose from. Appliances, both fixed and free-standing can be chosen according to your preference, as can benchtops, cupboards, pantry space, range hoods and everything else. You can even opt for a butler’s pantry, which is a second kitchen that’s hidden behind your main one. This is often favoured by people who love entertaining and don’t want food prep and dishes to be on display during a party.

Many people also love having a spacious, walk-in pantry with plenty of room for all their food, appliances and more. The kitchen is often considered to be the heart of the home, so in a custom design home, you can create exactly the environment you want.

Smart technology

While unheard of in home construction 20 years ago, smart technology has now become a major part of custom home builds. By smart technology, we mean the use of smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home. These central hubs allow you to control a whole range of appliances in your home, provided they are installed correctly and you have compatible appliances.

You can control lights, security systems, heaters, air conditioners, fridges, door locks, televisions, sound systems and so much more with smart technology. Best of all, many systems can be operated by voice command in the home, or remotely through an app. So, if you’re on holiday and want to make it seem like someone is home for security reasons, you could potentially turn the TV, music and lights on and off at certain intervals all with the click of a button.

Bathroom customisations

Much like the kitchen, your bathroom can be customised however you like, as long as it makes sense for the plumbing. There are certain building standards to be wary of for bathrooms because it is considered a ‘wet area’, but your builder will let you know if your requests fall outside of those standards. Generally, the guidelines are about electrical devices and lights not being exposed to water, but even this can be solved with highly-rated waterproof lights.

However, you’ve got so many bathroom options to create a little sanctuary for yourself. Add a bath, even upgrade to a spa bath. Install a larger walk-in shower. Perhaps you want temperature control in there or a specific type of luxury cabinetry. The choice is all yours.

Roofing

One thing that often gets overlooked when it comes to customisations is the roof. You can choose any type of roof you’d like, as long as it fits your budget. Most modern homes use metal sheet roofing, but if you prefer tiles or something a little different, you can have it.

In addition, roof ventilation such as whirlybirds, or skylights to let the natural sunlight in can also be incorporated into the roof design to give you even more comfort.

Looking for custom design homes?

The list above is certainly not exhaustive, but it gives you an idea of the control you have over the design of a custom home. Here at Avondale Homes, we specialise in building beautiful custom design homes to suit our customers’ individual needs. From first-home buyers to retirees looking to downsize, we take the time to listen to what you want. Consultation is a huge part of what we do, and our expert home designers work closely to understand how we can best deliver the home of your dreams. If you’d like to discover the Avondale Homes difference, contact our friendly team today and we’ll be happy to help.

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