Crighton Homes Construction – Design tips

Design tips that will add value to your custom designed home

Posted by Seeadmin on

 

One of the benefits of building a custom home is that it has been specifically designed and built to suit your unique needs and tastes. But how do you make sure that these design elements are adding maximum value to your new home?

Before you begin to build, it’s important to talk to your chosen builder about how you can integrate value into your home design. While there are a number of additions that you can consider, here are a few custom home tips to help you get started!

  1. Energy Efficient Features

Sustainable living continues to be a growing movement around the world in an effort to better look after our direct environment and planet. Homes that have a smaller ecological footprint will have lower energy consumption and therefore lower bills and will increase in value over time.

We recommend investing in energy efficient features such as efficient heating and cooling systems, low consumption appliances and lighting, low flow showerheads and taps, dual flush toilets and environmentally friendly indoor plants. By including green features from the beginning, you will save a lot of time and money in the long run.

  1. Smart Technology For Your Home

Smart home technology is changing today’s homes and it’s safe to say that technology won’t be slowing down anytime soon. To future-proof your home, and with the recent push towards designing smarter custom homes, we recommend incorporating some of the latest smart technologies to create an intelligent, functional and efficient home. These can include remote heating and cooling systems, blinds and shutters and automated security systems and technology systems such as Google Home. By incorporating smart features that can be controlled remotely via your smartphone or other devices, you’ll be adding financial value to your custom home and seeing a reduction in your energy costs.

We recommend having a chat to your builder during the design phase if you’re considering incorporating smart technology so they can ensure the right infrastructure and wiring systems are included to best support the type of technology you’d like to invest in.

  1. More Storage!

One of the most important and welcomed custom home design tips is to add more storage space to your new home. Over time you generally collect more things, especially if you have a family. Smart and ample storage spaces will make your life easier as well as add value to your home.

We recommend incorporating storage solutions such as kitchen and wall cabinets, under the stairs and attic storage, garage shelving, walk in wardrobes and pantries and large linen cupboards. There really are a multitude of ways to declutter your new home and add additional storage space that you’ll be thankful for years later.

  1. Liveable Alfresco Areas

Homeowners today are looking for more than just a simple grassed backyard. One of the best ways to add value to your custom home is by creating a liveable alfresco area that is perfect for entertaining and relaxing in. Depending on the size of your outdoor space and your budget we recommend incorporating features such as built-in seating and storage, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces and plunge pools to enjoy during those warmer months. A versatile outdoor space is definitely a great investment when you build your custom home.

  1. Incorporate Solar Passive Design

Any experienced builder can’t overstate the importance of incorporating solar passive design elements into your new custom home. Essentially, passive design takes advantage of the home’s climate and orientation to utilise natural sources for heating and cooling. By incorporating solar passive design you’re encouraging lower heating and cooling costs, promoting thermal comfort, and reducing your greenhouse emissions. As the world continues to move towards more sustainable living, solar passive design is a great addition to any new home.

A home is generally one of the largest assets that most people own, so thoughtful design additions are not only an aesthetic decision but also a financial one, to ensure you’re adding maximum value to your new custom design. If you’re interested in incorporating these home design tips into your new home or would like to have a chat about building your dream home we’d love to hear from you. Contact Crighton Homes today.

Crighton Homes Construction – Pine shortage

Nationwide framing pine shortage

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There is currently a severe nationwide shortage of framing pine. This is due to a combination of high demand and a reduced domestic supply caused by numerous mill closures,  Australia’s shrinking pine plantations and recent bushfires. The improvement of the American housing market is also putting pressure on the global supply chain with the shortage being expected to last many months.

Longer lengths of framing pine in particular are in a very short supply at the moment. Suppliers are generally charging resellers a higher linear metre rate for longer lengths compared to shorter lengths due to the scarcity of this product. While there is the potential to be affected, we are hoping that we won’t experience any delays due to this supply issue.

During this shortage, types of pine may also be restricted such as the preferred Radiata Pine frame with suppliers offering alternatives such as Baltic Pine. While Radiata is generally our first preference, our chosen alternatives will always meet or exceed the relevant structural ratings and treatment standard so you can be assured that you are always getting the highest quality materials in your new custom home.

Crighton Homes Construction – Hamptons Style

Hamptons style trends to be on top of in 2018

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The coastal charm and sophisticated luxury of Hamptons style homes makes them a winner amongst Australian home owners. With our relaxed way of living and our love for outdoor entertaining it’s no wonder that the Hamptons style is fast becoming one of the most requested and sought-after designs that we come across when building new homes in Murrays Beach and coastal areas.

So what are some of the most popular Hamptons style trends that you should be incorporating into your new custom home design?

1.     Mixing traditional weatherboard cladding with a variety of materials and textures

Crighton Homes Construction – Hamptons Style
Image source: http://www.kyalandkara.com/journal/long-jetty-renovation-front-facade-reveal

While whites, blues, timbers, and natural tones are all must-haves for creating the perfect Hamptons style interior, we’re now seeing traditional materials such as weatherboard cladding being paired with various materials and textures to create a more contemporary and warmer appearance to the exterior. By incorporating a range of stones, render and steel into the design, these homes are still classic in style but are now also being altered to suit both coastal and bush settings

2.     Durable products and finishes to suit our tough Australian climate

Crighton Homes Construction – Hamptons Style
Image source: https://www.scyon.com.au/case-studies/

When building a Hamptons style home it’s important to consider the types of materials you’re using. Due to our tough Australian climate you want to select materials that are resistant to damage from bushfires, termites, and won’t swell or crack as the years go on.  An important feature of Hamptons architecture is the exterior cladding. It provides clean, horizontal lines that instantly evoke a sense of classic, coastal charm. We recommend using products such as James Hardie weatherboards like Newport or Sycon Linea which provide the classic look of timber weatherboards but are hard-wearing and low maintenance and have added protection against the elements.

It’s important to note though that while weatherboard exteriors are generally associated with living by the sea in areas such as Murrays Beach, this sense of luxury and relaxed elegance can be recreated anywhere in Australia – whether it’s a leafy street in the suburbs, or surrounded by paddocks in the country.

3.     It’s time for a refresh

Crighton Homes Construction – Hamptons Style
Image source: http://www.jameshardie.com.au/gallery/?products=&state=1&_token=pe34FVPKPyALzjIs2vJ1OIcgMk4QIbqmiWvVvqXqF8E

Typically the Hamptons style palette is all about mimicking the neutral colours of the coast. When you think of a Hamptons home you often think of various shades of white, cream, linen tones and greys, offset by contrasting rich blues. In 2018, the Hamptons style is moving towards a contemporary and sophisticated colour palette with tones shifting more towards moody blues and blacks paired with fresh white walls. We’re also incorporating textures such as steel weatherboards, Cultured Stone and white timber exterior architraves to give the Hamptons style a fresh and modern makeover to the casual and relaxed coastal style that it’s known for. Inside, we recommend incorporating accent colours in the form of lush greenery such as palms and orchids, and soft furnishings with a colour scheme that ties the entire home together.

4.     Modern finishes

While particular elements, such as neutral colour palettes, natural textures, internal paneling, high ceilings and traditional cabinetry all remain definitive features of a Hamptons look, we’re finding that we’re now modernising the Hamptons style trend to suit a more relaxed and contemporary lifestyle. While still classic in design, we’re also adding more contemporary finishes to the traditional style with cleaner lines and smarter designs to suit smaller block sizes.

5.     Optimise your alfresco area for entertaining

Crighton Homes Construction – Hamptons Style
Image source: http://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/hamptons-style-stunner-sells-for-a-pretty-sum/news-story/7e6e76eb24c0f35fae87292e7d1573f3

There’s no doubt that Australians love outdoor living – think enjoying a BBQ with family and friends on a warm summer’s evening or sitting out the back enjoying a nice glass of wine as the sun goes down. By adding an alfresco area with lush landscaped greenery, wicker furniture and a BBQ you can really create a beautiful seamless space that everyone will love to relax in. This is definitely one trend that will never go out of style.

At Crighton Homes we love how the Hamptons style is effortlessly stylish and continues to evolve as time goes on. With open plan designs that encourage natural light and breezes, and warmth in the colour tones and textures from nature, Hamptons style homes offer a relaxing, luxe resort feeling that you can’t help but get caught up in.

One of the most exciting parts of building your new custom home is deciding on a style and coming up with a design that suits your unique tastes and lifestyle. For some people this comes easily, and for others it can be a bit more difficult. Whichever group you fit into, Crighton Homes has the design and building experience to guide you through the process and help you build your home your way.