A home on acreage is an Australian dream; it’s a sanctuary from the stresses of life, surrounded by rich green plantlife and trees, expansive blue skies and all manner of birds and fascinating creatures.
Best of all, building on acreage means you have immense freedom to create the kind of home that most people only dream about.
To truly take advantage of all the benefits acreage living provides, you’ll need to choose the right home for you, set in the right location and with all the bells and whistles you want – whether that’s a luxury butler’s pantry or an orchard in the backyard.
Here are 5 things to consider when you’re planning your acreage home and choosing home designs.
1. How to choose the right builder
Building on acreage is vastly different to building on a suburban lot. It requires a little extra know-how to organise things like vehicle access, connection to services, and even how to orient your home on the block to take advantage of views and natural light.
It’s a good idea to build your home using an experienced builder who specialises in acreage design and construction. Look at their display homes, check online reviews and talk to their consultants. Ask if they have knowledge of bushfire zones and wind ratings in the neighbourhood you want to live in.
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2. Designing your acreage home
Building on a large block removes many of the constraints of a traditional residential block in the suburbs. You might have virtually unlimited space to build any size or shape of home you want – and with that freedom comes plenty of decisions to make.
There are endless design styles to choose from, and which one you choose is a matter of personal preference. Acreage homes don’t have to look like traditional Queenslanders or turn-of-the-century manors; those are options, but you can also choose ultra-modern, contemporary, plantation, Hamptons, and virtually anything in between.
Without space limitations, acreage homes can be designed as sprawling open-plan living with grand entrances and extravagant alfresco terraces, or multi-storey estates with unrivalled views from every side. And of course, you’ll be able to pick and choose all the elements of the interior to suit your style, too.
You might even be surprised that you like a style you never imagined before, such as a French-inspired chateau or a Scandi-barn style. Exploring your options is the best way to start putting your design together.
3. Planning the orientation
The orientation and layout of an acreage home is far more important than a suburban dwelling, because you’ll likely have 360-degree outlooks – and it also means you’re spoilt for choice, which is a huge benefit. If you work with a professional builder who specialises in acreage homes, you’ll be able to talk through the orientation that optimises the view and maximises the home’s energy efficiency.
For example, you’ll need to think about which rooms should take advantage of the sun during summer, and which need shielding (bedrooms, for instance, aren’t often comfortable after being blasted by blazing afternoon sun). You might also want to maximise natural breezes through the home, but keep any outdoor areas protected from wind.
4. Future planning of your space
When you’re designing your home and situating it on your land, you’ll need to have some ideas about other ‘extras’ you’ll want to add down the track. For example, will you want to add a pool, tennis court, outdoor play area, or sheds? What about a secondary dwelling, chicken coops, horses or other animals?
These decisions are important because they can impact the location of your home and even amenities like the position of sewerage lines or septic tanks. Having some ideas of what you’d like in the future can help make sure all your goals for your land can happen without drama.
5. Think about the way you want to live
The life you envision on your property will drive every decision you make. The size of your home depends on how many people will live there, which visitors you’ll likely have and where they’ll stay, and what’s most important about your dream lifestyle: is it a generous and warm family kitchen, or an expansive terrace equipped with pool table and room to seat 20?
Other decisions are based on the day-to-day outdoor lifestyle you want to embrace. You might want to include low-maintenance landscaping, or build sheds to accommodate a boat or campervan. Many semi-rural homeowners love to become self-sufficient with vegetable gardens and even orchards.
Belvedere Living are specialists in acreage homes and construction, and we’re happy to help you get started and answer your questions. You can browse our range of home designs and facades, and get in touch with one of our friendly, experienced team members.
