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Interest Rate Increase: What It Means for Home Buyers?

Posted on May 5, 2022 by - Cost to Build

As had been widely predicted, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced a major increase in interest rates. After an all-time low, this increase marks a new experience for homebuyers in 2022. Changes to interest rates are a major influence on property cycles, as access to home loans and repayment are directly impacted. 

As one of Australia’s leading home builders, G.J. Gardner Homes understands building your dream home is a goal for most Australians. Although the housing market will vary from city to city, this is what the interest rate increase means for home buyers looking to turn their dream home into a reality.

The End of An All Time Low

As a response to the financial tension caused by the pandemic, the RBA reduced interest rates to an emergency low of 0.1% in an attempt to curb inflation. For home buyers, this marked a prime environment to borrow money and secure a home loan. Lower interest rates provide you with lower repayments so you are more likely to be able to secure a loan. 

The recent low-interest rates have meant many homebuyers have accessed a higher loan amount when they previously could not. The housing market has reflected this low with increased competition and property prices. April 2022 national housing values have increased by 27.0%, adding approximately $159,300 to the median value of an Australian dwelling.

Rapid Increase in Interest Rates

The recent increases announced have seen interest rates soar by 25 basis points from 0.1% to 0.35%, highly anticipated by current inflation. This is the fastest pace increase in the past 21 years.

For homeowners, loan repayments are set to increase over the next 18 months. For homebuyers, the interest rate spikes are set to inform the housing market competitiveness as well as access to mortgages.

How Will This Affect Homeowners?

Depending on your loan type, the increase in interest rates may impact you differently. Homeowners with variable mortgages could see their repayments increase in the coming weeks, depending on how fast the banks pass on the rate.

Homeowners with fixed rates may be unaffected in the short term, depending on their fixed rate loan terms. It is important to review your mortgage and speak to your lender about potential options moving forward. If homeowners have the ability to use additional savings to offset their mortgage, it could help soften the impact of the increase. Making additional payments and putting more money aside for when your bank raises its interest can also help you prepare.

Home Buying Going Forward

If you’re looking to purchase a home going forward, the increase in interest rates is likely to diminish the borrowing power of those hoping to enter (or re-enter) the housing market. 

Interest rate increases will likely cause a dip in the maximum amount of money potential borrowers can access. Higher interest rates make it less likely for lenders to approve home loans, as prospective borrowers are less likely to guarantee they can repay their home loans and the associated interest. When interest rates are high, buyers are less likely to access the mortgages they would need in order to enter the property market for homes they cannot afford.

The decrease of players in the housing market can be expected to reduce the volatility of the markets by reducing the number of property transactions. However, it will also make securing a larger loan more difficult for more expensive properties.

On the plus side for homebuyers, it is expected that rising interest rates will slow house price growth, potentially making it easier for first-home buyers to get into the market.

Get in touch

To learn more about interest changes, we recommend reviewing the RBA’s statement. If you’re a potential home buyer and hoping to understand more, contact your local G.J. Gardner office to understand how to get started buying a home. 

What does Labor’s election victory mean for homebuyers?

Posted on June 22, 2022 by - Cost to Build

In May this year, we witnessed the introduction of a Labor government into the Australian parliament. With the housing market front of mind throughout the 2022 election, this new era is set to impact home buying and building throughout Australia. The Labor government is set to include expansions to existing home buyer schemes as well as supporting Senior Australians to downsize. 

The Introduction of the “Help to Buy” Scheme

As first-time home buyers dominated this year’s election, the Labor party developed the “Help to Buy” scheme to support first-time buyers afford the purchase. With the Western Australian and Victorian state governments having already trialled similar schemes, this arrangement is set to support first home buyers entering the market through a shared equity arrangement. 

Through this scheme, the federal government will provide up to 40 per cent of the purchase price. This support will make Lender’s Mortgage Insurance unnecessary. In turn, homebuyers will need to have a deposit of 2 per cent and still qualify for a standard home loan with a participating lender to finance the remainder of the purchase. 

The “Help to Buy” scheme is available to individuals earning less than $90,000 or couples earning less than $120,000. If their income crosses this threshold, homeowners will need to start buying back the property from the government. If the owners decide to sell the home, the government will take back its share as well as any associated capital gains. 

“Help to Buy” is only available to 10,000 recipients with value caps dependent on the location. You can expect this scheme to support first-time home buyers in making the purchase. 

The First Home Guarantee scheme extension

The extension of the first home buyer guarantee scheme has meant first-time home buyers can purchase a home with a deposit of as little as 5%. Originally introduced by the Coalition, this government is set to extend this scheme to further support regional home buyers. This initiative makes home buying more accessible by allowing homes to be purchased with fewer savings. 

The introduction of this dedication allocation will now offer an additional 10,000 5 per cent deposits to first home buyers throughout regional Australia. To be eligible, you must have lived in the area for 12 months.

During the election campaign, Labor made it clear that the only change it would be making to the hugely popular First Home Guarantee scheme would be an extension of the policy to include a dedicated allocation for regional home buyers.

Incentivising selling for pensioners

The Labor government has pledged to support the Coalition’s scheme to free up homes for Australians looking to buy. Previously, Australian retirees have been deterred from selling their homes because the profit would affect their asset test and pension access. The proposed solution would instead see an extension of the current tax break that lets $300,000 from the sale of the property to be put into superannuation. This initiative would be supported by making such profits exempt from asset testing for two years, being only one year prior. 

This initiative is likely to bring sizable homes to the market throughout the country, creating more opportunities for home buyers. 

Securing your dream home

These new schemes mark an exciting opportunity for first-time home buyers.  Our consultants can help guide you on your home-building journey – with over 36,000 quality, customised homes built over the past 35 years, we can find the perfect home for your lifestyle and budget. Get in touch with a G.J.Gardner Homes consultant today!

Three Bedroom Home Designs

Posted on June 23, 2022 by - Choosing your Home

White bedroom

Three-bedroom homes are now the most popular house configuration in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This average home size has been decreasing in Australia steadily over the last decade as Australians opt for the benefits of downsized living.

A three-bedroom house offers home buyers a manageable home size and is great for couples, small families or first homes. Although three bedrooms may seem like downsizing, this size can be more affordable to maintain and provide a compact living arrangement with all you need and nothing more. 

Advantages of Three Bedroom Homes

More Affordable  to build & maintain

Homes of a smaller size are often more affordable to build and maintain, requiring fewer materials and less care. Beyond the construction costs usually being less than larger homes, three-bedroom homes offer the added advantage of providing a lower energy bill as well as reducing your carbon footprint. Moreover, a small size home will often provide you with closer proximity to urban centres. 

Beyond construction and function, you can expect three-bedroom homes to provide a lower cost of maintenance. With less space, you’re looking to reduce the time spent cleaning and the costs of upkeep. 

Effective Use of Space

With any home, the square footage and design will ultimately determine the size it feels, regardless of the number of bedrooms. Fewer bedrooms provide you with more space for open-plan living areas as well as other communal spaces. 

When designed expertly, a 3-bedroom home can provide the right expansive living spaces for your family whilst ensuring rooms don’t go unused. This considered and efficient use of space lets you prioritise your life and provides you with a happier home. 

A downsized home equates to an upsized experience, as you effectively use space and don’t invest in living spaces that will go unused. Downsizing into a smaller home will help you prioritise your life and only bring what is necessary to your home.

Single Floor 3 Bedroom House Plans

A single-storey 3-bedroom house lets you enjoy the compactness of a downsized home sprawled over a single floor. Single-storey homes are perfect for home buyers intending to age in place and those looking for a quieter home without overhead footsteps.  

Belmore 180

This home has been inspired by narrow sites, efficiently using space to provide a relaxing open plan living space. The Belmore divides living and personal spaces into wings of the home, giving you the luxury of separation. 

Beyond its generous foyer, convenient to repurpose into a study, the Bellmore boasts a sprawling living space that extends into an alfresco. Its master bedroom is situated away at its own end of the house, elegantly flowing into the alfresco space. This home is ideal for those looking to downsize and are after a compact home that doesn’t compromise.

Kimberley 185

This home has been designed to meet the needs of contemporary living by combining generous open-plan living and private bedrooms. 

The Kimberely offers expansive living spaces that effortlessly flow into the other. This includes the addition of an entertainment lounge, as well as, an open plan kitchen, living and dining area, all anchored by the alfresco. The addition of two lounge spaces is the height of luxury, giving you the space for your family to come together or relax alone. 

By separating the living space from the bedrooms, you are provided with private yet well-connected bedrooms, perfect for young families. 

Fairhaven 195

The Fairhaven home has been inspired by family life, with multiple living areas as well as private spaces all sprawling over a single storey. 

The master bedroom has been situated at the front of the home on its own, providing privacy and solitude. The other bedrooms and living areas have been effectively separated into different wings of the home. The living space has been designed to use narrow space wisely, providing a living room, kitchen, dining and alfresco all effortlessly flowing into one another. 

A cohesive open plan living space features a large designer kitchen including a butler’s pantry, a large open plan family and dining rooms that flow towards the rear outdoor alfresco.

Double Floor Three Bedroom House

A double-storey home is ideal for narrow blocks, looking to effectively use space as well as provide the luxury of split levels. The additional storey provides more versatility as to how you organise your home. Beyond this, double-storey three-bedroom homes are ideal for small families, with various homes reimagining the layout in functional ways. 

Cranbourne 170

The homes have been developed with small infill sites in mind, effectively using compact space to construct a relaxed and airy home. The home has separate living spaces and bedrooms over the two storeys. 

The ground floor provides you with a generous living space as well as the addition of an adaptable lounge room, perfect for guests or an office. The open plan living space upon the corner, organising living, dining and kitchen. 

The second storey alternatively offers the three bedrooms around the central staircase. Each bedroom has been generously sized, with the master bedroom at the back of the home. Keeping the bedrooms upstairs lets you organise your lifestyle and provides you with privacy throughout the home. 

Yarraville 209

This home is optimal for narrow and long blocks, creating a sprawling double-storey three-bedroom home. The Yaraville has used a compact block to create a spacious and luxurious family home with an expansive open-plan living area.

To efficiently use space, the heart of the home is the central gallery-style kitchen, expertly positioned to complement the set of stairs. Through innovative design, the open plan living space has been opened up to feel generous and airy, with the addition of large doors and natural light. This ground floor flows effortlessly from the foyer into the living spaces and alfresco area.

The upper storey offers private spaces for the bedrooms with the added luxury of an additional lounge. The master bedroom has been positioned at the back of the house for added privacy. This arrangement lets you effortlessly separate the communal and private spaces. 

Get in touch today!

Talk to one of our consultants who can help guide you on your new home journey and help you understand our three-bedroom home designs. With over 36,000 quality, customised homes built over the past 35 years, we can find the perfect home for your lifestyle and budget. Get in touch with a G.J.Gardner Homes consultant today.

Designing The Best Home For Your Family

Posted on July 14, 2022 by - Planning your Home

Over the past 37 years, G.J. Gardner Homes has successfully built countless homes for Australian families. We know designing the right space for your family and lifestyle will serve to enhance your daily life. When we turn dream homes into a reality, we are trusted with helping to create the perfect place for their families to evolve and make memories. 

With our wide array of Home Designs, styles and finishes, G.J. Gardner Homes is well-versed to help you through the home building process and find what will work best for you and your family. 

Understanding Your Needs

G.J. Gardner Homes provides you with a diverse collection of homes and services so you can craft the best home for your family. Here are a few things to consider throughout the planning process. 

Size

Understanding what size home will be best for your family ensures you use space wisely. Determining how many rooms you need now and how many you’ll need in the future is the best place to start. Looking long term can help you build a home to last, ready to adapt to new family members or guests. From intergenerational living to growing families and home offices, having a clear understanding of the space you’ll be needing makes sure you select a home plan that will work well into the future. G.J. Gardner Homes offers homes from as few as three bedrooms to as many as six bedrooms, with the optional additions of adaptable multipurpose rooms. 

Style

Our home design ranges in styles, taking inspiration from various trends, lifestyles and feels. Deciding how you wish your home to look and feel can help you find the best family home for you. From the facade to the interior details and floor plan, the style of your home can serve to streamline your daily routines. With such a range of materials and finishes, you can curate a home style that’ll complement your family’s needs. If you have young children, certain materials will be easier to maintain and require less effort to care for. Alternatively, if you intend for your home to support older children or parents, a more mature and elevated style could work best. 

Priorities

Reflecting upon your lifestyle and how your family operates can help you establish your priorities in the home design. Whether it’s an open plan living for plenty of family time or the presence of private spaces, applying how your family will use space can help you design the right home for yourself and your family. With multiple storey options to outdoor living spaces, deciding what would be your prime concerns and dream features can help streamline this process. 

Our Most Popular Homes for Families

Long Bay 301: 

The Long Bay 301 is ideal for smaller families looking for generous living spaces. With the master bedroom at its own end of the home, this four bedroom, two bathroom home is great if you want private spaces and adaptable rooms. With bedrooms dispersed across the home’s single storey and multiple living spaces, the Long Bay 301 can be customised to your style and is perfect for medium sized families.

Blue Water 530

This home boasts five bedrooms across two stories, providing plenty of living spaces and generous sized bedrooms. With the addition of a rumpus room, a media room and alfresco spaces, the Blue Water 530 house design is pure luxury for families, offering everyone plenty of space. Dividing the living and bedroom spaces across two storeys, this home is great for entertaining and provides a private sanctuary for personal living upstairs. 

Yarraville 209

This home is more petite than some other family homes, making it ideal for single child families or families with children no longer living at home full time and who no longer need the maintenance of unused spaces. Compact and convenient, the Yarraville 209 has been separated into living and bedroom levels. The ground floor provides an open plan living space as well as a guest bedroom that can be easily adapted into an office or lounge. This home encourages you to think practically about how much space you’ll really need. 

Oakford 320

This home has been uniquely designed into two wings, connected by a foyer. This separation can be great for families, giving separated zones whilst still on a single storey. With all four bedrooms located together, this home is great for families with younger children keeping you all together. The designated living space is open planned and free flowing, creating the ultimate removed living space. 

Greenbay 331

This home has arranged living and bedroom spaces across its two floors. Open plan and expansive in size, this home boasts four bedrooms with the first being on the ground floor. This separated bedroom is great for teenage children or intergenerational living like parents who’d benefit from a single story. With the addition of a study as well as plenty of space to relax, the Greenbay can be easily adapted for different families, and can evolve to suit your family’s needs as they change. 

Six Kitchen Benchtops and Which One is Right For You

Posted on July 14, 2022 by - Designing & Inspiration

Kitchens are the heart of the home – as the central hub of your home, we know the kitchen living space is where you’re bound to make the most prized family memories. With open plan living growing in popularity, the kitchen is becoming part of your centralised living space, often visible from your living and dining areas. 

Here at G.J. Gardner Homes, it’s the details and final touches that truly make your dream home a reality. Benchtops are a hugely important part of your kitchen design, able to enhance both functionality and feel. Finding a benchtop that will compliment your overall home design as well as work best with your family’s lifestyle and budget is essential to the home building process. Our expert team and their experience working with a range of materials and families are ready to guide you through your kitchen design and find what benchtop works best for you.

1. Granite

A more upscale benchtop option, the natural stone of granite can be identified by its unique neutral tones and interesting pattern design. 

Granite’s muted colour offers your kitchen an elegant and elevated look, with a wide range of naturally formed patterns. This benchtop material is highly durable and perfect when wanting to build long-lasting homes as long as not exposed to certain acids. Difficult to scratch and easy to be cleaned, a regularly sealed granite is ideal for family homes. Easy to clean and tough against even the most rigorous cooking; granite is an excellent investment in your family home’s future. 

The diversity of the natural tones and patterns of granite means you can find a unique and complementary benchtop for your kitchen.

2. Engineered Stone 

Engineered stone is a man-made benchtop material crafted from resin and minerals. Unlike natural stones, engineered stone is not heat resistant; however, it gives you more customisation in the design process. This material comes in a variety of styles, including flat colours, natural-like stones and other more unique personalised finishes. With a silky rather than solid touch, engineered stone is easy to clean and remove stains from. 

These engineered stones are available with UV resistance, making it great if you intend to have an open plan living space connected to the alfresco area. Plenty of sunlight is a great way to elevate your kitchen, and using a benchtop that is durable against the sun will ensure you can enjoy this flowing space. Unlike natural stone, it doesn’t require to be sealed but is as durable. 

3. Laminate

Laminate benchtops have been crafted from a combination of plastic, wood and fibreboard – mimicking the unique look of natural stones. This material is favoured for its modest price point and versatile collection. High-quality laminates are known to be durable, long-lasting and ultimately gives you a luxe look for less. 

Capable of resembling metals to stones, laminate is an ever-popular kitchen benchtop option that is easy to customise with a wide range of finishes and tones. Laminate is simple to clean and at its best, is resistant to surface wear and stains so it’s great with kids. Low maintenance and easy to find a laminate to work with your home’s style, laminate is a great way to design your dream kitchen within your budget. 

4. Marble

Timeless and elevated, marble benchtops continue to be a symbol of luxury for your home design. As a natural stone, each marble surface is unique, with its veining and patterning. Its cool touch and ability to not conduct heat have made marble kitchens soar in popularity, and it adds an elevated, modern and sleek look to your kitchen that can be easily adapted to your home’s style. 

Although upscale in price, marble is porous and can easily stain as well as soft and prone to etches, scratches and chips. Ultimately, marble can be a challenge to maintain, and its beauty will come with some effort and care. However, when looked after, marble can last a lifetime and make your kitchen feel truly beautiful and luxurious.

5. Timber

Timber benchtops are a great way to enhance your home’s rustic and earthy feel. Ideal for coastal inspired homes yet with plenty of modern variations, timber is a classic kitchen benchtop material.

Timber benchtops are at a medium price point and are known to last. A material that can easily be repurposed or recycled, timber benchtops are easy to clean when well sealed. However, timber is a soft surface, particularly in comparison to other stone kitchen surfaces and benchtops. 

In some cases, the stains, nicks and general wear can enhance the rustic appearance, in most cases, they require more effort and time to maintain. If you know you like to cook freely or have a growing family, timber might not be as convenient to preserve the initial look. 

6. Dark Toned Surfaces

Whilst Hampton styles and bright white kitchens have remained on trend for the last few years, dark-toned benchtops, whether timber, marble or stone, have emerged as the latest kitchen trend. Inspired by the muted and sophisticated look of Scandinavian design, using dark tones for your kitchen benchtops lets you bring depth and modernism to your kitchen space.

A departure from your expected airy white spaces, dark-toned benchtops can hide all sins and wear amidst their dark tone. They are subsequently easier to keep looking clean and unlikely to take on stains or damage like lighter surfaces. 

Dark toned benchtops could be perfect for your home, particularly if you intend to embrace a more modern, minimalist and dramatic theme to your home. 

How to know which benchtop will be right for your lifestyle

Whilst our diverse range of benchtops gives you the freedom to design a kitchen that feels right for your family; we know it can be overwhelming to find where to start when making the final choice. 

We’d recommend starting by establishing the size and budget allotted to creating your kitchen. This will help determine the styles, finishes and materials that can work within those parameters. Understanding space and size can help inform which materials will complement the space and find a solution within the budget. 

As your kitchen is likely to function as the central hub of your home, you naturally want it to work with the styles, themes and colours of the rest of your home. This will serve to create continuity and ensure your home feels unified. Whether you’re building a Hamptons-inspired home, or something more modernist and minimalist, our range of benchtops can enhance its style. 

Finally, we recommend what materials and appliances will work best with your family and lifestyle. Thinking about how often you cook, the maintenance you’re willing to commit and how it will be used can help you pick a benchtop that will be suited. Our expert team is experienced in pairing the right benchtop with the right lifestyle and they’re prepared to support you in making this decision. 

Start designing your dream kitchen today. 

We know the perfect kitchen will help make your home a place you love to be, and have curated our product ranges to find you the perfect benchtop style. 

With over 36,000 quality, customised homes built over the past 35 years, we can help design the perfect kitchen-scape for your home and lifestyle. Get in touch with a G.J. Gardner Homes consultant today.

Our Top 5 Favourite Kitchens 2022

Posted on July 14, 2022 by - Designing & Inspiration

As open plan living becomes the norm, the emphasis on designing a beautiful and functional kitchen has only soared. Today, kitchens are a major opportunity to establish the style of your home and create the perfect central hub. With design trends always evolving, here’s our guide to our top five favourite kitchens for 2022. 

Moody & Modern

Dark toned kitchens give a Scandinavian feeling to this heart of the home to create depth and intrigue. Whilst bright, white and airy kitchens have defined kitchen trends for the last decade, we’re finding darker tones are growing in popularity. These bold colourways can be an easy way to bring more depth into your kitchen, as the contrast can stop this space from feeling dull. The darker tones give your kitchen a hit of vitality and energy, from black cabinetry, the dark-toned natural materials, and deep-toned tapware and finishes. 

Moody and modern colourways give your kitchen a sleek look, which can be enhanced with dark tones, wall colours or contrasted against with whites. Dark tones throughout your kitchen guarantees your home a modern and contemporary look. Beyond that, we find dark benchtops and colourways are easier to keep clean and less likely to show messes. 

Australian-inspired Hamptons 

As Hamptons homes continue to lead as the most highly coveted kitchen form, we’re witnessing the combination of Hamptons elements and Aussie coastal styles. Hampton’s classics, like layers of light and shaker style, have been mixed with golden finishes and natural materials. 

The Australian take on Hamptons style transforms your kitchen into a sanctuary making this central hub of your home feel bright and airy. White kitchens are classic rather than trend-led and are bound to stand the test of time. The simplicity makes them easily adapted to suit the natural evolution of your home’s styles and your lifestyle. 

The classic Hamptons colour of white is bound to make your kitchen feel larger and more open. This kitchen variety has a relaxing effect, free from the clutter of contrast. 

Mix & Matched Materials

To enhance your kitchen, we’re finding mixing and matching materials can serve to create an interesting and bold kitchen scape. By combining different materials, colours and textures, your kitchen can be an exciting and welcoming place that can complement the rest of your home with ease.

Mix and match kitchen styles are great if you’re looking to create a kitchen that will connect to the more unique aspects of your home. With contrasting materials and colours, mixed and matched kitchens are adaptable and relaxed.

Mid-Century Inspired

In the late few years, we’ve experienced a revival of midcentury styles in fashion to homewares. Today, we’re seeing our favourite elements of midcentury kitchens be combined with contemporary features. 

Bold splashbacks are a great way to add unique texture and shapes to your kitchen benches. From chevron patterns to hexagon tiles, adding tile patterns is an impactful way to add a midcentury style to the central space. 

The use of dark finishes, such as wooden units, black tapware and industrial-style pendants, brings depth into your kitchen, contrasting with white walls and benches. The addition of glass cabinetry adds a vintage touch to the space, rivalling classic kitchen styles. They also provide the opportunity to showcase your favourite dishware. 

Resort Style

Following the cultural impacts of the pandemic, we’re witnessing resort style interiors surge as we reimagine homes to rival a sanctuary. Resort style homes embrace airy interiors, white spaces and an overall feeling of bliss and relaxation. 

With the incorporation of outdoor flooring to flow effortlessly into alfresco spaces, a resort-style kitchen is perfect for open plan living if you intend to bring the outside in. 

Aesthetically, resort-style kitchens embrace bright white units and simplified storage systems to keep the space uncluttered. By Adding muted tiles as a splashback, you enhance this topical outdoors sensibility in the space.

Kitchens are the perfect opportunity to enhance the overall style of your home and craft the perfect space to make memories in. Discovering and designing the right kitchen will serve to enrich the functionality of your home whilst making a space you enjoy spending time in.

Natural Lighting

Posted on July 14, 2022 by - Planning your Home

The Importance of Natural Light in Homes

Natural lighting plays an important role in making your home comfortable, visually appealing, and welcoming. The sun is a powerful tool in designing your home, filling your home with a rich, natural hue that artificial lighting simply cannot compete with. With a long list of benefits and advantages, natural lighting is a vital consideration for all home builders.

The benefits of natural light

Incorporating natural lighting into your home has a range of benefits, from sustainability to your health.

Create a more sustainable home

Introducing natural lighting into your home is one of the easiest steps in creating a more sustainable home. Increasing sun exposure will brighten and warm up your home without needing as much heating or electrical lighting. By reducing the amount of electricity being used in your home, you’ll also minimise the burning of fossil fuels. This small yet simple step is one easy way to live a more sustainable and environmentally conscious life.

Reduce your energy bills

As well as being kind to the environment, natural lighting will also be kind to your energy bills. In the summer, daylight savings allows the sun to brighten your home well into the night. Whereas during winter, the air-tight capabilities of modern doors and windows means that the winter sun’s warmth can help keep your home warmer for longer. Lighting alone can account for more than 10% of your energy bills. Using less electrical lighting will also help you save on maintenance and replacement costs.

Improve your health

Introducing natural lighting into your home will also be beneficial to your health. Sunlight can increase your Vitamin B and D levels, which are essential to maintaining good overall health and well-being. Natural lighting will also assist in realigning your body clock with the sun. This will instinctually enable your body to improve your sleep schedule and stimulate your appetite which will improve your digestion. Sunlight is also said to boost your immune system, increase endorphins and serotonin levels and assist in balancing your body’s hormones.

Prevent mould

Maximising natural lighting in your home can also protect your family from harmful bacteria possibly growing within the home. The sun acts as a natural disinfectant and helps eliminate moisture. Both aspects can help prevent mould from growing within the home. This will also reduce the amount of cleaning and maintenance that your home requires.

How to design a home to maximise natural light

Luckily, these benefits are well within your reach. When designing your home, there are steps that you can take to ensure your home maximises natural lighting. However, it is important that these considerations are made at the beginning of your home design journey, as some aspects of your home can’t be changed later.

Orientate your home to the sun

The orientation of your home is one consideration that must be made at the very beginning of your building plans. Whilst the orientation of your home can sometimes be limited by the size and position of your block, being mindful of the sun’s position throughout the day can maximise the levels of natural lighting. 

The general rule is that the longest side of your home should face north to south. The sun can enlighten and warm your home’s eastern and western sides in the mornings and evenings. However, if neighbouring buildings block you from doing so, there are still ways to utilise natural lighting. Design your home so that communal rooms, or the rooms you spend the most time in, get the most natural lighting to be most impactful. Additionally, position bedrooms on the eastern side of the house so that they catch the morning light.

Windows and Doors

If you don’t have the freedom to choose the orientation of your home, then the choice of your windows and doors are the most powerful tools in harnessing natural light. Large, clear windows, skylights and glass doors will allow sunbeams to flow through your home. Often, the middle section of a home can become the darkest. Consider installing a skylight above corridors, hallways, and staircases to invite the sunlight in. If you are concerned about privacy, high-level windows in bedrooms and bathrooms will allow you to maximise natural lighting whilst also maintaining privacy.

Using the right paint colours

The colours of your walls and ceilings can also help increase the natural lighting in your home. Sunlight is absorbed by dark colours, whilst lighter colours will reflect it. The Light Reflectance Value (LVR) of a colour determines how much light the colour will absorb or reflect. LVR can range from close to 100% for pure white to near 0% for black. Pure white is so popular in modern homes as it will allow natural light to bounce around your home, and white with different undertones will also effectively increase the brightness of your home. Using a white trim around your windows and painting your ceiling a shade lighter than the walls will brighten your home whilst also making your space look larger. 

The Rise of Regional Homes

Posted on July 14, 2022 by - Planning your Home

Australia’s lean toward bigger, lifestyle homes

After extended periods of lockdown, we’ve witnessed thousands of Australians exchange the high-density hustle of cities for the expanse of spaces and slow paces of Australian regional communities. This newfound emphasis on space, comfort and more conscious living has informed home buyers’ attitudes towards their new home. Home trends have shifted with access to more land, different environments and new values.  Whilst our cultural investment in urban living sparked the trend of lean homes and compact spaces, the events of the pandemic have revived our love of outdoor spaces and large homes. 

Regional living is becoming more appealing

For many of us, COVID-19 forced us to reconsider our lifestyles, living arrangements and, ultimately, our values. This led many homebuyers to shift their gaze away from the highly competitive and populated areas of cities and instead aim for outer suburbs and regional areas. 

A recent study has found that 1 in 3 home buyers believe regional living became more appealing due to the pandemic experience, and 1 in 5 now feel more likely to consider moving interstate, particularly those from NSW and VIC. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) also witnessed this shift in internal migration data, with the populations of Queensland increasing in the last year whilst New South Wales and Victoria have decreased. Beyond these interstate shifts, we’re also witnessing people considering properties within an average of 27 kilometres of their current home, with older buyers willing to look even further beyond. This trend indicates that Australians are looking to set new roots in totally different areas and communities. Today, homebuyers are more open to new areas and ultimately searching for a change.

Changes in block sizes

In their search for new surroundings, we’re also witnessing home buyers looking for larger block sizes. With COVID-19 causing most of us to spend more time at home, homebuyers and homebuilders are craving more space and less compact living styles. It is estimated that 1 in 2 would prefer a block size over 400 sqm, which has increased since pre-Covid times. Whilst smaller blocks may remain popular with first time buyers or investors, we’ve experienced a 10% decline in home buyers even considering a block below 200 sqm. 

With the growing demand to make your home feel like a sanctuary, we’re witnessing a rise in home buyers and builders after more resort style living, with generous open plan floor layout and plenty of room both indoor and outdoor.

Expansive block sizes provide the opportunity to design a sprawling home over the convenience of a single story. Our popular pod-style floor plans do just this, providing distinct lifestyle blocks to separate personal and communal spaces.  Whether your home extends in width or depth, more space is destined to enhance your overall home and lifestyle. 

Home design attributes and features

More expansive spaces give you the room to create your dream home, ready to support changes in your lifestyle or family. With the growing interest in at-home offices, larger homes allow you the space to carve out a specific work area, separated from living areas. 

The pandemic also saw families living together, from adult children with their parents to grandparents moving in. Large homes give you the ability to adopt the growing trend of intergenerational living, whilst ensuring everyone has enough space for their own privacy.. 

Moreover, whilst being homebound, we’ve witnessed a growing interest in curating outdoor living spaces and extending the luxury of your home to the outside. From pools to alfresco dining, these outdoor spaces serve to make your home feel even bigger and offer the luxury of enjoying the outside world while still in your own home.

We find more expansive homes give you the opportunity to integrate home trends and the space to ultimately perfect your dream home. 

Post-Pandemic Homes

As Australia adjusts to life post-COVID, we are experiencing this major shift in how we live our lives. Our increased time spent homebound in the last few years changed what we want in our homes and how we intend to live in them. As rates of migration to regional areas only continue to grow, we can expect to experience a recharged investment in generously sized homes, expansive spaces and plenty of access to the outdoors. 

Importance of the Right Kitchen Flooring

Posted on July 14, 2022 by - Designing & Inspiration

A Guide To Modern Hamptons Style

As the foundation to the central hub of your home, you can expect your kitchen floor to receive a workout from day to day. Finding the right kitchen flooring can completely transform your kitchen and living space and elevate its comfort and functionality. 

The kitchen is both your home’s aesthetic anchor as well as one of the most frequented utility spaces. It is guaranteed to be walked on daily and get messy as you cook, whilst also being expected to perform as the heart of your home.

Overall, the right kitchen flooring will be durable, maintainable, and complement your overall home style. 

Types of kitchen flooring

With such a wide range of materials available today, you will find a kitchen flooring option that will serve your home’s beauty, functionality, and longevity. 

1. Timber/wood flooring

Timber or wood flooring is a coveted favourite for most homes, capable of providing a classic and refined edge to your living space. Wood flooring has remained the foundation of homes for centuries, with a range of shades and finishes as well as high durability. Timber flooring could work as the flooring option for your entire home, creating continuity from room to room. Its classic look makes it adaptable to different home styles, from farmhouse to modern, giving you the flexibility to design your kitchen around the desired look and feel.

Due to timber and wood being natural materials, keeping these floors clean may require more regular care and attention. Wood flooring can handle vacuuming or damp mopping weekly, but it’s important to remove excess water immediately to avoid decay and use products that won’t be abrasive.

2. Vinyl

Vinyl is a popular and inexpensive kitchen flooring material. Crafted from PVC, vinyl is non-porous, hard-wearing and low maintenance. Its sound rates of absorption make it a great material for children, safe kitchens, and easy to clean. Vinyl is popular in spaces bound to be pushed to the limits, like homes with young children or pets.

Their wide range of styles masterfully mimics the look of coveted natural materials like stone, timber or concrete. This means you can get your dream kitchen look for less through a likely more functional material. 

Vinyl is highly durable; in fact, it is often difficult to remove once installed. Moreover, the engineered materials can emit volatile organic compounds, which could negatively affect one’s health. 

3. Tile

Tiles throughout your kitchen is a highly functional flooring option that can effectively compliment benchtop, cabinetry and splashback choices. Durable and non-absorbent to water, spills, odours or bacteria, tiles have remained the preferred flooring for the wet rooms of homes. 

Long-lasting and available in a variety of colours, styles and finishes, the wide range of tiles available today means you can use tile flooring to enhance the overall style of your home. From intricate patterns to Tuscan-inspired terracottas, tiles are a great way to add a rustic touch to your home that can be easily extended into the alfresco. 

Tiles are, however, harsh to stand on for long periods of time and are unsupportive to your legs and back. If you know you intend to spend leisure time cooking in the kitchen, the hard surfaces of tiles may take their toll. 

Tile flooring in G.J. Gardner Home

4. Laminate

Laminate flooring is commonly used throughout kitchens and is a great choice if you are exploring a hard-wearing, low-maintenance option. Laminate is durable and water-resistant, crafted from moisture-repellent layers and fibreboard. 

Today, laminate floorings options are available in a wide range of appearances that often appear strikingly similar to natural timber flooring. They’re a great choice if you love the look of timber floors but are resistant to the maintenance or care they require. If sealed right, you can expect a laminate kitchen floor to last a lifetime. 

Laminate flooring however is not moisture-resistant and can be greatly damaged when saturated or water damaged. In cases of extended exposure to water, laminate is likely to warp and stain. As with other flooring options, laminates must be maintained with the right cleaning processes to ensure their longevity. 

5. Concrete

Concrete flooring is currently on-trend, providing your home with a modern, sleek and minimalist foundation. Currently available in a range of types and polishes, concrete is becoming an increasingly popular choice for living spaces like kitchens. 

With concrete flooring being the common choice for spaces exposed to the elements, it is highly durable and easy to maintain. 

However, concrete is an unforgivable hard surface and will not be comfortable if you intend to spend extended time in your kitchen. Its texture and colouring are often cold and deny this heart of the home a sense of warmth. Slippery and susceptible to moisture, it is not uncommon for a concrete floor to settle and crack over time.

What to consider when choosing flooring

When considering what the right flooring option will be for you, it’s important to set parameters in regards to style, maintenance and durability to provide some direction.  

Ultimately, whilst most flooring options are available in a range of colourways or textures, they are not all suitable if you’re trying to perfect a style and aesthetic for your home. What is great about flooring materials today is that you have such a wide range of options available to achieve the desired look at different price points.

Maintenance will be key to keeping your kitchen flooring looking beautiful and functioning at its best. We recommend considering how much maintenance you’re prepared to invest in keeping the appearance of your floor, from cleaning, sealing and polishing. Some flooring options will be more convenient to maintain than others, so finding a material that both complements the look you’re after as well as the effort you’re prepared to give is essential.

In terms of durability, different surfaces react differently to spills, foot traffic or heat. Certain kitchen flooring options will be better suited to growing families or multiple pets and heavy use. Finding a flooring option that will ensure the longevity of your home overall and guarantee it’ll last for the life you intend to live in this dream home. 

Beach Kitchen

So, what’s the right type of flooring?

Ultimately, the right flooring will vary depending on the home builder’s needs and vision. We recommend exploring a wide range of styles, price points and materials to find the perfect kitchen flooring option for your home.

Benefits of Adding a Butlers Pantry to your Kitchen Design

Posted on July 20, 2022 by - Designing & Inspiration

The kitchen is the heart of your home, and with the rise of open plan living, the heart is more exposed than ever before. Whilst giving our homes a central living hub, it also allows you to consider your kitchen differently. Kitchens now are expected to be aesthetically cohesive with the look of your living space and the home beyond.

So, if the kitchen is a thing of beauty, what about the dishes? Lunchboxes? Toasted sandwich maker? Pantry goods and storage?

Functional storage space can serve to elevate the functionality of your kitchen whilst keeping up appearances. This recent modernisation of kitchen spaces has seen the resurgence of a centuries-old tradition—the butler’s pantry.

The history of the butler’s pantry

Butler’s pantries became popular from the 1850s onwards, found commonly in affluent households as a designated space for a butler and wait staff. In addition to a range of household duties, the butler was often responsible for managing the pantry items and serving food. ‘Plating up’ happened in the butler’s pantry, and then meals were served in the dining room.

In the years to follow, families without butlers or waitstaff began to include a butler’s pantry in their kitchen design, giving families a space for storage and food preparation. However, from the 1940s, storing and preparing food became easier as fridges and freezers became the norm. This saw the decline of butler’s pantries as kitchens became more functional and designated. 

This feature has laid dormant in a home designer’s toolbox for more than 50 years, until now.

Functional kitchen design

In recent years, butler’s pantries have exploded in popularity. These days, a butler’s pantry is no longer about accommodating wait staff and is more about fostering a functional kitchen design. 

There are a few styles of butler pantries to consider, depending on the style of home and space available. A butler’s pantry layout can be as simple as some shelves and cupboards tucked behind a door to a large room complete with a second sink, dishwasher and walls of storage. 

No matter the style, a butler’s pantry will help you in three key areas: storage, preparation and clean-up. This additional space makes everything from everyday meal prep to extravagant entertaining a breeze.

Storage

The butler’s pantry is the perfect place to store and use big, bulky appliances. Things like stand mixers, coffee machines and juicers all belong in a butler’s pantry. They can also be designed with ease so they can store infrequently used dining sets that deserve to be kept separate from your everyday items. A butler’s pantry helps keep your bench space clean and tidy.

Preparation

A butler’s pantry is the perfect place to do messy meal prep before moving your ingredients into the kitchen to cook. Peeling and chopping vegetables, making sauces and assembling salads are all great butler’s pantry activities.

Clean-up

A butler’s pantry is also the perfect place to go from dirty to clean. If you choose to add a sink and dishwasher to your butler’s pantry, you can do your day-to-day cleaning out of sight.

The saviour of entertaining, a butler’s pantry also allows you to hide all your cooking mess until after the night is done. After all, the last thing you want to see when you’re relaxing with an after-dinner drink is a pile of dirty dishes.