No longer the exclusive domain of the rich and famous, walk-in robes are fast becoming the must-have item in homes all across Australia.

‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is a saying dating back to the seventeenth century and it is just as relevant today – holding real meaning for anyone who likes a bit of order in their wardrobe.

Making your spaces work harder and smarter is behind the rise and rise in popularity of walk-in robes but as with all aspects of good home design, it’s about finding that perfect balance between function and form. 

If you’re considering upgrading your closet to a classy boudoir or planning on building your new dream home with your very own designer dressing room, here are a couple of things about walk-in robes that we’d like to share with you.

If you’ve got the space, consider a comfy ottoman or another type of seating. This can double up as a handy place to sit when putting on shoes, a lay-out area for planning that perfect outfit or even a tabletop for a tea tray or cheeky glass of bubbles before a big night out! Built-in seating is another popular option with storage space beneath it.

When it comes to the layout of your wardrobe, planning is everything. 

They say that true luxury is comfort, so whilst your walk-in robe may look like it belongs in Hollywood, you need to plan carefully to make sure it works with Swiss precision. Clothes should be easily accessible, with plenty of smart storage for shoes, belts, scarves, jewellery and other accessories.

Decide whether you want to conceal or reveal your clothing i.e. do you want open shelving and hanging space or do you want to hide everything behind cabinet fronts? Some people choose glass-fronted cabinets and drawers which combine a touch of sophistication with time-saving visibility but remember, this may not be the best option if your cupboards tend to be a bit chaotic!

We’re buying more clothes and shoes than ever before, so a walk-in robe gives us space to store our stuff in an organised way. Some people even go so far as to colour-code their clothes, which probably saves valuable minutes –and keeps the blood pressure down – when hunting for a particular item that you know is in there somewhere!

Specialised storage is another consideration for efficient walk-in robes. From drawers with glass tops for storing and displaying ties or bottles of aftershave to custom-designed jewellery trays with soft velvet inserts and pull-out shoe racks, there’s so much that you can do to achieve a beautiful fusion of style and storage.

Of course, even the most elaborate space needs good basics. Lighting, accessibility, power points and of course, a full-length mirror are absolute musts in the pursuit of wardrobe wonderland. If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated beauty station in your walk-in robe, don’t forget to focus on great lighting for a flawless finish. 

LED strip lighting, backlit panels, charging stations, a concealed TV and even a pull-out ironing board or steamer for a last-minute spruce up are just some of the other extras you may want to consider.

No longer indulgent luxuries or the stuff of dreams, walk-in robes have become essential features in every modern home. We know that your space is as unique as you are, but as we’ve learnt over years of experience in custom-designing homes in Perth, the trick to a fabulously functional walk-in robe is to get a perfect balance between what it looks like and how well it works.

To see one of our statement ‘his and hers’ walk-in robes in person, drop by our newest display home – The Sawyer – in Salter Point.

When you hear the word ‘Hamptons’ you likely think of the beautiful beachside location that’s a summer playground for New York’s wealthy elite. However, the most prominent image to spring to mind is undoubtedly the architecture. Born from humble farming origins, the group of villages known collectively as ‘the Hamptons’ saw an upsurge in popularity as a coastal getaway in the late nineteenth century. In 1893, The New York Times reported:
“The beautiful villages clustering around old Southampton…combine to make as close an approach to Eden as can be found in a long journey…Well-bred men and women find a congenial atmosphere, refined attractions in plenty, and innumerable charms about these quaint old villages.”
As the status of the area grew, so did the size and craftsmanship of the houses, which embraced the existing character of the town on a larger, more luxurious scale to create the iconic Hamptons look so popular today.

What makes a Hamptons home?
Homes inspired by the Hamptons style have become popular worldwide and with its coastal lifestyle, Perth is no different. There are a number of elements that typically appear in Hamptons style houses. Externally, there will be triangular roofs and contrasting white trim, columns or timber balustrades, which stand out from the rest of the house. Traditional Hamptons homes used materials that could withstand the harsher coastal conditions, including timber weatherboards and shingled roofs. Modern interpretations of this style often utilise low-maintenance weatherboard style cladding, broken up with brick or stone to create a textured, slightly rustic appearance. As Hamptons homes were usually holiday residences, they were designed with summer entertaining in mind and commonly featured verandahs to make use of the fine weather, so this is often a feature in Hamptons style homes. Large windows with white frames are also a staple, often in the French style or ox-eye to let in maximum light.

Light and airy interiors are another hallmark, so ceilings tend to be high and the rooms laid out in a free-flowing manner, grounded by pale timber floors. Soft neutrals make up the colour palette, including cream, white, dove grey, and duck egg and grey blues, offset with a little charcoal and navy. The result is a bit nautical; fresh and bright, never dull. The furnishings are all about natural materials and layered textures, with linen, throw rugs and cushions adding a comfort factor. Shaker style cabinetry is popular in the kitchens and bathrooms, with aged or antique-look handles, fixtures and light fittings giving a nod to the historical character of the original Hamptons homes. Relaxing yet sophisticated, classic but not old-fashioned, the right interior design choices can create the finishing touches that bring the whole home together.

Why they work in Perth
The Hamptons aesthetic is a timeless one, pairing grace and elegance with a relaxed coastal vibe. This results in a beautiful home that is also comfortable, inviting and very livable. Given Perth’s coastal lifestyle and sunny climate, it should come as no surprise that this East Coast style translates so effortlessly to Australia’s West Coast. Hamptons inspired homes have enjoyed popularity in Perth for a while now, and their appeal only seems to be increasing. Does this sound like your ideal style of new custom built home? Get in contact with Coast Homes, your custom builders in Perth, to discuss your ideas and how we can introduce some Hamptons elements into your custom home build.

A house and a garden used to be considered as two separate things, each with their own distinct look, feel and function, but with blocks decreasing in size and our lifestyles changing, the world of home design has turned on its head.

It’s now all about creating homes that have a seamless flow between the interior and the exterior. It’s about creating harmony and beautiful functionality. It’s about crafting homes that are sympathetic to the landscape around them with interiors that speak to the outdoors. And of course, it’s about making the most of the incredible climate that we have in the West.

We love this trend because it brings together the best of both worlds, but we also know that it’s not always easy to get the balance right. There’s no substitute for careful planning and at Coast Homes, we know from experience that the more effort you put in, the more you’ll get out. We also know that your home is as unique as you are, so it’s all about doing the things that make your heart sing.

To fire up your imagination, we’ve put together a couple of fresh ideas for bringing the outside of your home inside, and the outdoors in. And don’t forget – if you’d like to see how these ideas work in real life, why not pop in to one of our display homes in Perth? Our experienced home designers and professional interior decorators have collaborated to create stunning indoor/outdoor spaces that make the most of our enviable Perth lifestyle and they’d be delighted to share their thoughts with you.

Small blocks, big ideas.

Shrinking block sizes mean more house on less land, with smaller gardens. This means that when you’re designing a new home, you need to really think about what the outlook will be from each room. If it’s not going to be lush lawn and trees, what will it be? Making your daily view beautiful will be an investment that you’ll appreciate every single day.

Window wisdom

Your window frames have an important role to play in creating a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor living spaces. We’ve noticed a strong trend towards thin, sleek window frames which frame the view beautifully without any distractions and which allow more light to flood into the home. Thin profiles with clean sight lines create a sense of openness and freedom, blending the environment indoors with the outdoors and vice versa.

Going green

Indoor greenery is a huge trend at the moment and is a great way to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. Container plants like the popular fiddle-leaf fig (which can reach up to two metres tall if you’re after an indoor tree!), palms, ferns, potted succulents and even terrariums are all great ways to add a splash of healthy greenery to your interiors. Another fuss-free option (which looks amazing and lasts for ages) is to put a piece of an aloe plant into a glass container. Naturally gorgeous and yet so simple! Cascading plants are another great way to create a textured green wall and you’ll probably find that these are easier to install and maintain than a vertical garden.

Natural materials

Channelling the outdoor world indoors is easy – especially with so many stunning materials to choose from including wood, jute, rattan, hemp, wicker, stone, cork, bamboo and linens. These marry beautifully with textured elements and organic shapes and will invoke the feeling of nature in your interiors in a gentle, inspirational way.

Door design

Your choice of doors will be a key factor in creating a blended indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Folding and stacking doors will open up the spaces completely whilst floor-to-ceiling windows will imbue your interiors with a natural ambience.

Fantastic furniture

Just as it’s great to bring nature indoors, you’ll want to extend your style to your outdoors. Comfortable and inviting furniture in your al fresco space which complements your indoor decorating theme will help to create a sense of seamless transitional living and encourage lazy days and balmy nights in the great indoors/outdoors.

We hope you’ve been inspired by these ideas and remember, if you want to experience indoor/outdoor living at its very best, please visit our luxury display homes in Perth. From sophisticated inner-city sanctuaries to relaxed coastal havens, our custom home builders in Perth design homes as individual as you are and we’d love to show you around.

They say that if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen…but what if your new kitchen is just on fire because it incorporates the hottest new interior trends?

If you’re designing a new kitchen or are considering giving your existing one a stylish upgrade, here are some of the hottest trends for kitchen interiors right now.

Colourful cooking

Light and bright whites and greys are still firm favourites for all styles of kitchens but there’s a surprising new colour palette that is popping up everywhere – inky darks.

Hues are richer, bolder and darker with moody blue, deep navy, forest green, plush plum and other jewel tones being used to break up all-white kitchens and add a modern, luxurious twist. Black is probably the most interesting twist of all and is the new go-to favourite all around the home as both the main player and a supporting act. It is making its presence felt in the kitchen on cabinets, countertops, floors, window frames, light fittings, tapware and other decorative accents but the trick with all of these darker colours is to tread carefully to avoid creating a look that is overpowering and intense.

Here at Coast Homes, we’ve definitely noticed the trend towards including sultry tones and bolder hues in our custom-built homes, with many of our clients choosing to mix up colours and use contrasting textures to add extra detail and visual interest.

Island style

Multifunctional kitchen islands remain a focal part of the open kitchen, creating additional space and setting the scene for convivial meal preparation and socialising. Stylish stools around the island open up a world of possibility – from family chats to homework, relaxed entertaining to culinary adventures – and this year will see impactful islands in a variety of colours and textures with a greater focus on integrated storage and appliances.

That sinking feeling

Sinks are huge right now. Literally. Oversized sinks with double taps are big news (imagine if two people could do the washing up at the same time!) with composite sinks made from the same material as the countertop giving more traditional stainless steel or ceramic ones a run for their money. Larger sinks also mean less clutter on the countertop which is good news for more compact spaces.

Statement splashbacks

What’s your number one priority for your splashback? Stylish good looks or streak-free cleaning? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that glass is out and patterned and geometric tiles, rich colours and interesting textures are strong trends for splashbacks this year – all of which add up to good looks and stress-free maintenance.

Fashionable finishes

We will also see continued interest in appliances that make a colour and style statement. Dark brushed metal finishes are big – as are vintage colours, matte black stainless steel, copper and gold accents.

Fabulous faucets

Kitchen taps will continue to grow in stature as focal points of trend-setting kitchens. Uber-stylish and multi-functional faucets are making a strong statement in the kitchen, and while the perennial classic gooseneck spout will remain a popular choice, we will see different coloured tapware which matches the home’s interiors coming to the fore. Look out for brass, metallic, rose-gold and, of course, black taps this year as homeowners look to marry fabulous form with first-class functionality.

Kitchen design has evolved enormously over the years and with the huge advances in technology together with the changing social dynamics of modern households, it really has become the working heart of the home.

This year’s kitchen design trends are all about giving a fresh update to both modern and traditional looks to create a streamlined aesthetic with stress-free performance.

But regardless of your style or whether you’re a trendsetter or a follower, good kitchen layout is essential. We have a fantastic selection of on-trend professionally designed kitchens for you to look at (and touch, feel and experience!) at our newly completed display homes in Perth, all designed by our custom home builders in Perth so please pop in and see us. We’d love to show you around.

Ah, the bathroom. It’s one of the smallest rooms in the home but it’s also one of the busiest and most important – which explains why more and more Australians are transforming what were previously designed to be ‘wash and go’ spaces into ‘stay and play’ ones where indulgence and luxury intersect beautifully with convenience and performance.

The bathroom has become a relaxing sanctuary where we can escape the daily grind and soothe and rejuvenate our minds, bodies and souls. But it’s also there to serve very functional purposes.

As one of the leading boutique home builders in Perth, we keep abreast of all the latest decor and design developments so that we can continue to bring a mix of experience and innovation to all of our projects. We’ve had a peek at what’s new in bathroom trends and there’s one thing for certain – the modern bathroom reflects our growing desire for fabulously functional show-stoppers!

Here’s a quick look at what we found.

High-tech harmony. Technology is a strong trend for this year’s bathrooms, with plenty of innovative ideas to make life easier – and more fun! Things to look out for include taps that turn on automatically, electronically controlled water temperatures, under-counter fridges for medicines or organic products (or perhaps a glass of chilled bubbles while you soak in your spa!), wireless music and TV systems and motion-sensor lighting.

Thin is in. Minimalist profiles will be big news this year. You can expect to see fine edges on vanities and baths, skinny window frames, thin profile handles and tapware and even slimline wall cabinets, all of which create a sense of space and lightness. We’re going to continue our love affair with standalone basins and baths, but the rims just won’t be as chunky as before.

Pattern perfection. Eye-catching patterns and eclectic shapes in both complementary and contrasting colours will continue to feature this year with hexagons, chevrons, herringbone, honeycomb and Mediterranean, oriental and Moroccan patterns making a stylish statement on floors, walls, splashbacks, showers and bathroom counters.

Colour code. Calm, subtle neutrals and organic greens, blues and browns will still be the hues of choice this year but colour is making a comeback. Leafy greens are also taking centre stage to add a soft edge to bathroom interiors with potted plants a ‘must-have’ in every beautiful bathroom. Dramatic accents like colour-coded cabinetry, matte black plumbing fixtures and highly textured featured walls are also becoming big news.

Sensational showers. Showers are still large and luxurious (with plenty of space for two) but have minimal fixtures so as to keep clutter to a minimum. Rainfall showerheads will continue to be popular, providing a cascading fall of water which refreshes and relaxes, whilst swing doors are taking favour over sliding doors (with some people even opting to do away with shower screens altogether). We’re also seeing greater use of large format tiles in the shower – even right up to ceiling height – as another excellent way of creating a sense of space and openness.

Va-va vanities. We’ve designed thousands of bathrooms over many decades in the home-building business, and we know how important it is to get things right. Your time is valuable so the space has to work beautifully for you – and that’s why we’re not surprised to see that the ‘his and hers’ trend for vanities is continuing to strengthen. A double vanity allows harmonious togetherness rather than a chaotic clamour for a cluttered single basin – so it’s no wonder modern bathrooms continue to embrace this trend.

Industrial is out. The edgy, utilitarian look is giving way to a softer, organic feel which is more relaxing and indulgent.

We’ve certainly found that the current bathroom trends point to a growing desire to make bathrooms look, feel and function like personal sanctuaries. There’s a strong emphasis on creating space, decluttering, marrying form with function and crafting interiors that nurture our spirits and if you’re interested in having a look at how our professional designers have brought these trends to life, you should pop into one of our display homes in Perth.

Pssst…want to know the hottest colour trend for interior design and decor?

It’s black, and it’s showing its glamorous face everywhere.

Of course, black never really went out of fashion, but it is right back on top as a stylish choice for both classic and contemporary home decor and interiors.

This was very evident at Maison & Objet trade fair in Paris (a huge event held twice a year which attracts over 3,000 exhibitors showcasing the latest in international homewares, furniture, accessories and lighting and which is the global benchmark for revealing where trends are headed) where black was BIG!

Black framed art was everywhere, as were tribal and geometric patterns and striking combinations of black and white. The Back to Black trend even inspired the well-known US designer, Jonathan Adler to swap his usually colourful palette for a striking monochrome display of black and white graphic patterns with only scarlet lip prints adding vibrant pops of colour.

Because black goes with everything – it’s being used everywhere.

Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms and entertainment areas, al frescos, gardens and even exteriors, this hot hue is making its presence felt in every corner of the home. Some are using it on a large scale (for example on feature walls, ceilings or staircases or as high-gloss lacquered cabinetry or statement flooring), whilst others are choosing more subtle touches like black picture frames, light fittings in minimalist shapes and dark decorative elements.

Black gives an interior a classy edge that’s right on trend. It’s versatile and works fabulously well in all styles of home, from laid-back Hamptons to contemporary chic, modern minimalism and everything in between, but it’s a powerful colour and it makes a strong statement, so it needs a skilled eye to keep things in perspective.

We also know that your home is as unique as you are, so you probably don’t want to be blindly following trends but rather finding a look that you love and incorporating up-to-date elements in your interiors that suit your special style.

Our professional in-house Coast Homes interior designer has a few tips when working with this Back to Black trend to help you get the look you’ll love.

Anything set against black will ‘pop’ so it can be the perfect palette for off-setting your favourite things and allowing other decor elements to take centre stage. However, although black is striking and sophisticated when it’s done right, it can be heavy and dull when it’s done badly or overdone, so restraint is important!

You can pair it with natural textures and organics like wood, coral and stone, offset your whites, blush pinks and soft pastels with black embellishments for a modern, luxe look or use it as springboard for earthy greens – think lush potted plants in black, ceramic containers or a vibrant hedge set against an inky fence or wall.

And yes, whilst we’re drawn to bright interiors and we’ll always design our homes to make the best use of a block’s orientation and to incorporate as much natural light as possible, we can still use black without compromising these airy interiors.

Have a look at what the trendsetters are doing with black and how it’s being used in many different ways. You’ll see black walls, black floors, black cupboards, black artwork, black chandeliers, black window frames and doors, black cabinets and black accents. You’ll see patterns and stripes. You’ll see drama, sophistication, simplicity and pared-back elegance. You’ll also notice how black is used to ‘ground’ very light interiors, with black accents and decorative accessories (like picture frames and lamp bases) carefully placed to add depth and interest.

The trend is for every room in the home to be enhanced and accessorised with this bold hue, but whether you choose to make a big, edgy statement or choose to introduce this inky hue in more subtle ways – simplicity is crucial in nailing the look.

Why not pop into one of our recently completed display homes in Perth for some interior design inspiration for your own home? We’re sure you’ll find much to love in our expertly designed custom-built homes, so please come along and see how colours and textures come to life in the most extraordinary way. We’d love to meet you!

Is building a new home one of the biggest things you’ll ever do in your life? Absolutely.

It can also be one of the most exciting and most rewarding times of your life – provided you choose the right home builder to partner with you on the journey.

But with so many different home building companies to choose from, how do you go about finding one that’s right for you?

Because building a new home is such a major investment in terms of money, time, effort (and of course, emotion), choosing your home builder is a decision that shouldn’t be rushed. Take your time. Do your research, ask the right questions and weigh up all the options to make sure that your final decision is one that both your head and your heart are happy with.

Spend time researching all the different home building companies. Have a good look through their websites or brochures, ascertain their credentials and search the internet for news articles about them. Building a new home isn’t a quick project and you want to know that you’re in safe hands, so make sure that they’ve got a solid past and a long-term future.

Make a list of your needs and wants and if they don’t tick the boxes, then move on to the next one. You’ll soon discover that home building firms are not all the same.

Personal recommendations are invaluable. If you know anyone who has built a home recently, ask them to give you an honest assessment of their experience and whether they would recommend their builder. They’ll probably be delighted to share information and offer advice – so it’s a good idea to work out what questions you want to ask beforehand. Remember, knowledge is power, so the more you know, the easier it will be to make a decision.

An important question to ask people about their building experience is whether they had the same team on their project from start to finish. Most building companies move their clients through different departments as their home-building journey progresses, but this can be disruptive and unsettling not to mention frustrating and time-consuming – so it’s in your best interests to choose a firm where you interact with the same friendly team throughout the entire project.

The next thing to do is to meet with the home building companies themselves. First impressions count and your initial face-to-face contact will give you a fairly accurate indication of what they’re about and how they operate. Are they friendly? Do you feel welcome? Are they genuinely interested in you or are they just going through the motions? Do you get the feeling that quality and attention to detail are as important to them as they are to you? Are they really listening to you?

It’s also crucial to ask them all the tough questions at that initial meeting. Ask about budgets, costing of variations, timeframes, flexibility on design and finishes, tradespeople etc. Ask how they manage their working relationship with their clients. Do they have a single contact person all the way through? Are they happy to provide contact details of their previous clients so that you can get first-hand feedback? If they aren’t prepared to let you have those – take that as a warning sign.

A slick and smooth presentation is compelling, but it may be misleading and you need to strip away the facade to ascertain whether the company is truly professional, friendly and authentic.

Once you’ve got a short-list of potential home-builders, you should then visit their display homes. Seeing is believing. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet members of the building company’s team and ask them questions etc, you’ll get a total sensory experience of what they offer in terms of design, creativity, functionality and quality. Try and imagine what it would be like to live in that home. Does it feel like a home? Does it offer the lifestyle you’re after? You need to be happy with the answers to ALL of your questions before you embark on the journey of your life!

Don’t forget to check out our recently completed display homes in Iluka and Sorrento which showcase our fresh and stylish approach to home building or drop into the office and meet the team. We’d love to see you for a friendly chat about why we think Coast Homes is the right custom home builder for you.

We know that building a home is one of life’s most significant personal experiences. It’s huge and we know how much it means to you. It certainly means a lot to us too and we love sharing the journey. In all the years that our team has been building new custom built homes in Perth together, nothing has been more rewarding than the friendships we’ve made with our clients and seeing their wide smiles and happy hearts when their dreams become reality. Job done!

Your friends have just finished building a new home and are proudly taking you on a guided tour to show off their prized asset. You’re immediately struck by what appears to be a glaring design error. Do you say anything?

It’s probably wise to keep quiet, be diplomatic and compliment them on a job well done, but if you’re planning on building a new custom built home, you certainly won’t want any design errors or regrets.

Of course, you’ll want your new home to have your unique touch with features that suit your lifestyle, but designing a new custom built home from a blank canvas is a mammoth task and without the benefit of experience (or the wisdom of hindsight), it’s not easy to get absolutely everything right.

You may have a vision of an open plan contemporary masterpiece, but have you thought about the acoustics or heating and cooling those vast open areas? Some people want to include unusual and eye-catching features in their new home to make it really stand out, but remember, these quirky elements may actually be a deal-breaker at sale time.

Of course, it’s absolutely fine to have some unusual design elements included in your new home, but unless they can be changed, removed or updated quickly and cost-effectively, you should think twice about them.

Whether it’s the size of your spaces or the height of the windows, the orientation of the building or the direction of the door openings, the placement of your furniture or the positioning of the TV, you need to think about hundreds of different things when you’re designing a new home.

Timeless designs will always be in fashion and if you’re building a new home, your choices of colours, features and furnishings are important – particularly if you plan to sell your home in the not-too-distant future. A neutral palette will always have universal appeal and simple, clean lines never go out of fashion.

That’s why it is so important to partner with an experienced home builder on your new home journey. We understand good design and we know the pitfalls. The devil is in the detail and even if you have a clear vision of how you want your new home to look and function, it takes a skilled and knowledgeable eye to translate that vision into the perfect outcome with no design flaws!

Here’s a question. Where’s the best place for a kitchen waste bin? Well, you definitely don’t want to have it in the cupboard below your kitchen sink because you’ll have to step away with dripping hands every single time anyone needs to throw something away. It may seem obvious, but you’d be amazed at how often people make this simple design error – and many others like it – and whilst they don’t seem significant on paper, they can be really annoying and impractical in real life.

Small design errors can cause everyday frustration, but big ones have a much more significant impact.

A home that has an unusual layout, a quirky design feature (like domed mosaic ceilings or an indoor swimming pool) or a specific detail to suit a specific lifestyle or hobbies (like a multiple-car garage for the motoring enthusiast or a rooftop glass dome for the passionate star-gazer) may seem like a good idea at the time of building but can actually make a home very difficult to sell.

That’s where we at Coast Homes can help. We’ve worked together as a team for years and years building new homes in Perth and we know how crucial good design is. Of course, we also know that you want a stunning one-of-a-kind home which reflects your unique style and which is admired and envied by all – and so if you build with us, you have all of our collective experience at your disposal to ensure you realise your dreams with no design nightmares.

We embrace individuality and we love bringing a fresh creativity to the neighbourhood – so please come and talk to us about your new home design ideas. With the same friendly team on your side from concept to completion, we can’t wait to work together to bring your vision to life with no design regrets!

 

No one wants their dream home to become a financial nightmare.

So if you’re building a new custom built home, how do you avoid overcapitalising your investment and losing money? Before we look at ways that you can avoid overcapitalising, let’s firstly examine what it means.

In simple terms, overcapitalising means overestimating the market value of a property or investing more funds into the property than it is worth at sale time.

Property investment always carries risk, but the golden rule is that property is a long-term investment and only in very rare instances do people make a ‘quick buck’. Short-term profits are not the norm and it is really, really important to bear this in mind when you’re planning on building a new home and working out how much you should spend.

It may be an old saying, but the line that ‘knowledge is power’ will never go out of fashion. Spend time doing your research. Find out about past and present house values in your area. Get in touch with the council to find out what infrastructure developments are planned for your suburb. For instance, are there any new roads on the cards? Any planned upgrades to shopping precincts, schools, community centres or sporting venues? Things like underground power and densification are important considerations when it comes to property values and you need to know the timing – and the type – of any commercial or council developments.

Read as much as you can about your suburb, go online to industry websites such as REIWA to get an overview of the kind of lifestyle that your area offers and get all the relevant market information, key facts, demographics and statistics which will help you make an informed, realistic decision about your new home build.

You can ask your local real estate company for information about median house prices, sales history, suburb growth and so on or better still, come and talk to us. Our boutique builders in Perth have decades of experience in the property and building industry and we’ll be delighted to share our knowledge to help you make the right choices.

Every road or suburb has at least one home that sticks out like a sore thumb. Maybe it’s the only double-storey home in a sea of single storeys or the only grand Tuscan villa with hand-carved columns and a double volume portico in a street of heritage homes – whatever form it takes, the ‘odd-one-out’ is probably going to be a hard-sell and whoever built the home may to struggle to recoup their investment.

Of course, your new custom built home can most definitely be unique and designed specially to match your lifestyle and individual taste but it’s always worth getting expert advice to make sure that it’s appropriate for the area and that you aren’t going to overcapitalise.

Here at Coast Homes, we use our decades of experience in the building and property industry to help you make the right decisions. We know all about building costs and the impact that the design of a home has on the total budget but we also know how to create beautiful ‘wow’ homes that are actually affordable.

Overcapitalising on a new home build is a costly mistake and we’re more than happy to share our expertise and experience to help prevent you from falling into that trap, so please pop in for a friendly chat.

Finding inspiration for interior decorating projects used to be quite a challenge.

There really weren’t a lot of resources and many of us relied on magazine articles and our local home decor stores for ideas. Oh, and trying to peek unobtrusively at other people’s homes of course!

Thankfully, technology has changed everything.

Nowadays, we can search for – and find – anything and everything to do with interior decorating, 24 hours a day.

Our smartphones, TVs, computers and other digital devices put ideas and inspiration in the palm of our hand (literally!) – so it’s goodbye to crumpled magazine cuttings and hello to an exciting new world of interior decorating possibilities.

We can take virtual tours around properties round the world. We can pour over thousands of photographs and creative ideas to our heart’s content. We can get regular updates from industry experts delivered directly to our inboxes. We can vicariously immerse ourselves in decorating projects and learn from other people’s mistakes – and their successes – by watching reality TV. We can keep right up-to-date with the latest trends and products as they hit the shelves, and if something takes our fancy, we can simply whip out our phones, snap it and have it – in an instant.

So, if you’re building a new home and want custom home design inspiration for your interior decorating projects – the world (of technology, that is) is your oyster.

One of the very best places to start gathering information is Pinterest –- a visual bookmarking tool where you can discover and save creative ideas. And if you’re new to the site, don’t worry. It’s really simple to navigate (and it’s addictive) which is probably why it has 200 million active users every month!

It’s also a good idea to create a mood board for your decorating project (a tool that interior designers have been using for ages) by collecting magazine cuttings, photos of your favourite pieces of furniture, fabric swatches and paint samples and arranging them on a display board.

You can also create a digital mood board – and you don’t have to be a computer wizard to do this either! There are plenty of online tools which make it easy for everyone. Check out Olioboard, an easy-to-use and self-explanatory interior design mood board creator, which allows you to create 2D and 3D room designs using real products.

Houzz is another great tool for decor inspiration. This online home renovation and design platform brings together a community of over 40 million homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals from around the world – and you can look and learn from them to your heart’s delight. And if you have a smartphone, check out their app as well as other great mobile apps which provide home improvement inspiration on the go.

Another good way of keeping up with decorating trends is to follow interior designers on Instagram. This way, you’ll have a constant feed of fresh ideas and you’ll be able to go through all of their past posts to find looks that you love. You can also sign up to regular email feeds from your favourite bloggers so you won’t miss out on any ‘must-haves’ for your new home.

Armchair inspiration has also never been easier. Sit back and take notes whilst enjoying a variety of reality TV shows like The Block, Selling Houses Australia, House Rules and Grand Designs, which will give you plenty of food for thought.

We’re certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to places to find design inspiration for our new homes – but it’s not always easy distilling all the information and ideas into bite-sized pieces and it’s certainly not easy making final decisions. That’s why, when you’re building a new home, come and talk to us at Coast Homes. Our professional team will use their skills and knowledge garnered over decades of experience to translate your ideas into beautiful outcomes.

And to appreciate just how beautiful these outcomes can be, why not come and see our recently completed display homes in Perth? They showcase the magic touch that our in-house interior decorator brings to every one of our custom-built homes, and whether you love the coastal chic of a Hamptons style home interior or modern elegance with a sophisticated twist, we’re sure you’ll be inspired by what you see.

If you build with us, our in-house designer will be involved from the very start of your project right through to the final finishing touches. They’re part of the same team who will share your entire home-building journey – from a pencil drawing on a scrap piece of paper to the bubbles at the roof-wetting – so please get in touch with us if you want a friendly chat about fresh design inspiration.

Downsizing your block doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your dream of a backyard swimming pool.

The growing trend towards more compact block sizes has given rise to a huge variety of creative options for small swimming pools – and even if you’ve ended up with a bit of an odd space for your pool, you will definitely find a solution.

The first rule to remember when it comes to designing a pool for a small backyard is that there are no hard and fast rules!

It’s all about finding a solution that fits the available space, complements your home’s aesthetics, meets your budget and fulfils your practical requirements – but remember, a small pool may require more precise planning and the more effort you invest upfront, the better the outcome will be.

Before you even start on the ‘nice-to-haves’, it’s really important to focus on the technical aspects of your pool construction project. These aren’t necessarily the most exciting things, but they are crucial so you need to spend a bit of time on things like compliance with building codes and local council regulations, boundary restrictions, property protection for neighbours, pool fencing and access for excavation and construction equipment.

Here are some great suggestions for stunning pools in a small backyard:

Simply sensational and functionally fabulous. When your space is limited, the trick is to keep things simple and not try and over-complicate the design with too many elements. You may not be able to use your smaller pool in traditional ways (such as doing laps or diving in) but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun in it. A smaller pool can look amazing and be a source of great entertainment, so you probably just need to adjust your expectations.

Integration inspiration. With a compact space, good design is paramount and your pool needs to be in harmony with your home and its surroundings. The pool needs to ‘belong’ in the space and proportion and aesthetics are critical – so it’s really important to take time and care over the planning and design.

Multi-purpose pool space. If you’re designing a pool for a compact block, you should consider something that doubles up as a decorative water feature when it’s not being used as a pool. Aesthetic elements like a feature facade, water wall, subtle fountain or spout, built-in planters and even a fireplace can transform your pool area into a sparkling oasis that’s beautiful to look at all year round.

Plunge perfection. A plunge pool (with safe step ledges on the sides) which relies on depth rather than on width or length, is another great idea for a compact block.

Consider a spa ‘spool’. If your space is limited, you may want to consider installing something that fits in between a pool and a spa – a ‘spool’! This offers the space-saving benefit of having built-in seating, so you can reduce the size of the decking or surrounds, plus you could extend your ‘swimming’ season into the cooler months by installing a pool heater.

Long and lean. What about a narrow lap pool that runs along the side of your home? These can also serve as stylish showpieces, enhanced with clever structural elements such as planters and fencing.

Evaluate your pool’s access. Remember, when you’re installing a pool on a diminutive block, you don’t need full perimeter access to it. In fact, double or even single-sided access is sufficient – and in this way, you’ll be saving on space and on the surrounds too.

Infinity forever. Depending on the position and elevation of your property, you may be able to design a small infinity pool. By blurring the boundaries between the edge of the swimming pool and another body of water (be it the sea, a lake or a river), you can create the illusion of space and make your pool appear larger than it actually is.

Concrete, vinyl or fibreglass? There’s no right answer as to which construction method is best for pools in small backyards – you just need to work out which one offers you the most advantages. A custom-designed concrete pool may give you more flexibility in terms of shape and size and may be a more suitable option in more challenging spaces, but there are lots of compact manufactured products on the market which are worth having a look at.

At Coast Homes, we love a challenge and are always keen to find ways to deliver to our client’s brief on what their ideal custom built home looks like. A great example of our pool problem-solving skills is the ‘Cottesloe Residence’ (pictured). The owners wanted to be able to keep an eye on the kids swimming while enjoying a drink at the bar, so we designed the pool area to be raised, allowing for an unobstructed view. The result was a feature pool that looks fantastic while also fulfilling our clients’ needs.

If you would like to have a chat about a custom built home, please call us on (08) 6241 6777 or email us at info@coasthomeswa.com.au.

Do you drool over the stunning pictures in interior decorating magazines but don’t have a clue about how to create your own beautiful spaces? Are you confident about designing your new home but go to pieces when you think about how you’re going to furnish it? Do you keep bringing decor items home that you think will match your colour schemes but realise you’re way off the mark as soon as you unpack them? Are you bewildered about all the choices when you visit a fabric shop or a homewares store? Maybe you want a fresh look for your new home and don’t know which of your old pieces you should keep, revamp or ditch?

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, you probably need professional help – from an experienced interior designer that is!

And don’t think you’re the only person in the world who feels overwhelmed by the idea of doing your own interior decorating. Plenty of people have excellent taste and appreciate quality and good design, but simply lack the skills – or the time – to pull it all together.

Interior decorating does require a broad set of skills and technical knowledge and while some people have a passion and talent for it and others learn from experience and training, many feel daunted by it. And although choosing colour schemes, furniture and accessories can be exciting and fun, it is also a responsibility. The end result needs to be in harmony with the rest of the home, the proportions need to be right, it needs to be functional as well as fabulous and it has to meet budget considerations.

So, if you feel a bit daunted by the whole thing, it’s a good idea to call for help and consult a professional. An experienced interior designer will work closely with you to craft unique and beautiful spaces where everything comes together in a cohesive whole.

And it’s funny that when it comes to building a new home, many people feel completely confident about the planning and construction phase, but go to pieces when their project advances to interior design and decorating. The enormity of the task and the number of different spaces involved can be overwhelming.

But don’t despair – there’s an easy solution! If you’re building a new home, you can take all the stress and anxiety (and the hard work!) out of the interior decorating by choosing a home building company which provides the services of an in-house interior designer.

Imagine being able to design your dream home AND furnish it like a pro? Well, if you build with a company like Coast Homes, you will have a professional interior decorator on your team. We will listen to your ideas before coming up with inspirational and practical design solutions to enhance your quality of life and your new home experience. From selecting colours, materials, looks and interior styling, we can help with all the decorative elements and finishing touches which will reflect your taste, bring your vision to life and make your home the envy of all!

If you want to find out more about the warmth, style and charm of the ‘Coast touch’, please give us a call on 08 6241 6777 or email us at info@coasthomeswa.com.au. Coast Homes is one of the leading custom home builders in Perth and our qualified and experienced residential interior design team will give you hands-on personalised service to help you create your ideal interiors with the minimum of stress.