Your family won’t look the same in five years as it does today. Kids get older, routines change, parents might move in, and the way you use your home shifts more than most people expect when they’re picking a floorplan.
The best time to think about all of that? Before you build.
One of the biggest advantages of building a new home is that you get to design it around your life and not just how it looks right now, but where it’s heading. Here’s how to make sure your new home works for you today and still makes sense in ten years’ time.
Start With Flexible Spaces, Not Fixed Ones
It’s tempting to assign every room a purpose from day one. But the families who get the most out of their home are the ones who build in flexibility.
A few ideas that work well:
- A study or activity room near the main living area — perfect as a playroom when the kids are small, a homework zone when they’re older, and a proper home office if someone’s working remotely
- A guest bedroom with its own bathroom access — doubles as a parent’s retreat down the track, or even a teenage retreat when they want their own space
- An open-plan living and dining area with zones — one large space that can be used differently as your family evolves, rather than multiple small rooms you eventually outgrow
- A theatre or media room that earns its keep — great for family movie nights now, but also works as a second living area when the kids are teenagers, and everyone needs their own space
The key is to avoid over-specialising rooms. A “nursery” is useful for two years. A flexible bedroom with good natural light and storage is useful for twenty.
Think About Bathroom Placement Early
This one catches a lot of families off guard. When you’ve got toddlers, one family bathroom feels fine. When you’ve got teenagers who take 30-minute showers, it’s a different story.
A few layout decisions that pay off long-term:
- Ensuite to the master — non-negotiable for most families, and it keeps the main bathroom free for kids and guests
- A second bathroom near the minor bedrooms — even a compact one with a shower, toilet, and vanity makes a huge difference as kids get older
- A powder room or third toilet near the living areas — saves traffic through the main bathroom, especially when you’re entertaining
Don’t Underestimate Storage
This might not be the most glamorous design tip, but it’s one of the most practical. Families accumulate stuff such as sports gear, school bags, prams, seasonal items, tools and if your home doesn’t have somewhere to put it all, every room becomes a dumping ground.
- A proper mudroom or drop zone at the entry — hooks, shoe storage, bag hooks, maybe a bench. It keeps the front of the house clean and gives everyone a landing spot
- Walk-in linen cupboards — far more useful than a single linen press in the hallway
- Built-in robes in every bedroom — not just the master. Kids’ rooms need decent storage too
- Garage storage beyond the cars — shelving, overhead racks, or a dedicated workshop area. A double garage that can’t fit two cars because it’s full of camping gear isn’t really a double garage
Build the storage into the design from the start. Retrofitting it later is expensive and never looks as clean.
Plan Your Outdoor Space with Growth in Mind
Perth’s climate means outdoor living isn’t a bonus, it’s a core part of how families use their home. But what works outdoors changes as your family does.
- A flat, grassed area is essential when kids are young, somewhere to kick a ball, set up a trampoline, or let the dog run
- An alfresco that connects to the kitchen makes entertaining easier and keeps an eye on kids playing outside
- Side access to the backyard is worth planning for since it lets you bring in equipment, trailers, or materials without going through the house
- Consider future additions — could your backyard accommodate a granny flat, pool, or shed down the track? Even if you’re not building one now, keeping the option open is smart planning
If your block is smaller, talk to your designer about how to make the most of it. Clever landscaping, built-in seating, and multi-use surfaces can make a compact outdoor area feel much bigger than it is.
Future-Proof the Bones of the House
Some of the best long-term design decisions aren’t visible, they’re in the infrastructure.
- Extra power points and data cabling — the number of devices in a family home only goes up. Plan for it now rather than running extension cords later
- Pre-wired for security, smart home, or solar — even if you’re not installing these systems on day one, having the cabling in place makes future upgrades simple and affordable
- Wider hallways and doorways — if you’re thinking about aging in place (or even just pushing a pram through), slightly wider corridors and door openings cost almost nothing during construction but make a big difference later
- A bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor — for two-storey homes, having at least one bedroom and bathroom downstairs means the home stays accessible if mobility changes
These aren’t luxury features, they’re practical decisions that keep your home functional as your family’s needs evolve.
Consider Multi-Generational Living
More Perth families are designing homes that accommodate extended family, whether that’s ageing parents, adult children saving for their own place, or a relative who needs support.
This might look like:
- A granny flat or ancillary dwelling on the same block — self-contained living with its own entrance, kitchenette, and bathroom
- A wing of the home with a separate entry — connected to the main house but with enough separation for privacy
- A ground-floor suite with ensuite and kitchenette — works as a parent’s quarters now and can be repurposed later
If your block size allows it, a granny flat can also double as a rental income source down the track, which is worth factoring into your long-term planning.
How Emily Rose Homes Can Help
Designing a home that grows with your family isn’t just about choosing the right floorplan, it’s about understanding how your life might change and building in the flexibility to adapt. At Emily Rose Homes, we help families across Perth think through these decisions before they commit to a design. Whether you’re building a house and land package, a knockdown rebuilds, or a custom home, we’ll make sure your home is designed around your life and not just today, but for the years ahead.
