Do you have a tight site? A narrow terrace or a single-fronted home?
Do you have a tight site? A narrow terrace or a single-fronted home? Here are some tips from a recent house design of ours to help you make the most of even the most challenging proportions…
Dealing with a narrow block
The secret to making the most of a narrow site is to take advantage of the entire width and length of your block. In this design, the home spans the whole width of the site. The home even extends seamlessly into the courtyard to take up the full length of the block.
Narrow house design example
Here is a recent design of ours in the inner-city suburb of Albert Park, which has a lot of narrow terraces and small blocks hemmed in on all sides.
A couple of key moves we performed to make this home feel larger than it actually is:
Using a full wall of glass allows the living spaces to extend into the outdoor space
Dedicating an entire wall to storage and services like the stair, pantry, and fridge space to maximise the remaining space
Clever storage solutions integrated along the wall allow everything to be tucked away, reducing visual clutter
A full-length bench seat extending into the courtyard allows the home to host loads of guests and everyone has a place to sit and relax (plus, it has integrated storage!)
Maintaining the same height and materials for the internal storage and raised planting bed creates another trick of the eye to make the internal space extend into the courtyard
Grabbing some light and greenery from in the kitchen also makes the home feel larger (and makes it easier to see what you’re cooking!)
Living large on a small block
In a relatively compact space, the lucky owners can live a luxurious-feeling life. There’s a cosy fireplace, a stunning full-height sliding glass door opening into the courtyard, a lush outdoor entertaining space, neat and tidy storage, and a functional kitchen with a pantry and integrated fridge.