Creating the Perfect Holiday Home

You want your holiday home to be a haven from the stress of everyday life; a home-from-home that feels truly special and gives you that glorious ‘I’m getting away from it all’ feeling.   

Here are some tips for creating the perfect place. 

Make the most of your location 

When you find a location you love, look for a custom builder who understands the area. They should be well-versed in working with its geography and climate. If you have a sloping site, engage a builder who’s familiar with the local challenges.  

A knowledgeable builder can also advise on things like how best to catch the winter light and the cooling summer breezes, so that your holiday home makes the most of every advantage of the location. 

Design and materials make a difference too – not only in creating a house that sits beautifully in its environment, but keeps it comfortable and efficient. The right orientation, insulation, tinting and glazing will help your holiday home keep naturally cool or warm throughout the year.   

Make it versatile 

Sometimes your holiday house will be a private getaway, but you might also invite a tribe of friends and family to share in your escape. A versatile floor plan will help you make the most of either situation – and make the house more versatile if you decide to rent to holidaying tenants as well. 

Plan for lots of sleeping space, including enough rooms and beds for two (or more) families. Furnish the adults rooms with King and Queen beds, with some bunk beds for the kids. You can even include strategic sofa beds in other spaces to be ready for all kinds of visitors.  

Keep it comfy 

Another key to a refreshing holiday home is to furnish it for comfort.  Sun lounges or a hammock on the deck and a day bed in the sun room can make it easy to relax all day. Put a king sized bed in the master bedroom and large, accessible walk-in shower in the bathroom.  

Use a fresh, neutral colour palette and then make it pop with some brightly coloured soft furnishings that you can change when the mood strikes you! Thoughtful use of texture, tone, light and natural materials also creates harmony between your inside and outside surroundings. 

Keep it simple 

Good design can also reduce the less fun parts of a holiday home. A native garden blends with the natural landscape, entices the birds to warble at your window, and is much easier to maintain than a formal garden bed. 

Using durable building products designed for the local climate – like coastal elements – will also mean less maintenance and repairs in the long term. 

Also consider whether carpets or floorboards are best. Do you prefer a warm and cosy feel or an open, uncluttered ambience? What will be easier to clean and maintain? 

Indulge yourself 

What’s a holiday home without a few extras? You might want to add some luxuries over the years, but be sure to begin with air-conditioning, a dishwasher and modern appliances.  

Features may include an outdoor shower to sluice away the sand after a day at the beach; large windows that face the right way to catch the sunrise or sunset; verandas or decks for relaxing and entertaining.  

An easy-to-clean barbecue in the alfresco area can make the summer special, as will a fireplace in winter. Some people will fall in love with a cosy reading nook, while others can’t wait to soak in a hot tub or a plunge pool. 

With a little planning, your holiday home can be a true getaway.