If commissioning an architect sounds like a recipe for stress and expense, but a cookie-cutter plan just won’t cut it, there’s a better way.
Our tailored design process means you’ll get a house that’s truly one of a kind – not just a replica of your neighbours’, but with a different front door colour or a few extra light fixtures. After all, why blend in when you can stand out? And it doesn’t have to add huge complexity or expense – our design experts know what small changes can make a big difference.
To help you get dreaming, we asked them for a few of the features and ideas they draw on to put your new home in a league of its own.
Want more ideas? Get inspired by some of our customers’ build stories – and why they chose to work with Sentinel Homes:
Most people focus on the interior design of their homes. That makes sense. It’s where you spend the most time. But don’t underestimate the wow factor (and selling power) of a house that looks stunning from the street. Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, a fresh, architecturally interesting exterior will have any passer-by doing a double-take.
Design to boost curb appeal:
Your front door and entryway can be a great way to set the tone for your home, so why not go for something functional, inviting – and maybe a little theatrical?
For example, you could feature timber cladding or brick on one wall or bring in more natural light with a skylight directly above the lobby. You could also add a partition to create a sense of intrigue and privacy as guests enter your home.
When we design a family home, space is essential. Particularly in open-plan spaces, volume helps define or create separation without using walls or floor demarcations.
Most people think you need a bigger house to create space, but with some clever design choices, even the most compact homes can look and feel spacious:
Choosing the right ceiling design for your home depends on how you intend to use each space. There are many ceiling types – flat, boxed and raked (to name a few) – and many variations, allowing for infinite ways to add your unique design flair.
For example, you could swap out standard GIB for a grooved product to imitate painted timber boards or add more skylights to your living areas for a feeling of space and height.
The beauty of designing your own home (from scratch or by modifying a plan) is that you can create as much or as little privacy as you like.
For example, you could extend your living area just a tiny bit to create a reading nook or make the most of the underneath stairs as a homework space. Use partitions and screens to separate the parts of your home you want to keep private – for example, screen off the toilet in the bathroom or build in a work-from-home space in the living room.
There’s much to be said for well-considered lighting in a home – inside and out. Here are some ways you can create individuality using different lighting designs and fixtures:
It might be the smallest room in your house, but a powder room is an opportunity to indulge your wildest decorating dreams. For example, a little extra width in your toilet space will make way for a full-size vanity with good lighting and give a noticeable sense of space. You can use colour, wallpaper, different textures, asymmetrical elements and good lighting to turn a lacklustre room into a fun and functional space.
Colour is one of the most important aspects of any space, but it can also be one of the most challenging design choices. Not only can colour be used to brighten, add warmth and create intrigue, it can also pull people into and through your home.
Our best advice? Choose colours that make you happy, and don’t be afraid to take some well-considered steps outside the box. Take the opportunity to lean on the expertise of our talented team to guide you on what feature colours would work with your unique style and taste.
Bespoke joinery, nooks and recesses help you maximise space and make sure rooms work with how your family lives.
Newly crafted joinery fits perfectly with existing furniture and comes in many sizes, shapes, colours, and shades. It can also be a simple and affordable way to customise your home – a recessed wall for shelving, a desk under a flight of stairs, or a false wall in your tiled shower to store bathroom products.
Sometimes the most straightforward construction ideas can have the most dramatic design impact. Here are some simple but effective ways to avoid a ‘cookie-cutter’ home:
Whatever you’re dreaming about for your new home, building with Sentinel Homes means you can bring them into reality – to create beautiful, functional house that stands out in a sea of copy-paste designs. Whether you’re working with us to create bespoke plans or using one of our plans as a springboard, you can add your own touches, big or small, with support from our expert design team.
Ready to start building a home that’s uniquely yours? Get in touch with the team at Sentinel Homes.
Let’s get together for a free, no-pressure meeting with one of our team, at your place or ours.
We can't wait to hear your ideas!
