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10 clever design ideas

for your new home

Good design is at the heart of every home we build.

That’s why, when you design & build with Sentinel, we care just as much about how your home works, as how it looks. We’ve put together the following tips to explain just some of the ways we design a home that looks and works beautifully.

design tip #1

Impressive Entryways

Why settle for a boring entryway? Make a great first impression with great design! Not only will guests be wowed, but a functional and stylish entryway adds value to your home. Make a statement, show off your personal flair, and give a warm welcome all in one shot!

Design tip #2

Plan to use some view shafts

View shafts are those little peeks of the outside world from inside your home. Strategically chosen views of the ocean, part of your garden, a tree, or even the sky are at the end of a view shaft, and the layout and design of the interior of your home add drama to the view.

design tip #3

Define spaces without walls

Open-plan homes exude a sleek and roomy vibe, but when there’s no way to distinguish the end of the dining space from the start of the lounge zone, it can feel a touch... floaty.
The trick is to use the floor, windows and ceiling or even paint colour to define the space.

design tip #4

Incorporate skylights in your design

Illuminate your place with natural light, improve indoor air quality, and add a touch of architectural flair with skylights - the perfect solution for a brighter, more beautiful home.

Design tip #5

Think about feature ceilings

What feeling would you like to have when you walk into a room? Open and spacious? Cosy and warm? Talk to us about the types of ceilings available, and how each one can give its own feeling to a room.

design tip #6

Bathrooms don't have to be boring.

With a little more thought and clever design, your bathroom can go from boring to beautiful. Think about using anti-fogging mirrors and electric towel drying racks. Remember to include power for charging things like electric toothbrushes too. Layout is also important in the bathroom - try placing the shower in such a way to provide privacy for the toilet.

Design tip #7

Be Bold with Colour

You don’t have to stick with white, off white and almost white in your home. Our colour consultant can work with you to give you the confidence to be bold with colour, personalising your home and creating architectural atmosphere.

design tip #8

Got kids? Think about a Mud Room

When it comes to laundries, incorporating loads of storage, hanging space and overhead cabinets will make your laundry life easier. If you’re planning a walk-through laundry, think about incorporating seating and storage for muddy boots to keep dirty sports gear out of the house!

Design tip #9

Feature walls

Feature walls bring visual interest and depth to a space, creating a focal point and enhancing the overall aesthetic of a room. Timber, brick, wallpaper or even a well chosen paint colour can really make the room!

design tip #10

Light it up

Good lighting design is the fairy godmother of interior design - it can magically transform a room with just the flick of a switch! We can help you choose unique light fixtures to light up your new home, inside and out!

bonus design tip

Ask experts to help

Our design team have hundreds of clever design ideas that can make your new home even better, and it costs nothing to have chat. Get in touch today to discuss your new home, or book a free site check.

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sentinel has been winning awards for years!

client testimonials!

We have at every stage had excellent communication & wonderful personal service. The whole experience has been first-class. I can't recommend Sentinel Homes Waikato enough. Thank you all so much

Peter Tate
Rangitahi, Raglan

Sentinel were 100% transparent about the process. Their communication was excellent, they have a really great app that keeps you up-to-date.

Louise Petrie
Millwater

Having Sentinel owned by a husband / wife team also felt like you got that extra bit of care as a family owned business. The quality and finish of the home is great. We knew we'd get a quality build from Sentinel and they didn't disappoint!

Michelle Norman
Wairarapa

We wanted bespoke architects and builders rather than something already on a plan. Being the second time we built, we knew what we were looking for and Hayden and his team could deliver that. We had the most fantastic builders and project manager, who had a great relationship with us directly and their craftsmanship was meticulous.

Renee Telfer
Wellington

The entire Sentinel team cared about us and our new home. Top notch service and always went the extra yard. Fantastic experience and highly recommended.

Grant Paterson
Hamilton

Sentinel homes were fantastic to work with. Andrew's attention to detail, design suggestions, communication skills and project management made the process enjoyable and easy. Highly recommend this company if considering building a home. His building contractors and all his other service companies were also excellent to work with.

Julie Otene
Taranaki

what's next?

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!

Call 0800 456 321