The wonderful thing about building a house is you can start from a blank slate and create a home that offers everything you want. From the overall design’s look and feel, through to the smallest of fixtures and fittings, you can include all the items on your wish list.

But it’s sometimes not as easy as it sounds - finding the right combination of style and substance is always a balancing act. A home may look spectacular from every angle and have an extensive list of inclusions, but if it’s not practical and easy to live in on an everyday basis, you won’t be happy living there.

You might be in love with a gorgeous antique bath for your ensuite, but are you willing to sacrifice a big chunk of usable floor space to get it in there? Maybe you love the idea of a gourmet kitchen with a professional-standard layout and appliances, but if it starts to take over your living space and dominate the entire home is it really the best idea?

We want our homes to offer an ideal living environment for years to come — maybe even for the rest of your life — so the design, layout and inclusions of every room need to be carefully considered. Rather than competing with each other, form and function need to co-exist in perfect harmony.

Of course, these factors will need to be balanced with another all-important issue in any build: your budget. Think carefully about your ‘must have’ items and where you might be willing to compromise to ensure you’ll be happy without blowing out the budget.

The best way to balance functionality, practicality and all the features you’ve been dreaming of for your new home is to choose an experienced, reliable builder. The right builder will work to include everything on your wish list, but at the same time make sure every area of your new home offers the ultimate in comfort and practicality for everyday living. They’ll work with you every step of the way to bring your dream home to life.