With spectacular scenery, friendly people and a relaxed lifestyle, Southern Tasmania provides a wonderful place to call home. Be it your permanent home or a holiday home, building in Southern Tasmania is a smart choice.

As you start planning your build, here are 7 things you need to consider.

1. The south Tassie climate

Tasmania has four distinct seasons with the warmest months being December to March. The average maximum daily temperatures in summer are between 17 and 23 degrees while winter temperatures sit between 3 and 11 degrees. In terms of rainfall, the south is home to some of Tasmania’s driest regions, with Hobart being Australia’s second driest capital city after Adelaide.

Close to the coast the temperatures can be cooler with a series of cold fronts coming in from the Southern Ocean.

2. Topography

Much of Tasmania is composed of Jurassic dolerite intrusions (the upwelling of magma) through other rock types, sometimes forming large columnar joints. Mount Wellington just north of Hobart is a good example, showing distinct columns known as the Organ Pipes.

In the south, the dolerite is underlaid by sandstone and similar sedimentary stones. Owing to a relatively dry climate and its alkaline parent material, soil presents a different story to the soil in the rest of the state. Mostly classified as “prairie soils” or “brown earth soils” it bears some resemblance to the chernozems of Russia and North America.

Somewhat acidic in the surface levels and high in nutrient levels, the soil supports productive pasture. Large numbers of sheep are grazed in the region and grain crops and apples flourish.

What kind of kit home is right for you? Take the quiz to see which kit home design is your perfect match

3. Natural hazards

Southern Tasmania is prone to bushfires, flooding, landslides, coastal erosion and coastal inundation. There may be additional considerations if you are building in the areas subject to natural hazards, with new statewide planning and building requirements being implemented for hazardous areas during 2018. The changes are set out in Part 5 of the Building Regulations 2016. The state uses a nationally agreed methodology for the risk management process:

• Establish the context
• Identify risks
• Analyse risks
• Evaluate risks
• Treat risks

Likelihood refers to ‘the chance of something happening’, the frequency of something occuring and the impact it will have. The risk rating is expressed as High, Medium or Low.

In Southern Tasmania, bushfire is considered the most significant natural hazard. In 1967, fires swept through Hobart and resulted in the deaths of 62 people. Until the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria in 2009, this was the highest number of fatalities from bushfire in a single day experienced in Australia.

Because of the risk of bushfire, development standards apply to new use and development within a ‘bushfire-prone area’. A bushfire-prone area for the purposes of Tasmanian planning and building regulation includes:

• Land that is within the boundary of a bushfire prone area shown on an overlay on a planning scheme map; or
• Where there is no overlay on a planning scheme map, land that is within 100m of an area of bushfire-prone vegetation equal to or greater than 1 hectare.

Frequent storms and wild winds are not uncommon in Southern Tasmania and mitigation actions for storms are also included in building standards.

4. The Significant Tree Code

The Hobart Interim Planning Scheme 2015 includes a Significant Tree Code, recognising the use, character and value that garden and street trees contribute to the urban environment. The list initially comprised of trees included on the National Trust of Australia Significant Tree Register but has since welcomed nominations from members of the public.

Nominations for additions to the Significant Tree Register closed on 21 May 2018. A total of 200 nominations were received. 115 of these were for individual trees and 85 were for groups of trees containing approximately 1400 trees. An update of the Register will be announced soon.

To check if a tree is already listed on the register, view a map of Significant Trees.

5. Water management guidelines

The region’s water sensitive urban design guidelines are intended to help lessen the impact that urbanisation is having on Tasmania’s waterways and offer an improved standard of water management in new and existing development. The guidelines include 12 sets of Practice Notes for greater efficiency in water use and reuse. The guidelines can be downloaded here.

6. Energy efficiency

New home builders are encouraged to reduce their heating and cooling costs and impact on the environment through good design and construction methods. Some improvements may include:

• Selecting a building location that has good exposure to the sun
• Building a house that has a northerly position to make the most of the sun for that climate zone
• Well insulated wall, floor and ceiling
• Windows that do not lose heat in winter and reflect heat in summer
• Internal and external shading of windows and walls in summer

7. Building regulations in South Tasmania

If building a kit home in Southern Tasmania the work will either be deemed “Medium Risk” or “High Risk”. If it’s a Medium Risk an application (Notice of Work) is made to a building surveyor for a Certificate of Likely Compliance. This can be carried out by a licensed builder with regulatory oversight by a building surveyor. Council will need to be notified that the work is taking place but doesn’t need to give approval.

If you are planning to erect your kit home as an Owner Builder or you’re carrying out your build in a hazardous area, you will need to apply to council for a Building Permit. This requires you to go through a full building approval process with council.

Plumbing work will also be classed as either Medium Risk or High Risk and will reflect whether or not you need a Certificate of Likely Compliance or a Plumbing Permit.

Kit home designs to build in Southern Tasmania

We recommend the following designs for building a home in Southern Tasmania

• Prestige – Trafalgar
• Freedom – Sorell, Futura

Get in touch with Kitome home to build in South Tasmania

Helping you achieve your housing dreams by providing tailored designs suited to your chosen location is what we pride ourselves on. Whether you choose one of our unique kit home designs, customise our designs or start completely from scratch, the Kitome team is with you every step of the way. Get in touch with our team today to learn more, or download our brochure and discover how flexible we can be.

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The Central Highlands is the heart of Tasmania. It covers 8,010 sq km, roughly 12 percent of Tasmania’s land mass. It’s home to a permanent population of 2,216 and thriving communities disparately located around the region’s spectacular lakes and mountains.

Life in the Central Highlands is all about glorious scenery, fantastic trout fishing, and dramatic heritage. It’s home to a World Heritage Area, two national parks, and other Wilderness Conservation Areas. You can hunt, bush walk and fly fish and enjoy a strong agricultural, horticultural and tourism environment.

But before you break ground for your new kit home, there are 6 things you need to consider before you start building.

1. Building and development

Development within the Central Highlands Council area is governed by the Building Code of Australia and the Central Highlands Planning Scheme 1998. Visit the Bothwell Office at 19 Alexander Street for application forms and further information.

Building permits are required for demolitions, alterations, additions, changes of use and all new buildings. There are four categories for building work, based on the level of risk to public health and safety. Different approval processes apply for each category:

• Category 1 (low risk building work) – can be undertaken without a permit by an owner, or competent person, or licensed builder.
• Category 2 (low risk building work) – can be undertaken without a permit by a Licenced Builder (or a competent person only where specified).
• Category 3 (notifiable building work) – Work that is considered to be medium risk requires a Certificate of Likely Compliance from a Building Surveyor. The permit authority is notified of this work but no Building Permit is required.
• Category 4 (permit building work) – High risk building work requires a Certificate of Likely Compliance from a Building Surveyor and a Building Permit issued by the permit authority.

You will need to choose between employing a Private Building Surveyor or the Council’s Building Surveyor to assess and issue a Certificate of Likely Compliance. A plumbing permit must also be obtained before work commences. There are five categories of plumbing works:

• Category 1 – Low Risk Plumbing works that can be undertaken by an owner, or a competent person
• Category 2A – Low Risk (Non-notifiable) Plumbing Work (Licensed plumber)
• Category 2B – Low Risk Post Notifiable Work (Licensed plumber)
• Category 3 – Notifiable Plumbing Work (Licensed plumber)
• Category 4 – Plumbing work that requires a Plumbing Permit from the Permit Authority (Licensed plumber)

More information and all your forms can be found here.

2. The region

The Central Highlands region isn’t easily described. It’s a land of three thousand lakes (hence why it’s also known as The Lake Country) and includes Australia’s deepest freshwater lake (Lake St Clair) and Australia’s largest freshwater lake (The Great Lake). It’s a land of raw wilderness within the World Heritage listed Walls of Jerusalem National Park, which borders the iconic Cradle Mountain. So vast is the mountain range that weather can produce four seasons in one day.

Building with climate in mind takes some careful thought.

The Central Highlands contains the highest-altitude of Tasmania’s landmass. As such it has cooler temperatures and a larger daily temperature range than the coast. Nighttime temperatures are generally cold with frost over winter. The annual average is 9 degrees celsius so be sure your home will keep you warm.

The municipality has a strong seasonal cycle (driest in February and wettest in August) and rainfall can be as high as 1600mm annually in the west. The eastern part of the municipality sees significantly less rainfall, with less than 600 mm annually. Rainfall is projected to decrease in the Central Highlands by up to 10%, indicating that drought frequency and severity may increase over time.

What kind of kit home is right for you? Take the quiz to see which kit home design is your perfect match

3. Bushfire and flood safety

Although not significant in terms of property loss, bushfires in the Central Highlands have had devastating effects. In 2016 the impact bushfires had on the region and the World Heritage land was catastrophic. Some 18,000 hectares of heritage area was affected.

For information regarding bushfire prone areas, click here. A bush fire prone area is land that is within the boundary of a bushfire-prone area shown on an overlay on a planning scheme map or land that is within 100m of an area of bushfire-prone vegetation equal to or greater than 1 hectare.

For information regarding flood mitigation in the Central Highlands, click here.

To view Meander Valley Local Provisions Schedule Flood-Prone Areas and Fire-Prone Areas Overlay click here.

4. Soil quality in Tasmania’s Central Highlands

The Land Capability Classification System is based primarily on three permanent biophysical features of the landscape – soil, slope and climate, and their interactions. These three factors have a major influence in determining the capability of the land to produce agricultural goods. Other factors which must be taken into account are rock type, erosion hazard, range of crops that can be grown, management practices, soil conservation treatment, risk of flooding and past land use history.

The classification takes into account physical limitations the land may have, an example being poor internal drainage, rock outcrops, slope or stoniness. Limitations can be classified as either permanent or able to be removed or modified.

5. Observe local bush

Observing your local bush is a good way to get an idea of what can be grown in your area and what is suited to your property. Score plants against soil type, vegetation, community and uses.

Native plants occurring naturally in an area are adapted to survive and thrive in local environmental conditions. Choose local species when landscaping your kit home and you are more likely to have a successful planting site. You’re also helping to preserve any natural variability within that species and provide habitat for birds, insects and mammals in your area.

Try collecting your own seed or visit your nearest native plant nursery. Check out this guide to suitable plant species too.

6. Water use

As a result of significant reform of Tasmania’s water industry all regional water and sewerage suppliers moved to a single corporation in 2011, TasWater. Specific governance arrangements were agreed that are now largely incorporated in the Water and Sewerage Corporation Act 2012. The objectives prescribed in the Act are to encourage water conservation and deliver water and sewerage services to customers in the most cost efficient manner.

Kit home designs to build in Tasmania’s Central Highlands

• Prestige – Homestead, Rosedale
• Freedom – Glenbrook

Build with Kitome in Tasmania

There’s a lot to consider when building a home, and the more you can tap into the expertise of others the smoother the process will be. Download a Kitome brochure today and start planning your dream home.

Take a look through our collection of 50+ kit home designs, which includes sprawling homesteads architecturally designed to sit perfectly in the rural setting, generously sized family homes suitable for regional and suburban blocks, and smaller homes for the cosy holiday retreat. All of our kit home designs are 100% customisable, which means you can alter any design how you want. Get in contact with us to learn more.

The post 6 Things To Know Before Building In Tasmania’s Central Highlands appeared first on Kitome.

The Southern Highlands is mix of colourful gardens, leisurely pursuits, diverse landscape, history and heritage. Geographically it sits between 500m and 900m above sea level on the Great Dividing Range. Like other regions along this plateau, such as the Blue Mountains and Australian Alps, the Southern Highlands is known for its cool temperate climate. It also has a reputation for producing some great wine, the high annual rainfall (460mm – 1,883mm) and quality basalt soil being a match made in heaven for viticulture.

Thinking of building in the Southern Highlands? Here’s 5 factors to consider.

1. Bioregion

The Southern Highlands bioregion covers the dissected ranges and plateaus of the Great Dividing Range. The substrate is formed of Palaeozoic granites, transmuted sedimentary rocks and tertiary basalts. The area is characterised by high, flat country, which has been extensively cleared and used for grazing purposes.

Topographically, the dominant features of the bioregion are plateau remnants, granite basins with prominent ridges formed on contact metamorphic rocks. Soils vary across the bioregion in relation to altitude, temperature and rainfall. Limited areas of shallow organic loams are present at high altitude on Canobolos.

Rich in biodiversity and supporting large areas of land of very high conservation value, Wingecarribee Shire Council aims to protect and enhance the region’s distinct and diverse natural environment. Any new development must ensure that there is no loss of biological diversity or ecological integrity.

A flora and fauna assessment allows Council to make informed decisions regarding the likely impacts of your building proposal on the natural environment. It will report on the nature and extent of impacts, addressing plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

A flora and fauna assessment is required to be lodged with a Development Application (DA) if your property contains native vegetation, is adjacent to native vegetation, contains sensitive environmental areas likely to contain habitat resources for fauna or contains aquatic habitats.

2. Trees and vegetation

Approvals are required to remove one or more exotic or native trees or patches of native vegetation, including trees and understorey.

Under the NSW Government 2017 Biodiversity Law Reforms, Tree and Vegetation Clearing applications which are not part of, or related to, a development application in the Shire are now handled by different agencies depending on the zoning of your property. Local Land Services will handle your application if your property is zoned as Rural while council will handle your application if your property is zoned as non-rural.

Use Council’s Tree and Vegetation Clearing Guide Map tool to locate your property and obtain specific information on who to contact and what application process may be required.

What kind of kit home is right for you? Take the quiz to see which kit home design is your perfect match

3. Fire and flooding

You don’t have to live right near the bush to be at risk of fire. Fire can affect homes located by bush, grassland, paddocks or near the coast. Check for bush fire prone areas on your local council website or by looking at the RFS Bush Fire Prone Land online tool.

Prevailing weather conditions associated with the Southern Highlands bushfire season (October to February) usually coincide with strong south-west to north-west winds. There are also frequent dry lightning storms that occur during the bush fire season. Risk is generally influenced by drought and rainfall conditions.

Obtain free property information such as zoning, flood risk and minimum lot size by searching the NSW Planning & Environment planning portal.

4. Water & Sewerage

Wingecarribee Shire Council is the local water authority that provides potable water supply and reticulated sewerage services to residents in the Southern Highlands. Council operates six separate sewerage systems, which serve urban areas around the towns of Berrima and New Berrima, Bowral, Bundanoon, Robertson, Mittagong and Northern Villages, and Moss Vale.

The Council’s regular Capital Works Improvement Program is currently underway with a comprehensive water and sewerage improvement plan. The expected completion date for this is February 2019 subject to weather.

5. Council regulations

Building in the Southern Highlands requires the right balance between protecting the environment, supporting a healthy local economy, and providing effective access to community services and infrastructure.

If you intend to make any changes to a building, build a structure, occupy premises or subdivide land in the Southern Highlands, you will need to check whether the proposal is permissible and whether it requires an application. Obtain advice from Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Development Control Branch, where there are planners and duty surveyors available.

Development applications must be made on Council’s Approvals Application form, with full details of documentation and plans required for lodgement. Good engineering practice and a high standard in design, construction and development must be met. You can learn more about engineering standards here.

Kit home designs to build in the Southern Highlands

Prestige – Kensington, Homestead, Richmond Grove

Build a kit home in the Southern Highlands

Want to take the hard work out of building in the Southern Highlands? Download a Kitome brochure today and work with us to design and build your dream Southern Highlands home. All of our kit home designs are 100% flexible. That means you can alter any of our designs how you like to suit your block of land, or we can design a home with you from scratch. Get in touch with our friendly team to learn more today.

The post 5 Factors To Consider Before Building in Australia’s Southern Highlands appeared first on Kitome.

Far North Queensland is like nowhere else on Earth. Fringed by reef, enveloped by rainforest, ringed by the red dirt of the Outback – it’s a place of unique diversity and an interesting place to build. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering it.

There are 6 things to consider when building a home in Far North Queensland:

1. Climate

Far North Queensland has an average daily temperature range of 18.3 to 30.2°C. On average it receives 1998 mm of rainfall each year – 1393 mm in the wet season (November – April) and 610 mm in the dry season (May – October).

The climate, however, is comprised of three distinct regions: coastal, inland and tableland. These represent distinct agro-ecological types comprising different landforms, soils and topography as well as climate.

Climate responsive design is important for Far North Queensland, improving the comfort of your home and ensuring it can stand up to the conditions. Varying the width of your building, for example, can change the way it will perform.

To minimise the effects of climatic conditions you should get to know the sun’s seasonal path and the varying breeze patterns during the year. Talk to us here at Kitome about how we can make use of these two region-unique factors. We offer passive design options so that you can take advantage of the climate whatever it’s like and not only stay comfortable but reduce heating a cooling bills.

2. Topography

Much of the Queensland landscape reflects ancient geomorphic processes. In a word… Erosion. At the most basic level Far North Queensland’s topography can be divided into bedrock landscapes and unconsolidated deposits derived from various sources.

An understanding of the local hard rock surface is fundamental to land classification. You can learn more about land zones here. If your land proves to be a challenging block, Kitome has near limitless designs, making our homes ideal for any topography.

What kind of kit home is right for you? Take the quiz to see which kit home design is your perfect match

3. Fire and flooding

The weather in Far North Queensland can make for fire-prone conditions during the dry season. High temperatures, low humidity, little soil moisture and dry vegetation can be a bad combination. Click here to see if your land is in a Bushfire Hazard Area.

Flooding can also be a problem in some areas. The Queensland Government, as well as us here at Kitome can work with you to assist in mitigating and preparing for floods. To discover flood data in your location, check the FloodCheck map.

4. Soil and vegetation

Soil in Far North Queensland is a mix of sand, loam and clay. It can be acidic, dystrophic or Brown Dermosol with many stones and cobbles. But there is also an abundance of fertile agricultural land and mineral wealth .

The region’s natural environment is a major economic asset and the value of the landscape for nature conservation, primary production, renewable energy resource areas, priority carbon sequestration, cultural heritage, outdoor recreation and scenic amenity is given appropriate recognition in land use planning and development assessment.

5. Water

Water is a precious commodity and it pays to know where it’s coming from.

Prior to 1 February 2013, all new homes and commercial buildings in Far North Queensland were required to install rainwater tanks or other water supply systems such as greywater treatment plans. This is no longer true for all of Far North Queensland, so check with your local council. If in doubt, rainwater tanks are great addition to your home.

6. Local council regulations

Through Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans and other policies, councils regulate building and development within the Far North Queensland community. Development Applications can be for land subdivision, commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural land uses.

By seeking approval for your development, council is able to assess each development application on its merits and can:

• Implement environmental and community safety objectives
• Provide the opportunity for community input into decisions
• Provide an independent, impartial and objective framework for decision making
• Acts in the public interest, at arms lengths from the parties involved.

It is then up to you and your contractor to ensure the building work is carried out to an acceptable standard.

To learn more about local council regulations speak directly with your local council.

Kit home designs to build in Far North Queensland

With the bedrock terrain of the Far North Queensland, as well as it’s warm and wet temperament, there are certain kit home designs that are best suited to the landscape.

• From the Prestige Series we have the Brookland and the Homestead designs that lend themselves to being elevated if needed.
• From our Freedom Series the Harrington and Haven kit home designs would also be suitable for Far North Queensland.

Take our kit home selector quiz to discover which kit home designs are best suited to your lifestyle needs and personality.

Customise your home to suit Far North Queensland

Our kit home designs are 100% customisable. That means you can choose the design that you like the most, and add features that best suits your needs and the environment of the Far North Queensland region.

Learn more about how to customise a kit home

Considering a kit home for your land? Download a brochure today or give us a call and discuss the above. We’ll be able to help you find the right Kitome to suit both your land profile and needs.

Build your dream home with Kitome

Having considered the factors above you can set to work planning your dream home. Think a Kitome could be a perfect fit for your land? Download our brochure today or give us a call and discuss what you’ve learnt about your area. We’ll be able to help you find the right Kitome to suit both your land profile and needs.

The post 6 Things To Know Before Building in Far North Queensland appeared first on Kitome.

The Australian Alps is a special location. If you’re considering buying land there, we don’t blame you. Mountain ranges give way to uninterrupted horizons. Wild winter snow gives way to spring and summer wildflowers. It’s an ancient landscape with a long history steeped in Indigenous tradition.

Building in the Australian Alps

Over 600 million years of geology has shaped Australia’s unique alpine environment. The mountain ranges are some of the oldest in the world, with some minerals in the rocks found to be over three billion years old. The age and diversity of the rocks has meant that the Australian Alps is like no other alpine region in the world – it’s home to fertile soil up to one metre deep in places.

The Australian Alps is a place of water-loving ferns, sphagnum bog and mineral-rich wetland known as “fen”. There’s woodland and grassland, tall, red snow gums and distinctive plants, animals and ecosystems. It’s hugely important that you respect this when planning your build so that you can make your own contribution to conserving this natural wonderland.

Study a topographic map of any land you are considering and get to know it. Identify flat areas that may be good for laying the foundation, as well as areas that will need to be cleared of rocks or debris. Establish your boundaries and have the land evaluated.

Here are the 8 steps you need to take before you build a home in the Australian Alps.

1. Climate

Building in the Australian Alps has to be guided by the elements. Roof design, for example, is crucial to control snow dumps and you can’t rely on skylights for natural light because of the weight of snow. Rooms need to be sealed with no flues or vents, and you need mesh balconies to let snow through. You may also need to consider the delivery of materials to site and scheduling trades in extreme weather.

At the other extreme, the hot, dry climate of the Australian Alps in summer make it a high-risk bushfire region. The Alps, particularly the Victorian Alps, are periodically subject to major bushfires and have been almost entirely burnt through by bushfires, notably; Black Thursday in 1851, Black Friday (1939) and during fires in 2003 and 2006-07.

You can learn more about building for hot and cold climate here.

It’s important your home meets current climate needs to ensure your comfort for years to come. Kitome uses passive design options so that you can take advantage of the climate and not only stay comfortable but reduce heating a cooling bills. Work with the Kitome team to survey your land and you can make use of prevalent breezes and the path of the sun.

2. Slope

The Australian Alps Bioregion constitutes the highest section of the Great Dividing Range and includes Australia’s highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko (2,228m). The landscape is characterised by peaked ranges, undulating plateaus and ridges, and broad, forested valleys. Much of the land is sloped and surrounded by escarpments and gorges.

What kind of kit home is right for you? Take the quiz to see which kit home design is your perfect match

3. Soil

As mentioned above, the soil in the Australian Alps is some of the most fertile in the world but underneath this lies rock. At the higher elevations, ice crystals form inside rocks crack, speeding up the mechanical shattering of rocks. High rainfall also causes rock weathering and damage to alpine soil.

For a detailed look at the different soil types in the Australian Alps click here.

Soil information is important for a number of reasons, such as climate change, soil erosion, acidification and dryland salinity. Soil can make or break a construction project. Soil that changes shape or shifts may not bear the weight of some structures. They also have less impact on the soil and environment that a conventional build and blend in with the surroundings.

4. Flooding

The Great Dividing Range provides a natural separation of slower, wider rivers flowing west from faster, narrower coastal rivers flowing east. This can cause minor flooding in some areas of the Alps. In East Gippsland, weather systems commonly referred to as East Coast Lows can produce heavy rainfall. In June 2007, four major east coast lows occured in succession resulting in major riverine flooding.

In an ideal world, no one would build or rebuild in a flood zone, but competition for land means this can’t always be avoided. If building in a flood zone, use resilient materials like steel to minimise potential damage and design your home so that it can dry out quickly in the event of a flood.

5. Fires

The threat of bushfires is the price to pay for a beautiful alpine location. Certain native flora relies on bushfire for reproduction and Aboriginal people believe it’s a deliberate gift from the fire spirit. It’s a natural part of the ecosystem and important in many ways but the impact it has on people, animals and industries can be catastrophic.

To determine the bush fire attack level (BAL) of the land you’re looking at talk to the local rural fire service. The categories of attack are determined by:

• Type of vegetation
• How close the building is to vegetation
• What the effective slope is
• The Fire Danger Index applicable to the region

When building in a fire prone area you should always avoid building with any flammable material. While there’s no guarantee a steel frame home will survive a big fire, a steel framed building is significantly more blaze resistant than wood framed construction.

6. Trees and bushland

Travelling up the mountains you can observe four distinct zones of vegetation; lower slopes or tableland, montane, subalpine and alpine. The most obvious change is the transition at the tree line or upper altitude where trees grow. Above the tree line is the true alpine zone where there are no trees and vegetation is primarily dwarfed shrubs and ground-hugging herbs.

Each zone is significant and important to the Australian Alps but importance aside, you need to consider the impacts of nearby trees and bushland on your home and the impact your home will have on vegetation. There are local tree protection laws in place so if you’re envisioning that trees will need to be removed, refer to your council’s standards before taking any action.

7. Water

Water is a precious commodity and it pays to know where it’s coming from. The Australian Alps make their contribution to a number of vitally important streams in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. Two main factors contribute to the quality and quantity of the water:

• High levels of precipitation and low evapotranspiration
• High water-holding capacity of snow and alpine soils and vegetation

A development assessment application is not required if you are planning a single residential dwelling on a serviced vacant lot, however assessment of your home plans is still required. When planning a subdivision, flats or units, or if planning a duplex, commercial or industrial building you will need a development assessment.

8. Local council regulations

Through Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans and other policies, councils regulate building and development within the Australian Alps community. Development Applications can be for land subdivision, commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural land uses.

By seeking approval for your development, council is able to assess each development application on its merits and can:

• Implement environmental and community safety objectives
• Provide the opportunity for community input into decisions
• Provide an independent, impartial and objective framework for decision making
• Acts in the public interest, at arms lengths from the parties involved.

Having acquired your Development Consent you will then need to get a Construction Certificate to:

• Ensure your plans and specifications comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and any relevant standard
• Certify that the plans are consistent with Development Consent
• Certify that all required contributions and fees have been paid

You will need to lodge a Notice of Commencement at least two days prior to commencing works and having appointed a Principal Certifying Authority, ensure mandatory inspections are undertaken and certified.

To learn more about local council regulations speak directly with your local council.

Kit home designs to build in the Australian Alps

With the steep terrain of the Australian Alps, as well as it’s freezing temperament, there are certain kit home designs that are best suited to the landscape.

From our Freedom Series, the following kit homes would work well in Australia’s alpine regions:

• Harrington
• Chalet
• Glenbrook
• Hazelbrook

Take our kit home selector quiz to discover which kit home designs are best suited to your lifestyle needs and personality.

Customise your home to suit the Alpine terrain

Our kit home designs are 100% customisable. That means you can choose the design that you like the most, and add features that best suits your needs and the environment of the Hunter region.

Learn more about how to customise a kit home

Design your alpine home today

Think a Kitome could be perfect for the land? Download a brochure today or give us a call and discuss what you’ve learnt about the land. We’ll be able to help you find the right Kitome to suit both your land profile and needs.

The post 8 Steps for Building a Home in the Australian Alps appeared first on Kitome.

Life in the Hunter region can be great. Land prices are in line with regional real estate, but it offers a delicate balance of city traits – wine bars, concerts, a world-class university, excellent coffee, multiple art galleries and some fantastic restaurants.

Building in the Hunter

Purchasing land in the Hunter is a wise investment. But what sort of land have you got? Knowing your block will help you determine what kind of home you should build on it.

Study a topographic map of your property and get to know what you’ve bought. Identify flat areas that may be good for laying the foundation, as well as areas that will need to be cleared of rocks or debris. Establish your boundaries, have your land evaluated and clear the land if it needs clearing.

There are 8 factors you need to consider before building a house in the Hunter:

1. Climate

Hunter weather is generally different to that of coastal areas. Temperatures can be higher during day, but cooler and drier at night, with greater risk of frost. This makes the Hunter a hot and dry region, requiring shading, especially on east and west-facing blocks. That said, the more coastal and lower parts of the Upper Hunter region experience a mild subtropical climate with 700mm to 950mm of rainfall on average. This makes some parts of the region hottest and wettest in Australia.

You can learn more about building for climate here.

It’s important your home meets current climate needs to ensure your comfort for years to come. Kitome uses passive design options so that you can take advantage of the climate and not only stay comfortable but reduce heating and cooling bills. Work with your team to survey your land and you can make use of prevalent breezes and the path of the sun.

2. Slope

The Hunter sub-region is primarily defined by geological features and ridge lines associated with the Hunter, Liverpool and Great Dividing ranges. Several mountain ranges ring the subregion and land surface elevation ranges from sea level to 1241m in East Bluff. Land surface slopes are flat to moderate in the northern parts and relatively rugged in the southern parts.

What kind of kit home is right for you? Take the quiz to see which kit home design is your perfect match

3. Soil

The soils of the Hunter region vary widely, from sandy alluvial flats to deep friable loam and friable red duplex soils. In the Upper Hunter, the rivers and creeks of the region contribute to the area’s black loam soils that are often overlaid on top of alkaline clay loam. Among the hills of the Brokenback range are strips of volcanic basalt.

Soil information is important for a number of reasons, such as climate change, soil erosion, acidification and dry land salinity. Soil can make or break a construction project. Soil that changes shape or shifts may not bear the weight of some structures.

4. Flooding

Floods occur frequently in the region. In fact, according to SES data the Hunter makes up 10% of NSW’s total storm insurance claims.

In an ideal world, no one would build or rebuild in a flood zone, but competition for land means this can’t always be avoided. If building in a flood zone, use resilient materials like steel to minimise potential damage and design your home so that it can dry out quickly in the event of a flood.

5. Fires

The threat of bushfires is the price to pay for a beautiful bushland location. Maps of fire-prone areas are updated by council periodically and are certified by the NSW Rural Fire Service. If you are lodging your development application after January 2018 you are encouraged to check the latest Bush Fire Prone Map which has changed quite significantly from previous years.

It’s important to remember that bush fire prone land isn’t restricted to land that’s surrounded by bush. Your land may be near grassland, paddocks, a vineyard or near the coast.

6. Trees and bushland

Urban bushland provides food and habitat for native fauna species. Being sensitive to bushland and trees helps conserve Australian native plants and gives you the chance to be close to flora and fauna.

But you need to consider the impacts of falling branches or even whole trees on your home. This is of particular importance in regions of the Hunter that are prone to storms. If your land has trees you’d like removed, refer to your council’s standards for removing and restricting trees before taking any action.

7. Water

Water is a precious commodity and it pays to know where it’s coming from. Check to see what water regulations are set by Hunter Water, as well as who is responsible for approving the installation of all new water and sewer services. A development assessment application is not required if you are planning a single residential dwelling on a serviced vacant lot, however assessment of your home plans is still required. When planning a subdivision, flats or units, or if planning a duplex, commercial or industrial building you will need a development assessment.

8. Local council regulations

Through Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans and other policies, councils regulate building and development within the Hunter community. Development Applications can be for land subdivision, commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural land uses.

By seeking approval for your development, council is able to assess each development application on its merits and can:

• Implement environmental and community safety objectives
• Provide the opportunity for community input
• Provide an independent, impartial and objective framework for decision making
• Acts in the public interest, at arms lengths from the parties involved.

Having acquired your Development Consent you will then need to get a Construction Certificate to:

• Ensure your plans and specifications comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and any relevant standard
• Certify that the plans are consistent with Development Consent
• Certify that all required contributions and fees have been paid

You will need to lodge a Notice of Commencement at least two days prior to commencing works and having appointed a Principal Certifying Authority.

To learn more about local council regulations speak directly with your local council.

Kit home designs to build in the Hunter

With the hilly terrain of the Hunter, as well as it’s warm and cold temperament, there are certain kit home designs that are best suited to the landscape:

• For an acreage block we recommend any of our Prestige Series homes, particularly the Kensington or the Homestead which have wrap around verandahs and a range style look.
• For a large block with a bit of space to move, kit homes in our Freedom Series would be ideal, particularly the Harrington, the Sheffield and the Brighton.
• If you have a smaller more suburban block, the Glenbrook or the Edenvale would sit perfectly on your humble plot of land.

Take our kit home selector quiz to discover which kit home designs are best suited to your lifestyle needs and personality.

Customise your home to suit the Hunter terrain

Our kit home designs are 100% customisable. That means you can choose the design that you like the most, and add features that best suits your needs and the environment of the Hunter region.

Learn more about how to customise a kit home

Take the first step to building your dream home

Considering a kit home for your land? Download a brochure today or give us a call and discuss the above. We’ll be able to help you find the right Kitome to suit both your land profile and needs.

The post Building a House in the Hunter Region: 8 Things You Need to Know appeared first on Kitome.

Are you building your dream home? You’ve probably spent months planning the layout, materials and interior design. But have you thought about the garden? A beautiful garden can be your ultimate statement piece. These modern garden trends are popping up everywhere and can help give your new home that ‘wow factor’.

1. A new take on alfresco dining

Outdoor dining spaces are usually close to the backdoor. This makes travelling from the kitchen to the table quick. But lately, designers have literally pushed the boundaries, by moving the outdoor eating areas further into the backyard. A more immersive dining experience is created when the alfresco dining area is further away, as it allows guests to see more of your garden. Surrounding the area with lush plants and using special flooring, roofing, lighting and furniture creates a dinner party sanctuary you’ll never want to leave.

2. Feature walls

Nothing draws the eye quite like a feature wall. It acts as art for your outdoor area. Feature walls can be used to break up spaces and provide boundaries separating different parts of your garden. Perhaps you want to create a dedicated area for a fire pit? Or highlight a water feature? Whatever the purpose, feature walls are a trendy addition to any backyard. Check out this red feature wall for inspiration. It creates warmth and adds energy that cannot be achieved with plants alone.

3. Eco-landscaping

Eco-landscaping means using plants that don’t require much watering. Examples of eco-friendly plants including types of grasses and succulents. Not only is saving water great for the environment, it’s also going to save you a lot of time and money in maintenance. But that doesn’t mean this type of gardening looks cheap. It’s quite the opposite, actually. The textures and geometric shapes that can be created using grasses and succulents can be very striking.

Not sure what kind of home design is right for you? Use our kit home design quiz to find out

4. Wabi-sabi

Throw out everything you thought you knew about garden maintenance. According to the practice of wabi-sabi, your garden is better left untouched. Wabi-sabi is a Japanese practice dating back to the 15th century. It involves accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay and death. Instead of pruning overgrowth plants, replacing rusting gates and blowing away fallen leaves, wabi-sabi means leaving it as it is. The idea is to enjoy the natural beauty and imperfections of your garden. To introduce wabi-sabi to your new garden, choose plants that will change over time and with the seasons.

5. Using a garden for mindfulness

Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice that involves being present in the moment. It has become popular in recent years, not just in the gardening space, but in mental health and workplace wellbeing. Bring mindfulness to your garden design by incorporating plants and other outdoor elements that’ll stimulate the senses. Different colours have different effects on the body. Try using blues in your garden design to create calm, or plant bright yellow plants to energise the space. You can also evoke feelings through smell and sound. Try planting lavender for strong smells, or include a water feature to create a relaxing ambience.

Kitchen inspiration: 6 Kitchen Trends to Use in Your Kit Home

6. Outdoor rooms

This is a trend that’s been around for quite some time now. But it’s not going away any time soon. In fact, as they become more popular, many owner builders take outdoor rooms into consideration when designing their dream home. An outdoor room mirrors the functionality of indoor spaces with features like daybeds, kitchens, showers and more, with the benefit of fresh air. They’re particularly popular in Australia due to our love of outdoor living and barbequing during the summer months. The best plants to choose for this area are those that require minimal care like Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Devil’s Ivy and Dragon Tree.

7. Planting varieties

Gone are the days of using only traditional or native plants. Now it’s all about creating interesting shapes and textures with a variety of plants. Succulents and cactus plants have become a popular plant choice for outdoor spaces due to the architectural structure they can provide. But they can be difficult to hunt down in local nurseries, so if you’re looking for an interesting statement piece for your garden, like an Agave Americana or blue cactus, you might need to do some planning and research. You can also get funky and interesting shapes in your garden by pruning your hedges into cloud and sphere shapes.

Bathroom inspiration: 8 Modern Bathroom Trends To Use In Your Home

8. Indoor / outdoor spaces

Again, many Australians are taking advantage of the warmer climate by introducing rooms that blur the boundary between outdoor and indoor spaces. An indoor/outdoor space means opening up your exterior-facing rooms and creating a flow between the two spaces. This can be achieved by using large glass windows and doors, drawing people between the two spaces naturally. You can create a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors by bringing outdoor elements inside. Using wicker furniture, wooden floors, plants and organic materials inside helps to create a seamless flow to the outside.

9. Extreme naturalism

The extreme naturalism trend is similar to wabi-sabi. It celebrates an organic and overgrown look. We’ve experienced a long period of minimalistic garden styling, where everything is small, neatly pruned and symmetric. So this new overgrown trend is quite a big change. People are starting to move away from clean lines and concrete. They’re returning to natural materials like rocks and boulders, and allowing hedges to grow for a more natural look. The beauty of this trend is it’s also less maintenance work for you!

Bedroom inspiration: 6 Modern Bedroom Trends To Inspire Your Home Design

Creating your dream garden

A beautifully-designed garden can be a key feature of your home. If you’re looking to build a house, check out Kitome’s guide to customising your home.

Kitome offers flexibility in designing your dream home, giving you a choice from over 50 designs – so you can pick the right home for you and your family.

The post 9 Modern Garden Trends To Use At Home appeared first on Kitome.

Whether you’re a minimalist at heart, or you have a taste for the finer things, there are some simple ways to make your bedroom the ultimate sanctuary. Here are six modern bedroom trends that you should incorporate into your bedroom design.

1. Luxurious or stylish wallpaper

Some may say that wallpaper has been out of style for decades, but with a reinvigorated focus on unique styles and tasteful décor, it can make a big impact on your bedroom design.

Rich and luxurious wallpaper can add that extra element of drama, depth or mystery to your bedroom. It can transform the room into more than just a sleeping space, making it a feature of the entire house.

From acid patterns and bold retro murals, to vintage floral prints, 70s wallpaper designs are also coming back into fashion. You could even add your own modern touches by combining these eclectic designs with wooden surroundings or minimalist furniture.

2. Black and white

If you’re decorating your bedroom, or any room for that matter, creating the perfect contrasts is interior design 101. Luckily, you can’t go wrong with black and white.

This classic combination isn’t just timeless, it’s also on trend. Whether you have white walls and a black duvet cover, or black walls and a white duvet cover, the combination will give your bedroom a classic feel.

Experiment with the different features in your bedrooms, from the art and light fixtures, to the furniture and curtains. If you’re having trouble getting the balance right, you can always stick with just one of these two colours.

Read more: 8 Modern Bathroom Trends To Use In Your House Design

3. Florals, nature and tropical

The floral aesthetic is in bloom, and everyone has a taste for tropical design. When it comes to bedroom interior design, 2018 is turning out to be a colourful year.

You can easily brighten up your bedroom with funky, oversized floral prints and patterns. Test it out with your sheets, rugs, artworks, curtains, or on one of your walls (while we’re speaking about sheets, do your due diligence and choose good quality sheets rather than settling for something cheap!)

If you’re more into the relaxing aspects of nature, go for green colours and prints, or bring purifying plants indoors, such as the devils Ivy, Rubber Plant or Peace Lily.

For those who are jungle-inclined, experiment with hanging prints that feature tropical leaves. You’ll find there are plenty of varieties that can achieve this vibe.

4. Unique headboard

It’s time to ditch your tired-looking old headboard for something a little more unique and sophisticated. You could go down the luxurious route with a velvet or jewel-toned coloured headboard. Or, you could get creative and go down the DIY path.

For example, recycling an old door or wooden bench can give your bedroom a rustic chic look. You could also cover up the old headboard with an interesting vintage print or colourful wallpaper.

Feeling adventurous? You could get rid of the headboard altogether and make the wall behind it a standout feature instead.

Read more: 6 Kitchen Trends to Use in Your Kit Home

5. Unique nightstands

Nightstands can be so much more than surfaces for lamps, books and glasses of water. Instead, they can be standout features that add glamour, luxury and sophistication to your bedroom.

There are many shapes and varieties of luxury designs to consider. You could invest in sleek golden designs with lavish finishes and interesting curves. Or, you could go for designs that infuse elegant rocks such as limestone or dolomite.

You could even shop around for vintage European nightstands from 19th and 20th century, or finely carved, custom wooden designs – it’s up to you.

6. Minimalist design

Minimalism has always been a popular approach for the more social areas of the home, but this de-cluttered and streamlined aesthetic has now crept its way into the bedroom.

Features of minimalist bedrooms can include low-profile beds, greyscale colour patterns, and natural wood. Sleek and uncomplicated Scandinavian design is also popular with the minimalist look, as is concrete, exposed brick and expansive floor plans.

Statement design pieces, such as Eames chairs, modernist prints or sculptural lamps, can give minimalist spaces an artistic element that draws your eye and adds interest to the room.

Use our kit home selector to learn what kind of kit home design suits your lifestyle

Ready to design your dream bedroom?

Your bedroom doesn’t have to be a design afterthought. It’s one of your primary living spaces, so it’s worth giving it the love and attention it deserves.

At Kitome, our homes are designed to meet your needs. If you’re inspired by any of these emerging trends, and you want to incorporate them into the design of your new home – we can help.

We supply kit homes across Australia and will help you design your custom kit home from the ground up. Get in touch to learn why a kit home is the right choice for you.

The post Sleep Easy With These 6 Modern Bedroom Trends appeared first on Kitome.

A modern bathroom should evoke feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation, a place where you can unwind and take a minute for yourself.

As such, your bathroom style should reflects this. For some, a modern bathroom design can evoke white, minimalist and clean designs. For others, it’s about getting back to nature with natural stones or living walls.

Here are 8 bathroom trends to incorporate into your design:

1. Smart bathrooms

The rise of the smart home has introduced some truly exciting technology to home designs. Most people may have heard of voice-controlled lights or blinds, but everything from self-cleaning, seat-warming toilets to full waterproof entertainment systems can be set up with a little forethought and investment.

2. Statement basins

The statement basin is a unique spin on making your simple utilities into a centrepiece of the space. A statement basin can include minimal aesthetic additions to a vanity or complex, carved patterns adorning it.

3. Resort aesthetics

If you’re really keen to emphasise the luxuriousness of your personal getaway, adopting a day-spa look could be just what you need.

The centerpiece of a resort style bathroom design is the bathtub, everything should revolve around the bathtub. From there, decorating with neutral, soothing colours and textured materials will allow you to capture the feeling of a weekend getaway every single day.

4. Metallic finishes

When applied to a bathroom, a metallic touch can serve as both contrast and accompaniment to the atmosphere of a room. Contemporary designs employ metallic finishes to contrast with a neutral backdrop . They act to draw the eye towards a feature or area of the house you want to be the focus point.

Keep in mind that there are practicalities (and sometimes drawbacks) to your choice of metal. Brushed nickel is one of the more durable, low upkeep choices available, however it is not as striking as other metals. Chrome on the other hand is extremely versatile and looks amazing but it is easily scratched and requires constant cleaning from fingerprints.

5. Rustic Colours

Even among those who like to get back to nature, there is differences of opinion on how best to achieve that look. If you find yourself more at home with the image of a country homestead over a cabin deep in the bush, you might want to consider a design that evokes the rich, wooden aesthetic of a country villa or townhouse.

For a lot of people – particularly urbanites – a weekend retreat out to the bush can be just as relaxing as a day of pampering. The chief consideration is, of course, to decorate in the way that most appeals to you and fits your idea of the perfect escape.

6. One material rooms

The one material room needs to be handled with expertise and care. They are tricky to pull off and hard to compromise with (after all, it’s easy to see even the slightest mismatch or inconsistency), but when that perfect balance is achieved the results can be absolutely stunning.

One comparatively simple way some people manage to pull off the look is through the zen ‘white-everything’ approach. This will also make any colour or aesthetic contrast pop amazingly well.

Just be sure if you’re thinking of this design approach that you are able to handle the uniform nature not needed. The look certainly is not for everyone, and can be somewhat overstimulating for a few people. Definitely one to research first.

7. Freestanding bathtubs

Much like statement basins, freestanding bathtubs take a central utility of the room and transform it into the design focal point.

The most popular style of freestanding bath that you will see is the minimalist, angular block-style. Usually stark white and contrasted against a black-and-white or other high contrast setup. However, there are many, many ways to make a tub stand out, from from its shape to its positioning, it’s not uncommon to see a statement bathtub take central position on the floor of a larger room.

8. Floating Vanities

On top of the aesthetic choices for your basin, a prevalent theme among recent bathroom decoration trends is to create space beneath the vanity to give the illusion that the vanity is floating away from the floor.

Adding space by ‘floating’ cabinets is a common trick used with bathroom design to make a space appear bigger, but also can be installed for comfortable height and highlight your floor and wall.

Customise your bathroom

The modern Australian bathroom is positioned between simplicity and elegance, but ultimately the design choices in your bathroom should evoke your personal aesthetic. Everybody deserves a space in their home to unwind and relax, so use our house customisation guide create a bathroom space that is truly yours.

The post 8 Modern Bathroom Trends To Use In Your House Design appeared first on Kitome.

As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Generally, it’s where the family congregate at any hour of the day, whether it’s grabbing a piece of fruit from the fridge, crowding around an island bench to debrief the day or hovering while preparing dinner. The kitchen is really a room to get right. To do so, here are 6 kitchen trends that will not only have your kitchen looking fantastic, but practical too.

1. Trough sink

Image source.

Functional and big enough to fit catering platters in, trough sinks suit pretty much any and every style of kitchen. The style can complement modern kitchens, bringing a sense of the old in, and they fit right in with rustic style kitchens. Classic kitchens with a farmhouse styling also suit trough sinks and the style can easily fit in with industrial kitchens too. Another way to incorporate a trough sink into the kitchen design is to put in a multifunctional trough that can be used for anything from planting herbs, to chilling drinks or even keeping food chilled.

2. Island benches

A kitchen island in a custom kit home design.

Do you have a wide, open kitchen area and need something to fill it? Pop in an island bench. It’s a functional space that people can gather around and as well as eating, preparing or serving. It can also be used as a great storage space.

You can also include some amenities that you wouldn’t necessarily have had space for without it. Always wanted to include a wine fridge in your kitchen? Under the island bench is the perfect spot for it.

There are a couple of ways you could use the island bench as well. Either you can leave it completely bare on the top, meaning it can be used as a seating area or for serving, or you can pop some prep appliances on the bench, for example, a prep sink or a stove top. Either way, the island bench is both practical and fashionable – it’s a win/win addition to your kitchen.

3. Innovative shelving solutions

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There’s a long list of options when it comes to storing things in the kitchen. While there are some utensils and ingredients you may want to store away, there are ways you can include these elements in your kitchen design.

If you need spices or cooking utensils handy, do you really want to be opening and closing drawers or cupboards every time you use them? Not only will you get some practical storage solutions, but you can utilise some gorgeous containers and utilise the shelving as decorative pieces. Or you could line up your cookbooks so they become part of the décor. Alternatively, if you have some beautiful plates you’d like to show off, shelving can be a great way to do so.

4. Vertical gardens

A post shared by Garden Beet (@gardenbeet) on Feb 15, 2017 at 10:41pm PST

Bring the outside in with living walls. These can either be a decorative piece, including some greenery in your kitchen design, or they can be practical, with herbs that you can use for cooking. While the location of the living wall will determine which plants you can use, all you need is a blank space, the right materials and you’ve got yourself a vertical garden. You can get the materials from your local Bunnings, but these are also fairly simple to make if you’re confident. On trend, gorgeous to look at and if it works, a handy cooking ingredient too.

5. Brass and mixed metals

Image source.

Add visual interest and depth to your kitchen by introducing metallics to your kitchen. Ignore the advice to avoid mixing different types of metals – don’t be afraid to combine silver, brass and iron. Be bold! It creates texture and personality, things a trendy kitchen needs.

A tip though, is to keep the metals on the same visual plane. For example, let’s take lighting, faucets and cabinets. While it would look weird to mix metals on the same visual plane, by all means, use copper in the lights, stainless steel appliances and brass on the cabinets. Another tip, use one finish repetitively and the other as an accent. This will balance them nicely.

6. Get smart with the technology

A post shared by Bee (@beejustice) on Feb 23, 2018 at 3:42pm PST

One trend that won’t be going anywhere fast is the addition of smart technology. A smart kitchen is an excellent kitchen, so when you’re starting from scratch, it’s really an opportunity to ensure your kitchen is in line with the times. This may mean a smart fridge, an oven that tells you when your cake is done or a coffee machine that automatically turns on in the morning. Appliances with touch-screen controls, WIFI capabilities and social media connection are now the norm, so for all the culinary enthusiasts, pop those on your list of must-haves.

The benefits of customising your kitchen

When you’re building your home from scratch, everything about it should be tailored to you, your family and your lifestyle. That definitely includes the kitchen. Everything should reflect the way you’re going to use the kitchen, from the type of appliances through to the layout and functionality. On the topic of functionality, it’s a good tip to zone your kitchen in four categories – prep, cooking, storage and cleaning.

Customising your kitchen also means you can style it to suit your personality. It should also be customised to suit the style of home you’re building. There’s no point having a farmhouse style kitchen in an ultra-modern home. Of course, you also have the opportunity to choose the smaller elements, from cabinet colours through to splashbacks and handles. When it comes to your kitchen, everything about it should reflect you and your circumstances.

Check out our ultimate guide to customising your home. Here you’ll learn all about the different styles of kitchens you can put in your home.

The post 6 Kitchen Trends to Use in Your Kit Home appeared first on Kitome.