Secrets of Great Narrow Lot Home Design

Over the last few decades, the percentage of new homes being constructed on narrow lots has increased dramatically. In great part, the percentage shift towards narrow lots has been driven by land affordability, in addition to increased profitability for developers by virtue of greater yield.

The transition for designers to this new environment has not been without its challenges and the need to develop new methodology, technique and workable layouts has been paramount in order to achieve satisfactory outcomes. At Perth House Design we have identified some key principles which when applied in the process of narrow lot design will contribute to the production of good outcomes, with few or no pitfalls when compared to the quality of design that has historically been achieved on traditional wider frontage sites.

1. First Impressions

As the first part of the home we experience is the entry or entrance hallway, it is important that this area has a good spacious feel. Designers can often apply precious available area to rooms located at the front of the home at the expense of an appropriately proportioned entry or entrance hallway. A narrow entry or hallway will deliver a claustrophobic and congested feel, which is less than desirable and does not set a good tone.

Entries and entrance hallways in narrow lot designs should be adequate in width so as to create a good first impression and feel – this rule should be employed even when the adjoining room widths may be less than desired as the lesser of the two evils will be to have the slightly narrower rooms.

2. Less is More

As with all good design, the principle of correct room proportions is important, this factor can be accentuated with narrow lot design, as narrow lots are less forgiving of the overzealous nomination of an excessive and inappropriate amount of rooms.

Owners and designers should be careful to establish a design brief that has specified a room list, which can be comfortably afforded by the available space. This will facilitate well sized, practical and visually pleasing spaces of which will contribute significantly to a great narrow lot design.

3. Maximize Width

Narrow lot designs should take advantage of the full width of the site, this can be achieved by the use of external walls on boundaries and working with minimum boundary setbacks distances. Windows are not permitted to external walls on boundaries; therefore these walls do have a negative impact with respect to the restriction of natural light. The use of walls on boundaries should be strategic and employed on areas of the design where the restriction of natural light will have a minimal impact on the overall floor plan. These areas would include the home theatre where less natural light is somewhat desirable, another obvious area of the design ripe for the liberal use of boundary walls would be the garage and or a storeroom.