Designing and building your own home is the dream of many Australians. Although some custom homes are designed to be rented out, thus providing a regular income, most people want to reside in the building that they have often poured their heart and soul into. Self-build projects continue to attract homeowners who want that bit of individuality in their home and a typical custom home builder will be determined make their design own mark. Having said that, certain trends exist in any market and the custom building one is no exception. What are the latest trends in terms of self-build design these days?

• Design Flexibility

Something that became apparent over the course of the last year or two is the amount of homes which are being designed for multi-function use. Architects and structural designers have become increasingly interested in the idea of a building that is something of a shell inside of which the home is formed. This means embracing concepts like self-supporting structures into which walls can be placed at will and moved around if wanted. Indeed, traditional two storey homes are giving way to more fluid spaces, such as double-height entrance ways and the introduction of more mezzanine floors to create multi-level living areas.

• Mixed Metal and Render

Australian homes have never lacked metal in their exteriors and metallic roofs remain as popular as ever. However, increasingly home designs will incorporate metal cladding in sections of the sides of homes. This will be mixed with sections of painted render to offer a distinctive two-tone finish. Such design touches are likely to be found in the interior, as well. For example, metal clad chimneys and light fittings set over plastered walls will connect the outside design concept to the internal materials.

• Technological Integration

If there has been one important shift in recent years in home design, then it has been on the increase in focus on technological integration at an early design stage. Network cabling and multiple Wi-Fi connections are a huge part of modern homes, but this won't be restricted to the home office and the living room for much longer. As the so-called 'internet of things' takes off so connectivity is going to be more in demand in non-traditional places, such as the kitchen and the bathroom. Self-builders, in particular, are embracing the world of home-based connectivity which can regulate anything from water flow to what kids can access on their devices in their bedrooms.