Values: The Home of the Balancing Act – Finding the Value in the Day-to-Day of Your Home.
Let’s face it – the reason why we can change our design of our house so much before we hit go on the build stage is because life constantly evolves, and so do our needs and values. As we move through different life stages, from buying your first home to raising kids, growing your career, and eventually planning for retirement, our priorities shift. While it’s exciting to dream about your perfect home, it’s essential to pause and think about what you truly need and value at any given stage in your life. Those values will directly influence the lifestyle you create and, ultimately, the home you design.
I still remember when we bought our first home. To me, it felt like winning the lottery. Sure, the house wasn’t in the location we wanted, but that didn’t matter—this house felt like a dream come true. It was exactly what I had envisioned for my life… at that time. My values back then were focused on having a home that was truly ours, one where we could put our personal touch on everything. To build a home that i owned. I was willing to sacrifice in other areas to make this dream a reality. We opted to stay in and cook meals at home, hosting friends instead of dining out. We were happy to renovate our first dream home. We had two little kids then, they were 2 and 3 years old and It was our home that we spend a lot of time in (thanks to covid lockdowns!).
But then the kids started school, we had another little one and we craved to be outside more and to be able to walk to school everyday. So we decided to look for our next dream home.
And now, here I am with my new home on the Northern beaches, and still in the same suburb as before - our ‘‘old farm house’ we like to call it. Our values have shifted. Sure, I still love my other home, but I also value my lifestyle. These days, we walk to school, we are outside more, swimming in the pool and have a more active lifestyle which we love. Our focus on our new home is the outside. The backyard, the pool, the landscaping. We are so excited!
At this stage of life, I’ve realised that the little things matter the most. It’s about enjoying the simple luxuries, and this is where your home design comes into play. When considering your own home, you need to ask yourself: What are your non-negotiables?
For us, right now, these are:
Space for the kids: The growing kids need room to spread out!
Proximity to school: I value being close to school, we have so many schooling years left, this will be a game changer.
Location: Near an oval and more places to walk to was at the top of the list.
Large backyard: Creating a garden we love.
Your values will change as your life evolves. Whether it’s a focus on family, a desire for luxury, or the need for a peaceful retreat, your dream home should be designed with your current lifestyle in mind. It’s about balancing what’s important to you now, creating a home that works for today, while also being flexible enough to adapt to future changes.
So, when it comes to building your own home, take the time to really reflect on what you need and value at this point in your life. Don’t just build for the "maybe"—build for the "now."