Interior

So you’re thinking about designing a duplex? Good choice. Really, it’s one of the smartest moves you can make in today’s property market. I’ve been in this game for a while now, and let me tell you – duplex design isn’t just about slapping two homes together and calling it a day. Nope. It’s an art form that requires careful thought, smart planning, and honestly? A bit of creativity to make it all work. ## **Why Duplexes Make Sense Right Now** Look, property prices aren’t getting any cheaper. And if you’re sitting on a decent-sized block in Sydney (or anywhere really), you might be sitting on a goldmine. A duplex lets you: – **Double your rental income** – two homes, two income streams – **House extended family** while keeping your sanity intact – **Sell one side** and live in the other – basically having your cake and eating it too – **Make the most of your land** – because why waste good space? But here’s the thing… designing a duplex isn’t like designing a regular house. There’s more to think about. ## **Starting With Site Analysis (The Boring But Critical Bit)** Before you even think about floor plans or fancy kitchens, you need to understand your site. And I mean REALLY understand it. First up – **check your zoning**. Not all blocks can have duplexes. Some councils are picky about this stuff. You’ll need to look at: – Minimum lot sizes – Street frontage requirements – Setback rules – Height restrictions Trust me, nothing kills a dream faster than finding out halfway through that your council won’t approve it. Next, walk your block. Where does the sun hit? Where’s the noisy street? Got any big trees you want to keep? These things matter more than you think. ## **The Golden Rules of Duplex Layout** Alright, now for the fun stuff. When I’m designing duplexes, there are some rules I never break: ### **1. Privacy is Everything** Nobody wants to hear their neighbor’s TV through the wall. Or worse… other things. So: – Put living areas on opposite ends – Bedrooms should never share walls if you can help it – Use clever landscaping to create visual barriers – Think about window placement – no one wants to stare into next door’s bathroom ### **2. Each Side Needs Its Own Identity** Just because it’s a duplex doesn’t mean it should look like one. I always try to give each side its own: – Separate entrance (obviously) – Different facade treatments – Individual outdoor spaces – Unique street presence ### **3. Don’t Skimp on Storage** This is where lots of duplex designs fail. People think “smaller space = less stuff”. Wrong. You still need: – Decent garage space – Linen cupboards – Pantry storage – Maybe even a small shed area ## **Smart Design Tricks That Actually Work** Over the years, I’ve picked up some tricks that make duplexes feel bigger and better: **Mirror layouts** – but flip them. Same rooms, opposite arrangement. It’s efficient and keeps plumbing costs down. **Central courtyards** work magic. They bring in light, create privacy, and give each side their own outdoor oasis. **Go up, not out**. If your block’s tight, think vertical. Two stories give you more flexibility with layouts. **Shared driveways** save space but design them wide enough. Nothing worse than playing car tetris every morning. ## **The Approval Process (Yes, It’s a Process)** Here’s where things get… interesting. Council approvals for duplexes can be tricky. You’ll need: – **Development Application (DA)** or sometimes a **Complying Development Certificate (CDC)** – **BASIX Certificate** for energy efficiency – Detailed architectural plans – Sometimes neighbor notifications My advice? Don’t try to DIY this part. The amount of times I’ve seen people waste months because they missed one small requirement… it’s painful. ## **Budget Realities** Let’s talk money. Because that’s what it always comes down to, right? A duplex typically costs about 1.5 to 1.8 times what a single home would cost. Not double – there are economies of scale. But you need to factor in: – Design and approval costs – Site prep (sometimes more complex) – Two of everything (kitchens, bathrooms, etc.) – Potentially higher construction standards for fire separation But remember – you’re getting two properties for less than the cost of two. That’s the beauty of it. ## **Common Mistakes to Avoid** I see these all the time: – **Forgetting about bins** – where do two households put their rubbish? – **Not planning for visitors** – where do guests park? – **Identical designs** – boring and harder to rent/sell – **Skimping on soundproofing** – biggest complaint in duplexes – **Ignoring natural light** – dark duplexes feel cramped ## **Making It Happen** So you’re convinced? Good. Here’s your next steps: 1. **Get a site feasibility done** – know what’s possible before you dream too big 2. **Talk to a building designer** who knows duplexes (hint: not all do) 3. **Set a realistic budget** – then add 10% for the unexpected 4. **Think long-term** – will this design work in 10 years? 20? Look, designing a duplex isn’t rocket science. But it’s not exactly simple either. It’s about finding that sweet spot between maximizing your investment and creating homes people actually want to live in. The best duplexes? They don’t feel like duplexes at all. They feel like two beautiful, independent homes that just happen to share a piece of land. And that’s the goal, really. Creating something that works for everyone – you, future tenants or buyers, the neighborhood, and yes, even the council. Got questions? That’s normal. Duplex design is a journey, not a destination. But with the right approach and the right team… it’s a journey worth taking. *Ready to explore your duplex potential? Sometimes the best first step is just having a conversation about what’s possible.*