DUPLEX HOUSES: THE NEW GENERATION HOUSING OPTION

Man is a social being, but having his own space is always a necessity. And life is a struggle of balance between one’s need to be social and acquire a private space. While this seems too much to ask for, it is completely possible because things have started to change with Australia’s new side-by-side house designs.

WHAT ARE DUPLEX HOUSES?

As the name suggests, Duplex houses are two units of living area built on the same block, with a common wall and two separate entrances. Each different house in a duplex is an independent entity even though the whole place is under one roof.

WHY ARE THEY SO POPULAR?

Duplex houses are a popular housing option in Australia for the ‘attached detachment’ a duplex house can guarantee. With the coming of these houses in vogue, Australian multigenerational family members are now enjoying newfound liberty. For the elderly, these houses are the door to care and warmth they long for and for the youth, these are the door to freedom and personal space.

A single neighbour and not a group of neighbours like in an apartment is yet another attractive feature of duplex houses. It also allows residents to make changes to their home easily as there is only a single neighbour to consult.

Duplex houses are a popular choice among investors for the profit they get from investing in them. It provides investors with a golden chance to procure two houses in place of one at a much lower rate than the rate for purchasing two homes in different locations. The twofold rental yields remains a popular attraction for investors.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DUPLEX HOUSES?

Some of the most common types are side by side, top and bottom and front and back.

Side by side duplex has two separate entries from the gate and even a different rear yard in some cases. It gives them the appearance of a single unit house.

The top and bottom duplex has one housing unit upstairs and another downstairs.

Front and back duplexes have the two housing units situated at the whole building’s front and back.

HOW CAN DUPLEX HOUSES BE DESIGNED IN A UNIQUE WAY?

There aren’t hard and fast rules to be followed to design a duplex. Hence there are ample options on which to experiment.

• THE STAIRS – The stairs are the link between the two housing units in a duplex house. Making the stairs a statement that stands out by experimenting on different colours, patterns and types is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a duplex unique. For instance, a vibrant hue used on the staircases that stands against a white wallpaper is a total gamechanger.
• THE LAYOUT – Experimenting with different layouts is another effective method to bring about uniqueness to a duplex. Going against the usual formats and choosing a contemporary and bold design can enhance the house’s overall appeal. For instance, owners can reverse the old layout of setting the bedrooms upstairs and the kitchen downstairs to put a kitchen and a bar lounge upstairs.
• THE WALLS – The tall walls can be utilized creatively to hang wall paintings, decorations or a water feature.
• THE EXTERIOR – Working on the exterior to give a touch of uniqueness is another simple yet effective way to make a duplex house stand out. Many duplex house designs provided by many leading home builders like Champion Homes have an eye-catching exterior.