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When we think of summer, we think of comfortable warm temperatures and blissful time spent outdoors with friends and family surrounded by stunning greenery. But the reality is that temperatures can quickly skyrocket to extreme levels, not only making us want to avoid the sun but turning our homes into uncomfortable and potentially dangerous environments.

Australia’s long-standing appetite for large homes is gradually giving way to a more space-efficient way of living. As land prices climb and sustainability expectations rise, compact, adaptable and intelligent design is reshaping how homes are planned and built across the country.

Designing a family home means more than meeting today’s needs, it’s about anticipating the demands of tomorrow. One area often overlooked in home design is the strategic layout of kids' bedrooms, bathrooms, toilets and rumpus rooms. These spaces should not only serve their immediate

Decks are a natural extension of Australian living, giving us space to entertain, relax and blur the line between indoor and outdoor. But in bushfire-prone areas, they also represent one of the more vulnerable parts of the home.