What is the Best Layout for a Home? A Melbourne Buyer's Guide

The best layout for a home separates public zones (living, kitchen, dining) from private zones (bedrooms, bathrooms), positions living areas to the north for passive solar, and matches the number of living areas to how your family actually lives.

Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, double garage, open-plan kitchen and family room, a second living area, and covered alfresco. It's popular because it suits most family households and holds resale value well.

Zoned, oriented to the north, and matched to your lifestyle. Avoid pure open plan – aim for an open plan with a separate retreat or media room.

Rectangular and elongated east-west, so the long side faces north. This maximises winter sun, simplifies eave design, and keeps the building envelope efficient. L-shapes work well too, especially for wrapping a north-facing alfresco.

Yes, but a pure open plan is out of fashion. Current best practice is open plan with retreat – a main living zone connected to the kitchen, plus a second, smaller living space that can be closed off.

Yes. North-facing living areas get free winter sun, can be shaded in summer with correct eaves, and make 7-star NatHERS compliance significantly cheaper.

Two is the minimum for families. The main open-plan family room plus a second space – media room, rumpus, or formal lounge – gives everyone somewhere to be when the household is busy.