depends on the plan and the orientation of the block and do you have any good or bad views or is the block flat or sloping (and in what direction does it slope) and what is or will be next door on all sides..instead of a 3 m strip of backyard check with council to clarify the minimum side and front set backs to make sure you squeeze every useable cm out of the space.. what about front, side and middle courtyards and verandahs with careful attention to solar orientation ..two storey and/or some raked ceilings and mezzanine floors can also add to spaciousness...do you have any potential plans?

HI

With young kids a single story is practical As they get older the stairs are not such an issue

A recent article in 'Inside Outside' magazine mentions that community spaces, like parks, are good for kids as they get to 'mingle' It is also a way for adults to meet new friends when moving into new area

Look at the resale potential of single v double storey - it might be a while before you think of selling, but an asset is better than a liability!

Enjoy the process

Hi Rachel

I agree with OKL. Without knowing your setbacks and building envelope (ie house size) it is difficult to comment. I would be working out what size / how wide you could fit on it in sqm/m, then doing the rounds of display homes in that size.

You will soon get a feel for if it is doable or not for you.

There are pro's and cons for each. We found a 2 storey has better garaging size but a pain for taking washing upstairs all the time.

Regarding the yard, we have had small and large but its use depended a lot on kids age. Our pool has had more use than the yard and as they get older the XBox would take over if we let it...

My only advice on the layout would be that having a play room has always been a benefit when friends come over to hang out at any age.

Cheers

Your section is very small. It really does depend on the rules in your area. For example, in our area, the 'footprint' of the house is only allowed to be 40% of the section size....so if you had a single storey house there wouldn't be much house, especially if you want a double garage as well!!There are both small and larger sections in our area and nearly all the sections 600m2 or less have double storey houses on them.

Rachel, do you have any house plans in mind already, and would you go with a volume builder or are you open to having house designed specifically to suit your block size and your needs, now and in future?

My daughter's family (4 kids) lived in a small house on very small block in a new and large estate some years ago. There was a large park directly across the road which proved very useful. The only time of year it wasn't used much was during the summer, and that was only because all the landscaping was brand new and trees were not large enough to provide adequate shade. The kids loved it and hosted birthday parties there. It was a good way for neighbours to meet & engage.

Definitely consider using the services of a sustainable house designer to get the best result for your present and future needs on the block you are purchasing.

Double

Hi Rachelred, I would also go to your local council planning department to check the zoning (you can also do this online by internet searching 'planning maps online' or 'planning schemes online' in Victoria or 'planning portal' in NSW etc). If you were in Victoria (which you may not be) the Victorian government for example now has a minimum requirement of 25% garden for Neighbourhood or General Residential zones for lots 400m2-500m2, and your 3m clearance at the back might be tight to meet this requirement. Each council may be different. Other things to consider are budget; single level is less expensive as you don't need to construct the stair, stair void and additional circulation and is better for younger families or assisted living. Consider also flexibility for changing family needs and zoning; 2 levels work really well when you have teenagers or young adults and can give them some privacy/responsibility with their own living/study/bedroom zone (and still want them to live with you!!). 2 stories may also work better depending on the orientation of your block. I would strongly advise hiring an architect or designer for such a small site - they can certainly help you make all these decisions and provide preliminary options with corresponding cost estimates.

Good Luck.

personally I think having a bit of space for the kids to play in is extremely important. No backyard encourages kids to stay inside. How far away is the park? If it is more then say 100m away then they might not want to go there everyday. I am leaning towards a well designed 2 storey home but it must have good insulation, wide eaves + awnings, minimal glass, probably double glazed, and a metal, light coloured roof. I am writing this on a 40deg day and I know how hot a poorly designed 2 storey home is (I have lived in 2). I think the solution will be provided by a good designer.