Can a Renovation Prevent Family Feuds Over the Summer Holidays?
Architect Nick Johnston discusses his learnings from having family stay over the holiday break
As we settle back into the rhythm of another year, many of us are reflecting on our summer break and the time shared with our nearest and dearest. For some of us, Christmas is a single day where we arrive, eat, drink and socialise before heading back home. For others, including myself, the summer break is spent living with my extended family, all under the same roof…
Being the architect in the family, I found myself in the middle of countless conversations about extensions, bungalows, ensuites and room dividers, which lead me to the question: can a renovation prevent family feuds over Christmas and the holidays?
The answer: it depends. Associating some family differences with the surrounding built fabric would be futile, and I also recognise that the summer break is an immensely difficult time for many Australians and New Zealanders facing greater challenges than the occasional family squabble.
The answer: it depends. Associating some family differences with the surrounding built fabric would be futile, and I also recognise that the summer break is an immensely difficult time for many Australians and New Zealanders facing greater challenges than the occasional family squabble.
However, if you are fortunate enough to be considering changes to your home to accommodate the festive season, I’d recommend looking within the footprint that you have and speculating how the changes would be used for the other 51 weeks of the year.
Thinking of renovating or extending? Find an architect near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Thinking of renovating or extending? Find an architect near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Catering to extended family holidays as well as the rest of the year involves devising clever design solutions with adaptability. Here is some food for thought when designing a family friendly home:
- The solution could involve utilising a moveable design, such as large sliding doors, to open up an expansive living area or divide a space into private lodgings.
- Joinery units can be designed to become fold-out beds or desks, and still accommodate much-needed storage.
- Perhaps a home office space can transform into a quiet and peaceful guest bedroom, or a forgotten storage area into a secluded reading nook.
- Another cause of potential angst is the use of wet areas and facilities. The addition of a powder room or ensuite can help keep family members out of each other’s hair. No one wants a house filled with unused toilets, but a carefully considered upgrade to include a decent-sized shower (or at least a space to bath the kids) and enough bench space for multiple toiletry bags can be a welcome relief.
Another potential source of space is the backyard. Christmas and holidays means summer, and while not all of us can enjoy the dream of a large backyard, if you do have some space around the house, look for any under-utilised areas.
- Maybe a bedroom can have a private door accessing an outdoor area with a table and chairs or a hammock, or even a private outdoor shower (with hot water, of course!).
- Outdoor spaces can become a refuge from the bustle inside the house and can be landscaped to best enhance every slice of heaven that you own.
Holidays, Christmas and family dynamics can be an unsolvable puzzle, but if you’re keen to accommodate a temporary influx of rowdy visitors, there are ways to make dynamic changes that can also improve your home for the rest of the year. And if all else fails, you can always rent a house down the street or book into a nearby caravan park, so you can sneak away when it all gets too much.
Your turn
Which elements of a renovation or redesign helped accommodate guests at home? Tell us your experiences, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Thinking about renovating? You’ll want to read this first – Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
Your turn
Which elements of a renovation or redesign helped accommodate guests at home? Tell us your experiences, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Thinking about renovating? You’ll want to read this first – Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
I grew up in regional Australia and every Christmas my wife and I (and this year our baby daughter), together with my sister, brother and their families, all return to the nest to share the holidays with our parents in East Gippsland, Victoria. This is a joyous time, although needless to say tensions can run hot when trying to balance sleeping arrangements, mealtimes, bath times, children’s waking times, personal space, pets inside, day drinking and inter-generational parenting values.