Space Saver

For those after a smaller home and low-maintenance living, Gallery Living's Dali Villa 170 will be the perfect size for retirees, singles and couples

Proving you can build a spacious home on a narrow block, Gallery Living's three-bedroom, two-bathroom Dali Villa 170 has been architecturally designed to maximise spaciousness.

Long and narrow, and designed to fit on villa blocks, the Dali Villa 170 reduces the need for passages and includes two living areas to create an open feel for modern living. The addition of an open-plan living/dining/ kitchen zone at the rear further increases its sense of space.

Although the Dali Villa is at the smaller end of the home-buying spectrum with a total of 156sqm, it is ideal for retirees, couples or first home buyers looking for a home that's not too big to look after, but larger than a homette.

The single hallway down the centre of the home creates an easy-flow floorplan with more spaces than you may expect. The master bedroom is positioned at the front, complete with a spacious ensuite and walk-in robe. The first living area is subtly tucked away from the street for privacy and quiet, providing an alternative option to the main living area, while opposite it is a study, which could also be a nursery, playroom or even a fourth bedroom.

It's an addition that will not go to waste. Branching off the hallway are bedrooms two and three, both with built-in wardrobes and natural light streaming through the large windows. A practical three-way bathroom in proximity to the bedrooms allows for multiple users. The division of this room makes the most of the space and promotes easy living.

The good-sized laundry backs on to the main bathroom, a welcome surprise for a design of this size - and it also provides direct outdoor access. The Dali Villa 170 is suited to blocks 9m or 10m wide making it perfect for subdivisions and also the more affordable blocks within them. The smaller allotment also goes hand-in-hand with low-maintenance living, both inside and outside the home.

The Dali Villa is also available in two slightly smaller configurations - the 130 and 155.

Features you'll love

Welcoming entrance: You don't realise how much you appreciate an undercover entrance until it's pouring with rain and you can't find your keys.

Master privileges: If a large master bedroom isn't enough, the walk-in wardrobe with ample hanging space and storage plus ensuite complete with shower and large vanity ought to do the trick.

Garage included: This narrow design has even allowed room for a single garage.

Top 4 Compact Gems - Dali Villa 170

Space Savvy.

Smaller allotments and low maintenance living – the must have for young buyers and downsizers. But we still want a good-sized home with a spacious feel, so here are four of the best in the courtyard market.

Details: 156sqm total size | 136sqm living area | 8.1m width| 21.6m depth | 2.4m ceilings | study | 2 living areas | single garage

Why we love it: This one proves a narrow block is no barrier to building a spacious home. The design, which is 8.1m wide, suits blocks with a width of 9m to 10m, making it also ideal for subdivisions. And there’s even room for a walk-in pantry and master suite with walk-in robe and ensuite.

14-Jun-15 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine

Find out more about the Dali Villa 170

It's Party Central

This young couple has room to share in the Dali Villa 170 design by Gallery Living

An open layout and high ceilings create a feeling of spaciousness throughout this villa design. New homeowners Isaac Majba and Jessica Woods chose the plan for its compact layout that included three bedrooms.

"Some modifications were made to the display home," Isaac says. "The kitchen we built is considerably larger and includes customised appliances. I wanted more room for food preparation.

"We eliminated the walk-in pantry. This gave us extra scope to include pot drawers and other storage spaces."

The couple enjoy hosting parties and credit the expansive rear room with being the ideal space to entertain. The layout of the kitchen, living area and dining suite allows them to duck in and out of each area without neglecting the party. An alcove off the hall acts as a second living zone, ideal for smaller gatherings.

Without a wall closing it in, the room remains light and airy. Cosy furnishings bring a homely feeling to the open layout.

"Choosing the furnishings and interior design features was a lot of fun," Isaac says. "Jessica and I have very similar tastes. "From the colourful glass splashback in the kitchen to the painted feature wall in our bedroom and the decorative tile frieze in the bathroom, our design is unique to us."

A centralised study doubles as a cellar for the couple’s burgeoning wine collection. In contrast to the walk-through lounge, the room gives the pair a private area to store their belongings.

"Capitalising on the block’s potential was very important when building," Isaac says. "We scoured our plan looking for places to add storage and ways to maximise the design.

Simplifying the three-way bathroom into a single entrance gave us extra space, which we utilised in other areas such as our ensuite."

The roomy ensuite is an upgrade from the standard design, being nearly as large as the main bathroom. With two occupants sharing the home, the ensuite acts as the everyday rest-room, while the other is for guests.

"Having three bedrooms was a non-negotiable," Isaac says. "Not only for the additional resale value, but it also gives us the option of having friends stay over and space to expand our family in the future. The house is more than big enough for two at the moment.".

19-Apr-12 - The Sunday Mail Home Magazine 

Find out more about the Dali Villa 170.