Exploring the Best Display Homes and Floor Plans for Your New Home

by Ricky D'Alesio, Senior Designer


19 Jan 2025

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At Carlisle Homes, we believe the heart of every dream home starts with the right floor plan. It’s more than a blueprint -it’s the foundation of comfort, functionality, and style that transforms a house into a home. With Melbourne's dynamic lifestyle in mind, our home designs embrace spacious layouts, natural light and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Let’s explore the best floor plans to inspire your journey toward creating a space and finding the perfect house that fits your family’s needs and lifestyle.

Open-Plan living: A Lifestyle Choice

Open-plan layouts are a hallmark of modern home designs across Melbourne and regional Victoria, and for good reason. They merge the kitchen, dining, and living spaces into one cohesive area, fostering connection and functionality. Whether you’re hosting friends, cooking while watching the kids, or simply enjoying a bright, airy space, open-plan living suits every stage of life.

Why it May Work for You

  • Natural Light: Large windows and sliding glass doors flood open spaces with sunlight, creating an inviting atmosphere.
  • Indoor-Outdoor Flow: Open layouts effortlessly connect interiors with alfresco areas, perfect for entertaining or relaxing.

Flexibility: Adaptable spaces let you tailor the floorplan and design features to suit your family’s changing needs.  

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Single-Storey Homes: Ground-Level Ease Without Compromising on Space

Single-storey homes are ideal for families seeking practicality and accessibility. These homes offer exceptional value for money making them perfect for first home buyers and those looking for a spacious layout without sacrificing modern design. As they don't have stairs, they are easy to navigate, making them a perfect choice for young families, retirees, or anyone prioritising convenience.

Why single-storey homes shine

  • Zoned Living: Central hubs for family time with private zones for bedrooms and workspaces.
  • Energy Efficiency: Compact layouts reduce heating and cooling costs.
  • Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Access: Enjoy alfresco dining or backyard relaxation with effortless transitions.

Perfect for:

  • First home buyers who value simplicity and practicality. 
  • Downsizers with practical needs but still seeking a stylish retreat.
  • Anyone looking for outstanding value on a larger block size. 

Explore our range of single storey options to suit your needs by visiting one of our display homes, or take a virtual tour of our best home designs online. You can also filter home design options when browsing our website, to find any homes matching your criteria. 

Double Storey Homes: Contemporary Design

Double-storey home designs offer the ultimate space and privacy for those craving more room to grow. These family homes maximise vertical space, making them ideal for smaller blocks or families who need room for multigenerational living in Melbourne. 

Why Double-Storey Homes are Ideal for Modern Living 

  • Defined Zones: Bedrooms upstairs and communal areas downstairs provide separation and privacy.
  • Maximised Space: Perfect for smaller blocks of land, where a compact footprint is essential.
  • Stunning Views: Upper levels allow for scenic vistas and natural light. The perfect home design to suit those with views of parks, reserves or the ocean. 

Perfect for:

  • Larger families need extra bedrooms or living zones.
  • Homebuyers who value privacy between floors for noise control. 
  • Those seeking sophistication in new home design to meet the needs of modern lifestyles.
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Indoor-Outdoor Harmony: Bringing the Outside In

Australia’s love affair with the outdoors is reflected in home designs that prioritise alfresco living. Whether it’s a sunlit patio, a pergola-covered retreat, or a landscaped garden, these spaces extend living areas and create an enviable lifestyle.

Design Elements to Consider

  • Large bi-fold doors or stacker sliders for seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • Covered alfresco areas for year-round usability.
  • Integrated landscaping to enhance the home’s natural appeal.

Why it Matters

  • Natural Ventilation: Fresh air and cooling breezes improve comfort.
  • Enhanced Living Spaces: Outdoor zones provide additional areas for relaxation and entertainment.
  • Connection to Nature: Create tranquil spaces that complement your indoor design.

Customising a House Plan to Suit Your Lifestyle

Every family has unique needs, and customisation ensures your floor plan reflects your lifestyle perfectly. From extending living areas to adding bespoke features like a home theatre or butler’s pantry, tailoring your new house design makes it truly yours.

Features Customisation Options
Living Areas Expand open-plan zones or create cosy nooks.
Bedrooms Add a guest suite or convert spare rooms into offices.
Kitchens Include extra storage, oversized islands, or high-end finishes.
Outdoor Spaces Design a covered alfresco or include a built-in BBQ area.

The Carlisle Homes' Difference

When you explore display homes with Carlisle Homes, you’re not just seeing potential layouts - you’re experiencing a glimpse into your future lifestyle. Our home designs in Melbourne are created to inspire, blending functionality with timeless design elements.

Why Choose Carlisle Homes?

Carlisle Homes is a leading home builder with a strong commitment to excellence, offering new home designs in Melbourne that cater to every lifestyle and budget. Our award-winning home designs seamlessly integrate functionality, style, and the modern Melbourne lifestyle, featuring premium fixtures and fittings to ensure every detail reflects quality.

Whether you’re exploring house and land packages, planning a knockdown rebuild, or searching for new home designs in Melbourne, we provide flexible design options and upfront pricing to help you find the perfect home within your budget. With a focus on innovative layouts and timeless appeal, our range of modern designs are tailored to meet the needs of families across all stages of life, delivering the ideal home for you.

  • Innovative Designs: We cater to every lifestyle, from single-storey homes to grand double-storey layouts.
  • Attention to Detail: Our homes feature premium finishes, functional layouts, and integrated storage solutions.
  • Personalisation: Tailor every aspect of your floor plan to fit your family’s needs.

We have a huge range of single storey and double storey home designs that have been created to fit your lifestyle, prioritise practical needs and maximise comfort without compromising on style. Explore our diverse range of home designs by booking an appointment with one of our New Home Consultants who will assist you with your new home journey. You can also find your dream home by taking a virtual tour on our website. We have display homes across Victoria in Melbourne and Geelong to help you find the right home design.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I customise a floor plan for my new home build?

Yes, Carlisle Homes offers extensive customisation options to ensure your home fits your lifestyle perfectly. Our homes are designed to fit all types of blocks and needs. Visit our Spectra Showroom to learn more about our customisation options. 

Which is better: single-storey or double-storey homes?

It depends on your needs! Single-storey homes are practical and accessible, while double-storey homes maximise space and privacy. All modern house designs have open plan living and high-level inclusions no matter the design, so you'll be sure to find what you're looking for with us.  

Find your perfect floor plan or Melbourne house design today with Carlisle

Selecting the right floor plan is key to building your dream home. Whether you’re inspired by the simplicity of single-storey living, the elegance of a double-storey design, or the seamless flow of indoor-outdoor spaces, Carlisle Homes has a layout to suit every family. We have a huge selection of home designs to choose from. Visit our display homes in person or take a virtual tour to discover homes that match your criteria.  

Let Carlisle Homes help you turn your dream into reality, one thoughtfully designed floor plan at a time.

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Ricky D'Alesio

Senior Designer


Ricky is passionate about all things design, and loves creating floor plans to suit the needs of all types of customers. His expertise spans across all areas of design, from space planning and ensuring structural integrity to interior floor plans and facade design.

Learn more about Ricky D'Alesio

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