They say that you can never have too much of a good thing. Whether that means clothes, shoes, or websites, it’s hard to disagree. For travel buffs and home designers alike, the idea of dividing your time between two gorgeous homes in two beautiful destinations has become one of the most popular trends in recent years.
While many of us dream of owning a home in more than one location, the idea of actually doing so is often out of reach. The marketplace for homes and vacation rentals is exploding, however, and many couples are able to make it happen by designing their homes with each other’s needs in mind.
As a designer who transits between two cities most weeks, I can personally attest to how the experience of owning a home in more than one city can change your life for the better. This travel blog ideas article will outline how you can design your dream home without compromising on comfort or style. With a little innovation and forward-thinking, you can create the ultimate home-away-from-home for both your partner or yourself.
The most important decision you will make in your life is who you decide to share your home with. If you have already found your other half, the next step is to decide whether it would be beneficial to have a home in two locations.
Location, Location, Location
When it comes to designing a second home, location is everything. After all, if you aren’t taking advantage of the natural beauty outside your door or the exciting cultural activities nearby, then why bother? Ultimately this will help you decide on what type of property to buy. For some couples with their sights set on enjoying a weekend together in the country or getting away from other people in an urban setting, buying a house within driving distance of each other or close to airports and major cities might be a good idea. However, if you’re searching for a more tranquil setting in which to build your dream home, then consider staying in rural or less populated areas.
Whatever you choose, it’s important to consider the layout and amenities of the town or city that you’ll be moving to. If you know that whichever area is right for your partner might not be ideal for you, think about what could work well within the conditions you prefer. For example, if your partner wants to live near a beach while you’re happy with hiking trails and hot springs nearby, then perhaps it’s better to buy a house at the edge of town with public beaches instead of in a busy urban area like Los Angeles.
Building a Home Together
While there are many ways in which you can try to incorporate each other’s tastes into your home, the most important thing you’ll need to consider is the overall layout. Most couples who design their homes together will opt to have the two of them living in different wings of the same house at first. This way they can find out what works best for each one and figure out how they might like things to change over time. Of course, this decision requires you both to be able to live together longer-term, so don’t go for this option if it doesn’t make sense for your budget or lifestyle.
There are several different ways to split your house up when designing it with your partner in mind. One option that’s largely popular is to build a master and guest suite for each partner, allowing them to have their own space while still being close. By doing this, you’ll also be able to design the shared spaces between the two wings however you like. Be sure to consider how big each of these wings will need to be, taking into account whether or not there will be children or houseguests staying as well.
Another option is to build one wing with two bedrooms and then add on a guest wing later on if necessary. This is an especially good idea if you prefer more privacy than having a bedroom right next door provides. If you’re both happy with the bed configuration, then decorating and adding contemporary finishes like marble or wrought iron to accentuate the space can help make it feel more like a home.
If you want to keep things simple and put all of your energy into making your home look gorgeous, then another option is building an open-plan design with a kitchen, living room, and dining room that runs through the entire length of the house. The master suite in this case could be on the opposite side of the house from your partner’s wing. By doing this, you’ll both have separate spaces to relax in when necessary but still be able to see each other’s activities and location when you walk into your own wing.
Create a Features Library
If you’re planning on taking advantage of the freedom that comes with having a house in two locations, then you’ll need to consider what else you’ll enjoy doing together. This can help determine what features are most important for your second home. There are many different possibilities for features to include in your home. You might want to create an entertainment room with a high-end sound system and large television for watching movies with your partner, set up a yoga studio with lots of natural light, or even create an art gallery or office for work purposes. If you’re both open to the idea of living in multiple locations, then you should make sure that your second home features amenities that allow you to spend as much time together as possible when not at home.
Conclusion
If you’re on the verge of buying a vacation home or starting to build a new house for yourself and your partner, it’s important to take the time to consider what kind of lifestyle you’ll want when living in this residence. By choosing wisely and incorporating your partner’s wishes into your design decisions, you can be sure that the best parts of each of your lives will merge together without compromising style or comfort.
