Just like us, homes need a little love. With the cooler months fast approaching, there is no better time than now to prepare yourselves and your homes for the winter season. Here are 5 home design tips and tricks to keep you and your home cosy in the upcoming months. 1. Heating Ensuring we all stay...

Guides

News

Home Design Tips To Prep Your Home For The Winter Season

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Just like us, homes need a little love. With the cooler months fast approaching, there is no better time than now to prepare yourselves and your homes for the winter season. Here are 5 home design tips and tricks to keep you and your home cosy in the upcoming months.</span>
<h2>1. Heating<em style="color: #303248; font-size: 24px;"><b>
</b></em></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Ensuring we all stay warm and snug during winter is key, so it is essential that before winter hits, we are making sure that our heating systems are up to standard with quick test runs. By doing this in Autumn, we can make certain that if any repairs need to be made, they can be fixed in due time before it gets too cold. And if filters need to be cleaned or dusted out, we can take the necessary steps to get it serviced professionally or independently for maintenance in the long term.</span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-12052" src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/winter4-800x484.jpeg" alt="home design tips" width="800" height="484" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #28a9e0;"><a style="color: #28a9e0;" href="https://www.ibuildnew.com.au/house-designs/clarendon-homes-queensland/492230-boston-43-aspire" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Home design by Clarendon Homes (QLD)</strong></a></span></p>

<h2>2. Protecting the Exterior<em style="color: #303248; font-size: 24px;"><b>
</b></em></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Any natural materials outside of the home are going to be exposed to the harsh conditions of winter. So it is important that we take note of this and secure surfaces such as timber, which should be sealed and oiled to protect it from rain or severe winds. Sealing up cracks on the outside of your home is also important to ensure that the heat doesn’t leave the home.</span>


<h2>3. Decorating the Interior<em style="color: #303248; font-size: 24px;"><b>
</b></em></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Some home design tips to prepare the home for winter can be as simple as decorating the interior to match the season. Changing the colour palette of your home to warmer tones like yellow and orange and by adding throws and patterned cushions are an easy way to dress the home and create an inviting space to curl up in. Adding a staple carpet to the home is another simple home design tip that can enhance the room in addition to keeping your feet from getting cold on hardwood floors.</span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-12051" src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/winter2-800x434.jpeg" alt="home design tips" width="800" height="434" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #28a9e0;"><a style="color: #28a9e0;" href="https://www.ibuildnew.com.au/house-designs/fairhaven-homes/17355-tahlee-285-bridgewater" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Home design by Fairhaven Homes (VIC)</strong></a></span></p>

<h2>4. Stay Safe and Check your Detectors<em style="color: #303248; font-size: 24px;"><b>
</b></em></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">A mundane and maybe absent thought during this time is to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Making sure that they work or even replacing them with new batteries can be worthwhile in the long run. With the use of heaters and fireplaces becoming more frequent, it is important that we check that they are in top condition with carbon monoxide poisoning becoming higher risk with the use of gas heaters.</span>
<h2>5. Final Touches<em style="color: #303248; font-size: 24px;"><b>
</b></em></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Some frictionless home design tips that can kick the winter blues and make the home feel a bit cosier is as effortless as changing your sheets. Swapping over your bedsheets to linen and even getting a warmer doona can really add to the comfort for those cold winter nights. Lighting candles around the home with a relaxing musky or woody scent can also add to the atmosphere of the home.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Whatever you are looking for in a new home, make sure to speak to our independent consultants. They are here to help you 7 days a week and assist you with all of your queries regarding the new home building process or even investment opportunities. Call them on 1800 184 284, or <strong><a class="js-book-a-call" href="https://calendly.com/ibuildnew/callback">book a call</a></strong> online.</span>

Mimosa Homes has expanded its Geelong footprint with the opening of three new display homes at Armstrong Mt Duneed, adding further clarity for buyers assessing mid-to-upper family homes in one of the region’s most active growth corridors.

Mimosa Homes

Mimosa Homes, null

Mimosa Homes opens three new display homes at Armstrong Mt Duneed

<p><strong>Mimosa Homes</strong> has expanded its Geelong footprint with the opening of three new display homes at Armstrong Mt Duneed, adding further clarity for buyers assessing mid-to-upper family homes in one of the region’s most active growth corridors.</p><p>Established in 2007 and delivering between 500 and 1,000 homes annually across Melbourne and Geelong, Mimosa Homes has increasingly focused its display strategy on estates with strong owner-occupier demand. The Armstrong opening forms part of a broader rollout, with recent displays also opening at Averley in Nar Nar Goon, Coridale DV2 in Lara, and Olivine DV2 in Donnybrook.</p><p>The new Armstrong displays reflect a design approach centred on zoning, scale flexibility and long-term livability, themes that have previously seen Mimosa Homes recognised through multiple HIA display home awards and a Master Builders Special Commendation.</p><h2>Inside the Armstrong Mt Duneed display homes</h2><p>Armstrong Mt Duneed continues to attract owner-occupiers seeking access to Geelong’s employment base while remaining within reach of coastal amenities, schools and retail infrastructure. For buyers weighing house and land options, the estate offers a relatively mature setting compared to newer greenfield releases, with established streetscapes and nearby community facilities already in place.</p><p>The new Armstrong display homes include three distinct designs, each targeting a different family profile while maintaining a consistent emphasis on space, zoning and liveability.</p><h3>Malvern 443</h3><p>Configured as a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a double garage, the Malvern 443 is the largest of the Armstrong displays and leans firmly into multi-generational and high-occupancy living.</p><p>A double-height atrium anchors the main living zone, with the L-shaped kitchen and walk-in pantry positioned as the central gathering point.</p><p></p><img src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Malvern-443-122-800x534.jpg" alt=""><p>The ground floor includes a guest suite, theatre and home office, while the upper level is organised around a retreat space servicing four bedrooms.</p><p>The main suite is deliberately oversized, incorporating a dressing room and double-vanity ensuite.</p><h3>Beaconsfield 329</h3><p>The four-bedroom <strong>Beaconsfield 329</strong> combines a wellness focus with a layout that prioritises separation between adult and children’s zones, without extending into oversized footprints.</p><p>The master suite is positioned to the rear, featuring dual walk-in robes and a double-vanity ensuite fitted with a private sauna, a wellness-led upgrade featured in the display home.</p><p></p><img src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Beaconsfield-329-059-800x534.jpg" alt=""><p>Living areas flow from the kitchen through meals and family spaces to the alfresco, supported by both a kids’ retreat and a separate rumpus.</p><p>Storage has been prioritised throughout, with walk-in linen and a powder room adding to everyday practicality.</p><h3>Armadale 278</h3><p>At a more moderate scale, the <strong>Armadale 278</strong> presents a four-bedroom layout focused on open-plan living and indoor-outdoor connection.</p><p>An L-shaped kitchen with a large island bench forms the centre of the home, opening directly to the main living and dining area and extending to the alfresco.</p><p></p><img src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Armadale-278-22-800x534.jpg" alt=""><p>The design has already attracted industry attention, being named a finalist in the HIA Display Home $350,000–$400,000 category in both 2024 and 2025 for displays at Manor Lakes Estate.</p><p><strong>Other new Mimosa Homes display locations</strong></p><p>The Armstrong opening is part of a broader expansion of Mimosa Homes’ display network across several high-growth estates:</p><ul><li><p>Averley, Nar Nar Goon: two new display homes</p></li><li><p>Coridale DV2, Lara: two new display home</p></li><li><p>Olivine DV2, Donnybrook: four new display homes</p></li></ul><p>The expanded network allows buyers to compare similar designs across different estate contexts, offering insight into how layouts adapt to varying lot sizes, orientations and buyer profiles.</p><h2>Why this matters for you</h2><p>New display homes offer buyers more than a walkthrough of finishes and floorplans, they provide a real-time insight into how a builder is responding to current buyer preferences, construction costs and estate conditions.</p><p>For buyers weighing house and land options, particularly those trying to future-proof without overbuilding, new displays are a practical reference point for understanding standard inclusions versus upgrades, spatial priorities, and how design decisions translate from plans into lived spaces.</p><p>Seen together, the Armstrong displays function less as individual showpieces and more as a comparative tool, helping buyers assess what level of scale, layout and finish best aligns with their budget, block size and long-term needs.</p><p>[smartcode_home_builder_cta:default home_builder_id=25]</p>

Building a house is exciting, especially if you understand what’s involved in the process. But no matter how excited you are about your new home plans , a level-headed approach is crucial in the lead-up to construction. This is a step-by-step guide of things to do, consider and complete so you...

New Home Building 101

Building a house is exciting, especially if you understand what’s involved in the process. But no matter how excited you are about your <a href="http://www.ibuildnew.com.au/home-designs">new home plans</a>, a level-headed approach is crucial in the lead-up to construction. This is a step-by-step guide of things to do, consider and complete so you won’t lose hair, sleep or your sanity.



<a href="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Couple-searching-homes-ipad_ibuildnew.jpg"><img class="wp-image-51" src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Couple-searching-homes-ipad_ibuildnew.jpg" alt="Couple viewing houses on ipad_ibuildnew" /></a>

&nbsp;
<h5>Nailing down the budget</h5>
Ah, everybody’s favourite part. No one likes to think about what they can’t afford now, let alone in the future, but unless you have a whole lot of cash upfront, you’ll need to figure out how much money you have to spend and what you can afford to repay. Talk to mortgage brokers and look into pre-approvals from your bank. Ideally, your mortgage repayments will be no more than 25% of your take-home pay and the land cost will be included in the mortgage amount.

Factor the following expenses into your construction budget: plans, fees, permits and utility services. And don’t forget about the garden – leave some budget for landscaping to make sure your new house makes the best first impression. Decide early on whether you plan to rent out or live in the property. This will hold major significance with how you proceed.

&nbsp;
<h5>Planning is important when building a new house</h5>
Select a neighbourhood, a block and a new home builder. Investigate any council guidelines or building restrictions in your new ‘hood. These may determine the type and style of home you build, which may in turn affect the house plans.

Ask your new home builder to provide detailed overviews of their specific policies and procedures in writing, to safe-guard you against any mishaps later on.

There is a huge selection of new house designs out there, so look for plans that offer the space and features you want in your home.. Be decisive about the type of house you want from the outset, or you may end up being swayed by every new house design you see.

&nbsp;
<h5>A clear brief is essential when building a house</h5>
Think about your current and future lifestyle, and make a list of negotiable and non-negotiable requirements. Tag each item as ‘essential’ or ‘nice-to-have’. Be ruthless – this process will prove difficult but rewarding.

Inspect your site with a new home designer or architect to assess the potential opportunities you might be able to exploit, as well as any difficulties you might face. Request a fixed-price quote from your house builder and make sure that they include any upgraded inclusions that you want in your home.
<p class="p1"></p>

<h3 style="text-align: center;">'Request a fixed-price quote from your new home builder and make sure that they include any upgraded inclusions.'</h3>
<h5>Signing off the paperwork</h5>
Once you’ve been finance approved, you can sign the building contract and pay your deposit or commencement fee. The commencement fee will typically cover soil tests, contour surveys, site inspection, <a href="/blog/tips-and-trends/build-a-house-right-foundation-types/">slab design</a> and working drawings. To save time and money, maintain good communication with your new home builder and make sure you’re happy with the house design and specifications before the actual build begins. As well as arranging regular site visits, ask if they’ll provide progress photos during the different stages of construction. Building a house is complex project and communication between everyone evolved is essential to keep the process as stress free as possible.

Sign off any plans that need to be submitted to council, get out your hard hat and pop some champagne. Once all permits have been issues, building your new house can commence!

Chances are, you started picturing your dream new house at an early age – as a young child building sandcastles armed with a bucket and a wild imagination. Back then you may have been limited by the scant resources of the kindergarten sandpit, but that didn’t stop you building something great to...

Create The Ultimate New House Design

Chances are, you started picturing your dream new house at an early age – as a young child building sandcastles armed with a bucket and a wild imagination. Back then you may have been limited by the scant resources of the kindergarten sandpit, but that didn’t stop you building something great to house your favourite toys. Whilst obviously now your circumstances have changed, the premise hasn’t.

<a href="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Couple-looking-at-house-plans_ibuildnew.jpg"><img class="wp-image-45 size-full" src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Couple-looking-at-house-plans_ibuildnew.jpg" alt="iBuildNew_couple-looking-at-house-plans" width="1650" height="840" /></a>
<h5></h5>
Building your dream pad begins with developing a<a href="http://www.ibuildnew.com.au/home-designs"> great house plan</a> that encompasses your needs, your wants and your limitations. Everybody will tell you that the decisions you make at the design and planning stage are crucial, but what’s more important is taking your time to make them. With so much money and happiness on the line, it doesn’t make sense to rush into anything. Take a few deep breaths. Practise Zen and the art of Buildism. Remember that no house is ever completely perfect and that at least this house is completely yours.
<blockquote>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">“Take a few breaths. Practise Zen and the art of Buildism.”</h3>
</blockquote>
<h5>Spend some quality time identifying your current and future needs</h5>
Think about the things you consider essential when building a new home, and what you could do without if you really had to. Turn this into two lists: the ‘have-to-haves’ and the ‘nice-to-haves’. Friends and family can be invaluable sources of input at this point. Be prepared to strike a lot of items off your ‘nice-to-have’ list, but stow a copy of it away for future reference. If nothing more, it might provide comedic fodder down the track.
<h5>Study your plans, and take note of a few things:</h5>
<ul>
 	<li>Your block - What surrounds it, and where is it situated on the street? <a href="/blog/tips-and-trends/decorating-narrow-blocks/">Is it a narrow block</a>, is it sloping block, where do you access your driveway?</li>
 	<li>Light and outlook - will you get northern sun in your living spaces, is there a view?</li>
 	<li>Layout – Which way do your doors open, is there enough cross-ventilation, will traffic flow through the house easily, can you section off areas for heating/cooling, have you considered the work triangle when planning your kitchen?</li>
 	<li>Fittings and fixtures – Speak to experts about energy-efficient appliances, consider wear and tear on your fittings and choose styles that won’t go out of fashion quickly.</li>
 	<li>Also, don’t forget to put power points in logical places!</li>
</ul>
<h5>Draft three ideal new house designs</h5>
Even if you have a clear vision of your ideal new home build, putting down three viable plans gives you wriggle room if certain elements prove unworkable after you talk to your architect or home builder. A well-written house plan should suit your existing needs and also accommodate potential lifestyle changes. Do you want to start a family? Get a pet? You’ll need to incorporate that. If you’re bringing furniture you already own along, make sure it will fit into your new spaces.

You can choose to leave a few elements open to be retrofitted at a later date, but try to opt for fittings and finishes that will resist fashion trends and still appeal to you in a few years’ time. The most important thing is that your new house design is liveable, functional and within budget. Everything else is the icing on the cake.

With the current condition that the world is in, it is difficult to determine what is or isn’t prohibited with many rules differing from state to state. At this moment in time, it is an unnerving task to think about selling a property during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with the financial...

Can I Still Sell My Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

<span style="font-weight: 400;">With the current condition that the world is in, it is difficult to determine what is or isn’t prohibited with many rules differing from state to state. At this moment in time, it is an unnerving task to think about selling a property during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with the financial strains it has put much of the community in. The real-estate world has in turn taken a huge blow, with open houses and auctions being limited in their operations. However, selling your property is still not an impossible task. There are still many ways that can make it manageable - through online revenues and strict regulations that make it safe and easy to do so. Here are some achievable tips on selling a property during the coronavirus pandemic.</span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-12057 size-medium" src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/selling1-800x441.jpg" alt="selling a property during coronavirus" width="800" height="441" /></p>

<h2>Tip #1: Reach out to Professionals<em style="color: #303248; font-size: 24px;"><b>
</b></em></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re unsure about where to begin with selling a property during coronavirus, talking to experts in the field will ease the uncertainty. Real Estate agents are well informed about the local market and ensure that they are aware of any new changes made. You can contact real estate agents through the phone or arrange potential online meetings for more in-depth discussions on how to prepare your home to sell and to ensure that proper marketing strategies are put in place in these circumstances.</span>


<h2>Tip #2: Making Up the Home for Potential Buyers Online<em style="color: #303248; font-size: 24px;"><b>
</b></em></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Let's take a moment to thank technology! As open houses are banned due to the pandemic, we are fortunate enough in that everything is easily accessible online. People will now be more inclined to look at properties online to adhere to social distancing measures. It is important that at this time, you take this opportunity to prepare your home for auctions, with virtual tours and inspections becoming more frequent with buyers, particularly during the coronavirus. Finding ways to make the home look more appealing and attractive to potential buyers can be done in various ways, such as:</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">- Decluttering your home or rearranging furniture
<span style="font-weight: 400;">- Making the home brighter with different lighting
<span style="font-weight: 400;">- Adding staple pieces to draw attention to rooms
<span style="font-weight: 400;">- Or even painting your walls to freshen up the look</span></span></span></span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-12058 size-medium" src="https://legacy-ibn-uploads.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/selling2-800x444.jpeg" alt="selling a property during coronavirus" width="800" height="444" /></p>

<h5 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">First impressions last - Keep your entryway neat and tidy!</span></h5>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ibuildnew.com.au/house-designs/plantation-homes/19603-brighton-37-essence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #28a9e0;"><strong>Home Design by Plantation Homes (QLD)</strong></span></a></p>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">These tips are also useful if people were still looking to attend private open houses in real life. As long as proper social distancing and hygiene measures were safely monitored and established, then private open houses are also permitted.</span>
<h2>Tip #3: Create Virtual Tours and Walkthroughs<em style="color: #303248; font-size: 24px;"><b>
</b></em></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">If selling a property during coronavirus, remember that potential buyers would be eager to look into every detail of the house when going in for inspections. But with a ban on open houses and limited private open houses, this is near impossible. This is where the prospect of digital marketing comes into play. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of a private open house due to your safety, it is suggested that you ask your real estate agent if 3D virtual tours and walkthroughs are possible to conduct to adhere to the current online marketing of homes.</span>

<span style="color: #28a9e0;"><a style="color: #28a9e0;" href="https://www.ibuildnew.com.au/blog/insights/3d-virtual-tours-from-home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Have you checked out 3D Virtual Tours from our builders?</strong></a></span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Selling a property during coronavirus can be stressful, but with the right tools and advice, it can be a stress-free process. If you’re looking into selling your home, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team on 1800 184 284 or<span style="color: #28a9e0;"><a style="color: #28a9e0;" href="https://calendly.com/ibuildnew/callback"> <b>book a call</b></a></span> for free, expert advice on building the home that’s right for you.</span>

Alamora is one of the newest masterplanned communities taking shape in Tarneit, part of Melbourne’s rapidly expanding Wyndham growth corridor. Delivered by Villawood Properties, the project builds on the developer’s long presence in the region, with Alamora marking its eighth community in Wyndham...

Inside Alamora: Builders to consider in Tarneit

Energy-efficient upgrades are no longer niche additions. Solar panels, double-glazing and upgraded insulation have moved from “nice to have” to expected in many new estates. But for buyers planning to sell within five years, the question isn’t environmental, it’s financial. Will these upgrades...

Sustainability without the price tag: Will solar and double-glazing pay off in five years?

The promise of building new is flexibility. Floorplans look adaptable, façades come in multiple styles, and display homes are presented as a starting point rather than a fixed template. But once you move from browsing to signing, the scope of what you can actually change narrows quickly....

Customising Your Plan: What builders will (and won’t) let you change before construction starts

Electric vehicle uptake is no longer a fringe consideration for homebuyers. For many, the question isn’t whether they’ll own an EV, but whether their next home will support one properly. In new estates and apartment developments, “EV ready” is increasingly used in marketing. The more relevant...

EV Readiness: What it really takes to install a fast charger in a new home or apartment

Gen Fyansford has quietly become one of Geelong’s more established masterplanned communities, positioned between the Barwon and Moorabool Rivers and just minutes from central Geelong. The estate focuses on open space, heritage character and riverfront positioning. Unlike newer fringe estates still...

Inside Gen Fyansford: Builders to consider in Geelong

YourLand Developments has officially marked the start of construction on Acclaim, its 1080-lot masterplanned community in Donnybrook, with a sod-turning ceremony held today on site alongside Lauren Kathage MP, Member for Yan Yean, and Cr Christine Stow, Councillor for North Ward. Bild Group has...

YourLand breaks ground on $800m Acclaim community, unlocking major new infrastructure for Donnybrook

Pelican Waters has announced the release of the final stage of land within its Nautical Edge precinct, marking one of the last remaining residential land opportunities in the masterplanned community. The release comprises just 34 lots, located within the island precinct and bordered by water to the...

Final Nautical Edge land released at Pelican Waters

Uniform streetscapes are a defining feature of many new housing estates. Covenants, developer design guidelines and volume-builder floorplans create cohesion, but they also compress difference. For buyers building in these communities, the resale question isn’t about bold architecture or landmark...

How to protect resale value in estates where every home looks the same

Almost 600 new homes are on their way to Ipswich with the launch of Stockland’s newest precinct, The Grove, at Springfield Rise, with homesites in the first release priced from $577,900 for 315sqm. The Grove marks Springfield Rise’s first major precinct launch in more than two years and builds on...

Almost 600 new homes coming to Ipswich

A limited 11-lot release at Matilda marks the estate’s latest stage, as the 840-home Donnybrook community continues to roll out. Matilda is an 840-lot masterplanned community on Donnybrook Road, around 30 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD. With a new Yellow Gum release now selling, just 11 lots...

Latest News & Expert Advice on New Homes

Inside Alamora: Builders to consider in Tarneit

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Home Designs & Builders

News

Latest News & Expert Advice on New Homes

Inside Alamora: Builders to consider in Tarneit

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Home Designs & Builders

News