Single Storey vs Double Storey: Which Is Right for You?
Block width, budget, family stage and how you like to live all come into it.
There's no universally better answer to this one. It depends on your block, your budget, your family's stage of life and how you actually use a home day to day.
What follows is a practical comparison rather than a recommendation — the aim is to help you work out which questions matter most for your situation before you start shortlisting designs.
Where single storey tends to work well
Single-storey homes generally suit wider blocks, and they appeal to anyone who'd rather not deal with stairs — whether that's now or in twenty years.
- Living areas flow directly onto the yard and outdoor living
- No stairs, which suits young children and long-term accessibility
- Often simpler to maintain and clean
- Everything on one level keeps the household connected
- Typically needs more of the block's footprint
Where double storey tends to work well
Double-storey designs put more home on a smaller footprint, which matters as blocks narrow in newer communities.
- More internal space on a narrower or smaller block
- Clear separation between bedrooms and living areas
- Can leave more of the block as usable yard
- Often better suits households wanting a distinct upstairs retreat
- Adds stairs, and can involve different construction and site considerations
The questions that usually decide it
In practice, the choice is usually settled by a handful of specifics rather than a general preference:
- How wide is the block, and what does the frontage allow?
- How much yard do you want left over?
- Are there young children, or family members who'd struggle with stairs?
- Do you want bedrooms grouped together or separated?
- How long do you plan to stay in the home?
- Do estate guidelines encourage a particular presentation to the street?
Being open to either is an advantage
If you're genuinely happy with either, that's a good position to be in. It widens the range of blocks and designs worth considering, which usually means better options within the same budget.
If you already have a strong preference, that's fine too — it just makes the block requirements more specific, and worth confirming early.
Things worth watching
- Choosing a storey configuration before knowing the block width
- Comparing floor areas without comparing usable yard
- Forgetting how the home will suit you in ten years, not just now
- Assuming a double storey always costs more, or always less, per square metre
General information only. Costs, requirements and availability need to be confirmed for your situation with the relevant builder, developer and other parties.