Browse Forums General Discussion Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 2Feb 10, 2010 1:14 pm Wow factor for me is different to what just looks expensive. I'm more likely to go wow over decor, that is different or beautiful or just put together perfectly Maybe it's the finishes, although I've seen expensive houses that look like whoever picked it all, did so blindfolded. Definately no 'wow', more like an 'ewwwww'. Maybe it's a view. A nice outlook is always 'wow'. One of the houses I lived in as a kid was a little cedar cottage, on the side of a hill (nthn beaches Sydney). Not much to look at, but when anyone walked in the front door there was always a wow. The view was to forever. This is a hard question... is it even possible to define wow factor? It is so variable. So then what looks cheap to me... things that look poorly made. I'm sure there's more, interested to see what others say Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 3Feb 10, 2010 1:22 pm When a couple looks at a house I generally find that the wow factor comes in the form of being impressed and being surprised by the fact that your partner is also impressed. I think if you can spend money catering for at least one feature for each of them, you'll be ahead by a lot in the market. For guys: * Home theatre room * Gadgets like home networking * Practical design choices that reduce maintenance * Mens spaces (ie. games rooms/ basements) For ladies: * Big bathrooms (espc. big baths) * Large storage spaces * Location/ views * Things that add a touch of sophistication like wine racks/ cellars Also don't forget to appeal to peoples other senses like smell and sound. DONT over do scented flowers etc, have some nice bread sticks just for decoration but that are fresh and smell nice. Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 4Feb 10, 2010 1:24 pm Quote: Wow factor for me is different to what just looks expensive Absolutely agree - things can be expensive and still look awful and vice versa. I also think the term "wow factor" is massively over-used However, IMO the best thing you can do for your house to give it instant appeal is to have a good garden - especially the front garden, that is the first impression of a house and makes or breaks all other factors. A house with a beautiful facade and interior is let down in an instant if the front yard is weeds - on the other hand, if the garden is beautiful it will lift the value/ perception of the house. I have told the story on here before of our old house getting valued - on behalf of the buyer's lender - the valuer had seen the house from the front and then ready to come inside - had already made up his mind " I know it will be fine, I can tell from the garden" Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 5Feb 10, 2010 2:03 pm Quantum When a couple looks at a house I generally find that the wow factor comes in the form of being impressed and being surprised by the fact that your partner is also impressed. I think if you can spend money catering for at least one feature for each of them, you'll be ahead by a lot in the market. For guys: * Home theatre room * Gadgets like home networking * Practical design choices that reduce maintenance * Mens spaces (ie. games rooms/ basements) For ladies: * Big bathrooms (espc. big baths) * Large storage spaces * Location/ views * Things that add a touch of sophistication like wine racks/ cellars Also don't forget to appeal to peoples other senses like smell and sound. DONT over do scented flowers etc, have some nice bread sticks just for decoration but that are fresh and smell nice. Great post. Joinery and 'floating' structures give me that wow factor. Especially what appear to be floating walls like an open corner-bifold. Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 6Feb 10, 2010 2:06 pm I should probably explain more. We are looking at what to upgrade in selections etc. I have never given too much thought to basins and taps, and was quite happy with the standard old boring ones included by our builder, but then I saw someone posting in this forum about basins - asking if they should upgrade for the extra cost with a picture of what the standard and what the upgrade was. Most people said the upgrade was worth it. So after looking at those 2 basins I started to think that something as simple as a boring old basin could possibly cheapen the look of the bathroom if you know what I mean. You have all made interesting points - Qantum so very true - I think the WIR of my dreams could sell a house to me. Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 7Feb 10, 2010 2:42 pm So many factors.... But, top of the list for me is room size, shape and proportion. I've always loved open plan and I hate small, poky rooms. Architecture should flow from one area to the next and there should be interesting shapes that draw the eye to what's beyond. When I was a kid, we lived in a big house with lots of rooms. But, from wherever you were located you could generally only see one room plus a tiny bit of the next one if the door was open. I never want to live in a house like that again and, if I did, I'd want to get a sledgehammer out ASAP. But, I can understand that a big family with diverse interests and activities could have diametrically opposed preferences to me......I just think the house could suffer aesthetically as a result. A friend of mine has just built a house for his large family and has gotten over this problem by putting a wide, light-filled gallery right through the centre of the house. Nice, but very exxxy.... Cheers zeke Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 8Feb 10, 2010 3:06 pm My biggest "wow factors" come from:
Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 9Feb 10, 2010 3:28 pm Personally - I think the entry should be the WOW factor. It could be a void, a big entry, an amazing front door, great lighting etc but this is the first room someone sees when they enter and for me this is the point I go wow. If I was going to upgrade it would be things like benchtops to stone, you dont need an amazingly expensive sink for example, you just need something that looks similar to what is "in" at the moment. Upgrade lighting in the living area's but not the bedrooms, maybe a rain shower in the master bedroom if you are looking at selling, and a great garden. THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE IS 495 SQM OF BEACH SAND AND WEEDS! http://missvintageshouseofpain.blogspot.com/ Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 11Feb 10, 2010 4:38 pm I like a nice front and backyard, designer kitchen and good decor. Obviously my tastes may be different to someone else's so something that gives me the "wow factor" may be bleh to someone else! Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 12Feb 10, 2010 4:40 pm I'm a tad old fashioned... and not really into whats "in"... WOW factor (for me) is seening a giant verandah on a gorgeous Queenslander love em And a gorgeous front yard as well. Not a standard one like every second person has, but an individual one, with plenty of roses. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22766 - my build thread! Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris. Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 13Feb 10, 2010 8:10 pm Like icon Interiors, I have also used pictures to illustrate what I consider a house with the WOW factor. I picked a townhouse that sits on quite a small, skinny block, just to illustrate the point that a property does not have to big to be considered 'very special' I think when you walk into a room, its needs to have a sense of height, proportion and the right design for the type of land its built on. To me this room has everything I love...high ceilings, big windows and the architect feature of the window/skylight in the far left corner gives it that special something...all which can be achieved with thoughful design in any home. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Again, nothing fancy about the kitchen but just seems so seemless but yet perfect as if every single element in the kitchen is going to be top quality. Last of all...a house with a view always has the wow factor. This may consist of a view of the ocean, pool or just a beautiful garden...all can look just as special, thats why display homes look the way they do because of the $$$$ they put into landscaping. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Anyhoo Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 14Feb 10, 2010 8:34 pm You've got impeccable taste Mrs B, we picked the same property I love the metal façade/garage door Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ But what do you think of the bathroom? I think it's a little underdone compared with the rest of the house; the tiles aren't quite right... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 15Feb 10, 2010 8:50 pm Gee, I'm really ambivalent about that property. I love the interior pics that Mrs B posted. The bathroom's fine too.....not everything has to "make a statement". But that facade......ewwww! To me it looks like someone has simply gone out to their way to be quirky and different without making it aesthetically pleasing.....at least to me. Buildings can be "different" and magnificent at the same time. I guess Wright's Guggenheim Museum and the Sydney opera House are classic examples of this. I don't think this one pulls it off..... There was an infamous little house on Greenhill Rd in Adelaide built about 30 years ago that went down the "strange angles" design path. That one "worked for me" in a way this one doesn't. Might see if I can find a pic.... But I love the fact that we all have different aesthetic viewpoints. Cheers zeke Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 16Feb 10, 2010 9:11 pm That facade looks like an alien's face, to me Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 18Feb 10, 2010 9:21 pm Personally I think the Bathrooms can take the house to the next level. Fully tiling the bathrooms and having ceasorstone benchtops give it a wow factor. The pool area is also another wow factor in homes imo. One thing that will make your home that little bit extra spacious is higher ceilings. For me personally I am hoping to make the pool area, bathrooms/kitchen and decor/furniture the 'wow' factors. Even though I agree with the people who have said it doesnt need to be expensive to be a wow factor, it is turning out to be for me . DA approved Waiting on a few more Builder's quotes. Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 19Feb 10, 2010 10:55 pm Quote: That facade looks like an alien's face, to me I could see a Robot maybe, but an alien? Where's the red eyes, green skin etc I still love the façade, and the angles hide that on the top floor there is no common wall between the two properties, but rather a channel designed to capture more natural light which is funnelled to the living areas downstairs. Re: What do you think gives wow factor to a house? 20Feb 11, 2010 5:58 am I did to Would you believe I looked at your pics a few times and didnt pick up the facade of the house was in your collection The bathroom was not at the same 'standard' as the main room imho...I think its the window that makes it very average compared to all the window designs downstairs. Another thing that gives this house the wow factor is the shylight that appears to be running down the length of the house. I also like houses where once you enter, your eyes are immediately directed to the end of the house with a view of an amazing garden, courtyard or view...I really like that element for some reason. Anyhoo No. It's not original. Circa early to mid 90s would be my guess and maybe even as late as early 2000s 1 6631 Looking to start the journey of becoming an owner builder in SA. Feeling pretty (overly) confident on the building and construction details, but really struggling to find… 0 8417 A question. Im in Queensland and building a new home. We managed to reach practical completion 6 weeks ago but we haven't heard any date for handover yet. Who should we… 0 5806 |