Choosing between a single-storey and a double-storey home is a big decision. The best choice depends on your lifestyle, your block size, and how you plan to use your space.
At Ross North Homes, we offer both single-storey and double-storey designs, each optimised for quality, function, and West Australian living.
Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and trade-offs to help you decide which might be right for you.
Benefits of Single-Storey Living
1. Ease of Access and Flow
Single-storey homes are naturally more accessible and straightforward. With everything on one level, there’s no need for stairs, ideal for families with young children, people with limited mobility, or those planning to age in place.
2. Better Connection to Outdoor Spaces
Many of Ross North’s single-storey designs feature generous outdoor living areas and large windows or sliding doors. This makes it easier to integrate your alfresco or backyard with the main living space, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
3. Simpler Maintenance
Maintaining a single-storey home can be more manageable. Exterior cleaning, roof maintenance, and general upkeep are often easier as there’s no second level to worry about.
4. Design Consistency
In Ross North’s single-storey range, many homes come with flexible layouts, often offering four bedrooms and two bathrooms as a standard. The consistent ceiling heights and open-plan design also make creating a cohesive interior style simpler.
Benefits of Double-Storey Living
1. Maximising Land Efficiency
If you’re working with a smaller or narrow block, double-storey designs can give you more living space without needing a larger footprint. Ross North showcases two-storey homes specifically for this reason, including designs that fit 10 m or 12.5 m frontage blocks.
2. Enhanced Street Presence
Double-storey homes often have a more prominent, architecturally striking look, which can boost street appeal and make a design statement. Ross North emphasises this in their two-storey home range.
3. More Separation of Living Zones
With two levels, you can separate private and shared spaces more effectively. For example, bedrooms or family retreats upstairs can remain quiet and peaceful while activity and entertaining happen downstairs. This zoning can enhance privacy and functionality for families.
4. Potential for Better Views
If your block is sloped or offers a particular view, building up can provide elevated vantage points, something that’s more feasible with a double-storey design.
Trade-Offs & Considerations
- Cost: Building a double-storey home can be more expensive per square metre, especially when factoring in staircases, structural requirements, and potentially more complex engineering.
- Energy Efficiency: Heating and cooling vertically split homes can be more challenging than single-level ones, depending on design and insulation choices.
- Future Mobility: While double-storey layouts offer more space, staircases may become a limitation later in life for some homeowners.
- Footprint vs Outdoor Space: A double-storey home saves on land footprint, but if not designed carefully, it could limit the practicality and accessibility of outdoor areas.
Ross North Homes’ Approach
At Ross North Homes, we recognise that every family’s needs are different.
- Our single-storey designs are thoughtfully laid out to offer versatility, indoor-outdoor flow, and plenty of functional living space.
- Our two-storey range is engineered to deliver maximum space and design impact, even on narrower lots without compromising on quality or finish.
Our experienced design consultants can help you compare designs, understand the implications of each layout, and choose the right home for your block, budget, and lifestyle.
Building with Ross North Homes means you get expert advice, tailored designs, and options that reflect real WA living.
Contact our team or visit one of our display homes to explore our single-storey and two-storey plans in person and find the home that’s right for you.
