Two-storey homes are becoming one of the most popular choices for families, couples, and anyone who wants both space and character without compromising on light, flow, and everyday comfort.
By building up instead of out, these homes make better use of a block while leaving more room for gardens, patios, and outdoor living.
Well-designed double storey homes feel open, inviting, and bright, and clever layouts help rooms feel bigger than they really are. Whether you are planning a new build or redecorating an existing home, these ideas will help you make the most of every square metre.
At their best, double storey homes make clever use of vertical space, smart layout choices, generous windows, and thoughtful transitions between rooms. One standout example is that MOJO homes have stunning double storey homes that blend modern design with functional layouts that maximise both space and natural light.
Why Choose a Double Storey Layout?
Double storey homes naturally expand the living area without expanding the footprint. This is especially useful if you have a smaller lot but still want plenty of space for bedrooms, living areas, and storage.
Efficiency on Smaller Blocks
If your land is narrow or small, expanding up instead of out leaves more outdoor space for gardens, patios, play areas, or even a future pool. Doubling floor space without doubling the footprint is one of the biggest advantages of this design approach.
Separate Living Areas
Double storey homes allow you to keep bedrooms private upstairs and living areas downstairs. You can also dedicate separate zones for work, play, and relaxation without crowding a single floor.
Better Views and Light
Being higher off the ground means you can take advantage of views, breezes, and natural daylight, especially if windows and balconies are oriented thoughtfully. Large windows on the second floor let in morning and afternoon sunlight while preserving privacy.
Open Plan Designs that Boost Space and Flow
The way you arrange rooms on both floors changes how big and light your home feels. Open plan living is one of the biggest trends because it removes barriers and creates visual connections that make spaces feel larger.
Ground Floor Open Layouts
Removing unnecessary walls between the kitchen, dining, and living areas creates a sense of continuity and flow. You don’t need separate, closed-off rooms to feel cosy — open layouts can feel warm and welcoming when furniture placement and lighting define each area.
Wide walkways and aligned sightlines from the front door to the backyard or patio also make indoor spaces feel connected to the outdoors.
Vertical Flow and Stair Design
A thoughtfully designed staircase does more than move people between floors — it can also let light travel deeper into the home. Open-tread stairs, glass balustrades, and light wells integrated into stair spaces help disperse natural light throughout both levels.
Position the staircase near a skylight or window where possible, and avoid enclosing it completely with walls. This keeps the vertical circulation light and airy.
Maximise Natural Light
Natural light makes every room feel bigger, brighter, and more welcoming. Double storey homes have a real advantage here because upper floors can have larger windows without compromising privacy.
Large Windows and Feature Glass
Floor-to-ceiling windows or tall, narrow windows help blur the line between inside and outside. When you can see the sky — even from a high point — the room feels larger. Modern trends emphasise expansive glass walls that bring daylight deep into living spaces.
Skylights and Clerestory Windows
Skylights help light penetrate even the centre of your home. They’re especially effective over stairwells, hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms. If your roof allows it, clerestory windows (high, narrow windows near the ceiling) can add daylight without sacrificing wall space for furniture.
Consider Window Orientation
In the Southern Hemisphere, north-facing windows capture the most daylight throughout the year — bright in winter and soft in summer. South-facing windows give more consistent, even light that doesn’t change much with the seasons. Aligning living rooms and key rooms with the best light direction increases brightness without extra electrical lighting.
Clever Storage Solutions
One way double storey homes feel more spacious is by hiding clutter and designing smart storage into the structure itself.
Built-in Storage
Instead of freestanding wardrobes, bookcases, and cabinets, built-in storage uses space more efficiently. Wall niches, under-stair cupboards, and shelves in hallways make room for belongings without squeezing walking space.
Use Vertical Space
Tall shelves, overhead cabinets, and vertical hooks take advantage of height that might otherwise go unused. This approach works especially well in kitchens and laundry rooms, where every bit of storage counts.
Outdoor Living and Connection
Great double storey designs make the outdoors part of everyday life, not something separate.
Upper Floor Balconies
Balconies not only expand living space, they also bring light and air into upper floor rooms. A balcony off a bedroom or lounge becomes a private retreat and extends the indoor living area outwards.
Ground Floor Patio and Patio Flow
Align sliding doors or folding glass walls from the living area to a patio or deck. This creates a seamless indoor/outdoor connection — great for entertaining, relaxing, or watching the sunset.
Zoning for Function and Comfort
Zoning rooms purposefully helps maximise both space and privacy.
Sleep and Quiet Zones Upstairs
Keeping bedrooms upstairs puts quieter areas away from the main traffic paths on the ground floor. This separation helps create tranquil retreats for rest and personal time.
Activity Zones Downstairs
Ground floors can focus on social and activity spaces — kitchen, living, dining, and play areas. By clustering these energy-filled spaces together, you preserve quiet upstairs zones.
Light Colours and Minimalist Finishes
Interior finishes influence how light behaves inside a home.
Use Light Paint Colours
Light, neutral colours reflect more light than dark tones. Even if your rooms are smaller, pale walls and ceilings bounce daylight around, making spaces feel open. Trustedhousepainter.com highlights how colour choice impacts the perception of space and light — light hues help large rooms feel even lighter and smaller rooms feel bigger.
Simple Flooring and Seamless Transitions
Continuous flooring — the same material upstairs and downstairs — creates a sense of unity. Avoid abrupt changes in colour or texture that break the eye’s movement. Seamless transitions contribute to the perception of spaciousness.
Interior Features That Amplify Space
Details matter — even small additions can change how a space feels.
Mirrors Reflect Light
Strategically placed mirrors make a room feel deeper and brighter. In hallways and living areas, mirrors amplify daylight and lend the illusion of extra space.
Glass and Open Balustrades
On staircases and mezzanines, glass balustrades or open railings let light flow without barriers, reinforcing visual openness.
Flexibility for Future Needs
One bonus of double storey homes is adaptability.
Multi-Use Rooms
Designing rooms that can change function — like a study that becomes a guest room — adds versatility. Sliding doors, room dividers, and furniture with wheels help repurpose spaces without restructuring walls.
Future-Proof Your Layout
Think ahead: kids grow up, needs change, and family dynamics evolve. Leave room in your design for flexibility and growth without major renovation.
Final Thoughts
Double storey homes make powerful use of vertical space, clever layouts, and natural light. From open plan designs and large windows to smart storage and outdoor connections, a well-designed two-storey house feels generous and bright even on smaller blocks. Thoughtful choices like integrating daylight, defining zones for living and resting, and using finishes that enhance light all contribute to a home that feels bigger than it really is.
Whether you’re building from scratch or redesigning an existing space, these ideas will help you maximise space and light in your double storey home — making it not just bigger, but better to live in.
