Building a Holiday Home in New Zealand with David Reid Homes

With the recent completion of a striking new home in Wanaka built by the team at David Reid Homes Wanaka and Central Otago, we’ve been thinking about what exactly goes into a great holiday home. Read on to find out exactly what you need to know to experience the serenity of your very own holiday haven.

New Zealand is full of beautiful spots to build a home away from home. Whether you’re after a beach-front oasis away from the city, a home close to the mountains for the ultimate alpine escape, or simply a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the 9-5, there are locations for everyone. When planning your new holiday home, whether simple or expansive, there are a few important factors to consider. First up, location. For example, a beachfront home on the Coromandel Peninsula will provide a very different getaway than a cabin style home in Queenstown.

Beachfront Bliss

From the golden sands of the Abel Tasman, to the likes of Tairua and Pauanui in the balmy Coromandel Peninsula, there are spots throughout both the North and South Islands perfect for a home by the beach. 

If you’re an Auckland dweller looking for somewhere not so far from home for weekend escapes, Snells Beach is just a couple of hours drive north and offers the perfect escape from the bustling city.

Lakeside Luxury

Perfect for an active getaway as well as a relaxing one, a lakefront location is a great choice for those interested in skiing, hiking, snowboarding, boating, mountain biking and more. The South Island offers stunning scenery such as the ever beloved Queenstown and Wanaka, while the North Island offers a central spot with Taupō and the great lakes just an hour or so from the ski fields of Mount Ruapehu. 

If you're looking for someplace a little less explored, places such as Te Anau, Lake Ōhau and Pukawa offer a more private escape from the crowds.

Trends

A common trend in New Zealand holiday homes is the prioritisation of outdoor space. From al fresco dining to enjoying a book in the sunshine, a welcoming outdoor space is ideal. After all, your new home is an oasis to relax, unwind and enjoy. Louvre shutter systems give you the choice of covered or non-covered, at the touch of a button, providing the freedom of choice in any weather.

Maximise your time in the surrounding nature with an outdoor fireplace for year round enjoyment, or perhaps an outdoor bath to read a book or stargaze. An outdoor shower is a favourable addition for convenience, whether you are washing off the salt water after an ocean dip or cleaning off your ski wear from a day on the slopes. For the latter, a drying room such as in our new Wanaka feature home is highly recommended. 

Low maintenance is another key to a great holiday home. With the home being commonly uninhabited for significant portions of the year, it’s important to consider how your home will fare without your company. Choosing the correct materials for your location will ensure your home will be in top condition for years to come. A lightweight and durable cladding made to withstand harsh conditions such as salt spray will avoid the need to wipe down walls - not what you want to be doing on your holiday! South Island holiday homes must be built to withstand weather extremes of both freezing Winters and scorching Summers. Thorough insulation, and strong cladding such as schist or cedar are key here. Ultimately, choosing the right builder who understands these nuanced details is crucial to enjoying your getaway, uninterrupted by avoidable maintenance fuss. 

Layout is another important factor in creating your new holiday home. Open plan layouts are very popular, as they allow for ultimate socialising when entertaining guests. For this reason, the kitchen is given special consideration. As the central hub of the home, and where guests and family alike commonly congregate, a kitchen island is a great addition. As featured in our new Wanaka home, the kitchen is opened up into the dining and living areas, and expands further out to the deck and garden, creating an area for all to enjoy, alone or together. This space will be the most utilised space in the home, and creating a flow from the indoor to outdoor allows for extra expansion and brings that fresh air inside. 

The master bedroom and ensuite are fittingly designed in a separate area of the home, away from both the main entertaining area and guest rooms, creating privacy for both yourself and your guests to unwind. 

Thinking about how you want to use your new home is crucial to the best design for you. David Reid Homes have the skills and experience to create your new home perfectly designed in a way that serves your exact needs, effortlessly.

Find more inspiration for your holiday home by exploring our recent builds in Wanaka, Kuratau and the Coromandel. Alternatively, if you are looking to get started and can’t wait to make your holiday oasis a reality, get in touch with us for a chat about how we can help you experience the sanctuary of a new holiday home.

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