Duplex Design – How to Create Light, Space and Wow Factor

In Melbourne, duplexes are becoming an innovative way for second-home buyers to maximise land value while still enjoying the lifestyle of a bespoke home. Done well, a duplex doesn’t feel like a compromise—it feels like a sanctuary. The trick lies in clever design: making the most of light, storage, gardens, and those small details that deliver a big “wow.”

1. Make Natural Light the Hero

Space is important, but light is what makes a home feel uplifting. When designing a duplex, windows, courtyards, and skylights can draw daylight deep into the home.

• Corner glazing can open up living rooms.

• Clerestory windows (high-level windows) bring in sun while preserving privacy.

• Internal courtyards flood both sides of the home with light, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting.

Light is also a sustainability strategy—lowering energy use and keeping interiors healthier.

2. Design Storage That Works Harder

A duplex means you need every square metre to work overtime. Storage is where thoughtful design shines.

• Under-stair cupboards can transform into pantries or wine cellars.

• Concealed laundry joinery doubles as a mudroom for coats, boots, and school bags.

• Garage walls fitted with vertical racks save precious floor space.

• Built-in cabinetry along walls keeps living areas uncluttered and contemporary.

When storage is integrated, it doesn’t just save space—it makes a home feel calmer and more intentional.

3. Blur the Line Between Indoors and Outdoors

Melbourne’s changing seasons don’t stop us from wanting a strong garden connection. A well-designed duplex allows for indoor–outdoor living that feels natural.

• Sliding or bi-fold doors create alfresco dining zones.

• Green walls or pocket courtyards bring nature right into kitchens or bathrooms.

• Landscaped front entries can turn even a compact block into a welcoming arrival.

It’s about designing gardens not just as backyards, but as part of the living experience.

4. Prioritise Privacy and Acoustic Comfort

Sharing a wall doesn’t mean sharing your life. Smart design ensures privacy.

• Double-brick or acoustic wall systems reduce sound transfer.

• Windows positioned to avoid direct views into neighbours’ homes maintain a sense of retreat.

• Separate outdoor spaces give each side of the duplex its own breathing room.

Privacy means you get all the efficiency of a shared block without feeling overlooked.

5. Create a “Wow” Moment

Every home deserves a feature that makes you pause. In duplexes, this can be subtle or dramatic:

• A double-height void with a floating staircase

• A bold kitchen island that anchors the open-plan living space

• A sculptural pendant light draws the eye upward

• Landscaping that frames the home beautifully from the street

It’s about designing one focal point that sets your home apart and creates lasting value.

Sneak Peek Ideas for Duplex Living

If you’re dreaming about your own duplex, here are some design ideas to spark your imagination:

• Storage: secret pantry doors, underfloor storage in bedrooms, ceiling-hung drying racks.

• Wow factor: cantilevered upper floors, exposed timber beams, statement lighting.

• Light: skylights over stairwells, glazed balustrades, internal lightwells.

• Garden inside: atriums, vertical gardens, green “nooks” under stairs.

Final Word

Duplex design isn’t about compromise—it’s about balance. When you combine thoughtful planning with creative flair, you can have a home that feels generous, connected, and uniquely yours.

Working with a local architect who understands Melbourne’s blocks, orientation, and council overlays is key. At Mark MacInnis Architect, we design duplexes that don’t just fit the land—they fit the life you want to live.

Top Trending Benchtop Styles and Materials for Your Dream Kitchen

An Architect’s Guide for Renovators and Dream Home Creators

When it comes to renovating your kitchen or designing an extension, the benchtop is more than just a surface — it’s the design anchor of the entire space. It influences your cabinetry, lighting, wall colour, and even how you use the room.

At Mark MacInnis Architect, we’re seeing a shift in benchtop styles in 2025 that reflects broader lifestyle values: durability, sustainability, and beautiful simplicity. If you’re planning your dream home, here’s what’s trending now — and what’s worth considering for the long haul.

🧱 1. Engineered Stone: The Timeless Favourite

Still a staple in Australian kitchens, engineered stone (like Caesarstone or Smartstone) offers a balance of affordability, aesthetics, and practicality.

🔍 Why it works: Heat and scratch-resistant, wide colour options, and low maintenance.

🌿 Sustainability watch: Look for suppliers with low-silica options or recycled content.

🪨 2. Natural Stone: Luxury with Personality

Marble, granite, and quartzite are seeing a revival, particularly for statement benchtops or island surfaces.

✨ Why renovators love it: Each slab is unique, with veining and colour that add real presence.

⚠️ Architect tip: Natural stone requires sealing and can be more sensitive to stains.

🦠 3. Porcelain Slabs: The Quiet Powerhouse

Porcelain is making waves as a high-performance benchtop material. Brands like Dekton and Neolith offer ultra-thin slabs that are nearly indestructible.

💡 Best for: Busy families, outdoor kitchens, or minimalists chasing that sleek matte finish.

🔥 Pro feature: Heat-, UV-, stain-, and scratch-resistant.

🌾 4. Timber Benchtops: Warm, Natural, Inviting

A go-to choice for clients seeking texture and soul in their kitchens. Timber works beautifully in combination with stone or laminate to create distinct zones in spaces.

🌳 Best used as: Feature sections like breakfast bars or islands.

🧽 Care tips: Needs regular sealing and gentle use to avoid water damage.

🧪 5. Laminates (That Don’t Look Like Laminates)

Budget-friendly doesn’t mean boring anymore. Laminates have upped their game with textures that mimic stone, concrete, or timber with surprising realism.

💲 Great for: Rental properties, laundry areas, or budget-savvy renovators.

🛠️ Bonus: Easy to install and replace.

🎨 Colour and Edge Trends in 2025:

• Warm whites, soft taupes, and mushroom greys are in — cooler whites are on the way out.

• Waterfall edges are still popular for islands, but thinner, square-edged profiles are trending for modernist looks.

• Two-tone benchtops are gaining ground — think a stone prep area paired with a timber dining bench.

💬 Final Word from Mark

Benchtops are more than just materials — they reflect how you want to live. Whether it’s sleek and modern or warm and handcrafted, your benchtop can help set the tone for your entire home.

👉 Ready to design your dream kitchen? Let’s talk about your renovation or extension today.

How an Architecturally Designed Renovation Can Boost Your Melbourne Home’s Value

For many Melbourne homeowners—especially those buying a second home—renovating is about more than just aesthetics. It’s an investment. Whether you’re dreaming of more space, a better flow, or a stunning open-plan living area, working with an architect doesn’t just help you design a beautiful home—it can significantly increase your property’s market value.

At Mark MacInnis Architect, we specialise in helping Melbourne residents turn their second homes into forever homes. Here’s how great design translates into real dollars

Why Renovate with an Architect?

It’s a question we hear often: Why not just go straight to a builder? While builders can bring your plans to life, a registered architect brings the vision. Our role is to unlock your home’s potential by rethinking layout, flow, orientation, natural light and spatial use so that every dollar you spend delivers lasting impact and appeal.

Architectural design can:

• Improve livability and energy efficiency

• Create better spatial flow for family life

• Maximise views, sunlight and privacy

• Add timeless, marketable design features

• Future-proof your home for changing needs

The Value Equation: Design vs. Resale

Real estate data consistently shows that well-designed renovations outperform generic upgrades. According to Domain and CoreLogic, homes with high-quality renovations—especially those designed by architects—sell faster and for a higher price. Strategic design can often add 15–25% or more to your home’s value, depending on the suburb and scope of work.

Please take one of our recent clients in Melbourne’s Inner North. Their original 1980s layout was dark and disconnected. With a considered extension and comprehensive internal redesign, we created an open-plan kitchen-living zone, added a second bathroom, and introduced natural light through clerestory windows. Six months after completion, the agent valued the home 20% higher than it was before the renovation.

What Adds the Most Value in Melbourne Homes?

In our experience, these architectural features consistently boost home value:

• Open-plan kitchen/dining/living with indoor-outdoor flow

• Additional bedroom or flexible home office

• Master with ensuite and walk-in robe

• Better energy efficiency and thermal performance

• Street appeal through modern yet contextual façade design

Every site and client is different, which is why our design process is tailored to your specific needs, family, and future.

What Does It Cost to Engage an Architect?

Our services are an investment in doing it right the first time. Architect fees typically range from 8% to 15% of the construction budget, depending on service level. However, this upfront cost is often recouped—and sometimes exceeded—through improved resale value, energy savings, and the avoidance of costly design errors.

Final Thoughts: Design for Life—and Value

Renovating your Melbourne home should be about more than just today’s needs. With innovative architectural design, you’re not only improving how your home feels—you’re building future value. Whether it’s your forever home or part of your long-term financial strategy, working with an architect pays dividends.

At Mark MacInnis Architect, we help homeowners create homes that feel good, work well, and grow in value. If you’re planning a renovation or extension, let’s talk about how we can unlock the potential in your home.

👉 Book your free 20-minute call to get started.

Colours that Transform Your Home 🌈✨

Your choice of colours can completely redefine the personality of your home. From bold statements to soft, serene vibes, here’s how these colours bring life to your interiors:

🎨 Yellow: Radiant and cheerful, yellow adds warmth and optimism. Perfect for kitchens or sunrooms to make your space feel bright and inviting.

🎨 Pink: Soft, romantic, and elegant. Pink interiors create a nurturing, soothing atmosphere, ideal for bedrooms or living spaces that inspire relaxation.

🎨 Navy: Classic and refined, navy brings depth and sophistication. Paired with gold accents, it’s perfect for creating luxurious kitchens or moody bathrooms.

🎨 Grey: Timeless and versatile, grey provides a neutral canvas to highlight other design elements whether it’s a chic modern living room or a calm and minimalist bedroom, grey works everywhere.

🎨 Brown: Earthy and grounding, brown tones evoke warmth and cosiness. Use them to create inviting living rooms or rustic bedrooms with a natural vibe.

🎨 Red: Bold and dramatic, red interiors make a powerful statement. Ideal for accent walls or spaces like dining rooms where energy and passion are key.

🎨 Teal: A stunning blend of serenity and richness, teal pairs beautifully with metallic accents. It is great for kitchens, bathrooms, or any room needing a touch of elegance.

💡 Tip: Mix and match these colours throughout your home to create diverse moods for each space. Experiment with textures, patterns, and accents to bring out the best in each shade!