Building on a narrow block might sound limiting at first. But once you understand how to work with the space, not against it, you’ll quickly realise just how much potential there is.

The design phase is critical when it comes to narrow blocks. There’s less margin for error, but also more opportunity for brilliance. That’s why it pays to work with a builder who’s done this hundreds of times, one who can look at a tight block and still see wide-open potential.

At Brickwood Custom Homes, we’ve spent decades helping clients turn compact sites into homes that feel expansive, personal, and perfectly tailored to how they live.

In fact, some of the most liveable and striking homes we’ve ever built at Brickwood Homes have been on blocks that most people would’ve walked right past. That’s the beauty of smart, intentional design.

What to Consider When Designing a Home on a Narrow Block

As you start planning your home, here are some of the key considerations you should have in mind:

Building vertically

You might not be able to stretch your walls outwards, but there’s plenty of room to work up. High ceilings are a game-changer on narrow blocks. We recommend a minimum height of 2.7 metres, and trust us, once you walk into a home with those soaring ceilings, you’ll feel the difference.

Optimising the perks of good lighting

Natural light is one of the most powerful tools you have when designing a home on a narrow block. With the right window placements, skylights, and open spaces, you can completely change the way a home feels.

Light gives the illusion of space, and when done right, it does a lot more than that. We often recommend full-height windows, skylights in internal rooms, and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to maximise brightness.

Maximising storage opportunities

With clever planning, you can include ample storage without sacrificing liveable space. Think under-stair cupboards, built-in cabinetry, garage shelving and even bed bases with built-in drawers. Brickwood home builders can help you design subtle, seamless storage solutions that don’t intrude on your floor plan but make daily life much more manageable.

Best House Design Styles for Narrow Plots

Here are some of the most impactful, space-smart design styles we recommend for narrow blocks:

  • Contemporary minimalism: Contemporary minimalism is the perfect marriage of form and function. It strips back excess without sacrificing beauty or utility. In narrow block homes, this approach works wonders by opening up spaces and giving the illusion of room to breathe.
  • Scandinavian style: Scandinavian style is a design philosophy that puts nature, light, and simplicity front and centre, and it’s practically tailor-made for narrow blocks. In a typical Scandinavian-inspired narrow block home, you’ll find white-washed walls, light-toned timbers, and plenty of natural light.
  • Industrial style: Industrial homes tend to lean into high ceilings, warehouse-style windows, and functional open shelving. This style loves multifunctional spaces, which makes it easier to live comfortably on a smaller footprint.

How to Landscape a Small Front Yard on a Narrow Block

Here’s how we can help you make the absolute most of your outdoor space, even when square metres are tight:

Vertical gardens

One of the cleverest ways to bring nature into a narrow block home is to grow up, not out. Vertical gardens have become a favourite among our clients for a reason. They’re practical, beautiful, and a little bit magical when done right.

By using wall-mounted planters, climbing vines, or stacked modular garden panels, you can transform a plain wall or fence line into a lush vertical oasis.

We often build these into side alleys, garage walls, or even as green backdrops for alfresco dining areas. They’re perfect for narrow block homes because they take advantage of the height your lot naturally offers.

Courtyard gardens

If your design includes a central or rear courtyard, and many narrow block layouts do, you’re sitting on a goldmine of outdoor potential. With the right touch, a courtyard can feel like the heart of the home.

Strategic planting, layered textures, and simple materials go a long way to giving your courtyard garden that quiet, effortless elegance we all crave.

Green roofs

For those building up instead of out, rooftop gardens offer a rare chance to reclaim outdoor living in places most wouldn’t even think to look. Whether it’s a compact rooftop terrace or a fully-fledged green roof, the options are there if you’re open to thinking vertically.

With the right planning, we can turn your roof into a relaxing spot to entertain, enjoy a quiet read, or even grow a small veggie garden.

Sustainable Design Tips for Narrow Lot Homes

If you’re building on a narrow block, there’s actually a lot you can do to make your home more energy-efficient, more comfortable, and ultimately more cost-effective in the long run.

Narrow lot homes are naturally energy-efficient due to their smaller size, but design plays a crucial role in maximising this potential. At Brickwood Custom Homes, we use open layouts and strategic window placements to allow natural light and airflow to reduce reliance on heating and cooling systems.

We also prioritise energy-saving features like double-glazed windows, high-quality insulation, and eco-friendly materials such as recycled timber and low-VOC paints. These choices create a more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective home in the long run.

Let Brickwood Homes Help You Make the Most of Your Narrow Block

If your dream home has been sitting in the “too hard” basket because of your block size, it’s time to bring it back out again.

At Brickwood Homes, we know what keeps homeowners up at night. You’re worried the space won’t be enough. That it’ll feel too tight, too dark, too hard to work with. Maybe you’ve been told before that you can’t have everything you want, because of your block size, your location, your council restrictions, or your budget. We’ve heard it all. And we’ve built through it all.

We’re here to listen. To really understand how you live, what you love, and what frustrates you about the homes you’ve lived in before. Then we design your home, smarter, sharper, and built to take advantage of every square metre of your block.

Brickwood home builders have helped countless homeowners across Sydney build homes they once thought impossible on narrow or awkward sites, and we’re ready to do the same for you.

Reach out today, and let us design the kind of home you didn’t think was possible.