From the ocean cliffs of the Surf Coast to the gentle curves of the Bellarine Peninsula, Hamlan homes are shaped by our coastal heritage. Many of our designs are inspired by the natural beauty of the Great Ocean Road and the Otways places where the view isn’t just scenery, it’s part of daily life.
That’s exactly why a reverse living floorplan is such a perfect match for the coast. It’s a clever design approach that puts your best outlooks front and centre and our reverse living floorplans brings this idea to life beautifully.
What Is Reverse Living?
In a traditional home, the main living areas are on the ground floor, with bedrooms upstairs (or all on one level).
Reverse living flips that placing the kitchen, dining, and living spaces upstairs, and keeping the bedrooms and secondary spaces downstairs.
Why Reverse Living Works for Coastal blocks:
1. Capture sweeping views
The higher you are, the more of the coastline you can take in. With living spaces upstairs, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the ocean, headlands, or surrounding landscapes every single day.
2. More natural light
An elevated living space draws in more sunshine and creates that open, airy feel that’s synonymous with coastal living. It also lets you enjoy the beauty of the surrounding treetops, giving your home a serene, leafy outlook that complements the wider coastal scenery. This connection to nature adds both calm and character to your living spaces.
3. Seamless indoor-outdoor connection
Upstairs balconies flow straight from your living areas, so you can step out and enjoy the fresh sea breeze with your morning coffee or evening wine.
4. Greater privacy
Keeping your main living zone above street level means you can enjoy the view without the foot traffic looking in perfect for relaxing in peace.
Explore Hamlan’s Reverse Living Floorplans
Hamlan offers a variety of reverse living designs to suit coastal blocks of all sizes:
· Kalimna 240 – with upstairs living and master suite, downstairs additional bedrooms and rumpus.
· Kennett 239 & Kennett 256 – A unique double storey design where the first floor pivots on its axis to allow you to make the most of your panoramic outlook.
· Hopetoun 259 LS & Hopetoun 267 HS – Features a parents’ retreat on the entry, a vibrant kids’ zone in the middle, and elevated open-plan living on the top floor.
· Sheoak 294 LS – Features a secluded master bedroom and open plan living upstairs that opens out to a deck providing the perfect entertaining area
Custom Reverse Living Options
If our predesigned reverse living floorplans don’t quite match your vision, Hamlan can work with you to design a custom reverse living home tailored to your block, lifestyle, and view. Whether you want a larger balcony, a different internal layout, or extra spaces for entertaining, we’ll work with you to design a home that makes the most of your coastal outlook while perfectly suiting your family’s needs.
