There are plenty of benefits to building a new home – you'll get a lovely grant from the government to start you on your way, and you'll be able to make it fit your specifications, requirements and wants perfectly.

Some first-time buyers might be stuck for ideas, however. The three design principles below will help to inspire you to take that all-important first step and draw up a plan:

1) Blacked-out detailing

A great way to add a feature to any room is with fine details, and tying the contents of the space together with the structure of the home is made simple by incorporating black detailing.

Houzz suggests that going for this feature in the bathroom can bring about a truly contemporary feel – from the taps, to the window frames and the shower head or bath faucet. Having many smaller black details will tie it all into one smart package without being an overpowering presence.

Pair these details with a contrasting wall tile, such as a porcelain or ceramic look-alike, to really bring out the freshness of the room.

Feeling inspired already? A home building loan from Mortgageport will set you on the right path to achieve exactly what you're dreaming of!

2) Aussie timbers bring the outdoors in

Creating an indoor/outdoor flow is always something that people strive for – especially when it's making use of local materials as well! The flow can make entertaining easier and all of your indoor spaces feel much bigger.

Australian timbers were on display at the Denfair design fair in Melbourne recently, and Houzz states these sorts of features were all over the place. It's a style to watch!

Using timber doesn't have to be in the foundations of your new home, but adding a wooden coffee table can bring an otherwise-sanitary, modern space to life with a little rustic flair.

3) Contrast the dark with the light in your kitchen

A little different to the first idea of black features, making use of the natural colour of materials, and finding the perfect complement to these, will help a space to feel clean and contemporary.

For example, a nice, bright wall colour can be offset (in the best possible way) by a dark bench, such as a grey stone or marble. Even taking on some darker timber can be a great way to roll all three of these ideas into one.

There's plenty to think about when designing your first home, but these inspirations are a step in the right direction. Contact Mortgageport today to learn more about a construction mortgage as a first-time buyer.