Inside a Spacious Five-Bedroom New Build Near Durham

Aug 18
4 min read

https://youtu.be/idsKERsgYg0

Just minutes from Durham city centre, this substantial five-bedroom detached home combines spacious family living with a contemporary design and plenty of flexibility. Set on one of the development’s largest plots, the property offers three ensuite bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, a study, garage and generous garden.

PARTNER

7Days Performance

PRESENTER

Millie

CONTENT DELIVERED

Video Feature

LOCATION

Durham, England

Orange Audi RS4 wagon parked in a driveway before a modern white two-story house with black trim and garage, overcast sky.

A Strong First Impression

The house makes a statement with its double-fronted design, white rendered exterior and contrasting black windows. The size is equally impressive, with a generous driveway, garage and lawn wrapping around the side of the property. Its location adds to the appeal, with Durham City Centre, the A19, woodland walks and the coastline all within easy reach.

Bright modern hallway with herringbone wood floor, gray-carpeted stairs, and a home office visible through a doorway.

A Bright and Spacious Entrance

The entrance hall stretches through towards the main open-plan living areas, with light oak herringbone flooring and underfloor heating running throughout the ground floor. A glazed staircase helps keep the space feeling bright and open, and the layout provides clear separation between the formal lounge, study, downstairs WC and the larger family areas beyond. For a five-bedroom home, the entrance has the proportions to accommodate a busy household.

Bright open-plan kitchen and living room with island, stools, sofa, and open doors to a small fenced garden.

Bright open-plan kitchen and dining room with island stools, wooden table, gray cabinets, and lounge seating in a modern home.

Bright modern kitchen with white and gray cabinets, island, stool, wood herringbone floor, and decorative vases.

Bright open-plan kitchen and dining room with wood floors, blue cabinets, island stools, and a cozy seating area; no people.

A Spacious Kitchen Designed for Modern Living

The expansive open-plan space brings together the kitchen, dining and informal living areas, creating what Millie describes as “the family hub”. At its centre is a substantial island with a quartz-inspired white worktop, slate-grey cabinetry and brass hardware. The design puts a strong emphasis on practical storage, with integrated appliances, full-height fridge and freezer space, extensive cabinetry and additional storage within the island. “Storage is just pretty impressive” Millie notes, highlighting how the kitchen has been planned to keep everyday family life organised while maintaining a clean, contemporary appearance.

Bright modern kitchen with white cabinets, gold handles, marble counters, sink, and a back door in a clean, empty space

Bright modern kitchen with white cabinets, marble counters, sink, and back door with window in a clean, airy space

A Practical Utility Room

The utility room extends the practical thinking of the kitchen, with additional cabinetry, worktop space, a sink, room for a washer and dryer and direct access to the garage and outside. It also provides somewhere to keep larger household items away from the main living areas. For a family home of this size, the extra storage makes the utility room an important part of the overall layout, helping the kitchen and open-plan spaces remain uncluttered.

Bright modern living room with cream sofa, olive chair, and coffee table, open to a fenced garden through folding glass doors.

Living Spaces That Open to the Garden

The adjoining snug creates a more relaxed zone within the expansive open-plan arrangement. Vaulted ceilings, large windows and bifold doors bring in plenty of natural light and create a direct connection with the garden. Millie describes the feeling as being almost like “sat in the garden” with the doors open to let the breeze through.

Modern white two-story house with open patio doors, a grassy backyard, and cloudy sky, showing a calm suburban setting

Outside, the property has a generous patio and lawn, with enough space for outdoor seating and entertaining. The arrangement allows the family room to spread out while keeping the main living spaces connected.

Bright modern dining room with wooden table, beige chairs, wall art, clock, plants, and large window in a calm, airy space.

Space for Entertaining

The dedicated dining area adds another layer of flexibility to the open-plan layout. An eight-seater table demonstrates the size of the room, while the surrounding space leaves plenty of room for additional furniture and storage.

Bright modern living room with beige sofa, green chairs, abstract wall art, patterned rug, and large windows in a calm, airy space

The formal lounge provides a quieter alternative to the main family area, offering somewhere to retreat for a film or an evening in. Together, the different zones allow the house to support everyday lifestyle as well as larger gatherings.

Bright minimalist home office with desk, chair, lamp, armchair, plants, abstract art, and book labeled Henri Matisse

A Study with Plenty of Possibilities

Across the entrance hall, a dedicated study provides a quieter space for working from home, while its proportions make it easy to adapt for other uses too. Millie points out that it could become an additional bedroom, a home gym or another flexible family space if required. This adaptability is one of the strengths of the layout, giving the house the capacity to change alongside the people living in it.

Bright modern staircase landing with glass railings, a foosball table by a large window, and a glimpse of a bedroom beyond.

Upstairs, Family Space Takes Centre Stage

The first floor continues the well-proportioned rooms, with five bedrooms, several bathrooms and a spacious landing.

Bright modern game room with a foosball table, large window, framed abstract art, potted plant, and green bench.

One of the more unusual features is the additional games room, currently arranged with a foosball table and designed as a family hang out.

Bright minimalist living room with beige sofa, abstract wall art, patterned rug, floor lamp, shelf, and window with rooftops outside

There is also a second snug that could become a children's room, nursery or cinema space. “This is such a fun use of space up here” Millie says, noting how easily the room could be tailored to a family's lifestyle.

Bright modern bedroom with cream bed, green cushions, black nightstand, framed leaf art, and vanity nook; calm, tidy feel

Bright bedroom with a black bed, green throw, bird prints above, and an open bathroom door in the background.

Guest Bedrooms with Their Own Ensuites

Two of the guest bedrooms have private ensuite bathrooms, giving the accommodation a level of separation that is not always found in new build family homes.

Modern bathroom with white vanity, toilet, and glass shower; wood-paneled wall, window with towels, bright and clean.

Modern beige bathroom with a freestanding tub, candles, plants, glass shower, sink, and toilet by a bright window

Both bedrooms are generous enough for double beds and additional furniture, while their ensuites feature walk-in showers, contemporary black detailing and wood-effect tiling. The approach gives guests and family members a greater degree of privacy while maintaining a consistent contemporary character throughout the upper floor.

Bright modern bedroom with olive green bed, patterned pillows, wooden dressers, large window, and beige chair on gray carpet.

Bright modern bedroom with green velvet bed, white rug, and small vanity desk beside a gold oval mirror in a sunlit room

A Principal Suite with Room to Grow

The principal bedroom is the most expansive of the bedrooms, with a clever dividing wall separating the sleeping area from a generous dressing and preparation area. Millie describes it as “absolutely huge” with the additional area offering plenty of scope for built-in storage and a central island.

Bright modern bathroom with white marble-look tiles, walk-in shower, vessel sink, toilet, orange towels, and frosted window.

The adjoining ensuite continues the premium feel with large-format tiles, brass fixtures, a walk-in shower and built-in niches for toiletries.

Bright modern living room with cream sofa, abstract wall art, coffee table, plants, and open kitchen with wood floors and double doors.

A Flexible Home for Modern Family Life

What makes this property particularly compelling is not simply its size, but the number of ways the spaces can be used. From the expansive kitchen and open-plan family hub to the study, games room, two snug areas and generous bedroom accommodation, the layout has been planned to give a large household room to live together while still offering spaces for privacy. “There is so much you could do here. I’m already having so many different ideas going through my head” Millie says. With its combination of practical family spaces, contemporary interiors and adaptable rooms, the house offers plenty of scope for its next owners to make the layout their own.

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