New-build homes can provide people with greater scope for maximising home space through smarter and more modern living-oriented design, it has been claimed.The Home Builders Federation (HBF) played down negative reports on planning delays and poor quality home builds, insisting that the design advantages were great for those with their own kitchen ideas.John Slaughter, director of external affairs at the HBF, said Youd have modern equipment and design a new kitchen, dining room and that sort of thing, which is more suited to the contemporary lifestyle.Claiming that new-build homes were like a blank canvas for design ideas, the group explained that through a recent study it found that around 17 per cent of space in older properties was not effectively used especially in relation to eating arrangements.Mr Slaughter added There was an over-emphasis on having a formally separated dining room as opposed to a more open plan format for the downstairs living area.Open plan kitchen and dining areas often use the extra space to spread out appliances and keep worktops uncluttered, allowing a modern sink from Franke or Carron Phoenix to spread its wings.