Trends may come and go, but bigger shifts in the way we live are making a more enduring impact on how we live in our homes, and how they are designed.
The Modern Homes Forecast 2024, a study into Australian architecture and design, was recently released and revealed seven enduring, popular and emerging home styles, tailored to the unique geographic and cultural contexts of Australia today.
With 20 per cent of Australians now living in multigenerational households, flexible living spaces are in high demand. Despite the push to get back to the office, over 53 per cent of us are still working from home at least part-time, so home workspaces are a design priority.
What this means for potential buyers, owner-builders and renovators is that whether new or renovated, modern homes must meet Australians’ needs for where, and how, we live today.
See which modern home design style resonates with you.
01
Modern Farmhouse Style
Promising spacious comfort and modern functionality, the Modern Farmhouse seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements. With traditional design elements such as welcoming eat-in kitchens and open-plan living, the Modern Farmhouse brings traditional elements together with contemporary updates. A neutral colour palette with a sophisticated contrast of black windows defines this style, bringing a modern aesthetic to the timeless charm of the traditional farmhouse.
02
Box Modern Style
As the name suggests, the hallmarks of the Box Modern style are cubes or blocks that are stacked, intersecting, or arranged to form compelling, contemporary residences. Achieving clean exterior lines with modern cladding, such as the Stria™ Cladding by James Hardie used here, and with large panels of glazing to bring the outdoors in, the Box Modern style allows for artful plays of light and shadow throughout the home. The interiors of this style reflect this aesthetic, with concealed appliances, sleek cabinetry and polished surfaces to give an uncluttered look throughout.
03
Modern Heritage Style
Modern Heritage is where old and new worlds collide and coexist. Through respectful restoration, bold renovation, and the use of contemporary materials, the crisp lines of vertical Axon™ Cladding and the horizontal Linea™ Weatherboard help to distinguish each part of the home. Modern Heritage elevates traditional homes with streamlined, minimalist contrasts by creating homes of timeless elegance with modern functionality and style.
04
Japandi Style
As easy on the eye as it is to live in, the Japandi home combines Scandinavian functionality with Japanese minimalism. Pared-back yet warm, the Japandi style celebrates natural materials, neutral colours, and indoor/outdoor living to promote a deep and gentle connection to nature.
05
Barn Style
The soaring angles of the Barn’s roof are inspired by Nordic minimalism and practicality, originally designed to let snow slide off. It’s a benefit not often required in Australia, but the elevated roof cavity and the light and space it captures is definitely a plus. The open-plan living spaces of a Barn and generously sized windows provide a seamless connection with nature. Clean vertical lines from Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding by James Hardie and craftsmanship featuring natural materials define this style, creating homes of serenity and beauty.
06
Modern Coastal Style
A contemporary take on Australian beach culture is the inspiration for Modern Coastal homes. Relaxed, laid-back spaces and crisp white weatherboards hark back to beach shack history, but the look is modernised with sleek minimalism. Designed for the coastal climate and in harmony with the architectural history of their regions, Modern Coastal homes offer a luxurious lifestyle that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
07
Mid-Century Modern Style
Effortlessly cool yet practical and functional, Mid-Century Modern is back in a big way. The style has been reimagined for modern living and the southern hemisphere climate, with the traditional hallmarks of indoor-outdoor spaces adapted with raised structures. Clean lines and paneling are a classic Mid-Century feature, achieved here with Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding by James Hardie, which has the added benefit of fire resistance for bushfire-prone areas (adhering to bushfire attack level requirements to BAL40).
Achieve your vision for a modern home
Finding the language to articulate your ideas around design style or materials to your builder or architect can be a challenge, especially if you’re new to the building game. To help homeowners and support trade professionals, James Hardie has produced a series of Design Handbooks that offer comprehensive insights into each of the emerging design concepts, outlining design features, material textures, colour palettes, and Hardie™ exterior cladding solutions to help bring your vision to life.
In the series, James Hardie has joined forces with a stellar lineup of leading design professionals who offer their expertise and insights, each ideally matched to a particular home style to help homeowners and their trade teams easily navigate the process of designing and building their ideal modern home.
As a trusted innovator and industry leader, James Hardie empowers homeowners and building professionals alike to achieve their dream home with premium quality solutions that enable endless possibilities for design and aesthetics, while also delivering trusted protection and long-lasting beauty.
