Design expert Neale Whitaker has revealed James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast’s eight home design styles that will run riot throughout 2025 in Australia.
The home styles include the following:
Box Modern: Plays with the infinite possibilities of modular design, using bold and sharp geometric shapes to create a striking yet simple facade.
Modern Farmhouse: Blends rustic style with modern convenience, with pitched roofs and large windows that create a sense of openness and connection to the landscape.
Modern Heritage: A renovation style that merges old with new, providing a unique glimpse into the past combined with contemporary contrasts through colour, shapes and materials.
Japandi: A hybrid architectural style combining Scandinavian functionality and Japanese rustic minimalism to deliver comfort and a connection to nature.
Barn: Combining dramatically high ceilings, open floor plans and connection to nature, the Barn continues to excite, offering rural charm in urban surroundings.
Modern Coastal: Provides a fresh twist on classic coastal style with a sleek aesthetic and indoor-outdoor living, built to withstand the Australian climate.
Mid-Century Modem: Remains timeless and relevant thanks to its practicality, simplicity and sense of optimism. The style harmonises modern simplicity with the nostalgia of Mid-Century Modern architecture.
Modern Classical: Putting a modern twist on the elegance of a neoclassical exterior, Modern Classical balances both traditional and whimsical.
The report draws upon James Hardie’s research, which blends global and local lifestyle trends with AI-driven home design analytics and insights from leading architects and designers.
Complementing the release of the forecast are eight design handbooks slated to launch in late March, to help guide Australians in bringing these styles to life.
With the cost of living continuing to rise, James Hardie partnered with experts to offer practical solutions and advice.
“The insights in the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast indicate Australians are moving towards homes that play a role in restoring wellbeing, offer spaces for creativity and self-expression and are built for resilience and longevity in the climate crisis,” Neale says.
“In 2025, we see a revolutionary step towards the future of home design, as we make a shift towards flexible homes that serve more purposes and suit a range of budgets.”
