Must-know home design transforming Australian suburbs and killing off beige box builds

The Block stars are backing bold new design trends, and they’re nothing like what you’ve seen before. SEE THE PICS

Aussie homeowners are ditching beige box builds in favour of calming, sanctuary-style homes, with new research revealing barn-style and Japandi designs are leading the shift.

A growing number of Australians are turning their backs on cookie-cutter homes, with new research revealing a dramatic shift toward calming, sanctuary-style spaces, and two design trends leading the charge.

Figures from the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025 show barn-style builds and Japandi-inspired interiors are fast becoming the top picks for home builders and renovators, as families rethink what they want from their living spaces.

The Block architect Julian Brenchley said Australians were increasingly focused on simplicity, serenity and space, and moving away from overly decorative exteriors.

“People want value, and they want volume. The barn form gives you that,” Mr Brenchley said.

“It’s a really smart shape, builders understand it, it works well on tight blocks, and you end up with these beautiful open volumes that feel calm and expansive.

“And it doesn’t cost a fortune to achieve.”

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The Block architect Julian Brenchley says more Australians are choosing simple, cost-effective homes that prioritise emotional wellbeing, space and functionality. Photo: Adam Yip

Barn-style homes are emerging as a top choice for families seeking open interiors, dramatic volume and stress-free construction.

Architects say the barn house form offers smart design solutions with fewer structural complexities and more lifestyle appeal.

Also gaining traction is Japandi — a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian principles — which architects say is resonating with a new generation of homeowners seeking stillness, flexibility and connection.

Winners of The Block 2023, Steph and Gian Ottavio said the desire for homes that feel like retreats had surged in the past year, and that Japandi represented more than just a look.

“Japandi isn’t just a design trend,” Ms Ottavio said.

“It’s about creating a space that slows you down.

“We’re seeing more people move away from fads and focus instead on how a home makes them feel.”

The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio are helping lead the Japandi design movement, creating sanctuary homes that feel calm, warm and deeply personal. Source: Supplied

Japandi design blends Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian warmth, creating homes that promote stillness, softness and intentional living.

The pair recently completed a Japandi-style home in collaboration with James Hardie, incorporating timber, earthy tones, internal courtyards and layered cladding profiles to create a sense of stillness and warmth.

Mr Ottavio said Melbourne’s more introspective design style made it the perfect fit for Japandi-inspired builds.

“In Sydney, it’s all about the view,” Mr Ottavio said.

“But in Melbourne, it’s about how the home feels inside — and that’s where Japandi thrives.”

Box Modern homes embrace strong geometric lines and clean facades, offering sleek urban living with flexibility and architectural edge.

The Modern Farmhouse style blends rustic charm with practical living, featuring pitched roofs, expansive windows and nature-inspired palettes.

Modern Heritage homes honour historical architecture with contemporary touches, balancing period charm with fresh colours and smart materials.

The Ottavios said intentional design has a direct impact on how people live and feel.

“When every space in the home has purpose, it changes your whole outlook,” Ms Ottavio said.

“We’re designing for how you feel at 7am, or after a long day, not just how the house looks in a brochure.”

Their observations are backed by Hardie’s trend data, which shows wellness, flexibility and build efficiency are now top priorities for Australians designing or renovating a home, with aesthetics becoming more considered and intentional.

The forecast outlines eight key styles expected to shape the future of suburban Australia, including Box Modern, Modern Classical, Modern Coastal and Mid-Century Modern — with Barn and Japandi leading early adoption.

Modern Coastal homes reinterpret classic beach design with indoor-outdoor flow, weather-smart materials and laid-back luxury.

With clean lines, muted tones and a focus on breezy comfort, Modern Coastal is a go-to style for relaxed Australian living.

According to Mr Brenchley, the sanctuary-style shift is already well underway.

“More clients are asking for multipurpose zones, natural materials and internal courtyards,” he said.

“They’re less worried about front facades and more focused on acoustic comfort, thermal performance and zoning for everyday life. The home is becoming a retreat.”

The Block architect added that the new wave of “non-beige” homes would be better suited to modern lifestyle demands, including hybrid working, multigenerational living and increased time spent at home.

“The beige box is over,” Mr Brenchley said.

“What comes next is personal, practical and peaceful, and it’s going to reshape our suburbs.”

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Originally published as Must-know home design transforming Australian suburbs and killing off beige box builds