Neale Whitaker reveals eight home styles shaping the future of design in James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025
Neale Whitaker reveals eight home styles shaping the future of design in James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025
James Hardie has launched the Modern Homes Forecast 2025, our second annual report into what’s shaping the way we design and build our homes today and into the future.
As part of the Forecast, we partnered with design expert, Neale Whitaker, to unveil eight home design styles set to shape the future of Australian home design and architecture. The report draws on research that blends global and local lifestyle trends with AI-driven home design analytics and insights from leading architects and designers.
The Forecast is complemented by the release of eight new Design Handbooks launching in late March, informed by leading designers, builders, and architects, to guide Australians in bringing these styles to life. As the cost of living continues to rise, we have partnered with experts to offer practical solutions and advice, helping home enthusiasts construct their dream builds on a budget while ensuring long-lasting results.
Neale Whitaker said: “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. 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.”
2025 Home Design Styles
The eight home styles revealed in the report are designed to suit modern lives:
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 Modern: 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.
Drivers of change in home design and building
The James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025 also unveils expert analysis on environmental and societal factors that are reshaping the future of architecture and home design in Australia - including wellbeing and resilience.
Neil Hipwell, Founder of design and build company Futureflip said: “In 2025, homes need to deliver more for less. We’re working with Australians to build smaller homes with smarter designs to save on costs and maximise space. There are many things people can do to prepare for the future, from using fire and moisture-resistant materials to recycling products where possible. This is the year to get innovative with your build and bring your dream home to life.”
With one-third of Australians saying they feel lonely often or most of the time*, the research shows more people are prioritising wellness at home - starting from the outside in. Australians are shifting to focus on advanced filtration systems, connection to outdoor space and improving thermal performance into their modern homes.
Environmental considerations are also shaping how Australians build as climate change brings more rain, heat, higher energy usage, contributing to rising bills. The research shows that resilient homes are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity. With increasing pressure from insurance companies, evolving building codes and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, homes need to do more than just shelter us.
Read the Forecast to learn more about the influential lifestyle themes shaping home design and explores how these themes are reflected in the popular, enduring and emerging modern home styles.
