Trendspotter: Our Top 4 Modern Homes From Around Australia

Creating a modern home takes a bold, new approach, starting with the façade. Clean lines, mixed materials and unique angles are all hallmarks of this distinctive style that allows homeowners to create a contemporary yet timeless look. Take a peek at four of our favourite modern homes that have used these key features to achieve standout exteriors they’ll love forever.

MODERN ALFRESCO, MORNINGSIDE, QLD

This home is all about outdoor living and taking advantage of the Queensland climate. To create a contemporary dwelling that also felt warm and inviting, the homeowners worked with Big House Little House to design a façade that balances materials and maximises open-plan living – the result is a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors.

On the exterior, the clean lines of Linea™ weatherboards and Axon™ cladding juxtaposed with timber cladding strike the perfect balance between light and dark. Large windows and a design that captures natural light and breeze means the home feels open and inviting despite the moody colour palette. An alfresco pool area and kitchen are perfectly matched to the homeowners’ love of entertaining.

MULTI-LEVEL MASTERPIECE, YALLINGUP WA

Though this three-storey build was first and foremost designed with a growing family in mind, it doesn’t fall short on modern style – or stunning views. Valmadre Living worked with the homeowners on designing this hilltop abode, taking a bold, creative approach for the façade that shows off their individual style

Using materials that are sympathetic to the environment was a priority for this coastal home, which took advantage of Linea weatherboard on the exterior. These materials also enabled the builders to break up what would have otherwise been a monolithic surface with horizontal detailing to create a unique finish. Carefully considered placement of windows and deep overhangs were designed to make the most of the spectacular ocean views with summer shading.

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY, THRUMSTER, NSW

Raw materials and edgy, industrial architecture are the stars of this striking rural build. Situated on one hectare of bushland 10 minutes’ drive from Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast, this Collins W Collins design feels part lush retreat, part bushland abode. To create a modern, bespoke look on the façade, Matrix™ sheets have been cut to size and juxtaposed with metal and painted brickwork to create a range of non-symmetrical formations on the exterior.

Next to the river-inspired swimming pool and warming fire pit, the outdoor area feels like a truly one-of-a-kind space that expresses the creativity of the family that live there. Inside, reclaimed materials and industrial finishes, including high ceilings, polished concrete floors and custom-made and recycled convict bricks lend a complementary modernist feel to the home.

MIXED FACADE, BARDON, QLD

A light-filled, contemporary design with a quintessential Australian aesthetic, this three-level Brisbane residence demonstrates how modern materials and thoughtful, high-quality touches can modernise any home building project. The result is a unique design that both makes a statement with sharp, geometric shapes yet remains timeless with classic colours and linear lines.

By keeping these elements simple, designers Graya Constructions have allowed textural materials to take centre stage. Making use of wood cladding alongside the Stria™ splayed 255mm on the exterior offers warmth, the two finishes together creating a high-end, custom-made feel. The interior is an extension of the modern theme, with fussy details shunned in favour of hardwearing concrete benchtops and streamlined, open-plan living.