Social norms are evolving – we’re changing the way we live and rethinking our priorities.

Our experiences through the pandemic saw us re-evaluate what was important to us, with many prioritising health and wellbeing. There’s a growing demand for our home to feel tranquil, restorative and connected to nature.

Our aging population has created a demand for evolved housing, as more than 25 percent of the population are over 65 years old and couple families without children are projected to become the most common family type in Australia over the next five years.

The cost of living and differing cultural influences has led people to embrace multigenerational living, with 20 percent of Australians now living in multi-generational households. So, it’s important that a home offers a floor plan and features, such as dual occupancy spaces, that meet these diverse needs.

Despite a push back to the office, over 53 percent of Australians are working from home, so home offices are being prioritised and upgraded.

Diversity, equity and inclusion will become the standard in Australia, as Gen Z are the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in history. This will see a growth in multicultural design influences in our homes.

In today’s world, accelerated digital behaviours are the norm, with significant growth in online traffic and sales.

The advent of the digitally native consumer has fostered an explosion of design trends and a proliferation of technology and apps that help customers create their dream home. Design is becoming democratised through Instagram and other social platforms that showcase all aspects of home design.

Advances in building technology are also set to disrupt the building industry, such as 3D printing as well as virtual reality and design visualisation tools. This technological landscape will see users demanding higher quality products and more choice and flexibility.

Climate change concerns see us reconnecting with nature while also needing more resilient buildings.

Ethical consumers are becoming ubiquitous, with an expectation for businesses to do more than just make a profit.

Passive House design is a growing trend with solar, battery, window design and insulation playing key roles, as people look to make their homes more sustainable and reduce their environmental footprint. The National Construction Code 2022 (NCC) requires all new Australian houses and apartments to meet an increased minimum energy efficiency rating of 7 stars under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) or BASIX in New South Wales. On the global political landscape, progressive climate bills and policies 
are in motion.

No one is immune to the impacts of the rises to the cost of living and this has tempered the home improvement boom that happened alongside the pandemic.

Building materials and labour costs rose at their fastest pace in almost 50 years due to supply constraints, however the growth in renovating, hobbycraft, and thrifted home décor continues to rise. There has also been a shift towards an experience-driven economy, with many people financially prioritising travel and hobbies. This thirst for new experiences, contrasted by the economic pressures forcing us to spend more time at home, is impacting how we design our homes.

We learned there’s been renewed support for local manufacturing, as regulations tighten on construction standards.

We’ve seen an increase in conversations around rebooting local manufacturing due to supply chain disruptions, while building has been affected by delays in building materials and scarcity of labour. There has also been a wave of socially progressive politics manifesting through independent politicians in both the Australian and New Zealand governments.